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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is a great choice for cost-conscious buyers who still want good overall sound quality and comfort, and it's suited for closed environments due to its closed-back design which provides some noise isolation. However, it lacks a microphone, which means it's not ideal for calls or gaming. The EPOS PC38X, on the other hand, is more expensive but offers superior sound quality, a wide soundstage, and a microphone with excellent quality, making it perfect for immersive gaming experiences, calls, and meetings. While both are wired and similar in form factor, the open-back design of the PC38X means it's not as good at noise isolation as the M30X, and its ear cups do not fold making it less portable. Thus, if budget is your main concern and you primarily listen to music in quieter environments, the M30X might be the better choice, but if you need a versatile headset for various uses including gaming and calls, the PC38X would be a superior option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M30X
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.5
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Gaming
6.6
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
10.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
7.9
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
9.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Cost
$89
$139
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the EPOS PC38X costs $139.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The EPOS PC38X has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the EPOS PC38X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | EPOS PC38X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $139 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | EPOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 10/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 10/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
EPOS PC38X
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Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the EPOS PC38X
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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