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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern, the Audio Technica ATH M30X could be a good fit; they are less expensive and offer reliable performance. However, they have a more limited soundstage and less detail in audio reproduction compared to the HifiMan Edition XS. If you prioritize sound quality and a more expansive soundstage and can afford a higher price, the HifiMan Edition XS would be a better choice. The HifiMan also tends to offer better comfort for longer listening sessions, but keep in mind they are open-back, which means they leak sound and offer little noise isolation, unlike the closed-back Audio Technica ATH M30X which isolates noise better and leaks less sound. 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 HifiMan Edition XS
- Very good for music
- Good for gaming
- Best in class for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.8
The HifiMan Edition XS is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Gaming
6.6
7.4
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The HifiMan Edition XS and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the HifiMan Edition XS is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
7.9
The HifiMan Edition XS is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
9.5
The HifiMan Edition XS is best in class 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 HifiMan Edition XS is poor.
Cost
$89
$269
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the HifiMan Edition XS costs $269.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The HifiMan Edition XS 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 HifiMan Edition XS compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | HifiMan Edition XS |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $269 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | HifiMan | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 7.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.4/10 | |
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 | No | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 421 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
HifiMan Edition XS
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Headphonesty
Eric D Hieger | January 2023
"The Edition XS easily compete with headphones in their price range with a very high price-to-performance ratio. The XS are an amazing value and offer performance not far off from headphones more than twice their cost. These will be a mind-blowing revelation for enthusiasts and music lovers who have only heard standard big-brand mainstream headphones."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the HifiMan Edition XS
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 HifiMan
HiFiMAN is a Chinese, high-end, audio product manufacturer, with 20 years of experience, that specializes in amplifiers, digital audio players and planar magnetic headphones, some of which have become a staple in the audiophile community such as the entry-level Sundara, the midrange Edition X, and the very well-regarded, high-end, Arya.
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Why trust us
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
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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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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