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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're looking for more affordable wired over-ear headphones with very good overall sound quality and are primarily using them for music and TV, the Audio Technica ATH M30X would suit you. However, they are not ideal for exercise and lack features like wireless connectivity and a microphone. On the other hand, if you prefer premium-priced wireless earbuds with a microphone, sweatproof certification, active noise cancelling, and smart features like a touch display on the case for adjustments, the JBL Live Flex 3 is a better choice. They are optimized for exercise, portability, and have an app equalizer for sound customization, but their sound performance may not be the best for gaming or calls. 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 TV and video
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Live Flex 3
- Very good for music
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
6.6
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.9
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
8.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers JBL Live Flex 3 to be very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | JBL Live Flex 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 8.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the JBL Live Flex 3
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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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 Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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