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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X over-ear headphones offer better overall sound quality, a wider soundstage, and are suited for environments where you won't move much, such as home or studio listening. They, however, lack an integrated microphone and aren't designed for exercise or use during travel. In contrast, the JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds are wireless with a more portable design and active noise cancelling, making them more versatile for calls, meetings, exercise, and travel. They have a convenient integrated microphone but don't match the sound quality and soundstage of the ATH M30X. Consider the ATH M30X for superior audio during stationary use, or choose JBL Live Pro 2 for portability and versatility. 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 music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the JBL Live Pro 2
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
5.9
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Gaming
6.6
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The JBL Live Pro 2 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Pro 2 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Pro 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
9.1
The JBL Live Pro 2 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
8.3 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The JBL Live Pro 2 has 8.3 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Cost
$89
$90
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the JBL Live Pro 2 costs $90.
Build Quality
7.2
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and JBL Live Pro 2 both have good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the JBL Live Pro 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | JBL Live Pro 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $90 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
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 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 4.8 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."
JBL Live Pro 2
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What HiFi?
What HiFi? | February 2023
"The JBL Live Pro 2 TWS occupy an interesting space in the wireless earbuds market. They’re a step up from cheap wireless earbuds and allow you to access better sound quality without having to make the jump to more premium options from the likes of Bose, Sony and Sennheiser. They’re an entertaining listen, easy to use and manage to pack in a lot of useful features. We think they’re well worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the JBL Live Pro 2
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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