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What we think
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Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prefer headphones for a more immersive music and TV experience with better sound isolation for air travel and a foldable design for easier storage, the Audio Technica ATH M30X would suit you, but they lack a built-in microphone for calls. However, if you value wireless convenience, a lighter design, and features like sweatproof certification for exercise and active noise cancelling for noisy environments, then the JBL Tune Flex might be the better choice, with the added bonus of longer battery life for extended use and a low latency mode which is advantageous for gaming. 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
- The Audio Technica ATH M30X has no clear advantages over the JBL Tune Flex.
Advantages of the JBL Tune Flex
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.6
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
6.3
The JBL Tune Flex is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
9.0
The JBL Tune Flex is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The JBL Tune Flex and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the JBL Tune Flex is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Flex has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$60
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the JBL Tune Flex costs $60.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The JBL Tune Flex has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and JBL Tune Flex are both good for music.
TV and Video
7.9
7.8
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and JBL Tune Flex are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the JBL Tune Flex compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | JBL Tune Flex |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 5.1/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 9 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 Tune Flex
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Dig into reviews and images
MajorHiFi
Gabby Bloch | May 2023
"JBL is offering a similar design and arguably better resolution than the more expensive AirPods 3rd Generation. Add to that a comfortable and versatile fit, an equalizer and pretty decent ANC, and you’ve got a quality wireless earphone. I would have loved longer battery life and more crystal calls, but for the price, you can’t complain. A solid deal overall."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the JBL Tune Flex
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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