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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X offers robust build quality and studio-quality sound, making them ideal for at-home listening and music production; however, they are more costly and may not be as portable due to their over-ear design. The KZ ZSN Pro earbuds come with a microphone, which adds functionality for calls and gaming, and their in-ear form factor makes them more portable and suitable for on-the-go use, all at a lower price point. If budget and portability with versatile use are priorities, the KZ ZSN Pro may be the better option, but if sound quality and durability for long listening sessions are more important, consider investing in the ATH M30X. 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 KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.6
8.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
4.9
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) is poor.
Cost
$89
$24
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) costs $24.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.7
The KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both good for music.
TV and Video
7.9
7.4
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $24 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | KZ | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | March 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
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 | 7 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | In-Line | |
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."
KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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Dig into reviews and images
PrimeAudio
David Becker | 2019
"Undoubtedly the focus and the star of the show, the ZSN Pro’s bass is big, bold and bangin’. The amount of gusto in the low end should satisfy anyone who likes a large lick of bass and even certified bassheads will probably get a kick out of this."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
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.
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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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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.
Luis Torres
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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