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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is a great option if budget is a major concern, offering good overall sound quality and comfort. However, they have a closed design which doesn't offer the same level of soundstage as open headphones. Sennheiser 560S, on the other hand, provides superior overall sound quality, a much more open and immersive soundstage, better comfort, but at a significantly higher price. Neither of them have a microphone, so neither is ideal for calls. The M30X might be better for commuting or use in noisier environments due to better noise isolation, whereas the 560S could be the preferred choice for critical listening in a quiet room. Neither is suited for exercise, and both are similar in terms of gaming and TV performance, but the open design of the 560S may not be ideal for noisy environments. 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 Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.5
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Sennheiser 560S and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser 560S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
8.1
The Sennheiser 560S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.9
9.1
The Sennheiser 560S is excellent 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 Sennheiser 560S is poor.
Cost
$89
$230
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Sennheiser 560S costs $230.
Build Quality
7.2
8.0
The Sennheiser 560S has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.6
6.9
The Sennheiser 560S and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for gaming.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Sennheiser 560S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Sennheiser 560S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $230 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
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 | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 244.9 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."
Sennheiser 560S
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Sennheiser 560S
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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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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