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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're budget-conscious and primarily use headphones for music and TV at home, the Audio Technica ATH M30X provides good sound quality, comfort, and is designed for over-ear closed listening, reducing sound leakage. However, if you are willing to invest more for best-in-class sound and very good comfort for mobile use, the Sennheiser IE600 earbuds are a premium choice, offering excellent build quality and sound performance suited for critical listening. Both lack wireless connectivity and built-in controls, with the ATH M30X better suited for stationary indoor use due to its larger size, lack of sweatproof features, and longer cable. In contrast, the IE600's smaller size, lightweight design, and detachable cable best serve mobile listeners who prioritize audio fidelity on the go. 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 IE600
- Very good for music
- Excellent for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.6
8.3
The Sennheiser IE600 is very good for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Phone Calls
4.3
3.5
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Sennheiser IE600 are both poor for phone calls, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sennheiser IE600 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
9.3
The Sennheiser IE600 is excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
7.0
The Sennheiser IE600 is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Cost
$89
$500
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Sennheiser IE600 costs $500.
Build Quality
7.2
9.0
The Sennheiser IE600 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
6.6
6.7
The Sennheiser IE600 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for gaming.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Sennheiser IE600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Sennheiser IE600 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $500 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 3.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 6.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.6/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 2.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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 IE600
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"If you've got the bucks, the Sennheiser IE 600 is a nice, upscale set of in-ear monitors made of a lightweight metal with an unusual texture. It comes with a suite of extras, and performs well at virtually every task."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Sennheiser IE600
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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Why trust us
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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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.
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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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