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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M30X headphones offer excellent overall sound quality, a good soundstage, and moderate comfort, ideal for extended music listening sessions at home or in the studio, but they have no microphone and are not suited for exercise or travel due to their size and weight. Unlike the M30X, the Skullcandy Dime 2 earbuds feature a more compact and portable design, great for use during exercise, travel, and daily commutes, with a built-in mic that makes them suitable for calls and meetings; however, their overall sound quality, while still good, may not satisfy audiophiles, and they're less suitable for critical listening given their smaller soundstage. If budget is a concern, the Dime 2 is much more affordable, and their wireless convenience and practical features like sweat resistance may be more valuable for on-the-go use than the higher sound fidelity and build quality of the 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 music
- Good for TV and video
Advantages of the Skullcandy Dime 2
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for music, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is only fair.
Gaming
6.6
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
5.2
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Dime 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.5
The Skullcandy Dime 2 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both only fair for noise reduction, though the Skullcandy Dime 2 is somewhat better.
Battery
N/A
3.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Dime 2 has 3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Skullcandy Dime 2 costs $30.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The Skullcandy Dime 2 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
4.3
4.8
The Skullcandy Dime 2 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Skullcandy Dime 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Skullcandy Dime 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | February 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 4.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 8.5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 4.5 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."
Skullcandy Dime 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | March 2022
"With the low price, it’s a low-risk investment. The Dime 2 is a decent set of backup buds for those times when you don’t want to risk your more upscale buds. If it weren’t for the lackluster battery life, I’d say everyone should have a pair as a spare for music."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Skullcandy Dime 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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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