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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 better overall sound quality and a more immersive experience with higher scores in music and TV/video. However, they are wired headphones and lack features such as active noise cancelling and a microphone, which the Soundcore Life Q20 provides. The Soundcore Life Q20 also has wireless capabilities, longer battery life, and excels in air travel use due to superior noise isolation. Therefore, if you prefer wireless convenience, frequent travel, and call functionality, go for the Soundcore. If sound quality for listening at home or in a studio is your priority, choose the Audio Technica. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q20
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Soundcore Life Q20 are both good for music, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.6
5.2
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
4.9
The Soundcore Life Q20 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q20 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q20 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q20 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
32.3 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q20 has 32.3 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 Soundcore Life Q20 costs $60.
Build Quality
7.2
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q20 has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Soundcore Life Q20 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Soundcore Life Q20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $60 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | November 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 32.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
Soundcore Life Q20
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2022
"As far as headphones that cost under $100 go, the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 is a really solid option. Like any good tool, it does the job well without much guff, and it’s affordable to boot. Sure: it’s not going toe to toe with any of the higher-end models of ANC headphones out there—but the headphones do well enough for commuters that it’s a good stand-in if you were never planning on spending a bunch of money anyway."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Soundcore Life Q20
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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