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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize higher sound quality for music listening, the Audio Technica ATH M30X performs better in this aspect than the Soundcore Life Q30, though the M30X lacks a built-in microphone for calls, which the Q30 includes. The Q30 also offers active noise cancelling, which the M30X does not, making it superior for noise isolation, especially while traveling. The M30X's price is often somewhat less, but if wireless convenience and battery life are important, the Q30 lasts significantly longer and supports both wired and wireless use. Consider the Q30 if you need versatility for various environments, otherwise, the M30X offers better audio fidelity for a lower cost. 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 Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Soundcore Life Q30 are both good for music, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.6
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
4.8
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
6.0
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M30X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
7.2
8.0
The Soundcore Life Q30 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 Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 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 | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 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 | 263 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 Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Soundcore Life Q30
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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