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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 are a superior choice if you prioritize overall sound quality for music listening, as they offer a more immersive audio experience. However, the Steelseries TUSQ earbuds are more suited for gaming, with a higher score for gaming audio and a built-in boom mic, which may be absent in the Audio Technica ATH M30X. They also feature a higher build quality, which could be beneficial for long-term durability. Although the ATH M30X is reported to excel in noise isolation, the TUSQ could be more comfortable due to its lighter weight and potentially better fit with cable ear hooks. If portability is a concern, the TUSQ's smaller earbud size and carry size could be advantageous compared to the ATH M30X's bulkier over-ear design. Considering the price, you get better sound with the ATH M30X but more gaming features and portability with the TUSQ. 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
- The Audio Technica ATH M30X has no clear advantages over the Steelseries TUSQ.
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
6.6
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both poor for phone calls, though the Steelseries TUSQ is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
7.9
7.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Steelseries TUSQ are both good for TV and video, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
Cost
$89
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $89 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $40.
Build Quality
7.2
8.0
The Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ and Audio Technica ATH M30X are both good for music.
Noise Reduction
6.0
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Steelseries TUSQ are both only fair for noise reduction.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M30X or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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
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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
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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