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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you're focused on price and need wired headphones for critical listening, the Audio Technica ATH M40X offers very good sound and build quality at a lower cost, but has poor mic quality and lacks wireless functionality. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX earbuds cost more but provide excellent overall sound, active noise cancelling, and are sweatproof, dustproof, and have a longer battery life, making them versatile for various settings including exercise and travel. However, the Beoplay EX's calls and music scoring is lower, despite its premium price and advanced features like wireless charging and an integrated mic. Choose the ATH M40X for studio-like listening and affordability or the Beoplay EX for superior portability, features, and versatility in active environments. 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 M40X
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
9.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
6.1
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$399
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX costs $399.
Build Quality
8.2
10.0
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX has best in class build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
7.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M40X to be very good for music, while the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX is good.
TV and Video
8.7
8.9
The Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $399 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bang and Olufsen | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 9.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 22 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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Dig into reviews and images
Leaf and Core
Danielle | January 2023
"If you’ve wanted truly wireless headphones, but couldn’t pick them up because they sound terrible, these will be the headphones that win you over. If you’re the kind of person who would consider spending $400 on headphones, these are the right truly wireless headphones for you."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
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 Bang and Olufsen
Bang and Olufsen is an almost century-old electronic goods manufacturer based in Denmark with a very special focus on design. Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen created the first AC radio in 1925 and went on to develop televisions, telephones and, of course, headphones and loudspeakers. Today, they are partnered with several companies, like Audi, BMW and Aston Martin, to provide very high-quality audio solutions.
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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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