A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and a closed-back design for passive noise isolation, the Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones are suitable with their very good sound and soundstage. They're better for TV and video as well, but lack a microphone, and they are not ideal for exercise or travel due to their size and weight. The Baseus Bowie MA10 earbuds are more budget-friendly, with a wireless stemless design that's great for exercise and offers very good mic quality, making them suitable for calls and meetings. However, their sound quality isn't as high as the Audio Technica's and they're not recommended for gaming or TV. If you're often on the go and need something compact with good call quality, the Baseus might suit you better, whereas the Audio Technica excels in audio fidelity for stationary listening. 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
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Baseus Bowie MA10
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is poor.
Gaming
7.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.3
The Baseus Bowie MA10 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Baseus Bowie MA10 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
5.7
The Baseus Bowie MA10 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Baseus Bowie MA10 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Baseus Bowie MA10 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.7
The Baseus Bowie MA10 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Baseus Bowie MA10 has 8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$23
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Baseus Bowie MA10 costs $23.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Baseus Bowie MA10 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Baseus Bowie MA10 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Baseus Bowie MA10 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $23 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Baseus | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 132 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 10 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
See more
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."
Baseus Bowie MA10
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Digital Trends
Simon Cohen | August 2023
"Even if the Bowie MA10 only had some of the features and performance they offer at double the price, they’d be a helluva good value. But given that they far exceed any other earbuds at this price, if you’re looking for an ultra-affordable set of wireless earbuds and you don’t mind their big charging case, you just can’t go wrong."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Baseus Bowie MA10
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.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. "Nothing" Brand Ear Stick
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. AKG K361
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. Jabra Elite 4
VS
Compare Baseus Bowie MA10 vs. JBL Quantum 100
VS
Compare Baseus Bowie MA10 vs. KZ ZSN Pro (with Mic)
VS
Compare Baseus Bowie MA10 vs. JLab Go Air Pop
VS
FAQs
FAQs about earbuds and headphones
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.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
110,300
Recommendations made
16,545
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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.
Featured in
