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 January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality, particularly in music, and use your audio gear primarily for listening at home or studio, the Audio Technica ATH M40X are known for their excellent sound and soundstage but lack a microphone, and their size makes them less portable. On the other hand, the Beats Studiobuds offer the convenience of wireless connectivity, have a built-in microphone suitable for calls, and are more portable and fit for exercise use, although they have a slightly lower sound quality compared to the M40X. 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 Beats Studiobuds
- Good for phone calls
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.2
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Beats Studiobuds is good.
Gaming
7.0
5.2
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
7.0
The Beats Studiobuds is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
9.0
The Beats Studiobuds is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Beats Studiobuds is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Beats Studiobuds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Beats Studiobuds has 6 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
8.2
8.8
The Beats Studiobuds and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality, though the Beats Studiobuds has somewhat better build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Key similarities
Cost
$79
$80
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $79 and the Beats Studiobuds costs $80.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Beats Studiobuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Beats Studiobuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.9 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 5 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."
Beats Studiobuds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | May 2023
"For less than the price of the AirPods, the Beats Studio Buds delivers a good fit, great sound, and active noise cancellation. This is also the first set of Apple-owned Beats earbuds to feature quick pairing with Android devices, albeit at the expense of some key features for Apple users."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Beats Studiobuds
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 Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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. JLab JBuds Work Wireless
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. Shokz OpenMove
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. Sennheiser HD 350BT
VS
Compare Beats Studiobuds vs. Soundcore Life Q30
VS
Compare Beats Studiobuds vs. Soundcore Space A40
VS
Compare Beats Studiobuds vs. Soundcore Life P3
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
122,600
Recommendations made
18,390
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
