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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you are seeking value and studio-quality sound without spending too much, the Audio Technica ATH M40X can be a great choice, especially for detailed listening environments like studio monitoring. However, they are wired and lack noise-cancellation, which could be a downside during travel or in noisy settings. On the other hand, the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are wireless, offer active noise-cancellation, which is excellent for commutes or office use, but they come at a higher price. Also, consider comfort and portability; over-ear headphones like the ATH M40X can be less portable and heavier than in-ear options like the Bose earbuds. 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 Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Very good for air travel
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is good.
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
6.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
9.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
6.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$199
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds costs $199.
Build Quality
8.2
8.9
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality, though the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 8.5 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."
Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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 Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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