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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize excellent build and sound quality for music and videos in a quieter environment, consider the Audio Technica ATH M40X; they have a good soundstage and are great for critical listening but lack a microphone for calls and are not the best choice for exercising due to their size and non-sweatproof design. On the other hand, the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 offer a balanced sound with the convenience of wireless connectivity and features such as sweatproof certification, making them better for exercise. They also provide active noise cancellation for noisier environments, an app equalizer for sound customization, and have a built-in microphone, but they're not optimized for gaming due to possible latency. 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 TV and video
Advantages of the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2
- Very good for gaming
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
8.6
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
4.9
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
7.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 has 5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$150
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 costs $150.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.4
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for music.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
5.6
The Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $150 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
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 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 4.7 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."
Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2
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PC Magazine
Tim Gideon | December 2023
"The Creative Aurvana Ace 2 earphones deliver robust, crisp audio thanks to their combination of xMEMS and dynamic drivers. We're fans of their extensive, high-quality codec options and highly customizable EQ."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2
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 Creative Labs
Creative Labs is a Singaporean technology company specialized in the manufacture of multimedia products. They created the world-famous Soundblaster soundcard back in 1989 which was a staple of the gaming community for a long time. Nowadays, besides still marketing their discrete audio systems, they offer a wide array of headphones, gaming headsets and speakers that still preserve that same heritage.
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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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