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·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is ideal if you prioritize sound quality and are using them primarily in quiet environments; they offer superior sound and build quality for critical listening but lack a microphone and wireless capabilities. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3, being more affordable, are very portable and suitable for outdoor activities, including exercise, thanks to their sweatproof design and built-in microphone, making them a good fit for calls and bodily active use scenarios. However, the Outlier Air V3 may not match the sound fidelity of the ATH M40X and aren't optimal for a focused listening experience. 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 Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Gaming
7.0
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
7.6
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
8.9
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 costs $30.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Headphones
Find your new headphones
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Creative Labs | |
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 | 5.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 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 | 40 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 5.2 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."
Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Trusted Reviews
Kob Monney | July 2022
"The V3 present the best version of the Outlier Air series yet. The new features such as Active Noise Reduction and Ambient mode are integrated well; the performance of both is as good as you’ll get below £100. The design is less bulky and more comfortable thanks to being smaller and lighter, and the Outlier Air V3 eke out more clarity, detail and definition from music."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Creative Labs Outlier Air V3
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.
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. Jabra Elite 4
VS
Compare Audio Technica ATH M40X vs. Beats EP
VS
Compare Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 vs. JBL Vibe Beam True Wireless
VS
Compare Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 vs. Skullcandy Dime 2
VS
Compare Creative Labs Outlier Air V3 vs. Creative Labs Zen Air
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
95,300
Recommendations made
14,295
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
