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ATH M40X
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Pixel Buds A Series
Company ProductName Specs




What we think

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The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·

If you're looking for superior sound quality for music listening and a more immersive experience, the Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones offer a higher overall sound quality with a better soundstage, making them well-suited for critical listening and professional tasks. They are wired and come with a detachable cable, which is great for durability but means they are not ideal for exercise and on-the-go use, as they lack wireless convenience and are not sweatproof. In contrast, the Google Pixel Buds A Series are wireless earbuds optimized for portability and convenience. They are suitable for calls, meetings, and casual gaming thanks to features like a high-quality microphone and low latency mode. Additionally, they are built to withstand sweat and offer a wireless experience, which makes them a better option for exercise and travel. However, their overall sound quality is lower than the Audio Technica headphones, so they may be less appealing to audiophiles. Both are similarly priced, so your choice should depend on your priorities: sound quality and professional use versus convenience and active lifestyle compatibility. 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
  • Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Google Pixel Buds A Series
  • Very good for phone calls
  • Very good for gaming
  • Good for exercise
  • Very good for podcasts and audiobooks

Key differences

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Music

8.1
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
6.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is only fair.

Gaming

7.0
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
8.6
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.

Phone Calls

3.3
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
8.5
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.

Podcasts and Audiobooks

5.1
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
8.4
The Google Pixel Buds A Series is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.

TV and Video

8.7
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
7.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series is good.

Noise Reduction

5.3
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
4.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Google Pixel Buds A Series are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica ATH M40X is somewhat better.

Battery

N/A
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
5.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Google Pixel Buds A Series has 5 hours of battery life.

Cost

$99
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
$58
Product image
Product image

$40

$60

$80

$100

$120

$140

$160

The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Google Pixel Buds A Series costs $58.

Build Quality

8.2
ATH M40X
Pixel Buds A Series
7.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality, while the Google Pixel Buds A Series has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Google Pixel Buds A Series compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Audio Technica ATH M40XGoogle Pixel Buds A Series
Audio Technica ATH M40XGoogle Pixel Buds A Series

GENERAL

Price
$99
$58
Brand
Audio TechnicaGoogle
Release Date
January 1, 2014June 1, 2021
Form Factor
HeadphonesEarbuds
Connectivity
WiredWireless

SOUND

Music Score
8.1/106.4/10
Phone Calls Score
3.3/108.5/10
Gaming Score
7.1/108.7/10
TV and Video Score
8.8/107.8/10
Exercise Score
4.3/107.4/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
N/A5 Hours
Wireless charging
N/ANo
Charging time
N/A1.3 Hours
Bluetooth version
N/A5
Case Battery Life
N/A24

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
NoNo
Noise Reduction Score
5.3/104.6/10
Virtual Surround
NoNo
Android App
N/AYes
iOS App
N/ANo
Mic Quality
N/A8.5/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
8.2/107.4/10
Comfort score
7.6/108.2/10
Size
N/AMedium
Weight (headset or single earbud)
245 Grams5.1 Grams
Microphone style
N/AIntegrated

Shopping

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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."

Google Pixel Buds A Series

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Dig into reviews and images

Sound Guys

Jasper Lastoria | October 2022
"For the person who doesn’t want to think about their earphones while using them, Google has created the Pixel Buds A-Series. For a reasonable price, Google packs in a bevy of features like touch controls and a good fit into this Android-friendly set of earbuds to make productivity and life easier."

Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Google Pixel Buds A Series

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 Google

Mainly known as the most popular search engine on the planet, Google is a multinational technology company that also offers a variety of audio-oriented products. Beside their smart speakers under the Nest product line, Google offers several models of true wireless earbuds under the Pixel line, some of which happen to be an affordable but very powerful option for those already in the Android ecosystem.

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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.

By the numbers

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11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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.

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