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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For a fulfilling music listening experience with solid sound quality, consider the Audio Technica ATH M40X, especially if you're seeking a budget-friendly option with excellent soundstage for an immersive feel and low latency suitable for TV and video. However, they're wired and don't have a mic, limiting their use for calls or gaming communication. On the other hand, Grado GT220 earbuds, while pricier, offer the convenience of wireless connectivity and are equipped with a mic, making them versatile for calls and meetings, but they might not match the M40X's sound quality for music and their latency may affect their performance for videos and gaming. Both models are comparable in comfort and do not feature active noise cancelling. The ATH M40X are foldable, enhancing portability, whereas the GT220's small size and wireless charging offer convenience on the go. 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 Grado GT220
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Grado GT220 is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
6.9
The Grado GT220 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
8.8
The Grado GT220 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Grado GT220 is poor.
Battery
N/A
5.5 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Grado GT220 has 5.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$259
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Grado GT220 costs $259.
Build Quality
8.2
8.8
The Grado GT220 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality, though the Grado GT220 has somewhat better build quality.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Grado GT220 are both poor for noise reduction.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Grado GT220 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Grado GT220 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $259 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Grado | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
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 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 5.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 36 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
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
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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."
Grado GT220
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Dig into reviews and images
Major HiFi
Alex Schiffer | October 2020
"With its superb and functional interface and its highly satisfying imaging, Grado has shown a new talent for delivering a solid true wireless system, and with future improvements, has the potential to really be one of the best."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Grado GT220
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 Grado
Grado Labs is a small, family-owned, business based in Brooklyn New York that specializes in high-end, boutique, dynamic headphones and turntable cartridges. They boast a particular house sound, that is to say their products have a particular sound signature unique to Grado, that some audiophiles seem to really like and are unable to find anywhere else. Their high-end headphones are all hand made, completely in house, from a variety of exotic woods and materials going so far as to making one of their most popular products out of hemp.
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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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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