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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X delivers superior overall sound quality, making it ideal for critical listening and ensuring an immersive experience when listening to music. However, they're less suitable for calls, as they lack a microphone. In contrast, the HyperX Cloud II is a better choice for gaming and video calls, thanks to its high mic quality and virtual surround feature, enhancing in-game audio and voice clarity during conversations. The Cloud II is also more comfortable, which is key for long gaming sessions or extended use. The slightly higher price of the ATH M40X is justified by its sound performance, but for versatile use, including gaming and calls, the HyperX Cloud II might be preferable. 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
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the HyperX Cloud II
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
8.6
The HyperX Cloud II is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
7.5
The HyperX Cloud II is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.0
The HyperX Cloud II is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The HyperX Cloud II is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Build Quality
8.2
10.0
The HyperX Cloud II has best in class build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
7.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M40X to be very good for music, while the HyperX Cloud II is good.
Cost
$99
$99
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the HyperX Cloud II costs $99.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the HyperX Cloud II compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | HyperX Cloud II |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $99 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | HyperX | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 2015 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 10/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 317.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
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."
HyperX Cloud II
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Headphonesty
Rhys McIntyre | December 2022
"My overall impression of the HyperX Cloud II gaming headset is overwhelmingly positive. In my opinion, this is one of the best mid-priced gaming headsets currently on the market.Solid sound quality, superior comfort, and a sleek, lightweight design – this headset delivers all of the important aspects that a gaming headset should."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the HyperX Cloud II
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 HyperX
Starting originally as a high-performance and gaming line of memory modules within Kingston and later acquired by HP, HyperX is a dedicated esports and gaming division focused on developing peripherals, microphones and headsets. Providing budget-friendly, comfortable and highly functional products, HyperX has become the go-to for many gamers around the world, resulting in sales of over 20 million headsets throughout the years.
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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.
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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.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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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