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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and are okay with a wired connection, the Audio Technica ATH M40X offers superior auditory performance perfect for listening to music or watching TV, yet not as convenient for exercise or travel due to its size and lack of wireless option. On the other hand, the Jaybird Vista 2, being wireless with a secure fit, is ideal for exercise and travel, has a good battery life plus a charging case, and is sweat and dustproof certified; however, it offers a less immersive sound experience compared to the ATH M40X and may not be as satisfactory for critical listening sessions or TV viewing. Both offer good build quality, but the ATH M40X is not as portable or versatile for calls and gaming as the Vista 2, which has an integrated microphone and app controls for customization. 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 Jaybird Vista 2
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for exercise
- Very good for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Jaybird Vista 2 is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
5.2
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Jaybird Vista 2 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
8.0
The Jaybird Vista 2 is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
9.0
The Jaybird Vista 2 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Jaybird Vista 2 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
7.0
The Jaybird Vista 2 is good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
6.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Jaybird Vista 2 has 6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$118
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Jaybird Vista 2 costs $118.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Jaybird Vista 2 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Jaybird Vista 2 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Jaybird Vista 2 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $118 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Jaybird | |
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 | 6.4/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 10/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 6 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 24 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 6.7 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."
Jaybird Vista 2
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Chase Bernath | September 2022
"Compared to the original Vista, the Jaybird Vista 2 adds some key features including ANC and SurroundSense to control how much environmental noise you hear. If you're an athlete and are looking for rugged earbuds with tons of customization options, the Jaybird Vista 2 makes for a good option—but only if you are able to achieve a proper fit from the proprietary ear tips."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Jaybird Vista 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 Jaybird
Jaybird is an American headphone and activity tracker manufacturer focused on the exercise and sports market. The company was founded in 2006 by Judd Armstrong who sought for a product that was thoroughly sweatproof and that wouldn’t get in the way during physical activity. Jaybird is a part of the Swiss company Logitech International, since 2016.
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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
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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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