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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If superior overall sound quality and a more immersive experience while listening to music or watching TV are crucial for you, consider the Audio Technica ATH M40X; however, they do not have a microphone for calls, are not wireless, and lack active noise cancelling. On the other hand, JBL Live 670NC is versatile with good microphone quality, wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling, and an app that offers customization, but they might not match the audio fidelity of the ATH M40X for music and TV. JBL is also more suitable for travel with features like a foldable design and longer battery life, while the ATH M40X could be a better fit for a home or studio setting. 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 JBL Live 670NC
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the JBL Live 670NC is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
7.4
The JBL Live 670NC is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
8.6
The JBL Live 670NC 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 JBL Live 670NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.7
The JBL Live 670NC is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
65.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The JBL Live 670NC has 65 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Cost
$99
$100
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the JBL Live 670NC costs $100.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and JBL Live 670NC both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the JBL Live 670NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | JBL Live 670NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | March 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 65 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
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 | 8/10 | |
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 | 217 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."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the JBL Live 670NC
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 JBL
JBL is an American audio equipment manufacturer. Owned by Harman International which is, itself, owned by Samsung Electronics. JBL markets a wide array of monitoring speakers, professional headphones and consumer market headphones and earbuds. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing (whose initials give the company its name) and has become one of the most prolific audio companies ever. Their products were responsible for audio during the 1969 Woodstock Festival.
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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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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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