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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize budget and prefer an immersive experience for music and TV with a very good overall sound quality and are comfortable with a wired connection, the Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones are a suitable choice but remember, they lack a microphone for calls and aren't ideal for exercise. Conversely, if you prefer premium features such as wireless connectivity, app equalizer controls, active noise cancelling, and a more versatile use including exercise and portability, the JBL Live Flex 3 earbuds could be the better option, though they are more expensive and might not be optimal for gaming or watching movies due to potentially higher latency. The JBL Live Flex 3 also comes with smart touch controls on the case for convenience. 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
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the JBL Live Flex 3
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.2
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
5.9
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Live Flex 3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Live Flex 3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.3
The JBL Live Flex 3 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The JBL Live Flex 3 has 10 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$216
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the JBL Live Flex 3 costs $216.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and JBL Live Flex 3 are both very good for music.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The JBL Live Flex 3 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the JBL Live Flex 3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | JBL Live Flex 3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $216 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2024 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 40 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
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 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 8.8 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 Flex 3
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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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