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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If sound quality in music is a priority and you don't mind using a wired connection, the Audio Technica ATH M40X is the better choice, offering very good overall sound and excellent build quality. However, they lack a built-in microphone and are not as portable or suitable for exercise. On the other hand, if you prefer wireless convenience, active noise cancelling, and built-in controls for ease of use, the JBL Tune 660NC headphones provide these features along with a durable design and are also more suited for air travel due to their foldable form factor and lighter weight. Keep in mind that the JBL's sound quality isn't rated as highly, particularly for music listening. 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 Tune 660NC
- The JBL Tune 660NC has no clear advantages over the Audio Technica ATH M40X.
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the JBL Tune 660NC is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.1
The JBL Tune 660NC and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Tune 660NC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
5.7
The JBL Tune 660NC and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Tune 660NC is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune 660NC is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The JBL Tune 660NC is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
42.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The JBL Tune 660NC has 42 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$50
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the JBL Tune 660NC costs $50.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and JBL Tune 660NC both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the JBL Tune 660NC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | JBL Tune 660NC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $50 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | February 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 42 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6.8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 172 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
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."
JBL Tune 660NC
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Chase Bernath | April 2023
"The JBL Tune 660NC is the best value you can get from a set of on-ear headphones. There's no companion app so you don't get many additional features, but everything the JBL Tune 660NC sets out to do, it does well. At this price, the JBL Tune 660NC is an easy recommendation for on-ear headphone lovers"
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the JBL Tune 660NC
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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