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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality for music and a great soundstage for an immersive experience, the Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones would be a better fit but they lack a microphone for calls and aren't suitable for exercise due to their size and lack of sweatproofing. Conversely, JBL Tune Buds are more portable, sweatproof, dustproof, and offer good battery life with a case that supports wireless charging, making them a solid choice for use during exercise, travel, and outdoor activities, though they may not match the sound quality provided by the Audio Technicas for music and TV. The JBLs are optimized for both Android and Apple devices and have an app for equalizer and controls customization, features the Audio Technicas do not have. Consider the Audio Technicas for focused listening environments and the JBLs for convenience and versatile use. 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 Buds
- Good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.2
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the JBL Tune Buds is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
4.9
The JBL Tune Buds and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
5.8
The JBL Tune Buds and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the JBL Tune Buds is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
6.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the JBL Tune Buds is only fair.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.7
The JBL Tune Buds is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
10.4 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The JBL Tune Buds has 10.4 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 Tune Buds costs $100.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The JBL Tune Buds and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the JBL Tune Buds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | JBL Tune Buds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $100 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | JBL | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 6.1/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 7.6/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 10.4 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 30 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
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 | 10.8 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."
JBL Tune Buds
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Tim Gideon | September 2023
"JBL’s Tune Buds stick with the company’s signature bass-heavy sound by default, but a quality in-app EQ lets you sculpt the audio to taste. These noise-cancelling true wireless earphones also mitigate environmental distractions fairly well for the price and offer good battery life. If you're specifically seeking bold, bass-tuned audio out of the box, the Tune Buds are worth a listen."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the JBL Tune Buds
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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