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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
Choosing between the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the KZ ZSN Pro X depends on what's most important to you. If you prioritize overall sound quality and are using them mostly for music and TV at home, the ATH M40X, with its very good sound and comfort, could be more satisfying despite being more expensive. They have a closed over-ear design, which is great for noise isolation, but are not wireless and aren't the best choice for exercise or travel due to their size. Meanwhile, the KZ ZSN Pro X, being budget-friendly, offers good sound quality and portability. With a detachable cable and both dynamic and balanced armature drivers, they're suitable for on-the-go use although they lack active noise cancelling and are not the best for calls or gaming. Both models have a poor microphone quality and are not ideal if you take a lot of calls. 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 KZ ZSN Pro X
- The KZ ZSN Pro X has no clear advantages over the Audio Technica ATH M40X.
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is good.
Gaming
7.0
5.9
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
7.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the KZ ZSN Pro X is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The KZ ZSN Pro X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Cost
$99
$24
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the KZ ZSN Pro X costs $24.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
3.3
3.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and KZ ZSN Pro X are both poor for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and KZ ZSN Pro X are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The KZ ZSN Pro X and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the KZ ZSN Pro X compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | KZ ZSN Pro X |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $24 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | KZ | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 3.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 2.5/10 | |
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 | 27 Grams | |
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."
KZ ZSN Pro X
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"The KZ ZSN PRO X offers superb sound for very little money, like under $30 USD. It has some rough edges with a plastic seam on the cable that can rub on your ear, and the bud is a bit large. The tech isn't cutting edge, but new doesn't always equal better. You should try it."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the KZ ZSN Pro X
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.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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