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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X are often less expensive and are praised for their sound quality, making them a solid choice for critical listening, while their closed-back design provides sound isolation, although they may lack the convenience of wireless connectivity and active noise cancellation (ANC). On the other hand, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is slightly more expensive, comes with wireless functionality, and offers ANC which is beneficial for travel and noisy environments, but may not match the sound fidelity of the ATH M40X. Consider the ATH M40X if sound quality is your priority, or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC for ANC and wireless capabilities. 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 Skullcandy Hesh ANC
- Excellent for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
5.6
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.3
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
6.0
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is only fair for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
5.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Skullcandy Hesh ANC is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
23.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Skullcandy Hesh ANC has 23 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$135
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC costs $135.
Build Quality
8.2
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality, while the Skullcandy Hesh ANC has good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Skullcandy Hesh ANC compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Skullcandy Hesh ANC |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $135 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Skullcandy | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | December 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 23 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.6 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 | 8.8/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | No | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 7.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 7/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 226.7 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."
Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonecheck
Maike Paeßens | 2021
"Skullcandy’s Hesh ANC are compact, wireless over-ears for everyday use that are tuned for bass and designed to suppress or amplify ambient noise as required. In addition to Bluetooth 5.0, optional tracking via the Tile app is supported so that these headphones can be found if they get lost."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Skullcandy Hesh ANC
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 Skullcandy
Skullcandy is an American, consumer-oriented, earbuds and headphones manufacturer with 20 years of market experience. They sell a wide variety of, budget-friendly and unique, wired and wireless products that are sure to please the vast majority of users. Among their most popular offerings, the Crusher headphones, includes a pair of actual subwoofers inside the cups which makes the bass extra prominent for a unique and extra fun sound.
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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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