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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones offer an over-ear closed-back design, emphasizing sound quality and isolation, which is ideal for critical listening environments but might be bulky for travel. Conversely, the Soundcore Life P3 earbuds provide convenience with their compact stemmed design and are more travel-friendly, with active noise cancelling for noisy environments. They also feature an integrated microphone and a significantly lower price, making them suitable for hands-free calls and more budget-conscious users. However, the ATH M40X, being pricier, deliver a more refined sound that might be appreciated by audiophiles despite lacking additional features like noise cancellation or a microphone. 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 Soundcore Life P3
- Very good for exercise
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
5.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Gaming
7.0
5.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life P3 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life P3 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
5.9
The Soundcore Life P3 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks, though the Soundcore Life P3 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
5.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life P3 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Soundcore Life P3 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
7.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life P3 has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$80
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Soundcore Life P3 costs $80.
Build Quality
8.2
8.8
The Soundcore Life P3 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality, though the Soundcore Life P3 has somewhat better build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Soundcore Life P3 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Soundcore Life P3 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | June 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.2/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 35 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 4.5 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."
Soundcore Life P3
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Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Alex Bracetti | July 2021
"Anker continues its trend of stealth releases, recently dropping the Soundcore Life P3 out of nowhere. This product essentially replaces the disappointing Life A2 NC as the brand’s flagship ANC model under $100. It comes with bassy audio and enough features to give even the best noise-cancelling earbuds pause."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Soundcore Life P3
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 Soundcore
Soundcore is a sub-brand belonging to Anker Innovations. Starting in 2014, initially marketing wireless, Bluetooth, speakers, Anker now offers an array of, budget-friendly, wireless earbuds and headphones that directly compete, especially in the Active Noise Canceling field, with other brands several times as expensive.
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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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