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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X excels in overall sound quality, offering a high-quality listening experience, which makes them great for music enthusiasts and those who prioritize audio fidelity. They are wired headphones with a detachable cable and have a higher build quality, but they lack a microphone which means that they aren't the optimal choice for calls and meetings. On the other hand, the Soundcore Life Q30 has active noise cancelling and a long battery life, making them suitable for travel and environments with background noise. The Q30 also supports wireless connectivity and has a built-in microphone, which could be more convenient for calls, but they have lower sound quality and soundstage compared to the M40X. If you need versatility and the ability to block out noise, go for the Soundcore Life Q30, but if sound quality is your top priority and you don't mind using a wired connection, the Audio Technica ATH M40X would be a better choice. 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 Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
7.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.1
The Soundcore Life Q30 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Life Q30 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
5.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
4.8
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Soundcore Life Q30 are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Cost
$79
$80
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $79 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 44 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 1.7 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 | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 263 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."
Soundcore Life Q30
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Headphones Addict
Peter Susic | December 2021
"Every once in a while, headphones with an excellent price/performance ratio arrive that truly deserves all attention. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 are one of those headphones. Of course, they aren’t perfect, but they do most things better than their competition. Or they give you the option to make them better."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Soundcore Life Q30
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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