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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X offers superior sound quality and a more expansive soundstage, making it suitable for critical listening and a more immersive audio experience. However, it comes with a higher price tag, is not wireless, and lacks a microphone, which may limit its use for calls, meetings or convenience during exercise. On the other hand, the Soundcore P20i is more affordable, features wireless connectivity, a built-in microphone, and is sweatproof, making it a solid choice for on-the-go use, calls, and exercise, but it falls short in sound quality and soundstage when compared to the M40X. 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
- Very good for TV and video
Advantages of the Soundcore P20i
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.0
The Soundcore P20i and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore P20i is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
7.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore P20i is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.5
The Soundcore P20i is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.0
7.3
The Soundcore P20i and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both good for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Soundcore P20i are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
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 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 9 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 20 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
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 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
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 P20i
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Dig into reviews and images
Critic Reviewer
Ranbir Sen | May 2023
"I would recommend the Soundcore P20i Earbuds to everyone who loves music and would like to own comfortable pair of earbuds with a great range of sound quality. I would recommend users who buy this device use the right comfortable ear tips as per your ear design."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Soundcore P20i
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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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