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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
For an immersive music listening experience, the Audio Technica ATH M40X offers superior overall sound quality and is great for TV and video due to a more expansive soundstage. However, it is wired and lacks a microphone, making it less suitable for calls and not designed for exercise or travel. The Soundcore Space A40, being wireless with a good built-in microphone, better suits calls, meetings, and travel. It also features active noise cancelling for quieter listening environments, and it's sweatproof for exercise. The A40 has a longer battery life and supports wireless charging, offering convenience over the ATH M40X. Choose the M40X for the best sound in a stationary setup or the A40 for versatility and on-the-go use. 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 Space A40
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
4.9
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Phone Calls
3.3
4.8
The Soundcore Space A40 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Soundcore Space A40 is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Soundcore Space A40 is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Soundcore Space A40 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
8.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Space A40 has 8 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
7.7
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M40X to be very good for music, while the Soundcore Space A40 is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
4.9
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Soundcore Space A40 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 Space A40 costs $80.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Soundcore Space A40 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Soundcore Space A40 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Soundcore Space A40 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$79 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 4.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 0.8 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 32 | |
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 | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 6/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
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 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 Space A40
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Smart | May 2023
"The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is an excellent deal if you want affordable noise canceling earbuds with great sound. The baseline frequency response is enjoyable, and the many EQ presets to choose from plus the ability to customize your sound profile makes it good for pretty much anyone. The noise canceling is quite good, and the many ear tips to choose from ensure a good fit for the noise canceling and isolation to do its job."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Soundcore Space A40
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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