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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality, the Audio Technica ATH M40X outperforms the Steelseries TUSQ and is ideal for an immersive experience in music and TV, though it is not optimal for exercise or travel due to its size. Consider the Steelseries TUSQ if you're on a budget and need versatility, or choose the Audio Technica if you're willing to invest more for superior music and TV/movie audio. 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 Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
Key differences
Gaming
7.0
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.2
The Steelseries TUSQ and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Steelseries TUSQ is somewhat better.
TV and Video
8.7
7.3
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Steelseries TUSQ is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Cost
$99
$55
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $55.
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Key similarities
Music
8.1
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M40X to be very good for music, while the Steelseries TUSQ is good.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
4.7
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Steelseries TUSQ are both poor for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Steelseries TUSQ both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $55 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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Why trust us
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.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
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.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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