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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If audio quality is your priority and you mainly want headphones for listening to music or watching TV, the Audio Technica ATH M40X would be a better choice due to their superior overall sound quality and soundstage. However, keep in mind that they are less suited to calls and meetings, lack a microphone, and are pricier. On the other hand, the Turtle Beach Recon 70, while offering lower audio quality, has an excellent microphone which makes it a great option for gaming, calls, and meetings, and it is also more affordable. Neither option is designed for use during exercise or has active noise cancelling, but they both have a closed-back design which provides some passive noise isolation. 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
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Turtle Beach Recon 70
- Best in class for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Gaming
7.0
8.4
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
9.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is best in class for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
7.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
TV and Video
8.7
7.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for TV and video, while the Turtle Beach Recon 70 is good.
Cost
$99
$40
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 costs $40.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
5.3
5.6
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for noise reduction.
Build Quality
8.2
8.5
The Turtle Beach Recon 70 and Audio Technica ATH M40X both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Turtle Beach Recon 70 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Turtle Beach Recon 70 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Turtle Beach | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 9.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.3/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 10/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 309 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Boom | |
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."
Turtle Beach Recon 70
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Sam Moore | September 2022
"There aren’t many considerations to make here. The Turtle Beach Recon 70 sounds decent, offers solid chat audio, feels good to wear over long periods, and it works everywhere. If you’re in the market for a simple plug-and-play option, you could do a whole lot worse (and spend a whole lot more money). Regardless, if getting something cheap that works well is the only thing you care about, this is a great option."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Turtle Beach Recon 70
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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