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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X and the Soundcore Life Q30 cater to different needs. The PC38X, being the pricier option, is known for professional-grade sound quality and is optimized for gaming due to its precisely tuned drivers and low latency, making it an excellent choice for immersive gaming and critical listening. Conversely, the Soundcore Life Q30 offers great value with active noise cancellation, which is beneficial for commuting or working in noisy environments. If your priority is high sound fidelity and you're an avid gamer, the PC38X might be the right choice, despite the higher cost. However, if you're looking for a versatile pair of headphones with the convenience of noise cancellation at a more accessible price point, the Life Q30 could suit your daily needs better. 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 EPOS PC38X
- Best in class for music
- Best in class for phone calls
- Best in class for gaming
- Excellent for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Soundcore Life Q30
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
7.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is good.
Gaming
10.0
5.3
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.1
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.8
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
5.4
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Soundcore Life Q30 is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
8.7
The Soundcore Life Q30 is very good for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
44.0 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Soundcore Life Q30 has 44 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$80
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Soundcore Life Q30 costs $80.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
The EPOS PC38X and Soundcore Life Q30 both have very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Soundcore Life Q30 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Soundcore Life Q30 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $80 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | August 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 5.3/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
EPOS PC38X
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Dig into reviews and images
Everyday Listening
Ryan Soo | November 2021
"Lightweight and comfortable design, Mic arm with mute, Excellent tuning, Highly natural midrange voicing, Clean and separated bass, Solid soundstage dimensions. Combining all day comfort and integrated coms with a balanced and spacious sound from essentially any source, it is hard to deny the versatility and value provided by the PC38X."
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 EPOS PC38X or the Soundcore Life Q30
About EPOS
EPOS is a relatively new company with a very long heritage. Previously known as Sennheiser Communications, EPOS is the result of the joint venture between the German headphone manufacturer Sennheiser and the Danish Demant that sought to develop premium audio communication solutions. They specialize in two main product groups, enterprise communications and gaming communication headsets and processing devices.
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
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
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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