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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The EPOS PC38X are over-ear headphones that offer excellent sound quality, a wide soundstage, and a high-quality boom microphone, making them ideal for gamers and professionals in calls and meetings. They're wired, open-back for natural sound but provide little noise isolation, which isn't ideal for noisy environments or travel. On the other hand, the Soundcore P20i are stemmed earbuds that are wireless and more portable, with good controls and battery life, and come with sweatproof certification, making them better for exercise and casual use. They provide more isolation than open-back headphones but might not offer the same sound quality and immersive experience as the PC38X, especially for gaming. 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 P20i
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
9.5
6.4
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for music, while the Soundcore P20i is only fair.
Gaming
10.0
7.3
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for gaming, while the Soundcore P20i is good.
Phone Calls
10.0
5.0
The EPOS PC38X is best in class for phone calls, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.9
4.7
The EPOS PC38X is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Soundcore P20i is poor.
TV and Video
9.0
7.0
The EPOS PC38X is excellent for TV and video, while the Soundcore P20i is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
6.5
The Soundcore P20i is only fair for noise reduction, while the EPOS PC38X is poor.
Battery
N/A
9.0 Hours
The EPOS PC38X does not have a battery. The Soundcore P20i has 9 hours of battery life.
Cost
$139
$30
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
The EPOS PC38X has a price of $139 and the Soundcore P20i costs $30.
Build Quality
8.5
9.0
The Soundcore P20i has excellent build quality, while the EPOS PC38X has very good build quality.
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How the EPOS PC38X and the Soundcore P20i compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| EPOS PC38X | Soundcore P20i |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$139 | $30 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | EPOS | Soundcore | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2020 | May 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 9.6/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 10/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 10/10 | 7.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.5/10 | 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 | 2.5/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 10/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Small | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 249.4 Grams | 4.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Boom | Integrated | |
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 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 EPOS PC38X or the Soundcore P20i
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
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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