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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Comfort
    3. Controls
    4. Breathability
    5. Portability
    6. Case
    7. Build Quality
    8. Stability
    9. Headshots 1
    10. Headshots 2
    11. Top
    12. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Sound Profile
    2. Frequency Response Consistency
    3. Raw Frequency Response
    4. Bass Accuracy
    5. Mid Accuracy
    6. Treble Accuracy
    7. Peaks/Dips
    8. Imaging
    9. Passive Soundstage
    10. Virtual Soundstage
    11. Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    12. Test Settings
  6. Isolation
    1. Noise Isolation
    2. Leakage
  7. Microphone
    1. Microphone Style
    2. Recording Quality
    3. Noise Handling
  8. Active Features
    1. Battery
    2. App Support
  9. Connectivity
    1. Bluetooth
    2. Non-Bluetooth Wireless
    3. Wired
    4. PC Compatibility
    5. PC / PS4 Compatibility
    6. PlayStation Compatibility
    7. Xbox Compatibility
    8. Base/Dock
  10. Comments

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Jan 15, 2024 02:50 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Dec 09, 2024 04:54 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Picture

Variants

  • ATH-M30x
  • ATH-M20x (Black)

Our Verdict

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x are a step up from the budget-oriented ATH-M20x in the lineup. They share a similar build quality and design. Both have similar sound profiles with noticeably quiet treble where sibillants (S and T sounds) reside, and the ATH-M30x output slightly more accurate bass. Unlike the ATH-M20x, the ATH-M30x are marginally more portable and protected with a pouch.

0

Check Price

Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our headphones test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 

5.7
No major differences between these headphones for mixed usage. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Design Picture 2
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Design Picture 2

Type  

Over-ear
Over-ear

Enclosure  

Closed-Back
Closed-Back

Wireless  

No
No

Transducer  

Dynamic
Dynamic

Show text

Comfort 
 

7.0
7.0

Comfort Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Comfort Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Comfort Picture

Weight  

0.47 lbs
0.46 lbs

Clamping Force 
 

1.01 lbs
0.99 lbs

Show text

Controls 
 

0.0
0.0

Controls Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Controls Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Controls Picture

OS Compatibility 
 

Not OS specific
No Controls

Ease Of Use  

N/A
No Controls

Feedback  

N/A
No Controls

Call/Music Control  

No
No

Volume Control  

No
No

Microphone Control  

N/A
No

Channel Mixing 
 

N/A
No

Noise Cancelling Control  

N/A
No

Talk-Through 
 

N/A
No

Additional Controls  

N/A
No

Breathability 
 

6.2
6.3

Breathability After Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Breathability After Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Breathability After Picture

Avg.Temp.Difference  

6.4 °C
6.3 °C

Show text

Portability 
 

6.0
5.5

Portability Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Portability Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Portability Picture

 

4.72"
7.9" (20.0 cm)

 

6.5"
6.5" (16.5 cm)

 

3.35"
3.3" (8.5 cm)

Volume  

102.76 in³
171.12 in³ (2,804.14 cm³)

Transmitter Required  

N/A
No

Show text

Case 
 

6.5
0.0

Case Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Case Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Case Picture

Type  

Pouch
No case

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

Volume  

N/A
N/A

Build Quality 
 

6.5
6.5

Build Quality Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Build Quality Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Build Quality Picture

Show text

Stability 
 

6.0
6.0

Stability Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Stability Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Stability Picture

Show text

Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Angled Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Angled Picture

Side Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Side Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Side Picture

Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Front Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Front Picture

Rear Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Rear Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Rear Picture

Top  

Top Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Top Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Top Picture

In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x In The Box Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x In The Box Picture

Show text

Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool

Frequency Response  

See details on graph tool

Bass Amount 
 

-0.89 dB
-2.02 dB

Treble Amount 
 

-1.46 dB
-2.57 dB

Show text

Frequency Response Consistency 
 

7.9
7.7

Consistency L  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Consistency R  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

0.42 dB
0.45 dB

Show text

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

See details on graph tool

Raw FR L  

See details on graph tool

Raw FR R  

See details on graph tool

Raw FR R  

See details on graph tool

Bass Accuracy 
 

8.9
8.1

Bass  

See details on graph tool

Bass  

See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

1.6 dB
2.53 dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

17.82 Hz
38.86 Hz

Low-Bass 
 

0.94 dB
-4.14 dB

Mid-Bass 
 

1.56 dB
1.51 dB

High-Bass 
 

-0.09 dB
0.05 dB

Show text

Mid Accuracy 
 

8.5
9.1

Mid  

See details on graph tool

Mid  

See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

1.99 dB
1.17 dB

Low-Mid 
 

-1.15 dB
-0.96 dB

Mid-Mid 
 

0.68 dB
0.17 dB

High-Mid 
 

2.04 dB
1.16 dB

Show text

Treble Accuracy 
 

4.9
5.6

Treble  

See details on graph tool

Treble  

See details on graph tool

Std. Err. 
 

6.04 dB
6.31 dB

Low-Treble 
 

-1.24 dB
-2.17 dB

Mid-Treble 
 

-3.8 dB
-4.28 dB

High-Treble 
 

0.92 dB
-8.17 dB

Show text

Peaks/Dips 
 

6.1
6.6

Peaks/Dips Graph  

See details on graph tool

Peaks/Dips Graph  

See details on graph tool

Peaks 
 

2.37 dB
2.16 dB

Dips 
 

3.03 dB
2.25 dB

Show text

Imaging 
 

8.9
8.7

Group Delay  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Phase Response  

See details on graph tool

Phase Response Mismatch  

See details on graph tool

Weighted Group Delay 
 

0.29
0.34

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

4.09
2.29

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

0.29
0.65

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

1.46
1.63

Show text

Passive Soundstage 
 

4.6
5.3

PRTF  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

2.93 dB
2.19 dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

1.08 dB
2.98 dB

PRTF Distance 
 

8.06 dB
9.53 dB

Openness 
 

5.0
5.0

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

3.5
3.7

Show text

Virtual Soundstage 
 

0.0

Virtual Soundstage  

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Virtual Soundstage

Head Modeling 
 

No

Speaker Modeling 
 

No

Room Ambience 
 

No

Head Tracking 
 

No

Virtual Surround 
 

No App

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

7.5
7.6

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

WHD @ 90 
 

0.251
0.176

WHD @ 100 
 

0.175
0.185

Show text

Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

No Firmware

Power 
 

Passive

Connection 
 

Wired

Codec 
 

PCM, 24-bit, 48kHz

EQ 
 

No EQ

ANC 
 

No ANC

Tip/Pad 
 

Default

Microphone 
 

No Microphone

Show text

Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

4.8
4.5

Noise Isolation  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Isolation Audio 
 

Overall Attenuation 
 

-11.97 dB
-11.74 dB

Noise Cancelling  

No
No

Bass 
 

0.39 dB
0.74 dB

Mid 
 

-8.66 dB
-9.9 dB

Treble 
 

-28.35 dB
-27.03 dB

Show text

Leakage 
 

7.2
6.8

Leakage  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

38.19 dB
40.96 dB

Show text

Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

N/A
No

In-Line 
 

N/A
No

Boom 
 

N/A
No

Detachable Boom 
 

N/A
No

Mic  

No
No

Recording Quality 
 

0.0
0.0

Microphone Frequency Response  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Microphone Frequency Response
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Microphone Frequency Response

Recorded Speech 
 

N/A
N/A

LFE 
 

N/A
N/A

FR Std. Dev. 
 

N/A
N/A

HFE 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted THD 
 

N/A
N/A

Gain 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Handling 
 

0.0
0.0

SpNR  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x SpNR
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x SpNR

SpNR 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Gate 
 

No

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

N/A
N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

N/A
N/A
Active Features

Battery 
 

0.0
0.0

Battery Type 
 

N/A
No Battery

Continuous Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Additional Charges 
 

N/A
N/A

Total Battery Life 
 

N/A
N/A

Charge Time 
 

N/A
N/A

Power-Saving Feature 
 

N/A
No

Audio While Charging 
 

N/A
No

Passive Playback 
 

N/A
Passive Headphone

Charging Port  

N/A
None

App Support 
 

0.0
0.0

App Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x App Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x App Picture

App Name  

N/A
No App

iOS  

N/A
No

Android  

N/A
No

macOS  

N/A
No

Windows  

N/A
No

Equalizer 
 

N/A
No

ANC Control 
 

N/A
No

Mic Control  

N/A
No

Room Effects 
 

N/A
No

Playback Control 
 

N/A
No

Button Mapping  

N/A
No

Surround Sound  

N/A

Surround Support 
 

No

Show text

Connectivity

Bluetooth 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth Version 
 

N/A
No Bluetooth

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

N/A
No

NFC Pairing 
 

N/A
No

Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (SBC) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX) 
 

N/A
N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD) 
 

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL) 
 

N/A
N/A

iOS Latency 
 

N/A

Android Latency 
 

N/A

Show text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless 
 

0.0
0.0

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Wired 
 

9.0
9.0

Cable Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Cable Picture
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Cable Picture

Analog Audio 
 

Yes
Yes

USB Audio 
 

No
No

Detachable  

No
No

Length  

10 ft
10.00 ft (3.05 m)

Connection 
 

1/8" TRS
1/8" TRS

Wired Latency 
 

0 ms

Analog/USB Audio Latency 
 

0 ms

Show text

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Audio Only

Wired USB 
 

No

Non-BT Wireless 
 

No

Show text

PC / PS4 Compatibility 
 

PC / PS4 Analog 
 

Audio Only
Audio Only

PC / PS4 Wired USB 
 

No
No

PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Audio Only
Audio Only

PS4 Wired USB 
 

No
No

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

PS5 Analog 
 

Audio Only

PS5 Wired USB 
 

No

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

No

Show text

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Audio Only
Audio Only

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

No
No

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

No
No

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Audio Only

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

No

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

No

Show text

Base/Dock 
 

0.0
0.0

Type 
 

N/A
No Base/Dock

USB Input 
 

N/A
No

Line In 
 

N/A
No

Line Out 
 

N/A
No

Optical Input 
 

N/A
No

RCA Input 
 

N/A
No

Dock Charging 
 

N/A
No

Power Supply 
 

N/A
No Base/Dock

Check Price

Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x

Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

Comments

  1. Comparison

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x vs Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: Main Discussion

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