Audio-Technica ATH-M30x vs ATH-M20x

Which Headphones Are Better?

Products

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

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Jan 15, 2024 02:50 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jul 17, 2025 05:54 PM

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  1. Recommended in 6 articles:
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  3. Studio
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  5. 3

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.

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Variants

  • ATH-M30x
  • ATH-M20x (Black)

Check Price

Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
B&H
Standard
ATH-M30x
BestBuy.com
Black
ATH-M20x
BestBuy.com
Standard
ATH-M30x
Audio-Technica
Black
ATH-M20x
Audio-Technica
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage

Threshold 

0.10

Mixed Usage 
 

0.0
N/A
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Full Comparison

Design

Style  

Design Picture 2  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Design Picture 2 Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Design Picture 2 Sample

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Type  

Locked
Locked

Enclosure  

Locked
Locked

Wireless  

Locked
Locked

Transducer  

Locked
Locked
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Comfort 
 

N/A
N/A

Comfort Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Comfort Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Comfort Picture Sample

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Weight  

Lock lbs
Lock lbs

Clamping Force 
 

Lock lbs
Lock lbs
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Controls 
 

N/A
N/A

Controls Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Controls Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Controls Picture Sample

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OS Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Ease Of Use  

N/A
Locked

Feedback  

N/A
Locked

Call/Music Control  

Locked
Locked

Volume Control  

Locked
Locked

Microphone Control  

N/A
Locked

Channel Mixing 
 

N/A
Locked

Noise Cancelling Control  

N/A
Locked

Talk-Through 
 

N/A
Locked

Additional Controls  

N/A
Locked

Breathability 
 

N/A
N/A

Breathability After Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Breathability After Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Breathability After Picture Sample

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Avg.Temp.Difference  

Lock °C
Lock °C
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Portability 
 

N/A
N/A

Portability Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Portability Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Portability Picture Sample

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Lock"
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock"
Lock" (Lock cm)

 

Lock"
Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume  

Lock in³
Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required  

N/A
Locked
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Case 
 

N/A
N/A

Case Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Case Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Case Picture Sample

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Type  

Locked
Locked

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

 

N/A
N/A

Volume  

N/A
N/A

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Build Quality Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Build Quality Picture Sample

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Stability 
 

N/A
N/A

Stability Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Stability Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Stability Picture Sample

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Headshots 1  

Angled Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Angled Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Angled Picture Sample

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Side Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Side Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Side Picture Sample

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Headshots 2  

Front Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Front Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Front Picture Sample

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Rear Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Rear Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Rear Picture Sample

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Top  

Top Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Top Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Top Picture Sample

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In The Box  

In The Box Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x In The Box Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x In The Box Picture Sample

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Sound

Sound Profile 
 

Frequency Response  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Frequency Response Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Frequency Response Sample

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Frequency Response  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Frequency Response Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Frequency Response Sample

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Bass Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble Amount 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Frequency Response Consistency 
 

N/A
N/A

Consistency L  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Consistency L Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Consistency L Sample

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Consistency R  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Consistency R Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Consistency R Sample

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Avg. Std. Deviation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Raw Frequency Response 
 

Raw FR L  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Raw FR L Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Raw FR L Sample

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Raw FR L  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Raw FR L Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Raw FR L Sample

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Raw FR R  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Raw FR R Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Raw FR R Sample

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Raw FR R  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Raw FR R Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Raw FR R Sample

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Bass Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Bass  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Bass Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Bass Sample

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Bass  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Bass Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Bass Sample

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Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension 
 

Lock Hz
Lock Hz

Low-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Mid Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Mid  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Mid Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Mid Sample

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Mid  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Mid Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Mid Sample

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Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Treble Accuracy 
 

N/A
N/A

Treble  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Treble Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Treble Sample

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Treble  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Treble Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Treble Sample

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Std. Err. 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Low-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

High-Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Peaks/Dips 
 

N/A
N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

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Peaks/Dips Graph  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

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Peaks 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Dips 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
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Imaging 
 

N/A
N/A

Group Delay  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Group Delay Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Group Delay Sample

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Phase Response  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Phase Response Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Phase Response Sample

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Phase Response Mismatch  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Phase Response Mismatch Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Phase Response Mismatch Sample

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Weighted Group Delay 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch 
 

Lock
Lock
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Passive Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

PRTF  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x PRTF Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x PRTF Sample

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PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.) 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

PRTF Distance 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Openness 
 

0.0
0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation 
 

0.0
0.0
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Virtual Soundstage 
 

N/A
N/A

Virtual Soundstage  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Virtual Soundstage Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Virtual Soundstage Sample

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Head Modeling 
 

Locked

Speaker Modeling 
 

Locked

Room Ambience 
 

Locked

Head Tracking 
 

Locked

Virtual Surround 
 

Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion 
 

N/A
N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

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WHD @ 90 
 

Lock
Lock

WHD @ 100 
 

Lock
Lock
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Test Settings 
 

Firmware 
 

Locked

Power 
 

Locked

Connection 
 

Locked

Codec 
 

Locked

EQ 
 

Locked

ANC 
 

Locked

Tip/Pad 
 

Locked

Microphone 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Isolation

Noise Isolation 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Isolation  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Noise Isolation Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Noise Isolation Sample

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Isolation Audio 
 

Overall Attenuation 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Noise Cancelling  

Locked
Locked

Bass 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Mid 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB

Treble 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 

Leakage 
 

N/A
N/A

Leakage  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Leakage Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Leakage Sample

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Leakage Audio 
 

Overall Leakage @ 1ft 
 

Lock dB
Lock dB
Show Text 
Microphone

Microphone Style 
 

Integrated 
 

N/A
Locked

In-Line 
 

N/A
Locked

Boom 
 

N/A
Locked

Detachable Boom 
 

N/A
Locked

Mic  

Locked
Locked

Recording Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Microphone Frequency Response  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Microphone Frequency Response Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Microphone Frequency Response Sample

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Recorded Speech 
 

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 
 

N/A
N/A

SpNR  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x SpNR Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x SpNR Sample

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SpNR 
 

N/A
N/A

Noise Gate 
 

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling 
 

N/A

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample  

Speech + Subway Noise Handling 
 

N/A

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample  

Active Features

Battery 
 

N/A
N/A

Battery Type 
 

N/A
Locked

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
Locked

Audio While Charging 
 

N/A
Locked

Passive Playback 
 

N/A
Locked

Charging Port  

N/A
Locked

App Support 
 

N/A
N/A

App Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x App Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x App Picture Sample

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App Name  

N/A
Locked

iOS  

N/A
Locked

Android  

N/A
Locked

macOS  

N/A
Locked

Windows  

N/A
Locked

Equalizer 
 

N/A
Locked

ANC Control 
 

N/A
Locked

Mic Control  

N/A
Locked

Room Effects 
 

N/A
Locked

Playback Control 
 

N/A
Locked

Button Mapping  

N/A
Locked

Surround Sound  

N/A

Surround Support 
 

Locked
Show Text 
Connectivity

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth Version 
 

N/A
Locked

Multi-Device Pairing 
 

N/A
Locked

NFC Pairing 
 

N/A
Locked

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 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range 
 

N/A
N/A

Non-BT Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Wired 
 

N/A
N/A

Cable Picture  

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Cable Picture Sample

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Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Cable Picture Sample

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Analog Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Audio 
 

Locked
Locked

Detachable  

Locked
Locked

Length  

Lock ft
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connection 
 

Locked
Locked

Wired Latency 
 

Lock ms

Analog/USB Audio Latency 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

PC Compatibility 
 

Analog 
 

Locked

Wired USB 
 

Locked

Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Show Text 

PC / PS4 Compatibility 
 

PC / PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PC / PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PC / PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PlayStation Compatibility 
 

PS4 Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

PS5 Analog 
 

Locked

PS5 Wired USB 
 

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Xbox Compatibility 
 

Xbox One Analog 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Wired USB 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog 
 

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB 
 

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless 
 

Locked
Show Text 

Base/Dock 
 

N/A
N/A

Type 
 

N/A
Locked

USB Input 
 

N/A
Locked

Line In 
 

N/A
Locked

Line Out 
 

N/A
Locked

Optical Input 
 

N/A
Locked

RCA Input 
 

N/A
Locked

Dock Charging 
 

N/A
Locked

Power Supply 
 

N/A
Locked

Check Price

Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Standard
ATH-M30x
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
ATH-M20x
SEE PRICE
B&H
Standard
ATH-M30x
BestBuy.com
Black
ATH-M20x
BestBuy.com
Standard
ATH-M30x
Audio-Technica
Black
ATH-M20x
Audio-Technica

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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