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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Audio-Technica ATH M30x Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£70Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audio-Technica ATH M30x Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Audio-Technica ATH M30x
5.6/10

Overall score

Score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 82% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 82% of headphones
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 79%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 66%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Where to buy
    N/A~ £70
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Audio-Technica ATH M30x

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 66% of models
Score components:

52%

6.5

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.6

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

5.0

Calls & Controls

5.6
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Audio-Technica ATH M30x has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 79% of models
Score components:

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.9
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
15 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 15 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 58.3% of headphones and equal to 5.8% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
yes
This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone. 86.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
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Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Audio-Technica
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
220 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 220 g, heavier than 50.3% of headphones and equal to 1.4% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
3.6
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 3.6, lower clamp force than 60.4% of headphones and equal to 7.6% of headphones.
Show more

Audio-Technica ATH M30x vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • 3 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    15 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • 13x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,300 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,300 mW vs 100 mW
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 1.8 m longer cable length
    This pair of headphones offers a more useful cable length than the average pair of headphones (3 m vs 1.2 m). The average headphones have a cable length of 1.2 m.
    3 m vs 1.2 m
  • Spatial audio support
    This pair of headphones supports spatial audio, the average pair of headphones does not. 15.9% of headphones support spatial audio.
  • 3 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    15 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 13x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,300 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,300 mW vs 100 mW
  • 2,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    22,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • Boom microphone included
    This pair of headphones includes a boom microphone, the average pair of headphones does not. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 6 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH M30x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 mm vs 60 mm
  • 6 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    38 mm vs 44 mm
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH M30x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 4.8% worse value for money
    Audio-Technica ATH M30x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.94 vs 7.3).
    6.94 vs 7.27
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 mm vs 60 mm
  • 6 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    38 mm vs 44 mm
  • 6 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    96 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 12 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (98 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    98 dB vs 110 dB
  • 7 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (96 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    96 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Audio-Technica ATH M30x

  • Excellent value for money and very affordable for entry-level studio use
  • Balanced sound profile with great mid-range definition and clarity
  • Sturdy, durable build quality using professional-grade materials
  • Collapsible, folding design makes them highly portable and easy to pack
  • Includes a long, 10-foot straight cable that is useful for studio tracking
  • Lightweight construction that fits securely without slipping

What customers don't like about Audio-Technica ATH M30x

  • The 10-foot audio cable is fixed and cannot be detached or replaced easily
  • Passive noise isolation is weak and not suitable for loud environments
  • High frequencies and treble can feel a bit harsh, piercing, or synthetic
  • Ear cups can feel tight, shallow, or cause high clamping force during long sessions
  • Lacks any built-in audio controls or an integrated microphone for phone calls
  • Soundstage is limited and lacks openness due to the closed-back design

Verdict

The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a pair of closed-back dynamic professional monitor headphones featuring 40mm drivers with neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire (CCAW) voice coils. They deliver a frequency response of 15 Hz to 22,000 Hz, 96 dB sensitivity, and a 47-ohm impedance, making them efficient for use with most portable devices. Key characteristics include a circumaural, collapsible design for sound isolation and portability, paired with a long 3-meter straight, single-sided cable. Main pros include its lightweight build at 220g, high midrange definition ideal for studio tracking, and impressive durability for its price point. However, notable cons include a non-detachable cable that is difficult to replace and a fit that may feel overly tight or cause sweating during long sessions for some users.

Compare Audio-Technica ATH M30x with other products in the Headphones category

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