Audio-Technica Ath-m40x Professional Studio Headphones, Black

The best way I can put it is this: in the 30 years that I have been recording and mixing, I've used many different products, but the only time that something has no longer worked and I replaced it with exactly the same thing was recently with the ATH-M40x. I had had the other pair since 2013 or thereabouts and they so do the job I've wanted all these years that it was to them I turned again. Ordinarily, I'd try a different brand. But I've found these to be great for tracking, checking and being part of my mixing gear too.They're reasonably priced, they don't hype the bass, and they seem pretty flat to me, but they are good for revealing little things that would be easy for me to miss.Obviously, there are many good phones on the market. But these are the ones that ... MoreThe best way I can put it is this: in the 30 years that I have been recording and mixing, I've used many different products, but the only time that something has no longer worked and I replaced it with exactly the same thing was recently with the ATH-M40x. I had had the other pair since 2013 or thereabouts and they so do the job I've wanted all these years that it was to them I turned again. Ordinarily, I'd try a different brand. But I've found these to be great for tracking, checking and being part of my mixing gear too.They're reasonably priced, they don't hype the bass, and they seem pretty flat to me, but they are good for revealing little things that would be easy for me to miss.Obviously, there are many good phones on the market. But these are the ones that I go with and I'd always recommend.I'm also a big fan of Studiospares. I've been using them since they were in a little back alley in Camden Town back in 1992. Always helpful and packed with great choice.

Audio-Technica are Sound Specialists for a reason

The sound quality is incredible. Every sound is crystal clear, the trebles are crisp, and you can feel every bass tone reverberate. The pre-set software in the dongle brings so much depth when you turn the surround sound on as well, which is great for directional awareness when gaming. It's great that you can remove the microphone when not needing to use the chat feature.When the microphone is in use though, it gives excellent sound quality. It's not quite up there with a standalone studio mic, but it's by the far the best I've ever used on a headset. This is incredibly surprising for a wireless headset to outperform some similarly priced wired sets.They're incredibly comfortable to wear as well, to the point that I have walked away forgetting I'm still wearing ... MoreThe sound quality is incredible. Every sound is crystal clear, the trebles are crisp, and you can feel every bass tone reverberate. The pre-set software in the dongle brings so much depth when you turn the surround sound on as well, which is great for directional awareness when gaming. It's great that you can remove the microphone when not needing to use the chat feature.When the microphone is in use though, it gives excellent sound quality. It's not quite up there with a standalone studio mic, but it's by the far the best I've ever used on a headset. This is incredibly surprising for a wireless headset to outperform some similarly priced wired sets.They're incredibly comfortable to wear as well, to the point that I have walked away forgetting I'm still wearing them on a couple of occasions. They're surprisingly light and the padding is soft and vented, so there's next to no pressure on your head which is great for hours in front of the screen. And as an added bonus, it's reassuring that you get a set of replacement ear cups too.As for negatives, only two I've found so far. The microphone is really sensitive (probably why it's so clear) so it can be awkward positioning it to be clear on chat. And the battery life is no where near as good as the MB50xbt that these are based on, so they will need to be charged regularly as a result.

Good value - general listening and tracking vocals

I've had these headphones for 3 years and am glad I made the purchase. I had listened to the M30x, M40x and M50x in the store but felt the M40x offered the best value. They were noticeably better than the M30x - with more clarity across all higher frequencies - but I did not think the M50x were worth the extra cost or dramatically better. I rely on the M40x when listening to music, and when tracking vocals, guitar or medium-to-super-high frequency instruments in the studio. I would not trust these exclusively when mixing tracks, but I do use them occasionally, to get a good all-round check on the balance and sound (in addition of course to checking the mix on the car stereo). They are perhaps a touch quiet in the low-end and I do not use them if I am tracking bass ... MoreI've had these headphones for 3 years and am glad I made the purchase. I had listened to the M30x, M40x and M50x in the store but felt the M40x offered the best value. They were noticeably better than the M30x - with more clarity across all higher frequencies - but I did not think the M50x were worth the extra cost or dramatically better. I rely on the M40x when listening to music, and when tracking vocals, guitar or medium-to-super-high frequency instruments in the studio. I would not trust these exclusively when mixing tracks, but I do use them occasionally, to get a good all-round check on the balance and sound (in addition of course to checking the mix on the car stereo). They are perhaps a touch quiet in the low-end and I do not use them if I am tracking bass or drums (see below for my alternative recommendation for that). They are pretty light weight, which is great if you're in the studio doing tons of overdubs or doing the marathon podcast.One thing that I really like about this set is that the cable is detachable from the phones. In case the cable has issues, you don't have to get the whole thing repaired. That said, I've had no technical problems or obvious signs of wear and tear, despite regular use for 3 years straight. The cable also has a nice, screw-on 1/4-inch adapter. Not sure if this is the same with all packages, but mine also came with earbuds, with a built-in microphone. That has been my workhorse around the house and for working at home. Nice durable, fabric cable too.One of the headphones I was also comparing this to when deciding whether to buy was the (trusty) Sennheiser HD 280 PRO. Those are a little cheaper, and a worthwhile purchase for more focused tasks. I use those *exclusively* when tracking bass and drums - the noise cancellation alone is incredible - and they have a big warm, low-end sound. Because of the good low-end, however they don't deliver a good all-round sound, particularly if you want to hear those nice airy high frequencies. That said, I recommend them for a quick check on the low end of your mix, or when tracking bass or drums. They're a little heavy, but that's for another review ... needless to say, I bought that one as well :)

Great for getting into good headphones

I've used these headphones for the past 6 years, and I must admit I've enjoyed them. As my first foray into decent headphones, they served me well and helped me get used to a more balanced (but still bassy) sound.My biggest qualms with it are the earcups and headband, which degrade rather quickly (I've replaced them with 3rd party earcups) if not cleaned frequently, something that can be difficult to keep up when traveling for weeks on end. Despite the amount of plastic used, they are decently built with a good range of adjustment for different heads. They're comfortable and I've used them for 12+ hours straight without feeling any discomfort.After six great years with them, I've finally been forced to move on after one of the hinges broke. As much as I've enjoyed ... MoreI've used these headphones for the past 6 years, and I must admit I've enjoyed them. As my first foray into decent headphones, they served me well and helped me get used to a more balanced (but still bassy) sound.My biggest qualms with it are the earcups and headband, which degrade rather quickly (I've replaced them with 3rd party earcups) if not cleaned frequently, something that can be difficult to keep up when traveling for weeks on end. Despite the amount of plastic used, they are decently built with a good range of adjustment for different heads. They're comfortable and I've used them for 12+ hours straight without feeling any discomfort.After six great years with them, I've finally been forced to move on after one of the hinges broke. As much as I've enjoyed them, my tastes have changed since I first got them and I'll be moving on to another pair of headphones, though I would still recommend them - just grab a hard case and you should be set for years.

Half the Function that I Needed

The sound profile and weight are the pluses for me yet the cons kind of detract from the headphones. I'm not Audio Technica's target customer as ideally, I want an open back folding headphones that can fold for transportation.The biggest strengths of this headphones is also the weakness: the clamping force. If you are in a club and wanting a monitor that isn't super pricy, these probably work well for you. (I'm not a DJ.) However because they have such a high clamping force, wearing glasses is uncomfortable. I have thin titanium frames (0.96 mm where the headphone clamps to the frame) which are being compressed on the side of my head. If you have thicker frames, (say plastic frames), these would be unusable with your glasses.Additionally, they take a little ... MoreThe sound profile and weight are the pluses for me yet the cons kind of detract from the headphones. I'm not Audio Technica's target customer as ideally, I want an open back folding headphones that can fold for transportation.The biggest strengths of this headphones is also the weakness: the clamping force. If you are in a club and wanting a monitor that isn't super pricy, these probably work well for you. (I'm not a DJ.) However because they have such a high clamping force, wearing glasses is uncomfortable. I have thin titanium frames (0.96 mm where the headphone clamps to the frame) which are being compressed on the side of my head. If you have thicker frames, (say plastic frames), these would be unusable with your glasses.Additionally, they take a little practice to place just right (because of their rotational mobility). I assume over time, this is something you can learn to deal with.Missing features for me: (1) less clamping force, (2) breathable ear pads not made of faux leather, (3) higher quality detachable cable, (4) a designed case that fits all of the M series than only relying on aftermarket cases, (5) headphone volume pot that can fully mute the source. Mobile devices often run too loud at their lowest volume setting (not 0 setting) when you are in a quiet room.Without knowing how these wear and hold up over time (only using these for a week), this set could be a 4 or 5 star. I'm more like a 2.5 star.

No substitute for M50

They seem good for music, but a bit hollow sounding in games when compared to my ATH M50. I bought these based on a YouTube reviewer who rates the M50 as one of the worst headphones in existence, yet he rates the M40 as one of the best in existence. I was curious so I bought a set of M40. I have to say I disagree with said reviewer.These are fine headphones, but there's not as much potential there as the M50. IMO get the M50, a DAC/amp combo and a graphics equaliser app for windows and tune your M50s to your liking.You can tune the M40 to a degree, but it seems to lack in the midrange. Even when driven properly through a DAC/amp combo, I just can't tune out the hollow sound in games. Not as noticeable in music, but then there's a lot going on in a music track ... MoreThey seem good for music, but a bit hollow sounding in games when compared to my ATH M50. I bought these based on a YouTube reviewer who rates the M50 as one of the worst headphones in existence, yet he rates the M40 as one of the best in existence. I was curious so I bought a set of M40. I have to say I disagree with said reviewer.These are fine headphones, but there's not as much potential there as the M50. IMO get the M50, a DAC/amp combo and a graphics equaliser app for windows and tune your M50s to your liking.You can tune the M40 to a degree, but it seems to lack in the midrange. Even when driven properly through a DAC/amp combo, I just can't tune out the hollow sound in games. Not as noticeable in music, but then there's a lot going on in a music track for that shortcoming to hide. The irony is the reviewer I mentioned specifically states the M40 is superior for games in particular. At the end of the day it's different strokes for different folks.

RE: The M40X's - I was really anticipating this, however...

Alright, where even to begin because I have so many things I'd like to say about the M40X's. To begin with, after reading numerous reviews on various sites, I had assumed (and in my case, wrongfully so) that the M40X were a clear winner in the audio quality department. I figured that at $99, these must be a bargain, so I ordered one.Now keep in mind that I'm an audiophile and I periodically do quite a bit of blogging/reviews on various gear. Over the past 6 months I've been writing/covering various DAC's and budget headphones (those below $200). So ordering the M40X's seemed like a no-brainer.When they arrived, I was impressed to see the product box they were packaged in. No need to describe everything because there is a wealth of information out there telling ... MoreAlright, where even to begin because I have so many things I'd like to say about the M40X's. To begin with, after reading numerous reviews on various sites, I had assumed (and in my case, wrongfully so) that the M40X were a clear winner in the audio quality department. I figured that at $99, these must be a bargain, so I ordered one.Now keep in mind that I'm an audiophile and I periodically do quite a bit of blogging/reviews on various gear. Over the past 6 months I've been writing/covering various DAC's and budget headphones (those below $200). So ordering the M40X's seemed like a no-brainer.When they arrived, I was impressed to see the product box they were packaged in. No need to describe everything because there is a wealth of information out there telling you what you'll get. I immediately set about to burning-in/warming-up the M40'x by allowing a period of 24 hours playing different test music, white noise, frequency sweeps from 20 HZ to 20,000 kHz, etc. As an aside, it is always good (in my strongest opinion) that breaking in any audio gear (break-in time may vary between different audio components) is essential as the true nature of the sound quality typically reveals itself after this warm-up period.Let the testing begin. So I plugged the M40X's into the following gear for evaluation purposes: iFi ZenDAC, the Fiio K50 Pro, the Soundavo HP-DAC-1, FX-Audio DAC-X6 Mk II, and the Schiit Modi 3+ coupled with the excellent tube-based xDuoo MT-602 Class A Tube Headphone Amplifier. Because of all the positive reviews of the M40X, I was expecting an audiophile's delight - but alas, that was definitely not the case. Initial observations resulted in audio reproduction that was thin, severely lacked lower bass capabilities, and overall music reproduction that sounded colored in the Midrange department. I listened further for hours on end, plugging the M40X's into all of the DAC/Amp combinations mentioned above. Although the sound signatures changed ever so slightly (due to the personalities of the DAC/Amp units), overall, the horrible sound I initially heard from the M40X's was still there.Next, I decided to change pads - and to make a long story short, I tried 8 different ear pad arrangements, models ranging from those advertised for the M40X's by Brainwavz and a half dozen other pad makers. Some actually made the sound worse (characterized by thin, lack of dynamics, no bass, and heavy colorations present with the likes of brass instruments and certain strings in large orchestras). Others improved the sound a bit - but not much - and in one pad scenario by a Brainwavz model - the music has a nasal quality to it. I just couldn't believe what I was hearing. Now mind you, I've long since developed critical listening skills over the past 50 years of being an audiophile - but I'm also reasonable when it comes to expectations.So here is what I heard in a nutshell:1. Bass - sorely lacking - or the EQ may have been scaled back at the factory. To bring it up somewhat (when using the iFi ZenDAC), I had to depress the TrueBass button which elevated the low frequencies - but even then, it was clear that the headphones were just not capable of allowing a lower reach. This resulted in music having less body.2. Midrange - Now here is where it gets interesting. I tend to listen to large orchestra music (i.e. classical, big-band jazz, Latin jazz, and other large ensemble genres). I've long since found that to truly evaluate audio gear, evaluate different instruments as to accuracy, coloration, etc. The M40x's seemed to provide a thinner sound in this region with instruments such as French Horn, Trombone, and some other brass having a colored, almost nasal quality to the sounds with certain recordings. The best way to describe it is to say that some instruments had noticeably incorrect timbres to them.3. Higher treble frequencies - Not as open as many of the competitors, yet not harsh. Not enough air around the instrumentation.4. Sound-staging/Depth - Here is where I was really disappointed. Because of their closed back design, the M40X's had a tighter, more constrained sound stage (definitely not as wide as some of the competition). Depth (front to rear separation) was marginal at best.If anyone is looking in this price range, let me state, save your money and invest in the far superior Philips SHP-9500's instead! Although the SHP-9500's sound very nice right out of the box, and if you are willing to experiment (meaning, removing the stock pads which are glued on to the removable ear-pad rings) by trying different after-market pads, you will be rewarded with audio qualities that punch far, far above its weight.So Alas, I had to send the M40X's back for a refund. Now keep in mind, the headphones I judged these against were the following (all plugged into the same DAC/Amp combinations mentioned above):1. Philips SHP-9500 - $20 cheaper than the Audio Technica's and far superior in every way.2. Brainwavz HM5's - $20-$40 less expensive than the Audio Technica's and far superior.3. Status Audio CB-1's - $40-$50 less expensive than the Audio Technica's - Audio performance elevated substantially with the right ear-pad change.4. Sivga 007 - Same price range as the Audio Technica's, however, far superior with audiophile sound qualities.5. Drop HiFiMan HE-35X - Approx $20 less expensive than the Audio Technica's and have superb audiophile sound qualities, improved even more with pad changes.6. 1MORE Triple Driver Over-Ear Headphones - $39 more expensive than the Audio Technica's, yet vastly superior. Very comfortable - even though you cannot change the ear pads at all.7. Koss KPH-30i - Now here is where it gets interesting, the $20 (sometimes $30) Koss budget headphones are ridiculous inexpensive, yet punch higher than many headphones in the $100 - $300 range. Now go figure. The KPH-30i's make mince-meal of the Audio Technica's.So that's it folks. This Audio Technica ATH-M40X set of headphones is the first set of cans that I've purchased in a long, long time that I've had to send back because of complete dissatisfaction. I cannot recommend these, although I realize that hearing is a very subjective thing and many may enjoy them. And I realize that all reviews are subjective in nature. If you're a serious audiophile, I strongly suggest steering clear of these. Invest your money elsewhere - like those headphones I recommended above.

Spectacular sound for under $200

I bought a pair of ATH-M50's seven years ago, and I used them every day until they sadly gave out. However, considering the amount of use and abuse I put them through, that is perfectly acceptable. Anyway, I received a brand new pair of ATH-40x's several days ago, and I can whole-heartedly say that these headphones are excellent and almost up to par with my old M50's. They sound incredible and produce excellent, deep, and immersive sound. The only caveat that I've encountered is the standard earpads. They are firm and uncomfortable for prolonged listening sessions, an easy fix with a bit of research. Moreover, their construction isn't as sturdy as the ATH-M50's; however, a little "self-fusing" silicone tape applied to the sensitive plastic joints can give these ... MoreI bought a pair of ATH-M50's seven years ago, and I used them every day until they sadly gave out. However, considering the amount of use and abuse I put them through, that is perfectly acceptable. Anyway, I received a brand new pair of ATH-40x's several days ago, and I can whole-heartedly say that these headphones are excellent and almost up to par with my old M50's. They sound incredible and produce excellent, deep, and immersive sound. The only caveat that I've encountered is the standard earpads. They are firm and uncomfortable for prolonged listening sessions, an easy fix with a bit of research. Moreover, their construction isn't as sturdy as the ATH-M50's; however, a little "self-fusing" silicone tape applied to the sensitive plastic joints can give these headphones a longer life and enjoyment for many years. Nevertheless, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphones are the best "bang for the buck" headphones I've ever owned.

Utilitarian headphones that do the job

If you are worried about your productivity when purchasing gear, and don't want to loose time into comparing hundreds of brand's specs and reviews to see what is the best option for your money, then just grab these headphones and get some work done after getting them into your hands: they won't disappoint. These are meant to be used for monitoring purposes. They are practical and utilitarian. They are very much not for audiophiles. We use them for monitoring audio while recording with a multi cam setup in our studio. They are light, their design is proved to work, the construction is proven to last forever (our older pair is still like new after years of use - and we don't baby them), they isolate what you need to hear, and they are cheap.

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I bought m40x for 7k at 2017 after lot of research ,at that time I had redmi note series phone, fiio K1 dac, Apple ipod classic it's sounds good , I don't know much about burning, so for 3 years I used it for casual listening, 2020 I heard about iems and I bought fiio fd1 at Amazon ( at that time I don't know about HPZ) ..the reason for fd1 upgrade is for BASS ...M40x sounds good and very flat , so I feel like boredSame time I planned to upgrade my Dac to BT..this time Amazon don't have much collection in DAC..so Google directed me to HPZ ...my 1st purchase was Ak xb10 ...after that I almost addicted to collect iems (less than 10k segment) and I felt iems like Blon 03 , Moondrop SSR , tripowin Tc 01 sounds better than M40x ...in between I bought Shanling UA2, ... MoreI bought m40x for 7k at 2017 after lot of research ,at that time I had redmi note series phone, fiio K1 dac, Apple ipod classic it's sounds good , I don't know much about burning, so for 3 years I used it for casual listening, 2020 I heard about iems and I bought fiio fd1 at Amazon ( at that time I don't know about HPZ) ..the reason for fd1 upgrade is for BASS ...M40x sounds good and very flat , so I feel like boredSame time I planned to upgrade my Dac to BT..this time Amazon don't have much collection in DAC..so Google directed me to HPZ ...my 1st purchase was Ak xb10 ...after that I almost addicted to collect iems (less than 10k segment) and I felt iems like Blon 03 , Moondrop SSR , tripowin Tc 01 sounds better than M40x ...in between I bought Shanling UA2, Shanling Q1 Dap...Fiio Btr5 was out of stock for longtime , one day it's came back in stock, immediately I bought thattill yesterday I was like to upgrade Moondrop Kato , 7hz timeless and am like almost forgot M40x .Suddenly today I planned to check with Fiio Btr5...first via BT mode it's very good ,next as wired Dac format.. am stunned with the output , lows mids highs all is wellNow I got to know the real meaning of the words like Soundstage , Imaging , Details and resolution :)Now am like..I searched for Gold .. keeping diamond in my deskMoral of this long story....Iems are for convenience..if your priority is only the quality of sound and you much worried about budget, headphones are the best and before upgrading your iems or headphones first upgrade your sources..I mean the DAC or DAPShanling Q1Fiio Btr5ATH M40x.These combo simply rocking ...all the 3 worth your hard earned money