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Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
ATH-M40x
The ATH-M40x over-ear wired headphones feature advanced engineering and robust construction, making them the perfect studio headphones for professional tracking, mixing, and monitoring. Equipped with 40 mm drivers and tuned flat for incredibly accurate sound monitoring across the entire frequency range, these closed-back headphones deliver a critically acclaimed audio experience.
The ATH-M40x over-ear wired headphones feature advanced engineering and robust construction, making them the perfect studio headphones for professional tracking, mixing, and monitoring. Equipped with 40 mm drivers and tuned flat for incredibly accurate sound monitoring across the entire frequency range, these closed-back headphones deliver a critically acclaimed audio experience.
Step up to the advanced design of M-Series professional headphones with the ATH-M40x studio monitor headphones. The high-quality build makes for a pair of lightweight yet durable wired headphones for professional studio tracking and mixing. Built with professional-grade ear pad and headphone material, the ATH-M40x provides a comfortable fit for extended wear.
Thanks to the circumaural design that contours around the ears, these Audio-Technica wired, on-ear headphones provide unmatched sound isolation with minimal bleed to let you hear the full-spectrum detail of your sound source, even in loud environments. The essential 40 mm drivers add a professional and balanced sound experience.
The modern headphone’s design features a detachable cable with convenient single-side cable exit for hassle-free listening, plus swilving earcups for easy, one-ear monitoring. Find out why the online reviewers, top audio engineers, and passionate fans agree, the M-Series is an unmatched combination of audio and build quality that provides a pure professional performance for an affordable price.
Included Accessories: The ATH-M40x comes with a 6.3 mm (¼”) snap-on adaptor.
Incredibly Accurate Sound
The ATH-M40x professional studio headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate sound monitoring across the entire frequency range.
The ATH-M40x professional studio headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate sound monitoring across the entire frequency range.
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Professional Reviews 80/100
Just Okay
Sound Quality
78/100
Comfort Fit
80/100
Build Quality
80/100
Features Usability
86/100
Value for Money
82/100
The ATH-M40x brings analytical clarity and a pleasingly uncoloured upper midrange to an affordable closed-back design. DMS found it reasonably transparent and well rounded for the money, while its folding frame, strong isolation and detachable straight and coiled cables make it a practical studio-style companion. Easy phone-friendly driveability adds everyday versatility.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Reasonably transparent, analytical presentation with a notably clean upper-midrange for the price.
Detachable cable system, including straight and coiled leads, is an unusually useful feature at this price.
Closed-back cups seal well, fold for transport, and are easy to drive from phones or laptops.
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Cons
Mid-bass can sound boomy while sub-bass rolls off and loses cleanliness at the lowest frequencies.
Low-mid recession can reduce vocal body, while a mid-treble peak adds a metallic edge.
Soundstage is notably intimate and closed-in rather than spacious.
Stock pads are shallow and may become uncomfortable during long sessions, particularly for larger ears.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 78/100
The ATH-M40x is a serviceable, analytical closed-back headphone with reasonable transparency for its price, but its sonic balance has clear limitations. Reviewers note boomy, rolled-off bass, reduced vocal body, a somewhat metallic treble character and an especially intimate presentation.
Bass
74/100
Metal571 hears a substantial mid-bass boost that makes the presentation boomy, alongside significant sub-bass roll-off and harmonic distortion at the very low end. DMS finds the bass decent, particularly with alternative pads, but the stock tuning is not especially clean or extended.
Midrange
80/100
The low-mid recession reduces the body and lower register of vocals, according to Metal571. However, the upper midrange is described as largely uncoloured and appealing, keeping voices and lead instruments reasonably clear.
Treble
77/100
DMS describes the treble as decent and reasonably transparent. Metal571 identifies an annoying mid-treble peak and some metallic timbre even after correction, so long-term refinement is limited.
Resolution Detail
84/100
DMS does not find the M40x particularly lacking in transparency and considers it a good performer for the price. It is analytical rather than especially immersive or revelatory, with no claims of class-leading retrieval.
Soundstage Imaging
72/100
The presentation is consistently described as intimate. DMS considers it decent for a closed-back model but not impressive, while Metal571 calls it exceptionally small and closed-in.
Dynamics
78/100
The reviews say little directly about transient attack, punch or dynamic contrast. DMS calls the overall presentation somewhat lifeless and boring, which suggests limited excitement, but does not report severe dynamic failure.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Comfort Fit
80/100
Metal571 finds the stock comfort acceptable rather than unpleasant, but notes that the pads are shallow and somewhat too small for his ears. The 240 g weight is manageable, though prospective buyers with larger ears may want to consider pad fit carefully.
Build Quality
80/100
The reviews say little about the M40x's materials, hinges, finish or long-term durability. Its detachable cable is a practical plus, but there is no direct reviewer evidence here to make stronger claims about construction quality.
Features Usability
86/100
The M40x includes detachable straight and coiled cables, a screw-on 6.3 mm adapter, a carrying pouch and a folding design. Metal571 specifically praises the removable cable as unusually welcome at this price.
Value for Money
82/100
At roughly $97–109, DMS finds the M40x reasonably well-rounded and affordable, with performance appropriate to its asking price. Metal571 notes that it was once among the stronger sub-$100 choices but considers there to be better alternatives on the current market.
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Authorized dealers for Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- The Audio Association — in-store — Anaheim, California, United States (website)
- A1 Futureshop — online and in-store — North Rocks, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accesory Jack — online and in-store — New Territories, Hong Kong (website)
- Acclaim Sound and Light — online and in-store — North Bay, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Adorama — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
and 234 more verified dealers