Audio Technica ATH M20X
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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MUSIC: Good—7.6/10
CALLS: Poor—4.3/10
GAMING: Fair—6.2/10
TV: Good—7.6/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Fair—6.7/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.1/10
AIR TRAVEL: Fair—6.0/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Fair—6.0/10
BUILD QUALITY: Fair—6.9/10
The Audio Technica ATH M20X headphones offer good overall sound quality with a very respectable soundstage, making them suitable for enjoying music in a quiet environment. They have a closed-back design which helps in passive noise isolation. However, they are not necessarily comfortable for all users, and lack built-in controls and a detachable cable, which might make them less convenient for some applications. With a budget-friendly price, they're wired and do not support wireless connectivity, so they wouldn't be the best option for exercise or travel due to the long cable. They're also not optimized for phone calls, meetings, gaming, or TV, due to their basic design and emphasis on sound quality over additional features. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Very good overall sound quality
- Good music listening experience
- Wired, no battery required
Cons
- Poor comfort
- Poor mic quality
- Not foldable, large carry size
Ratings by Category
TV & Video:4.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X headphones are wired, ensuring that they deliver low latency which is critical for syncing audio with video when watching TV and Videos. Furthermore, they are rated to have very good overall sound quality, providing a clearer and more detailed audio experience for the content being watched.
Music:4.2
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is favored for music listening due to its closed-back design, which helps in isolating sound and providing a personal listening experience, and it is noted for having very good overall sound quality, which enhances the enjoyment of various music genres.
Podcasts & Audiobooks:3.8
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Gaming:3.2
The Audio Technica ATH M20X headphones are wired, which eliminates latency issues making them suitable for gaming where timing is crucial, however, they have a closed-back design which provides a narrower soundstage and might not offer the most immersive gaming experience. Additionally, the microphone quality is rated as poor, which could be a significant downside for multiplayer gaming where communication is key.
Air Travel:3.1
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $49 | ||
Brand | Audio Technica | ||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | ||
Form Factor | Headphones | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 7.6/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | ||
Virtual Surround | No | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | ||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | ||
Weight | 190 Grams | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | ||
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | September 2023
"Audio-Technica positively defies what you can expect for around $50. Ultimately, Audio-Technica did not design the ATH-M20x to go on the subway with you. It’s for the budget-conscious, do-it-yourself producer, podcaster, or studio that needs to buy tracking cans in bulk. If you don’t need the most deluxe, comfortable headphones, maybe you’ll like the ATH-M20x for its spartan functionality. The headphones are aimed at giving you the minimum requirements without it feeling like a sacrifice."
Comparison charts
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