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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality especially for music listening and don't mind a longer cable, the Audio Technica ATH M20X is a strong choice; however, it's not as comfortable for long periods. On the other hand, the Sennheiser HD 400S offers a more comfortable fit, a shorter cable, and has a built-in microphone which is suitable for calls and meetings. The Sennheiser is also more suited for gaming due to better suitability scores in that area. Neither model is wireless, and both are intended for stationary use as they're not recommended for exercise or travel due to their size and lack of noise cancellation. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Audio Technica ATH M20X
- The Audio Technica ATH M20X has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser HD 400S.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 400S
- Very good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for air travel
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
6.2
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is poor.
Cost
$49
$61
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $61.
Build Quality
6.9
8.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.6
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for music.
TV and Video
7.6
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M20X and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $61 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.2/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 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."
Sennheiser HD 400S
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Headphone Dungeon
Jim | August 2022
"Sennheiser has done it again. The HD 400S performs well beyond its price range and is one of the better budget model headphones I’ve tried. It has very few bells and whistles and offers a simple means of listening that still delivers amazing clarity and quality. If you need a good first pair of headphones or need something that you can take out of the house, then the HD 400S is definitely for you."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Sennheiser HD 400S
About Audio Technica
Audio Technica is a 60-year-old, Japan-based, professional audio equipment manufacturer. They started off making phonograph cartridges and have expanded their scope of products ever since to include extremely popular models of microphones and headphones. They have been the official audio equipment supplier of several editions of the Summer and Winter Olympics and every edition of the Grammy Awards since 1998.
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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