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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall sound quality and a wide soundstage for a more immersive listening experience, especially for music, the Sennheiser HD600 is superior. However, their open-back design means they won't isolate noise as effectively as the closed-back Audio Technica ATH M20X, which might be a consideration if you plan to use them in noisier environments. The HD600s are also more comfortable for longer listening sessions. On the downside, the Sennheisers are more expensive and have a higher weight, which could affect portability and comfort during extended use. Neither model has wireless capability, active noise cancelling, or a built-in microphone, so if these features are important for your use in calls, meetings, or for a wireless experience, you may need to look at other options. 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 HD600.
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD600
- Excellent for music
- Good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
9.3
The Sennheiser HD600 is excellent for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Gaming
6.2
7.0
The Sennheiser HD600 is good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
5.0
The Sennheiser HD600 and Audio Technica ATH M20X are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser HD600 is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.7
7.9
The Sennheiser HD600 is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair.
TV and Video
7.6
8.9
The Sennheiser HD600 is very good for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X is good.
Noise Reduction
6.0
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M20X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD600 is poor.
Cost
$49
$299
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M20X has a price of $49 and the Sennheiser HD600 costs $299.
Build Quality
6.9
9.0
The Sennheiser HD600 has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M20X has only fair build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M20X and the Sennheiser HD600 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M20X | Sennheiser HD600 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$49 | $299 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | January 1, 1997 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.6/10 | 9.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 5/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.2/10 | 7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.7/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 6/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 6.9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 5.8/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 190 Grams | 258.5 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M20X
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Dig into reviews and images
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 HD600
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Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Jean Mouchet | September 2021
"The HD600 are state-of-the-art headphones with high sound quality and remarkable value, among most of the offerings in today’s time."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M20X or the Sennheiser HD600
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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