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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Sennheiser HD 400S involves evaluating sound quality, comfort, and features for specific use cases. The ATH M30X offers superior overall sound quality which is great for music enthusiasts, however, they won't serve well for calls due to the absence of a microphone. The Sennheiser HD 400S, while having slightly lower sound quality, has a higher comfort score and includes an integrated mic, making it a better option for extended wear and calls. For gaming, the HD 400S outperforms with a significantly higher score, so if gaming is a key activity, Sennheiser is a better choice. Both lack active noise cancellation but do provide some passive noise isolation, with the ATH M30X slightly better in this regard. If budget is a primary concern, HD 400S is the less expensive option while still offering a good range of features. 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 M30X
- The Audio Technica ATH M30X 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 podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.6
7.1
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for music, though the Audio Technica ATH M30X is somewhat better.
Gaming
6.6
8.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Phone Calls
4.3
8.2
The Sennheiser HD 400S is very good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
6.9
7.6
The Sennheiser HD 400S is good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair.
Noise Reduction
6.0
5.3
The Audio Technica ATH M30X is only fair for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD 400S is poor.
Build Quality
7.2
8.5
The Sennheiser HD 400S has very good build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M30X has good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
7.9
7.6
The Audio Technica ATH M30X and Sennheiser HD 400S are both good for TV and video.
Cost
$69
$70
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
The Audio Technica ATH M30X has a price of $69 and the Sennheiser HD 400S costs $70.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M30X and the Sennheiser HD 400S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M30X | Sennheiser HD 400S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$69 | $70 | ||
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 | 7.7/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 4.4/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 6.6/10 | 8.7/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 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 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 220 Grams | 213 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M30X
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Soundguys
Jasper Lastoria | August 2023
"The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD."
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 M30X 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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