Audio Technica ATH M40X
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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MUSIC: Very Good—8.1/10
CALLS: Poor—3.3/10
GAMING: Good—7.0/10
TV: Very Good—8.7/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Poor—5.1/10
EXERCISE: Poor—4.3/10
AIR TRAVEL: Good—7.0/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Poor—5.3/10
BUILD QUALITY: Very Good—8.2/10
The Audio Technica ATH M40X headphones provide an excellent overall sound quality and soundstage, suitable for music listening and TV or video enjoyment. They are over-ear, closed-back headphones, meaning they're designed to isolate sound and prevent leakage, although noise isolation is not their strongest feature. They are not wireless, but they come with a detachable cable, adding to their durability. They have a robust build quality but they lack built-in controls and active noise cancelling. These headphones offer good comfort for extended listening sessions and are foldable for better portability. They are not suited for exercise, and while suitable for gaming, they may not be the best choice for calls or meetings due to poor microphone quality. 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
- Excellent overall sound quality
- Very good build quality
- Detachable cable for convenience
- Good soundstage/imaging for positioning
- Foldable for easier transport
Cons
- Poor microphone quality
- Lacks built-in controls
- Poor noise isolation
- Not suitable for exercise
Ratings by Category
TV & Video:4.6
This score evaluates the earbuds or headphones when used to watch videos, movies and TV. In the case of wireless products, it takes into account latency - the perceived delay between the action on screen and the sounds playing in your ears. The score also considers soundstage quality, whether they have a virtual surround feature, and overall comfort.
It’s important to note that the device paired with the earbuds heavily influences their performance in regards to latency or delay.
Music:4.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X offers a closed enclosure type which helps isolate sound while providing robust noise rejection, and with their wired connection, they deliver consistent, high-fidelity audio without the compression that can occur with wireless codecs, making them highly suitable for an enjoyable music listening experience.
Gaming:4.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is good for gaming due to its wired connection, which ensures low latency during gameplay, and its very good soundstage and imaging, providing an immersive audio experience that helps identify in-game sounds and directions accurately. However, it has a poor microphone quality, so you might want to consider an external mic for in-game communication.
Air Travel:4.0
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.
Portability:3.5
The Portability score is based on an overall assessment that includes volume and maximum dimension of the product (and case, if relevant), and its weight. Special features like foldability for headphones are also taken into account.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $99 | ||
Brand | Audio Technica | ||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | ||
Form Factor | Headphones | ||
Connectivity | Wired | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 8.1/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | No | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | ||
Virtual Surround | No | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | ||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | ||
Weight | 245 Grams | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | ||
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Soundguys
Lily Katz | August 2023
"If you were to pick one headset to fill all of your needs, the ATH-M40x is a great buy with its sub-$100 price tag, pleasant sound quality, and accessories. Whether you need to use it for live monitoring, a midnight editing session, or to underscore a campus walk, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a great companion."
Comparison charts
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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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