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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is a great value for those looking to spend less without a huge compromise in sound quality, as it's significantly less expensive than the Sennheiser 560S and offers excellent overall sound and soundstage quality. If you need a headphone for critical listening with a more immersive experience, and you value comfort over long periods, the Sennheiser 560S may justify the higher price. However, keep in mind the M40X offers better noise isolation due to its closed-back design, which might be preferable in noisier environments, while the 560S has an open-back design which provides a more spacious sound but allows more ambient noise in and also leaks sound out, which might not be suitable in quiet environments or shared spaces. Both models need a wired connection, so consider if portability and needing a cable is an issue for your needs. Neither is optimized for exercise, nor do they have active noise cancelling or wireless capabilities, and they're quite similar in weight. 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 M40X
- Good for gaming
- Good for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser 560S
- Best in class for music
- Excellent for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
9.5
The Sennheiser 560S is best in class for music, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good.
Phone Calls
3.3
5.1
The Sennheiser 560S and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both poor for phone calls, though the Sennheiser 560S is somewhat better.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
8.1
The Sennheiser 560S is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
2.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Sennheiser 560S are both poor for noise reduction, though the Audio Technica ATH M40X is somewhat better.
Cost
$99
$180
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Sennheiser 560S costs $180.
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Key similarities
Gaming
7.0
6.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Audio Technica ATH M40X to be good for gaming, while the Sennheiser 560S is only fair.
TV and Video
8.7
9.1
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser 560S to be excellent for TV and video, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good.
Build Quality
8.2
8.0
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Sennheiser 560S both have very good build quality.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Sennheiser 560S compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Sennheiser 560S |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $180 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | September 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 6.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 4.5/10 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 2.5/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | N/A | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 244.9 Grams | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Dustproof Rating | |||
Dustproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Audio Technica ATH M40X
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Dig into reviews and images
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."
Sennheiser 560S
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | March 2022
"Sennheiser made a near perfect pair of studio monitors with the HD 560S. Flat bass response? Check. Neutral and uncolored midrange? Check. Extended treble with a bit of lower-treble emphasis to highlight mastering flaws? Check. Fairly easy to drive? Check. Good soundstage and imaging? Check, and check."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Sennheiser 560S
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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Why trust us
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
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
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Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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