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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize sound quality and a durable build, the Audio Technica ATH M40X may be worth the extra cost, delivering professional-grade audio and robustness, but they are larger and not as portable. Meanwhile, the Sennheiser HD 250BT offers a more budget-friendly price with decent audio quality and the convenience of wireless Bluetooth connectivity, which is great for on-the-go use. However, the sound may not be as detailed as the ATH M40X, and the build quality might be less sturdy. Consider the ATH M40X if studio-like sound is crucial and you're okay with a wired set, or the HD 250BT if you need wireless freedom at a lower price point. 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
- Very good for music
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 250BT
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
6.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair.
Gaming
7.0
8.8
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
7.2
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is good for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
8.1
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
6.0
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
25.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Sennheiser HD 250BT has 25 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$65
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
$140
$160
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Sennheiser HD 250BT costs $65.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Sennheiser HD 250BT has excellent build quality, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
TV and Video
8.7
8.4
The Audio Technica ATH M40X and Sennheiser HD 250BT are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Sennheiser HD 250BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Sennheiser HD 250BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $65 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | May 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 25 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | N/A | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 125 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof 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 HD 250BT
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Headphone Check
Pete Scholßnagel | 2020
"As a lightweight, robust audio provider with a long battery life, the Sennheiser HD 250BT offer a lot for their price: very good Bluetooth codecs, an app connection and an extremely understated design. These headphones may not be among the most comfortable, but they deliver adequate sound – without overdriving or distortion."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Sennheiser HD 250BT
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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