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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Audio Technica ATH M40X, while more affordable, is a wired pair of headphones that offers good sound quality and durability, ideal for studio work or at-home listening. In contrast, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is wireless with active noise cancellation and superior comfort, making them well-suited for commuting and travel, but they come at a higher cost. If you need mobility and noise cancellation, consider investing in the Momentum 4. If you prioritize sound quality and don't mind wires or external noise, the ATH M40X may be a more cost-effective option. 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 Momentum 4
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
8.1
7.5
The Audio Technica ATH M40X is very good for music, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is good.
Gaming
7.0
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for gaming, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is good.
Phone Calls
3.3
6.8
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
5.1
8.2
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Noise Reduction
5.3
9.1
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Audio Technica ATH M40X is poor.
Battery
N/A
59.0 Hours
The Audio Technica ATH M40X does not have a battery. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has 59 hours of battery life.
Cost
$99
$288
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Audio Technica ATH M40X has a price of $99 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 costs $288.
Build Quality
8.2
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 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
8.9
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Audio Technica ATH M40X are both very good for TV and video.
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How the Audio Technica ATH M40X and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Audio Technica ATH M40X | Sennheiser Momentum 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$99 | $288 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Audio Technica | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 1, 2014 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 8.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 3.3/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 7.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 8.8/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.3/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 59 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 5.3/10 | 9.1/10 | |
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 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 8.2/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 245 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | N/A | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 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."
Sennheiser Momentum 4
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2023
"If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go. While its ANC is technically behind the other top-tier headphones, its sound quality is ahead of the pack—as is its battery life. Not bad for $350 USD."
Get a great deal on the Audio Technica ATH M40X or the Sennheiser Momentum 4
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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