Menu
Today we review the junior line of studio headphones from Audio-Technica - ATH-M20x, M30x, M40x, and M50x, so let's look at all their features and do a little comparison. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x headphone series have long been popular and positioned by Audio-Technica as professional headphones designed for sound monitoring. However, these models are also often chosen by those who simply want a pair of headphones for listening to music. Each model in the series has its own set of technical features, differing in features, sound, and price (the older M50x is three times more expensive than the younger M20x).
Our editorial team will tell you about each model, highlighting what we consider to be the most important differences. Perhaps this information will be useful for those who are choosing a particular model from this series of headphones. But before we get started with our review of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, M30x, M40x, and M50x, let's take a look at the headphones' specs, as we always do.
|
Best Price on Audio-Technica ATH-M Series Headphones
The Audio-Technica ATH-M series is renowned for its reliability, affordability, and balanced audio reproduction. Each model caters to a different audience, making it a versatile lineup for beginners & professionals alike. |
ATH-M20x, M30x, M40x, M50x
|
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
|
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x
|
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
|
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
|
The entire range of headphones, from the ATH-M20x to the ATH-M50x, are packaged in large white cardboard boxes with photos of each model on different sides at different angles and technical information on the back of the box. The packaging is presentable and stable. Inside, there is another sheet of cardboard under which the headphones lie, additionally fixed in the cardboard form, which excludes their "dangling" on the box.
The first headphones in the set, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, have only a 6.35mm 1/4 Male to 3.5mm 1/8 Female jack plug adapter in the kit. The jack plug adapter has a plastic rim, while the upper models have a metallic gold-plated rim.
Starting with the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, the headphones come with an eco-leather pouch and a screw-on, all-metal 6.35mm 1/4 Male to 3.5mm 1/8 Female jack plug adapter. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x models feature a detachable cable. The M40x comes with two cables: a 3-meter / 118inches straight cable and a 1.2-meter / 47inches twisted cable. The M50x has three cables: a 3-meter straight cable, a 1.2-meter straight cable, and a 1.2-meter twisted cable. The cables are made of rubberized material and look quite reliable.
We have no questions about the box and the kit itself, everything is clear, nothing dangles, and about the packaging everything is natural: you pay more - you get more and better quality.
A quick glance at the entire lineup would suggest that the headphones are absolutely identical in design and construction, but this is not the case. The models are made of high-quality plastic, metal headband arch and covered with eco leather. The headphones are black in color and have a one-way cable connection to the left shell. Differences in the design of the earpieces only become apparent when comparing them. The M20x has the company's logo stamped on the cup, while the M30x and later models have a metal border around the logo. Starting with the M40x, a softer and more comfortable material is used for the ear cushions, and the headband already has serifs to fix the position when it is extended.
All headphones fit well on the head, but the pressure is not the same for all models. The M20x's flatter headband design gives it a bit less downforce, but the headphones do not fly off the head. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x's earpieces can rotate only 15 degrees, the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x's earpieces can be folded inward (toward the headband), and the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's earpieces can be folded an additional 90 degrees to a flat position, which is convenient for carrying.
The ergonomics of all four headphone models are comfortable for a medium-sized head. The earcups fully surround the ears, and the eco-leather headband doesn't pinch (the M50x has the softest headband). At the same time, the closed design and tight grip on the ears quickly take their toll; for example, after an hour and a half, our ears started to get noticeably hot during the testing.
A quick note about eco-leather. We would like to point out that the eco-leather on the ear pads and headband will wear off over time. Of course, the eco-leather on Audio-Technica headphones is no exception; after 2 years of active use, there will be noticeable wear. The good news is that you can always replace the ear pads, which are sold separately. In all the major marketplaces, we found replaceable earpads made of different materials and colors for the ATH-M50X, M40X, M30X, M20X models.
The headphones were tested on Denon CEOL RCD-N10 and Yamaha PianoCraft E410 fixed systems, AK A&norma SR15 player, Antelope Audio Zen Tour audio interface and various smartphones. We would like to point out that the headphones are far from being the tightest, but they sound noticeably better with more powerful sources.
For its price, this model is quite versatile in terms of genres and has a relatively balanced sound. The stage width is average or slightly below average. The bass is moderate, with no percussion. Middle and high frequencies are audible, but they do not come to the fore and are not characterized by details. The model may be suitable for those who want to have headphones for monitoring, which is not demanding, or who just want to listen to music, not search for sound nuances.
Of the entire range, this model proved to be the most ambiguous for us. The M30x sound very different from the M20x. Not only is the stage wider, but the stage itself is closer to the listener. The M30s add more bass, sometimes too much bass, but still lack speed and punch. On some tracks, vocals come to the fore compared to the M20s. The sound of the headphones tends to be dominated by the mid-bass range. The high frequencies are better than in the M20x, but still lack naturalness. On some tracks, the highs sound synthetic. This model proved to be a good choice for bass-oriented music, as long as you don't need speed in bass reproduction.
The presentation of musical material seemed more emotional than with the M20x. At the same time, the M30s can be a bit annoying in their presentation and sometimes a bit intrusive in their sound. We do not consider the M30x to be a universal model in terms of sound. It all depends on genre and sound preferences, so we would recommend listening to the M30x first.
Unlike the M20x and M30x, the M40x is for us the first model in the series to which we would apply the term "monitoring headphones". Compared to the M20x and M30x, the M40x has the most balanced sound, the fastest punchy bass and the highest RF detail. However, regular listening to music with the M40x is not that interesting, the headphones do not have a wow effect, and they do not bring any emotion to the sound. However, the M40x do offer a neutral presentation and genre versatility. Everything is suitable for them, except Electronic or EDM music genres (when bass is important) and complex instrumental compositions. In the latter case, however, the price of the headphones will have to be forgiven.
This is the oldest model in the M20X-M50X series. Yes, it sounds different from the previous models and has its own sonic signature. The M50x has the largest stage, both in width and depth. The detail of the M50x's sound also increases across the entire range. The sound is richer and has the emotionality that the M40s didn't have. The bass is accentuated and in most cases accurate, its readability is good. Still, we felt a little too much bass on some tracks. High frequencies are present everywhere, but they are not bright, sometimes they lack lightness. The M50x may be suitable for those who are sensitive to the HF range. Even though the M50x is designed for professional studio monitoring, it can safely be considered as a headphone for listening to music.
Comment from the CEO of SoundGale.comWhen I was 17, I bought my first audio equipment for my bedroom studio. I had no choice but to use headphones to monitor the sound. I didn't have enough money for good studio monitors, and it wasn't possible to use them in a room in an apartment building (because of possible complaints from the neighbors, of course). Using headphones - was the only way out! On the advice of some YouTube bloggers, I bought Audio-Technica's ATH-M50x and never looked back. These headphones have served me well for more than 10 years, and there are still no alternatives to the ATH-M50x on the market at this time. Audio-Technica's ATH-M50x is one of the best budget solutions for professional studio monitoring (immortal classics).
Yes, the technical specifications of these headphones are far from those of expensive models such as Sennheiser's HD 490 PRO or HD 650 (used by almost all serious sound engineers). And the ATH-M50x may not be the ideal headphones for monitoring due to the nuances of sound transmission, but they do work out at 110% of their cost. Show me more monitoring headphones that cost $130-150 and are "more or less" suitable for studio monitoring.
Here we are at the end of our Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, M30x, M40x, M50x comparison review, it's time to summarize the results. In our opinion, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, and Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are the most logical models in terms of sound/completeness/price. All 4 headphone models have the same label "Professional Monitor Headphones" on their boxes, but the sound is quite different.
The younger M20x will be a good choice for those looking for universal headphones up to 50USD for listening to music and "undemanding" monitoring. M30x gives a noticeable emphasis on bass with a good transmission of the rest of the range. M40x - headphones for monitoring with a neutral sound that is unlikely to get boring or tiring after a while; a very good option. M50x - of the four models, these are the top-of-the-line headphones, not only in terms of features and price, but also in terms of sound. And if you are considering headphones in this price range, the M50x is worth looking at.
However, if you are considering purchasing any of the above models, we recommend that you listen to them first, compare them to others, and make up your own mind.
We hope you enjoyed our Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, M30x, M40x, M50x review. Please feel free to leave your comments, questions, and suggestions in the section below. We will be happy to answer them all as soon as possible. If you already own a headphone from the Audio-Technica ATH-M series, don't forget to share your impressions and tell us what you liked or disliked about these headphones.
Unfortunately, there were almost no technical comparisons (such as Frequency Response, Bass Accuracy, Sound Profile, etc.) of these devices in our review. We decided to write an article based only on our impressions of these headphones in everyday audio listening and professional work. More detailed reviews with technical basis for a particular model of headphones can be seen in separate reviews.
