ReviewFinder Wireless Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

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13 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [13]

80
Total expert reviews: 13
  • with a score: 3
  • without a score: 10
Highest score by Head-Fi
82
Average score based on 13 reviews
80
Lowest score by SoundGuys
77

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are praised for their exceptional sound quality, comfort, and durability, making them a reliable choice for professionals and audiophiles.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones receive high praise from experts for their exceptional sound quality. The bass response is clean and full, making it ideal for bass guitars and kick drums. The headphones have a flat sound signature, providing a true representation of audio for mixing and mastering purposes.

The treble frequencies are emphasized, allowing for the picking out of fine details in complex percussion tracks and acoustic instruments. The overall clarity of the headphones is highly regarded, and they perform well across various genres such as electronic, orchestral, jazz, and rock.

In terms of noise cancellation, the ATH-M40x headphones do not have active noise cancellation technology. However, their closed-back design provides passive noise isolation, blocking out external noise and making them suitable for recording purposes. The headphones do not leak any noise, ensuring a more immersive listening experience.

Comfort is another area where the ATH-M40x headphones excel. They are praised for their comfort and suitability for extended periods of use. The headphones have a moderate weight and feature a circumaural design with adjustable earcups, providing excellent sound isolation and easy one-ear monitoring.

The earpads and headband are made of professional-grade material, offering durability and plush cushioning. The headphones are adjustable for different head sizes and shapes, ensuring a comfortable fit for long listening sessions.

The ATH-M40x headphones do not have a built-in battery and are wired, so they do not require charging and do not have a specific battery life. This makes them ideal for users who prefer a reliable and consistent audio experience without the need to worry about battery life or charging. They can be used for as long as they are connected to a compatible audio device, making them suitable for extended listening sessions or professional use where uninterrupted audio is essential.

In terms of connectivity, the ATH-M40x headphones do not have Bluetooth capabilities and require a physical connection to audio devices using a detachable cable. They are not compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices and do not support NFC pairing. However, if Bluetooth connectivity is desired, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is a similar option that offers Bluetooth capabilities and can be connected wirelessly to smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

The ATH-M40x headphones are generally considered to be durable and well-built. The construction includes high-quality materials to ensure longevity. The headband is comfortable and without any hot spots, and the ear cups are sturdy and replaceable if the padding wears out over time. However, the folding hinges on Audio-Technica collapsible headphones, including the ATH-M40x, may be prone to breaking or wearing out in the long term.

Overall, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are highly recommended for those seeking high-quality sound across different use cases, including mixing, mastering, and general music listening. They provide exceptional sound quality, comfortable fit, and durability, making them a reliable choice for professionals and audiophiles.

Sound quality

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are highly praised for their clean and full bass response, flat sound signature, emphasized treble frequencies, overall clarity, and versatility across different genres, making them a top choice for high-quality sound in various use cases.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are highly praised by experts for their sound quality. The bass response is described as clean, full, and without any muddiness, making it great for bass guitars and kick drums. The sound signature is generally considered to be flat, providing a true representation of audio for mixing and mastering purposes.

The treble frequencies are pleasantly emphasized, allowing for the picking out of fine details in complex percussion tracks and acoustic instruments. The overall clarity of the headphones is highly regarded, with a clear and accurate playback of sounds. The ATH-M40x headphones are also known for their versatility, performing well across various genres such as electronic, orchestral, jazz, and rock.

Overall, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are recommended for those seeking high-quality sound across different use cases, including mixing, mastering, and general music listening.

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Noise cancellation

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones do not have active noise cancellation, but their closed-back design provides passive noise isolation and they are known for their accurate audio reproduction.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones do not have active noise cancellation technology. They are designed with a closed-back design that provides passive noise isolation. This means that they block out external noise by the design of their ear cups. The headphones do not leak any noise, making them suitable for recording purposes.

However, if you are specifically looking for headphones with active noise cancellation, you may want to consider other models. The focus of the ATH-M40x is on providing a flat frequency response and accurate audio reproduction for mixing and mastering purposes. The sound quality of the headphones is known for being accurate and detailed, with a relatively flat frequency response.

While they do not have active noise cancellation, their closed-back design helps to minimize external noise and allows for a more immersive listening experience. The battery life of the ATH-M40x is not applicable as they do not have active noise cancellation.

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Comfort

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are highly praised for their comfort and suitability for extended use, featuring adjustable earcups, durable materials, and a comfortable fit for professionals and audiophiles.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are praised by experts for their comfort and suitability for extended periods of use. The headphones have a moderate weight, contributing to their overall comfort. They feature a circumaural design with adjustable earcups, allowing for excellent sound isolation and easy one-ear monitoring.

The earpads and headband are made of professional-grade material, providing durability and plush cushioning for prolonged use. The clamping force is manageable, reducing discomfort and fatigue. The ear cups have an ovalesque design, accommodating even larger ears and alleviating pressure. The headphones are adjustable for different head sizes and shapes, ensuring a comfortable fit for long listening sessions.

Overall, the ATH-M40x is considered a suitable choice for professionals and audiophiles who require extended comfort and durability.

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Battery life

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are wired and do not require charging, making them ideal for users who prioritize reliability and consistent audio quality.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones do not have a built-in battery and are wired, so they do not require charging and do not have a specific battery life. This makes them ideal for users who prefer a reliable and consistent audio experience without the need to worry about battery life or charging.

They can be used for as long as they are connected to a compatible audio device, making them suitable for extended listening sessions or professional use where uninterrupted audio is essential. However, it is important to note that these headphones do not have Bluetooth capabilities or quick charging capabilities, unlike the Bluetooth version of the headphones, the ATH-M50xBT2.

Overall, the ATH-M40x is a reliable and durable option for users who prioritize wired connectivity and do not require wireless or quick charging features.

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Connectivity

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are wired and do not have Bluetooth capabilities, but the ATH-M50xBT2 is a similar option that offers Bluetooth connectivity.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones do not have Bluetooth capabilities and are wired headphones that require a physical connection to audio devices using a detachable cable. They are not compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices and do not support NFC pairing. However, if Bluetooth connectivity is desired, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 is a similar option that offers Bluetooth capabilities and can be connected wirelessly to smartphones, tablets, and laptops.

The ATH-M50xBT2 has a nearly identical sound quality and design to the ATH-M40x, but with the added convenience of Bluetooth connectivity. It also supports USB-C fast charging and has an impressive battery life of nearly 65 hours. The ATH-M40x headphones are designed with monitoring in mind and can only be connected to a single source using the provided cables.

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Durability

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are considered durable and well-built, with high-quality materials and replaceable ear cups, although the folding hinges may be prone to breaking over time.

Based on the expert reviews, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are generally considered to be durable and well-built. The construction of the headphones includes high-quality materials to ensure longevity. The headband is described as comfortable and without any hot spots, although it may be slightly thinner than cheaper Audio-Technica models.

The ear cups are generally well-built and sturdy, with the added benefit of being replaceable if the padding wears out over time. However, it is worth noting that the folding hinges on Audio-Technica collapsible headphones, including the ATH-M40x, may be prone to breaking or wearing out in the long term.

Overall, the ATH-M40x headphones are recommended for users who prioritize durability and are willing to take proper care of their headphones to ensure their longevity.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all wireless headphones.

Rank Change Price Headphones
IGN
Tom's Guide
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
WIRED
CNET
Wirecutter
PCMag
T3
Rtings.com
1
- $398
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience.
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5
7
-
2
- $429
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience.
4
3
5
2
2
1
-
3
1
1
3
- $535
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.
8
9
6
3
5
7
-
9
8
-
4
- $279
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
-
-
-
-
3
11
-
2
3
-
Show all rows
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x did not receive any endorsements this month.