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Products in this category are scored under Frontum Headphones Methodology v1.0: technical specifications plus authentic consumer ratings, with 0% commercial bias.
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Audio-Technica ATH M20 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£45Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audio-Technica ATH M20 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Audio-Technica ATH M20
5.4/10

Overall score

Score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the headphones' quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best headphones on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 91% of models
Score components

80%

5.4

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 91% of headphones
6.8

Value for money

Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 84%
5.4

Technical score

Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.5

Design

8%

4.7

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 81%
?

User score

User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

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Where to buy
    N/A~ £45
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of pair of headphones Audio-Technica ATH M20

Technical score
Technical score
5.4/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of technical performance for products in the Headphones category across these key areas: Sound, Calls & Controls, Connectivity, Features, Battery, Design.
When it matters
When you want to compare headphones based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components:

52%

6.0

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.5

Design

8%

4.7

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

5.4
User score
User score
8.0/ 10
✕
What it is
A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you want to understand how headphones perform in real listening and how reliable they are in terms of comfort, audio quality, battery life, and long-term use.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 58% of models
Score components

70%

?

User ratings

30%

?

Number of reviews

?
Popularity
Popularity
1.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the headphones.
When it matters
When you prefer headphones that have already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 99% of models
Popularity:
Audio-Technica ATH M20 has a popularity score of 1 point, which is lower than that of 73.4% of products in this category.
1.0
Value for money
Value for money
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the headphones' overall rating with their cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for headphones that offer a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 84% of models
Score components:

70%

5.4

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.8
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
no
This pair of headphones does not support active noise cancellation. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
Driver type
dynamic
Driver size
40 mm
Market range: <10 mm – >50 mm
This pair of headphones uses a driver size of 40 mm, larger driver size than 28.6% of headphones and equal to 53.3% of headphones.
Number of drivers
1
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 1 drivers, fewer drivers than 4% of headphones and equal to 96% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
30 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 30 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 98.9% of headphones and equal to 0.4% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not support a noise-canceling microphone. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
Can be used as a headset
yes
This pair of headphones is headset-ready, 84.8% is not. 15.2% of headphones can be used as headsets.
Number of microphones
0
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 0 microphones, fewer microphones than 73.2% of headphones and equal to 26.9% of headphones.
Boom microphone
no
This pair of headphones does not include a boom microphone. 13.5% of headphones have a boom microphone.
Microphone SNR
N/A
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Connectivity
wired
This pair of headphones supports wired connectivity, less flexible connectivity than 49.2% of headphones and equal to 50.8% of headphones.
Bluetooth version
N/A
Maximum Bluetooth range
N/A
Audio latency
N/A
Multipoint support
no
This pair of headphones does not support multipoint. 30.6% of headphones support multipoint.
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Ambient sound mode
no
This pair of headphones does not offer ambient sound mode. 24.9% of headphones support ambient sound mode.
EQ support
no
This pair of headphones does not support EQ customization. 23.2% of headphones support EQ.
Companion app
no
This pair of headphones does not work with a companion app. 21.6% of headphones support companion apps.
Adjustable ANC levels
N/A
Voice assistant support
no
This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants. 60.9% of headphones support voice assistants.
Show more
Battery life
N/A
Battery life with ANC
N/A
Charging time
N/A
Quick charge
no
This pair of headphones does not support quick charging. 33.1% of headphones support quick charge.
Battery capacity
N/A
Show more
Brand name
Audio-Technica
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
190 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 190 g, lighter than 59.1% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
4.9
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4.9, higher clamp force than 59.7% of headphones and equal to 8.5% of headphones.
Show more

Audio-Technica ATH M20 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • 12.8% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (190 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    190 g vs 218 g
  • 12x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,200 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,200 mW vs 100 mW
  • 12.8% lower weight
    This pair of headphones is lighter than the average pair of headphones (190 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    190 g vs 218 g
  • 12x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,200 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,200 mW vs 100 mW
  • Direct 3.5 mm plug
    This pair of headphones includes a direct 3.5 mm plug, the average pair of headphones does not. 39.8% of headphones have a 3.5 mm male connector.
  • AptX support
    This pair of headphones supports aptX, the average pair of headphones does not. 18.4% of headphones support aptX.
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 12 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    30 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH M20 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH M20 is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 7.6% worse value for money
    Audio-Technica ATH M20 has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.76 vs 7.3).
    6.76 vs 7.27
  • Fixed cable
    This pair of headphones has a fixed cable, while the average pair of headphones has a detachable one. 62% of headphones have a detachable cable.
  • Tangle-prone cable
    This pair of headphones uses a tangle-prone cable, while the average pair of headphones is easier to manage. 64.2% of headphones use a tangle-free cable.
  • No travel bag
    This pair of headphones does not include a travel bag, the average pair of headphones does. 65.4% of headphones include a travel bag.
  • 5 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (55 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    55 mm vs 60 mm
  • 6 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (38 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    38 mm vs 44 mm
  • 0.6 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (4.9 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    4.9 vs 4.3
  • 0.7 % higher distortion
    This pair of headphones has a higher total harmonic distortion than the average pair of headphones (1 % vs 0.3 %). The average headphones have total harmonic distortion of 0.3 %.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 12 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (30 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    30 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 4 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    98 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 12 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (98 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    98 dB vs 110 dB
  • 5 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    98 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • No battery indicator
    This pair of headphones does not show battery level clearly, while the average pair of headphones does. 56.3% of headphones have a battery level indicator.
  • 1 fewer microphones
    This pair of headphones has fewer microphones than the average pair of headphones (0 vs 1). The average headphones have 1 microphones.
    0 vs 1
  • No voice assistant support
    This pair of headphones does not support voice assistants, the average pair of headphones does. 60.8% of headphones support voice assistants.
  • 6 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2010 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    2010 vs 2016

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Audio-Technica ATH M20

  • Excellent value for money as an entry-level studio monitor headset
  • Balanced and clear mid-range sound signature ideal for basic audio tracking and podcasting
  • Lightweight over-ear design that feels secure and comfortable for short listening intervals
  • Highly durable build quality that reliably withstands daily wear and tear
  • Extra-long 3-metre cable providing extensive physical reach in home studio environments
  • Tight driver channel matching that maintains a consistent left-to-right stereo image

What customers don't like about Audio-Technica ATH M20

  • Fixed, non-detachable cable makes replacement impossible without DIY soldering
  • The 3-metre cord is excessively long for portable use and prone to tangling easily
  • Stock earpads are relatively thin and shallow, causing ears to feel warm or sore over long sessions
  • Under-emphasized, rolled-off sub-bass response that leaves low-end frequencies sounding thin
  • Recessed treble tuning that causes vocal harmonics and high frequencies to feel veiled or dull
  • Poor passive noise isolation that allows external environmental noise to leak in easily

Verdict

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is an entry-level, closed-back dynamic monitor headphone featuring 40mm drivers with neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminium wire (CCAW) voice coils. It offers a frequency response of 15 Hz – 20,000 Hz, an impedance of 47 ohms, and a sensitivity of 96 dB, making it suitable for studio tracking and mixing on a budget. Main pros include its professional-grade ear pads and headband for long-lasting comfort, effective sound isolation through a circumaural design, and a balanced, high-resolution audio profile that delivers clear detail for its price. However, notable cons include a non-detachable 3-metre cable that is cumbersome for travel, a predominantly plastic build that may lack a premium feel, and ear cups that can trap heat during extended listening sessions.

Compare Audio-Technica ATH M20 with other products in the Headphones category

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