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Audio-Technica ATH M40x Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£90Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):no

Audio-Technica ATH M40x 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 M40x
5.6/10

Overall score

Score
5.6/ 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 83% of models
Score components

80%

5.6

Technical score

20%

?

User score

â–¼Worse than 83% of headphones
6.9

Value for money

Value for money
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

â–¼Worse than 79%
5.6

Technical score

Technical score
5.6/ 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 68% of models
Score components

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

6.7

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

â–¼Worse than 68%
?

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~ £90
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 M40x

Technical score
Technical score
5.6/ 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 68% of models
Score components:

52%

6.1

Sound

20%

5.0

Features

10%

6.7

Design

8%

4.0

Connectivity

6%

4.0

Battery

4%

4.9

Calls & Controls

5.6
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 M40x 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
6.9/ 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 79% of models
Score components:

70%

5.6

Overall score

30%

10

Price

6.9
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
15 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 15 Hz, lower lowest frequency than 58.3% of headphones and equal to 5.8% 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.
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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
240 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 240 g, heavier than 57.6% of headphones and equal to 1.5% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
4.8
Market range: <2.5 – >6.1
This pair of headphones has a clamp force of 4.8, higher clamp force than 58.5% of headphones and equal to 1.1% of headphones.
Show more

Audio-Technica ATH M40x vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Head tracking support
    This pair of headphones supports head tracking, the average pair of headphones does not. 2.9% of headphones support head tracking.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 3 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    15 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 16x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,600 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,600 mW vs 100 mW
  • 23 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (133 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    133 dB vs 110 dB
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 4,000 Hz higher treble extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher highest frequency than the average pair of headphones (24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average headphones reach a highest frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    24,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 3 Hz lower bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a lower lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (15 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    15 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 16x higher input power handling
    This pair of headphones has a higher max input power than the average pair of headphones (1,600 mW vs 100 mW). The average headphones handle max input power of 100 mW.
    1,600 mW vs 100 mW
  • 23 dB higher max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a higher max SPL than the average pair of headphones (133 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    133 dB vs 110 dB
  • Head tracking support
    This pair of headphones supports head tracking, the average pair of headphones does not. 2.9% of headphones support head tracking.
  • 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.
  • 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 %
  • 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
  • 8 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (52 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    52 mm vs 60 mm
  • 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.
  • 9 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (35 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    35 mm vs 44 mm
  • 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 M40x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 5.87x less popular
    Audio-Technica ATH M40x is less popular than the average pair of headphones (1 vs 5.9).
    1 vs 5.87
  • 5.1% worse value for money
    Audio-Technica ATH M40x has worse value for money than the average pair of headphones (6.92 vs 7.3).
    6.92 vs 7.27
  • 8 mm tighter earcup height
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup height than the average pair of headphones (52 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    52 mm vs 60 mm
  • 9 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (35 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    35 mm vs 44 mm
  • 10.1% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (240 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    240 g vs 218 g
  • 0.5 higher clamp force
    This pair of headphones has a higher clamp force than the average pair of headphones (4.8 vs 4.3). The average headphones have a clamp force of 4.3.
    4.8 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 %
  • 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
  • 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.

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Audio-Technica ATH M40x

  • Highly accurate and neutral flat frequency response ideal for studio mixing and video editing.
  • Excellent value for money and price-to-performance ratio around the $100 price mark.
  • Includes two high-quality detachable cables (one coiled and one straight) with a secure locking mechanism.
  • Collapsible, folding design with swiveling ear cups that makes them highly portable for travel.
  • Sturdy and durable build quality that withstands daily professional use.
  • Good passive noise isolation that seals well around the ears and prevents sound leakage during recording.

What customers don't like about Audio-Technica ATH M40x

  • Can cause discomfort, ear fatigue, or head pressure during long, extended listening sessions.
  • Stock earpads feel somewhat stiff, shallow, or cheap, causing ears to touch the drivers or sweat.
  • The strong out-of-the-box clamping force feels overly tight for some head shapes.
  • Uses a proprietary 2.5mm locking cable connector rather than a standard 3.5mm jack, making third-party replacements harder to find.
  • Soundstage feels very narrow and 'in-your-head' due to the closed-back design.
  • Bass response may feel too light or lacking for casual listeners or bass-heavy music genres.
  • Hinges and joints can feel slightly rickety or prone to developing structural wear over time.

Verdict

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a professional-grade, closed-back dynamic monitor headphone featuring 40mm drivers with rare earth neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils. It is specifically tuned flat for incredibly accurate sound monitoring across a wide frequency response of 15 Hz to 24 kHz, supported by a 35-ohm impedance and 98 dB sensitivity. Its main characteristics include a collapsible design for portability, 90° swiveling earcups for one-ear monitoring, and a detachable cable system that includes both 1.2m–3m coiled and 3m straight cables. The main pros are its neutral, balanced sound signature ideal for studio mixing, durable construction, and excellent value for money. However, cons include a high initial clamping force that may cause discomfort during long sessions, synthetic earpads that can retain heat, and a limited soundstage typical of closed-back designs.

Compare Audio-Technica ATH M40x with other products in the Headphones category

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