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ALTERNATIVES
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REVIEWS
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Klipsch Mode M40 Review | 93 Data compared

Avg. price:~£130Form factor:over-earConnectivity:wiredBattery life:N/A hoursActive noise cancellation (ANC):yes

Klipsch Mode M40 Review: Compare 93 technical specifications and user reviews to see how this product ranks in the Headphones category and whether it is worth buying.

Klipsch Mode M40
6.8/10

Overall score

Score
6.8/ 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–² Better than 70% of models
Score components

80%

6.8

Technical score

20%

6.7

User score

â–²Better than 70% of headphones
7.7

Value for money

Value for money
7.7/ 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–² Better than 70% of models
Score components

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

â–²Better than 70%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 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–² Better than 73% of models
Score components

52%

8.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.0

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

7.0

Battery

4%

8.8

Calls & Controls

â–²Better than 73%
6.7

User score

User score
6.7/ 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 90% of models
Score components

70%

7.3

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
â–¼Worse than 90%
  • klipsch-mode-m40
klipsch-mode-m40
Where to buy
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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 Klipsch Mode M40

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 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–² Better than 73% of models
Score components:

52%

8.1

Sound

20%

4.0

Features

10%

6.0

Design

8%

4.6

Connectivity

6%

7.0

Battery

4%

8.8

Calls & Controls

6.8
User score
User score
6.7/ 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 90% of models
Score components

70%

7.3

User ratings

30%

5.3

Number of reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
6.7
Popularity
Popularity
5.3/ 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 57% of models
Popularity:
Klipsch Mode M40 has a popularity score of 5.3 points, which is lower than that of 55.5% of products in this category.
5.3
Value for money
Value for money
7.7/ 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–² Better than 70% of models
Score components:

70%

6.8

Overall score

30%

9.8

Price

7.7
Active noise cancellation (ANC)
yes
This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation. 72.6% 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
2
Market range: <1 – >4
This pair of headphones uses 2 drivers, more drivers than 96% of headphones and equal to 2.5% of headphones.
Lowest frequency
20 Hz
Market range: <5 Hz – >20 Hz
This pair of headphones reaches a lowest frequency of 20 Hz, higher lowest frequency than 50.8% of headphones and equal to 47.3% of headphones.
Show more
Noise-canceling microphone
yes
This pair of headphones supports a noise-canceling microphone. 61.1% 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
1
Market range: <0 – >4
This pair of headphones has 1 microphones, more microphones than 26.9% of headphones and equal to 50.9% 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
?
Show more
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.
Show more
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
45 hours
Market range: <15 hours – >55 hours
This pair of headphones offers battery life with ANC of 45 hours, higher battery life with ANC than 74.9% of headphones and equal to 3.5% of headphones.
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
Klipsch
Form factor
over-ear
Weight
356 g
Market range: <14 g – >340 g
This pair of headphones weighs 356 g, heavier than 92% of headphones.
Acoustic design
closed-back
Clamp force
?
Show more

Klipsch Mode M40 vs the average pair of headphones

246810TotalDesignSoundBatteryConnectivityCalls & ControlsFeatures
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • 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.
  • 15 hours longer ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (45 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    45 hours vs 30 hours
  • 1 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    2 vs 1
  • 32 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (92 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    92 mm vs 60 mm
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • 32 mm more spacious earcup height
    This pair of headphones offers more spacious earcup height than the average pair of headphones (92 mm vs 60 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup height of 60 mm.
    92 mm vs 60 mm
  • Foldable design
    This pair of headphones has a foldable design, the average pair of headphones does not. 48.3% of headphones are foldable.
  • Active noise cancellation
    This pair of headphones supports active noise cancellation, the average pair of headphones does not. 27.5% of headphones support active noise cancellation.
  • 1 more drivers
    This pair of headphones uses more drivers than the average pair of headphones (2 vs 1). The average headphones use 1 drivers.
    2 vs 1
  • 15 hours longer ANC battery life
    This pair of headphones has a higher battery life with ANC than the average pair of headphones (45 hours vs 30 hours). The average headphones offer battery life with ANC of 30 hours.
    45 hours vs 30 hours
  • Removable battery
    This pair of headphones has a removable battery, the average pair of headphones does not. 7.8% of headphones have a removable battery.
  • 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.
  • Clear call microphone
    This pair of headphones offers a clear call microphone, while the average pair of headphones does not. 39% of headphones support noise-canceling microphones.
  • In-line controls
    This pair of headphones includes in-line controls, the average pair of headphones does not. 36.6% of headphones support in-line controls.
  • Wind noise reduction
    This pair of headphones reduces wind noise, the average pair of headphones does not. 34.3% of headphones support wind noise reduction.
  • Quick mic mute
    This pair of headphones includes a quick mic mute, the average pair of headphones does not. 29.3% of headphones support a mute function.
  • 63.3% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (356 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    356 g vs 218 g
  • 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 %.
    truncated comparator-only THD source; exact ceiling unresolved.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 4.5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97.5 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97.5 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 19.1% lower user score
    User score
    6.7/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Klipsch Mode M40
    the average pair of headphones
    Klipsch Mode M40 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.72 vs 8).
    6.72 vs 8
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 12.5 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (97.5 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    97.5 dB vs 110 dB
  • 19.1% lower user score
    User score
    6.7/ 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
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    Klipsch Mode M40
    the average pair of headphones
    Klipsch Mode M40 has a lower user score than the average pair of headphones (6.72 vs 8).
    6.72 vs 8
  • 63.3% higher weight
    This pair of headphones is heavier than the average pair of headphones (356 g vs 218 g). The average pair of headphones weighs 218 g.
    356 g vs 218 g
  • 4 mm tighter earcup width
    This pair of headphones has tighter earcup width than the average pair of headphones (40 mm vs 44 mm). The average headphones offer an inner earcup width of 44 mm.
    40 mm vs 44 mm
  • 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 %.
    truncated comparator-only THD source; exact ceiling unresolved.
    1 % vs 0.3 %
  • 4.5 dB/mW lower sensitivity
    This pair of headphones has a lower sensitivity than the average pair of headphones (97.5 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW). The average headphones have sensitivity of 102 dB/mW.
    97.5 dB/mW vs 102 dB/mW
  • 2 Hz weaker bass extension
    This pair of headphones has a higher lowest frequency than the average pair of headphones (20 Hz vs 18 Hz). The average headphones reach a lowest frequency of 18 Hz.
    20 Hz vs 18 Hz
  • 12.5 dB lower max SPL
    This pair of headphones has a lower max SPL than the average pair of headphones (97.5 dB vs 110 dB). The average headphones reach a max SPL of 110 dB.
    97.5 dB vs 110 dB
  • 5.5 dB SPL lower sound pressure level
    This pair of headphones has a lower sound pressure level than the average pair of headphones (97.5 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL). The average headphones reach a sound pressure level of 103 dB SPL.
    97.5 dB SPL vs 103 dB SPL
  • 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.
  • 5 older release date
    This pair of headphones was released earlier than the average pair of headphones (2011 vs 2016). The average headphones were released in 2016.
    December 2011
    2011 vs 2016

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
Digital Trends
≈ estimated
01/02/2012
Hands-on review · battery, noise cancelling and sound tests
Verdict
The Klipsch Mode M40 makes a strong debut in noise-cancelling headphones and is recommended despite a tight fit and weight.
Shop video
Not graded

Expert reviews

In-depth analysis and verdict from leading tech publications

whathifi.com
30/01/2013
Hands-on test · Noise-cancelling headphones
Verdict
The Klipsch Mode M40 is a strong noise-cancelling pair with solid sound, but a tight fit and heavy build may tire you on long flights.
digitaltrends.com
23/08/2019
Extended listening test · Noise-cancelling headphones
Verdict
The Klipsch Mode M40 excels at blocking plane and bus noise and offers punchy bass, but its midrange varies and phone calls sound unclear.
C
cultofandroid.com
10/03/2013
Summary of the review
Klipsch Mode M40, Logitech UE 6000, Monster Inspiration ANC Review - Cult of Android
C
community.klipsch.com
19/11/2011
Summary of the review
My Klipsch Mode M40 review - The Klipsch Audio Community
A
avguide.ch
27/03/2012
Summary of the review
Test of 8 Noise-Cancelling Headphones - Sound of Silence
(Translated)Show original
01net.com
28/02/2012
Lab and wear test · Over-ear headphones
Verdict
The Klipsch Mode M40 is a rich, powerful over-ear headphone with active noise reduction, but its 356g weight and tight clamp make it tiring over a full day.
L
leclaireur.fnac.com
31/10/2012
Summary of the review
Klipsch Mode M40 noise-cancelling headphones: get that live concert feeling
(Translated)Show original

Third-party reviews

Based on ratings from across the web.
Reviews last updated: November 2026 · How we calculate this

What customers like about Klipsch Mode M40

  • High-quality dual-driver design featuring a 40mm woofer and 15mm tweeter for balanced sound.
  • Operates as passive headphones even when the battery is dead.
  • Durable, high-end construction using materials similar to luxury eyewear.
  • Long battery life of up to 45 hours on a single AAA battery for ANC use.
  • Premium aesthetics with a unique copper and leather finish.
  • Includes a rich accessory kit with two detachable cables and a protective carrying case.

What customers don't like about Klipsch Mode M40

  • Active noise cancellation (ANC) performance is often described as weak or 'modest' compared to competitors like Bose.
  • High clamping force makes them feel tight and uncomfortable for users with larger heads.
  • Heavy overall weight (approx. 356g) can lead to fatigue during long-haul travel.
  • Relatively high price point compared to rival models with better noise isolation.
  • Some users reported durability issues with the leather ear cups tearing over time.

Verdict

The Klipsch Mode M40 is a high-end, wired over-ear headphone featuring a unique dual-driver system that pairs a 40mm woofer for deep bass with a 15mm tweeter for crisp highs, managed by a passive crossover. It offers active noise cancellation (ANC) powered by a single AAA battery for up to 45 hours, while maintaining passive playback functionality even if the battery dies. Built with premium materials like high-grade leather, memory foam ear cups, and a durable nylon headband, its main pros include detailed audio performance, luxury build quality, and versatile battery-free operation. However, common cons include its relatively heavy 356g weight, high clamping force that can become uncomfortable over long periods, and an ANC system that some users find less effective than competitors.

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