Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 10 stores. Prices updated .
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $117
Standard/Professional
$100
$301+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 7 merchants for "Audio-Technica ATH-M40x". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Capture every nuance of your music with the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, a pair of professional headphones designed for the discerning musician, DJ, producer, or audio engineer. Crafted to deliver a flat, accurate sound, these headphones ensure a balanced, articulate acoustic experience, enabling you to make critical mixing and tracking decisions with confidence.
The ATH-M40x is engineered with 40mm neodymium drivers, which provide a wide and flat frequency range. The circumaural design contours around the ears for superior isolation in loud environments, enabling you to fully immerse yourself in the music. The earcups have the added feature of a 90-degree swivel, allowing for one-ear monitoring, a useful feature for DJs and audio engineers.
Built to meet the rigorous demands of professional use, the ATH-M40x is stress-tested to withstand continuous use and transport. The detachable cables and collapsible frame make it highly portable, transitioning seamlessly from the studio to wherever your work takes you.
Key Features:
- 40mm drivers with rare-earth neodymium magnets for accurate sound reproduction
- Wide frequency range of 15Hz-24kHz for detailed audio across all levels
- Circumaural design for excellent isolation in loud environments
- 90-degree swiveling earcups for easy one-ear monitoring
- Durable construction, designed for continuous professional use
- Includes a 3m straight cable and a 1.2m-3m coiled cable, providing flexibility for different use cases
- Comes with a carrying pouch and a 1/4" screw-on adapter.
Product specs
| Available since | February 2014 |
| Design | Over-Ear |
| System | Closed Back |
| Impedance | 35 Ohms |
| Frequency range | 15 Hz – 24000 Hz |
| Adaptor | Yes |
| Replaceable Cable | Yes |
| Colour | Black |
| Max. SPL | 97 dB |
| Sensitivity | 97 dB |
| Type Of Connector | Mini Jack |
| Adapter | 1 |
| Weight | 241 g |
| Replacable Cable | 1 |
FAQs
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Are the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones suitable for studio monitoring?
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Yes, the ATH-M40x headphones are designed for studio monitoring with a flat frequency response, providing accurate audio reproduction across an extended frequency range.
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Do the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones provide good sound isolation?
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The ATH-M40x features a closed-back design, which offers excellent sound isolation, making them ideal for use in noisy environments or for focused studio work.
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Can the cables on the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x be replaced?
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Yes, the ATH-M40x headphones come with detachable cables, allowing for easy replacement or swapping with different cable types.
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What is the impedance of the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones, and why does it matter?
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The ATH-M40x headphones have an impedance of 35 Ohms, which means they can be easily driven by most consumer audio devices without requiring additional amplification.
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Are the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones comfortable for long listening sessions?
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The ATH-M40x headphones are designed with professional-grade earpad and headband material, providing comfort for extended listening sessions.
Videos
Marques Brownlee
Audio Technica ATH-M50X Review!
Audio Technica ATH-M50X Review!
Marques Brownlee
Here's Why Audio-Technica's M40x is Better vs M50x (Review + Comparison)
ODi Productions
Which Studio Headphones Should You Buy? - Audio Technica ATH-M20X, M30X, M40X & M50X Review
Edward Smith
Audio-Technica ATH M40x Review
SoundGuys
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Headphone Review
Podcastage
Studio Headphone Review: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
SoundID for Creators
Best Headphones Under $100!!! - Audio Technica ATH-M40X vs. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Edward Smith
A True Gem! : Audio Technica ATH-M40X
Gamesky
Audio Technica ATH M40x Review
Wheezy Tech
Audio-Technica ATH M40X - Review
askdrtk
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Review: Best Neutral Sounding Headphones! 👇💥
Audio Advisor
Reviews
PROS
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Fantastic sound quality, with crisp highs and true bass
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Comfortable for extended use, suitable for everyday headphones
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Sturdy, well-built, and lightweight design
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Includes two types of detachable cables for versatility
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Provides accurate sound reproduction across the spectrum
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Good isolation for recording environments
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Affordable price point with excellent value
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Better sound performance compared to more expensive models
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Neutral sound profile ideal for mixing and mastering
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Comes with a carry pouch for portability
CONS
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Pivoting earpieces can be bothersome for some users
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Not the most extreme range of signals for audiophiles
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Plastic construction feels fragile, prone to breaking at swivel points
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Can be tight and cause discomfort after hours of continuous wear
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Folding mechanism has light resistance, may fold unintentionally
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Lower durability compared to more expensive or rugged models
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Some users report physical fatigue from ear cup pressure
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Not ideal for DJing, as they are somewhat fragile
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Sound may cut out when adjusting fit on the head
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Bass not as emphasized, may not suit all listening preferences
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Audio-Technica ATH-M40x.
User experience
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Owners report that the ATH-M40x headphones handle high volumes well without distortion in the highs, maintaining clarity and precision.
Source -
Listeners express that the ATH-M40x may inadvertently highlight flaws in mixing due to its detailed resolution, potentially impacting the enjoyment of certain tracks.
Source -
Some users experience discomfort due to tight clamping force, but this may lessen over time or with a smaller head size.
Source
Comparisons
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For mixing purposes, open-back headphones like the Sennheiser HD650 are suggested over the M40x for better transparency and accuracy in sound representation.
Source -
Some users find the M40x's sound presentation unemotional, suggesting the ATH-M50x for more lively and enjoyable listening, especially for bass-heavy tracks.
Source -
Velour pads like those from Sound Professionals can improve comfort but significantly reduce isolation, making them less suitable for noisy environments.
Source -
The ATH-M40x is said to be superior to the ATH-M50x as a studio monitor, offering better value at a lower price point.
Source
Features and functionality
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It's noted that the ATH-M40x headphones offer significant clarity, enabling listeners to perceive channel separation and musical nuances often missed on other systems.
Source -
The ATH-M40x headphones exhibit a punchy bass and clean sound when used with a computer; however, bass is noticeably lacking when paired with a phone.
Source -
The ATH-M40x's stock configuration is generally adequate, with potential issues arising more from modification than from the original setup.
Source
Use cases and applications
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Owners note that the ATH-M40x headphones reveal intricate details in tracks like "Let's Dance" by Bowie, showcasing hidden drum beats and sneaky lyrics in various songs.
Source -
Users note effective sound isolation and reduced sound leakage with Yaxi pads, enabling higher volume listening in public settings like buses without disturbing others.
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Users have noted the ATH-M40x excels in rock music, with midrange clarity, and performs well for both music listening and gaming.
Source
Build quality
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Some users experienced channel imbalance issues after extended use, indicating a potential weak point in durability over time.
Source -
The ATH-M40x headphones are noted for their robust construction, described as "built like a tank," which may offer better durability than the K361/K371 models.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 32 Reviews and 166 Ratings
572
Great headphones, and even cheaper than the m-50's
The m40x's are supposed to be even flatter than the m-50's. I've been using them as my second pair of headphones for a while now and i have no complaints. They sound great and the build quality is good. I like the detachable cable. I bought these for clients to use then they come over and record.
569
The headphones for monitoring!
Useful, balanced, perfect for mixing, maybe a little uncomfortable for wearing but they do their job, don't expect a "bassy" sound because they aren't made for that, just studio use.
438
You can't go wrong with these
This is the best headphone you can get for the money. Punches far beyond its price point and even sounds more accurate than the ATH M50x (had a pair of those and the bass was too much and the high end was too fatiguing for me). For real these headphones translate the mix on another level, if it sounds good in those, its gonna sound good in real life!
Preferred Settings + Usage:
20-30% volume gonna give the best translation and least fatigue, but check out the mix at 40-50% too.
451
Great studio headphones 🎧
They are very neutral sounding pair of headphones great for mastering and mixing tracks. I even heard that for this specific reason some ppl favors this model over a M50x.
I also use them when playing guitar at home since they cover my ears nicely, and there is no background noise to bother me.
Detachable cable, good build quality and decent price.
787
AWESOME!
Good, entry level headphones for mixing. They have a pretty flat frequency response and are great for recording too. If you have the money, I would personally save up for a better pair of headphones or studio monitors, but if you are starting out, or in need of a pair of headphones for reference or recording, get these.
59
Sounds great
Apart from lacking in very low end (just the nature of the diaphragm, not a flaw in design) these headphones are amazing. They're very comfortable, sound good, and have flexible features. I highly recommend them for general usage (I do sound design as well as some mixing with them).
68
Great sound quality and comfort
This is my first pair of decent headphones for music production, and they have performed exceptionally so far. It has a balanced sound and is comfortable to wear for hours on end.
57
Amazing
All in all, the best pair of phones I've ever owned... Which isn't saying much because I previously used Apple EarPods to do production. BUT! They have amazing frequency range and everything is flatmate, so no boosts or ducks.
Will not use any other headphone in my studio!
They’re tuned flat, so I can hone in on specific frequencies. I will not use any other headphone since I got these!
297
These Should Be The M50x's
Been using these for about a month now, and to be honest it has been doing it's job pretty well. It's generally a plastic construction however it's built pretty robust. I was about to go for the M50x's but after using these, I would say the M50x's are pretty overrated. These are much more affordable with little to no differences in audio quality compared to the M50x's. Definitely would recommend this.
Artist usage
Add artist
In a performance of Bloom at New York's Electric Lady Studios, uploaded January 2019, Thom can be seen wearing ATH-M40x headphones.
Suga wears these throughout the video and you can see model number at 1:45
Literally don't know why there is no option to delete a submission so I'm doing this
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Here MGk is using the headphone while rapping one of his most hit songs El Diablo.
The attached video shows Rachel using these headphones, and they're also referenced as "My Headphones" in the description of her video with an attached affiliate link.
In the official live performance video for "Loneliness," Birdy can be seen using Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones. This identification is based on distinct features such as the smaller ring of reflective chrome compared to the commonly used ATH-M50x and the absence of posts near the headband /earcup connection, and the presence of a headband characteristic of the ATH-M40x, and other lower cost models. Other lower-cost models from Audio-Technica do not possess the chrome ring, making the ATH-M40x the identifiable model in use by Birdy during this performance. This observation is supported by the video published by Birdy on her YouTube channel, providing visual evidence of the gear in use. More recently Birdy uses a new brand of headphones, and sometimes in ear monitors, and these may no longer be the artists preferred headphones for performance
Project 46 is featured on Razer Music using the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones.
In an Instagram post by QUIX, he appears to be wearing Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones while enjoying unreleased music.
He uses these headphones during streaming on his twitch
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In an Instagram post by Dance Loud, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones are visible, suggesting their use during a vocal recording session.
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Miyuri showcases the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x headphones in a studio setting on her Instagram account.
Album Usage
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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