Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $117
Standard/Professional
$100
$301+
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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.
Better than M50x
Personally, I think the m50x is overrated. I've tried both side by side and actually prefer the m40. The m50 has a slightly higher end. Since these are primarily used for recording, that probably makes it sound better the recording artist. They sound too excited to me.
I prefer the flatter response of these headphones. Moreover, I just needed some decent closed back for recording. These are cheaper and sound better to me.
143
Great Response and Comfort.
These headphones are a definite must for studio work. Their accurate sound representation and driver size allow for you to really mix in those low-frequencies that you wouldn't hear on your typical daily set of headphones. The comfort is also great, with some slight ear pains from time to time, but no major issue. All in all, a excellent set of headphones.
160
108
First Monitoring Headset
Very cool headset, this one do the job to create any kind of music at any level. They give a little thing to travel with it.
Nice quality, all these things, that's cool :D
77
Good Stuff!
When my 50's broke I checked out these because of the following link. Glad I made the move. My wife loves them and actually tries to use them whenever possible; she likes the fact that they are smaller. As far as sound quality, I don't feel as though I'm missing the 50's.
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93
Good monitoring headphones
Best monitor headphones for the price really recommended for music production but don't ever make the mistake of using them for djing, they are kinda fragile and break easily.
2608
Great Sound & Build Quality
These headphones are colored but they are still great for mixing. They sound almost exactly like the m50x's in my opinion.
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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