Audio-Technica’s “ATH-Mx” series is a line of monitor headphones for recording and mixing. In this article we compare five models: the ATH-M20x, M30x, M40x, M50x and M70x. In this article we compare the 5 models using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and rank them on the same criteria as the other 14 monitor headphones on this site.
Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.
In short: which one to choose
- ATH-M20x (rank A): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on lightness and suitability for recording (sound leakage).
- ATH-M30x (rank A): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on lightness and suitability for recording (sound leakage).
- ATH-M40x (rank A): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on ease of driving and suitability for recording (sound leakage).
- ATH-M50x (rank A): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on ease of driving and suitability for recording (sound leakage).
- ATH-M70x (rank S): a pair of closed-back monitor headphones. Strong on ease of driving, low-frequency range, high-frequency range and suitability for recording (sound leakage).
The highest score among the 5 models is ATH-M70x (rank S, average 4.2). But the model you need depends on how many things you record at once and which features you use. You do not need to choose a higher model for inputs, outputs or features you will not use.
Main features of the Audio-Technica ATH-Mx series
Differences among the five: driver size and frequency range
The M20x, M30x and M40x have 40 mm drivers (the parts that produce sound), and the M50x and M70x have 45 mm drivers. The upper limit of the highs they can play rises from 20,000 Hz on the M20x to 22,000 Hz on the M30x, 24,000 Hz on the M40x and 28,000 Hz on the M50x, and the M70x goes from 5 to 40,000 Hz. All are closed-back and use oval ear cups that raise sound isolation.
Cable differences: fixed, or replaceable
The M20x and M30x have a one-sided cable (3 m) fixed to the body. The M40x has detachable cables and comes with two, a coiled one (1.2 m) and a straight one (3 m); the M50x and M70x come with three, adding a 1.2 m straight cable. With a detachable cable you can replace just the cable if it breaks.
One-ear monitoring and portability
The ear cups of the M40x and M50x rotate, so you can monitor with one ear while the headphones hang around your neck. The M30x, M40x and M50x fold up. The M70x uses aluminum in the housings and comes with a hard case and a pouch.
The classic M50x and Immerse Virtual Studio
The M50x has been a long seller since 2007 and is said to have passed three million units worldwide (the M20 series has passed two million). The M50x and M70x support “Immerse Virtual Studio”, a VST plug-in that recreates the acoustics of famous studios on headphones.
Where it is useful
- Keeping the headphone sound from leaking into the microphone while recording a cover (closed-back)
- Choosing your first monitor headphones to fit a budget
- Checking details from the lows to the highs in a mix (M50x and M70x)
Differences in specifications (comparison table)
| Model | Rank | Ease of driving | Low-frequency range | High-frequency range | Lightness | Suitability for recording (sound leakage) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATH-M20x | A (3.4) | 47 Ω (3 points) | 15 Hz (3 points) | 20,000 Hz (1 point) | 190 g (5 points) | closed-back design (5 points) |
| ATH-M30x | A (3.4) | 47 Ω (3 points) | 15 Hz (3 points) | 22,000 Hz (2 points) | 220 g (4 points) | closed-back design (5 points) |
| ATH-M40x | A (3.4) | 35 Ω (4 points) | 15 Hz (3 points) | 24,000 Hz (2 points) | 240 g (3 points) | closed-back design (5 points) |
| ATH-M50x | A (3.4) | 38 Ω (4 points) | 15 Hz (3 points) | 28,000 Hz (3 points) | 285 g (2 points) | closed-back design (5 points) |
| ATH-M70x | S (4.2) | 35 Ω (4 points) | 5 Hz (5 points) | 40,000 Hz (5 points) | 280 g (2 points) | closed-back design (5 points) |
How we score (Monitor headphones)
| Criterion | Basis | 5 pt | 4 pt | 3 pt | 2 pt | 1 pt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ease of driving | Impedance (the lower it is, the easier to reach a good volume from a small amplifier) | ≤32 | ≤40 | ≤55 | ≤100 | >100 |
| Low-frequency range | Lower limit of the frequency response | ≤5 | ≤8 | ≤15 | ≤20 | >20 |
| High-frequency range | Upper limit of the frequency response | ≥40000 | ≥30000 | ≥25000 | ≥22000 | <22000 |
| Lightness | Weight (cable excluded) | ≤200 | ≤220 | ≤250 | ≤290 | >290 |
| Suitability for recording (sound leakage) | Closed-back or open-back (closed-back keeps sound out of the microphone while you sing) | Closed-back | — | — | — | Open-back |
Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Ease of driving is compared by impedance (Ω), which every manufacturer publishes. The lower the number, the easier it is to reach a good volume from the headphone jack of an audio interface or a smartphone, so a headphone amplifier is less likely to be needed (sensitivity is shown in the table for reference). "Suitability for recording" scores closed-back headphones higher because the sound is less likely to leak into the microphone while you sing. If you choose open-back headphones for mixing, you can ignore this item.
Rating of each model
ATH-M20x
Score 3.4 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 47Ω
- Weight
- 190g
- Upper limit
- 20,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 47 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface. For reference, the sensitivity (loudness per 1 V) is 109.3 dB/V.
ATH-M30x
Score 3.4 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 47Ω
- Weight
- 220g
- Upper limit
- 22,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 47 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface. For reference, the sensitivity (loudness per 1 V) is 109.3 dB/V.
ATH-M40x
Score 3.4 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 35Ω
- Weight
- 240g
- Upper limit
- 24,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 35 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface. For reference, the sensitivity (loudness per 1 V) is 112.6 dB/V.
ATH-M50x
Score 3.4 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 38Ω
- Weight
- 285g
- Upper limit
- 28,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 38 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface. For reference, the sensitivity (loudness per 1 V) is 113.2 dB/V.
ATH-M70x
Score 4.2 / 5 (average of the 20 models compared: 3.6)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/10/19
- Type
- Closed-back
- Impedance
- 35Ω
- Weight
- 280g
- Upper limit
- 40,000Hz
- Price (store, date)
- Not disclosed
- They are closed-back. They leak little sound, so they are also easy to use for recording vocals.
- The impedance is 35 Ω. The impedance is on the low side, so it is relatively easy to reach a good volume even from the headphone jack of an audio interface. For reference, the sensitivity (loudness per 1 V) is 111.6 dB/V.
Compared with other monitor headphones
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
Audio-Technica ATH-Mx series: connection and getting started
| Connection | 3.5 mm mini plug (2-way with a 6.3 mm standard plug). Connects to an audio interface, a smartphone or a computer |
|---|---|
| In the box | M20x: none (cable attached) / M30x: pouch / M40x: pouch, two cables / M50x: pouch, three cables / M70x: hard case, pouch, three cables |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Type | ImpedanceΩ | SensitivitydB/V | Lower limitHz | Upper limitHz | Weightg | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M20x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 47 | 109.3 | 15 | 20,000 | 190 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M30x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 47 | 109.3 | 15 | 22,000 | 220 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M40x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 35 | 112.6 | 15 | 24,000 | 240 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M50x | A 3.4 | Closed-back | 38 | 113.2 | 15 | 28,000 | 285 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-M70x | S 4.2 | Closed-back | 35 | 111.6 | 5 | 40,000 | 280 | Not disclosed |
| Audio-TechnicaATH-R70x | B 3.2 | Open-back | 470 | 101.3 | 5 | 40,000 | 210 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-M1 | S 4.4 | Closed-back | 50 | 115 | 5 | 80,000 | 216 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-M1ST | S 4.8 | Closed-back | 24 | 119.2 | 5 | 80,000 | 215 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-CD900ST | S 4.2 | Closed-back | 63 | 118 | 5 | 30,000 | 200 | Not disclosed |
| YamahaHPH-MT8 | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 37 | 116.3 | 15 | 28,000 | 350 | Not disclosed |
| YamahaHPH-MT5 | B 2.8 | Closed-back | 51 | 112.9 | 20 | 20,000 | 245 | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 770 PRO 80Ω | A 4.0 | Closed-back | 80 | Not disclosed | 5 | 35,000 | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 990 PRO 80Ω | B 3.0 | Open-back | 80 | Not disclosed | 5 | 35,000 | 250 | Not disclosed |
| SennheiserHD 280 PRO | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 64 | Not disclosed | 8 | 25,000 | 285 | Not disclosed |
| SennheiserHD 25 | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 70 | Not disclosed | 16 | 22,000 | 140 | Not disclosed |
| ShureSRH440A | B 3.2 | Closed-back | 40 | 111 | 10 | 22,000 | 268 | Not disclosed |
| ShureSRH840A | A 3.8 | Closed-back | 40 | 111 | 5 | 25,000 | 273 | Not disclosed |
| AKGK371 | S 4.4 | Closed-back | 32 | 114 | 5 | 40,000 | 255 | Not disclosed |
| beyerdynamicDT 770 PRO X | A 3.8 | Closed-back | 48 | Not disclosed | 5 | 40,000 | 305 | Not disclosed |
| SonyMDR-7506 | B 2.8 | Closed-back | 63 | 118 | 10 | 20,000 | 230 | Not disclosed |
Specifications are the manufacturer's published values (checked October 19, 2026). Sensitivity is written differently by each manufacturer, so it is shown for reference; beyerdynamic and the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO do not publish a sensitivity.
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