Audio Technica is not a new name in the world of audiophiles. For many years, it has been making a wide range of studio headphone monitors and accessories with high-quality performance.
If you are an audio engineer or music enthusiast, you will find this Japanese company worth your time and investment. Audio-Technica places performance and dependability above other features. Hence, their premium audio products draw a wide range of professionals.
In this guide, I will be introducing you to some of Audio Technica’s best headphones out there. I will show you what makes them unique.
6 Best Audio Technica Headphones
Below is the most accurate list of the best 6 Best Audio Technica Headphones the Zero to Drum team selected for you:
Audio Technica ATH-M50X
When it comes to making high-quality premium headphones, very few companies do it, like Audio Technica. One of its most recognized pairs of headphones is the Audio Technica ATH-M50X.
These closed-back over-ear headphones come with a good balance on the sound profile. Everything from the way they are constructed to how they sound speaks high quality. They are suitable for a wide range of music genres too.
The first thing you will notice is that their design. These are wired headphones constructed with a long-lasting impression in mind.
Sound Quality
The headphones deliver a reasonably flat, neutral bass response that will give you just the punch you need and thumb for your music mix. On the mid-range, they are well-balanced, too, promising clarity and accuracy on the vocals and lead instruments. The highs don’t disappoint either.
However, these are not headphones you want to be used in the outside environment. They are not very effective at blocking ambient noises. Also, they leak a decent amount of sound.
Besides, they don’t come with an in-line remote on any of the include cables.
Comfort
The Audio Technica ATH-M50X are comfortable headphones. They feature spacious ear cups that should be good enough even for the largest ears. That also means one can use them for long listening sessions without feeling too much heat.
Aside from that, the headphones come with three different 1/8 TRS cables. These should be good for a wide range of user needs.
Pros
• Well-balanced studio quality
• Durable construction
• Excellent sound
Cons
• Not very good for outside use
• They are not very versatile
Audio-Technica ATH-M20X
There are very few companies that can make headphones as good as Audio Technica. Their ATH-M20X pair of headphones is one of my favorites. The level of detail included in their products is something worth noting.
The company aims to bring the features of the highly accepted M-series cans to a more affordable price. Hence, you can be sure of solid build quality and incredible audio performance from the ATH-M20X. A lot of musicians consider them perfect for studio and home listening.
They are outfitted with 40mm dynamic drivers and an over-ear closed-back design that promise top audio performance. I like the advanced bass response and the wide bandwidth of 15 Hz to 20kHz these headphones offer – it’s good for any sound range. Besides, you can be sure of less interference from outside noise.
Design and comfort
Every pair of headphones Audio Technica produces aims to deliver a unique experience to the user. The ATH-M20X brings you closer to the top-of-market performance at an affordable price.
They feature 15-degree swiveling earcups, high-end material, and great cushioning on the headband and the earcups. That means they are as durable as they are comfortable. One can wear them for long listening sessions without feeling fatigued.
They come with an attached 9.8-inch cable on the left earcup. Although it could be better if they featured a detachable wire, they are still excellent. The cable is designed with a 3.5mm mini-plug that you can use with mobile phones and computers. You also get a ¼-inch Snap-On adapter for hooking to your studio equipment.
Pros
• M-series quality
• Excellent audio output
• Great studio headphones
Cons
• Attached wire limits portability
Audio-Technica ATH-M50XBT
If you liked the original Audio Technica ATH-M50X headphones, you would love the ATH-M50XBT even more. These are Audio Technica wireless headphones designed to offer more versatility and ease of use.
Build quality and configuration
You get a detachable 3.5mm cable, a micro-USB cable, and a carrying case from the box. These Audio Technica Bluetooth Headphones, like any similar device, promise a listening experience that does not always have to involve wires.
Those who like the latest features and designs may not find these cans suitable. Audio Technica has focused more on the sound here than on the latest features. But with the addition of Bluetooth 5, you will enjoy using them.
They feature thinner padding than what you find on the ATH-M50. But that does not mean they are uncomfortable. However, they may not be what you need for long listening sessions.
You will like the headband on these cans. It’s well-padded and strong enough to handle any pressure. And when you are done using for the day, simply fold the earcups and store them in the included leather carrying case.
The headphones feature controls on the left earcup. These include a volume up/down, an on/off slide, and touch controls for voice assistance.
Install CONNECT tool if you want to get the most from these headphones.
Connections and sound
The ATH-M50xBT is one of the few Bluetooth headphones you will find out there that actually do a good job. They come with BT5 radio, which assures a faster data transmission. Here Audio Technica offers a Bluetooth connection for convenience.
The sound quality of these headphones is quite impressive. They deliver slightly boosted bass, tasteful mids, and clear highs. You are assured of clearer music on your earbuds, thanks to the high-frequency response.
Pros
• Excellent audio quality
• Great battery life
• aptX support
Cons
• Expensive
• Heat build-up
Audio-Technica ATH-M40X
Most users agree that the sound quality of the less expensive ATH-M40X is not far from what you get in the ATH-50s. Well, they are not wrong. Here is what I discovered about the headphones.
Build quality
As you may have already guessed, the M40X is not as detailed as the M50X in build quality. The company had to cut down on a few things to bring the price down. For instance, you only get one color option – a matte black finish with silvery-gray highlights.
This is a large pair of headphones, which could be an issue in terms of comfort. But Audio Technica has designed them for long listening sessions, so you don’t have to worry about that. The headband may not be heavily padded, but it still does a good job.
Free rotating ear cups assure more user convenience, although it could lead to some points of failure in its design. But they are still perfect for most users.
Sound quality
Testing the ATH-M40X was great fun. These headphones deliver a professional sound at an affordable price.
I have used many smaller drivers, and they deliver a fat bass. That does not mean the 40mm drivers, in this case, are weak. They are not just as emphasized as you would expect from the M50X.
The midrange is clear and accurate. It flows effortlessly through the low-mid depth, delivering incredible audio elements in vocals and guitars. Aside from that, the highs are very clear.
Pros
• Good sound quality
• Comfortable
• Affordable
Cons
• Large headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-M30X
Down from the M40Xs, the Audio Technica ATH-M30X headphones are designed to offer clear sound and studio-quality performance at an even lower price. They come with many features you would expect from the M-series headphones.
The first thing you will notice is the foldable, travel-friendly design. I received the black ATH-M30X headphones that promised a solid quality and studio-based audio performance.
They are fitted with 40mm drivers. That means they are pretty big. Their over-ear closed-back design makes them perfect for noise isolation. You can be sure of enhanced mids and a wide bandwidth range (15Hz to 22kHz.
Comfort
The ATH-M30X headphones feature 15-inch swiveling earcups, top-notch materials, and a generous cushioning on the headband and the earcups. That makes the headphones both durable and comfortable. They are designed to get you through long gaming sessions without fatigue.
An attached 9.8-inch cable connects from the left earcup. It’s designed to reduce entanglement and make channel identification easy. It comes with a gold-plated 3.5mm mini headphone jack for connecting your mobile device. And for use with studio equipment, you can rely on the ¼-inch screw-on adapter.
Sound
The 40mm dynamic drivers feature rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils that promise incredible sound quality. They work together with the headphone design to deliver an enhanced mid-range definition. The lows and the highs are well-detailed too.
Pros
• Excellent construction
• Good sound quality
• Affordable
Cons
• Bulky
• Attached cable
Audio Technica ATH R70X
When it comes to buying professional-grade headphones, there are several features one must consider. Among them is the design and performance of the headphones. In this, I find the Audio Technica ATH-R70X to excel beyond expectation.
These pro-grade open-back reference design cans come with specially designed 45mm drivers. They are set in a transparent housing crafted from aluminum honeycomb mesh, delivering an accurate and natural sound.
Better still, the headphones feature carbon composite resin within the design, which improves their strength and durability. It’s the same that assures a detailed transient response too.
That is not all; it comes with high-efficiency magnets, featuring a pure alloy magnetic circuit design that cuts down distortion. One can be sure of getting an accurate and extended frequency response from 5 to 40,000 Hz.
Comfort
The cans are designed with Audio Technica’s 3D wing support system and breathable fabric earpads. They only weigh 210 grams without the cable, which makes them suitable for long hours of use.
Their robust construction allows you to listen to your favorite music for many hours without fatigue. They are designed with a unique dual-sided detachable locking cable, which is L/R signal independents. This ensures you get the best stereo orientation.
Sound quality
The ATH-R70X Pro Reference headphones are open-back headphones designed for professional use. They feature 45mm drivers in transparent housing that promise detailed sound. From the lows to the highs, these headphones are meant for top-notch sound.
However, since they are open-back reference headphones, you wouldn’t enjoy using them in a noisy outdoor environment. They are not very effective in eliminating ambient noise.
Pros
– Aluminum Honeycomb-mesh housing on high-efficiency magnets
– Excellent design
– Great sound
Cons
• Poor noise isolation
• Expensive
Sound Quality: Which Has the Best Sound Quality?
Audio Technica is known for making high-quality headphones. Their focus is mostly on sound and performance, more than on the design. Hence, I would say pretty much all the headphones above are good.
However, if you are looking for a more natural, studio-quality sound, go for the ATH-R70X. Their specially designed 45mm drivers in honeycomb-fashioned transparent housing deliver the most accurate and natural sound you can think of. The open-back reference design allows the sound to flow effortlessly without distractions. Apart from that, you get the carbon composite resin that improves sturdiness to deliver a detailed transient response. Using high-efficiency magnets with pure allow magnetic circuit design reduced distortion in the studio and delivered an accurate frequency response.
If you are looking for great performance at an affordable price, consider the ATH-M20K Professional studio monitors. These closed-back over-ear headphones feature 40mm, drivers with rare earth magnets that will perform in any environment. And they are not even expensive.
Studio Headphones: Which has Active Noise Canceling Headphones?
Audio Technica is a company dedicated to creating technologically advanced headphones and accessories for the modern market. The ATH-M50X monitors are most common in most studios. None of the M-series headphones above have active noise cancellation.
If you are looking for this feature, consider the latest QuietPoint ATH-ANC300TW headphones. The company says they have designed the active noise cancellation (ANC) technology for their wireless earbuds. All active noise-canceling headphones are therefore good in this aspect. But they do so at the expense of battery life.
How good are Audio Technica headphones?
Audio Technica is not a name in the world of headphones. It’s a well-known brand that makes high-end headphones at an affordable price.
Even though most of their headphones are affordable, they promise an exceedingly well-balanced performance and accurate audio reproduction. The company says its focus is more on the sound quality than on the latest features.
Many studios are around the world have Audio Technica products. The ATH-M50X, for instance, is one of the most popular studio headphones on the market.
So, yes, Audio Technica headphones are quite good. Although it depends on the specific product, you can get a better sound performance than other brands.
Is Audio Technica better than Bose?
Both Audio Technica and Bose are good brands. They are known across the globe for making high-quality studio-grade headphones.
Most people compare Bose QuietComfort 35/QC35 wireless headphones with Audio Technica ATH-M50X. For those who want to go wireless, the Bose is a better option. However, the wired ATH-M50X delivers better sound. It promises better music playback for casual listening and for audio engineers.
Bose is more comfortable, portable, and noise-cancellation, making them better for outdoor and noisy environments. But the Audio Technica focuses more on critical listening.
In a nutshell, these companies are both good. But Audio Technica focuses more on sound performance than other features, making it slightly better.
Which is better, JBL or Audio Technica?
Audio Technica and JBL are among the top headphone companies. Both have been trying to make different solutions to impress their consumers.
It’s quite hard to determine which one is better. They all make different products for specific user environments. The most common products to compare are the Audio Technica ATH-S200BT and JBL E45BT.
In this case, the JBL comes with stronger and better-looking materials. But the ATH is better for certain listening environments. This is what sets Audio Technica Apart from other companies – their focus on sound quality.
Verdict, either company is good, depending on what you are looking for.
Is Audio Technica better than Sony?
Audio Technica and Sony have been competing for the top spot for a long time. The truth is, both companies are good, and it’s hard to decide which one is better.
Sony has been around for a longer time and is established around the globe as a trustworthy brand. Audio Technica too, but perhaps not very much.
In a nutshell, they are both excellent brands, depending on what you are looking for. Most Audio Technica headphones are slightly cheaper, even with the same quality as Sony.
