Audio-Technica - ATH-M40x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a fantastic pair of headphones, offering a well-balanced sound profile and solid build quality. However, to truly unlock their potential, especially if you're craving powerful bass and a more dynamic listening experience, you’ll definitely need to pair them with an amplifier.

Out of the box, the ATH-M40x delivers a respectable audio performance when connected to basic devices like a laptop or smartphone. However, without an amplifier, you might find that the bass lacks depth and the overall sound could feel a bit flat. The headphones are capable of much more, and an amp can provide the extra power needed to drive them properly.

Using an amp will enhance the sound quality significantly. You’ll experience a fuller, more immersive bass response, clearer mids, and more pronounced highs. Essentially, an amplifier can transform the ATH-M40x from a good pair of headphones into an exceptional one, making the most out of their audio capabilities.

Audio-Technica - ATH-M40x

I just loved the service provided by you and the way you provided me this headset in such a cheap rate as compared to others along with the authenticity. The sound of the headphones are crisp and clear, nothing is overpowering, its lovely flat sound gives another level of listening.

Audio-Technica - ATH-M40x

Build Quality and Comfort:
From the moment I unboxed the ATH-M40x, I was impressed with the build quality. The materials have withstood the test of time, showing minimal signs of wear even after daily use. The professional-grade earpad and headband materials have not only provided comfort during prolonged sessions but have also remained intact without the flaking or tearing that you often see in lesser headphones after a year or two of use.

Sound Quality:
The ATH-M40x is marketed as studio monitor headphones, and they have lived up to that promise. The sound signature is balanced, with a slight emphasis on mids, which makes for clear and detailed vocals and instruments. The bass is present but not overpowering, which I appreciate for the clarity it brings to a wide range of genres.

One aspect that has remained consistent over the years is the sound isolation. The design of the earpads does a fantastic job of keeping external noise at bay, allowing me to immerse myself fully in the music.

Durability:
Durability is where the ATH-M40x truly shines. Four years in, and I've not had a single technical issue. No driver failure, no cable short-outs – nothing. The detachable cable system has undoubtedly contributed to this longevity.

Why did I order it?

I am not an audiophile; neither had any idea what flat sound means. I had been using a Rs. 400 wired headphone. So I wanted to have an over-the-ear headphone for better sound quality. I knew that wireless ones don't compete with wired ones at a similar price range. So I at least knew I wanted a wired over-the-ear. Sound quality was my one and only requisite; I was ready to compromise with everything else. I initially set my budget to Rs. 2000. After searching for some time, I got to know about Audio-Technica ATH M20x, which was Rs. 5000. Then I checked for M20x, M40x, and M50x, read as many reviews I could to understand their differences. What I got to know is that the M20x is a very good flat-profile headphone, the M40x is better in clarity, and the M50x has more bass than previous ones. But M40x is said to be the best-balanced headphone, so I decided to buy this one. I had to fight with myself to spend Rs. 10000, which is 5 times my initial budget. But I decided to spend the money for the purpose of quality. It was delivered in 3 days, I guess. The packaging was good, and overall, I was very happy while unboxing it. I really loved the cards having a list of songs in different genres. It felt very nice. So I quickly put the headphone and started Spotify.

How was my first sound experience out of the box?

I was very disappointed. There was no bass at all. However, I realised the sound was clear. If my expectation was 100, my experience was 60. Now, the first thing that struck me was that it requires burn-in time. So, I kept it running throughout the night. In the next few days, I kept listening to many different kinds of songs and started thinking, is it really good or overhyped? Or do I need to buy an amplifier now to make it sound good? Gradually I got answers to these questions. Now it is 10 months since I have been using M40x. How is it? Should you buy it?

How do I rate the sound quality now after 10 months?

M40x has the best sound quality I have heard so far in my life! I also have AirPods Pro 2nd generation, which also has a very clear sound quality. Now, I want to give you my review comparing these two bests in their own categories to give you an idea of how different M40x is. You may think, it makes no sense to compare AirPods with M40x because they are totally different kinds of headphones. But I thought to do this, because it may help you to understand the sound quality.

Over-the-ear headphones generally beat wireless or wired earphones because of bigger drivers. M40x sounds far better than AirPods Pro 2nd gen. M40x produces clear, vivid and rich sound. Clear means each instrument and vocal sounds clear. Vivid means these different frequencies from different instruments do not interfere with or suppress others. To describe richness, I give the following example. If you hear just a single acoustic guitar in AirPods and in M40x, you will feel M40x has its own unique sound quality, maybe Audio-Technica has its own unique signature, while AirPods sounds clear but light and not real. M40x sounds like a real guitar, while AirPods sounds like a speaker. Suppose a guitar note produces a 2990-3010KHz frequency bin (very narrow frequency range) with maximum intensity at 3000KHz. Intensity looks like Gaussian (bell-shaped). In AirPods, you will hear 3000KHz clearly, along with all other instruments. But in M40x, you can distinguish 2990, 2995, 3000, 3005, and 3010KHz. Thus you can feel the sound intensity increasing and then decreasing very quickly. Thus, the guitar note will sound very real. Now, this happens for every frequency bin or instrument. In AirPod, you will hear the average of every frequency bin along with others, giving you the idea that it is clear. M40x distinguishes the average and the 1sigma deviation (68%) from it in every frequency bin. The result is the sound seems real, rich, vivid and clear.

What about the low bass?

A very flat sound profile means you cannot hear a thumpy bass. But you can hear all kinds of low frequencies easily but in low intensity as designed by the music director. I started noticing the bass guitar easily while listening to a song. Gradually I have habituated to the flat profile and now I adore it. Thumpy bass is not real, and it kills real music.

But I sometimes crave thumpy bass, which I don't get from M40x or from AirPods Pro.

Is M40x heavy?

Yes, and can be uncomfortable in summer within 30 minutes due to sweat. No issue in winter. After 2 hours, you have to put it off to let your ears free for a break. I wish it became lighter and I could wear it in summer for a long. But as I said, I can endure these issues for the sound quality I get in return.

Do we need an amplifier?

Not necessarily, but I use my laptop (Windows OS with Dolby Atmos), which sounds far better than my Android phone. It is clear that an amplifier will take this headphone to its maximum capability, but it is not necessary for no...

I bought these headphones last year, and these are my first purchase of an Earphone/Headphone above 2k in price. And they really opened my ears to a new experience, making me realise the wonders of lossless music and the deficiency of lossy music. So I am really fond of my headphones, and can't really find anything negative in terms of sound quality. In terms of sound signature, they are very much close to being neutral as possible, with maybe a very tiny bit more treble and a tiny bit subdued mids. Nothing major, and I am guessing subdued mids is a common phenomena in music focused headphones. Sound stage is pretty good imo, but not too sure since I haven't used many other headphones.

The main problem with these headphones lie with the build quality and comfort IMO. After 15 months, one of the joint broke and I had to unfortunately replace the entire headband because I tried fixing them myself. On top of that, the earpads take a lot of getting used to, and can get uncomfortable in hot and humid conditions. Plus, the leather has started to come off from the earpads, and the flakiness is making it uncomfortable even in November. I was more careless with their care than i should have been, but I really expected better build quality. One plus point is that the service center repaired my headphones in reasonable time frame and price, so I didn't suffer as much as I feared.

Overall they are IMO a good choice to make when making your first pig purchase. The comfort level is not very good, esp in Delhi's climate, but IMO you get used to them after some time. If you want to use them for extended periods, consider the alternatives or replace the ear pads