Recording - May 2014 - 58

R E V I E W S B Y M I K E M E T L AY

Audio-Technica
In our March 2014 issue, I reviewed the
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, a redesign of
the well-loved ATH-M50 headphone. As I
explained in that review, I feel that AudioTechnica chose the best possible way to
improve upon a headphone that everyone
adored already: they didn't mess with its
sound at all, they simply made it more profriendly. Keeping the uncompromising
sound, fatigue-free comfort, and exceptional isolation of the original design, the
ATH-M50x added redesigned and
replaceable earpads and a quick-release
cable attachment with a selection of
cables to suit the user's tastes... a great
headphone simply made a bit better.
In this review, I'll tell you about the three
new headphones that have been released
to fill out the M-Series under the ATH-M50x
at different price points and for different
intended uses. Come along and meet the
ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x, and ATH-M40x!
Look before you listen
Starting at the top and just to refresh your
memory from our review in March, the ATHM50x is a closed-back dynamic headphone with a 45 mm driver, neodymium
58

RECORDING May 2014

magnets, and copper-clad aluminum wire in
the voice coils. It offers a frequency
response of 15 Hz to 28 kHz, a maximum
input power of 1600 mW at 1 kHz, a sensitivity of 99 dB (presumably per mW), an
impedance of 38 ohms, and a weight of
about 10 ounces. The headphone is
designed to fold compactly, and its earcups
can swivel by 90º for off-ear use. It comes
with a protective carrying pouch and three
different detachable cables: a straight/
coiled cord (1.2-3 meters, roughly 4' to
10') and a 10' (3 m) straight cord that share
a screw-on 1/4" adapter for their TRS miniplugs, plus a 4' (1.2 m) straight cable with
miniplug for use with mobile devices.
The ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x, and ATHM40x are all closed-back dynamic headphones like their big brother; they also feature neodymium magnets and copper-clad
aluminum wire voice coils, but their drivers
are 40 mm in diameter. They share a similar earcup shape and padded headband,
with slight differences in construction. I will
note up front that all three phones offer fantastic isolation in the studio; I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them for use in
a tracking room with nearby live mics.

The ATH-M40x is closest in feature set to
the ATH-M50x, offering the same folding/turning earcup design, carry pouch,
and detachable cables (it comes with two,
the long straight and straight/coiled cables
mentioned above). It has a 15 Hz to 24
kHz frequency response, 1600 mW @ 1
kHz maximum input power, 98 dB sensitivity, and 35 ohm impedance, and weighs
about 8.5 ounces.
The ATH-M30x simplifies things a bit,
offering a headband design that folds for
transport but without swiveling earcups
(there's a little bit of play to fit the user's
head nicely, but they don't turn completely off-ear) and with a 10' (3m) straight
cable with miniplug and screw-on 1/4"
adapter that's permanently attached to
the left earcup with solid strain relief. It
comes with a carrying pouch. Its specs
are as follows: 15 Hz to 22 kHz frequency response, 1300 mW @ 1 kHz maximum input power, 96 dB sensitivity, 47
ohm impedance, and 7.8 ounce weight.
The ATH-M20x delivers a stripped-down
and no-frills affordable headphone. Its headband has minimal swivel for comfort purposes but doesn't fold; it has no carry pouch,

Recording - May 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - May 2014