Наушники — Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a closed-back dynamic studio monitor headphone from the Japanese maker's professional M-series, introduced in 2014 at a launch price of USD 99. It sits one step above the ATH-M30x in that series. The circumaural design encloses the ears and isolates them from outside noise, and the headphone is built to fold down for storage and transport.

Key specs that matter

Two 40 mm drivers combine neodymium rare earth magnets with CCAW voice coils, meaning copper-clad aluminium wire. The rated frequency span is 15 Hz to 24,000 Hz, impedance is 35 ohms and sensitivity is 98 dB. The drivers take a maximum input power of 1,600 mW at 1 kHz. Weight without cable and connector is 240 g, and the ear pads are synthetic.

Engineering and use context

The earcups swivel through 90 degrees, which Audio-Technica describes as a feature for easy one-ear monitoring, where the user keeps one ear on the headphone and the other free. Instead of a single lead, the M40x uses detachable cables and ships with two interchangeable ones, a straight 3.0 m cable and a coiled one stretching between 1.2 m and 3.0 m. Both end in a 3.5 mm plug, and a 6.3 mm screw-on adapter is included for full-size sockets. A protective carrying pouch is also supplied. The headphone has no microphone and needs no battery, since it is a fully passive wired design. Audio-Technica provides a two-year warranty. The ATH-M30x below it in the range is rated at 47 ohms, 96 dB sensitivity and 1,300 mW maximum input, stops at 22,000 Hz and weighs 220 g. It comes with one straight 3.0 m lead that leaves from the left earcup, and its earcups turn only 15 degrees each way. The swappable cables and the wide swivel are therefore the main practical additions of the M40x over the entry model in the M-series, together with the higher power handling and the lower impedance quoted by Audio-Technica.

Pairing

The mini plug suits phones, laptops and portable players directly, and with the screw-on adapter the M40x connects to the full-size headphone outputs of audio interfaces, mixers and hi-fi amplifiers. Either of the two supplied leads can be fitted depending on the task, since both plug into the same socket on the headphone.

Alternatives

The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is the closed-back monitor one step below in the M-series, with a single straight cable and 15 degree earcup swivel.