Choosing the right pair of professional monitor headphones can be a difficult decision to make, especially with such great products available, such as the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and ATH-M40x. Both are fairly popular regarding sound quality and longevity, but they are designed to serve slightly different functions with varying budgets. In this blog, the differences in features, specifications and price point will be broken down so that you can make an informed decision. Their sound signatures are by far the most important difference.
The ATH-M50x professional monitor headphone is characterized by a flat, V-shaped sound profile, i.e. it puts the focus on the frequencies of bass and treble. The headphones offer a deep low end and crisp high end.
The ATH-M50x has found wide-spread popularity as a studio production, daily listening and gaming headphone with hi-fidelity audio reproduction. It offers sonic accuracy, and best headphone for mixing and mastering needs.
Likewise, the ATH-M40x offers a neutral and flatter sound. It is also a great choice for the studio professionals, enabling sonic accuracy and transparency. However, the bass of the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is not as pronounced as the bass of the ATH-M50x.
In both the Audio-Technica headphones, you listen to the sound as it sounds, which is the most important aspect to make informed choices in a studio setting.
Features and Design
These premium headphones showcase certain common Audio-Technica design features, such as durable construction and foldable designs to carry around. But there are nuanced distinctions. The earcups are larger and more comfortable on the ATH-M50x professional monitor headphone, with a slightly wider headband which can sometimes make the headphones slightly more comfortable to listen to over longer periods. It also has 90-degree swiveling earcups, which can be handy when monitoring one ear.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x professional monitor headphone is a bit more compact in overall dimensions with slightly smaller earcups, but still comfortable. They both use removable cables which is a bit of a plus in terms of durability and performance. The ATH-M50x headphone generally has three cables (1.2m coiled, 3.0m coiled and 1.2m straight) which are more versatile, compared with the ATH-M40x monitor headphone which generally has just a 3.0m coiled and 1.2m straight cable.
Specifications at a Glance
- Driver Diameter: 45 mm
- Frequency Response: 15 – 28,000 Hz
- Impedance: 38 ohms
- Sensitivity: 99 dB
- Max Input Power: 1,600 mW
- Driver Diameter: 40 mm
- Frequency Response: 15 – 24,000 Hz
- Impedance: 35 ohms
- Sensitivity: 98 dB
- Max Input Power: 1,600 mW
Price Point
In most cases, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x cost more than the ATH-M40x professional monitor headphone. For this price range, you get slightly bigger drivers, more comfortable features and in many cases the addition of more cable options, as in the case of the M50x headphone. The exact prices may vary model to model basis, but be sure that the M50x being a flagship model is at the higher end of the professional headphone series, and that the M40x will be great value in terms of performance.
Which One Should You Buy?
Use the ATH-M50x when,
You need a universal headphone to listen to music, play games, and for music production, or want a relatively heavier bass and treble response. It is a very good all-rounder headphone with studio-grade sound quality. It will allow you to hear the accurate nuances in your tracks and offer comfort for long studio and jam sessions.
Use the ATH-M40x Headphone when,
You are an amateur music producer or sound engineer, or just simply the person who believes in a neutral sound, for home recordings, or when learning to mix and master music. It delivers a credible sonic clarity at its price point, which makes it a good choice to be part of your studio.
Both headphones are, however, great within their own respective categories. The option you choose will depend on your intended use case and preferred sound signature.
FAQs
Which is best headphone for studio professionals: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or ATH-M40x?
Both the ATH-M50x and ATH-M40x are studio professionals headphone with slight differences in sonic representation and characteristics as discussed in the blog. M40x has a flatter sound and M50x has a v-shaped sound profile.
Are Audio-Technica ATH-M50x professional monitor headphones best for music production?
Yes, production of music is rather convenient with the use of Audio-Technica ATH-M50x monitor headphones as they provide hi-fidelity reproduction of music and provide accurate audio. Their close and acute bass and treble gives them a very good ability to monitor the whole quality of sound and effects in production.
Which is better Headphone for gaming: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or ATH-M40x?
When it comes to best headphone for gaming, the best option is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x due to its v-shaped sound profile, focusing on both bass and treble to produce more impressive in-game sound. Its bigger earcups are also more comfortable to use during long gaming hours.
Can the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x be used for both mixing and mastering?
Yes, the sonic accuracy of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is highly recommended for in-studio mixing and mastering needs, particularly to listen to the final mix and its translation to consumer headphones. Nonetheless, additional monitoring devices are usually desired when it comes to the most important, uncolored decisions.
Is ATH-M40x Headphone good enough for beginner music producers?
Yes, ATH-M40x is a great headphone that can be recommended to any music producer who is just starting their career because it provides an adequate sound quality for its price range. Its neutral and flatter sound profile gives it accuracy and transparency, essential to learning to make informed decisions in the studio environment.
What’s the difference in sound quality between ATH-M40x and ATH-M50x Headphone?
ATH-M40x (Driver: 40mm, Freq Response: 15-24,000 Hz) provides a neutral and flatter sound with correct monitoring. The ATH-M50x (Driver: 45mm, Freq Response: 15-28,000 Hz) offers a v-shaped sound profile, with punchier bass and treble bands.