Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Monitor Headphones Black

Update - my main pair of headphones has finally seen its last day and here I am, as promised when I did this review, repurchasing these. I was secretly looking forward to mine failing I have to admit.Really comfortable to wear for long periods. The cord is a good length and they feel pretty robust and fairly light too.They fit well on different sized heads as you can easily adjust them and the sound quality is great too.I ended up returning them because I had lost my main pair and ended up locating them again so I no longer required these. However, if my main pair ever fails me this will be my go to for purchase again as I really enjoyed my time with them. There’s a lot of clarity in the sound which is exactly what I need when field recording. I also enjoyed the comfortability whilst recording for long sessions too.I’ve also had issues with headphones in the past always dropping off my head which is really frustrating. This wasn’t a problem with these at all. I’d highly recommend them and I’m sure I’ll be purchasing them again in the future once my current headphones fail eventually.I also think the price is really reasonable for these. What you get for the price is great.

As a full-time visual media professional working in-house at an agency, I’m always looking for affordable, reliable tools that don’t compromise on quality. I recently purchased the Audio-Technica ATH-M20X headphones as a budget option specifically for video and audio editing, as well as on-set tracking. Having recently splurged on Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, I quickly realized that while they’re fantastic for casual listening and noise-canceling on the go, they’re more “lifestyle” than “workhorse.” I needed something dependable and accurate, and the ATH-M20X seemed promising based on reviews.Sound Quality - Exceeds ExpectationsFor the price, the ATH-M20X headphones are genuinely impressive. The sound clarity across the frequency spectrum is remarkable, especially for a budget model. The mids and highs come through clearly, which is essential for accurate audio editing. But what really surprised me was the punch in the low end; it’s strong but not overdone, adding depth without muddying the sound. This makes them ideal for any kind of professional work where accurate sound reproduction is key. They may not quite match the precision of higher-end models, but for their price range, the balance and clarity are outstanding.Comfort and Build - Lightweight and PracticalOne of the things I appreciate about these headphones is their lightweight design. They’re comfortable enough for long editing sessions, though I do need to take occasional breaks. The ear pads are soft but not as luxurious as what you’d find on more expensive models like the Bose. Still, for what they cost, they’re reasonably comfortable, and I haven’t had issues with overheating or excessive pressure (I am also a full-time glasses wearer which can often make wearing over-ear headphones uncomfortable, however, these have been fine).Design Trade-Offs - Reasonable for the PriceThe ATH-M20X lacks some of the premium features you’d find in higher-tier models, like the ATH-M50X. The cable isn’t detachable, which would have been a nice addition, especially for on-the-go use or replacing it when needed. The ear cups also don’t fully articulate, which limits the range of motion if you’re used to folding or rotating your headphones for single-ear listening. But these are minor trade-offs, and they don’t detract much from their utility in a professional setting.Great for Both Professionals and Casual UsersAfter comparing specs and reviews across the M-series lineup, I initially hesitated to go for the most affordable option, but I’m glad I took the gamble on the ATH-M20X. They’re excellent not only for professional work but also for anyone looking to upgrade their sound quality without breaking the bank. These would work well for casual users who want high-quality sound for music or movies and don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles.Final Verdict - High Value, Low CostIf you’re in the market for affordable monitoring headphones with strong sound quality and decent comfort, the ATH-M20X is a solid choice. While it lacks some of the premium features of more expensive models, the clarity and low-end punch make it perfect for professionals on a budget and casual users alike. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a budget-friendly, reliable pair of headphones!

Not an audiophile. Using these ATH M20xBT with iPhone XR.THE GOOD- Comfort: I wear glasses (with thick frames) and struggle to find over ear headphones that are tolerable. These were fantastic in that regard. Didn’t get too warm either in my experience. I think this is mainly because they are very lightweight and the clamp force is relatively light rather than the pads being super soft (they are fine, but I’ve felt nicer more plush pads on models at this price point).- Sound: I really enjoy how these sound. This will be very subjective to each individual but for me they had the right mix (not overwhelming boosted bass to detriment of mids/highs, clear vocals). Did well across variety of genres (grime, hip hop, synth, metal, folk).- Battery life: excellent, also have option of using them wired (I haven’t tried that).- Multipoint connection: very convenient feature and works without any glitch (iPhone XR and windows laptop).THE BAD- Poor isolation: the downside of these being light in weight and clamp is that they don’t provide much passive isolation. I found I had to turn volume up quite a bit when walking in busy places or on public transport. The fact I wear glasses I’m sure affects the quality of seal achievable, and so does head shape/size, so your mileage may vary. I’ve seen some YouTube reviewers say they got decent isolation but I’m sceptical!- Don’t fold: not ideal for packing into a bad or travelling (but at least they are light!).- No case included. I think for the price paid (£79.99) that is a bit stingy to be honest. At least give us a soft pouch!- Lack lots of convenience features: yes, they have multipoint, but there’s no active noise cancellation, wear detection, app etc. If you are looking for a feature packed headphone, these are not going to be it.OVERALL CONCLUSIONI really like these and think they nail the basics. Best things? The sound quality (as long as you aren’t looking for super boosted bass), battery life, and comfort. Main downside for me is the poor passive noise isolation, and it leaves me a little on the fence about keeping them. At this price there are so many other options with more features (Soundcore are highly rated for example, I haven’t tried their over ears though so can’t compare), so make sure to decide first what features and functionality is really important to you before you buy.Hope that helps!