This brand has a big lineup, with more than 50 different models to choose from. We've currently tested 20 Audio-Technica headphones. Although they make great studio headphones, they also have decent models for more casual use.
Updates
- 01/23/2023 Audio-Technica ATH-R70x reviewed
- 09/16/2021 Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless reviewed
- 04/17/2019 Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Wireless reviewed
- 12/06/2018 Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT reviewed
- 08/10/2018 Audio-Technica ATH-M60x reviewed
Best Audio-Technica Headphones
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Best Audio-Technica Headphones
Neutral Sound8.1Commute/Travel4.7Sports/Fitness5.3Office5.4Wireless Gaming4.4Wired Gaming6.5Phone Calls2.0Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe best Audio-Technica headphones with a closed-back design that we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. These well-built wired over-ears have a very neutral sound profile out-of-the-box, making them suitable for listening to different types of audio content. There's a little extra emphasis in the high-bass that adds some warmth to your mix, while vocals and lead instruments remain clear and detailed. They also have a comfortable fit, so you can enjoy long listening sessions without feeling much fatigue.
However, because of their closed design, they don't create a wide or spacious-seeming passive soundstage. They don't have active noise cancelling (ANC) and have sub-par noise isolation, so you may be distracted by background noise if you listen to audio in a noisier setting, like an office or during your commute. On the plus side, they leak less audio than most open-back headphones, so you're less likely to bother people nearby when you turn up the volume.
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Best Mid-Range Audio-Technica Headphones
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel4.6Sports/Fitness5.3Office5.2Wireless Gaming4.2Wired Gaming6.3Phone Calls2.0Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you're looking for cheaper headphones, the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x are another good option. They're very similar wired over-ears to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, although the smaller price tag has a few drawbacks. They leak more audio, making them less suitable for shared spaces like offices, and have a boomier, punchier bass response that you might find a bit overwhelming or muddy. That said, their well-balanced mid-range keeps vocals and instruments present and clear in the mix, and overall they have a versatile sound.
They also have a closed-back design, so their passive soundstage seems small, and their sound seems to come from inside your head instead of speakers in the room around you. They're decently well-built, although compared to the top pick, the hinges feel a little flimsy. The earcup padding is also stiff, but they have a comfortable fit and don't clamp onto your head very hard.
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Best Budget Audio-Technica Headphones
Neutral Sound7.5Commute/Travel4.5Sports/Fitness5.0Office5.1Wireless Gaming4.1Wired Gaming6.1Phone Calls1.9Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoThe Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are the best budget Audio-Technica headphones that we've tested. These headphones aren't as comfortable as the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and have a less neutral sound profile. Still, overall they have a well-balanced, versatile sound. There's a bit of overemphasis in the mid-bass that adds body to your audio, and the very flat mid-range response means vocals and lead instruments sound present and clear. However, their treble response is underemphasized, so instruments and lead vocals are veiled, while sibilants like S and T sounds seem dull.
They're decently comfortable and don't clamp onto your head too hard, so you can listen to music for hours without experiencing much fatigue. They come with a 1/8" to 1/4" adapter, meaning you can plug them into an amp or mixer right out of the box. Since they lack onboard controls as well as a mic, they aren't a convenient choice for casual use when you're out and about. Their treble response is also underemphasized, so instruments and lead vocals are veiled, while sibilants like S and T sounds seem dull. Otherwise, if you're looking for budget-friendly Audio-Technica headphones for music, they're worth considering.
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Best Wireless Audio-Technica Headphones
Neutral Sound7.7Commute/Travel6.8Sports/Fitness7.0Office7.0Wireless Gaming6.1Wired Gaming7.7Phone Calls6.9Type Over-earEnclosure Closed-BackWireless YesTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic YesIf you prefer wireless headphones, you might want to consider the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless. These over-ears are the second generation of the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT and offer versatile performance. Out of the box, they have a fairly neutral sound profile, although instruments and lead vocals can lack a bit of detail compared to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. However, unlike those headphones, they have a companion app with a graphic EQ and presets, meaning you can customize their sound to your liking.
Thanks to their over 61 hours of continuous playback time, you don't have to worry about recharging them throughout your workweek. They support multi-device pairing, meaning you can stay connected to your smartphone and laptop at the same time. Their Low Latency Mode' can help reduce audio lag when you're watching videos or playing mobile games. Unlike their predecessor, they don't support aptX codec for better sound quality, which is a little disappointing if you want wireless headphones for music. Their sound delivery is also sensitive to the headphones' fit, seal, and positioning on your head.
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Best Open-Back Audio-Technica Headphones
Neutral Sound8.2Commute/Travel3.7Sports/Fitness5.3Office4.5Wireless Gaming4.5Wired Gaming6.6Phone Calls1.5Type Over-earEnclosure Open-BackWireless NoTransducer DynamicNoise Cancelling NoMic NoIf you're looking for the best sound quality for listening to music, the best Audio-Technica headphones with an open-back design we've tested are the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x. While these headphones are more expensive than the top pick and not as versatile, they offer some advantages for music lovers. Unlike closed-back options, their design helps them create a spacious, out-of-head passive soundstage, which makes your listening experience more immersive. They're lighter and have a more comfortable fit than the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x for most people.
Because of their open design, they struggle to reproduce the thump and rumble of low bass, so you might prefer closed-back headphones if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy music like EDM. That said, your audio sounds full-bodied, and instruments and vocals are clear and present in the mix. Sibilants like cymbals may sound dull, but overall they have a somewhat warm sound profile well-suited for genres like rock, jazz, and folk. However, they don't block out ambient sound and leak audio by design, so they aren't suitable for listening in noisy places. They're also not as well-built as some cheaper options from this brand.
Compared to other brands
- Diverse headphone lineup. Audio-Technica's lineup is suited for a variety of different kinds of listeners. While they offer professional closed and open-back models for audiophiles or DJs, they also have headphones well-suited for mixed usage and everyday life.
- Well-balanced sound reproduction. Audio-Technica offers some headphones specifically designed for delivering accurate audio reproduction. Audiophiles, studio producers, and musicians can enjoy models like the ATH-M50x with a well-balanced sound.
- Affordable. Audio-Technica produces headphones that have a good price-to-performance ratio. They're usually a more affordable option for audiophiles, especially if you're looking for something to wear while DJing or for studio use.
- Weak noise isolation. Although Audio-Technica has a series of active noise cancelling headphones, those we've tested don't reduce noise as well as other similarly priced, competing models.
- Less premium build quality. Audio-Technica offers higher-end models that feel more premium, but most we've tested have a plasticky and slightly cheap feel.
- Overlapping models. Audio-Technica's lineup has several similarly designed headphones with small differences that don't affect the headphones' performance much, so it can be confusing to choose between models.
Audio-Technica vs Bose
Bose's over-ear headphones tend to be more expensive than Audio-Technica's and are often better for purposes like commuting, traveling, and work, thanks to their usually strong ANC performance and wireless design. As you might expect from pricier headphones, they feel sturdier. However, some cheaper Audio-Technica models are just as good for listening to music at home.
Audio-Technica vs Sony
Sony sells a variety of different types of headphones, including both casual-use and audiophile over-ears headphones. They offer a wide range of versatile headphones with noise cancelling, customization features, and wireless designs in many cases, while audiophiles might prefer Audio-Technica for their wired design and more neutral sound.
Audio-Technica vs Sennheiser
Sennheiser makes a wide range of headphones, including audiophile headphones, from pricey premium models to budget-friendly options. They tend to focus on open-back headphones across price ranges, while Audio-Technica might be your brand if you want closed-back audiophile headphones.
Audio-Technica vs Anker
Anker makes several over-ear headphones that fall in the same price range as Audio-Technica models. They tend to have much better noise cancelling but a less well-balanced sound out-of-the-box, making them better for casual use but not as appealing for audiophiles and fans of neutral sound.
Audio-Technica offers a variety of headphones for casual and professional use at affordable price points. This brand focuses on sound reproduction, especially on headphones from their popular ATH-M line, which produce very good audio quality at a comparatively low price. While their headphones range in build quality, and their noise cancelling models don't do the greatest job of reducing background noise, they offer many different options with great audio fidelity, making them a reputable and frequently recommended brand.
Lineup
Audio-Technica has a wide-ranging lineup of headphones, with many different types meant for different purposes. The first few characters after 'ATH-' in a product's name usually indicate its features, style, or intended use.
Studio Headphones
ATH-M Closed-back monitor headphones
ATH-R Open-back reference headphones
Audiophile Headphones
ATH-AD Open-back wired headphones
ATH-A 'Art Monitor' series closed-back wired headphones
ATH-AW Closed headphones with wooden earcups (wired)
ATH-W Closed headphones with wooden earcups (wireless)
ATH-AP 'High-Resolution Audio' closed-back wired headphones
DJ Headphones
ATH-Pro Monitor headphones for DJs
Other
ATH-ANC 'QuietPoint' headphones with active noise cancelling (ANC)
ATH-AVC 'Sonic Pro' marketed for movies as well as music
ATH-G Gaming headsets
ATH-BP Broadcast headphones
In-Ears And Earbuds
ATH-C In-ears and earbuds
ATH-E Professional in-ear monitors
Recent Updates
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Jan 27, 2023: Reorganized article to make it easier to find what you're looking for. Added the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x as the 'Best Mid-Range' pick and the Audio-Technica ATH-R70x as the 'Best Open-Back Audio-Technica Headphones'.
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Apr 06, 2022: Verified that picks represent the best recommendations in their categories and that the products are available.
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Dec 17, 2021: Replaced the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9 with the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2 Wireless as the ATH-ANC9 are no longer available. Also removed the Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT from our picks and added the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x as 'Best Budget Audio-Technica Headphones'.
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Aug 19, 2021: No changes in product picks after verifying accuracy and availability.
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Apr 21, 2021: Checked picks to make sure the best products are still being recommended and that they're in stock.
Conclusion
Audio-Technica is a well-known brand that offers headphones at more affordable price points. While they produce a sound that can rival higher-end models, they tend to have less than stellar builds. Their noise cancelling series also falls short compared to other brands with similar features. However, these headphones are exceedingly well-balanced and offer a good price-to-performance ratio.