The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are decent over-ear headphones, landing at the lowest current tier of the ATH-M range below the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x. They're budget-friendly closed-backs that are well-suited for quiet settings or while monitoring and tracking audio. Sadly, they don't block much noise, which may negatively affect your listening experience in loud environments or while commuting, so it's best to reserve these for indoor use.
Our Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are good for neutral sound. They have a balanced sound that delivers pleasing warmth and bass. Vocals and instruments also have presence and body in mixes. Still, the treble accuracy's under-emphasis leads to a lack of detail in vocal harmonics. That said, if you want to track a recording, these lend a good impression of what you're listening to.
- Balanced sound profile.
- Decently comfortable.
- Very good frequency response consistency.
- Poor isolation.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x aren't ideal for commuting. The poor noise isolation is insufficient for loud environments, and their dimensions aren't very portable.
- Balanced sound profile.
- Decently comfortable.
- Poor isolation.
- No controls.
- Bulky.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x aren't intended for sports. They're a bit too bulky and unstable for high-intensity exercises. As expected for wired over-ear headphones, they don't have any IP rating against moisture or dust.
- Decently comfortable.
- Poor isolation.
- No controls.
- Bulky.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x don't excel in office settings. The passive noise isolation doesn't effectively block the chatter of a busy office. They're also a bit leaky at high volumes. Overall, they're decently comfortable.
- Balanced sound profile.
- Decently comfortable.
- Poor isolation.
- No controls.
- Bulky.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are wired-only headphones; you can't use them wirelessly.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x work passably for gaming if you don't require a built-in microphone. Owing largely to the wired connection, they produce low-latency audio. The headphones also feel decently comfortable but lack controls.
- Decently comfortable.
- Very good frequency response consistency.
- Poor isolation.
- No controls.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are wired-only headphones without a microphone. You can't use them for phone calls without a standalone microphone. Otherwise, they're decently comfortable for calls.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 15, 2024: We've added comparisons with the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, and Sony MDR-7506 and made text edits for consistency.
- Updated Aug 16, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.5.
- Updated Mar 24, 2020: Converted to Test Bench 1.4.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x only come in one color, 'Black'. If you encounter another variant, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are budget-friendly headphones meant for neutral listening. They sit a tier below the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x and two tiers below the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. While they all have similar sound profiles, some of the defining characteristics of the ATH-M20x are slightly pared-back build quality, less stability, no case or pouch, and a non-removable cable. These headphones focus on delivering the bare essentials for neutral listening without added luxuries or upgrades.
See our recommendations for the best headphones under $50, the best over-ear headphones under $100, and the best headphones for music.
The Sony MDR-7506 and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x are similarly designed for professional or studio use. Both are somewhat stiff-wearing with relatively shallow ear cups. While the Sony edges ahead with regards to repairability (thanks to the prominent screws designed to be disassembled and parts replaced), both have hardwired cables, although the Sony's cable is shorter.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x are a step up from the budget-oriented ATH-M20x in the lineup. They share a similar build quality and design. Both have similar sound profiles with noticeably quiet treble where sibillants (S and T sounds) reside, and the ATH-M30x output slightly more accurate bass. Unlike the ATH-M20x, the ATH-M30x are marginally more portable and protected with a pouch.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x, while similar in appearance to the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, have a better overall build quality without exposed wiring on the headphones. They have more room to accommodate ears. They fit with better stability than the ATH-M20x. In the upper bass frequencies, the ATH-M20x provide a more accurate bass response, while the ATH-M40x have a greater lower frequency extension with more thump in your audio. In contrast, the treble range sounds more accurate on the ATH-M40x. The ATH-M40x also have two detachable cables and a pouch, while the ATH-M20x retains a single hardwired cable.
The Samson SR850 are better for neutral sound than the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. The Samson are semi-open headphones and have a much better passive soundstage performance. They also have a brighter, more detailed sound profile that some may prefer. On the other hand, the Audio-Technica have a closed-back design, so they leak less audio and block out more ambient sound.
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You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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