Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Beats Solo Pro: Which Headphones Are Better? - RTINGS.com

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Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Beats Solo Pro

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Jul 17, 2025 05:58 PM

Tested using Methodology v1.5

Updated Mar 05, 2026 08:35 PM

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Picture

Beats Solo Pro Picture

TypeOver-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessNo

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingNo

MicNo

TypeOn-ear

EnclosureClosed-Back

WirelessYes

TransducerDynamic

Noise CancellingYes

MicYes

Recommended in 1 article:
Audio-Technica

Our Verdict

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Beats Solo Pro

The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x and the Beats Solo Pro have different strengths, and you may prefer one over the other. The Audio-Technica are for audiophiles. They're more comfortable and have a better passive soundstage performance. However, the Beats are better for casual use. They're better built and have an ANC system that can block out a good amount of background noise. They also have a wireless design and an H1 chip, so you can seamlessly pair them with your Apple devices.

Variants

ATH-M40x (Black)

Solo Pro (Black)
Solo Pro (Dark Blue)

Review

See Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Review

See Beats Solo Pro Review

Check Price

Black

ATH-M40x

Black

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Dark Blue

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Gray

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Ivory

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Light Blue

Solo Pro

Red

Solo Pro

Main Differences for

Neutral Sound

Threshold

0.10

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

JOIN NOW to see main differences

Full Comparison

Neutral Sound

0.0

0.0

Commute/Travel

0.0

0.0

Sports/Fitness

0.0

0.0

Office

0.0

0.0

Wireless Gaming

0.0

0.0

Wired Gaming

0.0

0.0

Phone Calls

0.0

0.0

Design

Style

Design Picture 2

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Design Picture 2 Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

Enclosure

Locked

Locked

Wireless

Locked

Locked

Transducer

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Comfort

N/A

N/A

Comfort Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Comfort Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weight

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Clamping Force

Lock lbs

Lock lbs

Show Text

Controls

N/A

N/A

Controls Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Controls Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

OS Compatibility

Locked

Locked

Ease Of Use

Locked

Locked

Feedback

Locked

Locked

Call/Music Control

Locked

Locked

Volume Control

Locked

Locked

Microphone Control

Locked

Locked

Channel Mixing

Locked

Locked

Noise Cancelling Control

Locked

Locked

Talk-Through

Locked

Locked

Additional Controls

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Breathability

N/A

N/A

Breathability After Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Breathability After Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg.Temp.Difference

Lock °C

Lock °C

Show Text

Portability

N/A

N/A

Portability Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Portability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

L

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

Lock" (Lock cm)

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Transmitter Required

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Case

N/A

N/A

Case Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Case Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Type

Locked

Locked

L

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

W

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

H

N/A

Lock" (Lock cm)

Volume

N/A

Lock in³ (Lock cm³)

Show Text

Build Quality

N/A

N/A

Build Quality Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Build Quality Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Stability

N/A

N/A

Stability Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Stability Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Headshots 1

Angled Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Angled Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Side Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Headshots 2

Front Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Front Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Rear Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Rear Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Top

Top Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

In The Box

In The Box Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro In The Box Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Show Text

Sound

Sound Profile

Frequency Response

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble Amount

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Frequency Response Consistency

N/A

N/A

Consistency L

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Consistency L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Consistency R

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Consistency R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Avg. Std. Deviation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Raw Frequency Response

Raw FR L

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Raw FR L Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Raw FR R

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Raw FR R Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Bass Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Bass

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Bass Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Frequency Extension

Lock Hz

Lock Hz

Low-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Mid Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Mid

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Mid Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Treble Accuracy

N/A

N/A

Treble

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Treble Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Std. Err.

Lock dB

Lock dB

Low-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

High-Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Peaks/Dips

N/A

N/A

Peaks/Dips Graph

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Peaks/Dips Graph Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Peaks

Lock dB

Lock dB

Dips

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Imaging

N/A

N/A

Group Delay

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Group Delay Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Phase Response Mismatch

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Phase Response Mismatch Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Weighted Group Delay

Lock

Lock

Weighted Phase Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Amplitude Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Weighted Frequency Mismatch

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Passive Soundstage

N/A

N/A

PRTF

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro PRTF Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

PRTF Accuracy (Std. Dev.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Size (Avg.)

Lock dB

Lock dB

PRTF Distance

Lock dB

Lock dB

Openness

0.0

0.0

Acoustic Space Excitation

0.0

0.0

Show Text

Virtual Soundstage

N/A

N/A

Virtual Soundstage

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Virtual Soundstage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Head Modeling

Locked

Locked

Speaker Modeling

Locked

Locked

Room Ambience

Locked

Locked

Head Tracking

Locked

Locked

Virtual Surround

Locked

Locked

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

N/A

N/A

Weighted Harmonic Distortion

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Weighted Harmonic Distortion Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

WHD @ 90

Lock

Lock

WHD @ 100

Lock

Lock

Show Text

Test Settings

Firmware

Locked

Locked

Power

Locked

Locked

Connection

Locked

Locked

Codec

Locked

Locked

EQ

Locked

Locked

ANC

Locked

Locked

Tip/Pad

Locked

Locked

Microphone

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Isolation

Noise Isolation

N/A

N/A

Noise Isolation

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Noise Isolation Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Isolation Audio

Overall Attenuation

Lock dB

Lock dB

Noise Cancelling

Locked

Locked

Bass

Lock dB

Lock dB

Mid

Lock dB

Lock dB

Treble

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Leakage

N/A

N/A

Leakage

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Leakage Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Leakage Audio

Overall Leakage @ 1ft

Lock dB

Lock dB

Show Text

Microphone

Microphone Style

Integrated

Locked

Locked

In-Line

Locked

Locked

Boom

Locked

Locked

Detachable Boom

Locked

Locked

Mic

Locked

Locked

Recording Quality

N/A

N/A

Microphone Frequency Response

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Microphone Frequency Response Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Recorded Speech

LFE

N/A

Lock Hz

FR Std. Dev.

N/A

Lock dB

HFE

N/A

Lock Hz

Weighted THD

N/A

Lock

Gain

N/A

Lock dB

Show Text

Noise Handling

N/A

N/A

SpNR

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro SpNR Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

SpNR

N/A

Lock dB

Noise Gate

Locked

Locked

Speech + Pink Noise Handling

N/A

0.0

Speech + Pink Noise Audio Sample

Speech + Subway Noise Handling

N/A

0.0

Speech + Subway Noise Audio Sample

Show Text

Active Features

Battery

N/A

N/A

Battery Type

Locked

Locked

Continuous Battery Life

N/A

Lock hrs

Additional Charges

N/A

Lock

Total Battery Life

N/A

Lock hrs

Charge Time

N/A

Lock hrs

Power-Saving Feature

Locked

Locked

Audio While Charging

Locked

Locked

Passive Playback

Locked

Locked

Charging Port

Locked

Locked

Show Text

App Support

N/A

N/A

App Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro App Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

App Name

Locked

Locked

iOS

Locked

Locked

Android

Locked

Locked

macOS

Locked

Locked

Windows

Locked

Locked

Equalizer

Locked

Locked

ANC Control

Locked

Locked

Mic Control

Locked

Locked

Room Effects

Locked

Locked

Playback Control

Locked

Locked

Button Mapping

Locked

Locked

Surround Support

Locked

Locked

Show Text

Connectivity

Bluetooth

N/A

N/A

Bluetooth Version

Locked

Locked

Multi-Device Pairing

Locked

Locked

NFC Pairing

Locked

Locked

Line Of Sight Range

N/A

Lock ft (Lock m)

PC Latency (SBC)

N/A

Lock ms

PC Latency (aptX)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX HD)

N/A

N/A

PC Latency (aptX-LL)

N/A

N/A

iOS Latency

N/A

Lock ms

Android Latency

N/A

Lock ms

Show Text

Non-Bluetooth Wireless

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Line Of Sight Range

N/A

N/A

Non-BT Latency

N/A

N/A

Wired

N/A

N/A

Cable Picture

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Beats Solo Pro Cable Picture Sample

SAMPLE

for pictures & test results

Analog Audio

Locked

Locked

USB Audio

Locked

Locked

Detachable

Locked

Locked

Length

Lock ft (Lock m)

N/A

Connection

Locked

Locked

Analog/USB Audio Latency

Lock ms

N/A

Show Text

PC Compatibility

Analog

Locked

Locked

Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PlayStation Compatibility

PS4 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS4 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS4 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

PS5 Analog

Locked

Locked

PS5 Wired USB

Locked

Locked

PS5 Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Compatibility

Xbox One Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox One Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Analog

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Wired USB

Locked

Locked

Xbox Series X|S Non-BT Wireless

Locked

Locked

Base/Dock

N/A

N/A

Type

Locked

Locked

USB Input

Locked

Locked

Line In

Locked

Locked

Line Out

Locked

Locked

Optical Input

Locked

Locked

RCA Input

Locked

Locked

Dock Charging

Locked

Locked

Power Supply

Locked

Locked

Check Price

Black

ATH-M40x

Black

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Dark Blue

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Gray

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Ivory

Solo Pro

Black

ATH-M40x

Light Blue

Solo Pro

Red

Solo Pro

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Beats Solo Pro

Comments

Comparison

• Posted 2 years ago

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Beats Solo Pro: Main Discussion

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