Audio Technica ATH-M40x Closed-Back Dynamic Studio Monitor Headphones ATHM40x

The ATH-M40x is tuned flat, which is the reason it shows up in so many mixing chains. Rather than adding bass lift or a treble bump to sound impressive, it reproduces what is actually on the track across 15-24,000 Hz, so decisions you make on these translate to other systems.

Forty-millimeter drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils handle 1,600 mW maximum input at 98 dB sensitivity and 35 ohm impedance. The low impedance means they reach level from a laptop, interface, or DJ mixer.

The earcups swivel 90 degrees for one-ear monitoring, the position a DJ uses to cue a track and an engineer uses to talk to a room while keeping one ear on playback. Circumaural contouring isolates outside noise and keeps bleed down during tracking.

Two detachable cables come in the box: a 1.2 m to 3.0 m coiled cable for a desk where slack should stay off the floor, and a 3.0 m straight cable for range of movement. Detachable means a failed cable is a cheap fix instead of a dead pair of headphones.

Construction uses durable earpad and headband materials, and the frame collapses for transport. A protective pouch and 6.3 mm (1/4 in.) screw-on adapter are included.