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Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

Audio-TechnicaStudio headset

ATH-M40x

Released February 2014.2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026Release date (発売日): 14 February 2014. ProSoundWeb says the models are available in February 2014 and Thomann says available since February 2014. Last checked 23 October 2026.

Form factor
Over-ear
Audio connections
Analog
Active noise cancelling
No
Battery life (claimed, max)
Not available

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At a glance

All specs

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General

Series
M-Series7Press articlemusicradar.com/news/tech/namm-2014-audio-technica-reveals-new-m-series-headphones-591670Read 23 October 2026Describes the ATH-M40x as part of the overhauled M-Series range.
Model numbers
ATH-M40x2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026Model number (型番): ATH-M40x
GTIN / EAN
49613101254242Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026JAN code (JANコード) 4961310125424
Announced
January 20147Press articlemusicradar.com/news/tech/namm-2014-audio-technica-reveals-new-m-series-headphones-591670Read 23 October 2026Published 23 January 2014. It reproduces the maker press release dated 20-01-2014: the ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x, ATH-M40x and ATH-M50x make their debut at Winter NAMM 2014. The month is stored, as for the sibling models.
Status
Available1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Sold on the maker US store at $109.00 on the access date. The Japanese page marks the model as production ended (生産完了), so it is a Japan-only end of production.
Predecessor
Not available
Successor
Not available
Launch price (US)
$1396Press articleprosoundweb.com/audio-technica-introduces-next-generation-m-series-headphonesRead 23 October 2026Article of 7 February 2014: the models are available in February 2014 at these U.S. MSRPs: ATH-M20x $69, ATH-M30x $99, ATH-M40x $139, ATH-M50x $239. Radio World of 25 February 2014 gives the same list. SoundGuys lists an MSRP of $99 for the ATH-M40x, which matches the ATH-M30x price and is not used.
Launch price (EU)
Not available
Markets
Not available
Colours
Black8Retailer pagethomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_m40_x.htmRead 23 October 2026Thomann spec table (item 331904): Colour Black.
Segment
Studio1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026The perfect studio headphones for professional tracking, mixing and monitoring.

Design

Form factor
Over-ear1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Over-ear wired headphones with a circumaural design.
Ear cup enclosure
Closed1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Type Closed-back dynamic
Wearing style
Headband1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Headband headphones with 90 degree swiveling earcups and a collapsible design.
Folding
Flat and inward1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Features: 90 degree swiveling earcups and collapsible for space-saving portability. The Japanese page describes a 90 degree flip mechanism and a folding mechanism, and the manual shows the swivel housing and the folded position. The value follows the ATH-M50x entry, which has the same mechanism.4Owner's manualaudio-technica.co.jp/pdf/support/ATH-M20x-50x_UM.pdfRead 23 October 2026The model chart gives the ATH-M40x items B, C, F and G. G is the folded position, with the text that the headphones can be folded for storage.
Swivelling ear cups
Yes1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Features: 90 degree swiveling earcups for easy, one-ear monitoring. The Japanese page gives 90 degrees forward and 15 degrees backward.4Owner's manualaudio-technica.co.jp/pdf/support/ATH-M20x-50x_UM.pdfRead 23 October 2026Part names show the swivel housing.
RGB lighting
Not available
Lighting zones
Not available

Drivers and sound

Driver type
Dynamic1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Type Closed-back dynamic3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Type Closed-back dynamic
Driver size
40mm1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Driver Diameter 40 mm3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Driver Diameter 40 mm
Drivers per side
Not available
Diaphragm material
Not available
Magnet
Neodymium1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Magnet Neodymium3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Magnet Neodymium
Frequency response (wired or passive)
Min15 HzMax24 kHz1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Frequency Response 15 - 24,000 Hz3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Frequency Response 15 - 24,000 Hz
Wireless audio transmission band
Not available
Impedance (passive when specified)
35Ω1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Impedance 35 ohms3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Impedance 35 ohms
Sensitivity (passive when specified)
98dB1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Sensitivity 98 dB. The Japanese page gives 98 dB/mW.3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Sensitivity 98 dB
Sensitivity reference
Per 1 mW2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026Published as 98 dB/mW (出力音圧レベル 98dB/mW)
THD (claimed)
Not available
Max input power
1,600mW1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Maximum Input Power 1,600 mW at 1 kHz3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Maximum Input Power 1,600 mW at 1 kHz
Max digital audio sample rate
Not available
Max digital audio bit depth
Not available
DAC
Not available
Personalised sound
Not available
Onboard EQ
Not available
Custom EQ bands
Not available
EQ presets
Not available
Volume limit
Not available

Spatial audio

We could not find any of these 3 fields. Show them
Spatial audio support
Not available
Spatial audio licence included
Not available
Head tracking
Not available

Noise cancelling

Active noise cancelling
No1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Passive wired studio headphones with no electronics.
ANC type
Not available
ANC microphones
Not available
Adaptive ANC
Not available
ANC levels
Not available
ANC attenuation (claimed)
Not available
Transparency mode
Not available
Adjustable transparency
Not available
Conversation detection
Not available
Wind noise reduction
Not available

Measured

Frequency response notes
Follows the SoundGuys studio preference curve closely. Deviations in the sub-bass and between 200 and 600 Hz. Bass is audible but subdued, the lower mids get a modest boost at 100 to 200 Hz and the treble is pleasantly emphasized.9Measurementsoundguys.com/audio-technica-ath-m40x-review-1494Read 23 October 2026SoundGuys lab review, byline dated 31 January 2025, against its studio headphone preference curve. The graphs are script charts, so the text is the source: closely follows the curve with deviation in the sub-bass and in the 200 to 600 Hz midrange, bass subdued, lower mids boosted at 100 to 200 Hz, treble pleasantly emphasized.
Bass amount
Not available
Treble amount
Not available
Deviation from target
Not available
Consistency between fittings
Not available
Harmonic distortion
Not available
Sound leakage
Not available
Measured noise isolation
Not available
Noise isolation (measured, best)
Not available
Passive isolation (measured)
Not available
Mic quality notes
Not available
Mic low-frequency extension
Not available
Mic high-frequency extension
Not available
Mic speech-to-noise ratio
Not available
Measured latency
Not available
Bluetooth latency (measured, worst)
Not available
2.4 GHz latency (measured, worst)
Not available
Measured battery life
Not available
Battery life (measured, max)
Not available
Clamping force
Not available
Weight (measured)
Not available

Microphone

Microphone
None1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Wired studio headphones with no microphone.
Microphone element
Not available
Microphone pickup pattern
Not available
Voice microphones
Not available
Total microphones
Not available
Mic frequency response
Not available
Mic sensitivity
Not available
Mic signal-to-noise
Not available
Mic sample rate
Not available
Mic noise reduction
Not available
Flip to mute
Not available
Mute button
Not available
Mute indicator
Not available
Sidetone
Not available
Adjustable sidetone
Not available
Foam microphone windscreen
Not available

Connectivity

Audio connections
Analog1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Wired headphones with detachable analog cables.
Analog source plugs
3.5 mm TRS, 6.35 mm2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026Plug: 6.3 mm standard and 3.5 mm mini, gold-plated stereo 2-way (プラグ φ6.3mm標準/φ3.5mmミニ 金メッキステレオ2ウェイ)
Cable connector on headset
Proprietary2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026Detachable cords with a bayonet lock mechanism (着脱コード(バヨネット式ロック機構)). Read as a maker-specific twist-lock connector, as for the ATH-M50x.
Longest included cable
3m1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Cable: detachable 3.0 m (9.8 ft) straight cable, the longest of the two included cables. The coiled cable runs 1.2 m to 3.0 m.
Headset USB plug or port
Not available
Audio over USB-C cable
Not available
Passive wired listening
Yes1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Passive dynamic headphones with no battery, so analog playback needs no power.
Wireless receiver
None1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Wired headphones with no wireless parts.
Wireless receiver connector
Not available
Wireless range (claimed)
Not available
Bluetooth
Not available
Bluetooth codecs
Not available
LE Audio
Not available
Auracast
Not available
Bluetooth multipoint
Not available
Multipoint devices
Not available
Paired devices remembered
Not available
Mixes 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth audio
Not available
Fast pairing
Not available
Base station
Not available

Latency

We could not find any of these 2 fields. Show them
Low latency mode
Not available
Claimed latency
Not available

Compatibility

We could not find any of these 3 fields. Show them
Compatible platforms
Not available
Connection per platform
Not available
Official licence
Not available

Battery and charging

Battery capacity
Not available
Swappable battery
Not available
Batteries included
Not available
Claimed battery life
Not available
Battery life (claimed, max)
Not available
Battery life with ANC (claimed)
Not available
Battery life without ANC (claimed)
Not available
Charging port
None1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Passive wired headphones with no battery or charging port.
Full charge time
Not available
Quick charge time
Not available
Quick charge playback
Not available
Use while charging
Not available
Charging dock or stand
Not available

Controls

Controls
Not available
Volume control
None1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026No volume control on the headphones or the supplied cables.
Game and chat mix
Not available
Remappable controls
Not available
Wear detection
Not available
Voice assistant
Not available

Comfort and build

Headband type
Padded2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026New earpad and head pad (ヘッドパッド) materials for high durability, so the headband has a head pad.
Headband material
Not available
Frame material
Not available
Ear cup material
Plastic10Reviewsonarworks.com/soundid-reference/blog/reviews/ath-m40x-studio-headphone-reviewRead 23 October 2026Sonarworks review of 27 May 2019: the ear cups are plastic and seem of lower quality than the ATH-M50x.
Ear pad material
Synthetic leather10Reviewsonarworks.com/soundid-reference/blog/reviews/ath-m40x-studio-headphone-reviewRead 23 October 2026Sonarworks review: the ear pads are artificial leather (pleather). SoundGuys also calls the pads synthetic.
Replaceable ear pads
Yes2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026Sold separately (別売): replacement ear pads HP-M40x.5Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/p52521_mseries_earpad_replacement.pdfRead 23 October 2026The instruction lists the ATH-M40x among the models and tells the user to remove the existing earpad by pulling it off.
Ear pad attachment
Stretch-over5Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/p52521_mseries_earpad_replacement.pdfRead 23 October 2026Instruction P52521 for HP-EP replacement earpads names the ATH-M40x. Step 2: slide the new earpad's flange into the slot of the earcup. Step 3: gently stretch the flange over the slot until the pad is securely in place.
Ear pad opening
Not available
Ear tips included
Not available
Dust and water rating
Not available
User-replaceable parts
Ear pads (HP-M40x), Coiled cable 1.2 m, Straight cable 3.0 m2Maker product pageaudio-technica.co.jp/product/ATH-M40xRead 23 October 2026Sold separately (別売): replacement ear pads HP-M40x, coiled cord (detachable) 1.2 m and straight cord (detachable) 3.0 m.

Software

We could not find any of these 3 fields. Show them
Companion app
Not available
App platforms
Not available
User firmware updates
Not available

Dimensions and weight

Headset weight
240g(8.5 oz)1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Weight 240 g (8.5 oz), without cable and connector3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026PDF page 6: Weight 240 g (8.5 oz), without cable and connector8Retailer pagethomannmusic.com/audio_technica_ath_m40_x.htmRead 23 October 2026Thomann lists 241 g without cable and 300 g with cable, which agrees with the maker 240 g without cable.
Headset dimensions
Not available

Certifications

Hi-Res Audio
Not available
Communication certifications
Not available
FCC ID
Not available
Other certifications
RoHS (2011/65/EU)3Maker spec sheet (PDF)docs.audio-technica.com/eu/DOC_ATH-M20x_30x_40x_50x.pdfRead 23 October 2026Declaration of Conformity on PDF page 9 covers ATH-M20x/30x/40x/50x and lists RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and EN50581:2012. This is manufacturer self-declaration, not independent certification.

In the box

In the box
Detachable coiled cable 1.2 m, extends to about 3.0 m, Detachable straight cable 3.0 m, 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) screw-on adapter, Protective carrying pouch1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Specifications: Accessories included: protective carrying pouch and 6.3 mm (1/4 inch) screw-on adapter. Cable: two interchangeable cables, a detachable 1.2 m to 3.0 m coiled cable and a detachable 3.0 m straight cable.
Cables included
TypeLength (m)Count
Coiled cable, detachable, extends to 3.0 m1.21
Straight cable, detachable31
Source1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Cable: detachable 1.2 m to 3.0 m coiled cable and detachable 3.0 m straight cable. The Japanese page gives the coiled cable as 1.2 m, about 3 m when extended.4Owner's manualaudio-technica.co.jp/pdf/support/ATH-M20x-50x_UM.pdfRead 23 October 2026The model chart gives the ATH-M40x a 3.0 m detachable straight cable (B) and a 3.0 m detachable coiled cable (C).
Carrying case
Soft1Maker product pageaudio-technica.com/en-us/ath-m40xRead 23 October 2026Accessories included: protective carrying pouch

Warranty

Manufacturer warranty (source market)
1year4Owner's manualaudio-technica.co.jp/pdf/support/ATH-M20x-50x_UM.pdfRead 23 October 2026Japanese warranty certificate on PDF page 1: one year from purchase. This is Japan coverage, not a global warranty claim.

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Sources

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  1. Read 23 October 2026Backs 27 fields
  2. Read 23 October 2026Backs 9 fields
  3. Read 23 October 2026Backs 10 fields
  4. Read 23 October 2026Backs 5 fields
  5. Read 23 October 2026Backs 2 fields
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  8. Read 23 October 2026Backs 3 fields
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