Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black

There are three things you need to know about me: I have sensitive hearing, love bass, and I'm a huge Bose fan. These headphones are better than my Bose home speakers!Got these puppies today, plugged them in, and queued up Charles Mingus' "Haitian Fight Song." (Which, imo, is the ultimate test of any audio equipment. If you can hear Mingus doing his thang in the background without the trumpet blasting your ears off, you've got good stuff!) These headphones performed admirably; I heard stuff (like string noise) that I had never heard before!I will admit, however, that these are flat equalized, and maybe that's the difference between headphones and monitors? At any rate, MOAR BASS. So I loaded up some Type O Negative. Beautiful, beautiful, sublime and clear sound, but the bass was once again in the background, not front and center like I'm used to. So, if you're a bass nerd, you might want to EQ these to your liking.Pros: Sounds like they should cost WAY more than they do, no distortion at high (>80%) volume, super lightweight, and comfortable on my kid-sized head.Cons: Might need an equalizer if you're not happy with the flat EQ. Literally, that's my only con.

The Audio Technica ATH-M30x are excellent sounding headphones in the sub $100 range. I'm using the M30x as a second pair of headphones to listen to music and when watching movies or TV shows on an iPhone, iPad, or through an AV receiver. I wanted headphones that would sound great, be well built, be portable, and yet be affordably priced. In those regards, the M30x delivers.The M30x is a nicely designed successor to the popular M30 headphones which they are replacing. I really like Audio Technica's styling update for the M30x, giving it a look similar to the iconic M50 and newer M50x headphones. Like the M50 and M50x, the M30x now features a collapsible design for space saving portability. Both of those are welcome changes from the dated looking and clunkier M30. A few months back I purchased a pair of M30 headphones, used them for a couple of weeks before returning them, and then purchased the M50 headphones. The design and feel of the M30x is much improved from the M30.-----SPEC COMPARISON BETWEEN ATH-M30x & ATH-M50x:The M50 and M30 were the most popular headphones in Audio Technica's Professional Studio Monitor Headphone lineup so my guess is that the M50x and M30x will be also so I've written a spec comparison between models.1. The M30x has a 40mm driver compared to a 45mm driver in the M50x.2. The M30x has a frequency response of 15-22,000Hz compared to 15-28,000Hz with the M50x.3. The M30x has a maximum input power of 1300mW at 1kHz compared to 1600mW at 1kHz with the M50x.4. The M30x has a sensitivity of 96dB compared to 99dB with the M50x.5. The M30x has an impedance of 47 ohms compared to 38 ohms with the M50x.6. The M30x weighs 7.8oz compared to 10oz with the M50x.7. The M30x has a built in cable compared to detachable cables with the M50x. The straight cables are both 9.8'.With a higher sensitivity, lower impedance, and higher maximum input power the M50x are a little easier to drive, are a little louder, and can handle more power before clipping than the M30x.-----COMPARING AUDIO TECHNICA's PROFESSIONAL STUDIO MONITOR HEADPHONE LINEUP:If looking at other models in Audio Technica's lineup, the M20x, M30x, and M40x all have 40mm drivers whereas the M50x has 45mm drivers. All have a frequency response on the low end of 15Hz but as the headphone models get better so do the higher end of the frequency response, 20,000Hz with the M20x up to 28,000Hz with the M50x. The M40x and M50x feature detachable cables whereas the cable in the M20x and M30x is built in to the headphones. The M20x isn't collapsible while all the other models are. When examining sensitivity, impedance, and maximum input power, as the models get better the headphones tend to increase in dB's, become easier to drive with a lower impedance, and are able to handle more power before clipping.-----SOUND QUALITY OF M30x & COMPARISON TO M50:The M30x offers excellent sound quality for its price. The headphones produce a rich, clean, and detailed sound with a good amount of bass. I'm really impressed with the sound they are able to produce.Having the M50, I was able to do a comparison between the two headphones. Since many reviewers who own both the M50 and M50x headphones state that the two models sound identical, my sound comparison between the M50 and M30x should provide a good comparison in sound between the M30x and newer M50x headphones.The M50 headphones are a little louder. They produce better bass as a result of the 45mm drivers compared the 40mm drivers in the M30x. The sound from the M50's is also fuller and has better separation. You do get what you pay for but when considering sound to price the M30x offers great bang for your buck.-----PROS:1. Produce a rich, clean, and detailed sound with good bass.2. Affordably priced, great bang for your buck.3. Comfortable to wear.4. Attractive design and lightweight.5. Collapsible for space saving portability. When collapsed they are noticeably smaller than my M50's collapsed.6. Comes with protective carrying pouch and 1/4" adapter for headphone plug. The 3.5mm plug allows the M30x to plug into smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. The 1/4" adapter allows the headphones to plug into receivers, mixers, and other audio equipment.CONS:1. The "L" & "R" indicators for the cans are inside the headband area and are hard to see in dim lit areas. I much prefer their placement on the can swivel mechanism with the M50/M50x. I know its minor especially if you just remember that the cable comes out of the left side but I thought I'd mention it.-----SUMMARY:The ATH-M30x headphones continue Audio Technica's legacy of producing amazing headphones. At the price point of the M30x, they are very hard to beat. If you are looking for a pair of headphones that sound great, are well built, are portable, and yet are affordably priced as I was, I highly recommend the M30x. If considering other Audio Technica models I recommend spending a little extra money and purchasing the M30x over the M20x. The collapsible design is very nice and the M30x allows almost double the maximum input power than the M20x. If sound quality is your concern over price, the M50x is superior with better bass, separation, and a fuller sound. The build quality is also nicer with the M50x. My M50's feel sturdier, the headband extender feels more durable, and I like the swivel feature of the M50 cans. That's not to take away from the M30x because they are well built headphones for the price.

These are good, solid quality headphones, especially for the price. I use them for music production, and the quality is perfect. The sounds are very flat, meaning it doesn't increase and decrease components like bass, treble, etc. It's the perfect headphone for beginners looking for equipment on a budget.

Sound quality is excellent although the bass could be a bit heavier, but still ok. I did get a surprise though as I had thought that all of these headphones also had a mike. When I could not find the mike I had to recollect that I really did not see one sticking out on the images, where it would have been. And although I read alot of reviews, no one ever commented that it did not have a mike. I needed it for ZOOM meetings so not having a mike is a disadvantage as I have to use an additional device that has a mike.I also miss not being able to adjust the sound from the headphone itself. I have been using the Microsoft LX-3000 which has both a mike and the ability to adjust the volume from the set itself. I did think of returning it but decided that I could live with those defeciencies since the music sounded great. Plus the time it would take to get another headset would mean that I would be without a headset for too long and I listen to alot of music on YouTube. Hope someone finds this iinformation helpful.

Great sound and durable quality.

Excellent. After having issues with cheaper made brands breaking every six months, I had my son try these as his main gaming headphones (he uses a separate mic). He says these ATs are WAY better. Excellent sound and very comfortable. Also, fairly lightweight for monitor types headphones.

Great for meditation and clear i can feels the vibrations through my body