Audio-Technica ATH-M20x Professional Studio Monitor Headphones, Black
Best for
Best budget
Amazon rating
Amazon aggregate, one input among many in the Verdict Score
Based on 1 trusted source
Current price
$59.00
Updated Jun 27, 2026 · 1 min read
Sources behind this verdict
10 reviewers weighted by source trust
The consensus
What reviewers found
Synthesized across the trust-weighted source mix below.
Across the reviewers we read, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is the consensus entry point to studio headphones. soundguys, a high-trust source, calls it "one of the best options for studio style headphones under $50," while noting it "could feel more comfortable for long sessions and it doesn't have much bass." sonarworks describes it as "very natural-sounding" closed-backs fit for mixing and tracking that "pack a considerable bang for your buck," and high-trust r/headphones owners summarize the sound simply as "clear," working well as a daily driver. The honest negatives come from measurement-oriented sources.
What reviewers liked
- soundguys rates it among the best studio-style headphones under $50
- Huge verified-purchase base (26,000+ reviews at 4.6) and clear, honest sound
- sonarworks calls it natural-sounding and great value for tracking
Where it falls short
- audiosciencereview measured weak bass and tonal imbalances
- A high-trust r/headphones measurement thread flagged significant unit variation
- Reviewers note thin sound and less comfort for long sessions
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Across the reviewers we read, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is the consensus entry point to studio headphones. soundguys, a high-trust source, calls it "one of the best options for studio style headphones under $50," while noting it "could feel more comfortable for long sessions and it doesn't have much bass." sonarworks describes it as "very natural-sounding" closed-backs fit for mixing and tracking that "pack a considerable bang for your buck," and high-trust r/headphones owners summarize the sound simply as "clear," working well as a daily driver.
The honest negatives come from measurement-oriented sources. audiosciencereview found "weak bass extension" with "distortion and tonal imbalances" yielding a "flat and blurry" presentation, and a high-trust r/headphones measurement thread flagged significant unit-to-unit variation, including one sample with a 10dB-plus dip between 3–6 kHz. An r/mixing poster also found the overall sound "quite thin." The trust-weighted verdict: an honest, clear, hard-to-beat-on-price tracking headphone for beginners, but not one to mix critically on, and one where build comfort and consistency are compromises of the price.
- Advanced build quality and engineering; Designed for studio tracking and mixing
- 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper clad aluminum wire voice coils
- Tuned for enhanced low frequency performance
- Circumaural design contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation in loud environments
- Convenient single side cable exit
Overall, the best way you could describe the sound quality of these headphones is that they are clear. They work well as daily driver headphones ...
However, overall, the sound feels quite thin. The highs stand out more, and while the center vocals sound beautiful, the overall mix feels less ...
Trust tier reflects our editorial assessment of the source, not the individual quote. Hover for the rationale. See how we tier sources →
“Audio Technica ATH-M20x” · Headphone Review
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