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Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone
Audio-Technica is a company that can pride itself on building much more value and craftsmanship into its products than the customer actually pays for, and the ATH-M20 headphones are a good example of this.
The closed-back, circumaural design of the ATH-M20's, in conjunction with a pretty hot output, provides considerable isolation from ambient noise, and the 40mm drivers offer a smooth, consistent frequency response that reduces listening fatigue; speaking of which, the plush cushioning on the fully adjustable headband, and the comfortable, padded, egg-shaped (let us say elliptical, shall we?!) ear pads definitely help in getting through extended session wear.
The flexible coiled cable is another welcome feature of the ATH-M20's, and, while marketed as an affordable monitoring solution for recording and mixing, i.e. more critical listening, these headphones sound generally GOOD, and they improve the plain old enjoyment listening experience, as well.
- Closed-back for greater isolation and clarity; diminished Ambient Noise
- 40 mm Drivers with Neodymium magnets and copper-clad Aluminum wire Voice Coils
- Extended high reproduction, consistent low end definition
- Adjustable cushioned headband, lightweight, comfortable design for extended, fatigue-free use
- Coiled cable with detachable 1/4" and 1/8" Stereo connectors
| Type | Closed-Back, Circumaural Dynamic Headphones |
| Frequency Range | 30 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Impedance | 40 Ohms |
| Sensitivity (0 VU) | 98 dB at 1 mW |
| Maximum Input Power | 1,200 mW @ 1 kHz |
| Connectors |
Detachable 1/8" Mini to 1/4" Stereo Adapter 1/8" Stereo Mini Plug |
| Cable Length | 10' (3 m), Coiled |
| Weight | 7.1 oz (230 g) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 45 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
86%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Comfortable (43)
- Good value (32)
- Lightweight (30)
- Great sound (26)
- Durable (20)
Cons
- Too much ambient noise (4)
- Poor sound (3)
Best Uses
- Home audio (19)
- Music (19)
- With my computer (18)
- Working (11)
- Portable devices (10)
- Primary use:
- Business (9), Personal (9)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Gear head (15), Audiophile (11), Teenagers (4), School (3), Traveler (3)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (33)
Most Liked Positive Review
Low budget - good value
Usable, comfortable and lightweight. The cable is very handy - the spiral design helps to avoid the constant mess with the long wire while having a cable long enough.
The headphone is pretty...Read complete review
Usable, comfortable and lightweight. The cable is very handy - the spiral design helps to avoid the constant mess with the long wire while having a cable long enough.
The headphone is pretty good for home studios, though sounds on average level, not more then that. Considering its price, I'd say it gives a good value for money.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Wiring inside the headsets is weak
I bought two of these headsets for a small college TV station I run in Southern Calif. about 1 year ago. These two headsets have both gone bad. They get used often during the...Read complete review
I bought two of these headsets for a small college TV station I run in Southern Calif. about 1 year ago. These two headsets have both gone bad. They get used often during the week. I've given these to my repair guy and he says the wiring inside the sets is weak and not capable of being fixed. I won't buy them again. The ATH-M30s are much better. They are still working.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 45 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Like The Coiled Cable
Cons
- No Good 4 Isolating Noise
- Noise Isolating
Best Uses
- Monitoring On A Budget
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
3 stars for being nutral. these are my first pair of monitoring headphones, so don't have anything to compare it to. for monitoring they are decent: flat sounding and acurate to what it is recorded on the recorder. but for listening to music on a mp3 player or computer, the highs are too high, and vocals and highs distort quite easy.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Good Bass
- Great Sound
Cons
- Flimsy Construction
- Uncomfortable
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Sound quality is great, the comfort factor leaves something to be desired however...
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
- Not Storable
Best Uses
- Portable Devices
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
SO glad I got the kit, I never would have thought to listen to recording, and i feel so professional walking around with these around my neck on film sets! Great to use when editing too!
Kinda bulky, I usually wear around neck when traveling too, bc they won't fit in equipment bag and dont collapse.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Portable Devices
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
high quality.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
- Too Much Ambient Noise
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I use these headphones for playing my electronic drums. I agree with other reviews saying these aren't the greatest things since sliced bread, but are pretty amazing for the price! I'm very happy with the sound quality, the construction quality, comfort, and length of cord. They don't cancel out noise very well, as I can still hear the monotone thumping of my sticks hitting the nylon drum heads and rubber cymbals. But I'd recommend it to anyone wanting a smokin' deal on a good set of headphones.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Portable Devices
- Working
- Working Out
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Good volume level with no distorsion, great price... Yes I recomend,,,!!!
- Primary Use:
- Working out
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Use these headphones for on-air monitoring and production at a small town radio station. Great product for very reasonable price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Good Value
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I use this for field recording with my ZOOM.
- Primary Use:
- Traveling
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
- Too Much Ambient Noise
Best Uses
- Music
- Portable Devices
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Great for checking audio on my Zoom H1!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
Cons
- Too Much Ambient Noise
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I bought these headphones for listening to my audio while filming hunts. They "work", but that's about all I can say. I wish I would've spent more for a higher quality pair. You get what you pay for.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Lightweight
Cons
- Unattractive Design
Best Uses
- Portable Devices
- Relaxing
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
It's worth the cost.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
Cons
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I don't know if I have something set up wrong, but the playback sound on these headphones sounds way low, even when the volume is cranked all the way up. No matter if I have them plugged into my microphone's audio port, or the computer's, or the speaker's, it's all really low. Not a big deal since I got these as part of a package and were the thing I was least interested in, but still, I'd watch out, unless my set is just defective.
But they are comfortable, at least.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Good sound for the price.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- Portable Devices
- Relaxing
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I have been a studio musician for many years. Most of the headphones I have purchased range between $150-$300.00. The Audio-Technica headphones that were included in my Zoom accessory pack are a pretty amazing set of phones! The miss-bass-midrange and treble were pretty amazing for a set of lightweight phones as these.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I bought these looking for a pair of headphones to listen to my vintage stereo systems. I wanted something that would give me clarity and true sound instead of coloring or adding to the different frequencies without costing a lot of money. I was quite suprised with these. They sound very good and so far have been very comfortable to wear. I also like having a single cable connection rather than the normal connection of the cable going to both earphones.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
These headphones were just what I wanted; cheap, comfortable, and great sounding. The only thing that i kinda dont like is that the cord is coiled along the middle section, which can make the cable weigh alot if you pull away from were there pulgged into. Other wise they are awesome!
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
Cons
Best Uses
- University piano lab
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Recommended by service technician for our piano lab. Working well so far.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Portable Devices
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
These came as a bonus item with the H2n Accessory Package by B&H. Really good headphones for general audio recording use. Very comfortable to wear.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Music
- Relaxing
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
It came with the Px130 bundle. Its amazing, i have rediscovered music lol. I've always listened to music with bad ipod earphones. But with these, everything sounds amazing, the bass, the guitar. I mostly listen to latin music, and its great.
It does make your ear sweaty after long use, and kind of tight, but everything sounds great. I mostly use it when im at home, on the computer, or playing the keyboard.
- Primary Use:
- Listening to iPod
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Boom Operator
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
They feel like quality and comfort. Sound is good and having just one cable line is really nice. Love the coiled part of the cable and it's not too long. Great sound and super cheap!
- Was this a gift?:
- Yes
Cables
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- Price: $4.47
Adapters
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- Price: $4.99
Headphone Amps
Show more >
- Price: $65.00
Stands & Support
Show more >
- Price: $10.95
Earpads & Comfort
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- Price: $17.05
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