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 20 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
89%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Comfortable (19)
- Lightweight (15)
- Good value (12)
- Great sound (11)
- Durable (8)
Cons
Best Uses
- Music (10)
- Home audio (9)
- With my computer (9)
- Working (5)
- Portable devices (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Gear head (9), Audiophile (5)
- Primary use:
- Business (9), Personal (9)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (10)
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
Not bad, but not good noise cancelling
Bought these for my son for drumming. Per his opinion, the sound quality is good, but as far as noise cancelling goes - not so good. He needs them to block out the ...Read complete review
Bought these for my son for drumming. Per his opinion, the sound quality is good, but as far as noise cancelling goes - not so good. He needs them to block out the actual ambient sound of the drums so he can hear the mix of the other band members.
REVIEWS
Reviewed by 20 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-20
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Durable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
These are a good paire of monitor headphones for a low budget.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
- Unattractive Design
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Nice sound quality, comfortable. I like the long chord, useful for working with lots of gear. Not something I'd wear on campus, but that's not what I bought them for. A great value!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Stylish
Cons
- Too much bass response
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
For the money, you absolutely cannot go wrong with these headphones. I use these for voiceover work and they are comfortable and feel awesome on your ears. The base response is a little over the top for my taste, but they sound absolutely great. As expected, they are not noise cancelling, so don't expect it to block every little sound in the background, but they do a good job of doing what they were designed to do: Be value headphones that sound great and block out most ambient noise. I say absolutely buy them. It's a steal for the quality. BTW these have a coiled cord which I absolutely just love!!
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
For the price available, these are a great purchase: the sound is good and the cushion is very comfortable and the whole weight of it is very acceptable. The single jack cable exiting on the left is also a nice design, simplifying your movements.
The bass is ok but not a wawwww.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Music
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Great for tracking in the studio and great frequency response.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Mixing audio, recording voice-overs, or just listening to music, these headphones work for me. I'm no professional but the sound is pretty decent. They are extremely comfortable, just like the overview says. Although I think "greater isolation" and "diminished ambient noise" is not quite accurate. They do get loud, but i can always hear through the closed back cushions. For the value, though, i couldn't ask for anything more.
Pros
- Comfortable
Cons
- Poor Sound
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Yes they don't cost much but they sound terrible.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Stylish
Cons
- Too big for travel
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I am a podcaster for Blogtalkradio and do some video editing as well.
I needed some inexpensive headphones that helped with noise reduction.
These are fantastic and very comfortable.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
Cons
Best Uses
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Product Tested & works fine up to now. Surounding Noice is down to minimum. It is used for our Broadcasting activities.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I had these headphones for a short period of time, they made my life easy while editing video and sound. it's comfortable to wear them for a long period of time and the quality of sound is pretty good with them.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Durable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
- Stylish
Cons
Best Uses
- Music
- Relaxing
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I have used this headset for years. I use it in my home studio for recording and playback. It gives realistic sound in additional to my speakers. IT's lightweight and the wire has not fallen out or broken. A Great product for the price. I've recording in lots of studios, and this little headset is good even compared with the high end models.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Bass
- Good Value
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I'm a musician and I use the headphones for recording and monitoring. I find that there is a good flat frequency response. Overall I have no complaints. I've used Audio-Technica headphones over the years and have never been disappointed.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Portable Devices
- Relaxing
- Traveling
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
I purchased these headphones to use for video editing. Overall they're a good value, but the bass response was just not as strong as it could have been. I had cheaper headphones I bought at [...] that had stronger low-end.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- Portable Devices
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
This was a great buy, If something happened to them, I would not be out much and could afford another pair.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Comfortable
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
- Too Much Ambient Noise
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- Portable Devices
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Bought these for my son for drumming. Per his opinion, the sound quality is good, but as far as noise cancelling goes - not so good. He needs them to block out the actual ambient sound of the drums so he can hear the mix of the other band members.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
Cons
- Flimsy Construction
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
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.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Comfortable
- Good Value
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
- With My Computer
- Working
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
As my wife and I work within earshot, these headphones are just what was needed so I can tune into an occasional email video and not disturb her. They work wonderfully for this purpose and were affordably priced.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Great Sound
- Lightweight
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
We use this product at editing stations as well as on set for the audio mixer. The sound quality is great, but that stretchy cord tends to get stretched out and sometimes tangled. The headphones themselves seem very durable and are standing up to our educational environment very well. I would buy Audio-Technica again, but I may look for a straight cord.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Comfortable
- Compact
- Durable
- Lightweight
- Rich Sound
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Video Camera
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
Great sound for video on location.
- Primary use:
- Business
Pros
- Comfortable
- Durable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Average sound
Best Uses
- Home Audio
- Music
- With My Computer
Comments about Audio-Technica ATH-M20 - Closed-Back Headphone:
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.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Displaying reviews 1-20
Cables
- Price: $6.99
- GBP 4.46
Adapters
- Price: $2.95
- GBP 1.88
Headphone Amps
- Price: $49.94
- GBP 31.89
Stands & Support
- Price: $19.90
- GBP 12.71
Earpads & Comfort
- Price: $17.05
- GBP 10.89
What's in the Box
- 1 x Detachable Stereo Mini to 1/4" Adapter
- 1 Year Warranty
Why Shop at B&H
Make your online shopping trip personal with our online Live Chat representatives. You can easily reach an in-house expert while browsing our site for your shopping needs. We have the most highly-trained staff in the industry who are pros in their fields, and their professional expertise will help you get the most from your purchase.
Place your domestic order with us for shipment via any UPS, FedEx Economy, or FedEx Priority shipping methods by 4 PM ET Monday through Thursday or 11 AM ET Friday and your order will be shipped that day. Visit our Shipping Delivery Times page for further details. Delivery times are subject to payment verification.
We appreciate your purchase from us, and we understand that sometimes the products you buy don’t turn out to be the right choice for you. We guarantee your peace of mind with our 30-day return policy. With no standard restocking fee and few restrictions, you’ll enjoy a return process as easy as shopping with us. Please visit our Return Policy page for further details.
We’ve made iPhone and Android mobile apps available for your service and shopping convenience. Use filtered search to find and purchase almost any item we sell and ship worldwide. Download product manuals and guides for many popular items. See high-resolution product images in close-up detail. Manage wishlists and view order history. Visit our Mobile Apps page to download.
See sample Newsletter
Help
Company Information
B&H Resources
