Main trade-off
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
There is no Bluetooth or active noise cancellation.
Head-to-head
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x vs ATH-M40x: M50x includes the short cable for a laptop
The short answer
Choose ATH-M40x for a lighter wired recording pair if the included long cables suit your desk. Choose ATH-M50x when you also use a laptop or portable player and want the short 1.2 m lead in the box. Neither adds Bluetooth, a microphone or ANC.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
A 16% weight reduction
M40x is about 16% lighter than M50x before adding the cable.
What this is based on
(285 - 240) / 285 × 100 = 15.8%, using manufacturer weights without cable.
Main trade-off
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
The box does not include the M50x short straight cable.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Choose it for
- You want the supplied 1.2 m straight lead.
- You move between portable and studio sources.
- Main trade-off
- There is no Bluetooth or active noise cancellation.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Choose it for
- You want the lighter headphone.
- The supplied 3 m lead already fits your workspace.
- Main trade-off
- The box does not include the M50x short straight cable.
About this comparison
Compare the ATH-M50x and ATH-M40x by supplied cables, weight and recording setup. Find out whether the short lead is worth paying extra for.
Choose ATH-M40x for a lighter wired recording pair if the included long cables suit your desk. Choose ATH-M50x when you also use a laptop or portable player and want the short 1.2 m lead in the box. Neither adds Bluetooth, a microphone or ANC.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Laptop beside you
The M50x 1.2 m cable creates less loose lead than a 3 m cable.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Better fit
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Good
Long session with weight as a priority
M40x is 45 g lighter, though clamp and pad fit still need a trial.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Good
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Better fit
Interface 2 m from your seat
Both include a straight 3 m lead.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Similar
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Similar
Calls over the headphone cable
Neither supplied cable contains a microphone.
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Not suitable
- Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- Not suitable
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
A 16% weight reduction
M40x is about 16% lighter than M50x before adding the cable.
How we reached this conclusion
(285 - 240) / 285 × 100 = 15.8%, using manufacturer weights without cable.
The short cable saves 1.8 m of loose lead
At a laptop, the M50x short straight cable is 60% shorter than the M40x supplied straight lead.
How we reached this conclusion
3 - 1.2 = 1.8 m. 1.8 / 3 × 100 = 60%.
A long-desk setup needs no M50x upgrade
Both already provide the same 3 m straight reach and a replaceable cable.
How we reached this conclusion
Manufacturer package lists include a detachable 3 m straight cable for both models.
Check your own setup
Which headphones work with the way you listen?
Start with the way you listen. USB charging is not the same as USB audio, and some headphones need power even with a cable. These choices are examples until you apply yours.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
Does not meet these checksThis model does not play over Bluetooth.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Does not meet these checksThis model does not play over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are manufacturer claims for the stated mode, not measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not assess sound quality, microphone quality or amplifier power.
Choice A
Audio-Technica, ATH-M50x
ATH-M50x
A foldable wired pair that comes with short, long and coiled cables. Move between a laptop and audio interface without buying a second lead.
- Best matched use
- One wired pair for a recording desk and a laptop bag
Checked facts
- The package includes 1.2 m straight, 3 m straight and 1.2 to 3 m coiled cables.
- The headphone weighs 285 g without cable and connector.
- It is a closed-back 38-ohm design with inward-folding earcups.
Choice B
Audio-Technica, ATH-M40x
ATH-M40x
A 240 g wired studio model that folds into a bag and keeps the cable replaceable. The supplied leads favor an interface or desktop setup.
- Best matched use
- A lighter closed-back pair for wired recording
Checked facts
- The manufacturer lists 240 g without cable and connector.
- A 3 m straight cable and 1.2 to 3 m coiled cable are supplied.
- The closed-back design has a 35-ohm impedance.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Audio-Technica ATH-M50x | Audio-Technica ATH-M40x | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight without cable | 285 g | 240 g | M40x removes 45 g before any cable weight is counted. |
| Shortest supplied straight lead | 1.2 m | 3 m | M50x leaves less spare cable on a small desk. |
| Longest supplied straight lead | 3 m | 3 m | Both reach the same interface position using their long lead. |
| Supplied audio cables | Three | Two | The extra M50x lead is a short straight cable, not an additional connection type. |
| Cable replacement | Detachable | Detachable | Both avoid a fixed-cable repair if the lead fails. |
| Storage | Folds inward | Folds inward | Portability is not exclusive to M50x. |
| Impedance | 38 ohms | 35 ohms | This small difference does not rank loudness or sound quality. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- The supplied cables have no microphone.
If you choose Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
- No microphone, Bluetooth or active noise cancellation is built in.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You want the supplied 1.2 m straight lead.
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-M50x. At a laptop on the same desk, the M50x short cable can save more inconvenience than the larger model number suggests. It does not improve the source or add a microphone.
You want the lighter headphone.
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. For a fixed interface or keyboard, M40x already has a 3 m straight cable. If weight matters more than a short lead, its 45 g reduction is a tangible reason to choose it.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Let the cable decide the portable use case
At a laptop on the same desk, the M50x short cable can save more inconvenience than the larger model number suggests. It does not improve the source or add a microphone.
Do not pay twice for a long lead
For a fixed interface or keyboard, M40x already has a 3 m straight cable. If weight matters more than a short lead, its 45 g reduction is a tangible reason to choose it.
Keep sound preference separate from the spec table
Driver diameter and response endpoints cannot establish which tuning you will prefer. These are connection and handling recommendations, not a listening-test winner.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Weight does not measure clamping pressure or glasses comfort.
- No frequency-response or isolation test was performed for this comparison.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current headphones comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
Only 17 of 60 models checked match every need here: “I want music when the battery is empty”, “My bag is already full”, and “I plug into a headphone jack”.
17 matching models from 60 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “I want music when the battery is empty”, “My bag is already full”, and “I plug into a headphone jack”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio-Technica ATH-M50x |
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| Audio-Technica ATH-M40x |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
You want the supplied 1.2 m straight lead.
See price & reviews on AmazonAudio-Technica ATH-M40x
You want the lighter headphone.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.