Audio Technica ATH-M40FS StudioPhones

Ever since I received an MP3 player as a gift, I wanted a pair of headphones that were over-the-ear. On-the-ear makes them itch after awhile and earbuds are just uncomfortable for me. First, I tried a pair of Skullcandy HESH. They were comfortable, but the sound was terrible. After that, I tried the Sony MDR-V150 Monitor Series Headphones. The sound was great, but they were INCREDIBLY uncomfortable. Finally, I ordered a pair of these. I figured for the sale price, why not? And boy am I glad I got them. The sound quality is fantastic and they are VERY comfortable. Nothing is over accentuated with the sound. I listen to everything from classical/instrumental to country to punk to pop/rock and it all sounds great. However, I'd like to point out something very important for potential buyers. These are, as the title specifies 'studiophones'. They were made with professionals in mind, working at equipment. Not CD or MP3 players. The plug is 6.3mm, while most personal players take ... Read more

Good, solid headphones for the price. Decent sound isolation, and don't overdo the bass end of the sound spectrum like so many other headphones nowadays. If you can get them at the price I paid for them, they are a great deal.

These headphones are quite a bargain. Here's where I'm coming from: About seven years ago I bought my first pair of good headphones - the Grado SR80 for around $100. They served me well, and I still use them. However, they do have their drawbacks - they're not the most comfortable 'phones in the world, plus their open design is inappropriate in some situations when you don't want to share your music with those around you. So, I began my search for a pair of comfortable, closed headphones. I'm the type that always does my research before a purchase like this, and spent hours perusing the head-fi forum, reading reviews, and comparing prices. Well, I am completely satisfied with my choice, and find myself using these even more than my Grados - besides being more comfortable, I actually prefer the sound. Pros: Sturdy build quality Very comfortable Great, neutral sound Long cord Cord attaches to only one side Rotating earpieces allow 'phones to be stored flat Cons: Large size -... Read more

I have more than a half dozen headphones which I have just aquired. I am reviewing and going through them quickly. These Audio Technica's are one of the last on my list. While the sound isn't as good as the Sony V700's or 7506's nor are they are as efficient right now they seem to be of a pretty high standard. The sound is very flat and not colored. The imaging in the midrange and treble is only second to the Sony's. The bass is deep without being overpowering. Maybe it's redundant to say so, but the whole frequency range if flat and nothing is over powering. I bought these on Amazon and the price I paid was severely discounted from the listed price according to them. In that sense these are the best headphones in the upper end of the lower price range. They are a best buy. Not even considering the price they are better than the Sennheiser HD-280's and only "lose" to the Behringer 3000's because they aren't as inexpensive, but in both cases the Audio Technica's are supe... Read more

The sound quality of the ATH-M40FS headphones is superb. I can hear high frequencies that I didn't hear with similar or lower priced headphones. The bass is "true" and clear with no distortion and is not accentuated like so many headphones and speakers are these days. I hate listening to headphones with accentuated bass that overwhelms the true sound. I compared this headphone with my Sony MDR-7506 headphones which is a professional industry standard. I've been using the 7506 headphones professionally for about 9 years. Both have superb sound quality and sound almost the same. In fact, my first impression is that the M40 may have slightly better high frequency response and sounds a hair crisper. The M40 seems to be a tiny tad louder than the 7506 when I swap plugs without touching the volume so don't worry about its sensitivity. The M40 is slightly heavier at 10 ounces verses the 7506 at 8 ounces (headphones only, not including the cables). The 7506 is more comfortable... Read more