Rank #2 in Best Studio Headphones 2026: 10 Ranked, 32 Ohm to 250 Ohm
Audio-Technica ATH-M20X Professional Monitor Headphones
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20X is a closed-back monitor headphone at £45.00, placed second in this guide, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 26,527 ratings. That is the second-largest rating count in the guide, sitting just under the 27,549 the Sony MDR-7506 carries, and the breakdown behind it is unusually top-heavy: of the 26,527 ratings, 71% are five stars and 2% are one star, with 19% at four stars and 7% at three.
What the listing never gives you is the figure this guide treats as the deciding one. There is no impedance number in the specs, the bullets or anywhere else on the page, so nothing here tells you whether a phone, an audio interface or a mixer will drive it properly. What the page does offer is three separate fields answering the same question three different ways — 'Over Ear' under Headphones Ear Placement, 'On Ear' under Headphone Form Factor and 'Over-Ear' under Earpiece Shape — plus a 'Control Method: Touch' field on a headphone sold with a fixed single-side cable exit on the left earcup and a 6.3 mm (1/4") snap-on adapter in the box. Everything below comes from the Amazon listing for this product and not from any testing of our own.
How those 26,527 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.5 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £45.00 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 from 26,527 ratings |
| Impedance | Not stated anywhere in the listing |
| Ear placement fields | Over Ear, On Ear and Over-Ear — three fields, three answers (as listed) |
| Control Method | Touch (as listed) |
| Drivers | 40 mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils |
| Box Contents | 6.3 mm (1/4") snap-on adapter |
| Best Sellers Rank | 1 in Studio Headphones (108 in Musical Instruments & DJ) |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“I bought these almost five years ago for £40, and they are still going strong despite a lot of abuse, including my chair repeatedly running over the cable. In that time, the price has only gone up by £5. The sound quality is still as good as ever, and they remain comfortable, even though the foam has lost its spring and the leatherette is starting to crack and peel. I would definitely recommend them.”
Verified purchase“Context: Have had these for about 10 yearsOverall thoughts: I believe these are the best on the market for the price point.Pros:Well built, good sound quality for the price, easy to adjust to headCons?:The cable is long which isn't a big problem but, easily to tie up so not a big problem.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Studio Headphones 2026: 10 Ranked, 32 Ohm to 250 Ohm.
Questions people ask
Does the ATH-M20X listing state its impedance?
No. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20X listing gives no impedance figure in any field, so the number that decides whether it matches your kit is simply not on the page.
Are the ATH-M20X on-ear or over-ear?
The same listing says all three: Headphones Ear Placement is 'Over Ear', Headphone Form Factor is 'On Ear' and Earpiece Shape is 'Over-Ear'.
What comes in the box with the ATH-M20X?
The listed box contents are the headphones plus a 6.3 mm (1/4") snap-on adapter.
How is the ATH-M20X rated?
4.5 out of 5 from 26,527 ratings, with 71% of those ratings at five stars, 19% at four stars, 7% at three, 1% at two and 2% at one star.
Has the price of the ATH-M20X changed?
The listing price is £45.00. One reviewer says they paid £40 almost five years ago and that the price had only gone up by £5 since.
Does the ATH-M20X have touch controls?
The listing carries a 'Control Method: Touch' field, alongside 'Control Type: Volume Control' and 'Controller Type: Application', on a headphone with a single-side cable exit on the left earcup.
Comments
Reader comments are not checked against the manufacturer's claims above.
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