Audio-Technica ATH-M3X Mid-Size Closed-Back Dynamic Stereo Headphones

I went back and forth on whether I should give these a 3* or a 2*. My true rating really is a 2.5*. They're not "bad" headphones, so they don't deserve a "bad" rating. My guess is, if you’re considering these, it’s because you’re interested in getting a “decent” pair of headphones, and willing to pay a few extra bucks more than “whatever’s cheapest”, but your intentions with these are such that you are actively trying not to pay M40x/M50x/M70x prices. Plainly and simply, at (and below) this pricepoint, there are better options out there. If you're interested in a really detailed review, read on. If you're just looking for a tl;dr summary: buy a pair of Monoprice 8323 (cans) or JVC Flats (light on-ear) instead. In fact, you can actually buy BOTH for only a couple bucks more than what you'll pay for one pair of these M3X’s. Neither has the "brand name" appeal that audio technica has... but they sound better AND feel more comfortable.Detailed Review (you've been warned), based on my personal ownership and usage of the following headphones:Audio-Technica ATH-M3X (~$30)RCA HP245 (~$10)JVC HAS 160 "Flats" (~$15)Monoprice 8323 (~$20)Ovann X1-S Gaming Headphones (~$15)Sennheiser PX-200 II (~$70)Sennheiser HD1's (~$300)I recently spent some time with all of these on the table in front of me.I connected my phone (Pixel 2) to my external DAC/AMP (Fiio Q1) by way of USB-C, and then I connected each of those headphones to the Q1 aux connection. I focused on two specific songs, and fooled around a little with the third:1) Straight No Chaser - Marvin Gaye: 24-bit 44.1 kHz FLAC "Hi Rez" flac file purchased from HDTracksA male A-cappella that I thought would showcase a wide range of simultaneous mids and lows, and emphasize soundstage/separation (12 unique voices) if the headphones could replicate it.2) Kyng - Song for a Broken Mosque: 16-bit 44.1 kHz FLAC lossless rip from CDA punchy sludgy "hard rock" track with electric guitar highs a big mid-bass presence3) Marion Harzog - No Sanctuary Here: 256 kbps VBR Amazon MP3 purchaseI don't exactly know how to classify this, other than it's very electronic-y (but not "EDM" at least the way I normally think of it), with a driving bass line that I like to use to test how punchy/articulate subwoofers are on the low end.Those super-cheap RCA's have remarkable high end clarity for such a cheap headphone, but absolutely literally truly no bass. The high-end was on par with these ATH-M3X's, at 1/4 the cost. The Ovann's, overall, are the worst headphones I've ever owned. No separation and very dull highs. The lows were better than the RCA's, and "unboosted" (with "bass boost" off on my Fiio Q1) on-par with the ATH-M3X's. Once bass boost was activated, I did think they outperformed the M3X's on the low end, if only by a little bit, the M3X's were substantially better on the higher end, at least when compared to headphones that set the bar so so low...But the M3X's are outpaced by both the Monoprice 8323 and the JVC Flatts. The relatively flat response of the 8323's *shine* with the Straight No Chaser a-capella sound, outpacing the more-expensive M3X's in every aspect (brighter highs, wider soundstage, more articulate and present base, and just warmer mids). I like the 8323's a *little less* (compared to my far more expensive HD1’s) for the hard rock (Kyng) track, but the delta between the 8323's and the M3X's remained the same, because I found the M3X's couldn't get nearly as loud as the 8323's, and unpleasantly distorted early.When connected to an external amp like my Q1, I also found the ~$14 JVC Flats to “distort earlier” than the 8323’s and the two Sennheiser’s. Without the external amp? They’re much easier to drive to a good loud volume via “normal connections” (standard headphone jack on a PC or tablet) then the M3X’s, which can really be challenging without an external amp if you want to listen to something LOUD. From a sound quality perspective, the flat’s are brighter and more dynamic than the M3X’s too. They’re not as snappy/articulate as either of the two Sennheiser’s, but they’re $14, so…On my completely made-up 10-point scale that I used to judge all of these headphones and assign ratings, the M3X’s did the best with the 256 kbps VBR Marian Herzog “No Sanctuary Here” track. But the very best the M3X had to offer was still “very average” to my ears, and was outdone by both the 8323’s and the JVC Flatt’s (and both Sennheiser’s, of course), and they still did “need more” juice from my Q1 than the other’s did, as well. The 8323’s in particular really shined here, and I think I preferred them overall (and certainly on the low-end for their punchy bass) compared to the Sennheiser PX-200 II’s that cost probably 3.5x as much… just for the point of reference, the HD1’s were FANTASTIC up above with the hard rock (Kyng) track with the bass boost on in the Q1, but for this track I actually preferred them with the bass boost off. Maybe I’m just not a “bass-head”, but my goodness they thumped and rumbled enough here that they didn’t need/benefit from any extra help from the external dac/amp….Anyway, as I said above, long-story-short, these headphones aren’t garbage. I know they’re not garbage, because I own and tested some truly inferior “garbage” headphones side-by-side with these, and the M3X’s are certainly better than the very low bar that set by those Ovan’s and RCA’s. But both the JVC Flat’s and the Monoprice 8323’s outperform the M3X’s, literally across the board, and they do so while costing less and being more comfortable to wear… check either (or both) of them out before you buy a pair of M3X’s...

Used these back in the 1990's when working radio in Lansing, MI...they were the "station" 'phones...and came into a need of new headphones recently.NOT "over the ear" more like "on the ear" but still very comfortable.NOT heavy in bass, just good, crisp well balanced music that doesn't seem to color the sound.We're an AM stereo station and wanted an accurate sound for announcers and for testing processing. These WORK.Not expensive, not too heavy, probably not for workouts and high activity uses, but for leisurely listening and good listening in average surroundings.Hope they continue to make these for awhile!

Poor isolation, bright highs, not a lot of bass. They fall off very easily as they are a loose fit and the pads provide no grip.

Needed something sufficient for my cube while providing great sound - obviously price was a factor and these have not disappointed.As mentioned I am a FOH sound engineer as well so did need something with a good sound and can say that while i dont use these to mix, they're more than sufficient for my casual listening at work (diff job). The reviews on here are pretty harsh on the connector issue, but I take particular care of my stuff so dont see this being an issue ever. If it's in your pocket and getting pulled on all the time then that'd be up to you.Bottom line - prob best set you can find if you get them under $30 - holding their sound very well.

Cheap and effective headphones, but very uncomfortable to wear for a long period of time. These headphones are very tight and will hurt your ears after some time (for me my ears started hurting after only ~30 minutes of use, and my sister her ears hurt for about ~60 minutes of use)There are better headphones out there for the same price and kind. l recommend Sennheiser HD 201/202

The headphones are ok for the price not expecting the best I use it for school and they are comfortable

The Headset is great and have sounds great. It matches my Audio-Technica AT2020 Microphone too. buliding a new recording studio at home.

I didn't expect these to compare to my pro Sennheiser, but I thought they'd be okay for mowing the yard. Ya, NO. They sound like crap. Don't do it.