Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
Blackstar Beam Mini: the super-compact desktop amp has AI stem separation and offers players access to over 200,000 user-created NAM captures
Guitars With AI stem separation, component-level modelling, and access to 200,000+ neural captures, Blackstar's Beam Mini “redefines” the desktop amp
Superbooth header
Tech Superbooth 2026: all the latest synth news from Berlin - LIVE!
Teenage Engineering EP-136 KO Sidekick
Tech Teenage Engineering’s EP-136 Sidekick is part mixer, part effects unit – and surprisingly affordable
A pair of Sennheiser in-ear monitors lying on a MIDI controller
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
Arturia KeyStep mk2
Midi Controllers Best MIDI keyboards 2026: Find your perfect match for the home studio
Soundcore Space 2
Headphones "Overall performance is high enough to make you wonder if it’s really worth spending any more": Soundcore Space 2 headphones review
A pair of Focal Shape 65 studio monitors on stands in a studio
Studio Monitors Best studio monitors 2026: Studio speakers for musicians and producers on any budget
Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
Drum Machines Best drum machines 2026: Top beat boxes for all budgets and skill levels
IK Multimedia Tonex One Plus
Guitars The most mighty mini amp modelling pedal just got mightier as IK Multimedia offers full MIDI integration and wireless editing on the Tonex One+
Korg
Mixers Korg sneakily launches a new effects-packed performance mixer, the NTS-4, at Superbooth
Moog
Synths We speak to Moog Music President Joe Richardson who exclusively reveals what's coming up
Sennheiser HD 480 Pro
Tech 5 things you NEED to know if you’re mixing tracks on headphones
A pair of Kali Audio LP-6 V2 studio monitors on a studio desk
Studio Monitors Best budget studio monitors 2026: Make your mixes sing with these wallet-friendly home studio speakers
An Apple Mac Mini M4 on a light green background
Computers Best PCs for music production 2026: Apple Macs and Windows machines for your home studio
1010music Blackbox 2
Tech 1010music Blackbox 2 adds a better screen, onboard battery and USB audio streaming
More
  • Superbooth 2026
  • Kate Bush Army Dreamers
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Theory of Feels
  1. Tech
  2. Recording
  3. Headphones

NAMM 2014: Audio-Technica reveals new M-Series headphones

News
By Matt Parker published 23 January 2014

Four new sets of monitor headphones

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

NAMM 2014: Fresh for this year's Winter NAMM, Audio-Technica has overhauled its M-Series range of monitor studio headphones and announced the debut of the ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x, ATH-M40x and ATH-M50x models - all due to hit stores in February.

Aside from adding a technological 'x' to each product name, the entire range features new magnets, aluminium voice coils on the inside and a tweaked design on the outside - a flatter cup shape that the firm says provides "excellent isolation".

As you move up the range, the spec gets more impressive, with improved portability and versatility, better sound isolation and detachable cable options.

Browse the gallery to view the specs and pricing information for each set of headphones.

Audio-Technica M-Series Headphones press release

Leeds, UK, 20-01-2014: Audio-Technica (NAMM Booth 6740 [Hall A]) has updated its critically acclaimed M-Series line of professional monitor headphones – the new ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x, ATH-M40x and ATH-M50x make their debut at Winter NAMM2014.

Taking cues from the sound and proprietary design of the company’s acclaimed ATH-M50 professional monitor headphones, the new ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x and ATH-M40x deliver accurate audio and outstanding comfort, perfect for long sessions in the studio and on-the-go.

The ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x and ATH-M40x all feature 40mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminium voice coils, as well as a circumaural design that contours around the ears for excellent sound isolation in loud environments.

The ATH-M50x (featuring 45mm drivers) has the exact same sonic signature as the original ATH-M50 and adds refined earpads and three detachable cables.

The ATH-M20x, ATH-M30x, ATH-M40x and ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones will be available February 2014.

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
ATH-M20x Professional Monitor Headphones

ATH-M20x Professional Monitor Headphones

NAMM 2014 PRESS RELEASE: The ATH-M20x headphones are a great introduction to the critically acclaimed M-Series line.

Modern design and high-quality materials combine to deliver a comfortable listening experience, with enhanced audio and effective isolation. These headphones are an excellent choice for tracking and mixing.

The ATH-M20x also features a convenient single-side cable exit with a permanently attached 3m cable.

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
ATH-M30x Professional Monitor Headphones

ATH-M30x Professional Monitor Headphones

NAMM 2014 PRESS RELEASE: ATH-M30x headphones combine modern engineering and high-quality materials to deliver a comfortable listening experience, with enhanced audio clarity and sound isolation.

Tuned for highly detailed audio, with strong mid-range definition, these versatile monitoring headphones are ideal in a variety of situations.

Designed primarily for studio tracking and mixing, they offer added features for increased portability, making them a great choice for field recording.

The ATH-M30x also features a convenient single-side cable exit with a permanently attached 3m cable.

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
ATH-M40x Professional Monitor Headphones

ATH-M40x Professional Monitor Headphones

NAMM 2014 PRESS RELEASE:The high-performance ATH-M40x professional headphones are tuned flat for incredibly accurate audio monitoring across an extended frequency range.

The studio experience is enhanced with superior sound isolation and swiveling earcups for convenient one-ear monitoring, and professional-grade earpad and headband material provides exceptional durability and comfort.

The collapsible design offers space-saving portability and storage, and the headphones come with two detachable cables (a 1.2m-3m coiled cable and 3m straight cable). Engineered with pro-grade materials and robust construction, the M40x excels in professional studio tracking and mixing, as well as DJ monitoring.

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphone

ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphone

NAMM 2014 PRESS RELEASE: The original ATH-M50 has been praised by leading audio engineers and journalists worldwide, and now the ATH-M50x features the exact same coveted sonic signature as the original, with the addition of refined earpads and three detachable cables (a 1.2m-3m coiled cable, 3m straight cable and 1.2m straight cable).

From the large aperture drivers to sound isolating earcups and robust construction, the M50x provides an unmatched experience for the most critical audio applications, including recording, broadcast, DJ, live sound and personal listening.

The ATH-M50x is available in black, white (ATH-M50xWH) and limited-edition blue (ATH-M50xBL).

ATH-M50xWH: £179 inc VAT/€179 ex VAT

ATH-M50xBL: £179 inc VAT/€179 ex VAT

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
Matt Parker
Matt Parker

Matt is a freelance journalist who has spent the last decade interviewing musicians for the likes of Total Guitar, Guitarist, Guitar World, MusicRadar, NME.com, DJ Mag and Electronic Sound. In 2020, he launched CreativeMoney.co.uk, which aims to share the ideas that make creative lifestyles more sustainable. He plays guitar, but should not be allowed near your delay pedals.

Read more
Man wearing headphones looks down at the keys of his digital piano
Headphones Best headphones for digital piano 2026: over-ear options for every budget
 
 
Drummer wearing headphones shot from behind an electronic drum set
Drummers Best headphones for drummers 2026: sound isolation for the studio, rehearsal room and stage
 
 
Sennheiser HD 480 Pro
Tech 5 things you NEED to know if you’re mixing tracks on headphones
 
 
64 audio Aspire 3
Headphones “An excellent addition to the 64 Audio product line, bringing their excellent build quality and design to a more affordable price point”: 64 Audio Aspire series review
 
 
A pair of Focal Shape 65 studio monitors on stands in a studio
Studio Monitors Best studio monitors 2026: Studio speakers for musicians and producers on any budget
 
 
A pair of Sennheiser in-ear monitors lying on a MIDI controller
Studio Monitors Best in-ear monitors 2026: IEMs for stage and studio
 
 
Latest in Headphones
Soundcore Space 2
Headphones "Overall performance is high enough to make you wonder if it’s really worth spending any more": Soundcore Space 2 headphones review
 
 
Scalable to any size. Vector illustration file.
Tech “These chemicals may be migrating from the headphones into our body”: Research suggests headphones contain dangerous toxins
 
 
64 audio Aspire 3
Headphones “An excellent addition to the 64 Audio product line, bringing their excellent build quality and design to a more affordable price point”: 64 Audio Aspire series review
 
 
Hedd Audio D1 headphones
Headphones “Premium design detail coupled with excellent sonics delivers a listening experience that doesn’t disappoint”: HEDD HEDDphone D1 review
 
 
Focal Lensys Pro
Headphones “A beautifully-designed headphone with impressive sonics”: Focal Lensys Professional review
 
 
IK Multimedia ARC On-Ear
Headphones “From functionality through to physical design, IK Multimedia has completely nailed it”: IK Multimedia ARC On-Ear review
 
 
Latest in News
O'Flynn in the studio
Tech 5 things we learned in the studio with O'Flynn
 
 
Mike D head shot
Singers & Songwriters Mike D of the Beastie Boys breaks silence with debut solo single, Switch Up
 
 
Native Instruments InMusic
Tech InMusic confirms Native Instruments acquisition, bringing it under the same ownership as Moog and Akai Pro
 
 
Korg
Mixers Korg sneakily launches a new effects-packed performance mixer, the NTS-4, at Superbooth
 
 
Deals of the week logo
Tech MusicRadar deals of the week: Just in time for Mother's Day, we've found $700 off an unusual Gibson, $500 off a stunning Ibanez Prestige AZ2204, plus heavy savings on recording and live gear
 
 
Jared James Nichols plays his Gibson Futura on a stage lit up in red-pink.
Artists “I felt like I was levitating off the ground. I felt like I was in Cream in 1968”: Jared James Nichols on why he switched to Marshall amps
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...