Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
A side-by-side look at Audio-Technica ATH-M20x and Sennheiser HD 380 Pro for podcasters: pricing, features, and where each one wins.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
The sub-$50 closed-back that outperforms every consumer headphone in its class
See site
Check price on Amazon
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
The HD 280's quieter, more refined sibling with an even flatter frequency response
See site
Check price on AmazonAt a glance
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | Sennheiser HD 380 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | See site | See site |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Best for | First-time podcasters and recording students who want a real monitoring headphone at the lowest reasonable price | Producers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cable |
Key features
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
- Closed-back, over-ear design
- 40mm neodymium dynamic drivers
- Fixed 3m straight cable, left-side exit
- 15 Hz - 20 kHz frequency response
- 47 ohm impedance - drives from any source
- Lightweight at 190g without cable
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
- Closed-back, circumaural folding design
- Up to 32 dB passive noise attenuation
- 8 Hz - 27 kHz frequency response
- 54 ohm impedance
- THD less than 0.1% at 1 kHz, 100 dB SPL
- Detachable and replaceable coiled cable
Pros and cons
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
Pros
- Exceptional value - accurate monitoring at minimal cost
- Genuine closed-back isolation for tracking
- Identical driver tech to the more expensive M-Series models
- Available in black and white
Cons
- Fixed non-detachable cable
- Thinner earcup padding than the M30x and M40x
- Bass extension is the most limited in the M-Series
Sennheiser HD 380 Pro
Pros
- Excellent passive isolation at 32 dB - matches the HD 280 Pro
- Lower distortion and flatter response than the HD 280 Pro
- Replaceable detachable cable - longer lifespan
- Better comfort on extended sessions than the HD 280 Pro
Cons
- Higher price than the HD 280 Pro for incremental improvements
- Coiled cable is long for desktop use
- Less widely available than the HD 280 Pro
The verdict
Choose Audio-Technica ATH-M20x if
First-time podcasters and recording students who want a real monitoring headphone at the lowest reasonable price.
The M20x punches well above consumer headphones and costs less than a nice dinner. The closed-back isolation is real, the frequency response is honest, and the build quality is recognizably Audio-Technica - not plastic toys. For a first recording setup…
Choose Sennheiser HD 380 Pro if
Producers who want a step up from the HD 280 Pro with a flatter, more refined monitoring character and replaceable cable.
The HD 380 Pro is Sennheiser's professional closed-back that most audio engineers consider the more accurate companion to the HD 280 Pro. The frequency response is smoother, the THD is lower, and the detachable coiled cable is a practical improvement…