Every editorial hub, scoped to earbuds.
Every editorial hub, scoped to headphones.
All products featured are independently chosen by us. However, SoundGuys may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links. See our ethics statement.
1 / 10An unglamorous set of workhorse studio headphones for well under $100 that belongs in your studio.
A 3.8 puts its noise isolation in the bottom quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 92 of the 242 we've cataloged.
No one has reported on this one yet.
Be the first. We ask a few quick questions about living with it, then check the review before publishing.
Own the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x?
Be the first owner to write in — three answers, four quick reads, shown under a pseudonym. Sign-in needed to publish.
Wired-3.5mm is the most common — on 47% of the 252 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 242).
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 200 of 242 we've cataloged.
Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Frequency Response (measured on a B&K 5128)
Click a line or a legend entry to highlight it. Click again to clear.Tap a legend entry to highlight its line. Tap again to clear.
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | -5.2 |
| 25 | -2.9 |
| 32 | -0.8 |
| 40 | 0.9 |
| 50 | 2.1 |
| 63 | 1.5 |
| 80 | 0.9 |
| 100 | 1.9 |
| 125 | 1.2 |
| 160 | -1.5 |
| 200 | -4.5 |
| 250 | -6.2 |
| 315 | -4.3 |
| 400 | -3.2 |
| 500 | -2.4 |
| 630 | -1.5 |
| 800 | -0.7 |
| 1000 | 0.1 |
| 1250 | 1.9 |
| 1600 | 5.1 |
| 2000 | 8.5 |
| 2500 | 10.1 |
| 3150 | 9.6 |
| 4000 | 9.3 |
| 5000 | -3.1 |
| 6300 | 9.1 |
| 8000 | 9.2 |
| 10000 | 6.0 |
| 12500 | 6.6 |
| 16000 | -1.8 |
| 20000 | -27.3 |
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Attenuation (measured on a B&K 5128)
Click a line or a legend entry to highlight it. Click again to clear.Tap a legend entry to highlight its line. Tap again to clear.
Solid lines: passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | -4.1 |
| 26 | -2.3 |
| 33 | -1.0 |
| 41 | -0.4 |
| 52 | -0.7 |
| 65 | -0.7 |
| 82 | -1.8 |
| 103 | -2.7 |
| 130 | -1.8 |
| 163 | -2.3 |
| 205 | -2.4 |
| 259 | -0.8 |
| 325 | 1.8 |
| 410 | 3.9 |
| 516 | 6.7 |
| 613 | 6.7 |
| 772 | 10.7 |
| 972 | 13.2 |
| 1220 | 16.8 |
| 1540 | 15.8 |
| 1940 | 13.3 |
| 2440 | 23.8 |
| 3070 | 22.1 |
| 3870 | 22.5 |
| 4870 | 37.0 |
| 6130 | 39.0 |
| 7720 | 30.0 |
| 9720 | 31.5 |
| 12200 | 29.9 |
| 15400 | 34.5 |
| 19400 | 22.4 |
The verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-M30x is a great choice for anybody that needs a decent set of over-ear studio monitors. While the frequency response is not totally spot on, it works for basically every situation reasonably well. The sound quality and reasonably good comfort promote its candidacy as a great pick for $69 USD.
✓Liked: Price, Sound quality, Comfortable for most
✕Could be better: Can't easily switch cables, Not the most refined fit and finish
Nobody who owns the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x has written in yet.
Owner reviews are not paid for, not solicited from specific owners, and not rewritten by us: at most we proofread typos, which is shown on the review’s own page and which the author can undo. The commission SoundGuys may earn on this page comes from retail links, never from owner reviews.
Own the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x?
Three answers, four quick reads, one sentence nobody tells you before buying. Shown under a pseudonym. Sign-in needed to publish.
What readers ask about the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, answered by the people who own it.
Nobody has asked the owners yet.
Ask the first question →Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
Ansel TanVideo ProducerThis absurd record player reminded me what music is all about.In a sea of sterile innovation, a flawed little record player brought me back to the joy of listening.Ansel TanVideo ProducerI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help you
Christian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.
Tom TriggsContributor
3 of 5 would buy again
5 owners · owners report ~40 h per charge vs 40 h claimed
Comfort beat their expectations
Expected more from the fit and build
The battery beat their expectations
1 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Nothing surprising about comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner · 1 photo-verified
Expected more from comfort
0 of 1 would buy again
1 owner
Comfort beat their expectations
0 of 2 would buy again
2 owners · 2 photo-verified
The noise cancelling beat their expectations
The battery beat their expectations
