Audio & Headphones · Head-to-head
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Closed-Back Headphones: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
The ATH-M40x is the smartest all-round closed-back for most people: neutral, well-isolating, and the cheapest thing here. If comfort over long sessions matters most and you can match the impedance to your source, the plush DT 770 Pro is the runner-up worth paying more for.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Buy itThe flatter, cheaper sibling of the famous M50x, and the better pick if you actually want neutral.
- Notably flatter, more neutral tuning than the bass-boosted M50x, which reviewers and owners favor for monitoring and honest listening
- Strong passive isolation and low leakage from a well-sealed closed design, and easy to drive from a laptop or phone
- Folds flat, ships with detachable straight and coiled cables, and has widely available replacement pads
- Stock pleather pads and a firmish clamp can warm up and press during very long sessions
- Presentation is intimate and studio-plain; it will not wow anyone chasing a big, exciting sound
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Buy itThe long-session comfort champion, with plush velour pads and isolation that shrugs off a noisy room.
- Soft velour pads and a well-distributed headband make it one of the most comfortable sealed cans for multi-hour wear, and friendlier over glasses than stiff pleather rivals
- Excellent isolation with low leakage, and a rugged, largely repairable build with easily replaceable pads
- Detailed, spacious-for-closed sound that independent testing rates highly, with a lively treble
- Sold in multiple impedance versions; the higher-ohm models genuinely want a dedicated amp or interface to reach full volume and control
- Fixed, non-detachable cable and a non-folding frame make it less travel-friendly, and the bright treble can sound sharp to some
Side by side
The 6 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Audio-Technica ATH-M40x Our pick | Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | Budget-minded buyers who want an accurate, sealed all-rounder for monitoring, editing, or everyday isolation. | Studio, gaming, and desk users who prioritize all-day comfort and isolation and can match the impedance to their source. |
| Price tier | $ · budget | $$ · mid-range |
| Sound signature | Flat, neutral, studio-honest | Detailed, spacious, bright treble |
| Isolation & leakage | Strong seal, low leakage | Strong seal, low leakage |
| Clamp & long-session comfort | Firmish clamp, pleather pads | Gentle clamp, plush velour, glasses-friendly |
| Amp needs | None; easy to drive | Higher-ohm versions want an amp |
| Pads & cable | Replaceable pads, detachable cables | Replaceable pads, fixed cable |
| Build & portability | Sturdy, folds flat | Rugged, does not fold |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x if
budget-minded buyers who want an accurate, sealed all-rounder for monitoring, editing, or everyday isolation.
Know before buying: stock pleather pads and a firmish clamp can warm up and press during very long sessions.
Pick the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro if
studio, gaming, and desk users who prioritize all-day comfort and isolation and can match the impedance to their source.
Know before buying: sold in multiple impedance versions; the higher-ohm models genuinely want a dedicated amp or interface to reach full volume and control.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x - The flatter, cheaper sibling of the famous M50x, and the better pick if you actually want neutral. Choose the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro instead if studio, gaming, and desk users who prioritize all-day comfort and isolation and can match the impedance to their source.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Closed-Back Headphones: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).