Audio-Technica ATH-M20 Professional Studio Monitor Stereo Headphones

I really like these headphones. The sound is very good especially when you consider the price. The only feature I am not thrilled about is the coiled telephone type cord that goes from the left side of the head set to the connection point. I have never owned a headset that had anything other than a plain insulated wire connecting the headphones to the unit I was listening to. The springy nature of this cord (again think corded telephone handset) puts a small amount of tension on the headphones that really should not be there. While I don't like that it is not a deal breaker for me.I have read other reviews that fault these for their inability to provide any really effective noise cancellation. If you want great noise cancelling headphones you are probably going to have to spend a bit more money to get them.As for comfort these are great. I wear glasses and I find these headphones to be a very good fit. When I wear this headset there is no undue pressure at top of my ears where the arms of my glasses sit against my head. That is a big deal for me as I sometimes where my headphones for several hours.

The Audio-Technica ATH-M20 has great sound quality from the lowest (that it can produce) to the highest frequency. It is also good for mixing audio. One of the things I like the most about it is the coiled section of the cable, which is one of the main reasons why I bought it. Another thing is the fact that it is comfortable (can be worn for long periods); it is also built to be durable and sturdy, including the plug and cable which -in my opinion- is a very important issue as other headphones have cables that are easy to pierce and plugs that break easily at the strain-relief.Some people complain that it is low. I say that they are deaf. My Kindle Fire has no problem driving these phones, nor does my Nokia 5800. They aren't as loud as my Sony MDR-XD200 (which I bought them to replace because the Sony phones have a problem preventing them from working properly) but they are loud enough for everyday use. I also use them on a Mackie CFX 20 MKII and all I have to do to get the same level of loudness as my Sony phones is turn the mixer's phones level control to 6/10 for this pair as opposed to 1/2 for the Sony (It's only logical; the Sony's power handling is 1500Mw max @ 1Khz while this pair's is 1200Mw max @ 1Khz).If I say that these phones have great sound quality, take it from me because I AM A SOUND QUALITY FANATIC. Whether they are headphones, earphones, or loudspeakers I make it my business to look for products that have been proven to have great sound quality (that includes signal processors and amplifiers; I AM A SOUND QUALITY FANATIC).Some people complain about the fact that they uncomfortable to wear for long periods because they cause sweating. Get real! Regardless of whether a person is wearing headphones or earphones, sweating will occur. It's a natural part of life! Unless, of course, you're going to wear them while in a functional refrigerator, expect to sweat if you don't take them off for a few minutes at regular intervals.The only two things that the Sony has over this are:1) the Sony is louder (like I said earlier the Sony has higher power handling)2) the Sony has louder and stronger bass for two reasons: (i) the frequency response range and (ii) the Sony is bass boosted.What the manufacturer says about these is so; the low end of the frequency response range starts at 30Hz. In addition to loving sound quality I also love very low frequency bass. When I play my songs from Bassotronics, Bass Mekanik, and the like, with these phones, they sound like they're peaking out even on a low volume. That's because (I'll say it again) the frequency response starts at 30Hz (not 18Hz like my Sony phones). Another point to note is that these phones are tuned for a flat response so for this reason some people would say that the bass is weak but as an audio mixer one would realise that a flat response is essential to getting a mix done well and rightly as there needs to be an accurate representation of the sound that is being heard. Doing a good mix with the Sony is possible even though it is bass boosted because from the mid range onward it is generally flat, not as flat as these phones but flat enough to be usable for the purpose. Mixing audio with the Sony, however, has resulted in me under-feeding the bass in my mixes a few times, mainly when eq-ing vocals (bass-heavy voices) - the importance of a flat response.Last, but not least. These phones offer good sound isolation. It is not as good as the isolation offered by others such as the SHURE SRH-440's isolation (a friend's headphones that I've used a few times) but when coupled with a high enough phones level they can be used with ease in a noisy environment (In addition to doing personal mixes, I mix audio for my church and I run the system loud).Although the Audio-Technical ATH-M20 is depriving me of the very low frequency headphones that love so much I'm still not bashing them. Instead, I'm highly rating them. With all their features and quality (both build and sound quality) these phones are a real bargain. I needed something to replace my Sony phones and these were the only ones that met the requirements for sound production and at the same time fitted into my very restricted budget.I don't regret buying these! They are a great buy! Of course, later on when the money comes I'll have to get something with a wider frequency response range to fill my 20Hz void. Who knows? It might even be the ATH-M20x; I've already started checking them out.

So the first reason I bought the M20s was for a replacement for my Sennheiser 205s (bought december 2011 for $25). I've never had good luck with headphone quality - the longest headphones lasted me 8 months and yes I've gone through all the name brands except Audio Technica so I thought I'd try the M20s. I have to say, when they came in the mail I had high hopes. They looked well made. Unfortunately, they too have a downfall. When played, the sound is a lot less compared to my old Sennheisers and also the bass is barely noticeable. There is ABSOLUTELY NO SOUND ISOLATION. Also, the headphones were extremely wide and so they constantly fell off my head until I had to press them together hoping they wouldn't break (which of course can't be good for future). These headphones were okay, but I know there is a lot better you can find for $36. They're fine for casual listeners who just care about sound and not bass though - clear and crisp. Just not what I would have wanted. Oh well, I'll just have to deal with these until I can afford new ones...

They're wonderfully comfortable - the ear cups are large so you're not constantly rearranging them around your ears to fit them on. Fantastic value for money. I use them in a situation where I'm learning how to professionally mix soundtracks in a music college and they do the job just fine.

At this price point, there's not much to be said. Brilliant headphones that is so much better than most ridiculously expensive consumer headphones out there and keeps up with it's bigger brothers from Sony, AT and Beyer. The coiled cable is a nice feature as well as the comfy ear pads that are essential to me since I use the headphones for hours at a time. Recommended buy when you need reasonably priced headphones and good quality!

these really are great head phones they are not too heavy & the sound is extremely good , my husband has a far more expensive pair than this & I find that these are much better in weight & have the same sound quality !

The headphones are very good quality for their price. They are very comfortable and have good sound quality. The wire also is handy because it keeps everything tidy with its cord design. The only bad thing is they are not very lad which may be a good thing in the long run but by no means are theg quiet.

Been using these for over a year now. Very comfortable and I highly recommend this for anyone who uses headphones for long periods of time and doesn't want to spend too much money. Strong built and great sound quality for the price. I have a feeling I will stick with these for a long time to come.