Are you searching for the best pair of headphones for listening to music? Do you edit recordings, or relax while enjoying audiobooks? No matter the purpose, there is a perfect set of headphones matched to your needs. Let’s review two popular models to see which one is the best fit for your plans.
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Professional Monitor Headphones
Audio-Technica’s ATH-M30x are professional monitor headphones. They are a good choice if you edit recordings or do mixing. Of course, they are also excellent for listening to music at home. They are designed for comfort as well as reproducing accurate sound.
First off, they have a well-padded headband and ear cups. The ear cups are circum-aural, meaning they cover your whole ear. This shape has the benefit of isolating you from external noise, but it may feel a little hot during an extended listening session. On the other hand, it also cuts down on sound leakage, so others around you aren’t bothered by your music.
Second, the ATH-M30x have 40mm drivers, or speakers, for dynamic sound. The drivers are built with copper-coated aluminum coils and rare earth magnets. Audio-Technica points out that the headphones are tuned to reproduce clear mid-range tones. They make audio editing simpler, whether you’re on set, in the studio, or at home.
Third, there is only one cord that exits from the right ear cup. This cable is 3m, or almost 10 feet, long. It has a 3.5mm plug on the tip for instant compatibility with portable devices. But it also comes with a 1/4-inch screw-on adapter for home stereos and professional monitors.
Finally, the specifications reveal a couple of important points. The sensitivity is 95.5dB, and the frequency response is 15-20,000Hz. These factors indicate that the headphones are low noise with good dynamic range. But the other detail to consider is their impedance rating of 47 ohms. This amount is ideal for professional equipment, receivers, PCs, and home stereos. But it could mean that you’ll need to crank up the volume on your smartphone or tablet to get the same effect.
More features of the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x Headphones:
- Headphones fold up and come with carrying pouch
Sennheiser HD 439 Headphones
If you love the boom of bass, you may prefer the Sennheiser HD 439 headphones over the ATH-M30x from Audio-Technica. With a lower impedance of 32 ohms, they are specially made for use with handheld devices like tablets, smartphones, and mp3 players.
The Sennheiser HD 439 have circumaural ear cups that block out noise around you. They don’t have active noise-canceling, but they do isolate against ambient sounds like traffic. You’ll find that listening to your favorite podcasts and audiobooks is much more enjoyable while wearing them. And you won’t have to worry about sound leaking out for those around you to hear.
This pair is also made for comfort. It has breathable cloth padding on the ear pads and headband that provides a secure fit but helps keep you from getting too hot while listening for extended periods. And the single cable exits out of one ear cup, not both, to reduce tangling.
In fact, the Sennheiser pair’s cord has an advantage over the Audio-Technica. You can use it at its full length of 4.4 meters, or break it apart into two shorter wiresthat measure 55 and 120 inches. It also comes with a 1/4-inch adapter plug.
More features of the Sennheiser HD 439 Headphones:
- 2-year global warranty
- Neodymium magnets
- Frequency response 17-22,500Hz
- Sensitivity 112dB
Recommendation
Who would get the most out of the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x or the Sennheiser HD 439? To begin, let’s quickly cover what they can’t do. Neither pair described above have microphones so you won’t be able to talk on the phone with them. And they don’t have inline controls on their cords or mounted on their ear cups. They don’t have active noise-canceling or wireless connectivity.
But they both isolate well against external noises and they are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. If you do sound recording and editing, you’ll enjoy the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x for their accurate reproduction of sound.
If you want a pair of headphones for listening to a portable device or your PC, you may find that the Sennheiser HD 439 are exactly what you want.
Click here to purchase Audio-Technica ATH-M30x on Amazon.com!