Which Audio-Technica Headphones Are Best For You?

Audio-Technica is a brand you've probably heard of—whether you're a lifelong audiophile or just someone who's stepped foot inside a Guitar Center. Even before I joined the team at Bloom, I owned an Audio-Technica turntable and saw plenty of my producer friends rocking their headphones. At Bloom, we carry a wide range of their gear—from $50 headphones all the way up to… a $108,000 headphone amp?

In this article, we’re diving into some of the more budget-friendly options from their M and R headphone series—models I’ve come to appreciate for their professional quality and unbeatable value. Let’s find out which Audio-Technica headphone might be the right fit for you!

ATH-M20x - $49.00

The M20x comes in at a very friendly $50 and is a fantastic introduction to professional-grade monitors. This closed-back set features dynamic drivers tuned to boost low frequencies, while still staying balanced enough for studio use during tracking and recording. There’s a noticeable bass boost, making hip-hop 808 drops sound rich and synth patches feel thick and bold. It doesn’t overpower the rest of the frequency range, and the M20x does a great job of keeping instruments well-separated and detailed.

Its lightweight design, convenient single-sided cable, and 6.3mm or 3.5mm termination options make this set a king of versatility. Whether you're spending hours in the studio, gaming, or flying cross-country, the M20x is a headphone just about anyone can get behind—especially at that $50 price point!

ATH-R30x

The R30x is the headphone I wish I knew about when I set up my home studio six years ago. Back then, I was using a $30 pair from a local retailer—and some of my early mixes sounded… well, pretty rough. The R30x comes in at just $100 and is designed for people like me, who are getting into recording and building their home studios. This dynamic driver open-back has just the right amount of immersion to drop you right into your Logic projects and help you dial in the tones you’ve been chasing.

This might be the most competitive budget reference option we carry. The soundstage is seriously impressive, and the imaging gives you exactly what you need when working with large sessions—making it easy to hear everything clearly and pinpoint what needs adjusting in the mix. It’s also a great option for audiophiles looking for an affordable open-back; the level of detail and impact you get for $100 is tough to beat.

ATH-M50x

The M50x takes everything great about the M20x and kicks it up a notch. At $150, this dynamic driver closed-back delivers professional-grade quality, impactful bass response, and impressive accuracy. It brings out tonal details, offers a spacious soundstage, and delivers full-on immersion.

The M50x is a fantastic choice for studio use—its clarity and depth really help you dial in what you're recording. It’s also the first on this list that seriously caters to audiophiles. With 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm termination options, a lightweight build, and a sleek design, the M50x confidently claims its place in the sub-$200 headphone category—and makes a strong case for being one of the best in that range.

ATH-R50x

Next up in the R series, we’ve got the R50x. This one is a noticeable upgrade from the R30x, especially when it comes to imaging, separation, and soundstage. It’s a true reference set—balanced across the board—making it super easy to critically listen to your favorite tracks or dive into your own music production.

One standout track for me on the R50x is Show Me How by Men I Trust. The guitar tones come through lush and delicate, and the vocals cut through softly but with a confident presence. The bass opens up a bit more here, thanks to the dynamic driver, and it blends really nicely with the kit. This track is already beautifully produced, but the R50x lets you peel back every layer and enjoy it to the fullest.

ATH-R70xa

Rounding off the R series, the R70xa is a clear step up in both quality and sound—and it comes with a noticeable price increase. At $349, this flagship open-back delivers harrowing detail, full tonal accuracy, and precise sound reproduction. It doesn’t just play your favorite songs—it pulls you into them, creating a world you can live in, not just listen to.

Vocals take a huge leap forward with this set. The treble and air regions are more emphasized, reverb on vocals lingers beautifully, and you can clearly hear each vocal layer that usually blends into the mix. Instruments are perfectly positioned around you, crafting a deeply immersive, almost cinematic listening experience. And at just under 10oz, the R70xa is lightweight enough to wear for hours without discomfort or fatigue. If you’re just above the budget price range and looking for a seriously capable open-back with true reference tuning and immersive sound, the R70xa is an excellent choice.

Audio-Technica is a brand you've probably heard of—whether you're a lifelong audiophile or just someone who's stepped foot inside a Guitar Center. Even before I joined the team at Bloom, I owned an Audio-Technica turntable and saw plenty of my producer friends rocking their headphones. At Bloom, we carry a wide range of their gear—from $50 headphones all the way up to… a $108,000 headphone amp?

In this article, we’re diving into some of the more budget-friendly options from their M and R headphone series—models I’ve come to appreciate for their professional quality and unbeatable value. Let’s find out which Audio-Technica headphone might be the right fit for you!

ATH-M20x - $49.00

The M20x comes in at a very friendly $50 and is a fantastic introduction to professional-grade monitors. This closed-back set features dynamic drivers tuned to boost low frequencies, while still staying balanced enough for studio use during tracking and recording. There’s a noticeable bass boost, making hip-hop 808 drops sound rich and synth patches feel thick and bold. It doesn’t overpower the rest of the frequency range, and the M20x does a great job of keeping instruments well-separated and detailed.

Its lightweight design, convenient single-sided cable, and 6.3mm or 3.5mm termination options make this set a king of versatility. Whether you're spending hours in the studio, gaming, or flying cross-country, the M20x is a headphone just about anyone can get behind—especially at that $50 price point!

ATH-R30x

The R30x is the headphone I wish I knew about when I set up my home studio six years ago. Back then, I was using a $30 pair from a local retailer—and some of my early mixes sounded… well, pretty rough. The R30x comes in at just $100 and is designed for people like me, who are getting into recording and building their home studios. This dynamic driver open-back has just the right amount of immersion to drop you right into your Logic projects and help you dial in the tones you’ve been chasing.

This might be the most competitive budget reference option we carry. The soundstage is seriously impressive, and the imaging gives you exactly what you need when working with large sessions—making it easy to hear everything clearly and pinpoint what needs adjusting in the mix. It’s also a great option for audiophiles looking for an affordable open-back; the level of detail and impact you get for $100 is tough to beat.

ATH-M50x

The M50x takes everything great about the M20x and kicks it up a notch. At $150, this dynamic driver closed-back delivers professional-grade quality, impactful bass response, and impressive accuracy. It brings out tonal details, offers a spacious soundstage, and delivers full-on immersion.

The M50x is a fantastic choice for studio use—its clarity and depth really help you dial in what you're recording. It’s also the first on this list that seriously caters to audiophiles. With 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 6.3mm termination options, a lightweight build, and a sleek design, the M50x confidently claims its place in the sub-$200 headphone category—and makes a strong case for being one of the best in that range.

ATH-R50x

Next up in the R series, we’ve got the R50x. This one is a noticeable upgrade from the R30x, especially when it comes to imaging, separation, and soundstage. It’s a true reference set—balanced across the board—making it super easy to critically listen to your favorite tracks or dive into your own music production.

One standout track for me on the R50x is Show Me How by Men I Trust. The guitar tones come through lush and delicate, and the vocals cut through softly but with a confident presence. The bass opens up a bit more here, thanks to the dynamic driver, and it blends really nicely with the kit. This track is already beautifully produced, but the R50x lets you peel back every layer and enjoy it to the fullest.

ATH-R70xa

Rounding off the R series, the R70xa is a clear step up in both quality and sound—and it comes with a noticeable price increase. At $349, this flagship open-back delivers harrowing detail, full tonal accuracy, and precise sound reproduction. It doesn’t just play your favorite songs—it pulls you into them, creating a world you can live in, not just listen to.

Vocals take a huge leap forward with this set. The treble and air regions are more emphasized, reverb on vocals lingers beautifully, and you can clearly hear each vocal layer that usually blends into the mix. Instruments are perfectly positioned around you, crafting a deeply immersive, almost cinematic listening experience. And at just under 10oz, the R70xa is lightweight enough to wear for hours without discomfort or fatigue. If you’re just above the budget price range and looking for a seriously capable open-back with true reference tuning and immersive sound, the R70xa is an excellent choice.