Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Sony MDR-1A

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ATH-M40x compared with MDR-1A

	Audio-TechnicaATH-M40x	SonyMDR-1A
Overview
Released
Released	February 2014	October 2014
Sound
Type
Type	Over-ear	Over-ear
Noise cancelling
Noise cancelling	No	No
Driver size
Driver size	40 mm	40 mm
Back
Back	Closed	Closed
Impedance
Impedance	35 ohms	24 ohms
Bluetooth codecs
Bluetooth codecs	None (wired)	None (wired)
Drivers
Drivers	Dynamic, 40 mm with neodymium magnets and copper-clad aluminium wire voice coils; tuned flat; 15 – 24,000 Hz; sensitivity 98 dB; maximum input power 1,600 mW at 1 kHz	Dynamic dome-type drivers with aluminium-coated liquid-crystal-polymer diaphragms and neodymium magnets; 3 Hz – 100 kHz stated response; 105 dB/mW sensitivity; 1,500 mW maximum input
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)
Listening time (maker's claim)	No battery (wired)	No battery (wired)
Design
Weight
Weight	240 g	225 g (better)
Headphone cable
Headphone cable	Yes	Yes
Controls
Controls	–	Inline microphone and remote on one supplied cable; omnidirectional electret-condenser microphone
Fit and ear tips
Fit and ear tips	Circumaural, closed-back; earcups swivel 90 degrees; collapsible	Sony's Japanese specification and original launch table state 24 ohms at 1 kHz; Sony UK's support specification instead lists 48 ohms, so this entry follows the documented Japanese model
Dimensions
Dimensions	–	Approximately 225 g without the cable
Works with
Works with	Detachable 1.2 – 3.0 m coiled and 3.0 m straight cables with gold-plated 3.5 mm plugs; screw-on 6.3 mm adapter	Detachable 1.2 m silver-coated OFC cables with gold-plated stereo mini plugs; optional balanced cable and compatible amplifier required for balanced connection
Colours
Colours	Black	–
In the box
In the box	ATH-M40x headphones, two cables, screw-on 6.3 mm adapter, pouch	Headphones, 1.2 m headphone cable, 1.2 m microphone/remote cable, carrying pouch, warranty and instructions