If you want a wired studio-style monitor headphone with a closed-back, isolating fit and enhanced low-end for tracking, gaming and long listening sessions — including use as extra bass gaming headphones for running on a treadmill or indoor track — choose Audio-Technica ATH-M20x; if you need a lighter, foldable everyday headphone with an inline remote and mic for calls and portable listening, choose Sennheiser HD 400S.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — biggest strength: 40 mm dynamic drivers tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance, wrapped in a circumaural (around-the-ear) closed-back design that contours around the ears for strong isolation and minimal bleed.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20x — biggest trade-off: It's a straight-cable studio tool. The 3.0 m (9.8') straight cable exits the left side, there's no inline mic or remote, and the impedance is a higher 47 ohm, so it wants a bit more from a weak source.
• Sennheiser HD 400S — biggest strength: Everyday convenience. A one-button inline smart remote handles play/pause, track skipping and calls, and the folding headband collapses for travel.
• Sennheiser HD 400S — biggest trade-off: Its 32 mm, 18-ohm drivers are voiced for balanced everyday listening rather than studio monitoring, and the jack is a 2.5 mm connection.
• Who the Audio-Technica is for: Anyone who prioritizes isolation, low-end weight and a durable studio-monitor build for tracking, mixing or gaming.
• Who the Sennheiser is for: Commuters, call-takers and travelers who want a light, packable on-the-go headphone with built-in controls.
The ATH-M20x is built around one idea: get a believable monitoring sound into a closed-back, over-ear frame without overcomplicating it. The 40 mm dynamic drivers use rare-earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum voice coils, and Audio-Technica tunes them for enhanced low-frequency performance. The frequency range runs 15 Hz to 20,000 Hz, so there's real sub-bass extension on paper — useful for beat-driven music, game soundtracks and anything where you want to feel the low end rather than just hear it. Sensitivity is rated at 96 dB and impedance at 47 ohm, which is an easy enough load for a phone or laptop, but it rewards a slightly stronger source.
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-10-09 · 7 min read · Independent comparison
The circumaural design contours around the ears instead of pressing on them. That matters for two reasons: isolation and comfort. Because the pads surround the ear and the cups are closed-back, ambient noise gets pushed down, and the seal keeps your audio from bleeding out. If you're in a noisy room, a shared space or a busy household, that combination is the whole point. It's also why this pair works well for gaming — the isolation and the low-end tuning line up with what you want from footsteps, explosions and sustained bass lines.
Comfort is helped by the lightweight build: 210 g without the cable and connector, plus a headband and ear pads made with professional-grade materials. Extended sessions are realistic.
Who should skip it? If you need to take calls, change tracks without touching your phone, or ball the headphone up in a backpack, this isn't the design for you. The 3.0 m straight cable is long and purposeful — great at a desk or across a room, awkward on a bus. There's no inline remote or mic. And the 3.5 mm jack means small devices are fine, but you'll want the included 6.3 mm (1/4") snap-on adapter for studio gear.
The HD 400S takes the opposite approach: make a closed-back over-ear headphone that disappears into your day. The 32 mm transducers run 18 ohm impedance and a 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz range, and Sennheiser describes the tuning as balanced — clear mids, detailed highs, controlled bass. That's a signature aimed at enjoyable everyday listening rather than analytical monitoring. Low impedance means it's easy to drive from a phone or laptop without asking much of the source.
The conveniences are the real story. A one-button inline smart remote lets you play, pause, skip tracks and take calls without reaching for your device. The closed-back, around-ear design uses ergonomically shaped ear pads to reduce ambient noise — passive noise cancellation rather than active electronics. And the folding headband collapses so the whole thing packs down for commuting, travel or everyday carry. At 7.65 ounces it's a lightweight, comfortable fit that Sennheiser positions for long listening sessions at home or on the go.
Construction is plastic, the earpieces are round, and the jack is 2.5 mm. Sennheiser backs it with a 2-year manufacturer warranty, and the company leans on its long engineering history in the description — a reasonable signal of build intent, though not a spec.
Who should skip it? If your priority is maximum isolation, studio-grade durability or heavy sub-bass, this isn't the tool. The passive noise reduction is real but it's a fit-and-pads effect, not active cancellation. And 32 mm drivers with a balanced tune won't deliver the low-end weight the ATH-M20x is explicitly tuned for.
• Best for maximum sound isolation → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. The circumaural closed-back design is explicitly built to contour around the ears and block loud environments.
• Best for low-end weight → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. 40 mm drivers tuned for enhanced low-frequency performance, with a 15 Hz low end.
• Best for calls and track control → Sennheiser HD 400S. The one-button inline smart remote handles music and calls without touching your phone.
• Best for portability → Sennheiser HD 400S. The folding headband collapses; the Audio-Technica has a fixed 3.0 m straight cable.
• Best for easy driving from a phone → Sennheiser HD 400S. 18 ohm versus 47 ohm is a meaningful difference on weak sources.
• Best for studio tracking and mixing → Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. It's designed for exactly that, and includes a 6.3 mm snap-on adapter for pro gear.
• Best for long wear comfort → a tie, for different reasons. The ATH-M20x is 210 g with professional-grade pads; the HD 400S is 7.65 ounces with soft ergonomic pads.
• Best for a lightweight, packable travel companion → Sennheiser HD 400S.
If you're hunting for the best USB-C charging on-ear headphones for running, note that neither of these is a wireless, USB-C-charging model — both are wired. And if you specifically want noise cancelling gaming headphones for running, understand that both rely on passive isolation, not active noise cancellation. That's worth knowing before you buy.
In my opinion, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x is the better buy for most people reading a comparison like this — especially if the job is isolation, low-end presence and a build meant for tracking, mixing and gaming, including indoor running on a treadmill where the closed-back seal keeps your audio in and the room out. I'd pick the Sennheiser HD 400S only if portability and inline call control matter more to you than isolation and bass weight. Both are wired, both carry a 2-year warranty, and neither offers active noise cancellation — so decide based on fit, cable and controls, not marketing. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit.
FAQ
Is the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x better than the Sennheiser HD 400S?
Can I use either of these for running?
Both are wired over-ear designs, so they're best suited to indoor running — a treadmill or indoor track — rather than outdoor runs where a long straight cable and a loose fit get in the way. Neither has a USB-C charging system or active noise cancellation.
No. It uses passive noise cancellation — the closed-back around-ear fit and ergonomic ear pads reduce ambient noise. That's a physical seal, not active electronics. The ATH-M20x works the same way via its circumaural design.
Both are built for extended wear. The ATH-M20x is 210 g without the cable and uses professional-grade ear pad material. The HD 400S is 7.65 ounces with soft pads and a secure fit. The real difference is the cable and controls, not the padding.
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