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We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a lightweight, cable-replaceable in-ear monitor that seals out a loud stage or a noisy commute, choose BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear; if you need flat, accurate over-ear monitoring for tracking and mixing, choose Audio-Technica ATH-M40x.
• BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear — biggest strength: Hybrid dual dynamic drivers in a tiny in-ear shell, with two detachable MMCX cables and up to 25 dB of noise isolation from the silicone sleeves.
• BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear — biggest trade-off: It's a wired in-ear only. No wireless, no over-ear cup isolation, and the bass-forward tuning isn't flat.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M40x — biggest strength: Tuned flat across a 15 Hz – 24 kHz range with 40 mm drivers, plus 90° swiveling earcups for one-ear monitoring.
• Audio-Technica ATH-M40x — biggest trade-off: It's a bulkier over-ear that's wired only, and it needs a 1/4" adapter for some studio gear.
• Who each pick is for: The BASN is for musicians and commuters who want a secure, sealed in-ear. The M40x is for studio work where accuracy matters more than size.
The BASN Bsinger PRO is built around one idea: get a real monitor seal inside your ear and keep it there. The soft silicone sleeves block up to 25 dB of ambient noise, and the over-ear memory wire hooks hold the housing in place so it doesn't shift when you move. If you've ever had a bud pop out mid-set or mid-walk, that ergonomic over-ear routing is the fix. The package is also unusually complete for an in-ear: two detachable MMCX cables, a 6.3 mm stereo plug, a portable case, six pairs of silicone eartips in single- and double-layer styles, a cleaning tool, and a shirt clip.
Sound-wise, BASN uses hybrid dual dynamic drivers and a tuned vent, and the company describes the result as a warmer, richer low end with natural vocals and instruments. The rated impedance is 18 ohm and the frequency range is 20 Hz – 20 kHz, so it's easy to drive straight from a phone or a small interface. The 360-degree gold-plated MMCX connectors mean you can rotate each earpiece for fit and swap the cable if it wears out, which is a real long-term advantage over sealed-cable earphones.
Who should buy it: performers who need isolation on a loud stage, drummers, worship and bar-band players, and anyone who wants a sealed in-ear for commuting, the gym, or noisy open-plan offices. The remote and in-line media/call controls plus the mic-equipped version make it practical for phone calls too.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x: Who It's For
The ATH-M40x is a purpose-built studio monitor. Its 40 mm drivers use rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire voice coils, and Audio-Technica tunes them flat for accurate monitoring across a 15 Hz – 24 kHz range at 98 dB sensitivity. That flat tuning is the whole point: when you're setting levels, panning, or checking whether a mix translates, you want the headphone to add as little character of its own as possible. The extended low end down to 15 Hz also means you can actually hear what's happening in the sub-bass region.
The physical design is what separates it from an in-ear. The circumaural cups contour around your ears rather than pressing into the canal, which gives strong isolation with minimal bleed — useful when you're tracking a vocalist with a mic open in the room. The 90° swiveling earcups let you flip one side off for one-ear monitoring, a genuinely handy feature when you're cueing a take or checking room sound. Professional-grade earpad and headband material is there for long sessions, and the whole thing collapses for transport. You get a coiled cable (3.9 to 9.8 ft), a straight cable (9.8 ft), a 1/4" screw-on adapter, and a carrying pouch.
Who should buy it: home-studio producers, podcast and voiceover editors, mixing and tracking engineers, and anyone who wants one reliable wired reference pair for critical listening. It also works fine for plain music listening if you like a neutral signature.
Who should skip it: if you want something pocketable, sweat-resistant, or wireless, look elsewhere. It's over-ear and wired, and the flat tuning means it won't flatter bass-heavy genres the way a consumer headphone would.
• Best for on-stage monitoring with maximum isolation → BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear (up to 25 dB of blocking from the silicone sleeves and over-ear fit).
• Best for flat, accurate mixing reference → Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (tuned flat, 15 Hz – 24 kHz).
• Best for one-ear cueing while recording → Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (90° swiveling earcups).
• Best for cable longevity and repairability → BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear (two detachable MMCX cables, replaceable).
• Best for bass weight and a warmer, richer low end → BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear (hybrid dual dynamic drivers).
• Best for long editing sessions with glasses or ear fatigue → Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (circumaural over-ear fit, professional-grade earpads).
• Best for portability → BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear (tiny shell, case included, shirt clip).
• Best for sub-bass detail down low → Audio-Technica ATH-M40x (rated to 15 Hz vs 20 Hz).
• Best for phone calls on the go → BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear (in-line remote with mic and media controls).
In my opinion, most people reading this should get the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. Flat tuning, swiveling cups, and a 15 Hz – 24 kHz range make it the more honest tool for mixing, tracking, and critical listening, and the over-ear design handles long sessions better. I'd only steer you to the BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear if isolation and portability are your priorities — if you perform live, want a sealed in-ear, or need something that survives being shoved in a gig bag. If you can only own one, pick based on whether your job is hearing the truth (M40x) or hearing it while the room is screaming at you (BASN).
FAQ
The BASN Bsinger PRO in-Ear comes with an in-line remote that includes mic and media/call controls, so you can verify the mic by placing a call or recording a voice memo and listening back. The Audio-Technica ATH-M40x is a monitoring headphone with no built-in mic, so it isn't designed for calls.
Start with the jack: the BASN uses a 3.5 mm plug and includes a 6.3 mm stereo plug for larger gear, while the M40x ships with a 3.5 mm connection plus a 1/4" screw-on adapter. Then confirm fit — the BASN needs a proper eartip seal to reach its rated isolation, and the M40x needs the cups seated fully over your ears.
Both can be used in a studio, but for different jobs. The ATH-M40x is tuned flat across 15 Hz – 24 kHz, which suits mixing and tracking reference. The BASN is a monitor-tuned in-ear with a warmer low end — better for performers who need isolation than for making EQ decisions.
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See also: Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs HIFIXAUDIO Kiwi Ears Halcyon, BASN Bsinger BC100 vs Holiper Dual Driver, Ainostone Transmitter Receiver 3-in-1 vs ACEFAST AceFit Pro Open-Ear