Short answer: the HyperX Cloud Alpha. Both are rated 3.3/5 for sound quality (#93 and #94 of 134 over-ear headphones), and the HyperX Cloud Alpha costs $44.99 against $58 for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
What the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x does well: The response is gentle in the midrange, with upper mids within about half a dB of target, so voices sit naturally. The tradeoff: Sub-bass under 60 Hz is about 7 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drums lack rumble.
The case for the HyperX Cloud Alpha: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 4 dB above the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, which gives kick drums and bass guitar extra weight for games and pop. The tradeoff: Treble is uneven, with a 4.6 dB peak near 8 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sharp and a 5.8 dB dip near 4 kHz that pulls vocals slightly back.
Buy the HyperX Cloud Alpha. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $13.01 less than the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | HyperX Cloud Alpha | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $58.00 | $44.99 |
| Ranked | #94 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #93 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.08 dB standard deviation | 2.80 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Impedance | 47 ohms | 65 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) | 0.7 lbs (298 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 13Hz - 27kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Built-in Microphone | - | Yes |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How HyperX Cloud Alpha compares with other leading options:
- HyperX Cloud Alpha vs Sony WH-CH510
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X vs FiiO FT1
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Sony WH-CH510
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Anker Soundcore Space One
Prices on this page were last checked October 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: $58.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The response is gentle in the midrange, with upper mids within about half a dB of target, so voices sit naturally. Closed backs, a 47 ohm impedance and 96 dB sensitivity let it run from a phone or laptop, and at 190 g it is a light wired headphone.
Cons: Sub-bass under 60 Hz is about 7 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drums lack rumble. A 12.8 dB dip near 5.6 kHz and presence about 8 dB low make vocals and snare detail recede, and treble stays dull overall, which suits warm tastes but loses sparkle.
Full Audio-Technica ATH-M20x review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2014 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.08 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 47 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.8 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.8 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,496 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.94 |
| Peak | 4,437 Hz | +7.7 dB | 1.40 |
| Peak | 76 Hz | -7.0 dB | 0.88 |
| Peak | 2,559 Hz | -3.1 dB | 1.82 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -0.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 248 Hz | +2.8 dB | 2.38 |
| Peak | 137 Hz | -1.6 dB | 2.05 |
| Peak | 76 Hz | +0.9 dB | 2.36 |
| Peak | 49 Hz | -0.7 dB | 2.58 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
HyperX Cloud Alpha: $44.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Bass from 60 to 200 Hz sits about 4 dB above the Harman target in oratory1990’s measurement, which gives kick drums and bass guitar extra weight for games and pop. The closed 50mm driver at 98 dB sensitivity and 65 ohms runs easily from a phone or console controller, and the built-in microphone suits voice chat.
Cons: Treble is uneven, with a 4.6 dB peak near 8 kHz that can make cymbals and sibilants sharp and a 5.8 dB dip near 4 kHz that pulls vocals slightly back. Air above 10 kHz runs about 4 dB hot, adding a hint of fizz on top of the warm tilt.
Full HyperX Cloud Alpha review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2017 (9 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.80 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 50mm dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 13Hz - 27kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 66 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 65 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 98 dB SPL/mW |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.87 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.7 lbs (298 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.3 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 104 Hz | -5.9 dB | 0.23 |
| Peak | 733 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.92 |
| Peak | 4,324 Hz | +6.7 dB | 2.87 |
| Peak | 6,110 Hz | -3.0 dB | 3.21 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -5.6 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 41 Hz | -0.4 dB | 2.00 |
| Peak | 159 Hz | +0.5 dB | 3.01 |
| Peak | 212 Hz | -0.5 dB | 3.66 |
| Peak | 1,964 Hz | +0.5 dB | 4.33 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons