Short answer: the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. It ranks #94 of 134 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.3/5, at $58; the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro ranks #97, rated 3.2/5, and costs $89.98, so there is little reason to consider the other one.
The case for the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x: The response is gentle in the midrange, with upper mids within about half a dB of target, so voices sit naturally. Watch for: Sub-bass under 60 Hz is about 7 dB below target, so deep synth bass and kick drums lack rumble.
What the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro does well: Sub-bass is about 4 dB above target while mid and upper bass are right on it, so low notes gain depth without muddiness. The catch: A 8 dB dip near 4.2 kHz and presence about 5 dB low push vocals and snare attack back, and treble above 6 kHz also runs 4 dB low.
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro and costs less, so it is the default pick unless a specific strength of the other one matters more to you.
Want more options? Browse the full Headphones rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | Sennheiser HD 280 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $58.00 | $89.98 |
| Ranked | #94 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones | #97 of 134 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 65 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.08 dB standard deviation | 2.55 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.71 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Closed | Closed |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Drivers | 1 x 40mm dynamic | - |
| Impedance | 47 ohms | 64 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 96 dB | 113 dB SPL |
| Weight | 0.4 lbs (190 g) | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
| Frequency Response | 15Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 8Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
Related Headphone Comparisons
How Audio-Technica ATH-M20x compares with other leading options:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M20x vs HyperX Cloud Alpha
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Sony WH-CH510
- Sennheiser HD 280 Pro vs Anker Soundcore Space One
- Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X vs Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
- Sony WH-CH510 vs HyperX Cloud II
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
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro: $89.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Sub-bass is about 4 dB above target while mid and upper bass are right on it, so low notes gain depth without muddiness. The closed back isolates well for monitoring and tracking, and 113 dB sensitivity makes the 64 ohm driver easy to power from a phone. It weighs 285 g.
Cons: A 8 dB dip near 4.2 kHz and presence about 5 dB low push vocals and snare attack back, and treble above 6 kHz also runs 4 dB low. The result is dark and a little veiled, with less air and sparkle than the target. It is wired only and has no built-in microphone listed.
Full Sennheiser HD 280 Pro review and specifications →
| Released | 2003 (23 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Closed |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 2.55 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 8Hz - 25kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 64 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 64 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 113 dB SPL |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.16 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 0.6 lbs (285 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -5.8 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 | -4.2 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 475 Hz | -2.1 dB | 0.42 |
| Peak | 3,946 Hz | +5.9 dB | 1.82 |
| Peak | 77 Hz | +4.7 dB | 2.17 |
| Peak | 41 Hz | -3.0 dB | 1.35 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | +3.0 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 126 Hz | -3.7 dB | 3.71 |
| Peak | 178 Hz | +2.3 dB | 3.81 |
| Peak | 101 Hz | +2.7 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 7,834 Hz | +1.1 dB | 3.95 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons