Modded ATH-M40X (or M50X) review - fixing the cable, sound, & comfort 

I like that little adapter mod a lot, nice job.

I use a set of these for my home studio....you offered some legitimately good suggestions...thanks....and I agree....the folding aspect annoys me, as well.

GREAT tips. That transformation to headset... Thanks :)

Got the Phillips X2hr's a few weeks ago and I love em, they have a great sound stage and detail and they're fun but not over the top. I also got the 2.5mm adapter you mentioned because I wanted to use something closed back for competitive gaming and my wall ac is incredibly loud with open back headphones. I tried using my QC 35s wired, but jeez they lack so much clarity it just bugged me. So here goes with the m40x's on Tuesday! I'll get the pads later if I really like them. You described my exact use case so I'm hyped!

i managed to break the hinge on my pair of m40x's with one handed removals so watch out for that. Also i got modmic for usability, and ill manage with the stock cushions for now.

I completely agree with you on the situation with the foam pads, in fact, I will be replacing mine as per your recommendation. About the cable, I am just not so sure. I mean the stock cable is great. I prefer the coiled one personally because I am taking them often with me on the go. They are a bit costly to replace, but I think it is going to last a while and when the need will arise, I will gladly spend some money on this nice cable. I mean its thickness with its flexibility and also the protection against flex-wear near the ends of the cable are all the properties of choice for a high-quality cable. Also, I feel like there is something reassuring about having the lock mechanism when you are on the go. You could argue, that a standalone headphone jack could act as a fail-safe against a sudden pull (the cable gets caught somewhere, on an armrest on a chair while you are progressing into the bus for example).

Very informative. Thanks! I might do the headphone jack mod in the future. Over time, I've noticed with my m40x's that the sound in the right ear sometimes cuts out slightly when I turn my head which is INCREDIBLY annoying in competitive games like R6 Siege or PUBG where sound is extremely important.

hey clean mod easy to do ! good to know thanks man ! ..btw detachable cables start with the m40x's !)

Really great video thanks 🙏🙏

You gave me some ideas, cheers

Thanks for this man!

I plan on adding mini XLR to my headphones when the ports start breaking. It isn't as easy, cheap, or common as 3.5, but they last a LOT longer.

How this compear to the Takstar pro 82? And which would you recomend?

I've done the 3.5mm mod, the vmoda, and had the angled brainwavz earpad (all of them is a good mod so far). One of the negatives of upgrading the pads to a thicker one is that the headband will straighten even more than it needs to. This will put pressure on the top of your head for longer periods of usage and it will create a stabbing pain. Solution: Buy an aftermarket HD 600 headband padding and attach it using zipties or glue or velcro. Thank me later.

I removed the locking part of the socket on my M40Xs but realised that the PCB part was only held in place by two small screws and decided that I had weakened the socket so I Dremelled off the two nubs on the locking part then reassembled it. I can now plug in my lead that has controls on it and the original leads also fit snugly but without the locking capability, I'm happy with that, I've f***ed up many headphones by snagging the leads. Oh and I have just ordered a pair of Brainwavz pads. Thumbs up.

great headphones collection

Hi, really great video. I bought by mistake an Audio Technica replacement cable (I have Soundcore headphones). The problem is that I have a new cable that is not compatible whatsoever. What would you recommend me to do? Buy a new cable or an adaptor? Many thanks!

Yeah, I'll get these HM5 pads for my M50x's but stick to the stock cables for now. I dont see a reason to switch them. They work and have a locking mechanism.

I have the M40Xmodel and also hated the folding Cans. So I came up with a cheap, easy, reversible fix that only takes a couple of minutes to do. All you need is 2 Zip ties. I used black ones that are about 5mm wide. Simply wrap and tighten the Zip around the exterior of the base of the U-shaped part of the Can where it connects to the Headband. Clip off the excess plastic from the Zip tie. That will prevent the the Cans from flipping around. Being black, the Zip ties are nearly invisible and look like part of the Headphones. I also found that the foam on the Headband was uncomfortable - it felt like the foam was hard and its edge was cutting into by head. Waiting for the foam to "break in" for a couple of weeks didn't work, even with extensive use. I solved this be getting a wooden dowel with about a 1/2-3/4 inch diameter, and rolled it over the foam to soften it. BUT, BE CAREFUL. That is probably "faux leather" on the headband and could be easy to tear or damage. I was gentle, and didn't have any problems, and my headband is now comfortable.

The cable can be fixed if you have basic soldering skills, you can easily solder on a normal 3.5mm jack onto the cable you don't want, and using that method you can use any length 3.5mm cable you want. But i can see how buying the adaptor could be a cleaner solution.

+1 for wire tips...I would definitely do it at some point of time for my ath-m50x which came last night. I am in the thought to replace it with ath-40x though.

Did you (or has anyone) ever figured out how to keep them from folding? I use mine exclusively at my workstation, so I never need to fold them to make them more portable, and same thing, the dang things are always snapping closed when I move them around. I fear that if they break, it will be because of the way they snap shut more than anything else.

That adapter mod is GENIUS!!! Ill save this video and ill share it to some AT owners I got some headphones on the way that use the same dumb cable, ill check if it has the same locking system (Theyre ISK MDH-9000/Marantz MPH-2/ Akai 50x/Stellar Labs HC-5985/Freeboss MDH-9000/ Lyxpro HAS-30/Neewer NW-9000/Tascam TH-7. A lot of brands re-sell these haha)

What are the better Headphones you refering to at the end of this video? Eventually with more Bass?!

Do you actually need a 2.5 to 3.5 converter after removing the lock or will a 2.5 with 3.5 cable work directly?

Thank u very very very much

Perfect. I making volume regulator cable 25cm in the middle.

So why not get the angled brainwavz?

Great review, i have owned m40x for 3 years, i didn't know about the jack simple mod its cool, the problem with this headset is the hinge breaks.. i bought my pair when i was traveling in the US... i have found replacment hinges for like 13$... but its not worth it to order from the US ... maybe i should try fixing them with 3D printed parts. If you ever get a chance to do a video on such mod it would be appreciated.

Do you know how to make the clamping force much tighter on m40x? I have them sometime, I changed the pads with ZMF cowhides but still they are loose, any idea? As for the cable, It didn't bother me at all, It's lightweight, the things I wish m40x had is more increased sub-bass and less sound leakage at high volumes..

Nice review Billy Corgan!

Wow, super easy mod. Just did it to mine...thanks!

6:44 well thats probably part of it, but I imagine the locking mechanism is a big part of it too. I do like the guarantee that the cable is quality. And im not going to open up my headphones. But there are people who make adapters, they cost like $6. They take forever to ship but its an option that doesnt involve opening up the headphones which im a fan of. 10:30 they did!

I found the links to the parts, however, the plug that comes with the headset has 2 bands, and the adapter has 3 bands. Does this make any difference?

modded DT990, M40X or X2HR with Boom Pro? What would you recommend nowadays?

I mean you can now get adapters for the aux cable..... I don't know if it's of use to you now but I thought I'd let you know

YO GREAT VIDEO BRO VERY HELPFUL FOR MY M50xs THNX

You say there's better headphones for your money; which are your recommendations? Because i heard M40x at a music instrument store and actually liked them. That doesn't happen a lot. In the interim they got pretty expensive though. In the last 3+ years, there's no way to get them under 130 EUR. I did manage to find beaten up used ones, but... well now i have to replace the pads and make a new headband.

Great video!!! Had I not seen this, my ATH M50X would still be living a sad and lonely life inside my drawer. Got my Brainwavz earpads in red velour in the mail today - super comfortable and encompass my entire ear, even with glasses. Also got the V-Moda boom mic, really impressed with the audio quality!

Great Video. Very informational and well executed.

HEy JDM this was an awesome video on the mods .! WOw I thought it was just me who thought the cable sucked.Good work keep it up bro

Hi I just bought a pair of AT 40x, my Fiio k3 dac has a 2.5mm balanced output option, have you ever tried or found a 2.5mm to 2.5mm balanced cable, Can't seem to find one online, Cheers k

I don’t think they offer light gray/white color pads anymore?

I personally really like the beats aux cables for the length and quality

what a pity that your video is cut, I couldn´t see what you have below the edge below the video! About your mod with the cable, why you didn´t use a good glue to glue it from the inside to keep it firm to the can? ! Thank you for the video though!

anyone know where can i get the cable mount lock? I lost mine and wanted to put it on back.

I've modded the M50x like this, and ever since I've been getting a high pitch tone which forces me to use Acoustic Echo Cancellation, lowering the quality of the boompro. Anyone had this issue?

This is really clever. I’m saving this video for future reference. PS, I have to ask you I have a pair of Sony Bluetooth WM 1000 headphones from two years ago. The pads are pretty awful. They’re too small and they pinch my ears. They get extremely hot and sweaty. And they’re not thick enough. Have you ever had any experience modding these?

Hi Thanks for awesome Video I had a query I tried the mod and I am getting audio in only left side no audio on right side any idea how to resolve the same?

hey does someone know a good alternative to this microphone in international sites like aliexpress, shopee and bangood? I'm not from USA, the shipment costs are way too expensive buying directly at amazon.

The "folding" complaint seems like a massive stretch. I use only as at home, at my desk headphones and never had any issue with them folding too much or whatever.

I've been trying to solve a problem for a few years now. Mine has the 2.5 mm female connector on it already. I have a Bluetooth adapter that has a 3.5 mm female on it that I'd like to clip to the headband of the headphone. Then I only need a cable that's about 6 inches long. I'm having a very hard time finding a cable that has these specifications. I'd also like to have a right angles on each end if possible but not necessary. My Bluetooth adapter is very high quality and thats why I don't want the one made for these headphones.

Can you send me the link for those in the Brainwavzsite, your link has expired, and they have a lot of options there

m20 and 30s dont have removable cables, Pad mods should work though.

Hey man, I cant decide if the m40x are good for me, I want these to listen music in my computer and on the go, does the m40x works right with mobile devices? I have a Xiaomi, I know that the impedance is 34 ohms, and the recommended is 32, so what do you recommend? should I buy these?

I appreciate the work and effort that you put into this video, however if i have to purchase extra parts and modify to this extent, i might as well just buy a better pair of cans and come out on top, with no spending extra and mods.

someone on reddit said those ear pads from brainwavz caused a decrease in sound quality. I also tried wicked cushions pads and they took away all the bass. I’m scared to deal with this again since those pads you showed looked very similar to the pads i didn’t like.

Are the screws holding the locking mechanism in place the same size as the ones just underneath the cushion?

I see the adapter you used is TRRS. Doesn't it affect your stereo balance? 🧐

Why would we ad an adapter? Original cables that come with headphones are great, plus they lock which is a giantic plus.

I would love a link to the ear pads again doode, for me the old link is broken.

I got some of them brainwaves mem foam pads and they make a massive difference in sound quality. they are also more roomy and because my ears stick out a little more, they give the extra room.

is the headphone worth buying if i do not buy the pads?

Can we just connect a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter directly without removing the locking mechanism thing out?

Please help me decide on the following. The Takstar Pro 82s which I can get for 53£/68.80usd - The Status CB-1 for 69.18£/86.53usd Moonprice Moden Retro - 43£/54.69usd Sound Quality trumps all however if they are close in sound quality then comfort comes second.

You allude to the parts that you ordered for the cable modification. Could you give me the part number and source? I just got mine and am blown away by the quality of the phones. They replace an old pair of Philips. Wow! Thanks

Do you think this needs an amp of any sort? Like anyway to make it better sounding?

will the hm5 angled pads be good with these?

can anyone suggest me a good closed back headphone under $100 for music and gaming?

Do you or anyone else have a video demonstrating the mod to take the twist lock piece out? ... (Please? lol) Thanks for posting!

Super glue the locks like I did on mine 😆

I'm so glad I found this video before buying an Audio Technica

I would resist from opening the headphones under warranty. There are two way to fix a mic or another cable a) Do a DIY and cut/burn a groove into a third party cable. Compatible Bose QC25 cables with mic costing a few dollars would be ideal. Original Bose QC25 cables also work - they have thin plastic wrap around the 2.5 mm pin and plug in with a snug fit. No groove needed. b) alternately buy a third party cable with mic and a groove for 50X. There are plenty available.

I really don't understand why you would add a 2.5 to 3.5mm adapter unless both of the included cables broke on you and even so the replacement cables are like 11 USD with a locking mechanism and everything Meanwhile you eliminate the locking mechanism and also put an additional converter in place which is just another point of failure IMO I see no upside to this.

In the m40x, because the driver is angled, I prefer going to angled pads.

I've just got M40x. Love the sound signature. But for hearing footstep (pubg), Jabra Move is still better. Btw I've sold my shp9500 before. M40x better than shp9500 imo. *for competitive game like pubg. I recommended Jabra Move. It's on ear. Soundstage and imagine are great.

Why would somebody want to change the headphone plug size anyway what's the main purpose of that

tbh these earpads are nice but the foam could use some work from brainwaves besides that thanks for much for the guide!

Why would they make an adapter to use the stock locking system? That’s what you just removed

does teh cable make a difference to the sound?

awesome

Will replace the pad void warranty?

well you could buy a aftermarket cable so you dont have to open the cans but anyway both works great!

for the hm5 pads, is there a difference between the velour and pleather at all or down to preference?

Disclaimer! Probably lots of the comments say, but the m20Xs and M30Xs dont have removable cables.

Are these HM5 pads are angled or not?

jus tried disconnecting my cable on ath-m40x and its stuck . . smh

how to change those pads ?

how to bye same color pad

Would you be able to just plug the 3.5 adapter into the regular headphone jack or do you have to mod it in?

Yeah, the pad situation on the M50X is AWFUL. I'm glad I'm not the only one complaining, after about a year of not using mine after just 2 days of very light use the are already flaking. I did order an original replacement but I'm not sure I'm going to put up with this situation much longer. The Brainwavz pads do seem to have some awful reviews out there though (the ones made out of sheepskin leather). Especially their website and some of their deceptive practices. So I'm gonna try something different.

Audio- technica obviously knows that have a flaking issue with the head/ ear pads. Why don't they do something about it? Thats my question.

"3 things dont like Comfort, Sound and Usability" if it does not sound good or is not even comfortable why even buy edit: i dont have audio technica headphones

trying to find those same color pads lol cant find them

I see everyone saying that these are one of the best headphones out there. they are MAD uncomfortable , also the ESes are way too loud

Hey anybody that has done this do you think hot glue would keep the adapter in place

Guys, don't buy new pads for the m40x's, it absolutely destroyed the sound my headphones gave. The pads it comes with are equalized for it to sound good, as someone who wasted 20 bucks don't waste yours

Pads. HN5........can't find Rhodes

buy the 70

review the akg 553....