Audio-Technica ATH-M40x vs Bose 700
The Verdict
Audio-Technica's ATH-M40x and Bose's 700 serve fundamentally different purposes. The ATH-M40x is a professional studio monitor headphone with a flat, neutral frequency response ideal for mixing, mastering, and critical listening. Its 40mm drivers deliver accurate sound reproduction, and the 240g weight keeps fatigue minimal during extended sessions. Being wired-only eliminates battery concerns, making it reliable for studio work. However, it lacks any noise cancellation or wireless capability. The Bose 700 is a lifestyle headphone designed for everyday use and travel. It weighs 250g, features 11 adjustable ANC levels, and delivers 20 hours of battery life with ANC enabled. The multipoint Bluetooth pairing, eight-microphone system, and built-in voice assistants add modern convenience features absent from the ATH-M40x. Sound signature differs significantly: Bose prioritizes comfort and consumer-friendly audio tuning over flat response. At nearly four times the price ($379 vs $99), the Bose justifies premium positioning through wireless freedom, active noise cancellation, and feature richness. Choose the ATH-M40x if you need accurate studio monitoring; choose the Bose 700 if you want wireless convenience and noise cancellation for mobile listening.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Audio-Technica ATH-M40x if…
- →Flatter, more neutral tuning than the M50x — preferred by some engineers
- →Excellent value at $99 for professional-grade monitoring
- →Lightweight at 240 g for comfortable extended mixing sessions
Buy the Bose 700 if…
- →Best call quality on any over-ear headphone thanks to the 8-mic system
- →Highly customizable ANC with 11 discrete levels
- →Premium stainless steel build feels genuinely luxurious
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Pros
- Flatter, more neutral tuning than the M50x — preferred by some engineers
- Excellent value at $99 for professional-grade monitoring
- Lightweight at 240 g for comfortable extended mixing sessions
- Foldable and portable with detachable cables
- Reliable build quality trusted by studios globally
Cons
- Wired only — no wireless option
- Bass response is intentionally restrained — not for bass lovers
- Ear pads are thin and may need replacement for comfort
- Plastic build feels less premium than metal competitors
- No carrying case included
Bose 700
Pros
- Best call quality on any over-ear headphone thanks to the 8-mic system
- Highly customizable ANC with 11 discrete levels
- Premium stainless steel build feels genuinely luxurious
- Multipoint Bluetooth and broad voice assistant support
- Elegant, minimal design that looks great
Cons
- No aptX or LDAC — limited to AAC and SBC codecs
- 20-hour battery life is shorter than Sony and JBL rivals
- Headband can cause hotspot pressure on the top of the head
- Expensive compared to competition offering similar ANC
Full Specifications
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-M40x | Bose 700 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | ||
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 240 g | 250 g |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | N/A (wired) | 20 hrs (ANC on) |
| Charging | N/A | USB-C, 15-min quick charge for 3.5 hrs playback |
| Drivers | 40mm large-aperture dynamic driver | — |
| Features | Flat, neutral frequency response for accurate monitoring, 40mm drivers with rare earth magnets and copper-clad aluminum wire, 90-degree swiveling ear cups, 2 detachable cables included, Foldable for portability, Circumaural design | 11 levels of adjustable ANC, 4 levels of Transparency (Ambient) mode, 8-microphone system for best-in-class call quality, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bose AR built-in, Multipoint Bluetooth pairing, Stainless steel headband with fold-flat design |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired option | ||
| Codecs | AAC, SBC | |
| Bluetooth | None (wired only) | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | ||
| Water Resistance | None | None |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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