Why Is Audio-Technica Putting a Condenser Mic on Its $99 Studio Headphones?
Audio-Technica has taken one of its best-known affordable studio headphones and turned it into something aimed at a very different audience. The new ATH-M20xSTS combines the company’s ATH-M20x monitor headphone design with a dedicated condenser microphone, creating a headset designed for gamers, streamers and content creators who want better sound without having to buy a separate microphone.
The new headset keeps the familiar closed-back design of the professional ATH-M20x, but adds a flexible boom-mounted microphone and connections designed to work with computers, game consoles and mobile devices.
The ATH-M20x becomes a gaming headset
At the heart of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xSTS are 40mm CCAW full-range dynamic drivers. Audio-Technica says they are designed to deliver a neutral frequency response while retaining the detailed presentation and strong low-frequency response associated with the ATH-M20x.
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The closed elliptical earcups also provide passive isolation, which could be particularly useful for gamers and streamers who need to concentrate on what’s happening in their game or monitor audio while recording.
Despite the studio-monitoring heritage, the headset remains relatively light at around 230 grams.
The microphone is the big difference
The most important change is the addition of an AT20 cardioid condenser microphone. Rather than relying on the small microphone typically found on gaming headsets, Audio-Technica has fitted the ATH-M20xSTS with a dedicated condenser microphone mounted on a flexible boom arm.
The cardioid pickup pattern is designed to focus on the user’s voice while reducing unwanted sound from around the room. The boom also moves with the headset, helping keep the microphone at a consistent distance from the mouth even when the user moves their head.
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There is also a particularly simple mute function. Lift the microphone boom upward and the microphone is muted, making it possible to silence the mic without reaching for software controls.
Audio-Technica wants it to work with almost anything
The ATH-M20xSTS uses a detachable cable with a four-pin 3.5mm TRRS connector. Audio-Technica includes adapters for both USB Type-A and USB Type-C, allowing the headset to be connected to a wide range of devices.
That means the same headset can be used with a computer, gaming console, or compatible mobile device without requiring a separate audio interface.
The detachable cable is also a welcome touch for anyone who spends a lot of time gaming or streaming. If the cable eventually becomes damaged, it can be replaced rather than forcing the entire headset to be replaced.
Built for long gaming and streaming sessions
Comfort is another area Audio-Technica has addressed. The ATH-M20xSTS comes with breathable mesh earpads intended to improve ventilation around the ears during longer sessions.
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That’s important for a headset aimed at streamers and gamers, where sessions can easily stretch for several hours. The combination of relatively low weight, closed elliptical earcups, and breathable pads is clearly intended to make the ATH-M20xSTS more suitable for extended use than a conventional studio headphone.
A studio headphone with a built-in microphone
What makes the ATH-M20xSTS interesting is that Audio-Technica hasn’t started with a typical gaming headset and tried to make it sound more professional. Instead, it has taken the company’s existing monitoring headphone platform and added a microphone and gaming-friendly connectivity.
That could make it an appealing option for someone who wants the more serious appearance and sound of a studio headphone but doesn’t want a microphone sitting separately on their desk.
The price is also important. Audio-Technica says the ATH-M20xSTS will go on sale September 1 for $99 / €99.
At that price, it enters a competitive part of the headset market, but the combination of 40mm dynamic drivers, a dedicated condenser microphone, a detachable cable and USB-A/USB-C connectivity gives the new Audio-Technica an interesting proposition.
For gamers, streamers and content creators who want to move beyond a basic gaming headset without building a complete microphone-and-headphone setup, the ATH-M20xSTS could be one of Audio-Technica’s more interesting affordable releases.
