Get the truth behind the affordable M-AUDIO HDH40 headphones in this thorough review. Sound, comfort, build, and who should consider them.

M-AUDIO HDH40 Headphone Review: A Real Budget Option?

Introduction

Affordable headphones like the M-AUDIO HDH40 are everywhere—often bundled with electronic instruments or found on practice racks in music stores. But are these budget mainstays good enough for critical listening, or just a fallback for low expectations? Read on for a transparent, fact-based review grounded in real test data.

Build and Ergonomics

Out of the box, the HDH40 is classic budget fare: all-plastic, light on features, but surprisingly durable for its price. Adjustment is good with plenty of expansion for various head sizes, and the soft pleather earpads and band offer a comfortable fit for most. Clamping force is moderate, and isolation is sufficient for home use. The straight, attached cable is sturdy, though the lack of a detachable option means you’re out of luck if it snags or fails.

Sound Quality

Frequency Response

Objective graph comparisons show good accuracy in the bass, but major under-representation in the upper range—especially above 4.5kHz. This results in a tone that’s dulled on the top, with clouded detail in vocals and cymbals. While the bass and lower mids carry the signal well, those who crave sparkle or air will be disappointed.

Music, Speech, and Gaming

The HDH40 delivers a punchy, accurately controlled bass that’s well-handled for a headphone in this price range. However, the treble roll-off results in a muffled sound, lacking the clarity and “air” required for mixing or analytic listening. For casual listeners or those highly sensitive to harshness, this may actually be a benefit.

When tested with vocals and spoken word, similar deficiencies in mid-to-high detail are apparent. Speech intelligibility is average, and sibilance is greatly tamed (sometimes too much).

Gaming: The closed-back design and subdued top end do help reduce fatigue, but the limited soundstage and subdued cues result in an “average” experience. Imaging is adequate for casual play but not competitive eSports.

Comfort and Usability

Long sessions are possible thanks to the soft pads and moderate clamp, but the limited earcup space could bother larger ears. They do run warm over time but not uncomfortably so for short periods.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Durable for a budget headphone
• Accurate, punchy bass for casual listening
• Comfortable enough for hours of use
• Good isolation for budget home recording

Cons:

• Muffled, underemphasized highs dull overall clarity
• Fixed (non-removable) cable
• Limited soundstage, average imaging
• Comfort issues for larger ears

Final Verdict

The M-AUDIO HDH40 is a decent all-purpose budget headphone for students, practice spaces, or listeners who want no-frills durability and gentle sound. If you’re mixing, producing, or want detail up top, you’ll need to look elsewhere. But for general listening (or environments with a lot of background noise), they’re a solid buy—just know their limits.