Where they actually differ
The most decisive specs, ranked by how much they matter — before the full spec table.
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Sennheiser - MD 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Max SPL | 148 dB | 157 dB |
Between the BP40 and MD 445, the BP40 comes out ahead in several specs, while the MD 445 wins on max spl. Overall, the BP40 scores 65.7 and the MD 445 scores 73.9 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The MD 445 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 8.2 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
The BP40 does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
Pick the MD 445 if you care most about max spl. Its strongest claims are max spl. The single most decisive one: Max SPL — 6.08% more. 157 dB vs 148 dB.
Both ship with comparable type, connection, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the MD 445 is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Which should you buy: Audio-Technica - BP40 or Sennheiser - MD 445?
Sennheiser - MD 445 leads the current Mars Score by 8.2 points.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare max spl against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Audio-Technica - BP40 if…
Audio-Technica - BP40 does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Sennheiser - MD 445 if…
Sennheiser - MD 445 has the measurable edge on max spl db.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Audio-Technica - BP40 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Sennheiser - MD 445 wins
- ▲Max SPL — 6.08% more. 157 dB vs 148 dB.
Spec comparison
Spec
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Sennheiser - MD 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Polar pattern | Hypercardioid | Supercardioid |
| Frequency response | 50Hz–16kHz | 40Hz–20kHz |
| Max SPL | 148 dB | 157 dBlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Audio-Technica - BP40 | Sennheiser - MD 445 |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | XLR | XLR |
| Headphone out | false | false |