Earlier than Bluetooth and wi-fi headphones grew to become an enormous deal, Audio-Technica was a well-liked identify within the enterprise of wired client headphones. That is to not say that the Japanese model has misplaced its relevance, however a few of its new merchandise appear to rely closely on nostalgia and the confirmed credentials of a few of its common fashions from the previous decade, such because the M-series of monitor-grade studio headphones. The product I am reviewing right here is strictly that — a refreshed, Bluetooth-powered model of an previous favorite.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has been round for years, and was as soon as a very talked-about choose for its then-novel studio monitor sound at an inexpensive value. The corporate’s newest product is the wi-fi model of it. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is priced at Rs. 13,500 in India, giving nostalgic patrons an opportunity to expertise the distinctive sonic signature, however with the comfort of wi-fi connectivity. With a promise of 60 hours of battery life, multi-point connectivity, and elective wired connectivity, is that this the perfect wi-fi over-ear headset you should buy at round Rs. 15,000 proper now? Discover out on this assessment.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT options Bluetooth 5 for connectivity, however can be used as a wired headset
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is, fairly actually, a wi-fi model of the basic (and wired) Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. It appears and feels the identical for probably the most half, with a correct over-ear match, snug padding across the ears and on the scarf, and a steel body connecting the 2 ear cups. The design similarities additionally embrace the ‘ATH-M20x’ etched into the perimeters, the mild swivel for match adjustment, the telescopically adjusting headband, and the uncovered audio wires close to the scarf.
Accessible in a single black color (for now), the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT advantages from the extremely acquainted design and match of its predecessor. At 216g, the headphones do not weigh as a lot as you’d anticipate given the dimensions, and really feel gentle and cozy to put on with the padding across the ear cups fully protecting my ears.
I wasn’t too impressed with the standard of the passive noise isolation, with the padding merely not doing sufficient to cease exterior sound from getting in. The upside of this was that I did not have to take off the headphones to get some air as typically, with the match permitting an inexpensive quantity of air movement to my ears.
There are, after all, small variations within the design to accommodate the controls and buttons. These embrace the stereo socket for wired listening, a USB Kind-C port for charging, and three buttons to regulate playback and quantity, all positioned on the left aspect. Included within the gross sales package deal are a USB Kind-A to Kind-C charging cable and a stereo cable for wired connectivity, however sadly no carry case for the headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT makes use of Bluetooth 5 for major connectivity, with assist for the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. The headphones have 40mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response vary of 5 to 32,000Hz, a rated sensitivity of 100dB, and an impedance of 36Ohms. There’s a microphone on the M20xBT, so you need to use it as a hands-free headset.
The on-device buttons management energy, quantity, and playback on the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Usefully, there’s multi-point connectivity, so you may pair and join to 2 gadgets concurrently, with the headphones switching intelligently between the 2 primarily based on content material enjoying or calls obtained. There is no such thing as a energetic noise cancellation or app assist on the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT, and no wear-detection sensors as nicely, making it considerably under-equipped in comparison with competing choices from manufacturers reminiscent of Sony, JBL, and Sennheiser.
Though the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is unquestionably a bit low on options, it guarantees loads on the subject of crucial side — sound high quality. Pitched because the wi-fi model of the ATH-M20x, Audio-Technica claims to supply the identical sonic tuning, however with the comfort of wi-fi connectivity. I will not go so far as to say that the M20xBT sounds pretty much as good because the M20x for the apparent purpose that wired connectivity will all the time sound higher than Bluetooth, however the M20xBT does come pretty shut.
The place the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT positively provides a well-known listening expertise is within the sonic signature. It is the identical impartial, studio-friendly sound that made the M-series so common, giving frequencies throughout the vary loads of room to shine. This made for a good quantity of audible element within the sound, and the power to pinpoint faint components in tracks that tied in nicely with the concept of studio screens.
This was the case throughout genres and tracks, however the sonic signature and tonality of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT significantly suited slower, extra detail-oriented tracks. Listening to the wonderful Reality by Kamasi Washington, the ATH-M20xBT headphones was revealing and insightful past what most wi-fi headsets on this value vary can obtain.
The sluggish development of this jazz observe was partaking, with the headphones delivering each mild hit of the drums, the saxophone riffs, and the occasional piano components with excellent precision for a wi-fi headset. This mixed with spectacular timbre and growl within the lows, a transparent mid vary for the orchestral vocals, and sharp highs that often felt a bit too sharp.
Though the sound is loads like the unique ATH-M20x when it comes to sonic signature, the M20xBT comes throughout as costly and under-equipped for the value
With Arambol by Astropilot, I had a change to hear extra intently to the stereo separation of the headphones, in addition to particular components throughout the frequency vary. The bass naturally didn’t sound as calculated and tight as on the much more spectacular (and costly) Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT, with the main target extra on delivering the impartial, flat sound, slightly than on the polish and refinement that’s discovered on dearer wi-fi headphones.
The clearly completely different tuning of the M20xBT tended to point out cracks when issues received too busy and an excessive amount of was happening within the observe, and that is maybe the place superior codec assist might need aided the general sound. With assist for simply the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT felt a bit overwhelmed at instances.
On the entire, although, Bluetooth itself appears to be the issue right here; the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is just too true to its roots as a wired headset, and easily is not tuned for the inferior wi-fi enter sign of Bluetooth. Certainly, plugging within the cable and listening the old school manner appeared to make up for a number of the shortcomings within the sound, however this is not what you are paying Rs. 13,500 for.
Name high quality was first rate indoors, with the loud sound making a distinction in my capacity to listen to the individual on the opposite finish of the decision. Connectivity was steady as nicely, with the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT working nicely at distances of as much as 4m from the supply gadget. Battery life on the headphones is great, with the headset operating for round 48 hours on a single cost with music enjoying constantly at reasonable volumes.
Audio-Technica is a noteworthy identify within the client headphones and earphones area, and the ATH-M20xBT is itself from an iconic product lineup. Nevertheless, this does not fairly assist an excessive amount of right here. Though it has the identical monitor-grade sound as its wired model, is pretty revealing and insightful, and has glorious battery life, it is held again by a couple of points. These embrace its lack of assist for superior Bluetooth codecs, and the excessive value.
It would make sense for followers of the Audio-Technica M-series lineup who need the good thing about wi-fi connectivity, however the ATH-M20xBT feels a bit under-equipped for the value, with no energetic noise cancellation, app assist, or something past Bluetooth connectivity for that matter. Objectively, this can be a good pair of headphones in itself, however ought to have price significantly lower than Rs. 13,500.
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