Earlier than Bluetooth and wi-fi headphones grew to become large enterprise, Audio-Technica was a preferred identify within the wired shopper headphone enterprise. This isn’t to 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 standard fashions from the final decade, comparable to and the monitor-grade M collection. studio headphones. The product I'm reviewing right here is strictly that—a refreshed, Bluetooth-powered model of an outdated favourite.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has been round for years, and was as soon as a very talked-about selection for its new studio monitor sound at an affordable worth. The most recent product of the corporate is the wi-fi model of it. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is priced at Rs. 13,500 in India, giving nostalgic consumers 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 an optionally available wired connection, that is the most effective wi-fi over-ear headphones you should buy at round Rs. 15,000 now? Discover out on this overview.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT has Bluetooth 5 for connectivity, but it surely can be used as a wired headset.
Design and specs Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is, actually, a wi-fi model of the basic (and wired) Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. It seems and feels the identical for probably the most half, with a comfortable match over the ear, snug padding across the ears and on the scarf, and a steel body that connects the 2 cups. The design similarities additionally embody the “ATH-M20x” engraved on the perimeters, the fragile ring for adjusting the match, the telescopic headband, and the audio wires uncovered close to the scarf.
Accessible in a single black coloration (for now), the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT advantages from the extremely acquainted design and match of its predecessor. At 216g, the headphones don't weigh as a lot as you'd count on given the scale, and really feel gentle and cozy to put on with the padding across the ears protecting your ears utterly.
I wasn't too impressed with the standard of the passive noise isolation, with the padding not doing sufficient to cease exterior sound from coming into. as usually, with the match permitting an affordable quantity of airflow to my ears.
There are, in fact, small variations within the design to accommodate the controls and buttons. These embody 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 facet. Included within the gross sales bundle are a USB Kind-A to Kind-C charging cable and a stereo cable for wired connectivity, however sadly no carrying case for the headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT makes use of Bluetooth 5 for the first connection, with assist for Bluetooth SBC and AAC codecs. The headphones have 40 mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response vary of 5 to 32,000 Hz, a nominal sensitivity of 100 dB, and an impedance of 36 Ohms. There’s a microphone on the M20xBT, so you need to use it as a hands-free headset.
Buttons on the gadget management energy, quantity and playback on the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT
Usefully, there may be multi-point connectivity, so you’ll be able to pair and join to 2 units concurrently, with the headset intelligently switching between the 2 based mostly on content material being performed or calls obtained. There's no lively noise cancellation or app assist on the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT, and no put on detection sensors, making it a bit underpowered in comparison with competing choices from manufacturers like Sony, JBL and Sennheiser.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT efficiency and battery life
Though the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is certainly just a little quick in performance, it guarantees so much in terms of crucial side – the sound high quality. Pitched because the wi-fi model of the ATH-M20x, Audio-Technica says it affords the identical sonic tune, however with the comfort of wi-fi connectivity. I wouldn't go as far as to say that the M20xBT sounds pretty much as good because the M20x for the plain cause that wired connectivity will all the time sound higher than Bluetooth, however the M20xBT comes fairly shut.
The place the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT positively affords a well-recognized listening expertise is within the sonic signature. It's the identical impartial, studio-friendly sound that made the M collection so standard, giving frequencies throughout the vary loads of room to shine. This made a great quantity of audible element within the sound, and the flexibility to pinpoint weak components in tracks that tied nicely with the thought of studio screens.
This was the case throughout all genres and tracks, however the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT's sound signature and tonality are notably suited to slower, extra detailed tracks. Listening to Kamasi Washington's wonderful Fact, the ATH-M20xBT headphones had been revealing and insightful past what most wi-fi headphones on this worth vary can obtain.
The gradual development of this jazz observe was partaking, with the headphones delivering each candy drum hit, saxophone riff, and occasional piano ingredient with excellent accuracy for a wi-fi headset. This mixed with a formidable timbre and growl within the bass, a transparent mid-range for orchestral vocals, and powerful highs that often felt just a little too sturdy.
Though the sound could be very very like the unique ATH-M20x by way of sonic signature, the M20xBT comes throughout as costly and poorly outfitted for the worth.
With Arambol from Astropilot, I had a change to listen to nearer to the stereo separation of the headphones, in addition to particular components all through the frequency vary. The bass naturally doesn’t sound as calculated and tight as on the way more spectacular (and costly) Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT, with the emphasis extra on offering impartial and flat sound, slightly than on the polish and refinement present in dearer wi-fi headphones.
The clearly totally different tuning of the M20xBT tended to indicate cracks when issues obtained too busy and there was an excessive amount of occurring within the observe, and that is maybe the place the superior codec assist might have helped the general sound. With assist for less than SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT felt a bit overwhelmed at instances.
All in all, although, Bluetooth itself appears to be the issue right here; the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is simply too devoted to its roots as a wired headset, and easily will not be tuned for the inferior wi-fi enter sign of Bluetooth. Certainly, plugging within the cable and listening the quaint means appeared to make up for a few of the deficiencies within the sound, however that's not what you're paying Rs. 13,500 for
Name high quality was respectable at dwelling, with loud sound making a distinction in my skill to listen to the particular person on the opposite finish of the decision. Connectivity was steady too, with the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT working nicely at distances of as much as 4m from the supply gadget. Battery life within the headset is great, with the headset operating for round 48 hours on a single cost with music taking part in repeatedly at reasonable volumes.
Verdict
Audio-Technica is a reputation worthy of word within the house of headphones and shopper headphones, and the ATH-M20xBT is itself from a line of iconic merchandise. Nevertheless, this doesn't assist an excessive amount of right here. Though it has the identical monitor-quality sound as its wired model, is kind of revealing and insightful, and has wonderful battery life, it’s held again by a number of points. These embody its lack of assist for superior Bluetooth codecs, and the excessive worth.
It’d make sense for followers of the Audio-Technica M-series line who need the good thing about wi-fi connectivity, however the ATH-M20xBT feels a bit underequipped for the worth, with no lively noise cancellation, app assist, or one thing past. Bluetooth connectivity for that matter. Objectively, it is a good pair of headphones in itself, but it surely ought to price a lot lower than Rs. 13,500.
