Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is the entry of the legendary audio model into the center section of the Bluetooth headphone market. Nonetheless, it’s not just like the others which can be on the market. It’s distinguished by an “about audio” icon subsequent to the title. That is as a result of the headphones come from Audio-Techncia’s line {of professional} audio headphones. They’re primarily a pair of entry-level wired headphones with the ATH-M badge. Whereas that is the issue that helps it stand out from the group, it additionally places it in an odd spot.
When the ATH-M20xBT arrived at Digit’s take a look at heart, my first query was, what positioning is the model on the lookout for in the market with these headphones? Has the model marketed it in the identical method because the M50XBT, making the sound signature a bit bassier to cater to a wider viewers that is not restricted to studios? And if that is the case, why did not they embrace options like ANC and app assist? I bought solutions to most of those questions, however a number of others popped up alongside the way in which. If you happen to take a look at the photographs on the web site and the way they’re laid out, it is clear that they don’t seem to be particularly aimed on the ‘professionals’, however at younger people who find themselves out and about however are additionally a bit sound acutely aware. high quality.
This is what I discovered whereas testing the Audio-Technica ATHM20XBT –
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT Building and design
As at all times, we begin by speaking in regards to the construct and design of the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT. And as at all times, Audio-Technica didn’t allow us to down with this pair of headphones. Whereas the construct high quality of those headphones could appear a bit lackluster at first look, when you begin utilizing them, the superb construct high quality turns into obvious.
With a barely taller head measurement, I at all times battle to discover a pair of headphones that match me completely. And these headphones shined in this regard. Whereas utilizing these headphones, I by no means as soon as felt that the headscarf or ear pads have been digging into my cranium. The headphones are mild and match nicely on the pinnacle. I additionally handed them on to the Check Middle of us they usually responded to my opinion of suitability. For some, the clamping drive could also be decrease. Nonetheless, when you’re sitting down, it will not hassle you a lot. As well as, there are rotating ear pads that compensate for the dearth of clamping drive inherent in these headphones.
One other factor that caught my eye whereas testing the match of those headphones is the steel headband. It gave me some confidence when utilizing these headphones, particularly when folks have been round and I needed to regulate one earbud and put it on the facet of my head. Not solely that, stuffing them in my bag, I by no means felt that the headscarf would come off. And as I discussed earlier, the headscarf has a good quantity of padding. Even the ear cups even have a good quantity of padding, which not solely helps with the match, but additionally prevents quite a lot of sound leakage when enjoying your favourite tunes. That method, throughout lengthy mixing classes, the headphones will not disturb you or the folks round you.
When it comes to supplies used, they don’t seem to be on par with my day by day driver, the M50XBT. Nonetheless, at a value of ₹8,490, it’s undoubtedly up there. Our lead audio reviewer, Driti, ran her signature “squeak take a look at” and these headphones handed her take a look at with flying colours. The ear pads are largely plastic and have only a few factors of failure when you plan to place as a lot stress on them as doable whereas utilizing them. One other bonus for the ATH-M20xBT.
The controls are on the left earcup, and the three.5mm audio jack and USB Kind-C charging port are close by. The identical earpiece additionally has an LED indicator, which additionally does its job nicely.
The one factor you will have to care for when utilizing these headphones is the uncovered wire connecting the 2 headphones. It could possibly catch on one thing or different, or undergo far more put on and tear than different components, fail ahead of it ought to, and wreck the headphones. So, watch out with this.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT: options
As for capabilities, these should not essentially the most versatile headphones. Like most different manufacturers with an enormous expertise in making headphones and different high-end audio merchandise, Audio-Technica has prioritized high quality over amount.
The controls on the left earcup, which I discussed in the final part, are responsive and intuitive. The pairing course of is straightforward, and the sound indicators, when triggered, do their job nicely. If you plug in the three.5mm cable that comes with the headphones, they mechanically flip off, and while you unplug the cable, if the headphones have been on, they activate once more.
Moreover, Audio-Technica has included multi-point connectivity with these headphones, guaranteeing which you could simply change between gadgets. There’s additionally a low-latency mode that players will love. Though I could not determine the best way to run it because the official Audio-Technica app out there in India does not assist these headphones.
That is the tip of the listing of options of those headphones.
There is no ANC or any of the opposite options sometimes seen in Bluetooth headphones at this value level, which could possibly be a deal breaker for a lot of. And that brings me to my first query. What’s the positioning of those headphones in the market? The dearth of options clearly pushes these headphones to the underside of the listing of headphones most well-liked by the lots. And when you’re on the lookout for a pair of correct studio headphones, you’d most likely go for the wired model of those headphones, which can be found for nearly half the value.
We are going to speak about this on the finish of the article, however hold this in thoughts as you learn on.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT: efficiency
Relating to efficiency, the Audio Technica ATH-M20xBT reveals its true colours. The headphones have the sound signature that many people have come to anticipate from Audio Technica skilled headphones. It is not one thing you’d examine to their flagship merchandise or different equally priced headphones from manufacturers like Sony, JBL, and many others. The sound coming from the ATH-M20xBT has its own nature, which you’ll perceive after trying on the graph and studying it.
As you may see from the simplified and full spectrum graph, the sound signature is just not one thing that can enchantment to purists or audiophiles. The discount in bass implies that the sound you get from these headphones shall be lacking. The bass hasn’t been fully neutered, however there is a important dip in the low-bass frequencies that may eat away at your expertise of watching explosions or accompanying kick drum sounds in some tracks.
Nonetheless, that is not one thing that ought to deter you from contemplating these headphones. For a lot of, they’re fairly appropriate. If you wish to get a style of what studio headphones sound like with out breaking the financial institution, then it is best to undoubtedly select these headphones. The sound signature of those headphones is sort of near impartial. If you happen to’re listening to podcasts, the midrange increase will even make sure that you get crystal clear vocals regardless of the presence of a background monitor in podcast recordings.
In my precise use, all of this was mirrored as nicely. When listening to tracks like Uptown Funk and Motherjane, I discovered the bass to be a bit low, which meant it lacked the ability so as to add a lot character to the sound. However after I switched to vocal heavy tracks like Rescue Me, the headphones shined by means of. Ideally, we wish to have a stability between all instructions, however at this value it is laborious to seek out. One factor that may be a main disadvantage is codec assist. These headphones solely assist SBC and AAC codecs. We’d have appreciated it if it had further codecs, at the very least aptX.
As for the microphone, there’s nothing particular about it. It is high-quality for calls and can maintain its own throughout a convention name, however do not anticipate something out of the abnormal for headphones round this value.
There is no ANC, which suggests you will need to depend on the match of those headphones to get passive isolation. And it’ll differ from individual to individual. It holds up nicely for me. Nonetheless, for Driti, the expertise was fairly completely different. The match will even decide the extent of sound leakage. The higher the match, the much less sound leakage, and vice versa. Additionally, one other affect the match can have in your expertise is the sound signature. The higher the match, the nearer the sound shall be to the model’s intention.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT: Battery life
Audio-Technica claims these headphones can last as long as sixty hours on a single cost. In our assessments, the battery life was fairly near the said figures. To be actual, it was about 56 hours, at 50% quantity. And relying on how you utilize it, the quantity could possibly be greater or decrease. If you happen to’re in a vital state of affairs, you additionally get quick charging capabilities.
The model claims which you could rise up to a few hours of listening time in 10 minutes of charging. The connector sort is USB-C, so most of your chargers, so long as they’ve the right energy or assist PD, will have the ability to simply cost these headphones.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT: Verdict
And now let’s get again to the questions. What’s the market positioning of Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT headphones? It’s troublesome to present an unequivocal reply. On the one hand, the road of headphones from which they arrive gives the look that they’re supposed for professionals who’re on the go and do not need to be tethered to their supply by a wire. However the value and advertising and marketing of those headphones recommend in any other case. That is once more contradicted by a sound signature with boosted mids and underemphasized low bass.
Is it price going for it? So, when you’re on the lookout for a pair of headphones that can serve you nicely for years, you do not thoughts fidgeting with the EQ settings in third-party apps to carry again the lacking low bass, and also you’re on the lookout for headphones that may be your gateway to the world {of professional} headphones and audio.
Now, when you’re on the lookout for a feature-rich, ANC, and app-enabled expertise with a design that appears extra harmonious to put on in public, then you may try choices from Sennheiser, Jabra, Sony, and JBL. These embrace the Jabra Elite 45H, Sennheiser HD458 ANC, JBL Tune 760NC and Sony WH-CH720N. All of those headphones pack a ton of primary options and have a sound signature that is extra in line with what many individuals like.
