Our editorial staff evaluates products and services independently, but Best Review Guide may earn money when you click on links. Read our advertising disclosure.
PROS:
CONS:
The Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT are some of the best wireless, on-ear headphones you can buy in their price range. They are tailored for hi-res audio, being able to bring out the best in your well-recorded music. They deliver a balanced and detailed sound, although for some people, the bass might not be powerful enough. They support NFC, aptX and AAC codecs and they are reasonably priced.
Audio-Technica is a well-established brand when it comes to headphones, microphones, turntables, wireless systems and other audio products. The Japanese company was founded in 1962 and is based in Tokyo.
The ATH-SR5BT is an on-ear wireless model that comes at an affordable price and delivers a good sound. It comes with several useful features, such as NFC and aptX technology and while they won’t make you break the bank, they can’t be classified in the low-budget category either. They are considered a mid-range model.
Here are the main specs of the ATH-SR5BT:
Design
The ATH-SR5BT headphones are available in 3 colors: black, white and brown. They are equipped with 45mm drivers, they look elegant, they have metal earcups and the earpads and headband are covered in soft leather. Earpads are made of memory foam which is also soft and durable. At just 6.5oz these headphones are lightweight and they are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time as long as you are not using them for jogging, as they might feel a bit too loose. They can easily fold into the headband to become even smaller and easier to store.
The controls are placed on the earcups. The left one has controls for volume, play/pause, skip forward/back and the USB port for charging while the right earcup has an on/off switch.
The headphones have a closed back that isolates pretty good so you won’t even feel the need to have a noise-cancelling feature. You won’t be bothered by others and there won’t be any sound leakage, so you won’t bother those around you either.
Performance and audio quality
Pairing up the ATH-SR5BT headphones with your mobile device is a breeze. The ATH-SR5BT use Bluetooth 4.1 and have NFC. Also, for smartphones that support it, there is also support for aptX and AAC codecs, which means a superior audio quality whether you are using an iOS or Android device.
The headphones remember up to 8 devices, although you have to disconnect one to connect another because the headphones can’t connect to more than one device at the same time.
One thing you should be aware of is that the frequency response differs depending on whether you are using the headphones wired or wireless. In wireless mode the frequency response is 20-20,000 Hz, while in wired mode, it is 5-40,000 Hz, which is obviously better.
The built-in microphone allows you to take phone calls and everything will sound crystal clear.
And now for the most important part, the sound quality of the ATH-SR5BT headphones. The ATH-SR5BT deliver a balanced, wide sound and have a fantastic audio resolution especially when you are listening to music that is well recorded. They really shine when you are using them with hi-res audio. You can hear every little detail, breath and tap, which is rare in most wireless headphones.
The mids and trebles are a bit too accentuated and some might find the high frequencies a bit too harsh and punchy. But you will only find all these unpleasing if you are listening to poorly recorded or over compressed audio. Also, if you are an ‘all about that bass’ listener and you are into hardcore bass, these headphones might not fully meet your expectations. If you use the headphones wired, you will get more bass and an overall better dynamic. However, all these are things worth mentioning only for the most finicky audiophile. For their price, the ATH-SR5BT are really hard to beat when it comes to sound quality, especially in the wireless lineup and will undoubtedly satisfy the needs of the general consumer.
The ATH-SR5BT are also phenomenal when it comes to battery life, being able to deliver up to 38 continuous hours of playback on a single charge. They do take around 4 hours and a half to fully charge, but it is a good compromise given their exceptional stamina.
In conclusion, the Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT are a great value for the money. They deliver a really good wireless sound quality and an even more superb wired one, they have an impressive battery life and they are affordable.
On the official Audio-Technica website, you can buy the ATH-SR5BT for $149. In the box you also get a carrying pouch and a 1m (3.3’) USB charging cable.
Phone and e-mail: https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/site/a7f6620987e7a786/index.html
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram
Our editorial staff evaluates products and services independently, but Best Review Guide may earn money when you click on links. Read our advertising disclosure.
By: Cristina | Last updated August 21, 2018 
