More freedom: Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BT wireless headphones
Hello Giktayms! The Japanese company Audio-Technica does not need to be introduced to both connoisseurs of high-quality sound, and those who are far from this world, because they managed to make a name for themselves a few decades ago. So we introduced you to the devices of this manufacturer using the same ATH-MSR7NC headphones and even the AT-LP3 vinyl player as an example . It is not surprising that even with this assortment of top-end audio equipment, Audio-Technica continues to delight fans with new products. The latter include the Audio-Technica SonicFuel ATH-AR3BT wireless headphones presented this summer, because not so long ago they finally got to Russia.
For a long time, it was popular among audiophiles that wireless sound is more pampering than a decent way to enjoy your favorite tracks, and that ear ecstasy is possible only with an expensive player and headphones heated for 48 hours. There were reasons for that: a few years ago, Bluetooth-earphones could not be put on a par with wired sound quality. True, many are convinced that this is the case to this day; we will leave the disputes in one program on the federal channel, it is better to show in practice who is mistaken and who is not.
ATH-AR3BTreplenished the Audio-Technica family of universal headphones, since, according to the manufacturer, they are capable of reproducing not only deep bass, but also crystal-clear high and mid frequencies. One of the chips of the model was the new 40-mm drivers operating in the frequency range from 5 to 35,000 Hz. High quality of reproduced sound is provided by aptX and AAC codecs, and Bluetooth support and controls located on the headphones allow you to use the device as a headset.
We will not focus on the configuration, because in this case it is traditionally modest for wireless headphones - the headphones themselves, a micro-USB cable for charging, documentation. The only thing I want to note is the presence of an audio cable for a wired connection (it is nice when the manufacturer makes a choice and takes care of using headphones with devices without Bluetooth) and a stylish fabric cover for storage and transportation.
For a long time Audio-Technica has retained its style of wireless headphones - a large amount of metal in the structure, covered with a very pleasant to the touch plastic, and a material very similar to the skin. It is used in the headband and ear pads. By the way, it is this manufacturer who chooses such a material that allows you to wear headphones for a long time without discomfort and sweating ears. At the same time, the ear pads provide a comfortable wear due to the filling from a special foam material with a memory effect and average sound insulation sufficient for urban conditions. Not active noise reduction, of course, but also good.
Our model is made in white and with a slight emphasis on “golden” notes, but the manufacturer also offers a version in black, also with gold accents (just like an iPhone). Audio-Technica designers definitely have a sense of style - at least from the side of ATH-AR3BT they look very cool.
The controls are conveniently located under the left cup - there was a place for a small built-in microphone, volume control, micro-USB connector for charging and audio input, which you will probably use only with audio players lacking Bluetooth support (or just to compare which the headphones sound better) or in the case of a dead battery.
The volume control is made in the form of a toggle switch, moving it back and forth, you can both change the volume level and activate fast-forward / rewind, and switch to the next or previous track. A single press allows you to pause the track, as well as answer or end the call if the headphones are connected to the smartphone as a headset. In general, you will be very rare to get a sound source, whether it is a player from Astell & Kern or an iPhone, since the entire "flight control center" is on your ears.
Unlike the left one, the right earphone is practically empty - only the toggle-switch for turning on and activating Bluetooth flaunts here. Since all the buttons are hidden under the cups and are not located directly on them, as some manufacturers do, the headphones look minimalistic. You can grab those for a morning run, and wear a suit on the way to the office.
If you have ever seen or held an ATH-SR5BT in your hands, you probably noticed the outward resemblance to this model of our today's hero, and this is true: the same arrangement of controls, leather ear pads and headband, metal construction. The main differences between the two models lie inside - for example, ATH-SR5BT has 45-mm divers with a reproducible frequency range of 5 - 40,000 Hz.
The length of the removable cable is 1.2 meters - it is average in quality, without any braids there, it is simply coated with silicone. But the wire is equipped with an additional microphone and controls. It is difficult to say about its reliability, just in case it is better to have an additional ordinary cable without the function of a headset and buttons, there will be no problems with the selection (especially since each audiophile has such a wire).
The pleasant features of the model include its weight in the first place - 190 grams are almost not felt on the head, and with this weight, the manufacturer still managed to place a built-in lithium-polymer battery in the headphones. According to the manufacturer, the latter lasts for 30 hours of continuous use. In tests at an average volume level, this was confirmed, the headphones had to be listened regularly for a week before the battery charge came to a minimum. If you twist almost to the maximum, the battery life will be reduced by several hours. Owners of Android smartphones will be pleased with the presence of NFC - to pair the headphones and the source, just bring it to the left cup and the usual “magic” will happen. It seems to be a trifle, but still nice.
Initially, it may not be clear how one toggle switch, located under the left earphone, performs so many tasks at once, if you did not have headphones from Audio-Technica before. In fact, everything is simple: the volume is controlled by a short movement of the toggle switch up or down, and to, for example, turn on the next track, you must hold the slider in the upper or lower position for a couple of seconds. This does not cause discomfort, you can get used to it in a few hours. And after a couple of days, you can freely perform actions by touch, without thinking about the purpose of a button.
Along with portability, the most important thing in these headphones is the sound. Let's just say that from the Audio-Technica line of wireless headphones, the ATH-AR3BT in sound quality can be safely put next to the premium ATH-DSR9BT. The latter are the undeniable leader in the market, as they are equipped with the Pure Digital Drive system, which allows you to transmit sound via Bluetooth without loss of quality. But they cost 30-40 thousand rubles, while the price tag of our hero slightly exceeds 7 thousand rubles. Despite the lack of such pumped technologies in the ATH-AR3BT, the headphones do not “hiss”, which is often the reason for inexpensive Bluetooth headphones, and they are pleased with a stable connection that positively affects sound quality (support for aptX and AAC codecs plays an even greater role). You can safely leave your smartphone on the couch,
We will not talk about “crystal clear” frequencies and an “imaginary scene” - firstly, the headphones are clearly not audiophile, and secondly, such an assessment is often subjective and does not represent much value. In tests paired with a second-generation FiiO X1 audio player, the ATH-AR3BT produces neutral sound with a completely “flat” equalizer, with no emphasis on a particular frequency range. Due to this, these headphones are universal for a number of genres. Hip-hop lovers will definitely appreciate the bass “stick” with a bang.
Interestingly, the performance of the headphones in the “wired” mode is quite a bit different from the quality of the sound transmitted via Bluetooth. Of course, when connected via cable, the sound is more expressive, but the difference is so insignificant that you can think of the wire only in two cases: if the charge on the headphones is almost zero (and it is not easy to bring them to such a state, as we have seen), or if the sound source lacks Bluetooth support. Although this does not apply to smartphones, now even manufacturers of budget players pay much attention to wireless technologies, like the same FiiO.
As for the use of the ATH-AR3BT as a headset, it has a place to be - a condenser microphone muffles the surrounding noise a little, and the interlocutor mainly hears only your voice. You won’t have to shout and ask again.
What did you like
What did not like
Headphones, of course, combine great sound and an interesting design, while being able to dispel the myth that wireless sound is pampering. If you have long wanted to “cut wires” and are not particularly demanding of technologies such as active noise reduction, ATH-AR3BT, even with its few drawbacks, are among the best in their price segment, budget-friendly, as foreign colleagues say. And this is just that example of the optimal ratio of price and quality.
For a long time, it was popular among audiophiles that wireless sound is more pampering than a decent way to enjoy your favorite tracks, and that ear ecstasy is possible only with an expensive player and headphones heated for 48 hours. There were reasons for that: a few years ago, Bluetooth-earphones could not be put on a par with wired sound quality. True, many are convinced that this is the case to this day; we will leave the disputes in one program on the federal channel, it is better to show in practice who is mistaken and who is not.
ATH-AR3BTreplenished the Audio-Technica family of universal headphones, since, according to the manufacturer, they are capable of reproducing not only deep bass, but also crystal-clear high and mid frequencies. One of the chips of the model was the new 40-mm drivers operating in the frequency range from 5 to 35,000 Hz. High quality of reproduced sound is provided by aptX and AAC codecs, and Bluetooth support and controls located on the headphones allow you to use the device as a headset.
Specifications
Contents of delivery
We will not focus on the configuration, because in this case it is traditionally modest for wireless headphones - the headphones themselves, a micro-USB cable for charging, documentation. The only thing I want to note is the presence of an audio cable for a wired connection (it is nice when the manufacturer makes a choice and takes care of using headphones with devices without Bluetooth) and a stylish fabric cover for storage and transportation.
Appearance
For a long time Audio-Technica has retained its style of wireless headphones - a large amount of metal in the structure, covered with a very pleasant to the touch plastic, and a material very similar to the skin. It is used in the headband and ear pads. By the way, it is this manufacturer who chooses such a material that allows you to wear headphones for a long time without discomfort and sweating ears. At the same time, the ear pads provide a comfortable wear due to the filling from a special foam material with a memory effect and average sound insulation sufficient for urban conditions. Not active noise reduction, of course, but also good.
Our model is made in white and with a slight emphasis on “golden” notes, but the manufacturer also offers a version in black, also with gold accents (just like an iPhone). Audio-Technica designers definitely have a sense of style - at least from the side of ATH-AR3BT they look very cool.
The controls are conveniently located under the left cup - there was a place for a small built-in microphone, volume control, micro-USB connector for charging and audio input, which you will probably use only with audio players lacking Bluetooth support (or just to compare which the headphones sound better) or in the case of a dead battery.
The volume control is made in the form of a toggle switch, moving it back and forth, you can both change the volume level and activate fast-forward / rewind, and switch to the next or previous track. A single press allows you to pause the track, as well as answer or end the call if the headphones are connected to the smartphone as a headset. In general, you will be very rare to get a sound source, whether it is a player from Astell & Kern or an iPhone, since the entire "flight control center" is on your ears.
Unlike the left one, the right earphone is practically empty - only the toggle-switch for turning on and activating Bluetooth flaunts here. Since all the buttons are hidden under the cups and are not located directly on them, as some manufacturers do, the headphones look minimalistic. You can grab those for a morning run, and wear a suit on the way to the office.
If you have ever seen or held an ATH-SR5BT in your hands, you probably noticed the outward resemblance to this model of our today's hero, and this is true: the same arrangement of controls, leather ear pads and headband, metal construction. The main differences between the two models lie inside - for example, ATH-SR5BT has 45-mm divers with a reproducible frequency range of 5 - 40,000 Hz.
The length of the removable cable is 1.2 meters - it is average in quality, without any braids there, it is simply coated with silicone. But the wire is equipped with an additional microphone and controls. It is difficult to say about its reliability, just in case it is better to have an additional ordinary cable without the function of a headset and buttons, there will be no problems with the selection (especially since each audiophile has such a wire).
Features and Sound
The pleasant features of the model include its weight in the first place - 190 grams are almost not felt on the head, and with this weight, the manufacturer still managed to place a built-in lithium-polymer battery in the headphones. According to the manufacturer, the latter lasts for 30 hours of continuous use. In tests at an average volume level, this was confirmed, the headphones had to be listened regularly for a week before the battery charge came to a minimum. If you twist almost to the maximum, the battery life will be reduced by several hours. Owners of Android smartphones will be pleased with the presence of NFC - to pair the headphones and the source, just bring it to the left cup and the usual “magic” will happen. It seems to be a trifle, but still nice.
Initially, it may not be clear how one toggle switch, located under the left earphone, performs so many tasks at once, if you did not have headphones from Audio-Technica before. In fact, everything is simple: the volume is controlled by a short movement of the toggle switch up or down, and to, for example, turn on the next track, you must hold the slider in the upper or lower position for a couple of seconds. This does not cause discomfort, you can get used to it in a few hours. And after a couple of days, you can freely perform actions by touch, without thinking about the purpose of a button.
Along with portability, the most important thing in these headphones is the sound. Let's just say that from the Audio-Technica line of wireless headphones, the ATH-AR3BT in sound quality can be safely put next to the premium ATH-DSR9BT. The latter are the undeniable leader in the market, as they are equipped with the Pure Digital Drive system, which allows you to transmit sound via Bluetooth without loss of quality. But they cost 30-40 thousand rubles, while the price tag of our hero slightly exceeds 7 thousand rubles. Despite the lack of such pumped technologies in the ATH-AR3BT, the headphones do not “hiss”, which is often the reason for inexpensive Bluetooth headphones, and they are pleased with a stable connection that positively affects sound quality (support for aptX and AAC codecs plays an even greater role). You can safely leave your smartphone on the couch,
We will not talk about “crystal clear” frequencies and an “imaginary scene” - firstly, the headphones are clearly not audiophile, and secondly, such an assessment is often subjective and does not represent much value. In tests paired with a second-generation FiiO X1 audio player, the ATH-AR3BT produces neutral sound with a completely “flat” equalizer, with no emphasis on a particular frequency range. Due to this, these headphones are universal for a number of genres. Hip-hop lovers will definitely appreciate the bass “stick” with a bang.
Interestingly, the performance of the headphones in the “wired” mode is quite a bit different from the quality of the sound transmitted via Bluetooth. Of course, when connected via cable, the sound is more expressive, but the difference is so insignificant that you can think of the wire only in two cases: if the charge on the headphones is almost zero (and it is not easy to bring them to such a state, as we have seen), or if the sound source lacks Bluetooth support. Although this does not apply to smartphones, now even manufacturers of budget players pay much attention to wireless technologies, like the same FiiO.
As for the use of the ATH-AR3BT as a headset, it has a place to be - a condenser microphone muffles the surrounding noise a little, and the interlocutor mainly hears only your voice. You won’t have to shout and ask again.
What did you like
- Design
- Offline work
- Sound
- Price
What did not like
- Soundproofing
- Not the most convenient control slider
Is it worth taking?
Headphones, of course, combine great sound and an interesting design, while being able to dispel the myth that wireless sound is pampering. If you have long wanted to “cut wires” and are not particularly demanding of technologies such as active noise reduction, ATH-AR3BT, even with its few drawbacks, are among the best in their price segment, budget-friendly, as foreign colleagues say. And this is just that example of the optimal ratio of price and quality.