It doesn't have active noise cancellation, app support, or any extra features other than Bluetooth connectivity.
Highlights
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT lags a bit in terms of features.
It offers a lot when it comes to sound quality.
The battery life of the headphones is also quite good.
Before Bluetooth and wireless headphones became popular, Audio-Technica was a well-known name in the wired headphone segment. This doesn't mean the Japanese brand has lost its relevance or importance, but its new products still seem to be inspired by the reputation of some of its older products, such as the monitor-grade M-series studio headphones. The product I'm going to review is a refreshed Bluetooth-powered version of an older product.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20x has been around for a long time and was once a popular product for affordable studio monitor sound. Now, the company has launched its latest wireless version. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is priced at ₹13,500 in India. It allows longtime fans to experience the same unique sound signature with wireless connectivity. With 60 hours of battery life, multi-point connectivity, and optional wired connectivity, is this the best wireless over-ear headset under ₹15,000 you can buy right now? Let's find out in this review.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT design and specifications
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT is a wireless version of its classic, wired model, the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x. It's similar in appearance. The headset features a good over-ear fit, comfortable padding around the ears and on the headband, and a metal frame connecting the earcups. Other similarities in design elements include the ATH-M20x's beveled sides, a gently swivel and telescopically adjustable headband, and exposed audio wires near the headband.
The headset is currently only available in black. It weighs 216 grams. The headphones aren't overly heavy for their size, and they feel light and comfortable to wear. The padding around the earcups completely covers the ears.
I didn't find its passive noise isolation particularly impressive. It didn't seem to block out external sound. However, one advantage was that I didn't have to remove the headphones from my ears to let some air in. The fit is such that it allows for airflow as needed.
Some design differences from the previous model are the controls and buttons. These include a stereo socket for wired listening, a USB Type-C port for charging, and three buttons for playback and volume control, all located on the left side. The sales package also includes a USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable and a stereo cable for wired connectivity. Unfortunately, there's no carrying case for the headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT uses Bluetooth 5 for primary connectivity, with support for the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. The headphones feature 40mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response range of 5 to 32,000Hz, a rated sensitivity of 100dB, and an impedance of 36Ohms. The M20xBT has a microphone, allowing you to use it as a hands-free headset.
It features multi-point connectivity, allowing you to pair and connect two devices simultaneously. The headphones use their intelligence to switch between the two devices, depending on the type of content being played or whether a call is being received. The headset lacks active noise cancellation and app support. It also lacks wear detection sensors, meaning it can't automatically detect when worn. This shortcoming puts the headset behind competitors like Sony, JBL, and Sennheiser.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT performance and battery life
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT lags slightly in terms of features, but when it comes to sound quality, it offers a lot. As a wireless version of the ATH-M20x, it offers the same sonic tuning, but with the convenience of wireless connectivity. I wouldn't say that the M20xBT completely replicates the M20x's sound quality, as wired connectivity always delivers better sound than wireless. However, the M20xBT comes pretty close.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT delivers the same neutral, studio-friendly sound for which the M-series is popular. The sound has good audible detail. It can pinpoint even the most subdued elements, providing a studio-monitor experience. This experience was consistent across different genres and tracks. However, its sonic signature and tone are more suited to slower, detail-oriented tracks. Kamasi Washington's Truth offered a wonderful listening experience, something few other products in this price range can achieve.
The slow progression of this jazz track was captivating, with the headphones delivering every gentle drum beat, saxophone riff, and occasional piano element with remarkable precision for a wireless headset. Astropilot's Arambol allowed me to more closely understand the headphones' stereo separation, and to hear specific elements along the frequency range. The bass wasn't overly tight, and the headphones focused on delivering a neutral, flat sound, rather than the polished and refined sound of more expensive wireless headphones. The
M20xBT seemed to stumble in tuning on a busy track. Perhaps advanced codec support would have enhanced the overall sound here. The headset only supports the SBC and AAC codecs, which can sometimes feel choppy.
Overall, Bluetooth is the issue here. It's too rooted in wired headset technology. It's arguably not tuned for Bluetooth's weak wireless input. Plugging in a cable alleviates the listening issues, but you didn't pay ₹13,500 for that adjustment.
Call quality is good indoors. Connectivity is stable, and it works well up to 4 meters from the source device. The headphones' battery life is also quite good. They last up to 48 hours on a single charge while listening to music continuously at moderate volume.
Our decision
Audio-Technica is a renowned name in consumer headphones, and the ATH-M20xBT is an iconic product in its own right. But that's not enough. The headset offers the same impressive sound as its wired version, which is quite impressive, but some shortcomings hold it back. The price is quite high and it lacks support for advanced Bluetooth codecs. While
it offers wireless connectivity as a convenience for Audio-Technica M-series fans, it lacks features for its price. It lacks active noise cancellation, app support, and any additional features beyond Bluetooth connectivity. For usability, it's a great pair of headphones, but it should have been priced lower than ₹13,500.
