Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT Wireless Over-Ear Headphones

For the cost, you'd be hard pressed to find better sounding headphones. These are close to being studio monitors, with the convenience of wireless features.These headphones do a good job of separating instruments in tracks and provide a better soundstage than I expected for this price. They are a touch, and I mean barely, warm. Meaning, they are mostly neutral as you would expect from a studio headphone, with the slightest bump in the lower end. Sub bass isn't really present, but I appreciate the modest punch in the low end.Keep in mind, these are not noise cancelling headphones. I find the ear pads fit my average sized head, and smaller ears really well. The seal they create helps block out some ambient sounds on their own. When I'm doing chores around the house and pumping some tunes, I really don't hear anything but the music. I even took these out in public once to get my tires changed. I could not hear the sounds of the storefront or the shop, even as I sat writing at the bar by the shop window. I was able to lose myself in the music and my writing without any problems. I don't find there is much sound leakage as these are closed back, but I also don't listen to my music at excessive levels (~75% at most).The one problem I have with them so far is the fact that the earcups do not swivel much, and thus cannot fold completely flat for travel. I would have also liked to see a cheap case or bag come with this product to help in transporting them. I have purchased the WS990 BT in the past which came with a leather bag that I still use when traveling. I will likely continue to use that pair for work travel, rather than the M20X.One concern I have for the long run is their build quality. They are mostly plastic with an aluminum band for extending the earcups. Being constructed as such, they are very lightweight. On one hand, this adds to the comfort of the headphones as I forget I'm wearing them sometimes due to their featherweight and light clamping force. However, I worry that these could be broken if I decide to toss them into a backpack and take them out more often. With the light clamping force I find that I can shake them loose if I shake my head side to side rapidly. While I don't do that often, I think that anyone looking for a headphone to wear while exercising should look elsewhere, or consider finding a different ear pad that provides more grip than the provided pleather set.For me, these will likely be relegated to around the house wear, when I don't want to be strapped to my computer desk by my R70Xs. I'm perfectly okay with that as I do really enjoy the sound these produce for the money and the comfort they provide. I think they punch above their price in the audio department and are an excellent option for someone looking for a good, reliable headphone for casual wear.

I'll save most of you the trouble of reading through my ramblings. For $79 or lower, these M20xBT's cannot be beat. Clear AT sound with slightly more bass. Not neutral like the M50's, but a more consumer sound profile.I have been a fan of Audio Technica for decades and have been in the market for a set of BT over-ear headphones to use at work. Due to the lackluster reviews online, I went with some cheap knockoff brands for a while. The knockoffs had decent bass without seeming too fake, weak mids, but decent highs. I do not expect too much for BT headphones so was fairly satisfied.I recently went to Japan and because of the respect they have for each other in society, the big box electronic stores have many, many headphones out for demo. They even have disposable sleeves if you want to try out earbuds, though they continue to have those behind the counter. So I was standing in front of a display with close to 100 headphones all charged and ready to be connected via BT or wire. I have been eyeing the AT WS990BT Solid Bass for a while now since I know when they think bass, AT does not mean the kind of bass like the 12" JL W7 in my trunk. I did not have time to play with the EQ on my phone and I used Spotify to recreate my work environment. The sound was weak. Completely not what I was expecting from a headphone with "Solid Bass" in its name. Since these are BT, they will not be connected to an amp so that is all there is. I then tried the WS660BT and ANC700BT and did not like either one. The USD was at its peak against the JPY when I was there so the WS990 were super cheap and I wanted to keep browsing, but decided to go drinking instead.I started seeing reviews for the M20xBT AFTER I got back from Japan. I stayed away from the M50xBT because I know what the wired M50's sound like and it was not what I wanted at work. I listen to mostly indie/EDM/hip hop/80's at work and rarely switch to classical or singer/songwriter. I saw one review on the M20's about a little bit stronger bass with a "V" sound profile. Sold!Even if you never played with an EQ before, you will immediately understand what a "V" profile means when you put these on. Clean and decent lows and bright highs. The mids are not missing, just not as as strong as the highs and lows. Peter Hook's basslines sound just fine on these. So does Masta Ace "Born to Roll". Also Satie and Liszt.Give these headphones a shot. They are inexpensive and should meet the needs of most consumers. Definitely a better buy than anything from Bose or Sony, unless you absolutely must have Active Noise Cancelling. The M20's are good enough to block out almost all office noises.Almost forgot to mention I did change out the earcups as I do with all my over the ear headphones. I went with GVOears this time and was impressed. Slightly less than Brainwavz, but I like the material that touches my skin much more than velour.