Today, we are going to read about a brand that has been producing phenomenal headphones for the market. If you have used the Bose, Sennheiser, or even the Sony headphones, for that matter, then you would definitely love this brand also.
Sometimes, we tend to look at other brands with disdain. But that does not have to be the case with Audio-Technica. They are a solid brand with extreme technicalities embedded in them. They come with decent comfort, well-built quality, and powerful sound quality.
In today’s review, we will be reading about two entry headphones from them. They are known for some of their top-end models like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x and so on. Many users feel that they could have more bass in them but let us see if that is the case here.
We will be discussing about the Audio-Technica ATH-S200BTBK Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones vs the Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK SonicFuel Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones.
The Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is considered to provide you with more critical listening features than the Sony MDR-7506. The company was started in 1962, and they specialized in the manufacture of audio listening models.
Today, you can find a wide range of sublime headphones, wireless systems, top-end microphones, mixers, and other products. This Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT headphone is a decent model that is quite comfortable and offers you a massive battery working life.
The sound quality is awesome on the model without the noise cancellation. Besides, they come with a dual connectivity option when you want to connect to a smartphone. The sound quality was rich and amazing for the price point of the headphone.
Likewise, the Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBT headphones come with splendid features infused in them. This unit is a wireless console headset that is quite inexpensive too. The headphone’s performance is good and comes with good battery life.
Though they do not come with noise cancellation and touch control features, they are worth your money and time. You can wear them for a prolonged period of time without feeling discomfort at all.
Besides, they are priced under $150, making them affordable for the infused features. These models do not come with the flashiest of features, but they come with what they are designed for.
Let us read the post and find out more about these models. We have also given the winner at the end of the review.
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT | Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK |
PROS | PROS |
The unit is extremely lightweight and comfortable. The model has a low latency mode. It comes with an attractive sound quality on a wired connection. It has a powerful battery working life. The headphone works effortlessly with a multipoint connection. | It is lightweight and portable. It provides you with great sound quality. The model has a strong wireless performance. The unit comes with decent features infused in it. The product is cheaply priced. |
CONS | CONS |
The headphone offers poor sound quality on a wireless connection. | The headphone has slightly fiddly controls. |
CHECK ON AMAZON | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK: Design & Comfort
The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT headphone comes with an exceptional design & comfort. Before we move on, we should beware of the fact that for any model, the design and the comfort are crucial aspects.
The user should wear the headphone for several hours without feeling any discomfort. Some brands have excelled in this aspect, like Sennheiser, Logitech, Sony, and even Apple. They know the importance of it.
Let us read and find out about the Audio-Technica models. It comes with a decent design feature. It feels weird with the plastic around it. But there is ample leatherette around it that makes the unit seem fantastically designed.
You can consider giving it extended wear. You can also see that the headband extensions can click out on both sides. This feature ensures that the model is on the right level. You can find the logo of Audio-Technica on both the earcups.
Besides, it comes with a swivel design enabling you to use the proper extension level. The model ensures that your head is placed rightly on it. Similarly, the cushions are comfortable. You can wear them for prolonged hours without feeling any source of discomfort on it.
Like most models of the same price point, you may want to make some readjustments. Doing that gets rid of the tightening feeling. The earcups are quite tight and come with the right kind of firmness to them.
The Audio-Technica ATH-Ar3BTBT headphones have been designed with light materials. Users can also fold the headphone according to their comfort and use them. There is a metal frame that comes with plastic wrapped around it.
It does not feel or look cheap. You can’t call them premium either. The headphone comes in the synthetic leather that is found on the headband. The earpads are elegantly done with the material leather on them patched smoothly.
You can also find the Audio-Technica logo on the earcups that make it appear beautiful. Consumers may not prefer the gold accents found on the headphone attractive. They are comfortable with the earpads having foam in them. You need to find the right kind of clamp force so that it does not squeeze your ears out.
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK: Build Quality
The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT model feels quite lightweight and sturdy for a light set of headphones. It can last several years. We were pleasantly surprised by that. It comes in 3 color tones of black, gray, and white.
The headphone comes with an on-ear design. The unit does not have an over-ear design. It means that the unit will not get the heat inside, and the model will not overheat quickly. Consumers will be delighted to know that portability and comfort are improved even further.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBT headphone comes nicely packed. This feature of it provides you with the ability to understand the company’s dedication. Though these are entry-headphones, the packaging was well done.
You can find the headphone, a micro-USB cable, and a stereo cable 3.5mm plug. These are the standard items that are provided to you. They weigh close to 200grams, making them quite heavy and sturdy.
We called them heavy in a sense; they are durable. You do not want them to be too light and also breakable. The model feels quite robust in design and does not make any creaky noises when you move it around.
You can store it anywhere you want. The model uses the 40mm drivers and can cover a frequency range from 5Hz – 35,000Hz. It comes with an impedance of 41Ohms, which means you may have to use powerful hardware to use a stereo cable.
It comes in 2 color tones of black and white. You might always want to go with dark tones to avoid the dirt from being visible on the product. But that is entirely up to you. If you constantly work from home or rarely take the headphones outside, light tones can sound just fine.
The Audio-Technica models come nicely built. There is no doubt about that. They are almost on par with the Sennheiser’s or the Bose models that are known for their exceptional robustness. Besides, the shape and the design hold depending on your requirements quite well.
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK: Audio Performance
What about the audio performance of the headphones? The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT headphones provide you with opulent audio quality. You can hear the difference between the non-amplified and the wired models through Bluetooth.
May we add here that the connectivity via Bluetooth is fabulous in the headphone. We have not said this aspect in a very long time for budget headphones. You can get the feeling that there is a surprising amount of depth of sound in there.
When you use the headphones in the wireless format, there is ample bass in its tracks. They are quite booming, offering ample space for the mid-range. You can also listen to the vocals with amazing clarity and precision found on them.
You can then use the wired mode by using the 3.5mm cable. Our tester felt that the sound changed to a certain extend. There is plenty of bass and mid-range depth. Since they are not audiophile headphones, you cannot expect them to perform better than that.
The pairing of the devices is also quite easy using the headphone. But we thought that the wireless connection does not provide the headphone with the kind of sound quality you want. The potential is there with the 40mm dynamic drivers but restrained due to the internal DAC.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBT headphones have a decent audio quality that surpasses the ATH-S220BT model. That bass is clearer in this one. It provides you with better extension and gives you a rich overall presentation.
If you are keen on hearing rock and jazz tunes, then you would love to use these headphones. The bass guitars and the drums are suitable for this kind of unit. You can make use of the wired connection.
The mid-range is good on the bass and comes with less emotion. It might be a slightly put-off for those of you who prefer to listen to emotional songs. Again, in this model, the sound quality changes when you use the wired mode, and you can hear clear music.
The most important thing here is that the model sounds awesome. It can overcome the common hurdles that are mostly found on cheaper models. It makes the model an outstanding option to listen to various genres.
If you like neutral sound, then you will like this a lot. Overall, the sound quality of both the units is quite impressive. They come with all the elements that you might want to hear. They are also good for making calls that we will read in the below segment.
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK: Microphone Performance
We read about most of the good parts about the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT headphone. Now, for the unfortunate part. Now before we read, we must understand one thing. This model is priced under $100.
Despite having exceptional comfort and sound quality, the microphone performance left a lot to be desired. You feel your voice is just not moving to the other side, especially in crowded areas.
So, if you are somebody who wants to make calls, then you may find the microphone worthless in crowded places like a bus station or inside the subway. However, you can consider using it inside your home or office.
Our tester found that the microphone did exceptionally well on gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch. You can use it for both gaming and chat purposes effortlessly. We recommend the microphone for usage on gaming consoles.
Similarly, the Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBT headphone came with a decent microphone quality. Like we said, these are entry-headphones priced under $150 and lesser. One cannot expect them to shine in the microphone department.
Even $200 priced products tend to underperform in the microphone aspect of things. The unit is alright for making calls on devices like your smartphone and laptop. Perhaps, we can expect some improvements in the next generation models from the company.
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK: Compatibility
Perhaps, compatibility is one area that the Audio-Technica models shine. The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT headphone comes with an amazing battery life of 40 hours. They have claimed that it provides you with 60 hours, but we are not confirmed about it.
The moment you turn on the model, you know the battery level on it. This feature is a minor aspect of the headphone, letting you understand where things are standing. You don’t have to have the charging cable or even the 3.5mm wire to hand.
When you are charging the headphone for 10 minutes, it provides you with more than 3 hours of use. This feature is helpful for those of you often traveling on long journeys. They work with the help of the 40mm dynamic drivers.
You can also make use of the Bluetooth version 5.0 technology. It also comes embedded with the help of the ATH-S220BT support multipoint connection. It is ideal for those of you who require several devices on your table.
Similarly, the Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBT headphones also have the left earcup embedded with its slider feature. It also comes with a clicker that allows you to control the playback and the volume.
The Bluetooth connectivity is splendid on both models. This aspect is something that we found out while reviewing them. They also come with the 3.5mm headphone jack and the micro-USB port for charging purposes. It supports aptX and AAC codecs that provide wireless transmission.
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK: Price
The Audio-Technica ATH-S200BTBK Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones are priced under $70. The model comes rightly priced for the features that are infused in it. The battery working life is breathtaking, coming in at 40 hours of usage.
For under $100, that is almost unheard of. The Sony headphones provide you with the same range for $200. You can also fold them flat when you want to take them around with you. It also has a 30 cm (1′) USB charging cable inside the package.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK SonicFuel Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones are priced under $111. The unit comes with Bluetooth wireless technology. The microphone and music/volume control are also built into the earcups.
These provide you with convenient control of the devices you want to connect it with. The battery life is good at 30 hours. Overall, it is a good package that comes priced relatively low for its features.
Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK: Verdict
This is it we have come to the end of our comparison review about the Audio-Technica ATH-S200BTBK Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones vs the Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBK SonicFuel Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear Headphones.
We hope you enjoyed reading the post and made your decision. If you haven’t, then we suggest that you read the post again. The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT headphones come with a lot of remarkable features like rapid charge, a low latency implementation, and a fantastic battery.
These features are mostly not present on budget headphones. It was pleasant to note that you have them in here. Besides, it is extremely lightweight and portable. You can fold the headset and then take them with you wherever you want to.
However, it does not have a noise-canceling feature, and the microphone pairing could have been better. When you are alright with that, we see no reason why these headphones should not be on your desk.
The Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBT headphones come with exceptional features infused in them. The unit is nicely built, provides you with neutral audio quality, and is quite portable. They feel comfortable with you too.
You can wear them for lengthy hours without much difficultly. Of course, it does not come with active noise cancellation. The battery’s working life is impressive, and you can use it for 30 hours. We felt that the control schemes on it are slightly fiddly.
Otherwise, they appear fantastic, have phenomenal audio quality, and wireless connectivity work splendidly. If you are alright with the headphones not having any noise cancellation, this should be your new headset.
Our winner in this comparison review between the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT vs Audio-Technica ATH-AR3BTBT headphones is the ATH-AR3BTBT headphone. It comes having a good fitting, an exceptional audio quality, and a top-notch battery operation.
James Smith has always been intrigued by electronic products since his childhood. After his post graduation in electronics from a popular university, he decided to pursue a career in the electronics sector. But his calling for writing about these marvellous pieces of work got the better of him. That is how UBG was started. With a writing career spanning more than 12 years, James has worked on several hundred product reviews. During his free time, he like to spend time with his pet dog and relax in the swimming pool.