Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BTWH Bluetooth Wireless On-Ear High-Resolution Audio Headphones, White

I’ve had a long history of headphones / earphones, and think I’ve finally found some which fit (most of) my criteria:

1: Cordless is a must – I can’t stand having a cable getting caught on collars / zips.
2: I wanted something which had decent sound volume (I’m not an audiophile, so was less concerned about super crystal sound quality).
3: I also wanted something that would allow me to make the occasional call.

These headphones cover the first two, but are let down by the third.

They’re very comfortable, and don’t get too hot on your ears. The trick is to ensure they’re extended well, so they fit loosely over your ears. The sound volume is good – plenty high enough to hear when commuting, although it is of course dependent on the volume of the source (phone or whatever). One real plus point is the battery life – it’s great. Advertised as about 38 hours, I haven’t tested it to that extreme but I can certainly have moderate daily use for a good three or four days without it running out of battery. Shame there’s no indicator other than a low battery light (with no idea how much time / charge is left)

A minor downside is its handling of bluetooth – it’s not particularly easy to switch between devices, as it only seems to remember what ti was last paired with. It also doesn’t always reconnect with your device if you go out of range and then come back. You often end up having to switch the headphones off and then on again to reconnect.The sync is good though – watching movies on a phone is fine, no sync issues that I could notice.

That aside, the only real negative point with them is the microphone quality. When on calls, I can hear the caller perfectly, but everyone says I sound like I’m underwater when speaking to them. Unsurprising when the mic is just a single tiny hole next to the headphone jack.

Other than that, they’re a great set of headphones that allow comfortable listening for days.

The general sound quality when wired is fantastic, but some songs break up on the highs or when it gets busy with sound. I ripped the songs again on another PC and the same. Need to try more headphones to eliminate the actual source.
Over Bluetooth they are empty of Bass to mid using a Sony NWA-45 source yet with iphones they sound very balanced (not quite as sharp) and go louder than wired but the sound clarity does not sparkle like when they are wired, unfortunately the speakers and Sony walkman have no equaliser to compensate.
The headphones come alive at higher volumes and need to be driven to get the best from them.
I have not listened to similar priced headphones, so I do not know if I am being over critical, but I did not expect the tizz/ distortion.
I do not hear distortion on my home surround Denon AVR-X2000 with Qacoustic Q7000i speakers!

The sound quality is impeccable. However due to the design of the earcups they catch and amplify any ambient noise. Crumbling of the plastic bag sounds like a train… And after hours of wearing your ears start to hurt cause the round foam is pressing on the edge of your ears.

Not recommended if you’re a serious listener, otherwise go for it. I was excited to try Audio Technica for the first time.