Pure Digital Drive system (yes, apparently these headphones don’t need a DAC. The digital 1’s and 0’s are actually moving the driver… no analog conversion… insane)
Bluetooth with aptX HD, aptx, AAC and SBC support to 24-bit/48kHz
Built-in mic and volume controls
NFC for touch pairing
LED indicators in one of the earcups to show battery level, Bluetooth codec being used, and to annoy the person sleeping next to you
Heat-reactive earpads that apparently keep your ears cool
Enough battery for 15 hours of continuous use and 1000 hours of standby
SPECS
Driver Type: Dynamic Driver Diameter: 45 mm Voice Coil: OFC-7N Frequency Response: 5 – 45,000 Hz Sensitivity: 97 dB/mW Impedance: 38 ohms Battery: Internal Battery: 3.7V rechargeable lithium polymer battery Battery Life: Approx. 15 hours continuous use (1000 hours standby) Charging Time: Approx. 5 hours (for 0-100% charge) Depending on environmental conditions Weight: 310 g (10.9 oz), without cable Accessories Included: 2.0 m (6.6’) USB charging cable, hard carrying case Type (Microphone): condenser Sensitivity (Microphone): -44 dB (1V/Pa a 1 kHz) Frequency Response (Microphone): 50 – 4,000 Hz Polar Pattern (Microphone): omnidirectional Input Jack: Micro USB Type B Communication System: Bluetooth Version 4.2 Output: Bluetooth Specification Power Class 2 Maximum Communication Range: Line of sight - approx. 10 m (33’) Compatible Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP Support Codec: aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
I’ve been using these for a week now. I have a full review on the go, but wanted to post some initial impressions.
THE GOOD
The sound is brilliant. They are some of the best-sounding wireless headphones I’ve heard. I’m still trying to wrap my head around this pure digital drive technology, but I can say the result is great sound.
The wireless connections are great. I’m glad they support both AAC and aptX HD.
They are very comfortable
They look great
THE BAD
There is no ANC which is fine, but the sound isolation is also bad. I wore them in a Starbucks, and couldn’t hear any music.
I like to wear headphones in bed sometimes. These have a ridiculous LED light that flashes non-stop. I couldn’t find a way to turn the light off. It would definitely be annoying for anyone trying to sleep nearby
Overall I am impressed with them and would recommend them for listening to music at home (not great for the office / public spaces)
Hahaha. It’s not the fact that they use micro USB that makes charging them inconvenient. It’s that the only micro USB cable that fits is the one they ship with the headphones.
I have at least 30 micro USB cables in my house, but their cable is the only one that fits.
Ah that’s too bad, I hate when headphone manufacturer’s make you buy their proprietary cables to use their headphones. Sennheiser is notorious for doing it with their “locking mechanism” cables.
When you say they sound brilliant, are you saying they are bright? I found Audio-Technica really leans into that brighter, Japanese sound signature with their headphones. Does the ATH-DSR9BT follow suit?
Although I would say these have a typical Audio Technica sound. I would call the Japanese sound more “balanced” than “bright” though.
Since most wireless headphones are aimed at the mass market they are usually heavy on the bass. So, compared to most wireless headphones these have much less low end boominess
I haven’t tried the DSR9BTs with a wire yet, so hard to give a direct comparison, but there is less sound isolation in the DSR9BT due to softer pads. That much I can say.
