The best Audio-Technica headphones: our top 5 audiophile earbuds and over-ears

PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
(Image credit: Audio-Technica)

Audio-Technica has a long and distinguished sonic heritage, starting out in the turntable phonocartridge game in the swinging sixties, before branching out into headphones in the mid-seventies. 

With the advent of wireless listening and active noise cancelation, Audio-Technica has kept up with the times, with some of its headphones making our roundups of the best headphones, best wireless headphones, and best true wireless headphones

We recently saw the brand's new true wireless earbuds, the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW, which were launched at CES 2020 in early January – and we're impressed so far. Stay tuned for our full review in the next couple of months. 

Despite the aptitude of its headphones, Audio-Technica prices often undercut the competition, making them a great introduction to world of audiophile sound without breaking the bank. 

Not sure where to start? We've scoured our past reviews to bring you the very best Audio-Technica headphones you can buy.

best wireless headphones

Image credit: Audio-Technica

1. Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT

Technically brilliant on nearly every level

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 310g
Cable length: 1.2m, detachable
Frequency response: 15 - 28,000 Hz
Drivers: 45mm
Driver type: Dynamic
Sensitivity: 99dB At 1KHz
Impedance: 38 ohms
Battery life: 40 hours
Wireless range: 10 meters (30+ feet)
NFC: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Great sound quality
+
Comfortable
+
Great price

Reasons to avoid

-
Clunky design

Audio-Technica has a long history of producing high-quality over-ear headphones, microphones, and turntable accessories, and with the release of the ATH-M50xBT, it delivers studio-quality audio without the cord.  

The ATH-M50xBTs are designed for really high-end audio performance, with 45mm drivers and a frequency response range of 15-28,00 Hz, and it shows - we were very impressed with the warm, well-rounded sound.

The ATH-M50xBT headphones also performed well in terms of battery life and Bluetooth connectivity, however the microphone isn’t particularly strong, and you may struggle to make phone calls using them - still, that’s probably not the reason you would purchase a pair of studio grade headphones in the first place. 

Read our full review: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT  

true wireless earbuds

(Image credit: Audio-Technica)

2. Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW

Big on bass, big on battery life

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 8g
Frequency response: 5Hz - 40kHz
Drivers: 10mm
Driver type: Dynamic
Sensitivity: 110 dB
Impedance: 16 ohms
Battery life: 45 hours (with case)
wireless range: N/A
NFC: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Sound great
+
Punchy bass
+
Long battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Weighty
-
Fit takes some getting used to
-
Fiddly case

With a promising battery life and well-managed bass enhancement over Audio-Technica’s usual neutral sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW true wireless earbuds have a lot going for them. 

They've one of the most complete and well-rounded sound profiles we've seen from a pair of Bluetooth earbuds, in spite of the bass enhancement at play here. Overall they make for a very enjoyable listen.

However, they are slightly let down a bit by their fit – mileage will vary of course depending on your preferred bud style and the size of your ears, but all will find the fiddly case fit will annoy over time. Still, the quality audio here may be a worthy trade-off.

Read the full review: Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW review

(Image credit: TechRadar)

3. Audio-Technica ATH-LS70iS

Great in-ear sound at a great price

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 6.5g
Frequency response: 5Hz - 26kHz
Drivers: 8.8mm
Driver type: Dynamic
Sensitivity: 101 dB
Impedance: 24.3 ohms
Battery life: N/A
Wireless range: N/A
NFC: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible sound
+
Snug in-ear fit

Reasons to avoid

-
No volume control on remote
-
No active noise cancelation

If you can do without mod-cons like Bluetooth and active noise cancellation, the Audio-Technica ATH-LS70iS are some of the best earphones you can get at this price point.

Retailing for £125 (around $160 / AU$230), these wired earbuds take their cue from the in-ear monitors worn by musicians onstage, allowing them to hear what's being played over the noise of loud speakers and screaming fans.

Detailed, clear, and spacious, they're a great option for anyone who likes the security and fidelity of a wired connection, as well as the convenience of an in-ear form factor.

Read the full review: Audio-Technica ATH-LS70iS review

(Image credit: Audio-Technica)

4. Audio-Technica ATH-S200BT

Easy on the wallet, great on the ears

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 190g
Frequency response: 5Hz - 32kHz
Drivers: 40mm
Driver type: Dynamic
Sensitivity: 102 dB
Impedance: 32 ohms
Battery life: 40 hours
Wireless range: N/A
NFC: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic battery
+
Decent sound
+
Great price

Reasons to avoid

-
Tight on the ears
-
Plastic look
-
Don’t fully fold

The ATH-S200BT’s are a well-built, great-sounding, long-lasting pair of headphones. Their features constantly outweigh their modest price and that 40-hour battery life is very impressive.

Taking into consideration the price of these headphones, the sound really is impressive. There isn’t quite the depth we would have liked, but there is a clarity there that’s usually only heard in £100/$100 plus headphones, and here you get it for nearly half the price.  

Although the earcups are comfortable, they are a little too tight on the head and this can cause pinching. But this is a small niggle against what are a great pair of headphones. 

Read the full review: Audio-Technica ATH-200BT review

(Image credit: TechRadar)

5. Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BT

70 hours of battery life is simply brilliant

Specifications

Acoustic design: Closed
Weight: 193g
Frequency response: 5Hz - 35kHz
Drivers: 40mm
Driver type: Dynamic
Sensitivity: 99 dB
Impedance: 32 ohms
Battery life: 70 hours
Wireless range: 33ft
NFC: N/A

Reasons to buy

+
Incredible battery life
+
Light and comfortable
+
Great price

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks the premium feel
-
No smart on-board controls
-
No 3.5mm jack

The idea that you can charge the Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BTs once and get a month’s listen out of them is a game-changer for Bluetooth headphones and one that’s sure to bring new users to the brand. 

While they’ll come for the big battery, they won’t be disappointed with the comfort or the sound. Yes, there isn’t much in the way of other frills but who needs them when your battery is such a headline grabber?

We only tested these headphones briefly at IFA 2018, but what we heard was very impressive.

Read our hands-on review: Hands-on Audio-Technica ATH-SR30BT review

Olivia Tambini

Olivia was previously TechRadar's Senior Editor - Home Entertainment, covering everything from headphones to TVs. Based in London, she's a popular music graduate who worked in the music industry before finding her calling in journalism. She's previously been interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on the subject of multi-room audio, chaired panel discussions on diversity in music festival lineups, and her bylines include T3, Stereoboard, What to Watch, Top Ten Reviews, Creative Bloq, and Croco Magazine. Olivia now has a career in PR.