StereoNET: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Headphones Review

JUNE 2017

ATH-DSR7BT AUDIO-TECHNICA

REVIEW / AUDIO-TECHNICA / ATH-DSR7BT WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES

AUDIO-TECHNICA

ATH-DSR7BT

WIRELESS OVER-EAR HEADPHONES Distributor: Technical Audio Group $599 RRP

“Their headphones are also highly renowned, and have even achieved “cult-like” status”

Whilst I’ve always been interested in audio, my

More recently, Audio-Technica have earned

love for headphones kicked off when I started

widespread recognition spanning across

mixing bands in pubs and I needed a new pair

several industries. Their microphones are

of headphones suited to the task.

practically commonplace in the pro audio

What I thought would be a simple process, visiting retail stores to audition headphones, and eventually deciding turned into a deep dive down the rabbit hole.

Like many other headphone fanatics, my Head-Fi journey really began when I eventually resurfaced with the trusty Audio-Technica ATH M50 in hand. The M50, at least for me, acts like a gateway drug - opening the door to a lifelong pursuit of better audio.

Audio-Technica started off in 1962 as a phonograph cartridge manufacturer. The founder, Hideo Matsushita, sadly passed away in March of 2013.

During the company’s 40th anniversary in 2002, Hideo looked back on the very beginning of the company. He was quoted saying: “I came to Tokyo at age 32, and, thanks to an introduction by my uncle, went to work for the Bridgestone Museum of Art. At the urging of the museum’s director, I began organizing LP concerts. These were much more successful than anyone imagined. After a decade at the Bridgestone Museum, I struck out on my own and established Audio-Technica in 1962.”

His son, Kazuo Matsushita, is still the president today.

scene used in both studio and live scenarios.

They were even one of the first companies to ever produce a headset microphone.

Their headphones are also highly renowned, and have even achieved “cult-like” status in some circles. They have a headphone range for every conceivable category, including DJ, pro audio, Hi-Fi, noise cancelling, sports, gaming, and even communications headsets.

At the beginning of 2017, Audio-Technica unveiled their latest wireless headphones at the CES Show in Las Vegas. The range consisted of two models: ATH-DSR9BT, and ATH-DSR7BT. Both releases are over-ear wireless models, featuring Audio-Technica’s latest proprietary Bluetooth system, 45mm drivers, and are packed with acoustic wizardry.

Taking a closer look at the ATH-DSR7BT, it comes in at $599 locally. Staring down the barrel of releases such as the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 2.0 ($799 AUD), Bang & Olufsen H7 wireless ($699 AUD), and the Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless ($600 AUD), one can’t help but think the price point has been strategically set.

Even so, $599 is nothing to sneeze at in the Bluetooth over-ear game.

First impressions

The tech

They say first impressions are everything

The DSR7BT shares a lot of acoustic DNA

and after removing the ATH-DSR7BT from

with the ATH-MSR7 - including the proprietary

their delicate silk-lined box, things take a

45mm “True Motion” drivers, and the

somewhat disappointing turn. The build quality

enclosures that they sit in.

is perhaps not to the high level that I have come to expect from Audio-Technica.

Unlike the MSR7 however, the DSR7BT is packed with digital technology - Bluetooth

The entire headphone assembly is very

4.2, NFC pairing, a 15-hour battery life, and

squeaky, with even minor adjustments

some very curious digital audio design.

producing some awkward audible creaking.

The noise is frequent and loud, and I can only hope it will subside over time. The culprit isn’t just one single part; all moving parts (and even the headband) will groan when adjusted.

The headphones don’t fold, either. This is a tricky sell for a Bluetooth headphone, as they will inevitably eat up an uncomfortable amount of room when being stored.

The 45mm drivers feature multiple bobbinwound voice coils and are kept completely isolated from the electric circuitry contained in the cups. They are also angled inwards, which is said to enhance the listener’s perception of soundstage and imaging.

The DRS7BT does not transmit audio via Bluetooth in the same way a typical Bluetooth headphone does. Instead of utilising a

There are buttons for volume up/down, and an

typical DAC inbuilt into the headphone,

odd touch panel button for play/pause. The

the Dnote chipset (developed by Trigence

track skipping is done via the volume slider,

Semiconductor) keeps the digital stream intact

which is frustratingly wobbly. It’s the same

from the source, all the way until it hits the

story for the power on/off switch as well.

voice coils pushing the driver itself.

I’m glad to say that it’s not all bad, however.

This unique implementation gives some truly

The outside of the cups are made from

stellar sonic performance, albeit at the cost of

aluminium, and feature a subtle etching of

not being able to use any traditional 3.5mm

the Audio-Technica logo on the outside. The

headphone jack. Instead, listeners have the

pads are soft, and replaceable. The headband

option of using either Bluetooth, or the USB

slider is sturdy, and will rarely slip or skip out

connection straight into their source device.

of position.

Using the latter option provides options for

I would have loved to have seen some more

Hi-Res playback.

metal in the place of the plastics, especially on the yolk and the headband. Who knows - doing so may have even eliminated a lot of the squeaking and cheap feeling?

“The headband slider is sturdy, and will rarely slip or skip out of position”

“A full battery charge will take around 5 hours�

In use Upon powering them on, the LED indicators on the outside of the cup light up, and will assist with the pairing process. Sound effects played through the cup indicate the headphones current pairing status.

I noticed a somewhat strong clamping force when putting them on for the first time. It did weaken slightly over the following days, but remained an issue for the duration of my use.

When moving about, and as mentioned, the headphones will lightly creak and squeak. It’s just enough to invade the quiet moments in your music and movies.

Pairing via NFC was incredibly simple, and the fact that I could potentially pair these with up to 8 devices is mind-numbing. I’m yet to come across another Bluetooth headphone that can do that.

Connected via Bluetooth there is some noticeable background hiss. This may vary depending on what device and Bluetooth version your source is equipped with.

When Bluetooth isn’t an option I was easily able to connect the device via USB without any need to install additional software or drivers. I also noticed that this connection method has a much lower noise floor so after running through all the tests it became my preferred connection method.

When in Bluetooth mode, the lights on the outside of the headphone not only show battery life, but will indicate which profile/codec is being used.

A full battery charge will take around 5 hours.

Sound Fans of the brand will be

gives off a sense of air and

delighted to know that the

transparency, while remaining

Audio-Technica house sound and

analytical. Thankfully, there isn’t

signature has found its way to the

too much punch in the highs, and

wireless domain with this release.

despite having a bright signature,

The bass is light, lean and

there’s not a hint of sibilance.

controlled. It’s still present when

For a closed-back headphone,

called upon, but sits far back

the soundstage is incredibly

in the mix. When comparing it

vast and the imaging is superior.

to the Sennheiser Momentum

There is so much air in between

Wireless, this is the most

each note, that they almost give

obvious point of difference - the

off the feeling of being an open-

Momentum bass sounds bloated

backed headphone.

by comparison.

Isolation isn’t terribly strong

There are no crazy humps

or overbearing on these

in the lower frequencies, so

headphones. As an example, I

don’t expect to find any crazy

am wearing them right now as

thumping basslines with these

I type these words, listening to

headphones. Instead, the bass

music at an acceptable level, and

takes a more delicate approach,

I can easily hear the keys tapping

remaining accurate and subtly

away on my keyboard. Thankfully,

present in the signature.

even at realistic volume levels

Mids are the real talking point here. There is an uncanny realism

though, your neighbours won’t be complaining.

driven from the angled 45mm

The ATH-DSR7BT headphones

True Motion drivers, without a

offer a more accurate sound

hint of congestion or muddiness.

signature as opposed to the

Individual instruments can be

typical ‘street sound’ we often

easily identified and picked

see in the wireless Bluetooth

out of a mix, and detail

headphone category. I’d suggest

retrieval is incredible for a

they’ve been designed with home

Bluetooth headphone.

or desk use in mind, rather than

This positive story continues to

for public transport or travel.

the upper mids, and well into the highs. The sound signature

“The bass is light, lean and controlled”

SPECIFICATIONS

Headphone

Microphone

Type

Element

/ / Closed-back dynamic

/ / Condenser

Driver Diameter

Polar Pattern

/ / 45 mm

/ / Omnidirectional

Voice Coil

Frequency Response

/ / 7N-OFC

/ / 50 – 4,000 Hz

Frequency Response

Open Circuit Sensitivity

/ / 5 – 45,000 Hz

/ / -44 dB (1V/Pa a 1 kHz)

Sensitivity

Bluetooth

/ / 100dB/mW Impedance / / 35 ohms Battery / / Internal Battery: 3.7V rechargeable lithium polymer battery Battery Life

Bluetooth® Version / / Bluetooth Version 4.2 Output / / Bluetooth Specification Power Class 2 Operating Range / / Line of sight - approx. 10m

/ / Continuous use: 15 Hours approx.

Compatible Bluetooth® Profiles

/ / Standby time: 1,000 Hours approx.

/ / A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

Weight

Support Codec

/ / 300g without cable

/ / aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC

Connector

Transmission Band

/ / Micro USB Type B

/ / 20 – 20,000Hz

Conclusion Smartly priced to come in cheaper than their competitors, the beautiful, airy and accurate sound signature and fantastic acoustics of AudioTechnica’s ATH-DSR7BT presents great value.

Build quality and lack of real isolation holds them back from being a fantastic travel buddy. Perhaps the bigger brother, the DSR9BT, might make up for these shortcomings.

WORDS/IMAGES: Matthew ‘Jensy’ Jens