Audio-Technica Audio Technica Hi-Res Wireless On-Ear Headphones Review
Forget about noise cancellation. The Audio-Technica SR5BTWH headphones win on a different front: they're so comfortable you might fall asleep in them. Here's who they're really for.
The 30-Second Version
Forget the noise-canceling hype. These are the headphones you wear when you want to disappear into the music, not the world. The comfort is legendary and the sound punches way above its price.
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BTWH are the comfiest headphones you've never heard of. That's the one thing to know. They're not trying to be the flashiest or the loudest, but they've got a secret weapon: they're so light and soft you'll forget you're wearing them. For $149, you're getting a pair of wireless on-ears that prioritize long listening sessions and surprisingly detailed sound over gimmicks like world-class noise cancellation.
Performance
What surprised us was how well they handle sound quality for the price. Our data puts them in the 93rd percentile for sound, which is no joke. The 45mm drivers deliver a clean, balanced profile that's great for music and studio work. The weak spot is the microphone, which lands in a pretty average 58th percentile. Don't plan on using these for important calls.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong comfort (96th percentile) 96th
- Strong sound (95th percentile) 95th
- Strong battery (83th percentile) 83th
- Strong social proof (67th percentile) 67th
Cons
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | On-Ear |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Memory Foam |
Audio
| Driver Type | 45mm |
| Driver Size | 45 |
| Freq Min | 5 |
| Freq Max | 40000 |
| Impedance | 45 |
| Sensitivity | 103 |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
| Codecs | Bluetooth wireless technology with mic and volume/control switch built into the earcup for convenient control of smartphones and other Bluetooth wireless devicesNFC (Near Field Communication) functionality enables touch pairing with NFC-compatible Bluetooth wireless technology devicesRemembers up to eight Bluetooth wireless devicesLarge 45 mm drivers for outstanding sound qualityLED indicator in earcup displays status of pairing, Bluetooth wireless connection, battery level and chargingSoft, mem |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 38 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $149, these are a great value if your priorities are comfort and sound. You're not paying for premium ANC or a metal headband, but you are getting a pair of headphones you can wear all day that sound better than most in this bracket.
vs Competition
Don't compare these to the Sony WH-1000XM6 or AirPods Max—that's a different price and feature war. The real competition is from the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus and JBL Tune 770NC. The Sennheisers offer decent ANC for a similar price but can't touch these on comfort. The JBLs are cheaper and have ANC, but the sound quality isn't as refined. It's a trade-off: do you want better noise blocking, or do you want to wear them for eight hours straight without an ache?
| Spec | Audio-Technica Audio Technica Hi-Res Wireless On-Ear Headphones | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C) - Midnight | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | On-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | 45mm | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 45 | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 45 | 48 | 16 | — | 24 | 32 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | — | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | — | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | — | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | 38 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 35 | 70 |
Common Questions
Q: How's the call quality on these?
Honestly, it's the weak link. The mic is just okay for quick chats, but for important calls or meetings, you'll want to use your phone or a dedicated headset.
Q: Do they have noise cancellation?
Nope. They're passive, on-ear headphones. They block a little sound just by sitting on your ears, but there's no active ANC tech here. That's part of why the battery lasts so long.
Q: Are they good for working out?
We wouldn't recommend it. They're not sweat-resistant, and while they're light, the on-ear design might not stay put during intense movement. Get some proper earbuds for the gym.
Who Should Skip This
If you need top-tier noise cancellation for flights or a loud office, skip these. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM6 instead. Also, if you hate the feeling of on-ear headphones, these aren't going to change your mind.
Verdict
We recommend these if you want a lightweight, supremely comfortable pair of wireless headphones for music, podcasts, and long work sessions. They sound excellent, the battery lasts forever, and they're easy to live with. Just know going in that the mic is mediocre and you'll hear the outside world.