The ATH-S300BT is Audio-Technica’s new mid-range wireless headphones that offer ANC and a crazy long 90 hours of battery life for S$148. If you’re interested in a pair of headphones that is affordable and good, the Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT might just be what you’re looking for.
Unboxing
Inside the box, you will find the following items:
- Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT Wireless ANC Headphones
- USB Type-A to Type -C charging cable (30cm)
- 3.5mm AUX Cable with inline mic and control (1.2m)
- User manual
Design and build quality
Unlike Audio-Technica’s ‘M’ series of headphones with large faceplates and thick headbands, the new ATH-S300BT goes for a more simple and clean approach to its design. It’s been kept so clean that you don’t even find the Audio-Technica logo on the faceplate at all. Personally, I like a minimalistic design. Maybe Audio-Technica doesn’t want the design to be too simple as well so the plastic used on the ATH-S300BT have some sort of terrazzo marbled pattern to it. There are two colors to chose from: (1) black, or (2) biege.
Build quality of ATH-S300BT is pretty good for its price as well. The headphone is largely a plastic construction but the plastic used doesn’t feel too cheap or lacking in sturdiness. There aren’t any creaking of plastic, and the headband adjustments have defined steps that retract/extend nicely.
The ATH-S300BT does not fold down, but you can flip the ear cups. Not the most portable if you carry a small bag, but once the ear cups are flipped the ATH-S300BT should be slim enough to slide into most spaces.
Fit and comfort
One of the key highlights of the ATH-S300BT is its comfort. The ATH-S300BT are one the comfiest headphones I’ve worn in a while. It has the right combination of weight, clamping force, and space that makes it great to wear for extended durations. Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT weighs in at 258 grams. Despite being heavier than the ATH-M20xBT (217 grams), I found the ATH-S300BT to be more comfortable.
The PU leather ear cushions feel soft and well cushioned, and the padded headband distributes the weight and pressure on my head well. Clamping pressure is also just right and there is also enough space in the ear cups so heat isn’t trapped so easily. As the ear cups can be swivelled it, it likely also helps the headphone conform to the shape of my face.
Sound quality
ATH-S300BT has a sound signature with elevated bass levels for a full and warm listening experience. Bass is punchy and immersive, and does feel more impactful at high volumes. Sub-bass isn’t that boosted such that you get boomy feel. As for mids, vocals and instruments are clean and well presented. Treble is also on the warmer side so it is absent of bright highs that may feel fatiguing.
Perhaps my favourite part of the ATH-S300BT is its soundstage, which wide and open – something I wasn’t expecting at its S$148 price point. Imaging as also great, allowing me to identify the directionality of instruments even in complicated tracks.
ANC and Hear-through mode
ATH-S300BT has largely effective ANC capabilities. It is not as powerful other flagship’s ANC, but I’d feel it is largely sufficient for the everyday noises such as bus engine rumble. Typical environmental noises and general chatter and surrounding noise are effectively dampened but higher pitched noises may still be audible. For S$149, this level of ANC performance is very respectable in its own right.
There is also a mode called hear-through which is also known as transparency on other brands. it basically allows external surroundings come into the headphones. ATH-S300BT‘s implementation has a light natural feel to it as the overall volume that comes is not too loud, so fan and wind sounds doesn’t feel louder than usual (which is a common side effect). Everything just sounds more relaxed, though there is a slightly audible “white noise”-like hiss.
Controls and ports
ATH-S300BT feature physical buttons and they are rather straightforward. The right ear cup houses the noise-cancelling button which cycles through ANC, hear-through, and normal mode. The left ear cup has three buttons – center one controlling play/pause and on/off while the other two manages volume and track navigation.
I like how the ATH-S300BT still retains the 3.5mm AUX input which makes it more versatile. It also charges via USB-C which is convenient.
Battery life
Another key selling point of the ATH-S300BT is its crazy long battery life – 90 hours is the headline number if you use without ANC. But since it’s likely you’ll be using it ANC enabled, 60 hours is the more realistic number. There is also quick charge feature where a 3 minutes of charging will give you 2.5 hours of listening time (with ANC off).
Pairing, connectivity, and latency
Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT uses Bluetooth 5.1 which isn’t exactly the newest tech, but it doesn’t really matter to me if it keeps the price low. Connection stability was reliable throughout, and there was no lag or latency when watching YouTube videos on my iPhone 11. There is a Low Latency Mode as well that you can enable.
You can tell that Audio-Technica really wanted the ATH-S300BT to be geared towards everyday use with the inclusion of multipoint support. Multipoint is great for productivity as it allows you to connect the ATH-S300BT to two devices at once, and have seamless transition audio output from one device to another without having to disconnect to re-connect.
Microphone quality
Microphone performance of the ATH-S300BT is largely average. The output sounds as if you’d used a speakerphone, so you can expect it to sound a little echoey and less warm. Voice pickup sounds distant but remains clear and accurate. When noise is introduced, the ATH-S300BT does attempt to cancel out most of the noise. But at higher noise levels, it can struggle leading to distortion in voice pickup and noise leaking in. Personally, I’d only use the ATH-S300BT if I’m in a controlled environment.
Conclusion
Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT is a solid pair of wireless headphones that suits an individual who just wants something affordable for everyday use. Comfort, versatile connectivity, battery life and wide soundstage are some of the standout features for me. If those are your priorities then the ATH-S300BT is a strong pick at the price of S$148. In fact, I’d recommend the ATH-S300BT over the cheaper ATH-M20xBT.