Audio-Technica Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones

Absolutely fantastic headphones! TLDR: I would buy these again without hesitation. I might even have purchased over the ATH-M50x if these were available when I purchased my first pair a few years ago. They sound the same when running directly via 3.5mm cable. They are built the same and they feel the same; very comfortable. Pros: + Can be used cord free via bluetooth connection. + Can be used with 3.5mm aux cable without bluetooth (like, oops, I drained my battery or no BT reception). + Using via 3.5mm cable doesn't require batteries, it's passive, just like any normal headphones (like the ATH-M50x). + The head phones have a large memory so that it will remember multiple device connections (8 if I remember). + The reception is good 20-30 feet away from a bluetooth device. I've been able to walk into other rooms or down stairs and remain connected. I'll get a skip or studder depending on distance and number of walls (which is totally normal and to be expected). + Switching between bluetooth and wired is as easy as connecting the cable. You should turn off the power switch since technically you're not streaming over bluetooth. I accidentally left the BT connection to my phone on and plugged in the cable to my laptop. It worked and I didn't realize until I walked away and returned to see the pulsing white light (I had left on the power switch). + I can get a few days of 8-hour use before having to charge them again. + They sound the same as the ATH-M50x when the power is off and they are connected via 3.5mm cable. + They have a small bump in base over the ATH-M50x when connected via bluetooth. + Same build quality and feel as standard ATH-M50x head phones. + Little to no sound leak (using glasses with thick frames will be an exception). + Although they are not noise cancelling, they do a good job isolating external noise because they are over the ear. With music playing, you won't hear much around you. With music paused, you can hear when people are trying to talk to you (planes, public transit, etc...). Cons (the first two are minor): - The pleather bag that comes with these is really small. Yeah, the headphones fit but it should probably have a minimum of an inch more in length and width. This would help bag not be as tight around the headphones, especially when the cable is there. - After only 8 months, the factory 3.5mm microphone/remote cable that came in the box wore out last week. This was without any drops, yanks, or hard wear and tear. I listen to bluetooth at home and while commuting on the train. I turn off bluetooth in the office and just listen via cable because crApple osx 10.6 has massive bluetooth failures (100% apple, not the headphones). - Micro USB to charge. Seriously, this is stupid. Micro USB is cheap so that's why people use it in hardware designs, but omg don't try to connect this to power in the dark. It will take you a year to first locate where the port is for power, let alone figuring out if the cable is upside down or not. They should have put up the money for USB-C. it's more robust and is bi-directional. That is my biggest gripe about these, honest. Everything else is tolerable. **Edit** November 2019 It's been a year of daily use for these now. I stand by my origional review. I only wish charging was USB-C type of connector. - Audio still great. - Call clarity still great. - Construction still sturdy. - Battery still holding up. - 3.5mm audio port still holding up. - Single replacement cable still holding up and that's with connecting /disconnecting daily. - Cushions still in great condition. - BT pairing still spot on. Regarding the comment on the factory audio cable: I replaced the broken mic/audio cable with a nice braided cable, 3.5mm on both ends (one side naturally has an extra conductor and insulation band for the mic). For those of you looking to replace a cable, spend the money and don't buy cheap low quality cables; you'll be so much happier with a soft braided cable of higher quality of you need a replacement.