Saturday, August 25, 2018

Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT Over The Ear Digital Headphones Review


We all work hard for our money. So when we look at spending our hard earned cash, we want a good bang for the buck. You want good quality and price with great performance. Audio-Technica continually makes their brand with this. They also provide some good innovation. A perfect example of this is the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT.

Features and specs:


Exclusive Pure Digital Drive system keeps audio signal completely digital from source to driver for exceptionally pure sound

Dnote chipset controls driver amplitude directly with digital signals – no D/A converter required
Compatible with Qualcomm aptX HD, aptX, AAC and SBC codecs, enabling wireless transmission with a resolution up to 24-bit/48kHz

Exclusive 45 mm True Motion Driver, featuring 4-core twisted OFC-7N voice coil and diaphragm with DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating, extremely accurate audio reproduction with extended high frequencies

Housing’s dual-layer isolation structure keeps the electric circuitry separate from the acoustic space for optimal phase and transient response

Acoustic resistor controls airflow inside the diaphragm housing, yielding more natural sound

Mic and volume/control switch are built into the earcup for convenient control of smartphones and other Bluetooth wireless devices

NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality enables touch pairing with NFC-compatible Bluetooth wireless technology devices

Remembers the last eight Bluetooth wireless devices paired

LED indicators in the earcup display pairing and charging status, battery level, and the codec currently in use

Heat-reactive soft foam earpads and an easily adjustable leather headband provide a comfortable fit with outstanding sound isolation

Internal battery provides approximately 15 hours of continuous use (1000 hours on standby) on a full charge

Includes a 2.0 m (6.6') USB cable, for charging and Hi-Res Audio playback. and hard carrying case





The Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT came in a nice color printed box with photos of the headphones and it’s specs. Opening the box revealed a well protected product in a hard zipper case. Materials used in the construction was a lot of metal, with some plastic. Quality of the materials used was excellent, as was the fit and finish. The Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT is very well built for a long lifespan. It’s a premium product and it shows.


The design of the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT is stellar. We live in a digital age, and our music is following suit. So to keep the sound the best possible, they came up with a design for the signal path to be completely digital. Enter the Pure Digital Drive system. It keeps the signal path digital from source to driver to deliver the best sound possible. I also really like having NFC built in for easy connectivity, as well as the LED’s for a battery level indicator! It’s an overall excellent design, but how well does it sound?


Why the People Like That – Vocals were very smooth with great texture. Bass had great low end extension and played with tons of authority. Piano sounded natural. Percussion was very dynamic, crisp and clean. Harmonica was silky smooth with great harmonics and dynamics.  Rhapsody in Blue – Clarinet was smooth like honey with excellent resolution to hear the breathing and tonguing technique. Piano sounded very natural. Brass was crisp and clean without sounding brassy. Flute was smooth. Bassoon had excellent midbass harmonics and texture. Imaging was very good in the large soundstage. Earth Wind and Fire: Let’s Groove – Vocals were silky smooth like a dove chocolate bar, with excellent texture and timbre. Bass had excellent low end extension and impact, hitting hard like a sledge hammer. Brass was so clean with excellent harmonics.  Katy Perry: Dark Horse – Bass had excellent low end extension, was really clean, hit hard and had tons of authority. Vocals were smooth, clean, extremely natural, with excellent texture and timbre.

Audio-Technica is a company known for giving a good bang for the buck, and that trend

continues. Their direct digital drive is innovative, and gives you some great technology.

Better than that, the technology worked, giving excellent clarity and resolution! The built

quality was also excellent. The only thing I didn’t like…since it is completely digital, there’s

no option for using an analog cable, if the battery runs out. Being completely digital, not

being able to have an analog cable makes sense.  And the excellent sound....worth being

without a cable. Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, they have

earned our Editor's Choice Award.  For more info and complete specs check out their




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