Audio-Technica ATH-S300BT – Hardware Review
Even though we are a gaming site first and foremost, there are rare occasions when we tend to leave our gaming collection behind for other purposes. Even weathered gamers need to go out for daily commutes to work, grocery shopping, or other day-to-day activities. When doing so, it’s nice to have a decent pair of headphones or earbuds to make more mundane tasks or train rides a bit more pleasant. We could walk around with a bulky gaming headset, of course, but that wouldn’t immediately be very practical, seeing that those headsets are often rather bulky and flashy. Hence, we sometimes try out hardware that’s intended for everyone rather than gamers alone. For our following review, we were lucky enough to try out Audio-Technica’s ATH-S300BT wireless headphones. We were rather impressed by the device, especially considering its budget-friendly price tag.
Design
In terms of design, the ATH-S300BT sports a simple but classy design. You’ll be treated to an almost solid black headset, mainly with matte finishing touches and a so-called terrazzo marbled pattern trim. The latter does give the appearance of the headset something unique, as it feels like it’s more than just a basic model. Other than this unique trim, the device doesn’t have too many noticeable features. Audio-Technica always prints its logo rather subtly on its hardware, which is something we quite appreciate.
Comfort
The ATH-S300BT is a light and comfortable device, weighing approximately 258 g (9.1 oz). The ear pads and the center of the headband have sufficient padding for longer usage. You’ll be able to listen to your favorite tunes or podcasts very comfortably. The headset also has an over-ear design, so your ears will not be squished when using the device. The faux-leather material of the ear pads is also easy to wipe, which is much appreciated with the hot summer months right before us. It does get a bit hot when the sun’s shining, but it never gets too bad. The headband can also be adjusted, and for easy storage, you’re able to fold the ear cups, flattening the device. This is a nice touch, but we did miss a case or at least a pouch for safe storage included with the ATH-S300BT. We’re still not huge fans of dumping our headset in a backpack with other stuff, without some form of protection.
It’s also easy to work with the device, as it only has four main buttons. You’ll have three on the left ear shell and one on the right. These buttons can be found easily by touch, as they stick out enough and provide proper tactile feedback when pressed. It will take some time to know the exact placement, but the different shapes already help recognize the button you’re pressing. The volume buttons are slightly longer, while the center power button is a simple round button. The singular button on the other ear shell is to activate ANC.
Overview
There is almost no setup required when it comes to the ATH-S300BT. You’ll simply need to pair the headset with a device of your choice, and you’re good to go. There is no app required, and you have all the basic features available at the press of a (few) button(s). You can easily pause or play music, you can change the volume settings, and you can also activate ANC if you want to zone out without outside noise seeping through. It’s all very straightforward, as the ATH-S300BT doesn’t come with too many bells and whistles.
All in all, the audio quality is impressive. The bass is perhaps a bit understated compared to other devices, but as a whole, the audio feedback is balanced. As a result, voices sound crisp when watching movies without the bass becoming too overwhelming at times. Music also sounds great, making this a perfect device for daily usage. Of course, keeping in mind the RRP, audiophiles should probably look into something with a higher price tag than this one if they truly want a next-level experience.
Perhaps the most standout feature for those who are looking for a pair of headphones to use on a daily basis is the battery life of the ATH-S300BT. Without noise-canceling, the headset can last for up to 90 hours. With ANC activated, that time will be reduced to 60 hours on a single charge. This means that you can easily binge-watch your favorite shows, use it to listen to music on your daily commutes, and listen to as many podcasts as you like while traveling without having to worry about charging your device regularly. In this price range, that’s rather impressive.
Conclusion
Audio-Technica’s ATH-S300BT is an impressive piece of hardware for day-to-day usage. The sound quality is great, the device is light and comfortable, and above all, the battery life is very impressive. We could easily go a few weeks without having to charge the headset, which is an absolute delight. The ANC options are the icing on the cake here, as you’ll get a well-rounded package for a very affordable price. We only regret that the ATH-S300BT didn’t come with a protective case or pouch, but that’s just a minor piece of criticism on an otherwise spotless experience.
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