Audio-Technica ATH-CLR100BT: Best \'Big-Name’ budget ‘earphones!

When one hears the name Audio-Technica, it is usually associated with high-end products and audio equipment such as Turntables, microphones and noise-cancelling headphones. This brand is mostly never associated with budget products; however, in what may be a twist-of-fate, the Japanese audio giant has recently launched a pair of in-ear headphones that are not just budget-oriented but also come with everything that Audio-Technica is known for — premium build and excellent audio quality.

The Audio-Technica ATH-CLR100BT is a Bluetooth version of the insanely successful ATH-CLR and it comes with some awesome tech such as Bluetooth 5.0, 8.7mm drivers and support of the SBC codec.

Let’s take a look at what Audio-Technica has in store for you with the ATH-CLR100BT.

Design, Build

To start off, these are seriously one of the coolest earphones you can buy and it’s great that Audio-Technica is offering it in four awesome colours — Black, Blue, Red and White; which allows you to select the colour you want that best fits your personality. For the purpose of this review, the brand sent us the blue version and this tone, although subtle still managed to make an impression on whoever noticed it.

An oft-unnoticed feature that really stuck with us was the impressive build quality here. Even though these in-ear monitors weigh a mere 17g, it is built to perfection and we feel that even in the long run, it will survive even with less than stellar usage. The cables here, although slim, are still strong and can withstand accidental snags. There are two modules on either side which are made of high-quality plastic with the left side featuring an in-line microphone comprising of three multi-functional buttons and the charging port. Audio-Technica has employed a micro-USB port for charging and it is protected by a flap that helps in keeping sweat and dust out.

Speaking about dust and sweat, the ATH-CLR100 features an IPX2 certification making it water-resistant (drip-proof) which means that it can withstand light showers and sweaty sessions in the gym.

The earbuds feature a Mount Fuji shaped housing which basically means that it sits comfortably in the ear canal giving it a minimalistic design. The earbuds feature magnets on either end and this is for stowage purposes and does not have any other functions such as pausing the audio playback.

Overall, combined with a great design and appealing colours, the Audio-Technica ATH-CLR100BT check all the right boxes for a premium headphone that should cost way above its asking price.

Performance

Having used these earphones as a daily driver for about a week, we have been immensely impressed with its overall performance. To kick off this section of the review, the earphones aren’t what you would term as audiophile-grade quality; however, it is certainly not disappointing and this is because it packs in the Audio-Technica signature sound.

Boasting 8.7mm drivers, it offers clarity that’s seldom found in this price range. The various frequencies are well-represented and even the punchy bass has a good response which doesn’t drown out the midrange and highs. These are a fun pair of earphones that are vibrant and at this price, you will definitely not be disappointed with your purchase.

Battery life is pretty decent as well and a two-hour charge will provide you playback time of around 7-hours. This is a pretty standard feature from most budget earphones and we couldn’t ask for much more.

Verdict

Selling for Rs 2,499, the Audio-Technica ATH-CLR100BT is the brand’s answer to the overcrowded budget segment. The combination of lightweight design and great audio quality put it high on our recommended list of budget earphones. And lastly, backed by Japanese engineering, the ATH-CLR100BT is definitely one of the best budget earphones from a very big name brand that needs to be experienced to know it’s worth that far outweighs its price tag.