Design and features:This headphone lacks active noise reduction, the ear plug-like design helps to reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The ATH-SPORT90BTBK SonicSport has a volume control plus an integrated microphone and player function controls and integrated call connect/disconnect controls. Additional features include Earbuds have 4GB of internal memory to store music directly in the earbuds (supports MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, and APE audio file formats). If music is stored on the device, the earbuds can act as a music player without the need of a Bluetooth device. Manufacturer claims water resistance (IPX5). Has power on/off and Bluetooth connect and disconnect, and low battery voice anouncements. Has automatic pause feature - pauses audio when the magnetic sensors in each earbud come in contact with one another and clasp together; removing the earbuds from one another does not restart audio playback. Bluetooth connected Apple mobile devices using iOS Version 5 and above will show the battery level. This model comes with four pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, 4 pairs of removable ear bow supports in varying shapes and sizes, USB-A to USB-C charging cable, carrying pouch.
Sound quality: We found the ATH-SPORT90BTBK SonicSport delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact, but is a bit prominent and boomy, and doesn't go deep. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is a bit thin and somewhat grainy and sibilant. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended, but is somewhat prominent, smeared (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred), and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying). Open sounding and does a good job of recovering room ambience (the sense of the acoustic space in which the audio program that's being listened to was recorded) in the upper midrange but lower midrange ambience is lacking. Good dynamics. Mixed character - warmish bass with coolish midrange and treble. The overall sound can be summarized as a bit bassy, but otherwise a bit thin and somewhat grainy. There was no significant difference in sound quality between Bluetooth and the internal MP3 Player playback.
Comfort: As typical of in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some. The material used for the ear pieces may cause some users discomfort due to chaffing. Users with small earbowls might find that the earphone body feels a bit bulky in their earbowl and that they stick out too far and feel like they may lever out of place and are mostly held in place by the section of the earphone that is inserted in the ear canal, but that they will generally stay in place during casual use. Users with medium and larger sized ear bowls will probably find that this model stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they are very stable even during vigorous head movement. the sound of the earphone connecting cable rubbing on clothing may be heard through the earphones.
