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Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
The Mandalorian™
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Type: Dynamic
- Driver Diameter: 9 mm
- Frequency Response: 5 to 20,000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 110 dB/mW
- Impedance: 20 ohms
- Battery Life: 25 hours (earbuds), 40 additional hours (case)
- Weight: 7.2g (0.25 oz) per earbud, 51.5g (1.8 oz) charging case
- Water Resistance: IP55
- Microphone Type: MEMS
- Microphone Sensitivity: -38 dB (1V/Pa, at 1 kHz)
- Microphone Frequency Response: 100 to 8,000 Hz
Description
Inspired by Star Wars™ character the Mandalorian™, these metallic silver and gray ATH-CKS50TW2 limited-edition wireless earbuds are perfect for high-fidelity audio lovers on the run. They offer best-in-class battery life, powerful, full-spectrum sound, and space-age convenience and control.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Audio-Technica's products are known for their sturdy and comfortable build, making them suitable for long listening sessions.
- Audio-Technica offers open-back headphone designs, like the ATH-GDL3, geared toward gamers and audiophiles seeking a wider soundstage, a feature uncommon among gaming headsets.
Select products
Select product comparisons
ATH-AD500X
- Positioning: Entry-level open-air audiophile headphones designed for comfortable, natural listening.
- Description: Features newly designed 53 mm drivers with CCAW voice coils and a lightweight honeycomb aluminum casing that deliver natural sound with impactful bass and clear vocals. Compared to the higher‐priced models in the lineup, it offers a straightforward open-air design ideal for casual listening and home use without advanced studio-level acoustic refinements.
ATH-TWX9
- Positioning: Premium truly wireless earbuds engineered for dynamic everyday use and active lifestyles.
- Description: Incorporates digital hybrid noise-cancelling technology with customizable ambience control, deep-UV sterilization, and support for Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound to create an immersive 3D sound stage. In contrast to the over-ear studio and monitor designs, they prioritize portability, flexible noise management, and extended battery life to meet the needs of commuters and workout enthusiasts.
ATH-M70x
- Positioning: Professional closed-back monitor headphones tuned for precise mixing and tracking in the studio.
- Description: Uses proprietary 45 mm large-aperture drivers to achieve an extended frequency response from 5 to 40,000 Hz, ensuring balanced and accurate sound reproduction. Compared to the more portable TWX9 and the open-back reference model, they offer enhanced sound isolation and durability for long studio sessions with a focus on critical listening tasks.
ATH-R70xa
- Positioning: Flagship open-back reference headphones crafted for critical studio listening and production.
- Description: Delivers pure, natural sound with a fully open-back design that minimizes internal resonance and distortion, providing precise imaging and quick transient response through meticulously engineered drivers. Compared to the closed-back M70x, the R70xa offers a more spacious and uncolored soundstage ideal for mixing, mastering, and detailed production work in quiet environments.
ATH-AWKG
- Positioning: Ultra-premium audiophile headphones that merge traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge audio engineering.
- Description: Features an exclusive KUROGAKI wooden housing with a hand-applied lacquer finish and a double air damping system coupled with 53 mm drivers to offer clear, expansive sound quality. In contrast to all other models in the lineup, the AWKG emphasizes luxurious materials and artisanal construction along with advanced acoustics.
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Avg. Product Price
$500
Used For Sale
1
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
593
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
50
Founding Year
1962
Our take on the brand
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
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Brand Page
What if you spend more?
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Noble
FoKus Apollo
649
649
/
10
Reviews
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent passive noise isolation, better than many headphones with ANC enabled, creating a quiet noise floor.
- Good build quality with quality materials like anodized aluminum, Alcantara headband, and protein leather pads.
- Supports a wide variety of Bluetooth codecs, including LDAC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and SBC, offering versatility in device compatibility.
- Strong battery life, rated up to 80 hours without ANC and 60 hours with ANC, making it suitable for travel and extended use.
- Powerful, textured, and nuanced bass is a standout feature.
Product Considerations
- The included carrying case is bulky and may not be ideal for travel, taking up significant space in a bag.
- Comfort is not great for everyone, with some users experiencing hotspots on the headband during extended use.
- With ANC on, some users have noted the bass can become boomy with a reduction in sub bass.
- Treble transparency mode is not as good as other models.
- The headphone may clip the sound when ANC is on and the user hits bumpy roads or takes a harder step.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Audeze Maxwell: The Apollo has a latency issue.
- Vs Focal Bathys: The Apollo has a more engaging, punchy, and emotional sound, also it has more features and tech, but the Transparency mode of the Bathys is better.
- Vs Apple AirPods Max: The Apollo offers superior sound quality with better clarity, speed, separation, and refined dynamics compared to the AirPods Max.
Takeaway: The Noble FoKus Apollo is a well-built wireless headphone with a strong battery life and great bass performance, making it an enjoyable choice for those who prioritize powerful sound and noise isolation. It offers a versatile listening experience with a range of connectivity options and a comfortable design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Noble is a hifi audio brand built around founder Dr. John "Wizard" Moulton, an audiologist renowned for hand-carving custom earphones from exotic materials like wood, carbon fiber, and aluminum instead of standard acrylic, with each ear requiring up to 30 hours to complete. The brand distinguishes itself by using bone conduction drivers across multiple models and bringing rare metallurgical techniques like Japanese Mokume-Gane and titanium Damascus to earphone faceplates.
Product Page
Product Page
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Bang & Olufsen
Beoplay Eleven
599
599
/
3
Reviews
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
Expand Details
Product Strengths
- Luxury design and premium build quality with aluminum accents.
- Balanced and detailed sound with customizable EQ settings via the Bang & Olufsen app.
- Good active noise cancellation and transparency mode for immersive listening, and awareness.
- Bluetooth 5.2 ensures fast and stable pairing.
Product Considerations
- Expensive compared to other premium earbuds, like AirPods Pro.
- ANC is good, but not best-in-class compared to Sony or other brands.
- Fit might not be perfect for everyone, as the earbuds are slightly on the larger side.
- Touch controls can be sensitive, and may require getting used to.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs AirPods Pro: Beoplay 11 has a bigger case.
- Vs Sony WF-1000XM4/XM5: Holds its own in terms of sound quality and ANC, but the Sony models might be a slightly lower price.
Takeaway: The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay 11 earbuds are a stylish and luxurious option that provide great sound and noise cancelling. Those who value design and quality may find these earbuds to be a very good pick.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Bang & Olufsen is a luxury hifi speaker brand known for its Acoustic Lens Technology, which delivers 180° horizontal sound dispersion—features like the BeoLab 90's 18 individually amplified drivers offer user-selectable beam patterns. The Danish company distinguishes itself through vertically integrated aluminum manufacturing in Struer, a factory-led program that restores and modernizes its classic products, and transparent engineering documentation led by in-house tonmeister Geoff Martin.
Product Page
Product Page
What competes at this price?
Audio-Technica
ATH-TWX7
269
/
Released
2024
The ATH-TWX7 truly wireless earbuds are designed to provide listeners with a high-fidelity experience and features to customize listening sessions. Leveraging the 5.8 mm high-resolution drivers from the flagship ATH-TWX9, the ATH-TWX7 offer detailed music playback, including support for 24-bit/96 kHz audio files all within a compact and easily portable design.
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Customizable controls, using both touch and physical buttons, offer impressive personalization.
- LDAC codec support for high-resolution audio streaming.
- Secure and comfortable fit, suitable for workouts due to grippy coating and various eartip options.
- Good active noise cancelling effectively reduces mid-range frequencies and ambient noise.
- Minimalist companion app design is intuitive, including timer functionality, soundscapes, and a music player.
Product Considerations
- Short battery life, around 4.5-5 hours in tests, compared to other earbuds.
- Transparency mode is not as transparent as other earbuds, with a noticeable occlusion effect.
- Voice pickup in noisy conditions is not great, even with noise reduction mode.
- Outdated Bluetooth 5.1 limits support for newer features like Auracast.
- Case thickness may be an issue for pocket storage.
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- ATH-TWX9 supports APTX Adaptive, while X7 supports LDAC.
- ATH-TWX9 has crisper vocals due to more gain in the 1.3kHz region.
- Transparency mode is weaker and has more occlusion than AirPods Pro 2.
- Active noise cancelling is quieter than some premium earbuds, but not as quiet as others.
- Nothing Ear has nearly double the battery life.
- Beats Studio Buds Plus has better call quality.
Takeaway: The ATH-TWX7 are very customizable and offer good noise cancelling with a secure fit, making them good for workouts. With some tweaking, their sound can be great.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Product Page
Product Page
Audio-Technica
ATH-TWX9
226
/
Released
2022
The ATH-TWX9 truly wireless earbuds offer the freedom to customize your sound space for an advanced audio experience. These headphones create an immersive audio experience and feature digital hybrid noise canceling technology. With unique features including deep-UV sterilization, 360 Reality Audio for a realistic 3D sound stage, and Snapdragon Sound™ platform for higher quality music, video, and calls, the ATH-TWX9 set themselves above the rest as the best truly wireless headphones.
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Unique, soft texture and stylish shape of the case make a great first impression
- Comes with a large collection of ear tips of different widths and lengths for a customized fit
- Features both a real-life pressable button and a touch surface on each earbud, with adjustable touch sensitivity
- App is feature-rich and customizable, allowing users to tailor every touch and press on the earbuds
- Supports multipoint feature with simultaneous connection to up to two devices
Product Considerations
- The case is a bit chunky, and the materials may not age well
- App is tied to one phone and is inaccessible if you forget that device at home
- Switching between ANC and transparency modes takes a noticeable 3.5 seconds, pausing audio
- ANC performance is middle of the road (Tier C), and transparency mode sounds muffled
- Battery life is only around 5 hours and 14 minutes with ANC on, less than advertised
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sony's earbuds: ATH-TWX9 is comparable, with optimization for Sony's 360 Reality Audio
- Vs Technics AZ80: ATH-TWX9 has lower voice volume in calls
- Vs Apple AirPods Pro Gen 2 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II: ATH-TWX9's ANC is not as good
- Vs Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: The ATH-TWX9 has poorer noise filtering during calls in noisy conditions
Takeaway: The ATH-TWX9 earbuds have a unique design, comfortable fit, and lots of customization. With great sound and a range of features, users can really make these earbuds their own.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Product Page
Product Page
Audio-Technica
ATH-CKS50TW2
159
/
Released
2025
Audio-Technica brings you best-in-class battery life – again. The ATH-CKS50TW2 next-generation earbuds provide all the powerful, full-spectrum sound of the originals with even greater convenience. The earbuds give you up to 65 hours of playback – 25 hours from the fully charged headphones, plus an additional 40 hours available from the charging case. With noise cancelling on, enjoy 15 hours from the earbuds and 25 additional hours from the case.
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Long battery life, up to 25 hours without ANC and 15 hours with ANC on a single charge, with an additional 40 hours from the charging case
- The earbuds snap together with magnets to turn off, preserving battery life and preventing unnecessary charging
- Equipped with 9mm dynamic drivers, designed to deliver deep, punchy bass without overpowering mids and highs
- IP55 rating offers resistance against dust and water, making them suitable for workouts and commutes
- The physical buttons are easy to locate and offer precise, tactile control
Product Considerations
- Noise cancelling does not quite compete with Sony and Bose
- The transparency mode feels muffled and not as natural as some competitors’
- Bulky design means the earbuds are big, bulky, and protrude noticeably from the ear
- Wear detection is lacking; there is no automatic pausing when removing the earbuds from your ears
- Due to the design, you have to hold the earbuds in place while pressing the physical buttons
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the AirPods Pro, the Audio-Technica case is about twice the size
- Noise cancelling quality is not as good as the best of Apple, Bose, and Sony
- Compared to the Sennheiser CX Plus, the Audio-Technicas look a lot bigger
Takeaway: The ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds are a solid choice for people who really care about battery life and enjoy music with a lot of bass. With a warm sound profile, long battery, and the ability to physically snap them together, listeners can get great enjoyment from listening.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Product Page
Product Page
Audio-Technica
ATH-CKS30TW+
109
/
Released
2024
The ATH-CKS30TW+ wireless earbuds are designed to enhance your everyday experience with invigorating sound. The initial boost comes from the proprietary 9 mm drivers, which deliver clear, full-range audio with deep, powerful bass.
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Lightweight design at 4.5 grams per earphone
- IP55 dust and water resistance rating
- Good hear-through and talk-through functionality
- Extensive app connectivity
- Offers a low latency mode
- Supports multipoint connections
Product Considerations
- No manual on/off option
- Bluetooth version 5.1 is an older version
- Charging time is long at 2 hours and 40 minutes for the earphones
- No custom EQ settings available in the app
- Noise cancellation is mainly effective in the lower frequency range
Takeaway: The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS30TW+ are lightweight and offer good ambient mode functionality, making them handy for everyday use. It has impressive bass reproduction, especially for action-packed media.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Product Page
Product Page
Audio-Technica
Darth Vader™
179
/
Released
2025
The clear, full-spectrum sound and deep, powerful bass of the ATH-CKS50TW2 limited-edition wireless earbuds will take your breath away. Inspired by the Star Wars™ character Darth Vader™, these gloss black and metallic silver earbuds also armor you with best-in-class battery life, so you'll always be ready to take on the galaxy.
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Video review
Our take on the brand
Audio-Technica is a Japanese hifi brand that stands out with their Direct Power System phono cartridges, which place coils directly above the stylus tip for faster transients; their Pure Digital Drive wireless headphones that bypass internal DACs; and their proprietary A2DC connector system for more secure connections. The brand maintains exceptional in-house manufacturing depth, with hand-assembled wooden headphones crafted from Japanese woods in Tokyo and phono cartridge production at their Fukui plant.
Product Page
Product Page
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