Audio-Technica has a number of wi-fi earbuds of their assortment, however they’d not launched a flagship mannequin till now. The all-new ATH-TWX9 serves as the corporate’s high true wi-fi providing, carrying over many model hallmarks equivalent to dependable craftsmanship and stellar sound, whereas including a number of well-liked options into the combination.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9: Specs
Value: $299
Colours: Japanese Black
Battery life (rated): 6 hours; 24.5 hours (charging case)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2
Water resistance: Sure (IPX4 rated)
Dimension: Not said
Weight: 0.19 ounces (per bud); 2.0 ounces (charging case)
On its spec sheet: lively noise cancellation (ANC), aptX Adaptive help, Bluetooth multipoint, spatial audio, voice activation, and wi-fi charging. These buds additionally boast a well-known, but trendy design and dual-control inputs (buttons and contact panels). In addition they carry their fair proportion of flaws, from finicky software program to subpar battery life.
Our full Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation touches on every little thing it’s best to know earlier than buying these buds.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Availability and worth
You should buy the ATH-TWX9 in “Japanese Black” for $299 completely on Audio-Technica’s web site. Contained in the field are a charging case, USB-C cable, 4 units of quick suggestions (XS, S, M, L), 4 units of ordinary suggestions, (XS, S, M, L), 4 units of lengthy suggestions (XS, S, M, L), and a guide.
The excessive MSRP places these buds in the identical firm as different luxurious fashions just like the Astell&Kern AK UW100 ($299) and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 ($299). It additionally makes them costlier than class favorites such because the AirPods Professional 2 ($249) and Sony WF-1000XM4 ($279). If these choices are out of your monetary attain, take a look at our greatest low-cost noise-cancelling earbuds and greatest low-cost wi-fi earbuds lists to see what works on your wants and funds.
Make sure to bookmark our headphone offers web page for the newest gross sales.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Design and luxury
The ATH-TWX9 has the identical long-stem design as most different AirPods options, although it’s superior in construct high quality. A mixture of sturdy shiny plastic and soft-touch rubber makes up the outside, giving these buds a ruggedly good-looking and premium look. Small particulars like the brand and glossy accent on the underside tip are good touches.
Audio-Technica’s charging case is simply as trendy, trying like a classy coin purse. Sturdiness is on level; it makes use of the identical supplies because the buds to stave off scratches and scuffs. The buds are displayed superbly on the within and keep locked of their charging slots, due to sturdy magnets that additionally preserve the lid shut tightly.
Consolation and match are acceptable. I’d usually put on the ATH-TWX9 for three-hours stretches earlier than experiencing any soreness. The elongated cavity rested gently on the concha, whereas the ear suggestions shaped an honest seal round my ear for correct on-ear stability.
There is no such thing as a ear tip match check out there to scan your ears for optimum match. As a substitute, you get a wide range of ear suggestions in numerous sizes to accommodate listeners of all ear shapes.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Controls and digital assistant
Every bud has a contact panel on the entrance and multifunctional button on the stem, each of which make use of a wide range of capabilities by single, double, or triple-tap/-press gestures. The long-hold/-press gesture is obtainable as effectively.
Many of the controls function effectively. The buttons produce nice tactility to make sure customers of meant instructions being met. Contact accuracy is about 80 %; the sensors would sometimes misread triple faucets for double faucets.
Put on detection is exact, immediately activating auto-pause when taking off one bud and resuming playback when positioned again on the ear.
Google Assistant and Siri work exceptionally effectively. Audio-Technica’s mic array demonstrates terrific speech recognition, registering each syllable and phrase to execute voice instructions with out a hitch.
Alexa voice recognition comes a part of the package deal to fireplace up Amazon’s AI bot by talking out the wake phrase phrase: “Alexa.” I’d like to share my expertise with the function, however my unit had hassle pairing with the Alexa app. Hopefully, a firmware replace can repair this.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Audio high quality
Sound is clear and detailed with some slight punch to it. Audio-Technica’s newly designed 5.8mm high-resolution drivers lengthen excessive frequencies, plus the inclusion of aptX Adaptive dynamically adjusts the bitrate to ship hi-res streaming on appropriate Bluetooth units. Taking part in tracks on a lossless music service like Tidal will get you the perfect outcomes, although the sound high quality from fundamental music apps like Spotify and YouTube Music continues to be pleasing.
The copy on bluesy instrumentals like Pat Metheny’s “Pipeline” was serene. Each main guitar lick tickled my eardrum. Even the instrumental separation was implausible; I distinctly heard each string association as they have been audibly positioned one behind one other.
Jay-Z’s “U Don’t Know” introduced high-energy vibes regardless of the lackluster snares. The blaring horns got here by loud and clear, together with the midrange, which emphasised the rapper’s vocals and wailing samples. I used to be somewhat shocked by how subdued the bass sounded, particularly on the Tidal grasp model, however Audio-Technica does present choices to amp it up.
Listening with ANC off offers the low finish a bit extra kick. You too can personalize sound by utilizing the Equalizer through companion app to create your individual EQ profile or choose from 5 well-engineered presets: Bass Enhance, Clear Vocal, Authentic (default), Treble Improve, and V-Formed. I most popular Authentic because it did the perfect job balancing frequencies.
The ATH-TWX9 is one in all few wi-fi earbuds to help Sony’s 360 Actuality Audio platform. Optimized tracks on Tidal had extra oomph to them, and the 3D sound produced on stay recordings created a extra immersive soundstage.
You’ll wish to chorus from watching movies because of the ATH-TWX9’s terrible lag. Lip synchronization is approach off when streaming YouTube clips. Enabling the buds’ Low Latency mode ought to repair this drawback, however it doesn’t.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Lively noise cancellation
Six ANC modes are selectable: Airplane, House, Workplace/Examine, On The Go, Prepare, and Optimized. Every is engineered to neutralize totally different ranges of sound, although the variations aren’t vital. You’ll additionally discover a change in strain when biking by every mode.
Are all of them efficient? Sure, for essentially the most half. Optimized is the one mode designed to be used in all settings, and efficiency varies based mostly on frequency ranges. Distractions like automotive engines, co-worker chatter, and canine barking have been largely silent. Excessive-pitched noises like fowl chirping, crying infants, and whistles entered the soundscape.
Airplane tweaks the ANC algorithm to deal with low-frequency sounds, particularly droning noises; it fully blocked out the a number of AC models working in my storage. House was effective for minimizing disruptions like loud TVs and my son’s digital toys, whereas On The Go did the identical for mid-frequency sounds on the streets. Excessive frequencies may nonetheless be heard throughout all modes.
A five-level Hear-By means of mode is obtainable to extend consciousness of your environment. Oncoming visitors was perceptible from a block away, which ensured my security throughout strolls with the child. I used to be additionally capable of talk with the missus from the alternative finish of our front room and monitor the child throughout naps.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: App and particular options
Make certain to obtain the Audio-Technica Hook up with entry all particular options. These embrace the aforementioned Equalizer, Low Latency mode, Noise-Cancelling settings, and 360 Actuality Audio. Rounding issues out are an audio codec selector, battery stage indicators, firmware updates, Product Locator perform, visible information, quantity slider, and music participant.
This can be a excessive variety of options, although extra needs to be anticipated for the excessive worth. Just a few that come to thoughts are adjustable ANC, Spotify Faucet integration, and a soundscape mode.
There may be an overlay that exhibits up in your telephone’s notifications display. It exhibits the battery life for each buds and the charging case, however the outcomes are off in comparison with what’s proven within the app and Bluetooth settings.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Battery life and charging case
These buds meet the business commonplace for battery life (6 hours) and share related ANC playtime because the AirPods Professional 2. Sadly, that is nonetheless quick in comparison with different premium rivals just like the Sony WF-1000XM4 (8 to 12 hours) and Sennheiser Momentum True Wi-fi 3 (6.5 to 7 hours).
My testing had the ATH-TWX9 maxing out round 5.5 hours with ANC on. Excessive quantity and aptX use additionally affected battery life by about an hour. I obtained two days of reasonable use out of those buds earlier than recharging.
The wi-fi charging case is much more disappointing, holding as much as 24.5 hours when totally charged. That is solely a half hour greater than the first-gen AirPods Professional case and far lower than the AirPods Professional 2 case (30 to 34 hours). Including extra insult to damage is the shortage of fast charging.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Name high quality and connectivity
The ATH-TWX9 is a serviceable calling headset. Many individuals thought I used to be talking into my smartphone. My spouse did discover some muffle when taking her calls outdoors. As well as, there was some echoing on my finish.
These buds function on Bluetooth 5.2. Vary extends as much as 50 ft (15 meters) in open areas, which was enough for transferring round the home with little dropout. Pairing was quick on iOS/macOS and Android units, although the latter sped up the method with one-tap Google Quick Pair.
Multipoint know-how let me pair the buds to 2 units on the identical, however the function was buggy. The reported battery ranges have been totally different on every system: my MacBook Professional mentioned 100% and my Pixel 6 Professional mentioned 20% for every bud. There’s one other bug that mutes Spotify audio on the second system.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 evaluation: Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 is likely one of the extra versatile-sounding wi-fi earbuds within the class. Its sound profile is pure and impactful. ANC blocks out sufficient ambient noise for peaceable listens. Different positives just like the stylish design, quick connectivity, and intuitive controls additionally increase the buds’ worth. The low battery life is a bummer, and a number of other bugs should be flushed out, however the ATH-TWX9 is a stable debut for a legacy audio model.
