Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 overview: Lengthy battery life and satisfying sound for $150

For earbuds within the $150 vary, there’s normally not lots to get enthusiastic about. Certain, these fashions sometimes supply the fundamentals with first rate sound high quality, however only a few have a stand-out characteristic that leaves a long-lasting impression. For its ATH-CKS50TW2 ($149), Audio-Technica sought to do that with extremely long battery life and a neat trick that may assist you take advantage of it. There’s much more to love on this set, together with a listing of instruments that rival costlier options, however the ATH-CKS50TW2 is way from an entire bundle. The satisfying audio efficiency and talent to make use of them for over 20 hours on a cost is perhaps sufficient to entice you to miss these shortcomings.

The nice: battery life, magnets and sound high quality

When Audio-Technica introduced the ATH-CKS50TW2 at CES, the primary merchandise on the spec sheet that struck me was the battery life. The corporate says you may anticipate as much as 25 hours on a full cost with out lively noise cancellation (ANC) and as much as 40 extra hours from the charging case. With ANC enabled, you’ll nonetheless get a whopping 15 hours of listening time, which is about double what lots of the competitors provides as of late. Importantly, these claims truly held true throughout my assessments.

To maximise these numbers, the corporate geared up the ATH-CKS50TW2 with so-called Magnetic Swap expertise. Particularly, the earbuds snap along with magnets to show off earlier than you place them within the case. A lot of the competitors doesn’t energy down till the earbuds are within the case, however with the ATH-CKS50TW2, you don’t want to fret about that additional step. Merely take them off and snap them collectively, then you definately’ll know you’re not squandering precious battery energy whereas the buds are resting in your desk. This additionally means the ATH-CKS50TW2 received’t at all times be charging within the case if you’re not utilizing them, which ought to assist prolong battery longevity.

I’m additionally completely satisfied to report that Audio-Technica introduced its trademark heat, inviting sound profile to the ATH-CKS50TW2. Extra particularly, the inventory audio isn’t overly tuned, so bass stays pleasantly thumpy when wanted and dialed down when it’s not. The bassline of Kendrick Lamar’s “television off” booms whereas the hi-hats, claps and vocals lower by way of clear. If you swap over to one thing extra mellow with much less low-end bombast like Turnpike Troubadours’ “Be Right here,” you get the complete gamut of the acoustic devices and lightweight drums with out bass overpowering the combination.

It doesn’t ship the improved readability and pristine element that costlier, flagship-level earbuds do, however the ATH-CKS50TW2 is lots good for $150. The truth is, this can be the best choice when it comes to sound high quality on this value vary. On Jason Isbell’s Foxes within the Snow, for instance, the acoustic guitar — the lone instrument on the album — doesn’t have the expressive nuance because it does on Technics’ AZ100 or Bowers and Wilkins’ Pi8. However I’ll admit the ATH-CKS50TW2 holds its personal in opposition to equally priced competitors. That, and the prolonged battery life alone make these earbuds a compelling bundle.

The not so good: design, controls and a lacking characteristic

By 2025 requirements, the ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds are huge and ponderous. In addition they really feel unbalanced, with a lot of the burden sitting effectively exterior the curves of your ears. This implies they’re not as snug as smaller fashions and really feel unsteady. I by no means had points with them falling out, however they really feel like they might, which isn’t nice. Maybe Audio-Technica wanted the additional area for larger batteries, which I’m guessing shall be an appropriate trade-off for customers looking for longer listening occasions between expenses.

Audio-Technica gave the ATH-CKS50TW2 bodily controls, which is normally a very good factor. Like a few of the firm’s earlier fashions, the buttons are small, positioned alongside the highest fringe of the earbuds. Because of the design of the ATH-CKS50TW2 although, it’s a must to maintain the earbuds in place whereas urgent these buttons. It’s cumbersome, largely because of the dimension and weight of every bud. The cumbersome, unbalanced development has trickle-down results on different points of the listening expertise.

Billy Steele for Engadget

The ATH-CKS50TW2 is lacking an important characteristic — put on detection. However the firm has finished effectively to incorporate ANC, Hear-By way of (ambient sound) mode, a five-band EQ, soundscapes, media controls and battery updates in its app. There’s additionally a “personal timer” and low latency mode for video games and video. You may even regulate what number of steps quantity changes will bounce and check your microphone to see if optionally available noise discount is required throughout calls. Moreover, a quick-attention, Discuss-By way of mode that reduces quantity and prompts ambient sound for transient chats too. However you received’t discover the straightforward, and helpful, automated pausing if you take away the earbuds out of your ears.

The ultimate verdict on the ATH-CKS50TW2

My preliminary assumption was right: the primary cause to purchase the ATH-CKS50TW2 is the extraordinarily lengthy battery life. I don’t suppose the Magnetic Swap characteristic is critical to hit the promised runtime, however it’s good to know the earbuds are off with out having to place them within the case the place they’ll recharge even if you don’t want them to. Audio-Technica’s sonic prowess is on show right here as effectively, albeit to a lesser diploma than a few of the firm’s different earbuds and headphones.

The design isn’t essentially the most snug and the controls are awkward to make use of, however the full record of the ATH-CKS50TW2’s options is kind of lengthy. Regardless of a number of flaws, there’s lots to love right here, together with the 2 most necessary issues for lots of customers: sound and battery life.

This text initially appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/headphones/audio-technica-ath-cks50tw2-review-long-battery-life-and-satisfying-sound-for-150-130042531.html?src=rss

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