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

For earbuds within the $150 vary, there’s normally not quite a bit to get enthusiastic about. Certain, these fashions sometimes provide the fundamentals with respectable sound high quality, however only a few have a stand-out characteristic that leaves an enduring impression. For its ATH-CKS50TW2 ($149), Audio-Technica sought to do that with extremely long battery life and a neat trick that can enable you to benefit from it. There’s much more to love on this set, together with an inventory of instruments that rival costlier alternate options, however the ATH-CKS50TW2 is much from an entire package deal. The satisfying audio efficiency and skill to make use of them for over 20 hours on a cost could be sufficient to entice you to miss these shortcomings.

The great: 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’ll be able to count on as much as 25 hours on a full cost with out energetic 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 presents as of late. Importantly, these claims truly held true throughout my exams.

To maximise these numbers, the corporate geared up the ATH-CKS50TW2 with so-called Magnetic Change expertise. Particularly, the earbuds snap along with magnets to show off earlier than you set them within the case. A lot of the competitors doesn’t energy down till the earbuds are inside 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 now 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 while you’re not utilizing them, which ought to assist lengthen 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. Once you change over to one thing extra mellow with much less low-end bombast like Turnpike Troubadours’ “Be Right here,” you get the total 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 a lot good for $150. In reality, this can be the best choice when it comes to sound high quality on this worth 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 package deal.

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

By 2025 requirements, the ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds are massive and hulking. In addition they really feel unbalanced, with a lot of the burden sitting effectively outdoors 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 can be a suitable trade-off for customers looking for longer listening occasions between expenses.

Audio-Technica gave the ATH-CKS50TW2 bodily controls, which is normally an excellent factor. Like a number 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, you must maintain the earbuds in place whereas urgent these buttons. It’s cumbersome, largely because of the measurement and weight of every bud. The cumbersome, unbalanced building has trickle-down results on different facets of the listening expertise.

Billy Steele for Engadget

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

The ultimate verdict on the ATH-CKS50TW2

My preliminary assumption was appropriate: the primary cause to purchase the ATH-CKS50TW2 is the extraordinarily lengthy battery life. I don’t suppose the Magnetic Change characteristic is important 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 while 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 number of the firm’s different earbuds and headphones.

The design isn’t probably 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 just a few flaws, there’s a lot 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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