A few months ago, Audio-Technica made a notable entry into the wireless audio market with the excellent Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT2, a Bluetooth version of a famous headset used by top musicians, and its ATH-CKS50TW earbuds with huge battery life. Therefore, I approach the test of the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds with high expectations, as they seem designed to produce high-quality sound and have an effective ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) and efficient microphones for making phone calls with ease.
Technical Specifications
| Model | Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 |
| Format | Wireless earbuds |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Microphone | Yes |
| Active Noise Reduction | 1 |
| Battery Life | 18.5 hours |
| Appearance | Plastic |
| Weight | 10.8 g |
| Price | $299 |
Design
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds feature the brand’s aesthetic codes, a mix of circular and rectangular shapes. The high-end positioning is obvious: a variety of materials, a combination of matte and glossy tones, colored microphone inserts, touch-sensitive areas with LED lighting of the Audio-Technica logo lines, and excellent build quality.
The ATH-TW9X earbuds have a dual control system, split between a circular touch area and a button on their stem. Each earbud has a wear sensor and multiple microphones installed in its shell and stem.
The comfort of wearing is excellent, with the earbuds exerting moderate pressure in the ear canal. They stay in place while running and are sweat and rain resistant (IPX4 certified). Audio-Technica provides no less than 12 pairs of tips in various sizes, all made of more or less rigid silicone.
A storage case with an automatic cleaning system
The storage case stands out with shapes that differ from the usual standards. It is a horizontal model with a top opening, easy to handle. Its dual-material design combines non-slip silicone and PVC on the sides, in a matte anthracite finish with a touch of red.
In addition to this unusual design, Audio-Technica has installed two UV LED lights in the case to sterilize the tips while the earbuds are charging. The 5 LEDs on the front, indicating the charge level, also light up during the maintenance phase, which lasts a few tens of seconds. Finally, the case is compatible with Qi wireless charging (charger not included) and has a USB-C port for recharging its battery.
Usage and App
Touch-sensitive areas and buttons share various earbud functions. The left touch sensor is programmed for managing active noise reduction (activating different modes, calibration), while the right one allows invoking the smartphone’s voice assistant.
By default, the left stem button adjusts the listening volume or switches to ambient mode to hear surrounding sounds or have a conversation. The right stem button controls playback and phone call handling, with one to three consecutive presses. These settings can be modified in the A-T Connect app. The management of touch-sensitive areas is interesting, as you can adjust their sensitivity or even completely disable them.
The A-T Connect app offers a myriad of useful settings, such as adjusting the volume scale on 16, 32, or 64 increments for precise sound intensity, a stereo balance (useful if one earbud’s sensitivity varies over time), a low-latency Bluetooth mode that reduces audio-video lag in video games, and a 5-band equalizer.
Multipoint Bluetooth and Snapdragon Sound
The Bluetooth 5.2 radio connection is managed by a controller, compatible with multipoint connection, allowing users to listen to the ATH-TWX9 headphones simultaneously from two sources (smartphone, computer, TV, etc.). The Google Fast Pair protocol is also supported, and the earbuds connect to the nearest Android smartphone (upon first use). With various iPhones, Android smartphones, and laptops, the headphones showed no signs of weakness and maintained a connection up to 10 meters and through thin walls.
Bluetooth audio codecs SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive are supported, as well as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound technology. To take advantage of Snapdragon Sound benefits (lossless transmission, 96 kHz audio), a Snapdragon Sound-certified smartphone must be used.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The ANC system is highly effective, significantly reducing low-frequency sounds and, to a lesser extent, some midrange sounds. In public transportation or on the street, the ATH-TWX9 headphones effectively isolate the listener, providing excellent user comfort. While they don’t match the performance of the Bose QC Earbuds II, the results are quite satisfactory.
Six ANC modes are offered, depending on the environment: airplane, train, city walk, office, home, and custom. For the custom mode, the headphones measure ambient noise in real-time. After the initial curiosity, the airplane mode is often used, as it most effectively reduces surrounding noise.
The transparency mode, allowing users to hear their surroundings without removing the earbuds, works well but doesn’t match the incredible naturalness of the Apple AirPods Pro 2.
Audio
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 headphones are equipped with 5.4 mm dynamic drivers, combined with a Qualcomm amplifier. These circular drivers have a triple-layer diaphragm, optimizing damping and minimizing unwanted vibrations that make the sound harsh at high volumes.
Another unique feature is their circumferential voice coil (not centered), distributing mechanical stress and allowing the driver to transition more quickly between sounds.
Unconvincing 360 Audio Experience
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 headphones are officially optimized for Sony’s immersive 360 Reality Audio. In practice, the A-T Connect app simply sends compatible apps – Tidal and Amazon Music – an equalization profile related to the listener’s ear shape. It’s unclear how ear shape impacts sound delivered by in-ear headphones. Moreover, a photo cannot determine the real size or depth of the ear. Regardless, only Tidal is supported for this “optimization,” with Amazon Music not offered.
Upon listening, the differences before and after are minimal, primarily involving boosted high frequencies. The spatialization is artificial, and the tonal balance is excessively bright. For example, Sia’s “Chandelier” has its rhythmic section relegated to the background, with bass frequencies nearly eradicated and choirs too close.
On Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” the snare drum during the intro loses its impact power and is placed too far forward. Another annoying aspect is the medium frequencies’ hissing, which doesn’t occur in stereo. Simply put, all 360 Audio tracks sound worse than in stereo.
This is not Audio-Technica’s fault but rather the Bluetooth standard, which doesn’t support the Mpeg-H codec used for 360 RA files. As a result, the audio file gets processed through another codec (SBC, AAC, aptX, etc.) for Bluetooth transmission, without the possibility of transmitting additional spatial metadata to the earbuds. To overcome this issue, Tidal or Amazon Music create a binauralized version of the 360 RA track with reduced volume. To properly enjoy 360 Reality Audio technology, it’s better to use a compatible soundbar, as Wi-Fi transmission preserves spatial metadata.
Sound signature
For this test, the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds were paired with an iPhone 13 Pro Max and a Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G.
The ATH-TWX9 earbuds deliver powerful and balanced sound regardless of listening volume. They produce ample bass with good impact even in the sub-bass range, which is surprising for such small transducers. The midrange is very present, rich in detail, and has a prominence around 2 kHz, giving the sound a strong sense of closeness. Due to the midrange exposure, the treble appears less bright and limited in resolution. On the plus side, there is no harshness.
Dynamic range and soundstage
Considering the price point of the ATH-TWX9, their dynamic performance is a bit disappointing. Although the sound is powerful and generous, the small dynamic nuances that make music magical lack precision. This results in a compression of sound layers, especially noticeable in highly compressed tracks.
Additionally, the soundstage is restricted in depth. For example, Tame Impala’s “Let It Happen” lacks some of the airy atmosphere that makes the track charming in its final part. On U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” this is even more evident. However, the stereo imaging is very wide, and the sound is engaging.
Microphone
The partnership with Qualcomm also results in the integration of Qualcomm’s cVc spatial filtering technology for phone calls. This works quite well for simple noises (dull impacts, wind). However, high-pitched noises with significant variations (blender, open faucet, etc.) are harder to attenuate, and some artifacts remain. Regardless, the call recipient can hear the speaker clearly.
Battery life
I measured 5 hours and 20 minutes of battery life at 50% volume (iPhone/Apple Music) with ANC in Home mode. This is slightly less than the maximum stated, but it is more than enough, especially since the charging case can fully recharge the earbuds at least twice.
Price and release date
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds are priced at $299.
Due to their support for 360 Audio technology, they compete directly with the Apple AirPods Pro 2, which are compatible with Dolby Atmos. Apple’s earbuds are clearly superior in terms of spatialization and dynamic capabilities while being offered at a lower price. The B&W Pi7 S2, although more expensive, should be considered for their better dynamics and refinement in the high-frequency range. The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds, however, outperform the B&O BeoPlay EX.
Our Opinion
Design
The build quality is beyond reproach, and the controls combining touch-sensitive areas and buttons are easy to use. The comfort of wearing is also commendable. As a bonus, the charging case features a UV cleaning system for the earbuds.
Software
The A-T Connect app is packed with settings: volume scale adjustment, balance, equalizer, ANC or transparency mode intensity, customization of touch controls, etc. Audio-Technica has thought of everything, even the superfluous feature of taking photos of your ears to optimize spatial sound.
Battery life
The 5 hours and 20 minutes of battery life are achieved at 50% volume with ANC active, and the charger provides two full recharges.
Audio
The sound reproduction is punchy, with powerful and articulate bass, but the excessive emphasis on the midrange and the lack of treble brilliance prevent the audio experience from being truly premium, despite the well-defined stereo imaging.
Noise reduction
Surprisingly, the ANC is very effective with dull noises and quite adequate with higher-pitched sounds. Although not matching the best in the category, these earbuds rank high.
Editor’s Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds deliver good sound quality, but their dynamics slightly lag behind the stars of the category. The 360 Audio spatialization is often fanciful and the treble too rough, but this is related to the spatial technology and not the earbuds themselves.
When it comes to stereo or Dolby Atmos titles, the soundstage is quite convincing. As for the active noise reduction, it ranks high, as does the call quality, which effectively removes surrounding noises.
However, at a price of over $300, competition is fierce, and the earbuds struggle to compete with the AirPods Pro 2, Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2, or even the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II for their noise reduction.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 Pros:
- Wide soundstage
- Effective active noise reduction
- Comfortable fit
- Numerous settings in the app
- Good call quality
- Charging case with Qi charging and UV earbud cleaning
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 Cons:
- Room for improvement in dynamic range
- Limited overall resolution
- Whimsical 360 Audio spatialization
- Fierce competition at this price point
