For earbuds in the $ 150 range, there is not much to be excited usually. Certainly, those models usually provide the basics with decent sound quality, but very lows have a stand-out feature that leaves a permanent impression. For ATH-CKS50TW2 ($ 149)Audio-Technica demanded a very long battery life and a clean trick to do so, which will help you take the most advantage of it. This set likes a lot, including a list of devices that rival more expensive options, but Ath-CKS50TW2 is away from a full package. Satisfactory audio performance and the ability to use them for more than 20 hours on a charge may be enough to woo you to ignore those deficiencies.
The Good: Battery Life, Magnet and Sound Quality
When Audio-Technica announced the Ath-CKS50TW2 at CES, the first item on the space sheet that killed me was the battery life. The company says that you can expect up to 25 hours at full fee without cancellation of active noise (ANC) and up to 40 hours from the charging case. With ANC competent, you will still get a time of 15 hours, which provides a lot of competition these days. Importantly, those claims were actually correct during my tests.
To maximize those numbers, the company equipped the Ath-CKS50TW2 with the so-called magnetic switch technology. In particular, earbuds snap together with magnets, before you put them in the case. Most of the competition is not low until the earbuds are inside the case, but with the Ath-CKS 50TW2, you do not need to worry about that additional step. Just take them off and snap them together, then you will know that you are no longer wasting precious battery power, while the buds are resting on your desk. This also means that Ath-CKS50TW2 will not always charge in the case when you are not using them, which should help increase the battery longevity.
I am also happy to say that Audio-Teknica heated her trademark, inviting the sound profile for the Ath-CKS 50TW2. More especially, stock audio is not excessive tuned, so the bass remains pleasant when needed and is dialed down when it does not happen. Kendrick booms the “TV of” of Lamar’s “TV of” while Hay-Hats, Claps, and Vocals cut through clear. When you switch to something more sweet with low-end bombs like Turnpike Tableders “” here “, you get a complete sargam of acoustic tools and light drums without dominating the mixture.
It does not provide increased clarity and ancient expansion that performs more expensive, flagship-level earbuds, but the Ath-CKS 50 TW2 is great for $ 150. In fact, this can be the best option in terms of sound quality in this price range. Jason on Isbel Fools in snow, For example, acoustic guitar – alone means on the album – is not in the form of expressive nuances in as it does on the Technics ‘AZ100 or Bowers and Wilkins’ Pi8. But I believe that Ath-CKS50TW2 holds its own against a similar price competition. He, and extended battery life alone makes these earbuds a compelling package.
Not so good: design, control and a missing feature
By the standards of 2025, Ath-CKS50TW2 Earbuds are large and heavy. They also feel unbalanced, with a lot of weight sitting outside your ears. This means that they are not comfortable as small models and feel unstable. I never had issues with them, but they feel that they could have done, which is not very good. Perhaps the audio-technicica required an additional space for large batteries, which I am guessing will close an acceptable business for users searching for long-term hearing between allegations.
Audio-Technica gave Ath-CKS50TW2 physical control, usually a good thing. Like some previous models of the company, the buttons are small, deployed along the top edge of the earbuds. However, due to the design of Ath-CKS 50 TW2, you have to hold the earbuds while pressing those buttons. It is cumbersome, mostly due to the size and weight of each bud. Heavy, unbalanced construction has a trickle-down effect on other aspects of hearing experience.
Billy Steel for Engadget
Ath-tracks50tw2 is remembering an important feature detection. But the company has performed well in its app to include ANC, Ghee-Through (Ambient Sound) mode, five-band EQ, Soundscape, Media Control and Battery updates. There is also a “private timer” and low delay mode for sports and videos. You can also accommodate how many stages the volume adjustment will jump and test your microphone, requiring whether alternative noise is required during the call. Additionally, a quick-attitude, talk-through mode that reduces volume and also activates the ambient sound for brief chat. But when you remove earbuds from your ears, you will not get simple, and easy, automatic stagnation.
Final decision on Ath-CKS50TW2
My initial perception was correct: The main reason for buying Ath-CKS50TW2 is very long battery life. I do not think magnetic switch feature is necessary to hit the promised runtime, but it is good to know that the yearbuds are closed without putting them in the case where they will recharge even when you don’t need them. Audio-Teknica’s sonic process is on performance here, with some other earbuds and headphones somewhat lower.
The design is not the most comfortable and strange to use control, but the complete list of features of Ath-CKS50TW2 is quite long. Despite some flaws, it likes a lot here, including two most important things for a lot of users: sound and battery life.
This article originally appeared on Engadget
