Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 Wireless Headphones

Product Information

What fundamentally distinguishes the tuning of the ATH-TWX9 was a precise presentation with a pure sound image that seemed uncoloured and matter-of-fact without appearing sterile. The focus was on homogeneous, unadulterated reproduction with clean separation and high information content. At the same time, the reproduction conveyed a catchy, carefree lightness that was capable of capturing attention when the November rain was pelting against the window panes outside. Eartips feature a hybrid structure of hard and soft silicone for best fit and sound performance, and come in three different lengths for each size (XS/S/M/L) The ATH-TWX9s come with ear tips in three different stem lengths, each with a choice of four sizes, which allows for a specific adjustment to suit your ear canal and promotes a comfortable, stable fit. Even though the housings protrude slightly from the ear when worn, these in-ears will fit under a winter hat if it is not too tightly fitting. The system is protected from weather-related moisture and during sporting activities by a water- and sweat-resistant finish in accordance with IPX4. The earpieces and the charging case provide an impression of high-quality impression, in both look and feel. Battery life

When Bose released the upgrade version of its QuietComfort earbuds, it made a bold claim – that they had the best active noise cancellation available. That includes new technology like CustomTune, which is supposed to run a test of your ears and adjust the ANC as a result. We don’t know how much difference that makes, but we do know that these earbuds have some of the best ANC that we’ve experienced, outshone only by the very latest releases like the AirPods Pro 2.Both earphones sport a greatariety of features, especially the XM4, which is known for its wealth of options offered by its companion app. Audio Technica also has an app for the TWX9 and has similar options thanks to 360 Reality Audio and adaptive noise-canceling. Sony is the industry leader for ANC for good reason, and the TWX9 puts up a good effort. When compared side by side though, the XM4 felt more isolating. The XM4 also has more responsive controls on the earbud. My experience with the TWX9 was more inconsistent by comparison, and they used traditional buttons. Bluetooth Turning on active noise cancellation helped to significantly drown out unwanted noises. I took these on my recent trip to WWDC 2023, and they were quite effective on the flight. However, I also took the AirPods Pro with me, and it was clear that the AirPodsPro had better active noise cancellation. Overall, the ATH-TWX9’s ANC feature was decent, but it’s quite clearly not as effective as Apple’s, Bose’s, or Sony’s. Likewise, the hear-through feature, though also pretty convincing, doesn’t sound quite as realistic either, and I’m not sure if I could trust it entirely.

That’s not what sets the ATH-TWX9 apart from the crowd, however. That would be the deep-UV sterilisation system built directly into the case. Whenever you place the earbuds in the case, a 70-second sterilisation process begins, with mirrors employed to distribute the light evenly. Bluetooth 5.2 and multipoint support for two simultaneous Bluetooth connections which can be managed via the Connect app ( iOS / Android) As for sound quality, the drivers in the Buds+ are actually one of the only parts that didn't get upgraded, but that's OK because the sound in the Studio Buds was pretty good as well, with excellent clarity and accuracy, and the Buds+ are no different — if anything, the Bud+ offer a wider, and more detailed soundstage. However, there's no option for EQ adjustment and there's only support for SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, which will be fine for most people. Don't worry, they still sound great.

How good is the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9’s noise cancelling & transparency mode?

Compatible with Qualcomm ® Snapdragon Sound™, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive audio, and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio to deliver an advanced listening experience The ATH-TWX9’s hybrid noise cancellation was automatically activated when the system was switched on, and it attenuated low-frequency as well as high-frequency outside sounds quite effectively. Voices or complex street and construction noise were filtered to a lesser extent, but it was still noticeable. Overall, the five ANC modes did not provide outstanding but rather satisfactory attenuation of noise sources. However, the best results were achieved when the ambient noise was measured, and a specific adjustment was made, and this was uncomplicated to use and could be implemented within a few seconds. The highs on both sets of earphones are average and get much better with adjustments. You can add more clarity and crispness to the XM4 but its timbre never reaches the heights that the TWX9 can reach. You can get the XM4 to feel more tall, but the TWX9 brings out more natural detail. Neither set of earphones will give you any harshness though. Summary The TWX9 offers a comfortable listening experience with a generally safe but immersive tuning. Its strength is in the sound staging that presents the music in a tight room setting. The bass instruments are delivered with good intensity yet does not linger too long to sound muddy. This characteristic continues towards midrange, allowing instruments to sound full yet not too ringing. The upper frequencies sit on top of all these meat with sufficient clarity and presence but without exaggerated transparency. Designed to connect people through sound, these hybrid headphones are equipped with advanced features making the ATH-TWX9 optimal workout headphones or commuter headphones. The splashproof headphone design (IPX4®-equivalent) makes these perfect for rain, water, and sweat. Choose from five preset noise-cancelling modes or optimize noise cancellation for your current environment simply by pressing the touch sensor on the left earbud. These non-slip, compact and ergonomic headphones are designed to ensure a secure, comfortable fit. Customize your experience with twelve different fitting eartip designs (4 diameter sizes, 3 stem lengths) for the most comfortable noise cancelling headphones.

As popular as the cheaper Apple AirPods are, the AirPods Pro 2 eclipse them in every way. According to our experienced reviewers, the ANC in these high-end earbuds is best in class. They create a cone of silence effect that has to be experienced to be appreciated. The pricing is also a step above what we expect from releases; taking place one step above the AirPods Pro 2 and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 is a bold move and a sign that the manufacturer is starting to develop confidence in this market segment. Not business as usual then, but more an ambitious leap. So the question is whether this Japanese audio juggernaut can pull such an audacious move off? Dual high-performance MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) mics, beamforming technology, and Qualcomm® cVc™ Generation 8.0 technology ensure crystal-clear call qualityThere isn’t a shortcoming in the midrange that can’t be improved with EQ. Without it, the mids are mostly flat and even in tone. Their timbre doesn’t quite pop, but clarity is still obtainable in instruments and vocals. While they don’t have the drive of the lows. the mids offer a natural presence, filling out performances with clean textures and fine detail. The best enhancements EQ makes in the midrange are with vocals. I found that certain performances benefited from the slightest gain. Specific lyrics felt like they were enunciated better, with more emphasis. Highs