Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 Wireless Headphones

Product Information

I have watched the rise of Audio-technica’s in-ear monitors for years. Its new product releases have been regular and predictable, with the company really hitting its stride in 2020 with the ANC-ATH300. With a distinctive form factor, a compact clamshell case, crisp sound and handy features, it was hard not to like. Finding a great pair of earbuds for your workout isn't an easy feat. They have to fit securely, sound great, and offer some top-notch ANC. Well then, the JBL Reflect Flow Pro sports buds could be the perfect pair. The app itself is straightforward to use and gives users lots of control over the earbuds. Apart from customising the button and touch controls, you can also tweak the earbuds’ sound signature using the equaliser feature and switch between the earbuds’ various optimised ANC modes. And for those concerned about what codec it is connecting over, the app lets you see that information too. Speaking of which, the ATH-TWX9 supports the usual suspects, including SBC, AAC, regular aptX, and aptX Adaptive. You get XS, S, M , L in 3 different fitment depth options (stem length) for a total of 12 fitment options. I like M with the long stem (deep fit). We are thrilled to introduce the newest addition to the A-T headphone lineup, the ATH-TWX9 truly wireless in-ear headphones, featuring digital hybrid noise-cancelling technology. These earbuds are equipped with 5.8 mm high-resolution drivers to deliver an extended high-frequency range and improved sound detail for a superior 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. 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 optimise 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. Customise your experience with twelve different fitting eartip designs (4 diameter sizes, 3 stem lengths) for the most comfortable noise cancelling headphones.

App connection

A-T claims a 6-hour battery life for the ATH-TWX9 when playing at moderate volumes with ANC enabled. You’ll get two full recharges in the charging case, which brings the total to around 18 hours. That’s … well, it’s not great. For this price, I’d prefer to see at least an AirPods Pro level of performance (6/24), but preferably a lot more. That may be true, but this is the first time I’ve ever encountered this particular problem when using Multipoint. Sumptuous sound Simon Cohen / Digital Trends Hear-through (transparency) mode worked well for hearing other sounds around me, but my own voice still sounded muffled, which kept interactions from being as natural as they are when using the AirPods Pro. Battery life Simon Cohen / Digital Trends Google knew that Android fans were looking for highly compatible earbuds with up-to-date ANC tech, and the Pixel Buds Pro were designed to deliver. Fortunately, they succeeded in almost all respect. These earbuds make the perfect companion for Android phone fans, especially if you’ve got a Pixel phone to pair with them. They’re also more affordable than competitors from brands like Apple or Bose, which wins them an extra nod. Besides customising some of the key controls, the Audio-Technica Connect app allows EQ adjustment, turn on Side Tone, adjust L-R balance (an uncommon but important feature for users with imbalanced hearing). It also supports ear detection which I usually disable because I do not like the auto-pause function. I would also disable voice guidance after getting familiarised with the controls, so that the actions have shorter lags without the need to wait for the voice to finish the phrase. ANC and Hear-Through

Combining innovative acoustic technology with a snug, comfortable fit and convenient controls, the ATH-TWX9 lets you create an intimate sound space that’s all your own 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

Operation

The default eartips created a perfect seal right from the get-go, but if they hadn’t, Audio-Technica includes an astonishing collection of 12 additional sizes and shapes, in varying widths and lengths. Dynamic driver: A single driver capable of covering the entire frequency range. The diaphragm is connected directly to a voice coil in the headphone, with the voice coil moving between magnets to produce sound. Transparency mode in the XM5 is also top notch. It sounds natural and there's a feature that can detect when you're talking so it can pause your music and automatically switch the earbuds from ANC to transparency mode so you can have a conversation.

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. Sound quality out of the box is detailed with "a satisfying balance of frequencies, with a decidedly warm overall tone," Cohen says. We're talking about Technics here, so rest assured the sound is in the hands of some pros. That said, no one knows what you like but you, so the Audio Connect app also gives you EQ control with presets and manual options. And if you're an Android user, the AZ80s have support for Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec, so you can bask in the detail of hi-res audio. Experience crystal-clear call quality with the dual high-performance MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) mics, beamforming technology, and Qualcomm® cVc™ Generation 8.0 technology. The ATH-TWX9 features Qualcomm® TrueWireless Mirroring, which enables independent transmission to the left and right earbuds, reducing sound interruptions and delays for videos. Compatible with Qualcomm® Snapdragon Sound™, Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive audio, and Sony’s 360 Reality Audio, these earbuds provide an advanced listening experience. The ATH-TWX9 wireless earbuds have an IPX4-equivalent water-resistant design, for protection against sudden rain showers or perspiration when exercising.** There’s an optional sidetone adjustment that is meant to let you hear your own voice while on calls (to keep you from shouting). As with the transparency mode, it helps, but it’s not as effective as on the AirPods Pro. IPX4 equivalent means that there is no harmful effect even if water is splashed from all directions. It cannot be used in hot and humid places such as baths. It is not completely waterproof.Headphone: Approx. 5.4 g (0.19 oz) (L side), approx. 5.4 g (0.19 oz) (R side); Charging case: Approx. 55.9 g (2.0 oz) Sidetone circuitry improves conversations by letting you hear your voice in the headphones when making calls on most smartphones 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.

Call quality is boosted by Sidetone circuitry that lets you hear your own voice in the headphones, which is compatible with most smartphones. Driver: The unit that produces sound in a headphone, made up of magnets, voice coils, and other materials. Typically, the larger the driver, the more power a headphone has, and generally bigger drivers in in-ear headphones indicate a better range of frequencies can be reproduced.

What should you get instead of the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9?

The battery life of the earbuds is a little better. They are rated at up to 6 hours, which is comparable to its rivals. And in my tests, I found this rating to be fairly accurate. It could last around an entire day of work. However, I do recommend a charge midway into the day; otherwise, you might run out of juice on your way home. You’ll get Bluetooth version 5.2 on both earphones, but the XM4 offers more CODECs including LDAC. They also both have fast pairing and keep stable connections throughout many hours of listening. Battery Life Most wireless earbuds give you a single control interface — a touch/squeeze sensitive area or a physical button. The TWX9 give you both: a button on each stem and a touch panel on each logo-sporting end cap. That sounds like Audio-Technica is letting you choose which style of input you prefer, but that’s not quite the case. Listening to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra through 360 was the best at demonstrating this during my listening. The many sections blended together beautifully over the TWX9. I’m pleasantly surprised that a true wireless earphone could articulate a busy album like this so effectively. Addmitadley, all of this praise is only coming from how spatial audio features perform over Tidal, but what about the soundstage in standard form? Of course, many non-linear characteristics disappear from the imaging, but the TWX9 still does a good job expressing the stereo field as accurately as it can. Even when performing in a flatter sonic environment, the TWX9 solidifies positioning and proper vocal and instrument placement. Low End It comes with features that are familiar to true-wireless earbuds users – Active Noise Cancellation, Hear-Through, Side Tone, Low Latency Mode, IPX4 water resistant, Qi wireless charging, Multipoint pairing. It supports Bluetooth audio codec formats like Snapdragon Sound, aptX Adaptive Audio, aptX, AAC, SBC. It is also one of the few non-Sony earbuds to support 360 Reality Audio. Similar to the LG TONE Free FP9 and T90, the TWX9 is also equipped with UV sterilisation with mirrors inside the case to increase the effectiveness of the sanitisation. The earbuds do not look as compact but they are ergonomically shaped to fit comfortably in the ear cavities. The battery life of 6 hours per charge and 18.5 hours with the charging cable is adequate for daily commute though it might not be sufficient for cross-continent plane flight.