Наушники — Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9

The ATH-TWX9 pairs a true wireless in-ear design from Audio-Technica with digital hybrid noise cancelling and a charging case that cleans the earbuds with deep-UV light. Its US price at introduction was USD 299.

Key specs that matter

A 5.8 mm high-resolution driver is fitted in every earbud. The earbuds play for up to 6 hours per charge with noise cancelling on, and the case holds a reserve of up to 18.5 hours. Codec support includes Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, with codec selection available in the app, and the earbuds are compatible with Sony 360 Reality Audio. Bluetooth 5.2 reaches about 10 m, the codec list also includes aptX, AAC and SBC, and sample rates of 44.1, 48 and 96 kHz at 16 or 24 bits are handled. Sensitivity is 102 dB per mW and impedance 16 ohms, across a range of 10 to 40,000 Hz. Earbuds recharge in about 2.5 hours, and the case needs about 3.5 hours over USB or 5.0 hours wirelessly. Each earbud weighs about 5.4 g and the case about 55.9 g, and the design is rated IPX4-equivalent against rain and water.

Engineering and use context

The deep-UV LED sterilization system sits inside the charging case and uses mirror processing to reach the surface of the earbuds. Audio-Technica states it is more than 99% effective against E. coli and bacteriophage viruses and more than 90% effective against Staphylococcus aureus. The noise cancelling can be personalized through the app to the fit and the surroundings of the user. Five preset noise cancelling modes with adaptive adjustment and a hear-through function are provided, and either earbud can be used alone. Two high-performance MEMS microphones per side work with beamforming and Qualcomm cVc Generation 8.0 for calls, with a sensitivity of -38 dB and a response of 100 to 16,000 Hz. Qualcomm TrueWireless Mirroring handles the link between the two earbuds, multipoint pairing connects to more than one device, and a low latency mode is available for video and games. The case charges over the supplied USB-A to USB-C lead, or wirelessly from a Qi charger that is not included. Fit is handled by hybrid silicone eartips with hard and soft sections, giving twelve different fit options in total.

Pairing

Android phones with Snapdragon chipsets that support aptX Adaptive can use the higher resolution connection, and remaining phones, tablets and laptops link through the standard Bluetooth codecs. Anyone who wants 360 Reality Audio content needs a streaming service and app that offer that format.

Alternatives

The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 is a lower-priced model in the same category, carrying drivers adopted from this one and adding LDAC.