Наушники — Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9MK2

The ATH-TWX9MK2 is the second generation of the ATH-TWX9 true wireless in-ear headphone from Audio-Technica. It went on sale in Japan at JPY 38,500 and uses Pure Motion drivers developed specially for it, each with a three-layer diaphragm, digital hybrid noise cancelling, and compatibility with Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound.

Key specs that matter

The dynamic drivers are 5.8 mm in diameter and are specified for 10 to 40,000 Hz with a sensitivity of 105 dB per mW. Bluetooth 5.2 connects over a line-of-sight range of about 10 m, and the supported codecs are Qualcomm aptX Adaptive, Qualcomm aptX, AAC and SBC. With noise cancelling on, the earbuds play for up to about 8 hours and the charging case adds up to about 16 hours. Switching it off raises these to about 8.5 and 20 hours. A full charge of the earbuds takes roughly 2.5 hours, and the case takes roughly 3.5 hours by USB or 5 hours by wireless charging. A single earbud weighs about 5.5 g and the case about 58.7 g. The earbuds carry an IPX4 rating, which does not extend to the case, and impedance is 16 ohms. The 24-bit and 96 kHz mode is available only when Snapdragon Sound is active on the source.

Engineering and use context

Audio-Technica developed the Pure Motion drivers with transient response as the design target. The noise cancelling combines feedforward and feedback detection using improved MEMS microphones, offers five preset modes selectable from the touch sensor, and includes an adaptive function that follows changes in the environment. A hear-through function lets outside sound in, and multipoint pairing is supported. The case sterilizes the earbuds with deep-UV light in a cycle of about 70 seconds. The call microphones are MEMS types with an omnidirectional pattern, a sensitivity of -38 dB (1 V/Pa at 1 kHz) and a response of 20 to 10,000 Hz. Audio-Technica CONNECT, the companion app, adds a low latency mode, ambience presets, EQ adjustment, customization of the touch controls and a soundscape function. Eartips come in three styles - short, standard and long - each in sizes XS, S, M and L, and replacements are sold separately.

Pairing

Phones built on Snapdragon Sound platforms can run aptX Adaptive for the highest resolution link, while iPhones and Macs connect over AAC and older devices fall back to SBC. The low latency mode is intended for watching video or gaming on a phone or tablet.

Alternatives

Audio-Technica's ATH-TWX7 costs less and remains in the same true wireless category, with active noise cancelling and LDAC support.