Наушники — Audio-Technica Darth Vader

The Darth Vader edition, sold as the ATH-CKS50TW2DV, is a limited-edition version of Audio-Technica's ATH-CKS50TW2 true wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling. It is finished in gloss black and metallic silver, carries Star Wars graphics on both the earbuds and the charging case, and was listed at USD 229.

Key specs that matter

A 9 mm dynamic driver in every bud covers a frequency range of 5 Hz to 20,000 Hz, 110 dB/mW sensitivity and 20 ohm impedance. The wireless link is Bluetooth 5.3, and the earbuds also work with Bluetooth LE Audio and the LC3 codec. Battery life is up to 25 hours from the buds with noise cancelling off or 15 hours with it on. The case stores another 40 hours, or 25 hours with cancelling active, for a total of up to 65 hours. A 5-minute quick charge gives about 90 minutes of playback. Recharging takes 2.5 hours for the earbuds, 4 hours for the case over USB and 7.5 hours on a Qi wireless pad. Each earbud weighs about 7.2 g and the case about 51.5 g. The IP55 rating covers dust, rain and sweat.

Engineering and use context

The character theme goes beyond cosmetics - the earbuds play Darth Vader breathing and lightsaber effects as audio alerts for power on and off, Bluetooth connection and disconnection, and low battery. Noise reduction uses a hybrid system, and an ambience control with hear-through mode lets outside voices in when needed. A Soundscape function plays nature sounds, concentration noise or meditation tracks. Audio-Technica's Magnetic Switch turns the buds off when their built-in magnets are joined and back on when separated, saving charge without the case. Two MEMS microphones per side use beamforming for calls. Hybrid eartips combine a hard and a soft silicone section, and four sizes from XS to L are supplied. One multifunction button can be customised, and Siri and Google Assistant are reachable by voice.

Pairing

Multipoint pairing keeps two devices connected simultaneously, for example a phone and a computer. The A-T Connect app sets EQ presets, ambience functions and a low-latency mode for video and gaming, and helps find a lost earbud. The box includes a 50 cm charging cord with Type-A and Type-C plugs, and any Qi charging pad can replace the cable. Operating temperature is specified from 5 to 40 degrees Celsius.

Alternatives

Audio-Technica also makes the ATH-TWX7, true wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling.