Truly wireless earbuds have come a long way, and Audio-Technica has been refining its formula with each new release. The ATH-CKS50TW2 is the brand’s latest attempt at delivering a balance of deep bass, high-fidelity sound, and marathon battery life in a premium yet relatively affordable package.
The ATH-CKS50TW2 retails for around $249 AUD, which undercuts premium competitors like the AirPods Pro Gen 2 ($399 AUD), Beyerdynamic Amiron 300 ($399 AUD), and Sony’s WF-1000XM5 ($419 AUD). So, do these earbuds carve out a space for themselves amongst this impressive company? I’ve been testing them for a while now, and I can safely say, yes, they do.
Design and Comfort
At first glance, the ATH-CKS50TW2 is unmistakably Audio-Technica—chunky, bold, and built with function over form. Compared to the sleek, stemmed profile of the AirPods Pro Gen 2, these earbuds have a more industrial look. The matte plastic shell feels sturdy, and while they don’t scream premium like the Amiron 300, there’s a reassuring durability to them. They’re available in Beige and Black, which I’ve been testing, and I have to say, the black isn’t really black; it has a tint to it like a very dark teal and it’s quite fetching.
The fit is snug but takes a bit of trial and error to get right mostly because the buds are quite chonky and protruda a good ways outside your ear. It’s a weird feeling like they are going to fall out but they don’t. The included ear tips offer a decent range of sizes, but I had to experiment before finding a secure seal. Once in place, they stay put—even during workouts—despite their protrusion, which means they aren’t the most discreet option.
One standout feature is the Magnetic Switch, a clever addition that streamlines power management. The earbuds use magnets to connect to each other, powering them down and instantly waking them up when separated. This allows you to save power even when you don’t have the case handy. The strong magnets also make it easier to keep the unit together in your pockets, a small but incredibly useful feature that makes daily use more seamless, especially when you’re in a rush.
The physical button controls are another welcome addition. While many brands opt for touch-sensitive controls, Audio-Technica sticks with tactile buttons that provide satisfying feedback and eliminate accidental presses. Adjusting volume, skipping tracks, or toggling ANC is reliable and precise, even when wearing gloves or working out.
The charging case, while on the larger side, is built well and feels durable. It’s not as compact as the AirPods Pro case, but it compensates with an impressive battery reserve, adding up to 40 extra hours of listening time. The secure magnetic latch ensures the earbuds stay in place, and the USB-C charging port means fast and convenient top-ups.
Sound Quality: Bass That Packs a Punch
Audio-Technica has always catered to audiophiles, and the ATH-CKS50TW2 doesn’t disappoint. The headline feature here is the ‘Deep Motion’ driver technology, designed to deliver more powerful bass without muddying the mids and highs. The 9mm drivers deliver a low-end that is punchy, tight, and deeply satisfying.
Listening to an Mac Qualye’s ‘Eye for Eye‘ from the The Last of Us Part II soundtrack, I could feel the sub-bass rumble in a way that’s uncommon for wireless earbuds. Compared to the Amiron 300, which has a more clinical approach, these feel more energetic, making them ideal for hip-hop, EDM, and bass-heavy genres. I am honestly shocked at how rich and powerful these buds can get.
That said, the bass-forward tuning doesn’t completely overshadow the rest of the frequency range. Vocals in Bear McCreary’s Eregion from the LoTR: Rings of Power soundtrack still come through cleanly and sweetly while background instrumentals were powerful. Audiophiles looking for a neutral sound signature may find them a bit too warm, but for casual listeners (myself included), the balance is very enjoyable.
Call Quality and Connectivity
Call quality is decent, though not exceptional. The dual-mic setup does a good job of filtering out background noise, but voices sound slightly compressed compared to the AirPods Pro Gen 2, which handles calls with a more natural tone. In a quiet setting, conversations come through clearly, but in a busy environment, wind and background chatter can creep in.
Connectivity is rock-solid. Bluetooth 5.2 ensures a stable connection, and multipoint pairing is a welcome addition, allowing me to switch seamlessly between my phone and laptop. There’s also support for aptX Adaptive, which improves audio quality over Bluetooth, though Apple users will be limited to AAC. Unlike the Amiron 300, the CKS50TW2 doesn’t support aptX HD or lossless audio of any kind.
There is a low-latency mode that makes these earbuds surprisingly capable for gaming. Playing COD Warzone Mobile, not only was the sound impactful, but there was also minimal audio delay, making them viable for serious mobile gamers.
Noise Cancellation and Transparency Mode
Active noise cancellation (ANC) has become a must-have, and Audio-Technica’s implementation is solid, if not class-leading. In a quiet room, the ANC effectively eliminates low-frequency hums, and on a plane, it significantly reduces engine noise, though it doesn’t quite match the AirPods Pro’s adaptive cancellation, which automatically adjusts to ambient noise levels.
There was a marked difference coming from the Amiron 300 to the CKS50TW2 in places like the gym, on the train, and walking around busy streets. The CKS50TW2 drowned out more ambient noise, and I could actively tell that ANC was working. It’s not as good as the AirPods Pro, which have the best noise-cancelling I’ve yet tested, but it’s good enough.
Transparency mode, which lets in external sound, is passable but not as natural as Apple’s or Bose’s solutions. Voices sound slightly artificial, and there’s a bit of a delay when switching modes. It’s good enough for quick conversations but not my go-to if I need an extended ambient listening experience.
Battery Life: The Best in Class
Here’s where the ATH-CKS50TW2 demolishes the competition. With ANC off, you get 25 hours from the fully charged earbuds, plus an additional 40 hours available from the charging case. Even with ANC on, you’re looking at around 15 hours—far beyond the AirPods Pro’s 6-hour runtime. The Amiron can manage 11 hours with ANC off, but it’s clear that Audio-Technica is leagues ahead.
This longevity is a game-changer if you hate constantly recharging your earbuds. I went nearly two weeks of casual listening without having to plug them in to recharge the case. Oh, and you can get 90 minutes of listening from the earbuds with just 5 minutes of charging— that’s dope!
Verdict
The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 makes a compelling case for itself with class-leading battery life, deep and impactful bass, and a robust build. They’re not the most compact or stylish earbuds, and I don’t like how much they stick out of my ears. Additionally, while their ANC and transparency mode are decent, they don’t quite reach the heights of the AirPods Pro or Sony’s best. But if you want big, enjoyable sound with insane battery life and excellent value, they’re well worth considering.
Audio Technica Australia kindly provided the ATH-CKS50TW2 to this reviewer for the purpose of writing this review
