It doesn’t offer the enhanced clarity and pristine detail that more expensive flagship headphones offer, but the ATH-CKS50TW2 is a good value at $150. In fact, it might be the best option in terms of sound quality in this price range. About Jason Isbell foxes in the snow, For example, the acoustic guitar, the only instrument featured on the album, does not have the expressive nuances of the Technics AZ100 or the Bowers and Wilkins Pi8. But I do admit that the ATH-CKS50TW2 holds its own against similarly priced competitors. This and the longer battery life make these headphones an attractive package.
Worst: Lack of design, controls and features
By 2025 standards, the ATH-CKS50TW2 headphones are big and bulky. They also feel out of balance, with much of the weight shifted away from the ears. This means that they are not as comfortable as smaller models and do not feel as safe. I’ve never had a problem with them fighting, but they feel like it’s possible, which isn’t good. Perhaps Audio-Technica needed the extra space for larger batteries, which I think is an acceptable compromise for users looking for longer listening times between charges.
Audio-Technica has provided physical controls for the ATH-CKS50TW2, which are generally good. As with some of the company’s previous models, the buttons are small and placed on the top of the headphones. However, due to the design of the ATH-CKS50TW2, you have to hold the headphones while pressing these buttons. It is bulky, mainly due to the size and weight of each individual head. Bulky and unbalanced construction affects other aspects of the listening experience.
The ATH-CKS50TW2 lacks a crucial feature: wear detection. But the company has done well by bringing ANC, listening modes (ambient sound), five-band equalizer, soundscape, media controls and battery updates in its app. There’s also a “private timer” and a low-latency mode for games and videos. You can also adjust the number of steps on the volume control and test the microphone to see if optional noise reduction is needed during calls. There’s also a Quick Attention Call mode, which lowers the volume and turns on ambient sounds, even for short conversations. However, you won’t find autopause easy and convenient when you take off the headphones.
The final verdict on the ATH-CKS50TW2
My first assumption was correct: the main reason to buy the ATH-CKS50TW2 is the extremely long battery life. I don’t think the magnetic switching feature is necessary to get the promised battery life, but it’s nice to know the headphones are powered off without having to put them in your pocket where they charge even when you don’t need them. Audio-Technica’s sonic prowess is also evident here, albeit to a lesser extent than on the company’s other headphones and earphones.
The layout isn’t particularly convenient and the controls are difficult to use, but the ATH-CKS50TW2’s full list of features is quite long. Despite some flaws, there’s a lot to like, including the two things that matter most to many users: sound and battery life.
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