If you enjoy a rich, almost warm sound, the ATH-TWX7 headphones will impress you. They have a strong bass profile and come with an app full of features to enhance your music. However, the battery life is quite short, and the maximum volume could be better.
Pros
- Rich, warm sound
- Feature-packed app
- High-quality build
- Comfortable, secure fit
Cons
- Short battery life
- Low maximum volume
- Fiddly touch controls
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7: Quick Review
Your experience with the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 largely depends on your taste in sound. If you love tweaking higher-res files with an equalizer for a warm, rich sound, these earbuds are perfect for you. If that’s not your thing, these might not be the best choice.
These true wireless earbuds from Audio-Technica, named the ATH-TWX7, drop the gimmicks of previous models (like the TWX9’s UV cleaner) for a more budget-friendly price. However, they aren’t exactly budget earbuds. They sit in the mid-range price bracket and offer good value for that range.
Like many Audio-Technica products, the TWX7s have a warm sound with a mid-to-low pitch, emphasizing bass. This makes them great for hip-hop or grime fans. Additionally, they come with a feature-rich app that includes an equalizer, various noise cancellation modes, L/R balance adjustment, and fun extras like soundscapes and an in-bud timer.
The build quality is commendable, with attention to detail and a variety of eartips for a comfortable fit. The lightweight earbuds stay securely in your ears, and the charging case has a unique design that improves functionality.
Despite the many positives, there are some drawbacks. The battery life is a major issue, as the ATH-TWX7 only lasts about five hours with noise cancellation on. This may not be enough for longer journeys. Additionally, the maximum volume is somewhat low, making it hard to hear in noisy environments. Lastly, the touch controls are tricky to use and easy to accidentally activate, which can be frustrating.
In summary, the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 earbuds offer a rich sound and plenty of features, but their battery life, volume, and touch controls may be dealbreakers for some.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 Review: Price and Release Date
- Announced: Early 2024
- Price: $199 / £190 / approximately AU$299
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 is priced at $199 / £190 / approximately AU$299, positioning them in the mid-range market for wireless earbuds.
At this price, they are among Audio-Technica’s more expensive earbuds, with only the ATH-TWX9 costing more due to its UV sterilization feature. Spec-wise, the two models are quite similar.
The ATH-TWX7 faces stiff competition from other similarly-priced noise-cancelling earbuds on our best-of list, including the Bose QuietComfort 2 and Apple’s AirPods Pro 2. These models, priced the same as the ATH-TWX7, are tough competitors to beat.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 Review: Specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Drivers | 5.8mm |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes |
| Battery Life | 6.5 hours (buds), 20 hours (case) |
| Weight | 4.7g (buds), 47.5g (case) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Frequency Response | 10 – 40,000Hz |
| Waterproofing | IPX4 |
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 Review: Features
- Battery Life: 6.5 hours (buds), 20 hours (case)
- App Features: Extensive customization options
- Touch Controls: Unreliable and frustrating
The touch controls on the ATH-TWX7 are a major drawback. The buds feature a touch sensor and a physical button. The touch sensor, which is more sensitive than necessary, often triggers accidentally. Adjusting sensitivity in the app didn’t help, leading to frequent frustration. Eventually, I had to disable the touch controls to avoid accidental activations.
Regarding battery life, Audio-Technica claims 6.5 hours of use from the buds, extended to 20 hours with the charging case. However, with active noise cancellation (ANC) on, I found the battery life closer to 5 hours. This falls short compared to many competitors, and I often found myself running low on power unexpectedly.
The App: A Closer Look
The “Connect” app is worth installing for the added control it provides. Despite its generic name, it offers many features, including:
- Noise cancellation control
- Equalizer with presets and custom modes
- Alarm settings
- Low-latency mode
- Mic quality testing
- Audio balance adjustment
- LDAC toggle
- Customizable touch controls
- A library of downloadable “Soundscapes”
The app makes managing connections easy, even with Bluetooth 5.1. While not the latest standard, the difference between Bluetooth 5.1 and newer versions is minimal for most users. However, features like Auracast, which requires Bluetooth 5.2, won’t be available.
Summary
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 earbuds offer great sound and extensive customization but are hampered by unreliable touch controls and shorter battery life with ANC on. The app provides useful features, making it a worthwhile addition to your smartphone despite its simple name.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 Review: Design
- Charging Case: Clamshell design
- Buds: Lightweight
- Bud Tips: Multiple included
In a market full of similar earbud cases, the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 stands out with its unique clamshell design. This oyster-like case opens to reveal the earbuds inside, making it easy to access them.
The case is lightweight, under 50g, and compact enough to fit in your hand. Its main feature is a USB-C port for charging. The design makes it easy to remove the earbuds, as it reveals the entire bud, not just the tip.
The earbuds themselves are also lightweight, each weighing less than 5g. Despite their small size, they include two different button types for various controls, which we’ll discuss later.
Available in black, gray, and a peachy “white,” the buds come with eight pairs of tips in the box. There are four sizes in both soft and standard materials. I recommend trying the soft tips first for comfort. Changing the tips can be tricky due to the small size of the buds, so consider getting help if needed.
The ATH-TWX7 earbuds are IPX4 certified, meaning they can handle splashes but aren’t suitable for swimming. You can wear them in the rain but avoid submersion.
Design Summary
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 excels with its innovative clamshell charging case and lightweight design. With multiple bud tips included, finding the perfect fit is easy, although swapping tips can be fiddly. The earbuds’ IPX4 rating ensures they can withstand light rain, making them versatile for everyday use.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 Review: Sound Quality
- Immersive Lower-Mids
- Decent Noise Cancellation for Size
- LDAC for High-Res Music Streaming
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 earbuds deliver a warm sound profile with prominent lower-mids. I often checked the app to disable Bass Boost, only to find it wasn’t even on, highlighting the naturally bass-heavy sound.
If you prefer a bass-forward audio experience, you’ll enjoy these earbuds. Across various genres—from pop and disco to country and classical—the lower frequencies stood out. For example, ABBA’s “Waterloo” revealed an unexpectedly great bass line. However, this emphasis on bass sometimes overshadowed the treble. Vocals and lead instruments occasionally struggled to stand out against the robust bass.
You can tweak the sound with the Connect app’s EQ settings. I found the V-Shaped mode improved the balance, but the overall warmth remained. These earbuds are best suited for those who prefer a richer, bass-heavy sound rather than a brighter one.
One notable downside is the volume. Even at maximum levels on both the app and my phone, and with noise cancellation on, I sometimes struggled to hear my music near busy roads. The volume isn’t sufficient for loud environments.
Noise Cancellation and Additional Features
The ATH-TWX7’s noise cancellation is effective but not exceptional. It reduces background noise well, making it suitable for home or office use, but it’s less effective against constant low-level sounds like traffic. Over-ear headphones still offer superior noise cancellation.
The Hear-Through mode is designed to filter out noise while allowing voices to pass through, enabling conversations without removing the earbuds. However, this feature seemed inconsistent, muting and allowing sounds unpredictably. My own voice was consistently unmuted, which helped prevent unintentionally loud talking.
Technical Specs
The ATH-TWX7 uses 5.8mm drivers from the higher-end ATH-TWX9, ensuring premium sound quality. They also support LDAC for high-resolution audio streaming at 24-bit/96 kHz. While this won’t impact users who stick to standard streaming services like Spotify, those using premium services or compatible devices like Sony Xperia phones will notice a difference.
Sound Quality Summary
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 offers a warm, bass-heavy sound profile, making it ideal for bass enthusiasts. Despite some limitations in volume and noise cancellation, the earbuds provide a rich listening experience, enhanced by the Connect app’s customization options.
Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 Review: Value
- Fair Price for Quality
- Look for Discounts
The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 delivers good sound quality and a variety of useful features. However, at their regular price, they aren’t exactly a bargain. Essentially, you get what you pay for, but the competition is fierce in this price range.
That doesn’t mean the ATH-TWX7 is overpriced; they offer fair value for their cost. However, you might get better value from some rivals, such as those from Apple or Bose.
If you can find these earbuds on sale, they become a much more attractive option. Sales and discounts could significantly improve their value proposition.