Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW Solid Bass Wireless Review
The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW earbuds offer stunning bass and sound quality, but their poor battery and high price make them a niche pick for audio purists only.
The 30-Second Version
The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW deliver incredible, bass-heavy sound (94th percentile) but have poor battery life and no ANC. At $481, they're a tough sell unless sound is your only concern.
Overview
The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW are a set of true wireless earbuds built for one thing: delivering a powerful, bass-forward sound. They ditch fancy features like active noise cancellation to focus on audio performance, and our data shows it pays off, with sound quality landing in the top 6% of all earbuds we track. Just don't expect them to be your all-day companions, as the battery life is a major weak spot.
Performance
These buds are all about the sound, and they deliver. The exclusive 10mm drivers with a dual-layer diaphragm pump out clear, full-range audio with bass that genuinely thumps, scoring in the 94th percentile. Build quality and mic clarity are also strong points. The trade-off is comfort and battery, which both land in the bottom half of our rankings. You get a solid 15 hours from the buds, but that's well below average, and the case only adds two extra charges.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sound quality is exceptional, especially the bass. 92th
- Build quality feels durable and premium. 74th
- Mic clarity is great for calls.
- IPX2 rating offers basic sweat and drip resistance.
Cons
- Battery life is disappointing for the price. 14th
- No active noise cancellation at all. 24th
- Comfort scores are just average.
- They're bulky compared to modern competitors.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | In-Ear |
Audio
| Driver Type | 10 mm |
| Driver Size | 10 |
| Drivers | 10 |
| Codecs | Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW Solid Bass Wireless in-Ear Headphones, Built-in mic and buttons, Water-resistant performance, Truly wireless design with Bluetooth 5.0 |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| Wired Connector | Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW Solid Bass Wireless in-E |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
Features
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant |
Value & Pricing
At a current price of $481, the value proposition is tough. You're paying premium money for earbuds with stellar sound and build, but you're missing key modern features like ANC and you're stuck with subpar battery life. If audio purity is your absolute top priority and you don't care about anything else, there's an argument here. For everyone else, this price is hard to justify.
vs Competition
Stacked up, these are a niche pick. The Sony WF-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Earbuds will cost similar but offer world-class ANC, better comfort, and more features, though their sound signature might be more balanced. The Nothing Ear (a) or Anker Soundcore options deliver 80% of the performance for a fraction of the price, including ANC. The Technics EAH-AZ100 is a closer audio-focused rival, but often with better tech. The CKS5TW win on raw, bassy sound but lose on almost every other practical metric.
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW Solid Bass Wireless | Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Technics Technics EAH-AZ80 Noise-Canceling True Wireless | Bose Bose QuietComfort Ultra True Wireless | Apple Airpods Pro 3 Apple AirPods Pro with Wireless MagSafe Charging | Jabra Jabra Evolve2 Buds USB-A UC Earbuds with USB-A |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear | In-Ear |
| Driver Type | 10 mm | Sony WF-1000XM5 Noise-Canceling True Wireless In-Ear Headphones (Black) | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | — | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Battery Life Hours | — | 6 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Case Battery Hours | — | 16 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 25 |
| Water Resistance | Water-Resistant | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP57 |
| Multipoint | — | true | true | true | true | true |
Common Questions
Q: Do these have active noise cancellation (ANC)?
No, they do not have any active noise cancellation. They rely on a passive seal from the ear tips, which is why they score low in our ANC category.
Q: How is the call quality?
Call quality is very good, with the built-in mic and Qualcomm CVC tech scoring in the 85th percentile for clear, natural-sounding conversations.
Q: Are they good for working out?
They have a basic IPX2 drip-proof rating, so they can handle sweat, but their fitness score is mediocre. Their larger size might not be the most secure for high-intensity movement.
Who Should Skip This
If you travel frequently, look elsewhere. The weak battery life and lack of ANC make them a poor choice for planes or long commutes. Also skip if you want a balanced, feature-rich package; you're paying a lot for a one-trick pony.
Verdict
Buy these only if you're an audio purist who craves powerful, detailed bass above all else and you never leave home for more than a few hours. They're for the listener who prioritizes the music experience over convenience, features, or marathon listening sessions.