The new true-wireless earbuds from Audio-Technica, ATH-TWX7, is inspired by the 2023 flagship model, TWX9. Retailing at S$269, the TWX7 inherits many of the great features from the TWX9 and adds a few improvements.
Check out this quick comparison between the TWX7 and TWX9:
ATH-TWX7 | ATH-TWX9 | |
Driver | 5.8mm | 5.8mm |
Noise-Cancelling ANC | Hybrid digital | Hybrid digital with Optimised ANC |
Hear-Through | Yes | Yes |
Codec | LDAC, AAC, SBC | aptX Adaptive audio, aptX, AAC, SBC, Snapdragon Sound, 360 Reality Audio |
Earbuds Playtime (ANC on) | 6.5 hours | 6 hours |
Total Playtime with Case (ANC on) | 20 hours | 18.5 hours |
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
Water Resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 |
No. of Eartips | 1 set (S,M,L, XL) | 3 sets |
UV Sterilisation | No | Yes |
Ear Detection | No | Yes |
Soundscape Function | Yes | No |
Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
The TWX7 design resembles TWX9 but comes with its own unique elements that distinguishes from the flagship. The shape of the case is similar but the colour accents and materials are different. The earbuds have thicker stems with metallic-finish frame which achieves a similar layout as the TWX9.
Similarly, the TWX7 works with both physical click buttons as well as touch-sensor. The best part is that both sets of buttons are assignable from the smartphone app, allowing user to set controls with over a dozen functions including calls. The overall response is also faster. These are great improvements over the TWX9.
The app itself offers a host of features to personalise the TWX7. Most of them are also available on the TWX9, but the “Quick Hear-Through” has been renamed to “Talk-Through”. There is also the ability to adjust call microphone sensitivity and you can use it to test the mic quality difference, just like what Technics offered with the AZ80 earbuds. You can also adjust the touch sensitivity.
The private timer is a feature designed to work with the Soundscape feature, which is a built-in function to allow users to listen to relaxing sounds. There are 13 sounds to choose from, and you need to download before using. This feature requires the app to work, and you need to activate it from the app. This feature reminds me of the Amazfit Zenbuds, but that product has a smaller buds that feels more comfortable to wear during sleep, while the TWX7 is more for listening for concentration and relaxation, not for sleeping.
Audio Quality
Using a similar 5.8mm driver design as the TWX9, the TWX7 offers similar audio characteristics which is well-defined treble clarity and a comfortable bass boom. Elaborating on this, the treble is not overly thin like Sennheiser MTW3 or Technics AZ80, but clear enough to enjoy the details and transparency. The staging for the treble frequency is wide which added to the comfortable brilliance without sounding too forced.
In the bass, I could be critical that it is technically less detailed for audiophile listening. It sounded wooly, less precise, but not bloated. It offers good sonic enjoyment, given the nature of the low frequency, but does not extend to the subsonic levels. For the midrange, the bulk of the mix comes from the centre field and lacking in space, which contributes to the congested impression.
Overall, the earbuds deliver a good sounding experience. I do not feel fatigue from extended listening yet I get listening satisfaction from the balanced highs and the abundant lows, while midrange does not sound as clean as Creative Aurvana Ace 2.
Ambiance Control
The ANC on the TWX7 is quite strong where I can experience a bit of sound pressure. The higher frequencies are still faintly audible but not distracting. There is no option to adjust the ANC level, but for Hear-Through, I can adjust the amount of sound to let in. Even at the maximum level, the ambient sound is quite natural and does not have excessively amplified midrange.
The Talk-Through is an improved “Quick Hear-Through” from the TWX9 and designed for the user to hold a conversation by tuning the ambient sound to focus on the human voice range. There are also settings to adjust music playback level. You can assign a separate touch gesture to turn on this mode.
Call Quality
The TWX7 call microphone has two modes – the natural mode is the default while the noise-reduction mode removes noise in windy and noisy environment. The mic pick-up is rather soft, and it can be a chore to switch the different mic modes if you are in different environments to overcome the background noise. What I like is that I can toggle the ANC and Hear-Through during calls.
Verdict
The ATH-TWX7 is the newest TWX-series from Audio-Technica, and though it was not a replacement to TWX9, it comes with far more practical functions and costs lower. I highly recommend this over the TWX9 unless you need the UV sterilization feature, the Snapdragon Sound codec, wear detection, or the 360 Reality Audio.
Compared to the competitors, the TWX7 offers massive list of functions to personalise the earbuds with EQ, key assignments, ambient control, volume step, latency. The audio quality is balanced with satisfying clarity and punch, while the earbuds hold firmly on your ears.