Audio-Technica’s New Wireless Earbuds Include a Bizarre Feature

The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds on a black background.

We thoroughly enjoy Audio-Technica’s products, especially its wireless earbuds. But the company’s latest Bluetooth buds, called the ATH-TWX9, include a very questionable feature—an integrated UV light that promises to sterilize the earbuds while charging.

Now, Audio-Technica isn’t the first brand to shove a UV light in an earbud charging case. But I thought we had moved past this idea. You should regularly clean your earbuds to prevent the buildup of earwax, dead skin, sweat, and other grime, but a UV light can’t actually clean something.

Self-sterilizing earbuds aren’t necessarily a bad idea, especially if you’re prone to ear infections. But unless you regularly clean a pair of earbuds by hand, the buildup of wax or grime can shield germs from UV light. It’s hard to take this concept seriously when you’d be better off with alcohol wipes or Q-tips.

The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 earbuds in their UV-sterilizing charging case.

 

Ignoring the UV light, Audio-Technica’s ATH-TWX9 earbuds are extremely feature-rich. They support advanced ANC and Transparency modes (8th Generation cVc Noise Cancellation) and offer a total 24.5-hour listening time with the charging case.

Additionally, the ATH-TWX9 support some of the latest high-res audio codecs, including Snapdragon Sound, aptX Adaptive audio, and Sony 360 Reality Audio. And I trust that the 5.8mm dynamic drivers and beamforming microphones will deliver high-quality sound.

The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 are available today for $300. You can purchase them at B&H or Sweetwater. Presumably, more retailers will offer the ATH-TWX9 earbuds in the coming days or weeks.


Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9

 

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9

 

The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9 wireless earbuds offer high-end audio with ANC and Transparency modes, a UV-sterilizing case, and support for the latest audio codecs.

Source: Audio-Technica via Trusted Reviews