Last year saw a handful of big audio announcements, from JBL to Sennheiser. One of the most interesting products, however, came from Audio-Technica in the form of high-end earbuds designed to compete with the likes of Sony, Bose, and Apple. 

If you’re interested in earbuds that boast highly effective noise canceling and can deliver a superior audio experience, let me introduce you to the Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7. 

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Audio-Technica is known for its commitment to making affordable high-fidelity audio products for users who don’t have thousands to spend on competing sound systems, turntables, headphones, and microphones. For example, high-fidelity earbuds like the Denon PerL Pro will cost you $350. Here’s where Audio-Technica hopes it can bridge the gap.

I spent a week with the new X7 earbuds from Audio-Technica, putting them through the wringer with my usual round of usability tests. Here’s how it went.

The new Audio-Technica X7 true wireless earbuds offer high-fidelity audio and digital hybrid noise-canceling and promise all-day comfort, a secure fit, and crystal-clear voice calling. 

Audio-Technica says the X7 earbuds offer 6.5 hours of playback plus an additional 13.5 hours with the charging case. The case can charge wirelessly, and the earbuds support Bluetooth multipoint.

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The X7 buds succeed the company’s previous flagship earbuds, the ATH-TWX9, and incorporate the same 5.8mm high-res drivers. I found that the earbuds have a clear, detailed sound and can easily articulate a song’s complex and less prominent qualities. When I listened to “Don’t Lose My Number” by Phil Collins, I could pick apart his harmonies in the chorus and the overall sound was balanced and enjoyable.

You can play, pause, and skip tracks by pressing a button on the earbuds’ stem. The control button is small and on the inside of the stem, and accurately locating the button takes some getting used to.

In the Audio-Technica Connect app, you can customize the X7’s EQ settings on a five-band equalizer. You can also toggle low latency mode, left/right earbud balance, call audio modes, and switch Bluetooth codecs.

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The new Audio-Technica earbuds support the SBC, AAC, and LDAC codecs. Those seeking high-quality Bluetooth streaming can access Sony’s LDAC codec, but if you have an iPhone, you’re stuck with AAC, which is still superior to SBC.

Audio-Technica promises that the TWX7’s diverse ear tip selection will help keep the earbuds secure in the wearer’s ears, and I agree. In the box, you receive two types of ear tips in four sizes. One ear tip material fits firmly around the earbuds’ speaker, while the other is more flexible. With the different ear tip size options, you can decide how much of a seal you want the earbuds to create in your ear. Once you find the right ear tip size, the X7 buds certainly stay put inside your ears. 

The X7 earbuds have impressive noise-canceling and ambient sound modes, which can be adjusted on a sliding scale. The X7’s noise-canceling is suitable for blocking noises in an office or library. However, you must find the correct ear tip size for the noise-canceling to be as effective as possible. 

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With an IPX4 rating, the X7 earbuds will suffice for those who want to take the earbuds on a light jog. Despite their IP rating, I don’t recommend these earbuds for strenuous workouts. Not only is their IP rating not strong enough for super sweaty exercising sessions, but they just don’t feel like a pair of active earbuds. 

The Audio-Technica X7 earbuds feel like a pair of premium earbuds meant for those who enjoy high-res audio but prefer to wear earbuds instead of on-ear or over-ear headphones. The X7’s stylish design with metallic and silicon accents makes them feel chic and classy, not sporty.

Additionally, the X7 earbuds feature a Soundscape mode that plays calming noises to help you focus, relax, and unwind. You can pick from “Nature” sounds like ocean, fireside, or forest, “Healing” sounds like rejuvenation and tranquility, or “Masking Noise” like white noise and quiet office sounds.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Audio-Technica ATH-TWX7 earbuds deliver warm, balanced audio with a clarity that’s expected from the audio company. For $199, the X7 earbuds are fairly priced, as they’re cheaper than the list prices of the latest flagship buds from Sony, Bose, and Apple.

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However, the X7 earbuds don’t strike me as the kind of earbuds you can take from the office to the gym. I believe that casual listeners and budding audiophiles will enjoy these earbuds the most, while those looking for earbuds to accommodate their active lifestyles might be disappointed. 

If you want earbuds with superior sound quality, impressive noise canceling, and highly customizable EQ settings, the X7 earbuds are the way to go. If you desire earbuds for active living, consider the Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds or bone-conduction headphones like the Shokz OpenRun Pro.