Overall Score 7.0 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Overall Score 6.2 Represents average audio ecosystem compatibility score.
Category | Features | Audio Technica ATH TWX9 | Sony LinkBuds S |
---|---|---|---|
DESIGN | ingress protection (ip) rating | IPX4 | IPX4 |
weight | 10.8g | 9.6g | |
has no wires or cables | ✓ | ✓ | |
sweat resistance | ✓ | ✓ | |
has stereo speakers | ✓ | ✓ | |
SOUND QUALITY | has active noise cancellation (noise control) | ✓ | ✓ |
has passive noise reduction | ✓ | ✓ | |
driver unit size | 5.8mm | 5mm | |
lowest frequency | 20Hz | 20Hz | |
highest frequency | 40000Hz | 40000Hz | |
sound pressure level | 102dB/mW | ✗ | |
has a neodymium magnet | ✗ | ✓ | |
POWER | battery life | 6hours | 6hours |
battery life of charging case | 18.5hours | 14hours | |
charge time | 2.5hours | 2hours | |
has a battery level indicator | ✓ | ✓ | |
CONNECTIVITY | has usb type-c | ✓ | ✓ |
bluetooth version | v5.2 | v5.2 | |
maximum bluetooth range | 10meters | 10meters | |
has aac | ✓ | ✓ | |
has ldac | ✗ | ✓ | |
has aptx adaptive | ✓ | ✗ | |
MICROPHONE | number of microphones | 4only | 6only |
has a noise-canceling microphone | ✓ | ✗ | |
mic sensitivity | -38dBV/Pa | ✗ | |
highest mic frequency | 16000Hz | ✗ | |
lowest mic frequency | 100Hz | ✗ | |
EXTRAS | has ambient sound mode | ✓ | ✓ |
has in/on-ear detection | ✗ | ✓ | |
has find earbuds feature | ✓ | ✓ | |
supports fast charging | ✓ | ✓ | |
multipoint count | 2only | ✗ | |
has a mute function | ✓ | ✓ | |
control panel placed on a device | ✓ | ✓ | |
has voice prompts | ✓ | ✓ | |
travel bag is included | ✓ | ✓ | |
See price on Amazon | See price on Amazon |
Ingress protection ratings refer to the rank of protection offered by an enclosure, against dust and water. The letters 'IP' are followed by two values The first value of the IP rating represents protection against solids say dust, while the second refers to resistance against liquids (sweat).
Having a value of IPX4, the Audio Technica ATH TWX9's rating for solids indicates that no data available to specify a protection rating, and of liquids that they can withstand low pressure spray similar to that of a shower head when tilted at 180° for 10 minutes.
Compared to the Audio Technica ATH TWX9, Sony LinkBuds S have a rating of IPX4 meaning that
we are not yet certain of their rating with solids (dust)
and that of liquids is that,
they both have the same rating against liquids
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a weight of 10.8g . We take in account a lower weight best because lighter devices are easier to move with.
The Sony LinkBuds S, at 9.6g
are lighter than the Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by -1.2g
For a device to be true wireless it must have no cables linking any part of the device together, Audio Technica ATH TWX9 are true wireless for this matter since they have no wires. This is a key difference since wireless earbuds have wires linking the pair of earbuds .
Sony LinkBuds S also is true wireless since it doesn't have cables connecting the 2 earbuds .
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 are resistant to sweat
Sony LinkBuds S's resistance to sweat makes both devices fit for use while doing sports such as long-distance running, marathons, training in workout bodysuits, etc
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have stereo speakers, devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better listening experience.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have stereo speakers
Active noise cancellation makes use of more advanced technology to actively cancel noise. ANC works when, it studies the sound pattern of incoming noise and inverts the soundwaves to cancel it out. Simply put, it's like having +1 (sound from your surrounding) then adding -1 (counter sound by the device) to make zero therefore "diluting" the noise.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have Active Noise Cancellation enabling you to listen at lower volume levels, causing less ear fatigue since you don't need to crank up the device volume to outcompete background noise.
The Sony LinkBuds S too have ANC which makes both devices ideal for flights and rush hour travels. The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 and Sony LinkBuds S work with different noise cancellation settings, pick the noise cancellation type that you prefer for commute or that suites your chill time.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 stay well in place, creating a sound seal that tones down background sounds well as preventing the device music from leaking out at the same.
Both of these devices have passive noise reduction which means that both tone down ambient noise instead of actively using technology to cancel it out.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a unit size of 5.8mm in diameter, the bigger the unit the more powerful, and can produce better bass.
The driver unit is basically a mini speaker that produces sound in the device, the unit size corellates with the sound produced by the device.
Sony LinkBuds S driver unit is 5mm in diameter,
which implies that they have a smaller driver unit than that of Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 0.8mm
, many people have a misconception that driver units of a bigger size automatically produce better sound quality.
However, large drivers find it difficult to produce high frequencies so yes, larger drivers are capable of generating louder sound, but this does not mean that they produce better quality sound.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, low-frequency response measures if and how well a particular audio component produces low audible frequencies and if it alters the signal while at it.
Sony LinkBuds S's lowest frequency is at 20Hz, this implies that
both devices make sound with equal bass
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, high-frequency response tells how well an audio device makes high audible frequencies and if it makes any adjustments to the signal on its way through.
Sony LinkBuds S's highest frequency is at 40000Hz, this means that
both devices can generate equal treble
SPL, is the pressure level of sound, in decibels, dB, Audio Technica ATH TWX9's measurement is 102dB/mW. Devices with a higher sound pressure level are generally louder when supplied with any given audio source.
Sony LinkBuds S have neodymium magnets, if used in audio devices produce a higher sensitivity and substantial sound output while using less power. They can help produce music at quite a high SPL, using high magnetic flux.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9's battery life is 6 hours, these last longer than 5 hours of listening which is considered average before recharge. A device's battery life is commonly given by the manufacturer, and with more battery hours, you get to use it for longer and requires fewer chargings.
Sony LinkBuds S's battery life is
equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH TWX9
. Each time you recharge your device, they get a little less listening time. The effect is barely noticeable at first, but over time, your wireless earbuds will no longer play for long like they used to.
The battery life of the charging case is given by the manufacturer, and the Audio Technica ATH TWX9's case has a full charge of 18.5 hours. A charging case with more battery hours allows you to recharge your earbuds on the go several times before recharging the case itself.
Sony LinkBuds S's charging case has a battery life of 14 hours,
less than that of Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 4.5 hours
It takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the Audio Technica ATH TWX9's battery. It is recommended to fully charge the battery before using the earbuds when they have been in storage for long periods.
Sony LinkBuds S takes 2 hours to fully charge the battery,
less than that of Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 0.5 hours
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a battery level indicator, an indicator notifies you when the device has a low battery. The battery indicator lights indicate the charging state of your device and case.
Sony LinkBuds S too have a battery level indicator, charging indicators allow you to tell the charging state of your device, whether fully charged, or having a low battery.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have USB TYPE-C, a standard connector for transmitting both data and power in a single cable.
Sony LinkBuds S too have USB TYPE-C. This USB-C plug comes along with most current electronics.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have Bluetooth version of 5.2, Bluetooth is a wireless technology standard that enables data movement between devices placed in range, using short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio waves.
Sony LinkBuds S has a Bluetooth version of 5.2,
equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH TWX9
. Newer versions provide faster data transfers.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a 10meters distance to connect via Bluetooth.
Sony LinkBuds S have a maximum range of 10meters,
equal to that of the Audio Technica ATH TWX9
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support AAC, a codec used for Bluetooth audio. It supports 24-bit audio at 250kbps. Since it uses psychoacoustic modeling, it provides better results than other codecs at the same bit rate.
Being the highest quality codec that any Bluetooth-supporting Apple product supports, the Audio Technica ATH TWX9 will work well with your iPad. If you are planning on using these with Android you need to pay even closer attention to codec support for if they only have AAC they won't provide the best audio quality possible, ensure that they also support aptX HD, LDAC, or LHDC as well.
The Sony LinkBuds S support AAC as well. Designed to be the successor of the MP3 format, AAC generally achieves higher sound quality than MP3 encoders at the same bit rate.
Sony LinkBuds S support LDAC, a codec developed by Sony which allows streaming high-resolution audio over Bluetooth connections at up to 990 kbps at 32 bit/96 kHz. It is capable of a very high bitrate of 990kbps, providing high-resolution audio.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support APTX Adaptive, an audio codec for Bluetooth devices that are developed by Qualcomm. It has a variable bit rate (between 279kbps and 420kbps).
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have 4 microphones.
The Sony LinkBuds S microphones are 6,
more than that of Audio Technica ATH TWX9 by 2
. More microphones record better sound quality and enable the earbuds to filter out background sounds.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a noise-canceling microphone, these microphones are intended to reduce noise from the desired sound.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 microphone sensitivity is measured at -38dBV/Pa. The amount of the analog or digital output signal from the microphone with its input stimulus is a measure of its sensitivity. It's the 'loudness' of the sound that the earbud microphone can pick up.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9's highest mic frequency is 16000Hz, high frequencies are better for picking up treble. The highest mic frequency of a microphone is known as its upper limiting frequency.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9's lowest mic frequency is 100Hz, low frequencies are best for picking up bass. The lowest mic frequency of a microphone is defined as its lower limiting frequency.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support ambient sound mode, which uses microphones to channel ambient noises to still be heard even when wearing them
The Sony LinkBuds S support ambient sound mode as well, it’s useful when you want to listen to music but also be aware of your surrounding, for example when you’re having a jog but still want to be able to hear traffic.
Sony LinkBuds S have in/on-ear detection, the sensors in the earbuds can detect when they are removed from your ears so that the music is paused.
When lost in a room, or can't be found in your bag, Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a find earbuds feature.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have the find earbuds feature. Simply use the earbuds app on your phone to play an alarm from your device to find them.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support fast charging. Usually, technologies like MediaTek’s Pump Express, are used to lower the amount of time it takes to charge a device.
Also the Sony LinkBuds S support fast charging. It's very similar to regular charging, only that the battery is filling up much faster. Say, with Quick Charge 3.0, the battery is charged to 50% in thirty minutes.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 support multipoint of 2 connections, the multipoint feature allows you connect to more than one Bluetooth device and switch between them. For example, you can seemlessly switch calls from one device to another without manually disconnect and reconnect.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have a mute function, they have the option to mute/unmute a conversation directly from the earbuds.
The Sony LinkBuds S too support this function. The mute function means that you are in position turn off the device's microphone, but you can still hear the other party talk.
With the Audio Technica ATH TWX9, so you can access the volume control, pause, play, mute, etc whichever functions are supported on the device.
The Sony LinkBuds S also have a control panel on them.
Audio Technica ATH TWX9 have voice prompts. With voice prompts, you receive information via audio messages, like if there is a problem with the connection.
The Sony LinkBuds S also support voice prompts meaning the device notifies you when the battery is running low, and you need to recharge them.
The Audio Technica ATH TWX9 come with their own special case. Carrying earbuds openly, or putting them inside your bag without a cover may easily put them at risk of getting damaged.
Sony LinkBuds S also have a travel bag included, which offers safe transportation.