True Wireless
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
82Great
$159
Full review dataAudio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
Sound7.5
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery9.5
Calls7.5
Value8.5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2 | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $159 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 82 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2021 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | 9 mm dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 9 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | 2 | 2 |
| Frequency response | 5Hz-20kHz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 20 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | 110 dB/mW | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth LE Audio | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless range | 10 m | - |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 25 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 15 h | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 65 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | 150 min | 90 min |
| Quick charge | - | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | - |
| ANC type | hybrid | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | Yes | Yes |
| Controls | touch | touch |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant, Siri | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 7.2 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | 51.5 g | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IP55 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 2 | 6 |
What reviewers said
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2
These wireless earbuds prioritize marathon battery life without skimping on modern features like hybrid noise cancellation, Bluetooth LE Audio, and multipoint connectivity. They deliver a punchy, bass-forward sound with a robust app for EQ tuning, making them a strong value pick for everyday use. While they excel in endurance and noise canceling, some rivals may offer more advanced features or a more neutral tuning.
- Pro:Exceptional battery endurance with up to 65 hours total
- Pro:Effective hybrid noise cancellation for the price
- Pro:Punchy bass and satisfying sound signature
- Con:Bass-heavy tuning may not suit audiophiles seeking neutrality
- Con:Bulky design compared to some competitors
- Con:Touch controls can be finicky at times
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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