Key Takeaways
1. Star Wars Editions: The ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds are available in four Star Wars-themed designs: R2-D2, Grogu, The Mandalorian, and Darth Vader, featuring unique character-specific sound effects.
2. Battery Life and Charging: The earbuds offer up to 25 hours of playtime, with an additional 40 hours from the charging case. A quick 5-minute charge provides 90 minutes of listening time.
3. Advanced Features: They include hybrid noise-canceling, ambiance control, and utilize 9 mm drivers for enhanced bass. They also support Bluetooth LE Audio and multipoint pairing.
4. App Integration: The A-T Connect app provides features like low latency mode, equalizer presets, and a headphone locator, along with support for Siri and Google Assistant.
5. Pricing & Launch: Priced at $179, the earbuds will be available for pre-order on April 21 and officially launch on May 4, 2025, coinciding with Star Wars Day.
Audio-Technica has unveiled its ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds, which first appeared at CES 2025 in Black and Beige. They now come in four exciting new Star Wars-themed designs: R2-D2, Grogu, The Mandalorian, and Darth Vader. These editions not only look great but also include unique sound effects linked to the characters.
Unique Sound Effects
The Darth Vader version, for instance, plays breathing sounds when connecting, lightsaber sounds when the battery is high, and different alerts for low battery, disconnection, and switching between noise-canceling and transparency modes. Meanwhile, the R2-D2 edition uses the character’s iconic beeps and whistles for similar notifications.
Impressive Features
All Star Wars editions come with hybrid noise-canceling, ambiance control, and can last up to 25 hours of playtime (plus an additional 40 hours with the charging case). A quick 5-minute charge grants 90 minutes of listening. The earbuds take 2.5 hours to charge, while the case needs 4 hours via USB and 7.5 hours for wireless charging.
Specifications and App Integration
These earbuds have a Magnetic Switch for power saving when connected, 9 mm drivers for better bass, and dual MEMS mics with beamforming technology. They support Bluetooth LE Audio with the LC3 codec, multipoint pairing, and are compatible with Qi wireless charging. Hybrid ear tips ensure a snug fit.
The A-T Connect app enhances the user experience with features like low latency mode, equalizer presets, and a headphone locator. The low latency mode helps sync audio and video better. A customizable button is available for managing playback, calls, and voice assistance. Soundscape functionality offers nature sounds, noise masking, and meditation sounds. Both Siri and Google Assistant are supported, and the earbuds have an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
Pricing & Availability
These Star Wars-themed ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds are priced at $179, which is a $30 increase compared to the standard models. Pre-orders will start on April 21, with a launch date set for May 4, coinciding with Star Wars Day. They will also be available early at Star Wars Celebration Japan from April 18–20, 2025.




