Compare Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds vs Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds

ANC performance was the most divided feature: some reviewers found it strong or effective, while several called it average, mediocre, or disappointing versus leaders.

ANC is broadly present and usually described as solid or strong, but reviewers repeatedly note it trails the best AirPods/Bose results and can struggle with voices, wind, or imperfect seals.

Android pairing was praised through Google Fast Pair and straightforward setup on Android devices.

Android support is real through the Beats app and standard Bluetooth, though several reviewers note iOS gets more features and some heart-rate workflows are easier or better integrated.

The Connect app was broadly praised as thorough, useful, and feature-rich, with repeated appreciation for customization, updates, and extra controls.

Software controls live in iOS settings or the Beats app on Android; reviewers found the app/settings useful, but not as feature-rich as AirPods in some areas.

The H2 chip is a consistent strength, enabling Apple-style pairing, switching, Siri, spatial audio, and other ecosystem features.

aptX support was treated as a positive for higher-quality or potentially better fidelity, especially for compatible devices.

Low-latency performance and video sync were a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly reporting little to no perceptible delay.

One reviewer found video watching clean, with no lip-sync delay.

Auracast is explicitly absent, so public broadcast-audio support is a weakness.

Bass was a major strength for most reviewers, described as deep, warm, thumpy, or great, but a few noted it could obscure mids or lacked flagship-level cleanliness.

Bass is a major strength: most reviewers describe it as powerful, energetic, clean, or well-defined rather than muddy, though it is still tuned for workouts.

Battery life was the clearest consensus strength, with reviewers repeatedly calling it epic, insane, best-in-class, or unusually long.

Battery life is one of the clearest strengths, with repeated praise for 8-10 hour buds, long total case life, and some tests exceeding claims.

Bluetooth performance was generally stable and reliable, with strong connection praise, though one reviewer reported random signal drops in some multipoint use.

Bluetooth 5.3 is supported and generally stable, but the connection story is held back by single-device or multipoint limitations.

Build quality was mostly viewed positively, with reviewers praising sturdy construction or non-cheap materials, though one reviewer criticized the build as not amazing.

Build impressions are mixed: one reviewer found the product robust, while another criticized the case lid as flimsy.

Button usability split reviewers sharply: some preferred responsive physical buttons, while others found them fiddly, hard to locate, or awkward to press.

Physical buttons and volume rockers are widely praised for workouts, gloves, and on-the-run control, with one reviewer noting accidental taps while inserting the buds.

Case quality was generally positive for sturdiness, magnets, finish, or design, although size hurt portability rather than perceived construction.

The case is improved with stronger magnets and smaller dimensions, but it remains large and one review called the lid flimsy.

Charging was mixed: fast charging drew strong praise, but multiple reviewers criticized the lack of wireless charging on the original model.

Charging is strong thanks to USB-C, Qi wireless charging, and quick-charge claims that reviewers highlighted positively.

Hook pressure is a comfort tradeoff: the secure earhook can create pressure behind or at the base of the ear during longer use.

Codec support was praised as a strong spec highlight, especially around Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive.

Codec support is limited to SBC and AAC, with no higher-res Bluetooth codec support noted.

Comfort was mostly positive despite the bulky housings, with several reviewers wearing them for long periods, though one TW2 review found the design less comfortable.

Comfort is generally positive for sport use and multi-hour wear, though long sessions and earhooks bothered some reviewers.

Design impressions were mixed to negative: some liked the subdued look, but many called the buds or case bulky, plain, or not especially attractive.

The redesign is widely seen as a meaningful upgrade, with smaller hooks, lighter buds, and a more refined sport-focused form.

Fit was generally secure and comfortable for some reviewers, but fit concerns remained for smaller ears or wind-noise isolation.

Eartip fit is important and polarizing: many get a strong seal, while several reviewers could not seal well with the included tips.

One review praised the four tip sizes as giving plenty of range to find a comfortable fit.

Most reviews confirm five silicone tip sizes, which is generous for fit tuning.

EQ customization was one of the strongest software features, with reviewers praising the ability to tune sound and create more personalized profiles.

EQ customization is a consistent weakness because reviewers note no true custom or basic EQ control, only adaptive or external preset workarounds.

Find My support exists, but reviewers describe it as more basic than AirPods Pro 2 precision finding.

Reviewers described the overall tuning as balanced or safe, with the frequency range generally represented without harshness.

Frequency response is not neutral: reviewers describe a U-shaped or measured departure from preferred target ranges.

Head gestures are supported for hands-free notification responses in at least one review.

Included accessories are limited; one reviewer specifically notes the absence of a charging cable.

Instrument separation was praised when reviewers heard transient details and individual elements clearly, but one reviewer found separation below audiophile rivals.

Instrument separation is mostly praised, with reviewers hearing better separation and clearer spacing than expected for sport earbuds.

Reviewers who evaluated the built-in microphones found them useful or strong for calls in favorable conditions, though noise handling could struggle outdoors or in busy spaces.

The earbuds include multiple integrated microphones, with reviews noting six total mics or up to five used for calls.

The snap-together magnetic bud design on the TW2 was strongly praised for reducing loss and battery drain outside the case.

One review confirms either earbud can be used independently, supporting flexible single-bud use.

Lossless support is narrow and tied to Apple Vision Pro, not general Bluetooth lossless playback.

One reviewer noted that dynamics could feel slightly compressed at louder volumes, making maximum-volume clarity good but not perfect.

Maximum-volume clarity is strong in the one review that directly tested volume, with loud output retaining control.

Microphone noise reduction was a repeated weakness, with reviewers noting struggles against noise, exterior sounds, or wind.

Microphone noise reduction is often praised for background filtering, though one review reports garbled calls and poor consistency.

Call quality was usually acceptable to good in quiet conditions, with some strong praise, but several reviewers found it only average outside controlled environments.

Call quality is mixed but mostly positive, with several reviewers reporting clear calls and a few noting wind or inconsistent call clarity.

Midrange clarity was mixed: some reviewers heard clear vocals and lead instruments, while others said vocals or lower mids were pushed back by the bass-forward tuning.

Midrange clarity is generally good, with vocals and instruments cutting through, although one review mentions muddiness.

Reviewers found phone-and-laptop use helpful, with multipoint and cross-device switching making the earbuds practical across platforms.

Multi-platform compatibility is workable across Apple, Android, and some fitness gear, but reviewers note restrictions around heart-rate pairing and simultaneous use.

Multipoint was consistently valued for switching between phone, laptop, computer, or other devices, with reviewers describing it as useful, seamless, or reliable.

Multipoint is a clear limitation: reviewers note no Bluetooth multipoint or single-device behavior outside Apple switching.

Passive isolation was usually strong when the seal fit well, though one review noted fit-related wind-noise leakage.

Passive isolation can help when the seal is secure, but both passive and ANC performance depend heavily on fit.

Portability was a recurring weakness because the case was often described as bulky, clunky, hard to pocket, or inconvenient, despite battery-life tradeoffs.

Portability is mixed: the case is smaller than before, yet still not very pocket-friendly compared with conventional earbuds.

One reviewer said the Clear Vocal preset effectively fixed a vocal-detail issue, supporting a strong score for preset EQ usefulness.

Preset EQ support is poor because one review directly states there are no true audio presets.

Sensors were a clear weakness where reviewers wanted wear detection and criticized its absence.

Sensor feedback is sharply mixed: mainstream reviewers saw accurate or useful heart-rate readings, while fitness-focused reviewers reported dropouts, pairing friction, and limited execution.

Sidetone was treated as useful for calls, helping users monitor their own voice or making the earbuds more office-friendly.

The orange model was praised by WIRED for resisting fingerprints and scratches.

One review described initial setup as simple and fast, supporting a strong software/setup score.

Setup is easy for core pairing, but heart-rate setup and native fitness integration create friction in several reviews.

Reviewers mostly found the earbuds enjoyable and capable, with repeated praise for warm, detailed, or impressive sound, though one reviewer found the sound merely okay.

Overall sound quality is usually praised as lively, clear, and workout-friendly, but not every reviewer considered it audiophile-grade or best-in-class.

Soundstage depth was praised by Expert Reviews but underwhelmed one YouTube reviewer who expected more depth from the large housings.

Soundstage depth receives limited support and one review found the presentation somewhat compressed.

Soundstage width drew strong praise from some reviewers for wraparound or convincing staging, while one reviewer expected more width from the large earbuds.

Soundstage width is mixed: some reviewers heard a bigger or expansive stage, while one found it less open than better earbuds.

Spatial audio opinions were divided, ranging from disappointment or superfluousness to strong immersion and impressive 360 Reality Audio effects.

Spatial audio with head tracking is supported and generally treated as a useful Apple/Beats feature, though not every reviewer preferred it for music.

Stability ranged from excellent in workout/head-shake testing to less reassuring on the bulkier TW2 design.

Fit stability is the strongest consensus point: reviewers repeatedly say the earhook design keeps the buds secure during running and workouts.

Transparency/hear-through mode was useful for awareness and conversation, but reviewers disagreed on quality, ranging from invaluable to merely okay.

Transparency mode is consistently praised as natural, useful outdoors, and close to AirPods-level, though some still rank AirPods slightly higher.

Treble generally stayed clear and non-harsh, but several reviewers said highs lacked some sharpness, space, or detail compared with stronger competitors.

Treble is mixed, with praise for retained detail from some reviewers but complaints of muted highs, sharpness, or harsh brightness from others.

USB-C is repeatedly confirmed and welcomed as an upgrade over Lightning.

Value was generally positive because of battery life, sound, and features for the price, though one reviewer argued $150 was too high.

Value depends on use case: reviewers like the package for serious workouts and Apple users, but price, HR issues, and alternatives make it mixed.

One review criticized the lack of built-in voice-assistant control, making this a weak point for hands-free assistant use.

Voice assistant support is present through hands-free Siri or voice-assistant access.

Reviewers who commented on volume found adequate headroom and loud output, without major volume complaints.

Volume output is strong, with reviewers praising physical volume controls and loud output that stays controlled.

Water and sweat resistance was treated as useful for workouts, outdoor use, and peace of mind, though not as full waterproofing.

The IPX4 sweat/splash rating is acceptable for workouts, but reviewers often frame it as underwhelming for sport earbuds.

One review specifically described the earbuds as light and relatively inconspicuous, supporting a positive weight-comfort impression.

Weight comfort improved versus the original, with multiple reviewers citing lighter buds and reduced earhook weight.