Compare Edifier NeoBuds Planar Earbuds vs Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW Earbuds

ANC is broadly seen as good to impressive for everyday noise, though several reviewers note it is not the strongest at this price or for deep low-frequency rumble.

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

Android compatibility is positive, with easy Android pairing and Android-only hi-res codec benefits noted.

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

The app is mostly praised as useful, stable, and customizable, although one reviewer found its look ugly and another noted missing device-list convenience.

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

aptX support is treated as part of the product’s unusually broad high-resolution codec package, including aptX Adaptive and lossless-related support.

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

Latency and gaming support are viewed positively, with reviewers noting strong gaming performance and premium audio use beyond music.

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

Bass is the most divisive sound attribute: some reviewers heard deep or strong bass with the right fit or preset, while others found it light, thin, or lacking punch.

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.

Battery life is average to mediocre overall; some reviewers found it acceptable, but many expected more from a premium-priced earbud.

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

Bluetooth performance has limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer praising range after staying connected across an office.

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

Build quality is mostly positive, with reviewers praising finish and construction, though one noted cheap-looking plastic.

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

Hi-res playback and audiophile-grade sound receive strong praise in the available evidence.

The squeeze or pinch controls are usually considered reliable and customizable, though a few reviewers found them delayed or weaker than top competitors.

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

Carry case impressions are mixed: reviewers liked its secure magnets or compact/pocketable feel, but others criticized its size, looks, or chunkiness.

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

Charging is a positive convenience point, especially wireless charging and quick top-ups.

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

Codec support is a major strength, repeatedly praised as exhaustive or unusually complete for high-resolution listening.

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

Long-use comfort is generally strong, with several reviewers wearing them for hours or all day, though one review found comfort only medium over time.

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.

Design is subjective and split, with reviewers admiring its distinctive modern look while others called it unattractive, retro, or an acquired taste.

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

Fit is highly important and mostly positive; reviewers found better bass and stability once the right tips or seal were achieved.

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

Ear tip size options are praised for helping users find the right fit and bass seal.

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

EQ customization is polarizing: reviewers like the depth and flexibility, but many criticize limited bands, poor bass impact, or weak responsiveness.

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

Reviewers describe the frequency balance as generally accurate and controlled, with strong detail and tonality, though the bass region is less consistently weighted.

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

Included accessories get positive limited evidence, especially the multiple tips and protective pouch/case cover.

Instrument separation is one of the clearest consensus wins, with reviewers repeatedly praising clean layering, precise reproduction, and strong detail retrieval.

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

The integrated microphone setup is adequate in limited evidence, but not a leading strength.

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

LDAC support is repeatedly included in reviewers’ praise for the broad high-resolution codec package.

Lossless audio support is a strength within the broader codec package, with reviewers treating the support as unusually complete.

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

Microphone noise reduction is mixed: some reviewers heard good wind or background reduction, while others found ambient noise pickup and noisy conditions problematic.

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

Call quality ranges from excellent to merely okay, with most reviewers finding voices intelligible but not always natural, loud, or class-leading.

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

Midrange and vocals are usually praised as clear, detailed, and natural, with one reviewer noting vocal volume could dip in the mix.

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.

Multi-platform compatibility is positive in limited evidence, with codec support framed as useful across Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Google Tensor phones.

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

Multipoint is useful and sometimes seamless, but not consistently reliable; one reviewer had to switch manually while others reported smooth pause-and-play behavior.

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

Passive isolation was described as decent with a proper fit, but the review evidence mainly focuses on ANC rather than unpowered isolation.

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

Portability has limited positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the charging case compact.

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

Preset EQ profiles are generally useful, especially Dynamic, which reviewers said improved balance or impact.

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

RGB/light customization has limited but positive evidence, with the case light colors treated as fun customization.

Sensors are mixed: one reviewer found wear detection unreliable, while another said it worked well.

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

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

Smudge resistance has limited positive evidence, with the matte case finish praised for helping prevent fingerprints.

Setup and software simplicity are mixed: pairing can be simple, but mode switching and Edifier-style configuration can feel sluggish or finicky.

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

Reviewers strongly agree the NeoBuds Planar are detail-first earbuds with unusually precise, clean sound, though a few found the tuning inconsistent or easier to admire than love.

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.

Soundstage depth is mixed: one reviewer heard no depth, another praised immersion, and another felt the presentation was pushed forward.

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

Several reviewers heard an open, airy, expansive soundstage, with soundstage width treated as one of the planar driver strengths.

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

Spatial audio is a clear missing-feature complaint from the available evidence.

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

Stability is mostly good for regular use and exercise, though some reviewers experienced shifting during runs or workouts.

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

Touch/tap responsiveness is mixed: one reviewer found the controls pretty good, while others said the tap system needs adjustment or works only most of the time.

Transparency mode is functional but not a standout; reviewers praised voice-focused tools in one case but often found it muffled, unnatural, or merely adequate.

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

Treble detail is a major strength, often described as crisp, clean, or precise, but some reviewers found the highs bright, toasty, or potentially fatiguing.

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

Value for money is heavily split by region and priorities: sound-focused reviewers can justify it, but many think the price is too high versus competitors.

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

Voice assistant use has limited but positive evidence, with voice commands described as swift.

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

Volume output drew mild criticism: reviewers generally found it usable, but noted it was on the lower side and not ideal for listeners who want maximum loudness.

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

The water and dust rating is viewed as practical for rain, sweat, dust, and realistic everyday conditions.

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

Weight comfort is positive in the limited evidence, with reviewers describing the buds as lightweight or far from heavy.

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