Hear-through (transparency) mode worked well for hearing other sounds around me, but my own voice still sounded muffled, which kept interactions from being as natural as they are when using the AirPods Pro. In addition to Bluetooth standard SBC, the ATH-TWX9 supports AAC format as well as aptX and aptX Adaptive. The earbuds feature multiple ANC profiles, but the most significant degree of attenuation comes from the default one, so don’t expect to get more than what’s on the chart above by tinkering in the app. Similar to the LG TONE Free FP9 and T90, the TWX9 is also equipped with UV sterilisation with mirrors inside the case to increase the effectiveness of the sanitisation.

The soundstage appears broad and wide, so you can sense the music being played in a realistic, live environment. The earbuds fit really well in the ears and there are plenty of ear tips included so you can customise the fit. The ANC is effective in reducing ambient noise to allow me to focus on my music, but general noises inside the train can be heard faintly when the music volume is not loud. I don’t always think they’ve been successful with the look and fit, but I like these – even if they are a little more rustic and angular than a pair of smooth AirPods.The touchpads are a bit sensitive, someone with long hair or their hair down may get a little annoyed. Pressing three times activates or deactivates the Quick Hear Through function so you can communicate with other people.

We like the sound best when ANC is switched on, but it can get a little thin in the bass when it’s off. The matt-coated black finishing with bronze accent, the curvy charging case with five LED indicators that light up in a left-to-right animated sequence, these are intentional design elements to showcase the premium style.However, while these earbuds definitely have some of that bulky influence, there’s something distinctly modern to their aesthetic.