Audio-Technica ATH-CKS330XBT is a neckband style wireless earphones that is marketed under the “Solid Bass” series, so you can expect big boomy bass as we’ve seen on the ATH-CKS5TW. The ATH-CKS330XBT retails at just S$68, making it a really attractive option for people who still prefer a neckband style earphones.
Unboxing
In the box, you’ll find the following items:
- ATH-CKS330XBT Neckband Earphones
- USB-C to USB-A charging cable
- Ear tips (XS, S, M, L)
Design, build quality and features
The ATH-CKS330XBT earphones are mainly made from plastic. The earphones itself has a pretty unique design, looking like three distinct pieces being joint together. The wires on the earphones are the round kind, but it doesn’t get tangled easily. There is also a magnetic clasp on the wire to provide a neater wear. The ATH-CKS330XBT is rated at IPX2 water resistance rating, which should be a good protection from light drizzles outside.
Controls
There are three buttons on the control stick, which are able to handle all media playback and call controls. The buttons are tactile and the controls are either a single or double press, making it easy to trigger your desired actions.
Battery life
TheATH-CKS330XBT is rated to last 20 hours per full charge which is quite long, and should last more than a week of use without charging. Charged via USB-C. There is also a quick charge feature that provides 2 hours of use with just a 10 minute charge.
Fit
The earphones itself rely on the ear tips to stay in my ears. The earphones rest nicely in your ears, and stay rather flushed to my face. Even though it is a neckband earphones, I can still feel the weight of the wire connecting the earphones to the neckband. If you’re someone who likes an unobtrusive fit of earphones in your ears, then the smaller size of the earphones should be more comfortable.
Sound quality
As the name suggests, the ATH-CKS330XBT provides plenty of bass and has an audio tuning very similar to the ATH-CKS5TW but doesn’t go too dark into the bass. Bass on the ATH-CKS330XBT is impactful and hits deep, providing plenty of thump and reverb. Midrange and treble are on the warm side for a comfortable listen but details more complex songs can get lost amongst the bass. Upper mid and high frequencies are rolled off, but they do not sound too mellow and lacking shine.
The ATH-CKS330XBT sits in the “Solid Bass” range of audio products is tuned for people who enjoy a bass heavy, warm sound signature as not everyone is comfortable with a bright sound signature.
Microphone quality
Microphone performance is slightly above average. The microphone is able to pickup my voice rather clearly but the overall audio sounds a little distant. In a noisy environment, the microphone is able to cancel most of the background noise, but my voice start to sound more brittle.
Pairing, connectivity, and latency
The ATH-CKS330XBT comes with Bluetooth 5.0, and during my time of testing the connection was stable and I did not experience any dropouts. Multipoint connection is also supported if you require such feature.
There was also no observable audio-video or latency when watching videos on YouTube from my iPhone 11. The ATH-CKS330XBT also has a low-latency feature that reduces the audio-video delay even more. To play safe, you can turn this feature on if you’re gaming. Simply tap the middle button three times to activate the low-latency mode.
Conclusion
For S$68, the ATH-CKS330XBT is not a high risk purchase. If you prefer neckband style earphones and enjoy a bass-heavy sound profile, the ATH-CKS330XBT is a good choice for your consideration.