Massachusetts-based American company Atlantic Technology has been making speakers for decades, but has only recently entered the headphone arena. The new TWS1 active noise canceling wireless earbuds are the fifth set of earbuds to hit the market and it seems the company is making up for lost time by packing its new earbuds with a lot of the latest and greatest tech available in the category.
At $189 / £155 / AU$275, the TWS1 is competitively priced against best wireless earbuds. And like the other best wireless options, they offer active noise cancellation along with a Transparency mode that lets sound through in situations where you want to hear what’s going on around you without taking them off your ears. Both the TWS1’s noise reduction and transparency modes are customizable, and there are preset modes such as Talk, Workout, and Transparency Boost.
Like other top wireless earbuds, the TWS1 uses Bluetooth 5.2, a version that supports separate synchronized streams from your device to individual earbuds for a more reliable wireless connection. It also has aptX Adaptive, a wireless system that can transmit High-Res audio up to 24-bit/96kHz and offers dynamic low-latency gaming. The TWS1 additionally supports Bluetooth multipoint pairing, which allows the buds to connect to two separate Bluetooth sources.
Atlantic Technology’s TWS App, which is used for setup and adjustment, offers AI Tune. According to the company, this uses an AI algorithm to test the user’s hearing and create a customized profile with optimal sound. Besides, listeners can create and store two sound profiles with the app’s 7-band equalizer.
As for the design, black with rose gold accents, the TWS1 uses 7mm titanium coated drivers, is IPX67 dust/water resistant, and comes with seven comfort tips and four earbuds to ensure a secure fit for everyday use and exercise. Siri and Google voice assistants are supported, and Side Tone Activation provides voice feedback to prevent you from speaking too loudly during phone calls in public places. (Because, let’s face it, nobody wants to be this guy.)
Analysis: The competition for AirPods Pro 2 is coming
Apples AirPods Pro 2 deserves a high ranking in our ultimate wireless earbuds guide alongside a top contender, Sony WF-1000XM4. Both models offer excellent sound and an impressive set of features, including high-quality noise cancellation. But at $249 and $228 respectively, Apple and Sony’s top-of-the-line earbuds are pricey, although both have dropped somewhat since their first release.
Looking at the specifications and features of both the Atlantic Technology TWS1 and the AirPods Pro 2, there is little that separates them. It’s worth noting that the TWS1’s use of the aptX Adaptive codec allows it to transmit high-resolution audio, while the AirPods Pro 2 is stuck with the older Bluetooth codec, which produces sub-CD quality audio. (Meanwhile, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 supports Sony’s High-Res technology LDAC codec.)
Is this a breakthrough for AirPods Pro 2? Hardly. Apple’s latest earbuds are the best-sounding yet, and their design, features, and battery life (6 hours on a single charge with 30 hours on a case) make it a premium option for wireless earbuds. They also deliver surround sound with head tracking, which the Atlantic Technology TWS1 does not offer.
Still, new competitors like the TWS1 sports specs supporting the aptX Adaptive kind of leave Apple’s earbuds in the dust. For example, Atlantic Technology claims the AirPods Pro 2 topped 9 hours of battery life on a single charge and 35 hours with the case. Also, while some AirPods Pro 2 features are exclusive to iPhone users, the TWS1 along with the best wireless earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM4 are perfect for use with both iPhones and Android phones.
Apple’s AirPods are powerful in-ear headphones, so they’ll continue to be popular no matter what the competition does. But new products like the Atlantic Technology TWS1 are a reminder that there are more fish in the sea of headphones that can offer better features for a lower price.