Audio-Technica is a known name in the audio accessory industry. The Japanese firm has created a strong portfolio with a wide range of audio products and has also started marking its presence across the TWS segment. The ATH-SQ1TW TWS earbuds is brand bet in the sub Rs. 10,000 price bracket in India. Now, this segment is fairly populated and we have multiple options loaded with different set of technologies.
The Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW carries an MRP of Rs. 8,710 but can be purchased at Rs. 7,490 via online retailing stores. Advanced features like Google Fast Pair and fast charging are included with the ATH-SQ1TW earbuds. But does this pair makes for a good buy? How is the audio and overall user experience with the ATH-SQ1TW earbuds? At Giznext, we got the pair for review and below is our feedback.
Pros:
- Subtle and sturdy case design
- Good wearing comfort with daily and outdoor use
- Google Fast pair allows seamless and easy pairing with compatible devices
- Good audio signature
Cons
- Case comes void of wireless charging support
- No ANC (Active Noise Cancellation)
- No dedicated app support for further tuning
Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW TWS Earbuds: Design Review
The Audio-Technica ATH-SQ1TW TWS earbuds ship inside a cube-shaped case. The charging case isn’t bulky and can easily fit into cramped spaces inside your bag or pockets. The earbuds shape is also different from the usual stem-shaped buds. This pair features square-shaped earbuds with a tiny fins bulging outwards.
The earbuds might feel a bit bulky at the first glance but the added fin allows for a secure and comfortable grip throughout. You do get additional pair of eartips; so, select the one that is apt for your ear size.
No discomforts with its usage throughout even while using the pair with outdoor activities which is impressive. For controls, you’ll have to rely on the touch controls of the earbuds. You just need a few taps for playback and audio controls. The control functions are fixed which we have listed below.
- Single tap on the right earbud: Play/ Pause
- Single tap on the left earbud: Volume up
- Double tap on the right earbud: Play forward
- Double tap on the left earbud: Volume down
- Triple tap on the right earbud: Play previous track
- Press and hold right earbud: Hear-through mode
- Press and hold left earbud: Activate Low latency mode
Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW: Audio Performance
Audio Technica has shown its ingenuity with the ATH-SQ1TW TWS earbuds. The reason we say this is due to the fact that despite coming void of ANC (Active Noise Cancellation), this pair provides a rich soundstage. There’s hardly any compromise when it comes to the overall sound quality delivered by this tiny pair.
This pair will please all the bass-heads and audiophiles who demand a premium listening experience. The ATH-SQ1TW audio performance isn’t solely apt for media playback; you’ll get a top notch experience while gaming too.
What impressed us is the vocal/ dialogues didn’t get muffled which is a common issue with standard TWS earbuds. Despite the missing ANC, this pair surprisingly does a good job with noise blockage passively. This allows you to get an ANC like experience where you don’t get disturbed with surrounding noises and can seamlessly enjoy your music on-the-go.
This isn’t any shrill sounding TWS, rather you get to listen a balanced soundstage where the lows, mids, and highs don’t overlap. Besides, the thumping bass without any equalizer tweak is a delight to listen. Speaking of which, the Audio Technica doesn’t feature any dedicated app compatibility. All the settings with sound profiles and audio formats are default. But you can change the equalizer settings of the media player that you are using for music playback.
Also Read: Sony WF-1000XM5 TWS Earbuds With ANC, Up to 8 Hours Battery Life Launched In India: Features, Price
Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW Review: Audio Formats, Pairing, Calling Experience
Pairing is an easy process with the Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW earbuds. It uses Bluetooth 5.0 technology for quick pairing with Android and Apple devices. Now, this might be a bummer for some users considering the pairing is priced over Rs. 5,000 and has just one audio profile supported. As for the calling experience, the ATH-SQ1TW earbuds does a good job overall. The voice quality is clear on both caller’s and receiver’s end.
Also Read: MIVI Duopods K1 Budget TWS Review: Basic Yet Practical
Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW Earbuds: Battery Backup
The Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW earbuds offers a good battery backup. With continuous playback, this pair can easily last over six hours. But this is when the audio levels are set at 60- 70 percent. At the loudest audio levels, the ATH-SQ1TW earbuds delivers a slightly lower backup. Thanks to the fast charging support, this pair gets 60 minutes of backup within just 5 minutes.
Also Read: OPPO Enco Air3 Pro TWS Earbuds Review: Takes The Top Spot?
Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW Review: Final Verdict
Those who can’t compromise on the audio experience, the Audio Technica ATH-SQ1TW earbuds is an apt pair. This is specifically when considering the fact there isn’t any ANC support or additional audio profiles that can refine the listening experience. The ATH-SQ1TW can be the daily driver for all your music listening sessions.
Also Read: OPPO Enco Buds2 Budget TWS Earbuds Review: Is It The Perfect Buy?
