In case you weren’t already aware, clip-on headphones don’t tend to get much respect from people like us. There’s a reason for that, and it largely has to do with the fact that clip-ons tend to be cheap pieces of rubbish. However, Audio Technica has other ideas for our stereotypes with its latest line of clip-on on-ear headphones, the ATH-EW9s. They offer a refreshingly brilliant look at what’s possible with the style of headphone, including chic design, a tight fit, and decent sound. They might be priced slightly higher than we might like, but all things considered, they’re a step in the right direction for an entire brand of headphones. For our full thoughts on this revolutionary set of clip-ons, read our headphone review found below.
Design and Comfort
Audio Technica ATH-EW9
First and foremost, we felt compelled to mention how weird these things look. The only word we know to use is “alien,” but it’s not necessarily a bad thing. Sure, they look a bit like a construction project, but the fake cherrywood finish on the ear caps is a top-notch offering in our eyes. In fact, almost every inch of these clip-ons has been engineered to provide a stabler and more professional feel than what we’re used to. The clips and jacks were far from cheap, while the Y cable felt thick, though not unpleasantly so. The earcaps themselves are rather small, however, which means you won’t be getting much by way of noise-cancellation here. With that in mind, you’ll have to seriously crank the volume to block out ambiance, which can lead to some potential problems in the next category. All in all, though, it’s clear Audio Technica has spent a lot of time pondering the design of these headphones, and it’s paid off in the end design.
Sound Quality and Performance
Sound performance tended to be a mixed bag with the ATH-EW9s. On the one hand, they sounded particularly clear, especially for such a small set of headphones. However, on the other side of the coin, most of the highs and lows lacked a certain something that we like in our sound quality: Rock-solid tone. What we mean is, the sound could hardly be called anemic, though it won’t be rocking anyone’s socks off anytime soon. It’s not a terrible listen, and in fact, the clarity is almost unbelievable. But at this price range, the ATH-EW9 headphones lacked an umph we demand, and an umph that left us mostly flat.
Overall Value
At the end of the day, the ATH-EW9 headphones are just about the best deal we’ve ever seen for a pair of clip-ins. If you’re in need of such a flavor of headphones, we really wouldn’t recommend any other set. However, at the $150 to $200 price range, you could easily spend your money elsewhere, and receive an otherworldly set of in-ears with much better performance quality.
