Audio-Technica ATH-AC5TW Air-Conduction Earbuds

With a unique open-ear design and lightweight ear-hook structure, the AC5TW aims to deliver long-wearing comfort while keeping listeners connected to their surroundings—a solution tailored to podcast and audiobook fans, commuters, and casual users alike.

Unlike conventional earbuds that seal the ear canal with silicone tips to isolate the listener, the ATH-AC5TW positions its drivers just outside the ear, allowing ambient sounds to pass through naturally. This air conduction approach transmits sound through open air rather than relying on contact with the ear canal or skull, striking a balance between situational awareness and immersive audio.

To maintain clarity in this open configuration, the earbuds feature custom 17mm x 12mm drivers, tuned with bass boost algorithms and a dynamic equaliser to strengthen low-end performance. Audio-Technica claims this tuning helps mitigate the common weakness of open designs—namely, bass leakage—without introducing discomfort or fatigue during extended listening.

Bluetooth 5.4 ensures solid connectivity with support for SBC and AAC codecs, and each bud features dual MEMS microphones with beamforming to reduce ambient noise during calls. The AC5TW also supports multipoint pairing and auto power-on, and is rated IPX4 for sweat and splash resistance, making it suitable for light exercise and daily commuting. Battery life is rated at 13 hours per charge, extending to 34 hours with the compact USB-C charging case.

The ATH-AC5TW enters a niche but growing category of open-ear, air-conducting earbuds, where comparisons with products like the Sony LinkBuds are inevitable. Sony’s model uses a ring-shaped driver that sits over the ear canal with a central cutout to let sound pass through.

On the other hand, Audio-Technica employs a more conventional hook-style fit and larger drivers, using physical distance rather than cutouts to preserve ambient awareness. While Sony has prioritised vocal clarity and call functionality, Audio-Technica leans into enhanced bass performance and long-form comfort, making the AC5TW a strong contender for listeners who prefer spoken-word content over high-energy music.

More broadly, air conduction is emerging as a middle ground between sealed in-ear designs, which can feel isolating or fatiguing, and bone conduction alternatives, which may compromise sound quality. While we’ll reserve final judgement until we’ve had the chance to evaluate the ATH-AC5TW firsthand, its design aims to deliver audio through open air with minimal intrusion—offering a balance of awareness, comfort, and, potentially, surprisingly capable sound reproduction.

The Audio-Technica ATH-AC5TW is available now in Black or 'Rich White' for A$149, with pricing for other regions to be confirmed.

Visit Audio-Technica for more information