Astell & Kern UW100MKII true wireless earbuds with 32-bit DAC, BA driver, and 41 dB PNI

Astell & Kern has introduced its latest innovation in the realm of true wireless earbuds: the UW100MKII. These earbuds, equipped with a Digital-Analog Converter (DAC), are not only touted to deliver superior sound quality compared to their predecessors but also boast highly effective noise isolation, top-notch Bluetooth codecs, and a significantly more compact charging case.

Targeting flagship TWS models like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (approx. $300 / £300 on Amazon), the UW100MKII by Astell & Kern promises unparalleled hi-fi sound precision. This exceptional sound quality is achieved through a combination of a balanced armature driver and a 32-bit DAC, ensuring a remarkable auditory experience for music enthusiasts.

Under the hood, the earbuds utilize the Qualcomm QCC5141 Bluetooth chip, ensuring a robust and reliable connection. Despite the impressive specs, it’s worth noting that the chip supports aptX Adaptive, allowing wireless music transmission at 24-bit and 96 kHz, compressed to a maximum of 420 kbit/s. Surprisingly, the earbuds lack support for Sony LDAC, a codec capable of streaming 32-bit content, thus fully utilizing the built-in DAC. Additionally, aptX Lossless is notably absent from the feature list.

Astell & Kern has taken an unconventional route by foregoing active noise cancellation (ANC) in favor of Passive Noise Isolation (PNI). The passive isolation is so effective that it’s claimed to be comparable to ANC, providing 22 dB attenuation at low 100 Hz frequencies, 33 dB at 500 Hz, and 41 dB at 2 kHz.

In terms of battery life, the earbuds offer 9.5 hours on a single charge, extendable to 29 hours with the inclusion of the new, more compact charging case. Users can control playback and adjust volume levels through simple taps on the earbuds. Additionally, the earbuds come with a transparency mode and an equalizer, both configurable through the associated smartphone app, providing a personalized listening experience.

Astell & Kern UW100MKII price and availability

For those eager to experience these cutting-edge earbuds, the Astell & Kern UW100MKII with DAC is now available for purchase on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk at $299 and £264.99, respectively.