We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-30 · 6 min read · Independent comparison
If you want a pair of wireless earbuds with a Star Wars collectible twist, huge battery life and a clever magnetic on/off trick, choose Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV; if you need LDAC hi-res audio, stronger adaptive noise cancelling and clearer calls, choose EarFun Air Pro 4i.
• Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV — biggest strength: enormous total battery life (25 hours in the buds, plus 40 more in the case) and a magnetic switch that powers the buds down without the case.
• Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV — biggest trade-off: no LDAC or hi-res codec listed, and its noise cancelling is a straightforward hybrid system rather than an adaptive one.
• EarFun Air Pro 4i — biggest strength: LDAC hi-res playback, up to 50dB adaptive hybrid ANC and six AI-enhanced ENC mics for calls.
• EarFun Air Pro 4i — biggest trade-off: shorter total runtime than the Audio-Technica set (40 hours with the case in normal mode), and the Darth Vader styling simply isn't on the table.
• Choose Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV if you're a Star Wars fan, you want the longest possible time between charges, or you like the idea of magnetic earbuds that switch themselves off.
• Choose EarFun Air Pro 4i if LDAC sound quality, adaptive noise cancelling and call clarity matter more to you than themed extras.
This is a limited-edition Star Wars Darth Vader model, and Audio-Technica leans into that hard. The buds play character-related audio alerts — the iconic breathing and Lightsaber sounds — for power on/off, Bluetooth connection and disconnection, low battery and more. If you grew up with the films, that's a genuinely fun detail you'll hear every single day, not a sticker you forget about.
Buy it if you want a themed set with class-leading battery numbers and a genuinely useful power-saving trick. Skip it if LDAC hi-res streaming or top-tier adaptive ANC is your priority — those aren't what this model is about.
EarFun Air Pro 4i: Who It's For
The EarFun Air Pro 4i is the more technically aggressive pair. Its headline feature for audio fans is LDAC support paired with an 11 mm custom dynamic driver, which means high-resolution Bluetooth streaming rather than the standard lossy codec. There's also a 3D surround sound mode for a wider, more cinematic presentation. If you've been hunting for LDAC headphones in a true-wireless format, this is the one of the two that actually offers it.
Noise cancelling is the second pillar: up to 50dB of reduction using adaptive hybrid ANC, which automatically adjusts its level based on how noisy your surroundings are. That's the kind of feature that quietly does its job on a train, in an open office or on a flight. Calls get six AI-enhanced ENC microphones to cut background noise, so you sound clearer on the other end.
Battery is 9.5 hours per charge and 40 hours with the case in normal mode, dropping to 6.5 hours and 27 hours with ANC on. Five minutes of charging gives roughly two hours of play. Bluetooth 5.4 handles multipoint across two devices and Google Fast Pair makes Android setup quick. The EarFun App lets you adjust EQ, switch noise-cancelling modes and redefine touch controls. IP55 dust and water resistance covers sweat and everyday movement, and the package includes the charging case, eartips and manual.
Buy it if hi-res LDAC sound, adaptive ANC and call clarity are your priorities. Skip it if you want the longest total battery life or a collectible design.
• Best for hi-res audio → EarFun Air Pro 4i. LDAC plus an 11 mm driver is the only hi-res path here.
• Best for total battery life → Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV. 25 + 40 hours beats 9.5 + 40 hours on paper.
• Best for noise cancelling → EarFun Air Pro 4i. Up to 50dB adaptive hybrid ANC versus a fixed hybrid system.
• Best for calls → EarFun Air Pro 4i. Six AI-enhanced ENC mics are dedicated to voice pickup.
• Best for convenience quirks → Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV. Magnetic Switch on/off and Qi wireless charging are genuinely handy.
• Best for a gift or a fan → Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV. The Darth Vader audio alerts are the whole point.
• Best for app-based tuning → EarFun Air Pro 4i. EQ, ANC modes and touch mapping all live in the EarFun App.
• Best for rugged everyday use → EarFun Air Pro 4i. IP55 is the higher dust and water rating of the two.
In my opinion, the EarFun Air Pro 4i is the one I'd buy for everyday listening. LDAC, adaptive ANC up to 50dB, six mics for calls and app-based EQ cover the things most people actually notice day to day, and 40 hours with the case is plenty. The Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV is the better pick only if you specifically want the Darth Vader experience or the absolute longest runtime — and for a Star Wars fan, that's a perfectly good reason. Check the current price on Amazon before deciding, since the value gap between them shifts.
what is ldac headphones
LDAC is a high-resolution Bluetooth audio codec, and "LDAC headphones" simply means a pair that supports it. Of these two, only the EarFun Air Pro 4i lists LDAC support, paired with its 11 mm dynamic driver.
what is ldac support in headphones
It means the headphones can receive a higher-bitrate Bluetooth audio stream than standard codecs allow. In this comparison, LDAC support is exclusive to the EarFun Air Pro 4i; the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS50TW2DV doesn't list it.
what is ldac codec in headphones
It's the encoding technology that carries the audio from your phone or player to the earbuds. To benefit, both your source device and the earbuds must support it — the EarFun Air Pro 4i is the model here that does.
what is ldac sony headphones
LDAC was developed by Sony, so "LDAC Sony headphones" refers to Sony models using that codec. Other brands license it too, which is why the EarFun Air Pro 4i can offer LDAC without being a Sony product.
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