Here’s your first hands-on look at the Star Wars: Grogu, Mandalorian, R2-D2, and Darth Vader earbuds

What’s cooler than earbuds that seem like they belong in a galaxy far, far-off? Clearly, earbuds that additionally embody the tones of Star Wars, from a lightsaber igniting to a droid’s iconic wail.

Now, within the lead-up to Star Wars Celebration, which kicks off on April 18, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan, Star Wars has collaborated with Audio-Technica for 4 customized earbuds, and TechRadar has your unique first-look hands-on expertise with all 4.

This collaboration involves life as 4 restricted version, custom-made pairs of the ATH-CKS50TW2. You’ll be able to present your allegiance to the darkish aspect or that of the rebels with Darth Vader, R2-D2, Grogu, and The Mandalorian fashions. And these variations gained’t simply look the half with the Darth Vader earbuds getting a shiny black end that appears like the long-lasting helmet or the R2-D2 one getting a blue and white paint job, however these boast customized sound results, too.

TechRadar also can reveal that the field accommodates a customized, shiny sticker matching the earbuds and that includes the long-lasting character. The field itself is proscribed and particular. You gained’t have to fret about calling in a bounty to afford these limited-edition buds – if you may get your fingers on a pair, Star Wars editions of the ATH-CKS50TW2 value $179.99, which is barely $30 greater than the usual.

These earbuds will launch completely in particular person at Star Wars Celebration, so in the event you’re fortunate sufficient to be in Tokyo, Japan, you’ll get them first. However they may also be out there in restricted portions – no phrase on the precise quantity – from Audio-Technica directly, starting on April 21, 2025. These will begin delivery on none apart from Star Wars Day – Could 4th.

However we’ve got the earbuds you’re in search of and have unboxed all 4 – R2-D2, Darth Vader, The Mandalorian, and Grogu included. Hold scrolling for a photograph information, in addition to the particular particulars we’ve found by going hands- and ears-on. And in the event you’re already conversant in the ATH-CKS50TW2, these boast the identical characteristic set.

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Star Wars Grogu ATH-CKS50TW2 Earbuds — (Picture credit score: Future/Jacob Krol)

The customized nature of the 4 buds is an iconic paint job for every, beginning with the case. These nonetheless have a principally plastic construct for the hull, however embossed on the highest lid is an iconic phrase related to the character.

Darth Vader: “It’s your future.”
The Mandalorian: “That is the way in which.”
R2-D2: “The droid you’re in search of.”
Grogu: “Wherever I am going, he goes.”

It’s additionally color-matched, so Darth Vader is a deep black, The Mandalorian is a lighter shade of silver, attempting its greatest to seem like Beskar, R2-D2 is white with blue accents, and Grogu is 2 separate shades of inexperienced. The design staff right here actually took the time to pay homage to the characters.

The earbuds sit within the case and have the identical construct as the usual ATH-CKS50TW2, together with the truth that they magnetically snap collectively. That is actually a characteristic I’d wish to see another buds undertake.

With Grogu, it pairs inexperienced with a lightweight brown for the primary hull – the ear suggestions are inexperienced and several other are included within the field, however there may be additionally Aurebesh writing included on the skin. Printed on the earbuds, although – going through down from the ear – is one other iconic phrase. In Grogu’s case, it’s “The Little one” on the left earbud and “Little Bounty” on the correct.

Grogu, Mandalorian, R2-D2, Darth Vader Star Wars ATH-CKS50TW2 Earbuds

(Picture credit score: Future/Jacob Krol)

For the opposite half of the clan of two, The Mandalorian, the earbuds principally use varied shades of silver, with the most important colour selection being a brushed one. It has some gloss to it, and the ear suggestions are darkish gray. The message right here is straight to the purpose – “Mandalorian” on the left and “Bounty Hunter” on the correct.

R2-D2 is generally white with some blue stripes on the aspect and blue ear suggestions, the printed message is equally to the purpose as Mando’ – “R2-D2” on the left and “Astromech Droid” on the correct.

It appears the Darkish Aspect is popping out on high for design, although. The Darth Vader buds look fairly spectacular with a shiny black end going through the world, and the Audio-Technica staff right here makes use of pink accents sparingly. Most significantly, “The facility of” lives on the left and “the Darkish aspect” lives on the correct – how cool. These simply look unbelievable.

R2-D2 Star Wars ATH-CKS50TW2 Earbuds

(Picture credit score: Future/Jacob Krol)

Whereas the companion app for Android or iOS isn’t but up to date to pair with these earbuds, there shall be a pores and skin matching the earbuds within the app. Now, considerably cooler than the design are the particular sounds, which could add Star Wars moments into your day.

One fascinating selection, although, provided that these are reskinnings of the ATH-CKS50TW2. There isn’t any speaker within the case, so the customized sounds solely play inside the earbuds themselves and generally is a bit onerous to listen to at first.

Audio-Technica has custom-made the chime for the earbuds once you take them out of the case or put them again in, together with different options like participating noise cancellation or a passthrough mode.

With Darth Vader, you’ll hear the lightsaber ignite and that well-known, ominous, deep respiration. Hitting the button on the Vader buds provides a pulse of the lightsaber. Whereas I haven’t been in a position to get it working, a pink alert alarm will sound for low battery – actually upping the stakes.

For Grogu, you’ll hear what seems like his pod opening or closing, however you’ll additionally hear a few of the iconic coos that Baby Yoda is thought for. That pod or door opening or closing sound is similar for The Mandalorian once you first take them out of the case, and hitting the button to have interaction a mode seems like a credit score being tossed on desk – or perhaps Beskar being clanked collectively.

My favourite goes to R2-D2, although. You’ll hear his iconic beeps once you first put these earbuds in and join, however disconnecting provides us the long-lasting wail. It’s simply pleasant. Think about when the app goes reside and these absolutely launch, there shall be some customization.

Forward, you may see a full photograph slideshow of all of the up-close particulars of the Grogu, R2-D2, Darth Vader, and The Mandalorian ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds. And in the event you’re fortunate sufficient to be at Star Wars Celebration, you may get them in particular person, or in the event you’re within the US and really feel like testing your luck, attempt to rating them once they go up for preorder from Audio-Technica here.

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