You’ll Need to Translate R2-D2’s “Bleep Bloops” to Comprehend These Audio-Technica Buds

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be C3PO and interpret R2-D2’s whines, bleeps, and bloops? Audio-Technica shipped in a range of special-edition ATH-CKS50TW2 earbuds ahead of Star Wars Celebration set for April, and they include sound effects for when your buds are low on battery or are disconnected that may make you equal parts whimsical and confused.

The special Star Wars editions of the company’s premium earbuds include special color schemes reminiscent of “baby Yoda” Grogu, Din Djarin of The Mandalorian, Darth Vader, and R2-D2. The color schemes are all what you expect for each character, though they include a line of Aurebesh, which—for those not up on their Star Wars lore—is the written alien language you find scrawled on walls in the movies and games. People staring at your ear will wonder what the hell is written on your buds, but if you’re curious the writing spells out “Audio-Technica.”

The real benefit of these buds is the special sound effects you get on each one. There’s a particular noise you’ll hear for when your buds are connected, disconnected, low on battery, or when you turn the power on or off. You can go to each product page to listen to the droid beeps, baby Yoda burbling, and heavy mechanical breathing. Hearing Grogu bubble and squeak with the press of a button certainly won’t get old for some of us, but prospective buyers should consider whether they’ll get tired of the noises after the 50th time they hear them. You can control the various soundscapes for your buds in the A-T Connect app if you ever want to swap out those sounds.

Each special version of the ATH-CKS50TW2 sells for $180 and is up for preorder April 21. The buds have an expected release date of May 4, AKA May the 4th.

Otherwise, these are effectively the same ATH-CKS50TW2 wireless buds that normally sell for $150. With noise cancelling disabled, the buds should last for 25-hour out of the case and a total of 40 hours with the case. With ANC on, the buds should have a 15-hour battery life plus the 25 hours of life inside the case. The wireless earbuds also include the company’s touted “Magnetic Switch Technology.” Audio-Technica claims when you magnetically snap the buds together (or “Use the Force,” as the company calls it) you can preserve the buds’ battery longer when you stick them in your pocket, and not in the case.

Even with the additional $30 charge for the special edition buds, these special edition buds include most of the features you expect at the price. They have hybrid noise cancelling—a type of active noise cancelling that tries to cancel out specific types of ambient noise. The case also supports Qi wireless charging and promises 90 minutes of battery off a 5-minute quick charge.

The buds are a fun idea, though I feel like Audio-Technica missed the opportunity to make a pun of its own initials with a pair styled after an AT-AT, one of those giant quadrupedal “All-terrain walking transports” first seen in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Star Wars Celebration is set to kick off in Japan April 18. Our friends at io9 will have the on-the-ground coverage of even more collectibles and anticipated spectacles, so stay tuned.