15 Jan
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Review: Sound, Battery, Features

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with Galaxy Buds Pro

“Galaxy Buds Pro offers excellent convenience, solid audio quality and good ANC. But they're not a complete package with tricky touch controls and just average call quality. "

  • Automatic audio passthrough is awesome

  • Simple and small charging case

  • Comfortable design

  • Great bluetooth connection

  • Touch controls can be tricky

  • Touch controls still cannot be customized

  • The call quality is not "Pro" at all

Samsung's accessory strategy seems pretty consistent: switch to a category and repeat the process. The smartwatches and fitness trackers appear to be updated randomly and without a set schedule. The same applies to smartphone accessories. More recently, it has jumped into true wireless earbuds in large measure. The first Galaxy Buds were released less than two years ago in March 2019. Since then, we've released the Galaxy Buds + and Galaxy Buds Live, which only launched a few months ago, in August last year.

Now we are here with the new Galaxy Buds Pro. It's not immediately obvious what is so "pro" about them, other than having a few extra features over Buds Live and being more expensive. But I'm here to find out.

Sound quality and battery life

True wireless earbuds will never impress audiophiles. Fortunately for Samsung, I'm not an audiophile. As someone who is perfectly satisfied with the audio quality of mine Bose QC35 bluetooth headphonesWith my car's standard stereo system and my last half-dozen pairs of true wireless earbuds, I can't complain about the sound quality of the Buds Pro significantly.

A basic equalizer with presets for normal, bass boost, soft, dynamic, clear and treble boost is available in the app. The earbuds sound rather flat in "normal" and the other modes feel … overly processed, but luckily I was happy with "dynamic" for all of my listening. I spend most of my day playing podcasts or YouTube music, and the Buds Pro play swimming.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with Galaxy Buds Pro

When you have active noise cancellation (ANC) activated, everything sounds “better” immediately because you can hear everything more clearly. This will never challenge the ANC offered through over-ear headphones and really shut out the world around you, but it does a decent job of softening ambient noise and keeping you focused on your own audio. Samsung says you can "fine tune" the noise cancellation you want, but … you can't. It's either high, low, or off.

Get your sound quality expectations right and remember, these are true wireless earbuds.

You can tell my standards are too low, but I agree with the majority of Buds Pro potential buyers. As long as the quality is above average for the segment, we will be happy. What matters more is how good the rest of the experience is.

Samsung Galaxy Buds ProAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

Samsung nails it with its battery life estimates. The Buds Pro is quoted after eight hours of playback or after five hours with ANC enabled and that was right for me. I turned on ANC almost exclusively and I never received a low battery alarm. I won't be wearing wireless earbuds for more than five hours in a row – they'll come out to give my ears a break or because I just can't hear anything.

Five to eight hours of battery is just right, and the case charges the buds quickly.

Like all real wireless earbuds, they charge very quickly in this case. Just 10 minutes will bring back a significant amount of charge, and the case is designed to hold one and a half charges for the earphones. Not bad for a tiny case that includes wireless charging itself. The thick "circle" shape is still not as pocket-friendly as the elongated Google Pixel Buds case, but small enough not to be a problem.

One thing that could affect battery life more severely is answering phone calls during the day, which I rarely do but test because Samsung has put so much emphasis on call quality. Calls frankly were not clear or of any high quality. When used with my Galaxy S21, the inbound quality was flawless – my outbound quality was poor. Callers said I sounded "blurry" and it echoed when I spoke inside. If I do a quick test and listen to someone else talking on the Buds Pro, I understand what it means – the Buds Pro delivers outbound audio just like any random phone on the speakerphone. Her voice is flat and mixed with a lot of room noise.

Features, design and comfort

Samsung made a bold decision with the Galaxy Buds Live, introducing a new design that rests on the outside of your ear instead of using earbuds that fit in your ear. It had little to no passive noise isolation to make her more comfortable, and instead tried to rely heavily on ANC. It was uncomfortable and they never really fit my ears – in addition to providing noise isolation which was terrible on the city streets.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with Galaxy Buds Pro

The Buds Pro revert to a "normal" design, with rubber earbuds that go into your ear and provide passive suppression, in addition to ANC. Even with these earplugs, I found the Buds Pro more comfortable than the Buds Live. I immediately adjusted to the larger tips like I usually do and they naturally found their place in my ears and didn't require much adjustment.

The Buds Pro are much more comfortable than Buds Live – with better noise isolation.

Even with hours of carrying around the house, running around running errands around town, and running, I never had problems with the readjustment or feeling like they were going to fall out. They are so small and so light that I've never had ear problems. My only problem with running was the ANC, which was causing annoying sound clips at almost every step. I had to turn it off, which honestly isn't a problem – it's best to have a feel for your surroundings while so out and about.

But that's a little bit opposite to the way the Buds Pro were set up. From Samsung's point of view, you should never have to manually turn off ANC or take out your earbuds as they have advanced intelligent audio pass-through capabilities. By default, a long press on one of the earbuds will activate audio pass-through and decrease the volume of your media so you can hear the world around you. More interestingly, the same thing can happen when the earbuds sense that you are speaking – it works seriously every time and wasn't accidentally triggered every time you walked down the street, shopping in stores, and on the subway with people nearby to lead.

Audio passthrough works, but you can't get around the awkwardness of speaking to other people.

The audio passthrough works! The problem is, no matter how good the speech recognition and audio passthrough are, it's still the hell of a lot of awkwardness to use in an actual conversation. I still have rubber earbuds in my ears, which affects my speaking volume. And the person you are talking to can see that you have earbuds, which only adds to the awkwardness.

Worse, for some reason if audio pass-through automatically turns on while speaking, your music just turns down the volume. So you know you are trying to talk to someone but you don't turn off your music or podcast? It is confusing. It's not a win-win situation, however, as it's always annoying to quickly pull out a tiny earbud or two when someone unexpectedly talks to you. So I assume that passthrough is better in a pinch – but I'd never plan to speak to anyone while wearing the Buds Pro.

Samsung Galaxy Buds ProAndrew Martonik / Digital Trends

The only problem with the Buds Pro design is the touch controls – quite a big problem. Going back to the original Galaxy Buds, I could never use them consistently. There's a single tap to pause / play, a double tap to search forward, and a triple tap to search back – but if I try either, there's no guarantee it will work. It usually fails when a tip is less registered than intended – a search becomes a pause, and a pause or game is simply overlooked. That could be my problem, although I've never had a problem with that Pixel Buds‘Touch controls.

It is imperative that Samsung start with the ability to customize touch controls. That's ridiculous.

A universal problem is that the controls are not customizable. You can just change the long press action – between ambient noise triggering, Bixby, volume down, and Spotify – and choose one action per earbud. Otherwise it's set in stone, and now I have to decide whether to trigger ambient noise or adjust the volume. Why? With other earbuds, you can customize and use separate Activities for each earbud. That's not very "pro".

Our opinion

The Galaxy Buds Pro are a great pair of everyday wearable true wireless earbuds. They're neither suitable nor would they ever be for audiophiles, but the sound quality on offer is okay for the segment – and with a good ANC, they more than get the job done. Comfort is excellent so you can wear them for hours and maximize their battery life from five to eight hours. The body is compact – it is the same size as the Buds Live but smaller than the Buds Live Jabra Elite 75T – and the basics of the earphone experience, like a strong bluetooth connection and easy device switching, are very much appreciated.

They don't have anything “pro” other than the fact that they are Samsung's most expensive earbuds. In a vacuum of Samsung's own line of earbuds, it's strange that you have to pay $ 200 for Buds Pro, which in most cases isn't much better than the $ 140 Buds Live – but when compared to over the competition They look pretty good at $ 200.

Are there any better alternatives?

Even at this high price, there are multiple competitors. Of course, if you have an iPhone, this is something you should consider the AirPods Pro – They don't look that great, but the audio quality, ease of use, and noise cancellation are just as good. Alternatively there is the Jabra Elite 85twho are all around fantastic earbuds.

It's also easy to find a great pair of earphones that are cheaper. Samsung Galaxy Buds Live have already been reduced to $ 140. If they fit your ears properly, they are a great alternative. It is Galaxy Buds +that don't have an ANC but are otherwise comparable cost only $ 110.

How long will they last?

The nature of wireless earbuds is that as long as you take care of them, they will last for several years with no problem. They are water and sweat resistant and have no moving parts. Just keep them in their case and they will look forward to years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. This is a great pair of true wireless earbuds for everyday use. They have solid audio quality, good noise cancellation, and audio passthrough that is the icing on the cake. They are expensive, but competitively priced with the other market leaders.

Editor's recommendations




14 Nov
Blog

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Review: Best ANC Buds

Bose quiet comfort earbuds

Bose QuietComfort ear buds

"The best noise-canceling buds we tested with remarkable sound quality."

  • Best noise canceling buds

  • Excellent call quality

  • Exciting audio quality

  • Solid battery life

  • Secure fit

  • No multipoint connection

  • A bit bulky

I kind of doubt Dr. Amar Bose could have foreseen that the active noise-canceling technology he developed in the 1970s would one day be found in what was then considered magical, glorified earplugs. But here we are. The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are here, and they're muscular, a bit bulky, and fashionable late for the party. Besides, I really like her.

Competitors have been releasing ANC earphones since 2018, and over the past year, companies like Sony, Jabra, Sennheiser, 1More, and many others have offered some excellent options. I suppose the reason we had to wait so long to see Bose's answer is because the real Bose way it wasn't going to hit the market with real wireless ANC buds until it was convinced that they were the best.

The good news is that the $ 280 Bose QuietComfort earbuds are excellent in many ways. The bad news is: they are not for everyone. Read on to find out if Bose Buds are a good fit for you.

What's in the box

The Bose QuietComfort earbuds are integrated into the charging case along with a short USB-C charging cable, small and large pairs of earbuds and product literature. Easy.

Bose quiet comfort earbuds in your handsRiley Young / Digital Trends

Structure and battery life

The charging case is large, bulky and not easy to put in the pocket. One would hope the larger case would result in more charging capacity, but the case only offers 12 hours of extra charge as opposed to, for example, the 18 hours that the AirPods Pro case offers. The battery life of the case is indicated by five LEDs on the front of the case. I should also point out that the case also supports Qi wireless charging.

As is the case, the buds are also quite large. Bose claims they'll work for an average of 6 hours, but I've found that I usually get 7 hours or just a little more per charge, which isn't bad considering the buds' ANC is at its highest level and at a reasonably loud volume is for playing music and movies. I love it when products exceed their specifications.

The build quality of both the case and the buds is top notch, if a bit bulky. Besides being bulky, I found it a little difficult to open. The case has a rectangular button that's placed flush enough that a simple press of your thumb won't open it for me. Instead, I have to use my fingernail to push it in enough to open.

Connection and range

After opening, the case reveals a Bluetooth pairing button between the individual buds. If the earphones are not yet paired with a device, they are removed from the case in pairing mode. If the buds have previously been paired with a device, pressing the button will put them into pairing mode. The QC earbuds always try to connect to the last paired device first.

Bose quiet comfort earbuds in handRiley Young / Digital Trends

This would be a good time to mention that the QuietComfort earbuds don't support multipoint connection. That means you can't connect to two devices at the same time and seamlessly switch between them. Although the Buds store up to seven devices in their device list, you must unpair one device in order to pair it with another.

In terms of connection stability and range, I've found the QC earbuds to work very well. With a clear line of sight outdoors, I was approximately 60 feet from a Samsung Galaxy S9 + before it was disconnected. Inside I was about 25 feet away and had started turning a corner before the signal went off. I have never had a signal dropout problem while my phone was put in my pants or jacket pocket.

Fit and comfort

While fit and comfort are subject to the user's ear, I can confidently say that given their size, these buds take a bit of getting used to. When compared to the Jabra Elite 85T or even the Jabra Elite 75T, you'll notice the Bose's larger bud size, although my sensitivity has decreased over time and I think the same applies to others who have medium to large ears.

The QC earbuds not only feel big on the outside, the tips on the inside also make their presence known. Even the medium-sized tips, which almost always work just right for me, felt a little big. Again, over time I got used to the feeling, but that initial feeling can be worrying. Part of this is due to the wide, oval shape of the earbud, and part of that is due to the safety fin attached to the tip and not removable.

Bose quiet comfort earbuds earplugs in handRiley Young / Digital Trends

The non-removable fin may seem strange at first, but when I think back to how clunky optional safety fins have been to me in the past, I think I prefer it, even if it is a more complicated process to put the earbuds in yours Ears in.

I also appreciate that the earbuds are so balanced that I've never had pain or fatigue in the ear canal. I can't say that about most true wireless earbuds.

Overall and with the advantage of extended use at this point, I would rate the Bose QuietComfort earbuds with 8 out of 10 points on the comfort scale. Bulky, safe, but convenient in the long run. It fits what I'm about. I was lucky, but I'm not sure if these buds are suitable for everyone, especially those with dainty ears where aesthetics can also be an issue.

Touch controls and app

I won't dig deep into this section as I honestly almost never use the app and my use of touch controls is limited. All I need to do is adjust the noise canceling levels, play / pause music and take calls. With the touch sensors on each earbud, I can do all of that.

Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds ApplicationEvil

You can customize the touch controls to some extent using the Bose Connect app, which also lets you rename the buds and check the battery level at a glance. That's about all you need the app to do.

Noise canceling quality

Simply put, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds offer the best noise cancellation I've experienced from a true wireless earbud. I haven't made any meaningful comparison of the bud noise cancellation to the Bose NC 700 headphones, but the tests I was able to run showed that the buds block out a wide variety of sounds just as effectively as the flagship noise canceling on Bose rifles . The earplug's solid seal is of great help, but the ANC processing is second to none.

The best noise cancellation I've experienced with a real wireless earbud.

Compared to the AirPods Pro, which have no problem in the noise canceling department themselves, they can't stand up to the Bose QC earbuds. The Bose blocks far more high-frequency noise, which means that it is more effective at blocking road noises such as cars passing by, the hum of air conditioning, and even children screeching. When music is playing, you only hear the music.

I don't know when I'll get on a plane again, but when I do I look forward to putting Bose's Buds on the ultimate noise-canceling test.

Audio quality

I'm not going to get around the bush here: I love the way the Bose QuietComfort earbuds sound. Not because they have an absolutely accurate sound signature, but because they have a fun and engaging sound profile.

Make no mistake, the QC earphones offer a generous dose of detail, lightning-fast transient response and a punchy bass that can be started and stopped in a jiffy – all hallmarks of high-quality headphones and the stuff that audiophiles stumble upon. But Bose designed the sound in the QC earbuds to provide a deep, punchy, and rich bass that's just pushed up enough in the mix to be more than accurate, but only to the extent that it is satisfies those who like a little more deep down.

Bose quiet comfort earbudsRiley Young / Digital Trends

Mid-frequencies stay transparent even with a slight bass boost, while the top end delivers just enough sheen and shine for the highs to sing.

I may have spent too much time listening to both sets of Cory Wong's The Syncopate & Motivate Tour and enjoying every minute of every hour. The interaction between the kick drum of the drummer and the syncopated rhythms of the bassist was a punchy and melodic pleasure for the ears. Wong's insanely tight articulation paired with the iconic guitar tone came through as clear as a bell, with just the right amount of room noise to give an impression of the venue. Meanwhile, the band's horn section was reproduced with remarkably accurate overtones, giving the band all the zeal that a professional trumpeter (that's me) can expect from a live recording.

It's fair to say I really, really enjoy the sound quality of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.

Are there any better sounding buds? I have an affinity with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 and they sound really great. But I have to say between the two, I'd probably buy the Bose for anything they do better than the Momentum 2.

Yes, I think it's fair to say I really, really enjoy the sound quality of the Bose QuietComfort earbuds.

Call quality

With such great sound quality, is call quality so important? I would argue these days. I can see these buds being used to get through days at the end of work from home, switching between listening to music, talking on the phone, and zooming in on meetings. Good news folks: you can enjoy all three without ever removing your earbuds.

The call quality of the QC earbuds is excellent. Your voice will always come through clear and with little digital robotic sound created by the compression of audio signals. In addition, noise in the vicinity of callers is suppressed remarkably well, including wind noise.

But perhaps the most important aspect of solid call quality is that you can hear yourself speak without hearing outside noise. Again, Bose manages this trick better than any other competing earphone or headphone I've tested so far.

Our opinion

As bulky as the Bose QuietComfort earbuds are, they are top notch true wireless earbuds. Their noise cancellation is the best among the earbuds we tested, the audio quality is exciting and deeply satisfying, and the call quality is the best we've had outside of Bose's own full-sized headphones. If you can put up with the slightly larger buds and plump case, the QC earphones will reward you well.

Is there a better alternative?

You won't find better noise cancellation anywhere else, but I'll say the Jabra Elite 85T are extremely competitive headphones at a lower price, with effective noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, good call quality, and solid battery performance. The Elite 85T are also smaller. So when it comes to bud size and budget, they are a great alternative.

How long do they take?

My experience with Bose headphone products makes me believe the QC earbuds will continue to exist in the future. I think the only limiting factor here is the battery, which ultimately dies and makes the buds unusable, but this goes for almost every true wireless earbud out there.

Should you buy it?

Yes. With the best of noise-canceling technology, great call quality and extremely entertaining sound, the Bose QuietComfort earbuds are both a joy and practical.

Editor's recommendations




23 Sep
Blog

JLab Epic Air Sport ANC Review: Most Valuable Workout Buds

JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANC

JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANC

"The Epic Air Sport ANC is a game changer for workout earphones."

  • Easy setup

  • Stable, comfortable form of training

  • Excellent battery life

  • IP66 weather resistance

  • Good, customizable sound

  • Average call quality

  • Mediocre ANC

Okay JLab, now you just show.

A few days ago, we released our red-hot review of the JLab Audio Epic Air ANC, which is possibly the best value for true wireless earbuds available today. At least they were because JLab's fitness alternative to its stellar new lifestyle buds is here, and the $ 100 Epic Air Sport ANC may have set an already sky-high bar even higher.

What's in the box

Like most of the products I've tested from the JLab family, the Epic Air Sport ANC is incredibly easy to package. In addition to the charging case, in which the earphones themselves are kept, there are five additional pairs of earplugs and a quick guide, which is neatly stowed in an integrated case in the box. In particular, no charging cable is included as it is already included in the charging case itself.

JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

It was easy to set up as most modern day wireless earbuds have proven. There are plastic stickers on each earbud that must be removed before use. From there, all you have to do is hold down the touchpad on each bud for three seconds to go into Bluetooth pairing mode. Then you need to find them through your mobile device settings and connect. Granted, it's a step or two more than the simplest earbud, but it's still a quick process to start listening with your new buds.

With Bluetooth 5 technology, I experienced exceptional connectivity and range with the Epic Air Sport ANC. I routinely left my phone in part of my house and roamed my living space freely to do chores without a single slip or breakdown.

design

It's hard to find a design that just works. And the Epic Air Sport ANC's ear hook style works. It is widely considered to be the less popular design compared to the simple eartip style of traditional real radio buds like the Epic Air ANC, and it adds weight (10 grams per bud compared to the Epic Air's 8). But once you put these hooks around your ears, they'll stay in place. More than a week of extensive cardio workouts and workouts in the gym showed this. They may be less attractive, but they are of the superior design when keeping the buds in place is of the utmost importance, as is the case with training.

JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The included earplugs create a solid seal in your ear. Like colleague at Digital Trends, Simon Cohen, I recommend the Cloud Foam tips because they feel soft and comfortable in my ears. They're not for everyone, of course, which is why there are five more pairs to choose from, but the Cloud Foam works best for me and does an excellent job of passively blocking out the sound.

The touch controls on each earbud are based on a multitouch system, and I've certainly had a lot of complaints in the past with poorly executed touch controls. While there have been a small handful of instances where the Epic Air Sport ANC didn't detect the correct number of taps, for the most part they responded impressively. These controls allow you to manage everything including volume, lane change, smart assistant activation, equalizer settings, active noise cancellation levels, and phone call controls. For $ 100, that's pretty much a pair of earbud controls – and they're all effective.

By the way, there isn't much to write about the charging case. It is larger than, for example, the cases for the Apple AirPods or Google Pixel Buds 2, which are generally regarded as perfectly insertable earphone cases. The Epic Air Sport ANC fits well in my pocket, but leaves significantly less space for a wallet or keys. These aren't usually things that you carry around to the gym or while running, so I wouldn't really call that a problem.

properties

The value of the Epic Air Sport ANC is firmly anchored in its functions. Almost everything these buds offer exceeds the limits of what we have previously thought possible in this price range. In all honesty, if we are judging things by trait alone, it's not fair that other buds have to try to assert themselves when the Epic Air Sport ANC are so good for this cheap one.

JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

First: Battery life: The Epic Air Sport ANC is designed for a battery life of 15 hours per charge without ANC and an additional life of 55 hours (!) In the charging case. When the ANC is activated, the playback time is reduced to 11 hours. They also have a quick charge feature that gives you an hour of playback after 15 minutes. In comparison, the Epic Air ANC has eight hours with the ANC on and twelve hours with the ANC off. The $ 200 Sony WF-SP800N is the only other bud that can compete in this category, but even those buds not only offer nine hours of ANC playback and 13 hours of regular listening – and double the price.

It's not fair for other pals to have to try and compete when the Epic Air Sport ANC are so good for so cheap.

The Epic Air Sport ANC has an IP66 weather resistance rating that gives you complete protection from dust and strong water jets. There are workout buds with better ratings, like the IP67 rating from Urbanista Athens for $ 120 or the IP68 rating from Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 for $ 80. But none of those buds can match the Epic Air Sport ANC's epic combination of battery life and weather resistance.

A far less miraculous, but still valued, feature is the Epic Air Sport ANC's wear detection sensor, which automatically pauses a trace when a bud is removed from your ear and resumes that trace the moment you put the bud back in. I deeply despise completely losing minutes of podcasts to earbuds that lack this feature. So believe me when I say I am personally delighted, these come with such a practical benefit.

Audio quality

I'm in the minority here, but I'm more excited about the way the Epic Air Sport ANC's sound can be customized than its initial audio quality. Don't get me wrong, the Epic Air Sport ANC sounds great right away and most people don't have to mess around with sound adjustments at all to get something that works well for them. But for those of us who can't help but craft, JLab has given us all the tools we could possibly need.

JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Buds touch controls allow you to switch between three preset EQs: Balanced, Bass Boost and JLab Signature Sound. Their tastes may vary, but I tended to use Bass Boost on my weightlifting playlists to get the most out of saturated low-end songs like Childish Gambinos 3005 or Kris Kross & # 39; Jump. Whenever I went for a walk with the dogs or ran in the afternoons, I chose the signature sound as it offered a less dynamic but more balanced profile that suited music outside the iron pumping genre.

Even if you don't like the standard sound of the Epic Air Sport ANC, if you play around with the settings long enough, you can likely get a cheap sound.

JLab goes a few steps further with the JLab Air ANC app, giving you the ability to dig straight into the frequency domain and fine-tune things to your liking. That, plus a movie mode option that allows dialog to be synchronized while watching clips on your mobile device, make these buds suitable for a wide variety of listening situations. Even if you don't like the standard sound of the Epic Air Sport ANC, if you play around with the settings long enough, you can likely get a cheap sound.

Disappointingly, the call quality is average on these fitness buds. The Epic Air Sport ANC has one microphone to remove ambient noise and another to pick up your own voice clearly. It's hard to tell which is the bottleneck, but my voice was blocked when making phone calls in louder environments. They were good for evenings at the emotional gym or quiet morning walks in the park, but on a sidewalk near a busy street it was an entirely different experience.

Noise cancellation

Something tells me that the glitch I dealt with during a call may have something to do with the active noise cancellation in the Epic Air Sport ANC, or frankly, poor execution. If there's an Achilles' heel hiding in the Epic Air Sport ANC, this is it. While we didn't expect a good ANC at all in this price range – at least not until the Edifier TWS NB2 hit the market – we still expect a better one when a company advertises it as a feature.

JLab Audio Epic Air Sport ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

As I mentioned earlier, the Epic Air Sport ANC creates a tight seal in your ear, resulting in high quality passive noise cancellation. However, if you do choose to enable active noise cancellation, it is truthfully difficult to tell a significant difference. In fact, listening to a podcast at low volume one morning, I could still clearly hear my cat chewing on her breakfast across the room, even after turning on ANC.

You can use the app to adjust the noise cancellation levels. I recommend turning ANC to the maximum setting to get the most out of what is an average best but mostly mediocre feature. On the flip side, the Epic Air Sport ANC's environmentally conscious setting has some powerful features that almost terrified me when I first turned it on while on an exercise bike at the gym. In contrast to the ANC levels, I would recommend reducing the ambient noise level just a little.

The Epic Air Sport ANC's industry-leading battery life at an affordable price should be enough for most athletes.

Our opinion

Average call quality and noise cancellation won't stop what is otherwise a game changer, not just for workout earbuds but for the true wireless earbud genre in general. Earhooks might not be the "in" look, but the Epic Air Sport ANC's industry-leading battery life at an affordable price should be enough to delight most athletes.

Are there any better alternatives?

The $ 120 Urbanista Athens was one of my new favorite workout pairs, but the Epic Air Sport ANC has a better battery and similar weather protection for $ 20 less. The Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 is probably the best new comparison to the Epic Air Sport ANC, as it also offers impressive features for just $ 80. But the latest from JLab surpasses the Spirit X2 in many ways for not much more.

How long will they last?

The Epic Air Sport ANC has a two year warranty and excellent protection against the irreconcilable elements of nature. I would try to avoid deep sea diving with these, but other than that, I don't think you should have any major concerns that the Epic Air Sport ANC is going to be out of service anytime soon.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The earhooks, mediocre call quality, and average noise cancellation will put some off, but don't let what an overall standout audio product distract you. The Epic Air Sport ANC is next to the Epic Air ANC a revolutionary earphone from JLab. Trust me when you say this, you don't want to miss out on the latest and greatest from one of the emerging brands in the real wireless world.

Editor's recommendations




03 Sep
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Review: A Step Backward

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Rating 5

"Samsung took a risk with Buds Live, but not all risks pay off."

  • Unique, comfortable design

  • Good battery life

  • Good call quality

  • Overall poor audio quality

  • Ineffective noise cancellation

  • Lack of physical adjustment

  • No noise isolation

The most useful product review isn't necessarily the first, nor is it the longest. It's the most honest and thorough – and quality can take time, especially in the audio world. To review such products, we examine their sound quality with an experienced ear and reconsider the execution of the promised functions. It's easy to get lost in the hype surrounding the newest, shiniest product. But does it do what it says it does? And does it do well?

We went one step further with the Galaxy Buds Live and tested it with a group of editors. We talked together about expectations and performance and tormented each other over the details. We know these buds will polarize because they are so different. Samsung took some serious risks here, deviated from the very good Galaxy Buds +, and given us something completely new. The Galaxy Buds Live have a unique shape and the promise of a more comfortable fit. I went into my time with Buds Live openly and ready to switch to outer ear design.

With a long list of specs that offer formidable features for their $ 170 dollar price tag, the Galaxy Buds Live are a fascinating option in the highly competitive personal audio space. How are you? Let's get into that.

What's in the box?

Similar to the Apple AirPods Pro, the Galaxy Buds Live are packaged very simply. You will receive the buds, the charging case, a charging cable, a pair of earplugs and some literature. It is, and that feels especially weird in a segment that has more materials with earbuds, not less.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Rating 2 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/samsung-galaxy-buds-live-review-2 -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

samsung galaxy buds live review 1 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/samsung-galaxy-buds-live-review-1 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

As a result, no adjustment is offered for these buds, but it is purely by design. Rather than including a set of earbuds like all earbuds these days, the design of the buds is specifically designed to be used with each ear. We will go into this further below.

Aside from a few small strips of clear plastic, the box and its contents appear to be completely recyclable. I don't know the little plastic strips were necessary, but they seem to be in almost every high-end product these days. We want these to go away.

Design and fit

Let's talk about the design of these buds as it is very different from almost everything else on the market.

After some adjustment and time, I found them to be quite comfortable.

Instead of sitting in your ear canal, the Galaxy Buds Live rest outside of the canal and on the inside of your concha. For those who find it uncomfortable to have silicone earplugs in your ear canal, the Buds Live are a great alternative.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The way the buds sit in your ear is strange at first and takes some getting used to. But after some adjustment and time, I found them to be quite comfortable.

It's hard to say whether this design choice is more or less comfortable overall than a traditional earbud shape. In some ways, it is certainly less stressful on your ear canal since it is not used at all. However, it still puts pressure on your ear, just in a different place. For me, I could wear these for about as long as I can wear the AirPods Pro before I feel some fatigue. It's not the same tiredness, but it's still there.

As mentioned earlier, the Buds Live cannot be customized for your particular ear as Samsung designed it to work with any ear. This was a risky move, and while they seem to work for everyone I know who have tried them so far, I have to think that there is no way they will work for everyone. Until then, this particular risk will probably pay off.

The touch-sensitive area is located directly around this small point. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The Buds Live have a touch sensitive area where you can play / pause / skip music, adjust the volume, call a voice assistant, and take and hang up calls. You can customize the functionality of the touch controls through the Galaxy Wear app on Samsung devices and the Galaxy Buds app on iOS. More on that in a moment.

Unfortunately, the tiny size of the buds makes it very easy to accidentally hit this touch-sensitive area as it takes up a large chunk of the outside surface. If you ever need to adjust them while listening to music, rest assured that you will accidentally pause the sound. If you put them in your ear, the chances are good that you will start the game while you are getting them into position. You can of course turn off the touch controls via the app. However, you won't have to turn them back on until later, when you want to use the earbuds to control what you are listening to (what you want to be, to be honest).

properties

What should be the Galaxy Buds Live's standout feature on paper is Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The Buds Live's biggest competitor is the Apple AirPods Pro, and the ANC in those buds is our favorite on the market right now. If Samsung is looking to turn customers away from Apple, adding ANC was an absolute must. So it was extremely important that it be included in Live.

Unfortunately, the ANC on Galaxy Buds Live is a crushing disappointment. Since the buds don't isolate the sound very well – since the design doesn't seal in your ear canal – it means any ANC technician is in a losing battle with sounds simply going around the buds bypassing any work they would do. The result is ANC that in many situations will make you wonder if it's even working.

samsung galaxy buds live review 4 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/samsung-galaxy-buds-live-review-4 - 640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live Rating 3 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/samsung-galaxy-buds-live-review-3 -640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

There are some cases where a soft sound is slightly reduced, but running water, the noise that a car makes on the highway, or a fan or air conditioner is not reduced at all. Compared to the worst noise cancellation we've tested in other earbuds, the Galaxy Buds Live offers even less performance: this is the new low.

On the positive side, Buds Live, as mentioned earlier, has app support for iOS and Android. You can use this app to make minor adjustments to the sound of the Buds Live project. There are six equalizer options: Normal, Bass Boost, Soft, Dynamic, Clear and Treble Boost. I've tried all six and Dynamic was my personal favorite.

You can also use the Find My Earbuds feature, which makes Buds Live chirp out loud and a breeze to see if you've misplaced them (which is simple: they're very small).

Audio quality

I'll just come out and say it: I'm unimpressed with the Galaxy Buds Live when it comes to sound quality. While they have a surprising amount of bass for buds that can't sit in your ear canal, that's about all they are reasonably good at. Although you can hear music and movies clearly, the sound reproduction lacks depth and warmth. The soundstage is narrow and flat, so you feel like something is definitely missing in the EQ mix.

I have bad news: the Galaxy Buds Live sounds very similar to the standard speakers on a laptop from 2009.

The buds work best when you are alone in a quiet room. In these cases, you may actually find the music comfortable, especially if your expectations are low. If you were okay with the sound of music coming from the original Apple earbuds or AirPods, then chances are you won't be shut off from what you're hearing from Buds Live.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

But if you're like me and you've never liked the flat and hollow music playback on these headphones, I have bad news: the Galaxy Buds Live sounds very similar to the standard speakers on a laptop from 2009.

I mentioned that I stayed with Dynamic EQ after going through all of the options and that's because the mix feels particularly empty without the added oomph of bass that you can find there or in Bass Boost. Treble Boost, for example, is almost painful to hear as the entire backbone of the audio is removed.

Aside from the fact that the audio doesn't sound great, it's not particularly loud either. You really need to turn up the volume to nearly block out outside noise, and when you do you run into another big problem: if you can hear what the Galaxy Buds Live is playing, so can everyone around you.

Another downside to poor isolation is that those buds sound worse than any other earbud I've ever come across. I have a tendency to listen to the same songs over and over again through the headphones I review, and that's why my wife is so fed up with the "circles" of Of Monsters and Men. Unfortunately, when evaluating Buds Live, if the buds were in my ears she could hear every word from the song as clearly as if she were carrying them herself. This has created tension in the “office”.

If you plan to use these in any work environment (home or office), be prepared to share whatever you hear with everyone around you.

Battery life

Battery life can be wild as it can change dramatically when you take advantage of all of the features available. If you go for Bixby Wake Word – and we have no idea why you'd want to – and for noise cancellation, you can expect around 5 hours of battery out of the buds and 19 hours including the charging case.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

If you turn both things off, you can get around 8 hours and almost 29 hours total of the case, but with only ANC on, you can listen for about 6 hours and 20 minutes or so, and with the case, it's only 21 hours.

Since the ANC, as mentioned, basically doesn't do anything and, to be honest, you won't be using Bixby, we recommend turning both features off to get the most miles out of Buds Live.

Call quality

Making calls with the Galaxy Buds Live is a good overall experience. Sound quality isn't as good as other earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro, but for $ 80 less, they might not have to be. It is important that those listening on the other end of the line can hear your voice clearly. It may not sound great. One person I spoke to said that my voice sounds more echoing than other headphones I've used.

If you hear louder background noise than normal, e.g. For example, if you run a sink while doing the dishes, I can tell you that the person on the other end of the line won't hear anything. The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live does an exceptional job eliminating background noise when making calls.

In the end, everything is as clear as it should be. The inclination of the buds to higher registers actually helps make the vocals clearer. Even in noisy environments, you shouldn't have trouble hearing conversations.

Our opinion

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Live will polarize. There are many people who refer to these as their favorite, or near-favorite, buds in the market. You probably like the look, the small size, the feel of the fit of the buds, and the battery life (especially with the Bixby wake-up word off). If these things are great, that's all you're looking for.

But here at Digital Trends, we mostly judge earbuds by audio quality as you will be listening to music. When Buds offer ANC, we expect it to work. Since the Samsung Galaxy Buds Live falls short on both points, I find it hard to love them.

Is there a better alternative?

If you really want solid Samsung integration, I recommend the Samsung Galaxy Buds +. Though they lack ANC, they are great earbuds that work just as well with your Galaxy device as they do with the Live, and with even better battery life. If you want the same sleek look as the Buds Live but want better sound quality, then the Jabra Elite 75t are great. We also recommend Google Pixel Buds 2.

How long will they last?

Samsung grants a standard one-year warranty on the Galaxy Buds Live. The build quality is solid though, so I'm not particularly concerned about these breaks.

Should you buy it?

If you ask me and senior editor Caleb Denison (who made an excellent video comparing Buds Live and AirPods Pro) the answer is no. We just can't justify the $ 170 price tag when the ANC is worthless and the sound quality lags well behind the cheaper buds. However, if all you're into is a slim profile, Samsung integration, and long battery life, then you will likely love the Galaxy Buds Live.

Editor's recommendations




30 Jul
Blog

LG Tone Free HBS-FN6 Review: Self-cleaning Buds Disappoint

LG Tone Free earphones

"The LG Tone Free lags behind the competition in its price range"

  • Comfortable design

  • Neat self-cleaning function

  • Great sound quality

  • Below average battery life

  • Hypersensitive touch controls

There doesn't seem to be a better time to launch a product that kills bacteria as part of its functions than it is now. For this reason, LG should really get recognition for its excellent, if random timing for the release of the Tone Free HBS-FN6.

Of course, it's never a good time to launch a product that can't keep up with the competition in critical areas, and LG also deserves recognition for whether it wants it or not. The $ 150 Tone Free HBS-FN6 can do some things that most other real wireless earbuds don't, but has had no effect on the areas that mattered most.

Before I summarize it, a brief explanation: There are three different clay-free models, the HBS-FN6, the HBS-FN5W and the HBS-FN4, each with incremental differences. I will review the HBS-FN6 and, for the purposes of this story, describe this product as clay-free unless otherwise noted. Okay, let's go ahead.

Out of the box

Everything about the LG Tone Free earbuds is small except for the packaging they arrive in. The buds and their housing are located under the lid of the predominantly white box. Below them is a separate compartment that contains a USB-C charging cable, additional earplugs, and a surprisingly thorough manual. I'm just saying surprise because I've seen a decent number of guides, the details of which have been largely in short. It may be a little old-fashioned, but having something tangible to guide you through the operation of these buds is a welcome inclusion, which is sometimes lost in the mix with competitors.

LG Tone Free earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Tone Free has a Fast Pair feature similar to Google's Pixel Buds 2 or Apple's AirPods, where the earbuds seem to find your phone before they can find it, though it's limited to devices that run Android 5.0 or higher support. If you don't have a device that matches this description, you can go the more traditional way and find the earbuds in your phone's Bluetooth settings to connect.

The Tone Free had Bluetooth 5.0 technology and, like most earphones I've tested with this built-in technology, was easy when it came to solid connections. I was free to move around the house or even in the back yard while my phone remained stationary.

design

As with so many pairs before, the Tone Free was – at least partially – made after the model of the Apple AirPods. After all, Apple has made the concept of wearing golf T-shirts in its ears a hot thing, in which the competitors simply follow the trend. The Tone Free are a bit more bulky (about 5 grams compared to the 4-gram AirPods) and are currently only available in black, but the visual similarities are obvious enough.

LG Tone Free earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I really like how compact the charging case for the Tone Free is. It's actually a little lighter (39 grams) than the AirPod's 40-gram charging case, and I personally prefer the round design of the Tone Free case. This may be an unpopular opinion, as Apple's lighter Zippo case has been copied by many manufacturers. But I would definitely take LG's circular in a stow-and-go situation about the AirPods, although neither will be a big problem in this regard.

The Tone Free are comfortable and fit snugly in my ears without putting too much pressure on my ear canals.

The Tone Free are comfortable and fit snugly in my ears without putting too much pressure on my ear canals. The only time I physically customized them on morning walks or jogging in the afternoon was to use the auto pause function of the buds when I passed other people. I could have used the earphones 'Ambient Sound mode to remove a bud, but I found that pulling them out was easier than trying to use the earphones' multi-touch controls while moving.

When I speak of these multitouch controls, I will be the first to admit that getting this control style right is not easy. Many buds that use this feature are between too sensitive to touch or not sensitive enough. I think the Tone Free are functional – with multiple print options for answering or ending phone calls, switching through music, or changing the volume – but they're erroneous closer to the "too sensitive" end of the spectrum. They're not as bad as others I've tested in this regard, but there were still a handful of frustrating moments.

properties

When it comes to their functions, the Tone Free are a bit mixed. They have the characteristic self-cleaning function that fascinates these buds on their own. However, if you expand the scope and examine the more standard but more important functions, the intrigue is almost lost.

LG Tone Free earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

First, let's work out the uniqueness of these earphones. The Tone Free are self-cleaning buds, thanks to a UV nano charging housing that, according to LG, kills 99.9% of the bacteria while the housing is connected to a charging cable. The case uses ultraviolet light that is focused on the bud's earbuds, though the process doesn't remove dirt, grime, or ear wax.

On the one hand, this is objectively cool. Especially at a time when most people are still focused on cleanliness, it can only be good to have buds that kill the bacteria themselves. On the other hand, all of this seems completely unnecessary. As I suspect, many of you, I have never been overly concerned with the amount of bacteria in my earbuds. Perhaps LG is indicting and uncovering an issue we didn't previously know was an issue, and maybe future earphones will follow in Tone Free's footsteps. On the other hand, maybe not. It's a feature the effects of which the average person can't feel, and it's the main reason why these buds cost $ 50 more than the clay-free HBS-FN4. That seems like a great deal of work for a largely invisible advantage.

When it comes to their functions, the Tone Free are a bit mixed.

The battery life in Tone Free is up to six hours. The case contains two additional charging cycles for a total of 18. They also have a quick charge function that allows you to play for an hour after five minutes in the case. It would have been solid two years ago. Unfortunately for LG it is mediocre at best. The RHA TrueConnect 2 offers 9.5 hours of playback on a single charge and a total battery life of 44 hours at the same price. Given that the Tone Free has a low battery shortly after the five-hour mark and barely approaches the specified service life of six hours, it's hard to see why you wouldn't choose a much stronger battery in the RHA .

And while the Tone Free offers IPX4 weather resistance – a fairly normal benchmark for earphones that gives them solid protection against sweat and splashes of water from every direction – the TrueConnect 2 has raised the bar by introducing dust protection with an IP55 degree of protection. You probably won't need this protection in your everyday life. But why not choose this route at the same time when it no longer costs you? That is the problem LG is facing. Their functions are fine if you don't place them next to a competitor with the same price. In this scenario, it is difficult to find an area that clearly prefers the tonelessness. Unless you wanted to limit the number of bacteria you expose your ears to.

Audio quality

Just like the latest sound bars, LG is promoting its partnership with Meridian to optimize the sound of their products. Also in line with these sound bars, LG has kept silent about the specifications of the actual drivers in these earphones. After the sound of the company's conversation topics, we shouldn't worry about the details or design of the components that produce the sound we hear. Instead, we should blindly rely on Meridian to take on the audio quality of this product and trust the company's HSP (Headphone Spatial Processing) technology to achieve solid sound.

LG Tone Free earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

What I have to admit, it works very well. Just like the sound bars in which Meridian was involved, the Tone Free offers a pleasant listening experience. According to LG, Meridian's HSP technology is said to "create a realistic soundstage that simulates the experience of hearing real speakers." I wouldn't go anywhere near this, but after looking at a selection like Led Zeppelins & # 39; Ramble On or The Rolling Stones & # 39; After listening to Gimme Shelter, I appreciate the stereo separation and vocal clarity that these earphones could produce.

With the LG Tone Free app, you can choose between three other Meridian presets – Bass Boost, Natural or Treble Boost – or adjust the sound to your taste with an in-app equalizer. Although LG's efforts to make the sound customizable for all kinds of ears are recognized and presets like Bass Boost fill the required low-end for more modern tracks, I preferred the sound of the standard "Immersive" preset.

The Tone Free did a great job of producing a pleasant sound.

However, I will say this: the Tone Free did a good job of producing a pleasant sound, but at the same time they did not produce an incredibly distinctive sound. It's hard for me to decide whether these buds sound better than, for example, the RHAs I heard last week or the Google Pixel Buds 2 that I auditioned a few months ago. The Tone Free cited the ability to kill bacteria as a key feature that just isn't that exciting and really needed their sound to set a tone. They sound very good, just not good enough to cover their other shortcomings.

The call quality of the Tone Free is sufficient thanks to the dual microphone setup that LG has integrated into the Tone Free. LG says it uses technologies known as echo cancellation and noise cancellation to detect unwanted noise and minimize what works pretty well. Just don't expect these features and the minimal passive noise cancellation created by the bud's fit to reflect the kind of experience that real active noise cancellation offers. Try anyway, these ANC replacement products don't affect the real business.

Our opinion

The LG Tone Free doesn't do anything particularly bad, they just don't do most things as well as some of the more notable competitors in their price range. It is a difficult task to reach all the key touch points when things are moving so fast in the real wireless earphone world, but if you can't keep up with the rest of the field at least, you won't be able to do the leaderboard.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Tone Free has a slight sound edge, but it's not enough to overlook everything else that makes the RHA TrueConnect 2 better for exactly the same $ 150. For another $ 50, I've become quite a fan of the $ 200 Sony WF-SP800N, which improves battery life over both the LG and RHA and offers effective active noise cancellation.

Honestly, I would probably use the cheaper $ 99 LG Tone Free HBS-FN4 compared to the FN6, as the main difference is the self-cleaning charging case where we found a limit.

How long will they last?

These buds appear to be of high quality workmanship and moderately good protection against the weather. I do not foresee that they will collapse soon.

Should you buy them

Nah. I liked the design of these earphones and their tasty sound, but there are too many options in this price range with better features to recommend the latest from LG. The Tone Free can eliminate most of the bacteria that get in their way, but they don't have the same effect on the tough competition that surrounds them.

Editor's recommendations




06 Jun
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Buds Review: Surprisingly Excellent True Wireless Buds

Samsung Galaxy Buds review full performance

"The Galaxy Buds are a valuable pair of real wireless earphones."

  • Six hours of battery life

  • Sweatproof

  • Light, comfortable fit

  • Wireless charging case

  • Only 7 hours of battery in the case

This review was last updated by Nick Woodard, employee of Digital Trends A / V, on June 5, 2020.

It's an exciting time for real wireless earbuds. With new chips that promise more compact designs and better battery life and finally make it real products, there are more reasons than ever to shorten the cable for your listening time.

Samsung Galaxy Buds is one of the first true next generation wireless headphones to hit the market and features the latest technology. With a battery life of six hours, a wireless charging case and a lightweight, nimble design, there's a lot to love about the company's newest buds.

Most impressive is that the Galaxy Buds feature set is available at an affordable price of $ 129. The buds were even bundled with pre-orders for the S10, S10 + or Fold phones. The combination of technology and value made the Galaxy Buds one of the best wireless earbuds you can currently buy, at least until the Galaxy Buds + came on the market.

Out of the box

The Galaxy Buds come in a small box with a charging case, a long USB Type-C cable, three sets of silicone earplugs and sports fins, and a small instruction manual. When you open the case, it immediately becomes clear that Samsung's successor to the 2018 Gear IconX is significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, so that it can sit more comfortably in your ears.

An ergonomic triangular design integrates the comfortable rubber ear fins and the soft rubber ear plugs and offers a very solid fit and an excellent seal. This is easily one of the most convenient real wireless earbuds we've tested. While Apple's ear-tip-free AirPods can be a bit rough during longer listening sessions, the Galaxy Buds are almost unnoticed after insertion.

properties

First of all, the headphones from Samsung offer a solid battery life of six hours per charge – one hour more than comparable Apple and Jabra models. It was impressive at the time of his debut, although the bar has now been raised. The Galaxy Buds + offers 11 hours of playback, while the Edifier TWS NB offers five hours of noise reduction and 11 hours without this feature.

Unfortunately, the impressive playback time is not answered with a lot of juice in the case itself, which is our only real criticism of the Galaxy Buds. The Galaxy Buds case offers only seven hours of extra battery life, while competitors offer 20 to 30 hours or more.

The most convenient real wireless earbuds we've ever tested.

This is less of a concern for Galaxy phone owners, as the case includes the ability to wirelessly charge from the back of new Galaxy phones (or a standard wireless charging pad). However, this means that you won't be able to spend days at a time without finding a charging station or outlet. However, plugging in your headphones after 13 hours of play isn't a big deal for most of us, and it's a low price for all the other properties of the buds.

In addition to good battery life and a wireless charging case, the Galaxy buds offer a number of cool functions. Changing songs or adjusting the volume is done, for example, using intuitive touch controls that can be adjusted in the Samsung Wear app. With the app, you can also choose between five different equalizer settings to adjust the sound of the headphones to your ears and your taste in music.

Perhaps the most useful feature of the app is "Find my earbuds", which does exactly what you think it does and prevents you from digging through the sofa cushions or jeans pockets when the buds disappear.

The Galaxy Buds are particularly impressive due to the use of the two on-board microphones integrated in each headphone. During a call, the headphones can analyze how loud the sounds are around you. To do this, use the microphone on the outside of each headphone when the ambient noise is quieter, and the microphone near the inside of the headphone when it is louder. You can also use the microphones to whistle the sound of the outside world while listening to Samsung's ambient noise mode, which even includes a function that uses filtering to emphasize the sound of human voices.

Both ambient noise mode and call mode worked well during testing, allowing employees to be heard over music without removing the earbuds, and to call both quiet and noisy rooms without missing a beat. Call quality isn't as good as Apple's AirPods, but it does the job.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Ambient sound mode is great for situations like running or cycling where you want to jam but don't want to miss a scream or car horn when you need to hear it. And that's not the only way Samsung has targeted its latest earbuds to those who like to sweat: The Galaxy Buds have IPX2 protection, which means they're protected from dripping water (or sweat). It's not as good as the IP56 rating of Jabra models like the Elite Active 65t, but given the fact that Apple's more expensive AirPods don't offer any water resistance, this feature is welcome. You'll have to pay $ 250 for the AirPods Pro to get Apple's water resistance.

I took the headphones on a 5 mile run on a treadmill and found them great for training. Their lightweight and compact design keeps them in place, and thanks to the IPX2 rating, you don't have to worry about them breaking a sweat.

Audio performance

The ergonomic design of the Galaxy Buds and the soft silicone earplugs enable them to seal very well in your ears, to achieve a warm bass and a low mid-range and to avoid hard, thin sounds.

There are no real wireless earphones that we have tested and that feel so liberating.

During my time with the headphones, I heard a variety of pieces of music and played everything from the Beatles to Kendrick Lamar. Overall, the headphones performed well on all pieces of music and offered a relatively flat response despite the playback, even with large differences between the genres.

My preferred equalizer mode was the "Dynamic" setting, which allows the sound to be adjusted to best suit what you are listening to. The "Soft" mode and the "Clear" mode were also interesting. The former allowed you to hear things with a rounder, less harsh sound signature, and the latter only brought out a hint of the glow from acoustic guitars and cymbals.

Although I preferred Dynamic most often, it was nice to have a choice when it came to adapting the sound to the music. One option I wanted was standard on all wireless headphones.

The Galaxy Buds don't offer the vivid clarity that we've experienced from real wireless headphones like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 or the Master and Dynamic MW07 and MW07 Plus, but they deliver a pleasant and customizable sound for well below half the price could easily be enjoyed every day. In fact, their sound is just as good or better than that of the more expensive Apple and Jabra models.

The stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection also made it great when cleaning my living room and kitchen, so I could just put your phone on a table or counter and forget it.

To listen to your favorite music in all styles on the go, the Galaxy Buds absolutely serve their purpose, and the lightweight design underlines the luxury of not having cords. Honestly, there are still very few real wireless earphones that we have tested that feel so liberating.

Warranty information

Samsung offers a one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Our opinion

With a host of great features, six-hour battery life, and a fantastic list price of $ 129, the Galaxy Buds are currently the most compelling true wireless earbuds on the market.

Is there a better alternative?

The Galaxy Buds + are the obvious option here, with improved battery life and other features for an additional $ 20. The aforementioned Edifier TWS NB may fit even better because it offers good active noise cancellation for $ 10 less.

You should also consider Amazon's Echo Buds. They are a great alternative if you are already deep in Amazon's Alexa ecosystem.

Other close competitors to the Galaxy Buds – Apple's AirPods and Elite Active 65t and Jabra Elite 75t from Jabra – offer steeper sticker prices, although you may find the earlier Jabra model at a discount once the 75t arrives.

How long will they last?

Samsung has made durable products in the past, and we don't expect the buds to be different. With replaceable earplugs and ear fins, we expect a long lifespan.

Should you buy them

Yes. If you are looking for comfortable, real wireless earbuds with excellent battery life, good sound and an affordable price, you have come to the right place.

Editor's recommendations




06 Jun
Blog

Apple AirPods Pro Review | Apple’s Best Buds Yet

Apple Airpods Pro review DB 18

"Terrifyingly good, the AirPods Pro are a big win for Apple."

  • Clear, responsive sound

  • Excellent noise cancellation

  • Comfortable

  • Superior call quality

  • Wireless charging case

  • Questionable long-term battery life

This review was last updated by Nick Woodard, employee of Digital Trends A / V, on June 5, 2020.

I can't remember the last time an Apple product switched from a credible rumor to a product on the shelf in less than three weeks, but that's exactly what happened to the new AirPods Pro.

When Apple confirmed its existence, real name, and arrival date, many of us were surprised in the technical media. But here we are. You can now purchase the AirPods Pro – a new in-ear version of the radio buds with active noise cancellation – for $ 250.

I hadn't expected much from the AirPods Pro, other than the fact that they would almost certainly be off the peg. The standard Apple AirPods have never impressed me, although I will admit that I understand why tens of millions of people use them. AirPods are both a communication tool and a way to listen to music and movies. To my great surprise, Apple has a pair of buds here, and rightly so.

Still iconic, just smaller

Apple hasn't given up its golf tee design for the AirPods Pro – the tee is just a little shorter now. Instead of opting for a large disc or an oval shape, as we see with so many competing radio buds, the AirPods Pro offer a more covert aesthetic than their non-professional counterparts. Love it or hate it, the design has become an icon and even a kind of badge of honor for Apple believers.

The shorter stem poses my only real concern. Battery life. We know the battery is not replaceable, and although Apple offers a "battery service" option for its AirPods, it means a slight discount on a pair of brand new buds.

This is a problem when the life of the super-small, noodle-shaped battery in the standard AirPods is limited to charging cycles of 2 to 3 years. I am concerned that this problem will worsen with the AirPods Pro because the battery is necessarily smaller.

The Pro has a similar battery power as the standard AirPods and achieves a listening time of around 4.5 to 5 hours and / or a call time of 3.5 hours per charge. The charging capacity of the supplied wireless charging case (wireless) is more than 24 hours. The charging case is an upgrade for the standard AirPods. However, the battery bar has since been raised. Options like Sony's WF-SP800N offer nine hours of active noise cancellation and 13 hours of playback without ANC.

Here's a tip for you

Aside from the shorter stem, the most obvious visual change to the AirPods game book is the addition of a silicone earplug.

Instead of sitting outside your ears and shouting at them through the door and allowing so many other outside noises, the AirPods Pro use an in-ear design that seals the entrance to the ear canal and transmits the sound directly across the hallway to your eardrum. This seal is important to block out noise and, as a bonus, provides better bass response.

The AirPods Pro come with three sets of silicone earbuds – unfortunately not Comply foam people – but these are not ordinary earbuds. Instead of sliding (with difficulty) on a small knob, as so many other in-ear buds require, the AirPods Pro tips snap into place with a satisfactory click that is both easier to replace and as safe as the more conventional design.

Siri is always listening

As expected, Siri is on deck for iOS users and is constantly waiting for voice commands such as "call mom", "pause music", "how do I get to the gym?" And my personal favorites: "What does the fox say? ”

It would be more appropriate to call these "grip controls" or perhaps "grip controls".

If you want to control music playback, answer a call, or turn noise cancellation on and off without saying a word or taking your phone out of your pocket, you can use the touch controls built into each of the two earphone sticks. It would be better to call these "grip controls" or maybe "grip controls" because you have to grip and squeeze the stems.

If you are an Android user and want to access Google Assistant, you can download one of the many apps that the AirPods can use on an Android phone like an iPhone from the Google Play Store. If you're looking for native Google Assistant support instead, check out the Google Pixel Buds 2.

Let it in or exclude it

As is common with most active noise canceling headphones, AirPods Pro offer the option to either turn off noise or let everything in.

Apple calls the latter function "transparency mode" and it is a fitting title. As we found on the Beats Solo Pro, the sound fed in by the outside world is surprisingly natural – so close to just pulling out the buds as we've heard so far.

This is ideal to keep an eye on the bus that will mow you at an intersection. I wish the function would be adjustable, like in the Amazon Echo Buds, where I can choose how much of the outside world to dial in.

What is more impressive than Apple's transparency mode is how well the noise cancellation technology works. To be honest, I was shocked. Since Apple bought the company, I haven't been impressed by the noise canceling brand. So I didn't expect much from the AirPods Pro, but Apple's first attempt at active noise cancellation is right up there with Sony and Bose.

When I first pushed the second AirPod Pro into my ear (which activates noise cancellation – it turns off when a bud is removed), I had the same disturbing growl that I had on many when I first put the Bose QC 35II on years ago. The effect is immediately noticeable and very impressive.

I compared the AirPods Pro to the Sony WH-1000XM3 in any noisy environment I could use – in the office, on bus-lined streets, on a light rail train, and pretty much everywhere except on an airplane – and found that the Noise canceling effect between the two was practically indistinguishable. I haven't had a chance to compare the AirPods Pro with the Bose Soundsport Free yet, but I expect a similar experience.

Also a note on call quality. The Apple Airpods Pro hit the pants of the Sony WH-1000XM3 for phone calls. Not only did they master the windy conditions better, they also almost eliminated background noise. I was standing next to a bus engine during a call and it was almost inaudible. Bose is likely to launch a new product that is a leader in call quality, but the AirPods Pro should work very well for most users.

Clean, full, detailed

Just when I was amazed at how well the AirPods Pro operated noise cancellation, I was just as impressed with the sound quality. Sure, I'll look at the sound profile of the Sony WF-1000XM3 or the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 in a direct comparison, but the fact that the AirPods Pro even play in the same league is again a bit of a shock.

Hats off, Apple. You did it well.

I don't think AirPods Pro demography is the most demanding audiophile, so I think most owners will find the sound quality impressive. Buyers will be more than satisfied. The fact that the AirPods Pro can resolve fine details, has a full, rounded bass that is just as coherent as punchy, clear mids and a noticeable transient response that goes with some piquant highs is remarkable when you consider Apple's weak history in terms of sound quality, department considered.

Hats off, Apple. You did it well.

Our opinion

Apple's Airpods Pro doesn't have to be great for people to buy. Their simple user interface ensures that iPhone owners treat them as standard. All the more remarkable is the fact that they are great. Even Android owners might want to give them a look.

Is there a better alternative?

The Sony WH-1000XM3 mentioned above offers a slightly superior sound quality with a loss of call quality and a compact form factor. The Amazon Echo Buds are much cheaper, but they don't sound as good and are not as effective in noise cancellation.

How long it will take?

Based on reports from original AirPods that will die out after 2 to 3 years, I expect the AirPods Pro to experience battery failure in about the same amount of time.

guarantee

The AirPods Pro is only guaranteed for one year against manufacturer defects – this does not cover any damage. Adding AppleCare + for $ 29 will give you much better protection for up to two years.

Should you buy it

Yes. These are great compact, comfortable, and remarkably effective real wireless earbuds.

Editor's recommendations




28 Apr
Blog

Google Pixel Buds 2 Review: New Design, Better Sound

Pixel buds 2

Google Pixel Buds 2 is currently under review: new design, better sound

"Google's latest Pixel Buds significantly improve audio quality."

  • Optimized setup

  • Attractive look

  • Excellent language integration

  • Useful functions

  • Average battery life

  • No noise cancellation technology

This is an ongoing review. We'll update this review after spending a few days with Google's new Pixel Buds.

It was only a matter of time before Google brought its first real competitor into the real wireless earphone arena. To be honest, I'm surprised it took so long.

Google today launched its second-generation Pixel Buds, a pair of earphones for $ 179 that scraps the wire that holds the originals together and adds new design elements and countless features. I didn't have enough time with the Pixel Buds for a full review, but I listened long enough to have some thoughts.

Out of the box

The packaging for the Pixel Buds – technically the Pixel Buds 2, for which I will use the official name of Google in this test – is tiny, white and decorated with various pictures of the buds themselves. Inside are the buds, which are in a wireless charging case, as well as additional earplugs, a USB-C charging cable and the corresponding documentation.

Google Pixel BudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I usually unpack everything, take a quick look at the product, and then check the quick start guide to see if there are any setup quirks that I need to stick to. But I never opened the brochure with the Pixel Buds.

When I pulled the first bud out of the shell, a notification appeared on my Pixel 2 smartphone asking me to pair with the buds. A second prompt followed, instructing me to download the associated app and starting the rest of the setup process from there.

All thanks to the "Fast Pair on Android" function from Google, which allows you to pair your Pixel or Android 6.0+ device with the earphones immediately. I'm the first to admit that most earphone setups are fairly simple, but this was as simple and rational as possible, and more closely matches how Apple's AirPods work.

The original buds, which were $ 20 cheaper when they first released, had a fair amount of connectivity issues. It's a small sample size, but I haven't seen any of these issues in my time with the new Pixel Buds that have Bluetooth 5 technology.

design

The Pixel Buds aren't the smallest earbuds in the game (at 5.3 grams, they outweigh Apple AirPods by over a gram each), but they're not the heaviest either – both the Samsung Galaxy Buds + and Amazon Echo Buds weigh more . You are right in the wheelhouse, which is all we can ask of most earphones these days.

Google Pixel BudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

However, it is the actual design of the Pixel Buds that fascinates me the most. In our view, the original pixel buds were loose-fitting, and although they never fell out, they didn't create the seal in your ear canal that is important for noise isolation. Google has listened and created a pair that is almost flush with your ears and offers a much safer feeling. I managed to do a five-mile run in my first few hours with the buds and had no problem moving it around during transportation.

The Pixel Buds will only be available in the cute color "Clear White" at launch, but then with the options "Fast Black", "All Mint" and "Oh So Orange". The charging case is more like an egg than the pill-shaped carriers that Samsung and others have adopted. It's also heavier than any case except the Echo Buds, but still pocket-friendly.

properties

At first glance, the functions of the Pixel Buds remind me of a classic baseball power hit. You will meet some doubles and homers if you can tolerate a hint here and there.

Google Pixel BudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Double: A weatherproof IPX4 degree of protection that protects you from splashes and sweat. You won't want to submerge them, but the Pixel Buds should be strong enough for training.

Home run: The Pixel Buds are the first Hotword-enabled earphones from Google Assistant. So you just have to say "Hey Google" or "OK ​​Google" to have your own voice assistant at your disposal. This is of course not new to the industry as Amazon and Apple are ahead in this regard. But Google made it effortless to use, to the point where I preferred to ask Google to change a title or increase the volume using the built-in gesture commands on the bud. These are easy to use, but the hands-free function of the buds is more attractive.

Swing and a miss: The Pixel Buds have a battery life of five hours on a single charge. Which, to be fair, is on par with the Apple AirPods and Amazon Echo Buds. But five hours is not much anymore, not when the Samsung Galaxy Buds + sets standards with 11 hours of playback time. With the included charging case, which is QI certified and can be charged wirelessly with any compatible charger, the Pixel Buds have a remarkable total life of 24 hours.

Double: The return of Google Translate via the conversation mode with Google Assistant or the Google Translate app. The feature was a highlight of the first generation Pixel Buds and remains an entertaining tool to translate the words you or others speak into different languages. It is an advantage that not everyone will use, but which can be used again and again when needed. The same applies to the possibility to ask Google directly how to get anywhere, or to read out notifications from practically every app on your device. Not absolutely necessary, but neat.

Look dismayed: Google has decided against adding noise cancellation technology to the second generation buds, and I think this is a missed opportunity. Sure, the fit is much better this time, which allows passive noise reduction. And yes, Apple's second-generation AirPods don't offer this feature at $ 20 more. But the Amazon Echo Buds did it, and they sell for $ 50 less than the Pixel Buds. It's not a drawback that the Pixel Buds don't have noise reduction, but if they really wanted to make a current move in the real wireless earbud category, this would have been the way to go.

Audio quality

When I started hearing the Pixel Buds, I wanted to be sure of what I was hearing. So I passed it on to my partner, played the track that Brothers Osborne had just auditioned (Love the Lonely Out of You) and asked her for a description of the sound.

Google Pixel BudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

She took the word I was thinking of – crisp. The Pixel Buds have custom 12mm dynamic speaker drivers and a design Google has called "hybrid acoustic design", designed to seal the outside of the earbuds, but with spatial vents to reduce the feeling of a clogged ear. The result is music for your ears.

It will take me a couple of hours before I can justify the comparison with one of the top competitors I mentioned. And they are definitely not comparable to something like the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless 2, but who is it? That being said, I can definitely say that the Pixel Buds have improved by leaps and bounds compared to the sound of the first version, which, as we put it, was "okay". The lower end is there, but not overbearing, the vocals are as clear as a day and the middle section is well balanced.

Google Pixel BudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

There is no equalizer in the Pixel Buds app, but I probably wouldn't use it even if there was one. Songs like The Wood Brothers & # 39; Luckiest Man were a pleasure and made me feel like I could hear the strings behind every single note. Google also suggested listening to 8D content on YouTube that re-produced existing songs to sound as if they were moving in the listener. It's not music that is specific to the Pixel Buds, but it does help when solid-sounding buds recreate Freddie Mercury's legendary vocals that dance back and forth over your head.

The few calls I made were clear, and those at the other end of the conversation noticed that I sounded better than trying other buds. The Pixel Buds have a pair of beam-shaping microphones that are designed to focus on your voice for listening in louder conditions or on the go. It's been a limited experience so far, but so good so far.

I would be very happy if I didn't mention the Adaptive Sound function in the Pixel Buds. In the same way that you can have your phone automatically adjust the brightness depending on the environment, Google gives you the ability to adjust the volume of the Pixel Buds depending on your location. It's subtle, but it should be, and I thought it was good if I walked outside on a busy street.

Conclusion

The pixel buds are filled to the brim with functions. However, in order to access the best ones, you have to be at least partially invested in the Google / Android ecosystem. They have significantly improved the design and audio quality of the originals, but have given the latest version an average battery life and lacked the ability to suppress noise.

I will repeat this assessment again after spending more time with these buds. Currently, Google’s Pixel Buds have made some important adjustments. Because of this, they may be the best Android earbuds you can get right now. But they left room to grow. There may be too much space in today's fast paced real wireless world.

Editor's recommendations




23 Apr
Blog

Amazon Echo Buds Review: Better Than AirPods, For Less

Amazon Echo Buds case open

"The Amazon Echo Buds offer more value than any other real wireless earphone and are now the buds to beat."

  • Comfortable fit

  • Excellent sound

  • Very effective noise reduction

  • Handsfree Alexa

  • Great value for money

  • Average battery life

  • No touch-based volume control

While Amazon is new to the audio hardware game, especially compared to Apple, it has clearly done its homework. After all, don't just choose to compete with Apple's AirPods without bringing your A-Game.

On paper, the $ 130 Amazon Echo Buds do just that. They have a five-hour battery life, a snug, comfortable design, IPX4 sweat and water resistance, Bose Active Noise Reduction, and hands-free access to Alexa – along with compatibility by Siri and Google Assistant.

But hardware is difficult. Amazon's own website is littered with cheap corpses of those who tried to beat Apple in real wireless gaming. Has Amazon developed a line of real wireless buds that live up to their many promises?

Comfortable and safe

Amazon has gone to great lengths to ensure that the Echo Buds are suitable for a variety of ears. The buds contain three sizes of silicone earplugs and three sizes of ear fins, which are referred to as "wing tips". A correct fit is important because the Bose Active Noise Reduction (ANR) function works best when a complete seal is achieved.

Although it wasn't ready for testing at the time of this review, Amazon is developing an earplug sizing test – a tool in the Amazon Alexa app settings menu – that helps you find the right size for earplugs.

Amazon Echo budsRiley Young / Digital Trends

The standard earplugs fit my ears perfectly. The Echo Buds were comfortable and were safe even without the optional wing tips. They didn't move at all with the added wing tips. The rounded shape of the earphones makes typing with your fingers easier, but sits flush. Unlike the AirPods from Apple or the real wireless earbuds from Jabra, there is no protruding stem, which gives the Echo Buds a very clean, minimalist look.

Wicked Wireless

One of the problems that plagues real wireless earbuds – even those with Apple's custom H1 Bluetooth chip – is connection failures. Regardless of whether an earphone loses its signal or both fail for a split second (or longer), we have seen a lot in our reviews of real wireless earphones.

The Echo Buds have proven to be unshakable and stay connected to an iPhone or Android device via Bluetooth. Even in places that have hampered other earphones, the Echo Buds haven't missed a beat.

They are also very flexible. You can use both or only one. If both are on and audio is playing, just pull one out and the sound will automatically pause. Put it back in and you're back to your tunes. The pause function worked well, but I found that the resume function was a hit and miss.

The Echo Buds have so far proven to be unshakable and remain reliably connected via Bluetooth.

The only hiccup I experienced was the initial pairing of the Echo Buds. It worked as expected on my Android phone. The Alexa app recognized the Echo Buds when I opened the charging case and placed it next to the phone. My test iPhone didn't do the job smoothly, so I had to add the Echo Buds through the app.

Almost no noise

One of the highlights of the Echo Buds is the integrated ANR developed by Bose. I'm still not sure about the difference between ANR and ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) that Bose uses for its flagship headphones, but I can tell you this: it works really well.

Turning Bose ANR on has an almost magical effect on consistently low noise levels, like the hum of machines. I didn't have a chance to put the Echo Buds to the ultimate test – an airplane – but when I was standing next to a refrigerator with a compressor running or my NAS hard drive during the ridiculously loud diagnostic run, those noises were completely erased.

Amazon Echo Buds caseRiley Young / Digital Trends

ANR is also effective in reducing traffic noise, background conversations in cafes and restaurants, and general ambient noise. In my gym it was much easier to focus on my daily morning talk show.

It's not a cone of silence, but it is effective enough that you appreciate the ability to temporarily allow outside noise in through mode. In the Echo Buds settings you can adjust the level of the through gain. At the maximum setting, the function acts like a kind of hearing aid that not only lets noise in, but also increases it.

Surprisingly good sound

I wasn't expecting the Echo Buds to deliver excellent audio quality, but they easily beat Apple's AirPods. The sound is rich and full and very satisfying. The tone can best be described as "close". Vocals and instruments feel right next to you instead of occupying a wide stage.

I wasn't expecting the Echo Buds to deliver excellent audio quality, but they do.

They instantly deliver excessive bass – which is not uncommon for audio accessories – but you can compensate for this using the Alexa app's EQ settings. I threw a lot of genres on the Echo Buds and everyone enjoyed listening to them.

Alexa, is that you?

The Echo Buds make Alexa even more personal. If the Amazon Alexa app is running in the background on your iOS or Android device, you can simply speak your preferred wake-up word to call Alexa. The three-microphone array on each earphone impressively detects when you're speaking. I was able to get Alexa's attention as I puffed and puffed on an elliptical trainer without raising my voice.

The use of Alexa has become commonplace for many people, but I guarantee that you will always be thrilled with the experience if it can follow you anywhere.

I was able to get Alexa's attention as I puffed and puffed on an elliptical trainer without raising my voice.

I still wish Amazon would support more music services – especially Google Play Music – but most people will find that the ability to control Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music (to name just the big ones) is more than adequate .

The Echo Buds also work with Siri and Google Assistant (depending on your device), but currently only Alexa can be used hands-free.

Two taps

With no physical buttons, tap the Echo Buds' smooth exterior to control its various functions. With the Alexa app, you can assign different functions to each earphone. However, you only get two interactions: double tap and long press.

Double knock is recognized very effectively, but I had some issues with long presses. The trick is to treat the first part of the long press as a fingertip – a gentle touch doesn't work. I think I would prefer to have a single or triple tap instead of the long press, but Amazon tells me that the combination I chose was very intentional. Regardless of which function you assign to the double-click, a call is answered or ended by a double-click.

Amazon Echo budsRiley Young / Digital Trends

You can choose from the usual media playback controls (play / pause, skip forward / backward), but there's no way to adjust the volume – something that many leading real wireless earbuds lack. Unlike some other wireless earbuds, however, you can ask Alexa to adjust the volume for you.

You can also switch between Bose ANR modes (In and Out) or use an optional "In and Out" feature that allows you to pause your music and listen to your surroundings at the same time.

One of these tap actions can also be assigned to the activation of Google Assistant (Android devices) or Siri (iOS devices). Unfortunately, there is no way to launch Google Assistant on an iOS device.

Base battery

If there's an area where the Echo Buds don't inspire, that's their battery life. Amazon takes five hours per charge, which is at the bottom of the current options. I thought it would be more than four and a half hours if you left Bose ANR turned on and used the wake-up word for Alexa.

The charging case can carry three charges, so you can work for almost a full day before searching for an available USB power source.

This is probably enough for most people, but we still want Amazon to increase these numbers a bit in the next version. This is especially true now that Samsung has released the Galaxy Buds + – a pair of wireless buds that cost $ 20 more than the Echo Buds but offer 11 hours of playback time on a single charge – raising the bar on battery life.

The charging case itself is compact enough to fit in most bags and appears to be well built. However, the clamshell design makes opening and closing with one hand a bit difficult. The Echo Buds snap into their charging contacts with exactly the right magnetic force and remain securely attached until you tear them out.

Our opinion

At $ 130, the Amazon Echo Buds are great value. It's her sheer number of useful features like hands-free Alexa access and great Bose ANR that make her a great buy.

Is there a better alternative?

The Echo Buds are just right in terms of price, quality and features.

You can get cheaper earbuds that sound just as good, but don't have Echo Buds speakerphone and ANR – you can think of the $ 99 1More Stylish. The Samsung Galaxy Buds + for $ 150 may be its closest competitor in terms of price and features, although it lacks noise cancellation features.

You can also spend a good deal more and get better audio quality, better battery life and a real ANC. Sony $ 230 WF-1000XM3. come to mind.

Then there is Apple's AirPods Pro. You're in a different league in terms of audio quality, call quality, and noise cancellation technology. They're also over $ 100 more.

How long will they last?

The Echo Buds come with a one-year warranty from Amazon, which is standard but doesn't say much about long-term performance. Compared to other wireless earbuds we've tested, the Echo Buds seem to be of average build quality, but like so many of these devices, the batteries will likely be dead before the earbuds themselves fail.

Should you buy them

Yes. The Echo Buds offer an amazing combination of features that make the $ 130 price even more attractive.

Editor's recommendations




05 Mar
Blog

Jabra Elite 75t Review: Massive Bass From Tiny Buds

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphones

"With its excellent fit, comfort and battery life, the Elite 75t from Jabra are small but deliver a large bass."

  • Should fit most ears

  • Full, rich sound

  • Very light and convenient

  • Very portable

  • Outstanding call quality

  • Bass can be too much for some

  • No hands-free assistant option

  • Average battery life

The Jabra Elite 75t are the company's newest and best wireless earbuds. Originally planned for $ 200, Jabra lowered the price to $ 180 shortly before they hit the stores in November 2019.

This puts the Elite 75t in the middle of a crowded category: They are cheaper than a set of normal Apple AirPods with a wireless charging case, but more expensive than those who use a normal case. They're considerably cheaper than the Apple AirPods Pro, valued at $ 249, and yet are $ 20 to $ 30 more expensive than the Jabra Elite 65t, which the company plans to continue selling.

How does the Elite 75t stack up? Do they have enough features to justify a place in this exploding market and are they really as comfortable as Jabra has claimed? We put her to the test to find out.

Crazy comfort

It's true: the Elite 75t are extremely comfortable for real wireless earbuds. If you hate filling your ear canals with silicone, you won't magically become a fan of this sensation. But they're incredibly small, making them sit well in your outer ear and create less pressure in your ear canal to keep them there. Not only is this overall more comfortable, it may also give you the opportunity to enjoy real wireless earbuds if you're having trouble fitting other models.

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphonesRich Shibley / Digital Trends

Unlike most real wireless in-ear earphones, the Elite 75t doesn't come with ear fins – the tiny silicone tabs that anchor a bud and prevent it from popping out. This is because they are small and light enough not to need them. This ultra-low weight virtually eliminates the feeling of bulk that other earphones can create during intense activities such as running. They really go away as soon as you put them in your ears.

Big, bold bass

Given the small size of the Elite 75t, one thing I wasn't expecting was the huge, deep, and resonant bass. When I started it for the first time, I was surprised and started looking for the EQ settings in the Jabra Sound + app. The equalizer was not messed up – it was set to the flat factory profile. The bottom line is that the Elite 75t has been tuned to prefer low frequencies, sometimes at the expense of clear and detailed highs or clear mids.

They are perfect for watching movies – who needs a subwoofer when you have the Elite 75t?

For some listeners, this is a treat. You won't usually find real wireless earbuds with this kind of bombastic bass response. So if you've been looking for buds that can mimic the boom that is usually associated with large over-the-ear cans like Beats Studios, you're here. I will love the Elite 75t. For some genres like jazz and classical, this distinctive low-end warms the sound and lets you feel the deep vibrations of the bass, which is played in a confined space. They are perfect for watching movies – who needs a subwoofer when you have the Elite 75t?

Music fans with a preference for balanced and precise acoustics should look elsewhere. Even after playing extensively with the EQ settings, it was impossible to find a really neutral setting that would allow my favorite songs to be played without prejudice.

Pocket mates

Aside from the bass, one of the first things you notice about the Elite 75ts is how small they are and how small their charging case is. Both were significantly reduced from the 65t, which makes them perfect travel companions, whether you prefer bags or purses or whether you go to work or to training. You just have to look at the Amazon Echo Buds to see how well the Elite 75t fits in your pocket.

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphonesRich Shibley / Digital Trends

The charging case has a lid that snaps into place with a magnetic seal. Even if it should accidentally open, the earbuds are firmly magnetically locked, making it unlikely that the earbuds will get out of control. Fortunately, in this case, you can use the Sound + app to track the location of the Elite 75t and force it to howl high if it gets stuck in the recesses of a sofa or wallet.

I was glad to see the charging case updated to USB-C as this is pretty much the standard for all (non-iOS) phones now, but I would prefer the charging indicator to be in the front rather than the back.

The case isn't as easy to open with one hand as the original AirPods or the super cool Klipsch T5, but we doubt that this will be a deal breaker for everyone.

Push your buttons

Real wireless earphones usually use a variation of touch-sensitive surfaces or good, old-fashioned buttons. The Elite 75t chooses the latter – one on each earphone – and I really like them. They are easy to use, you know exactly whether you pressed them or not thanks to a satisfactory click, and it is much more difficult to accidentally trigger them.

Jabra Elite 75t real wireless headphonesRich Shibley / Digital Trends

You may need to put a few fingers on the side of your head for better click accuracy. However, I do the job of repeatedly tapping an earphone into my skull to stop my music. You get a wide range of activities – four actions per earbud – with single, double, triple and long clicks.

All important tasks are covered: play / pause, skip / track tracks, answer / end calls, turn HearThrough mode on / off, volume and voice assistant. The only downside is that you can't have a say in what each button does. Every earphone and click combination has a specific action, but Jabra tells us that an update to the Jabra Sound + app in 2020 will activate "MyControls", a function to customize the button function.

It is your call

Jabra has a long history of making Bluetooth headsets with excellent call quality, and the Elite 75t doesn't disappoint. The four-microphone array can easily handle a variety of environments, and callers found it easy to hear me (and me, them).

Frequent voice callers will appreciate that you can use both earbuds or just the right earbud to make and receive calls.

When I first tested the Elite 75t, I noticed the inability to hear itself while I was on the phone with two earbuds. It turned out that I had missed the "Sidetone" function, which enables just that. With the Sound + app, you can not only switch Sidetone on or off using the left earbud, but also adjust how much of your voice gets through. After trying it out, I'm happy to let you know that it works very well and makes the Elite 75t a great companion for phone calls.

Asked and answered

In a similar context, it is also very easy to make yourself heard when you speak to your preferred voice assistant. Pressing the right earphone button twice activates either Alexa or Siri (on iOS) or Alexa or Google Assistant (on Android). As practical as it is, my time with the Echo Buds has made me a hands-free Alexa addict, and I want to be able to call any voice assistant by simply asking for it.

There are many cases where it is more convenient and safer to keep your hands where they are. There may even be emergencies where you simply cannot reach your ears or your phone. If you can say, "Hey Google, call 9-1-1," it can save your life. Jabra, if you're listening, please consider this for the Elite 85t.

Good (not great) battery

Jabra claims that the Elite 75t can last 7.5 hours on a full charge. In our tests, in which the earphones were operated continuously at maximum volume, we were only able to use them for almost 7 hours. Many new real wireless earbuds that aren't made by Apple are better, but it's still a solid upgrade over previous generations, and all the more impressive considering their small size.

The charging case is suitable for almost three full charges, so that you have a total time of approx. 28 hours between the plug-ins. With the quick charge function, you can take an hour with just 15 minutes of charge.

Quite passive

A feature that is becoming increasingly common in real wireless earbuds is active noise cancellation. Sony has it. Apple's expensive new AirPods Pro have it. Even the budget-friendly Echo Buds have it. But the Elite 75t doesn't.

On the one hand, you could argue that these in-ear earphones don't really need them due to their almost complete noise isolation. Because the noise isolation is so good, HearThrough mode offers adjustable microphone sensitivity to make noise when you need to know your surroundings better (or to have your name heard by the barista at Starbucks).

Would noise cancellation be a nice addition? Yes. But you don't need it to enjoy the Elite 75t, especially at its price.

Our opinion

The Jabra Elite 75t is small, but very comfortable and is a good choice for small ears or for those who want to wear earphones for a long time – something that enables their battery life of 7.5 hours. Their bass-heavy EQ is impressive given its size – but not for everyone. Overall, it is a highly portable, high-quality set of real radio buds with user-friendly controls and excellent call quality.

Is there a better alternative?

If you don't mind a slightly larger bud and a battery life of just 5 hours, the Amazon Echo Buds offer more features and less bass-intensive sound for a very reasonable $ 130. If battery life is paramount, you should definitely consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds + for $ 150.

However, if you are an iPhone user, you need to check out the excellent AirPods Pro. They cost $ 70 more but offer amazing noise cancellation, great sound, and go perfectly with Siri. However, none of these earphones can keep up with the water and dust protection class IP55 of the Elite 75t and the excellent ergonomics. If you want even more protection from water, the Elite Active 75t will soon be available with protection class IP57 for $ 200.

How long will they last?

The Jabra Elite 75t has a two-year warranty that is above average. The water and dust resistance corresponds to protection class IP55. This suggests that in the long run, they're at least as robust (if not significantly more) than many of the other real wireless earphones out there.

Jabra's build quality is excellent and the battery is solid (for real radio buds anyway), so they should last for years.

Should you buy them

If you're a fan of bone-shaking bass, you've come to the right place – the Elite 75t are the real wireless earbuds for you. They are also a good choice if you are having trouble fitting the earbuds. If you're looking for a more balanced sound, the Elite Active 75t will be available shortly and offer a less bass-heavy EQ in addition to its better water resistance.

Editor's recommendations




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