02 Feb
Blog

Chord Mojo 2 review: Sound so good, it may move you to tears

Chord Mojo 2 seen from top to bottom.

Chord Mojo 2

RRP $725.00

"The Chord Mojo 2 takes your smartphone or computer and turns it into an amazing sounding, amazingly powerful music machine."

benefits

  • Incredible sound

  • Powerful enough to drive most headphones

  • Multiple device connection options

  • Customizable lossless equalizer

  • Long battery life

disadvantage

  • The equalizer is complicated

  • MicroUSB charging is obsolete

  • No MQA file playback

I had a few people listen to the Mojo 2 DAC (digital-to-analog converter) with a pair of very special headphones, and one person really shed a tear as a particularly emotional song came to an end. This is the Mojo 2 effect. When you use it, you'll shop for new, probably ridiculously expensive, headphones, happily pay for Hi-Res streaming services, and take the time to just relax and listen to some fabulous-sounding music. The Chord Mojo 2 is very special indeed and I've been listening to it for about a month.

design and connections

If you've seen the first Chord Mojo, you'll realize that not much has changed. There are now four buttons on the front and a new USB Type-C port, but otherwise the little box is pretty much identical. There's also an optical/coaxial output and a pair of micro-USB ports, one for charging and the other for the USB Type-A adapter that's included. At the opposite end of the aluminum box you'll find two 3.5mm headphone jacks so you can listen in with a friend.

The Chord Mojo 2 features colorful buttons.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

It's not what I would call a pocket DAC – although it's a bit smaller than the first Chord Mojo – at least by comparison to many of the thumb drive-sized affairs most people will think of. But it fits in a pocket if you really need to take it with you, and there's a battery inside that's good enough for around eight hours. But I don't really see it as an all-round product. It's best enjoyed at home, but the anodized black finish should prove durable when you're carrying it around in a bag.

Bring the Mojo 2 to life and the four buttons all light up different colors and change dynamically as you press them to activate different functions too. That's it for eye-catching design elements, though. This is a small black box that you will buy for what's inside, not what it looks like on the outside.

To get the audio from the Mojo 2 to your phone, use a USB Type-C to Type-C cable if you have an Android phone – it worked out of the box with my Galaxy S21 Ultra and OnePlus 9 Pro. If you have an iPhone, you'll need the Lightning-to-USB Camera Adapter, which costs $29 and plugs into the Mojo 2's USB Type-A to Micro-USB adapter. It's a bit messy and may require additional expense if you don't already have the right adapter, but you'll get over it if you listen.

life with mojo

Fair warning here, there will be some conversations that make me sound like an audiophile. It's the effect the Mojo 2 has on you. Before we get into how the Mojo 2 works and how it sounds, let's look at how it fits into your life. The Chord Mojo 2 turns your smartphone into an incredibly powerful music machine, but to fully exploit its talents you have to engage.

The Chord Mojo 2 next to an iPhone 13 Pro.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Chord says the Mojo 2 is designed to work with any pair of headphones, and while that's actually true, it's really wasted on an average pair of headphones. If you're planning on using the EarPods that came with a long-deprecated iPhone 6, don't worry. The Mojo 2 deserves great headphones, and so do your ears. It's also not really suitable for listening to music on the go. It's not overly heavy at 185 grams, but the many cables to fiddle with make it onerous, as does an accident that's imminent. There is no Bluetooth connection. So if you can't live without your wireless headphones, this isn't for you.

Then what is Chord Mojo 2? If, like me, you've often dreamed of building a really powerful music system at home with massive speakers, amplifiers, a pair of mega headphones and all the other high-tech add-ons, but then woke up and realized it you did Don't have the space or the money, the Mojo 2 is the answer.

During my month with the Mojo 2, I've indulged myself by plugging in some amazing headphones and it's been well worth it. I've used the Chord Mojo 2 with Sennheiser HD660S headphones, Jay's Q-Jays, Audeze iSine 20, Grado GS3000e and a pair of (dreamy) Focal Stellia. I've used Tidal, YouTube Music, Apple Music and my own collection for music, mainly with an iPhone 13 Pro but also with my Mac Mini M1 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

The Chord Mojo 2 turns your smartphone into an incredibly powerful music machine.

The fact that I'm using the Focal Stellia headphones – which cost $3,000 – may surprise you, but it gets to the heart of what makes the Mojo 2 so special. Much like Focal, Chord has pedigree and exclusivity, and the Mojo 2 is handcrafted in the UK by an audio brand with over 35 years of experience. The Mojo 2 easily drives Stellia using only the iPhone as a source, so it returns a high percentage of that dream home setup experience at a far lower price point and with no footprint.

Listening to the Mojo 2

The Mojo 2 delivers a sound you can almost touch with a glorious richness that's hard to describe. There's depth and clarity, but never uncomfortable fullness or harshness, no matter the music. You feel the instruments and voices and hear all the emotions that can sometimes be lost through inferior equipment and headphones. I demoed the iPhone/Mojo 2/Stellia combo to a few people and everyone was blown away by how it plays their favorite music. One person was truly brought to tears, which underscores the power of the Mojo 2 when paired with a fabulous pair of headphones and your favorite tune.

The Chord Mojo 2 features two headphone jacks.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

I've never heard anything that didn't sound great. The glorious soundstage in Stravinsky's The Firebird Suite (particularly Infernal Dance of King Kaschei) is delightful, with the brass instruments overhead, the drums somewhere lower right, and every other instrument whipping around you in a wonderful, dizzying way. It's perfectly controlled, exciting and totally immersive.

The guitar-driven crescendo of Sky's carillon is executed to perfection, and Richard Burton's soulful voice draws you into Jeff Gordon's Eve of the War, which once again showcases the wide soundstage of Mojo 2 and Stellia. The bass pounding in Ive's Eleven and Iz*One's Sequence never overwhelms the vocals — an integral part of K-pop and J-pop — while the snares in both have a whip-like crackle and the highs of each performer's voice are crisp and free of distortion .

While the Focal Stellia are great, I understand they can be a financial drain, but the Mojo 2 made sure all the headphones I've tested it with sound fantastic. It gives them boldness and depth, a solidity that's lacking when headphones don't get the performance they want. Yes, there's more volume, but it always comes with clarity and sharpness. I've listened for hours because everything sounds exactly how I want it to and there's not a trace of distortion or discomfort.

The joy I get from listening to the Mojo 2 cannot be overstated.

What if you compare it to the original Mojo? When listening through the Audeze iSine in-ears, the Mojo's similarly full-bodied sound is immediately apparent, but the Mojo 2 has tons more power, significantly more bass response, vastly improved clarity and precision, and no hint of distortion at all. If you have a Mojo, it's totally worth upgrading. I also compared it to the cheaper iFi iDSD Nano Black Label and while I like the sound and was happy when paired with the Sennheiser HD660S, it didn't really have the power to drive the Focal Stellia headphones and it did lacked the wonderful, rich sound of the Mojo 2.

The joy I get from listening to the Mojo 2 can't be overstated and I don't think I haven't really explored the breadth of its capabilities.

adjustment

The major technical update from the original Chord Mojo and the secret to its incredible sound is the custom 104-bit, 705/768kHz UHD DSP. According to Chord, it's a world first because it offers a way to adjust tone across the entire frequency range without loss of quality. While it's possible, you'll need the instruction manual, a decent understanding of how to set up an equalizer, and a fair amount of patience to get it right.

The Chord Mojo 2 with headphones and an iPhone 13 Pro.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The setting of the low and high treble as well as the low and medium bass is possible and has 18 levels each. Bring up the equalizer and press the lit buttons to change the frequencies, and the levels are then represented by different button colors. The downside here is that when you do this you have to refer to the manual to understand the changed frequency and new value, and you need a very good visual memory as you don't get a clear representation of the levels as a whole on the device. It's very difficult to keep track of and I reset it many (many) times before pretty much settling for just the flat EQ with a touch more mid-bass.

If you still like to keep messing around with the Mojo 2's sound, the UHD DSP adds a cross-feed function to change the imaging. It's less distracting than the frequency setting as there are only three levels, but again you'll need to remember what the button's color means to understand the setting.

The Chord Mojo in a leather case.Optional leather case for the Chord Mojo 2 Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

A handy feature is that the power button shows you the sample rate of the file being played. For example, it glows red for a basic 44Hz file, green for 96kHz, light purple for a 32-bit 768kHz sample rate, and white for DSD 256. The Mojo 2 isn't MQA certified, which is unfortunate and it nailed it could have been virtually unbeatable in terms of file compatibility. It is surprising when several far cheaper DACs offer playback of MQA files.

battery and charging

Despite adding a USB Type-C connector for devices, the Mojo 2 doesn't charge, and you'll have to go back to medieval times with a MicroUSB connector. Yes, you get a cable in the box, but that's not the point. I want to charge the Mojo 2 with the cable I use today for my smartphone, tablet, Kindle, and pretty much every other device I own, rather than the type of cable I left on the bottom of a drawer years ago .

The connectors and ports of the Chord Mojo 2.Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

I've found Chord's estimate of eight hours of battery life between charges to be accurate. It's about the same as the original Mojo, which is a little disappointing, but still more than enough for multiple sessions per week. The better news is that the Mojo 2 doesn't get hot when charging, which seriously affected the original model.

price and availability

The Chord Mojo 2 is available now worldwide. It costs $725 in the US, while it costs £449 in the UK. You can buy it online from retailers in Chord's network, and some may also offer the Mojo 2 through Amazon, so it's worth checking out.

Our opinion

The Chord Mojo 2 is an extravagance, and it's a purchase that will likely lead to purchases of other extravagances, as its tremendous capability will encourage you to look for better headphones. It's not the prettiest audio kit you'll buy, the battery and charging technology is light years behind the phone it's likely to plug into, and you'll need to be fairly experienced (and patient) to get the most out of the equalizer -Function of the UHD DSP.

However, these are relatively small points considering how much it adds to the enjoyment of your music. Like fine wine, sound is delivered clean and full-bodied at almost any volume and from any source. It encourages you to take time to settle down and listen to music. Unlike Bluetooth headphones that crowd into a life on the go, the Mojo 2 is about taking your time from it all.

It's the spacious, high-quality, multi-component home audio system you've always wanted, only in a small, convenient and comparatively inexpensive box.

Is there a better alternative?

There are many DACs that vary significantly in price. If you are new to DAC/amplifiers, it is advisable to start with a cheaper model, e.g. Consider the $99 Helm Bolt DAC, which performed well in our most recent group test, or the $330 AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt. Both can play MQA files and do not need to be charged.

How long it will take?

The battery is probably the only limiting factor to the Mojo 2's tech longevity, meaning you can indulge in peace of mind and don't expect to have to upgrade for many years to come. For some perspective, I was still regularly using the original Mojo, which is now more than six years old, until the arrival of the Mojo 2. The strong aluminum body and anodized finish should keep it looking good and relatively well protected, although there's no water resistance. You can buy a leather case if you want to give it a little more protection.

should you buy it

Yes. It's not a wise buy at all, but the same goes for any quality audio device and it's instead defined by the enjoyment you get from it and how amazing it makes your favorite music sound.

Editor's Recommendations



28 Jan
Blog

LG XBoom 360 review: Loud sound and lights for your home

LG XBOOM 360.

LG XBOOM 360

RRP $300.00

"The XBoom 360 keeps the party going with a sophisticated mix of loud sound, lights and DJ effects."

benefits

  • Beautiful, smart design

  • Gets noisy both indoors and outdoors

  • Includes USB and Aux-In ports

  • Excellent app support

  • LED lamp provides a nice ambience

disadvantage

  • No waterproofing

  • Battery life could be better

  • Doesn't always feel wearable

It's not a saying, but it makes sense that the bigger you build a Bluetooth speaker, the bigger the sound you should expect from it. But the bigger a speaker gets, the more of an eyesore it can become, as it needs to be heard but not necessarily seen.

LG's XBoom 360 makes us question that conventional wisdom. It's a big, powerful speaker that also blends into a home as a decorative piece, thanks to a sleek, lantern-like design, a built-in LED light, and a dedicated app that lets you do much more than just play music.

What's in the box

It's a big box, no doubt, but you won't find much inside. As well as the speaker itself, you get the power cord, a sheet of paper listing the various controls, a simple instruction manual, and that's about it. LG does not supply any other cables that could be connected to the XBoom 360.

draft

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

Burgundy is one of those colors that blends well in a variety of environments, much like the Charcoal Black and Peacock Green variants, and it's no wonder LG has tried to be bold without being loud in that way. It probably wanted the sound to do the loud part, which I'll come back to, but as a speaker it has a unique profile. Its tapered design gives it a decent height at 20 inches and weighs just under 13 pounds.

Despite its considerable height, it has a relatively small footprint, so you can place it in all sorts of places.

But despite its considerable height, it has a fairly small footprint, allowing you to place it in all sorts of places – much more so than conventionally shaped boom boxes. However, the height and slimmer base might make it easier to accidentally tip over if you bump into it.

LG wrapped the XBoom 360 in burgundy fabric, which gives it a nice, sophisticated look and a soft texture, but this isn't the kind of speaker you'd want to put within splashing distance of a pool. As much as LG might consider this thing "portable", it's not always a pleasure to move around. The top handle helps a lot, and the higher center of gravity makes it feel like you're carrying a heavier tote bag, but again, you have to consider where you're carrying it. forget the beach Sand will get all over it and with the fabric it will nest everywhere. Pools should be fine some distance from the water, but without a decent IP rating, this is a speaker you'll use at home, whether indoors or out in the safety of a backyard or patio.

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Beach-friendly speakers aren't hard to find, while large speakers that don't stick out like sore thumbs in a home can be. The XBoom's 360-degree sound is ideal for outdoor use, and LG has an "Outdoor EQ" mode for just that purpose, while the default setting cranks things down just enough to serenade you indoors.

This sound is driven by a 5.25" fiberglass woofer and 1" tweeter in an inverted cone-shaped baffle designed to deliver sound more efficiently and decidedly omnidirectionally. Basically, you should feel like the speaker sounds exactly the same no matter where you sit (or stand).

The LG XBoom 360 speaker has a handy handle.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

The LED lamp in the open concavity faces the exposed woofer, adding a visual element to the XBoom 360. It's more mood lighting than something to brighten up a room, but it has both chill and party modes for ambience. There's a dedicated button to cycle through the lamp's different light modes, with the app digging much deeper to offer more customization options.

You can't create and save your own presets, so you'll need to further tweak the only custom preset to change the sound.

LG has placed ports at the bottom, including individual USB-A and Aux-In ports. The USB port doubles as a playback port and 5-watt charger for other devices, so you can use it for your phone or tablet in a pinch as well. LG didn't do the same for the aux line-in jack. So if you have designs for connecting a microphone and presenter, it will not let you. The power cord tucks in under the bottom, and it takes some time to wiggle it out if you want to go fully wireless.

setup and configuration

Pairing with the XBoom 360 was easy. After doing it with both an iPhone and an Android device, I then downloaded the app, which recognized the speaker immediately. Beyond the basics, the app acts as a controller for the speaker. The main buttons are clearly visible on top of the speaker, some of which even include Braille for the visually impaired.

The app includes an EQ with seven presets and a custom option that you can tweak to your liking. You can't create and save your own presets, so you'll always have to go back and tweak the only custom preset to change the sound. Otherwise, you can choose one of the other seven presets. This is separate from the aforementioned outdoor EQ, which cranks things up to get louder outside.

LG says the XBoom 360 will play with better quality and less distortion if you turn off an equalizer you might be using in a music app. I'm not sure I've noticed a significant difference either way, but it might be worth experimenting with.

The DJ functions allow you to interact with music playback in a fun way using sound effects. You get drum, club, and other options to create transitions or effects to overlay the track being played. It lays out a lot for you to get started, so don't start from scratch. Sampler Creator lets you record five seconds of any sound you want to play or emulate, then transfer it to DJ mode. After that, you can always play it over a song. If you've always wanted to be a hype man or say something about a favorite song, you might have fun with this one.

If you really want to get loud, the XBoom 360 supports the addition of a second speaker. You don't get stereo pairing for different left and right channels, just a mirroring of the audio being played by the master unit, making it ideal for larger parties where one might not be enough.

sound quality

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

LG wants to get loud with the Xboom 360, but not at the expense of the full audio spectrum. I realized this as I played through a variety of different tracks in different genres. Bass is clear enough, with the woofer doing the heavy lifting, and you'll notice it at lower volumes if you dial in Bass Boost in the EQ section.

Whether I've been playing something old school from Creedence Clearwater Revival or something current from The Weeknd, the speaker can handle whatever you throw at it in a playlist. It also played well at higher volumes, with distortion only kicking in at volumes that were just ridiculous for indoor listening.

The key is the mids, where instruments come through with some distinction.

The key is the mids, where instruments come through with some distinction. Large speakers sometimes drown out the mids to boost the lows and highs so they can get louder. LG maneuvers somewhere in between, letting you hear enough detail in a complex track to enjoy it for what it delivers. We're not talking audiophile quality here, mind you, because fans of hi-res sound are unlikely to be impressed. Finally, the XBoom 360 only supports the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs, so your only other option is to play tracks via USB. I tried it, but didn't like the experience because of the general lack of consistency and control. Aux-in is easier as you control everything from the connected device.

I've also been hesitant to park it in a corner because of the spatial sound it's supposed to pump out. I tried it just to see if the sound coming from behind would bounce off the walls for a fuller or more concave effect, but I'm not sure if it was really there. As I placed it farther from the wall, it sounded less unidirectional and more omnidirectional than originally intended. It could easily cover an apartment or condo, and outside noise won't drown it out in the backyard. I wouldn't necessarily use it in a banquet hall for a wedding as stereo pairing might be better for such events.

What I found bizarre were the inconsistencies with the Bluetooth connectivity. For reasons I couldn't figure out (despite numerous troubleshooting steps), my Pixel 6 Pro never played well with the speaker and kept disconnecting, to the point where I had to repeatedly manually reconnect them. I haven't had any issues like this with a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or iPhone 13 Pro. There were disconnects and hiccups with both of these phones, except that they were due to distance or obstacles, e.g. B. if they were a few rooms away. With the Pixel 6 Pro, the phone could be two feet away and still drop the connection.

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

light effects

The Mood Lighting section gives you presets based on the type of effect you want. You can also tap My Choices to choose the color you want to see. The dynamics of the lamp depends on which mode you choose. For example, Ambient just keeps the light static, Nature goes with a slow pulse, and Party Pops with a more frenetic show. You choose the mode manually because the XBoom 360 doesn't have the intelligence to automatically switch it based on the tunes it's playing.

It would be unfair to describe the XBoom 360 as a full-fledged LED lamp, also because the light can only emit sideways depending on the location. It doesn't face forward like other party boxes, nor does it face upwards to bounce off walls and a ceiling at the same time. That might put a damper on the "party" side of the equation if you're looking for something more mainstream, but I can see what LG was trying to do here.

The XBoom 360 looks great as a speaker playing music and coming out of the ambient light. There's subtlety that a guy like me appreciates, but I acknowledge not everyone would agree. Even the party lights work for what they are. While I wasn't able to achieve the kind of depth or effects that a Philips Hue or Nanoleaf system could offer, I can say that the insertion of the lamp makes the speaker feel more like a decorative piece to display than a tech device to accessorise looks.

battery life

The LG Xboom 360 features a lantern-like design.Ted Kritsonis/Digital Trends

LG says the XBoom 360 can last up to 10 hours per charge, which is mostly true if you never explore louder volumes. As you almost certainly would, the actual number can vary anywhere from six to eight hours depending on how noisy it gets. The LED light is another battery hog if it's always on and active. You can also save battery by playing audio through the Aux-In port and leaving Bluetooth off.

The app will tell you how much battery you have left, but don't look for context about how much you could save by turning off the lights or turning down the volume. You can always plug it into an outlet to keep it charged. That can be a good idea considering it takes up to five hours to fully charge the speaker with a dead battery. No fast charging for this big guy.

Our opinion

LG launched the XBoom 360 for $400, and now it's easier to find at $300. That's not a bad price for what you're getting, provided you have a place to put it and feel mobile enough to take it to other parts of your home or outdoors. It definitely helps if you're entertaining people at home or like to throw parties and want something with lights and DJ mode.

Is there a better alternative?

If you want the DJ-style experience, there definitely is. the JBL party box 110 costs about the same and makes almost everything louder, including the lights. JBL has a whole range of such speakers at various price points, giving you some food for thought as to how big you really want to go. the Klangbock (Gen. 3) is a DJ-ready speaker if that's what you're looking for, despite paying upwards of $1,000 for it. On the budget side Anker's Soundcore Trance is not as big as a JBL party box, but has a handle and features a light show and up to 18 hours of battery life.

If you're thinking of a boombox, Monster's Blaster 3.0 is about the same price, except there's not much you can do with the audio profile that's there. Sony has its own SRS-XG500 Boombox for $450 that is more durable thanks to IP66 water and dust resistance.

How long it will take?

Keep it away from water and sand, and you'll likely see this thing play for years. The only other real threat might be playing it too loud for too long, but that's hard to predict. LG built it with components for a wide range of volume levels, so you should be fine. It offers a standard one-year warranty to cover malfunctions but not physical damage.

should you buy it

Yes, as long as it fits what you have in mind. By that I mean a larger speaker that takes up some space and is mostly played indoors or in safer outdoor environments. The app plays a key role in making the XBoom 360 what it is, and learning that part of it could pay dividends when it comes time to entertain a crowd at yours or someone else's.

Editor's Recommendations



21 Jan
Blog

Denon Noise Cancelling Earbuds review: Serious sound value

Denon Noise Canceling Earphones AH-C830NCW.

Denon noise canceling earplugs

RRP $159.00

"Denon nails the basics with great sound and great noise cancellation."

benefits

  • Comfortable fit

  • Outstanding sound quality

  • Very good noise cancellation

  • Very good transparency

  • Good call quality

  • IPX4 water resistance

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • No EQ or control adjustment

  • No bluetooth multipoint

  • Require frequent fit adjustments

Though legendary Japanese audio brand Denon was late to the true wireless earbud party, they've made the plunge with two new budget models – the $159 model AH-C830NCW with active noise cancellation (ANC) and the $99 AH-C630W. We look at the noise-cancelling model to see how Denon's first attempt at true wireless compares to similarly priced earbuds from the leaders in the space.

Known design

Denon noise canceling earbuds (left) and Apple AirPods Pro.Denon Noise Canceling Earbud (left) and Apple AirPods Pro. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It's pretty clear from the start that Denon is making a game for the people who like Apple's AirPods Pro. Placed side by side, the noise-cancelling earbuds and the AirPods Pro look very similar, especially considering the Denons come in white (you can also choose black).

There are some subtle differences: Denon's stems are slightly thicker and feature a sleek chrome-plated tip. And instead of Apple's pinch controls on the stems, Denon uses the more common touch-based style Apple uses on its first- and second-gen AirPods.

Google Fast Pair makes Android connection simple: flip open the cover and tap the connect button on your phone's screen.

In the box, Denon includes three sizes of silicone ear tips to help you get a good seal and a short USB-C charging cable.

The relatively large charging case has a flat base, allowing it to stand on its own, and features a sleek, angled lid that's easy to open and close. Unfortunately, getting the earbuds out of the case can be difficult. The outer shell's super-smooth plastic makes it difficult to get a good grip, so you'll need to master the technique of using your thumb as a lever to slide each earbud out of its socket high enough for you to hold it with your index finger. Unlike the AirPods Pro, the case doesn't support wireless charging.

links

Google Fast Pair screen capture.

Android control center screen capture.

According to Denon, the Noise Canceling Earbuds are Bluetooth Class 1 devices, which usually means they should have a better range than non-Class 1 devices. But I found the range to be about average — 30 to 40 feet indoors and 50 to 60 feet outdoors . Within these distances, the connection was very stable and latency was never an issue when watching videos.

Android users get Google Fast Pair, which makes the initial connection as easy as flipping open the back cover and tapping the connect button on your phone's screen.

Slippery fit

Man with Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds AH-C830NCW.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

When inserted, the Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds are really comfortable. They're just small enough to avoid the feeling of something wedged deep in your ears, but they also offer decent surface contact with your outer ear to keep the buds from moving.

The noise-cancelling earbuds show their greatest strength when it comes to sound quality: they sound fantastic.

But the fit isn't secure enough for reliable use in high-impact activities like running, although with an IPX4 rating they can certainly handle sweat and rain. They also tend to loosen up when you're talking – something that could prevent them from being ideal companions on long Zoom calls. During a recent video call I had to reset them several times.

App-free simplicity?

The Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds AH-C830NCW come with a charging case, earbuds and an adapter.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

In another Apple-like move, Denon keeps things simple with the noise canceling earbuds – all functions are controlled by the buds themselves and there's no Denon companion app for iOS or Android. On the one hand, there is not much to learn. A single tap on the right earbud starts and stops your music, a double tap skips forward, and a triple tap skips back. When a call comes in, a double tap on the right earbud will answer the call and a second double tap will end it. Meanwhile, single taps on the left earbud toggles ANC mode from on to ambient, then off.

But on the downside, the lack of an app means no firmware updates, no EQ or control adjustments, and no advanced features like Fit Tests or Find My Earbuds.

Sensitive control

Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds AH-C830NCW come with a charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The touch controls work really well, but it's very easy to accidentally trigger them when inserting the earbuds or adjusting them in-ear. You'll get a quick feedback tone letting you know a tap has been detected, taking the guesswork out of it, and response times are lightning fast. The noise-cancelling earbuds are also equipped with wear-and-tear sensors that can quickly and reliably pause and play your audio when you remove or reinsert them.

To learn more about all controls, you need to download the user manual from the Denon website. For some reason, the included quick start guide doesn't mention being able to reject calls or mute the mic during a call, both of which are possible.

Constant noises like fans or other machine-based hums are reduced to a whisper.

The only thing missing is a volume control, and there's no way to toggle between ANC and ambient modes without going through off mode.

However, you get access to your phone's assistant and can use each earbud independently for calls and music. When you do this, the playback controls that would normally be on the right earbud are transferred to the left earbud if you're just using that side.

Great sound

Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds AH-C830NCW come with a charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Ultimately, most of us want our earbuds to offer great sound quality above all else. And this is where the noise canceling earbuds show their greatest strength. Denon says it applied its Sound Master tuning to these earbuds. I can't tell you exactly what that means, but I'll tell you one thing: you sound fantastic. Absolutely clear across the frequency range and with a wonderfully wide and precise soundstage, they offer the same level of performance you'll find in true wireless earbuds that cost a lot more, like the excellent $230 Technics EAH-AZ60.

While it's true that there's no way to tweak the EQ settings either with the buds or via an app, I wouldn't change a thing. Low-end bass is punchy but warmly resonant, giving tracks like Hans Zimmer's Time all the depth they deserve, and there's enough midrange detail to have you sinking and discovering (or rediscovering) jazz standards by Miles Davis or The Dave Brubeck Quartet ) can ) items that smaller earbuds would hide.

Whisper quiet

As the name suggests, the Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds feature a hybrid ANC system and it's very impressive. Variable noises like traffic and background conversation are almost completely eliminated, and boomy, consistent noises like fans or other machine-based hum are reduced to a whisper.

I compared Denon's ANC to the very best: Apple AirPods Pro, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds and Sony WF-1000XM4 and it was almost impossible to tell the difference. The Denons produce a very slight hiss when not listening to music and there isn't much external noise to cancel out, but otherwise they do a great job of keeping things nice and quiet.

Transparency mode is almost as good – it lets in a lot of ambient noise but doesn't quite erase the feeling of wearing earbuds like the AirPods Pro can. My only complaint, as I mentioned, is the inability to toggle directly between ANC and transparency.

call quality

Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds AH-C830NCW come with a charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Overall, calling the Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds is very good. External noise is largely suppressed, and your voice will sound rich, not thin and tinny like some earbuds can. There was the occasional wobble, as can happen with any earbud, but I don't think your callers will be bothered by that.

You can also turn on transparency mode during a call, which lets you hear more of everything, including your own voice, and really reduces caller fatigue. If only the earbuds didn't have a habit of coming loose during conversation, they would be ideal.

battery life

Denon claims up to 4.8 hours per charge and 19 hours total if you include the charging case and have ANC enabled. If ANC is switched off, this lasts for up to six or 24 hours. That's about the same as the AirPods Pro, meaning not bad – enough for a full day – but nothing impressive by today's standards. I haven't been able to fully test these claims since the wear sensors can't be bypassed, but based on the remaining battery life shown in my Google Pixel 5's control center, it looks pretty accurate. You'll get an audible low-battery warning from the earbuds, but there's no quick-charge option to top up a low battery.

Our opinion

Although not as fully featured as some Denon true wireless earbuds Noise Canceling Earphones (AH-C830NCW) Absolutely kill it when it comes to sound quality, noise cancellation and value for money.

Is there a better alternative?

Near this price, your best alternatives are:

  • $130 Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro: Better battery life, wireless charging, and customizations, but sound quality and ANC aren't as good.
  • $170 Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro: Better battery life, wireless charging, customizations, and Hi-Res audio on Android devices, but ANC isn't as good.
  • $180 Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless: A more secure fit, tons of app-based adjustments, volume control, and sound and ANC quality to match Denons.

how long will they last

It's always hard to tell with true wireless earbuds, as battery life can drain over time, but the case and earbuds look well made, and the earbuds' IPX4 rating means they're not affected by mild water. Denon backs the noise canceling earbuds with a one-year limited warranty.

Should you buy them?

Yes. As long as you're not bothered by the lack of an app for EQ and control customization, and you're not planning on using them for workouts or sports, the Denon Noise Canceling Earbuds (AH-C830NCW) are excellent value for money given their sound and ANC.

Editor's Recommendations



05 Jan
Blog

Shure Aonic 40: Sound This Good Should Be More Comfortable

Shure Aonic 40 ANC headphones.

Shure Aonic 40 hands-on test: Sound this good should be more pleasant

RRP $ 250.00

"A better headband would make these headphones hard to beat."

benefits

  • Slim design

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Very good call quality

  • Tons of EQ adjustments

  • USB-C digital audio input

disadvantage

  • Uncomfortable with prolonged use

  • No bluetooth multipoint

  • No wear sensors

Shure's latest wireless noise-canceling headphones, the $ 250 Aonic 40, debuted today at CES 2022, and Digital Trends was fortunate to have both hands-on (and audible) use of the new cans before their official unveiling. The judgment? Great sounding customizable headphones that are held back from receiving rave reviews due to an uncomfortable headband design and lack of bluetooth multipoint.

Heavy headphones

Shure Aonic 40 ANC headphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Shure's stylists did a dazzling job of making the Aonic 40 look sleek. Whether in the black or white version, the shaped, one-sided auricle forks give this box a really elegant and slim profile. You will get people's attention. But despite their slim appearance, they're actually quite heavy at 11 ounces. To put that number in perspective, the Sony WH-1000XM4 weighs 8.9 ounces and the Bose QuietComfort 45 weighs just 8.4 ounces.

Just because a number of doses are on the heavy side doesn't mean they are necessarily uncomfortable. After all, Apple's AirPods Max are a whopping 13 ounces, but stay comfortable thanks to their innovative mesh headband and excellent clamping force.

Shure Aonic 40 ANC headphones (headband details).Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Aonic 40 should also be comfortable – it holds your head with just the right amount of pressure and the headband is wrapped in a soft but grippy silicone rubber. Unfortunately, the headband is narrower than most and the part that touches your head is even narrower. Under that layer of rubber is not enough of the padding Shure used.

This all comes together to create a pressure comb that I found passable for the first 30 minutes, but very uncomfortable afterwards. After two hours I couldn't take it anymore. I wondered if it was just me and asked my daughter to try them out. It wasn't 10 seconds before she yanked it off her head and said, "No!"

Another small point of criticism: Our test device had very loose swivel joints on the ear cups, which gave the headphones an inferior feeling.

Satisfactory sound

Man wearing Shure Aonic 40 ANC headphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The comfort issue may not be a problem for everyone and I hope when you buy them you won't mind because once you listen you won't want to take them off.

I was impressed with the level of accuracy and detail Shure put into their Aonic Free True Wireless earbuds, and the Aonic 40 are just as satisfactory. Right out of the box, you get very clear high frequencies and a warm but balanced midrange that reveals many details that fewer headphones can hide.

And unlike the Aonic Free, which might sound a bit cold or harsh at times, the Aonic 40 has a more resonant sound signature. But regardless of whether it is real wireless earbuds or full-size headphones, Shure's insider tip is the ShurePlus Play app. Inside you will find one of the most customizable EQ interfaces on the market. It has useful presets that can quickly change the Aonic 40's tonal character, like Bass Cut, Treble Boost, and Loudness, but it also has a manual mode that gives insane control to those who love to get under the hood.

Even better, if you really like one of the built-in presets but just want to tweak it a little, you can duplicate it, adjust it, and save it as a new preset. Absolutely brilliant.

The Aonic Free comes with an analog cable if you need to connect it or want to use your own digital to analog converter (DAC). You can also use the supplied USB-C cable as a direct digital interface for computers and smartphones, so that the headphones' integrated DAC can handle all difficult tasks. It even works while charging, which few headphones can claim. With support for AAC, aptX, and aptX HD bluetooth codecs, the Aonic 40 checks some of the most important boxes for wireless audio.

Delete calls

Shure Aonic 40 ANC headphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Shure says calling the Aonic 40 is a strength, and I tend to agree. Even when walking on some very busy streets, the microphones managed to keep most of the unwanted noise at bay while my voice remained perfectly clear. Wind noise was noticeable at times, but never a deal breaker. They don't capture quite as much natural response as JBL's outstanding Tour One, but they're more than sufficient for phone calls or video meetings.

Speaking of video calls: The Aonic 40 lacks a very important function for anyone who has to jump back and forth between a computer and a phone: Bluetooth Multipoint, with which you can connect your sockets to two devices at the same time.

With Shure, you can activate a red indicator LED when you are on a call. It would be the perfect way to let others know that you shouldn't be bothered even when you're not speaking, except that it's hidden in the bottom of the left earcup where it's unlikely to be noticed unless you are take a good look at it.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Shure Aonic 40 ANC headphones in carrying case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

As a series of noise canceling cans, the Aonic 40 successfully takes away external noise. You get three ANC levels – easy, normal, and max – but I couldn't see much of a difference between them so I kept them at max the whole time. It's strong enough that you can hear callers or podcasts clearly even in fairly noisy situations, but they're not quite as magically quiet if you can't hear anything like the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 or the Apple AirPods Max, but on the other hand, you are significantly cheaper than these models.

The ambient mode (Shure's name for transparency) is excellent. Fully adjustable and accessible while on the phone, almost convincing yourself that you are not wearing headphones. A special button on the right earcup allows you to switch between the ANC modes. I found it a bit awkward to use, but I love the way it works: a single click takes you from the ANC to ambient mode and then back again, while a long press turns both modes off. It's a much better user interface than other ANC headphones – where you usually choose what that button does in an app rather than giving you all the options.

Controls

Speaking of controls, they're pretty standard: a single button on the left earcup serves as dual power / bluetooth pairing control, while a three-button cluster on the right earcup is used for play, volume, skip tracks, answer / end calls. A dedicated button on the right earcup takes over the ANC and microphone mute during the call.

They're easy to use as long as you're not wearing gloves – but the buttons are too small and too close together to be precise without bare fingers.

One feature we're seeing more and more in wireless headphones is the inclusion of wearing sensors, which automatically pause the music when you take them off your head. Sony's WH-1000XM4 has this, as does Apple's AirPods Max, but it's not limited to high-end models – Wyze & # 39; s excellent and affordable $ 70 Wyze headphones got it too, but Shure didn't add it to the Aonic 40.

Battery life

With 24 hours of playtime, the Aonic Free is pretty safe. This is more than the AirPods Max or Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 (20 hours), less than the Sony WH-1000XM4 (30 hours) and about the same as the Bose QC45 (24 hours). .

We would have preferred Shure to have added more juice to these cans, but considering how heavy they already are, maybe it was the right decision.

Conclusion

When you consider the Aonic 40's competitive price of $ 250 and its many great features, they should be a slam dunk pick. But this uncomfortable headband makes us pause. However, if you have the chance to try them on and the narrow headband doesn't bother you, then you should seriously consider them.

Editor's recommendations



13 Nov
Blog

Technics EAH-AZ60 Review: Shockingly Good Sound And Silence

Technology EAH-AZ60.

Technics EAH-AZ60 in the test: Terrifyingly good sound and silence

RRP $ 230.00

"With fantastic sound and noise canceling, the AZ60 are among the best headphones you can buy."

advantages

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Excellent noise cancellation

  • Hi-Res audio support

  • Hands-free Alexa

  • Bluetooth multipoint

disadvantage

  • No wireless charging

  • No in-ear sensors

We were pretty impressed with the Technics EAH-AZ70 noise canceling True Wireless earbuds. They sounded great and had great noise cancellation. But at $ 250 they were expensive. And a bit bulky. So if Technics could address this problem and maybe even add some extra functionality, that would make the AZ70 even more attractive. Apparently, Technics said "challenge accepted" because its latest project, the $ 230 EAH-AZ60, does just that. How much better are the new earbuds? Let's check them out.

Still challenging, but now slimmer

Technology EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The first thing that strikes you about the AZ60 is how much smaller it is than the AZ70. I'm not sure how this is possible as they still weigh the same (7 grams per earbud) but have better battery life and one more microphone per earbud (eight total). Definitely well done Technics. They no longer stick out of your ears, and when you sit them side by side with other earbuds in the $ 200-300 range like Sony's WF-1000XM4 or Jabra's Elite 85t, the AZ60s are actually a bit smaller.

The charging case is also much smaller. No AirPods Pro small, but very slim and very practical. What hasn't changed is the styling. Whether you get the black or silver version, the AZ60 has a sleek design with polished and brushed accents that look very high quality – the perfect antidote to Apple's ubiquitous white plastic buds. With IPX4 protection, they even turn your daily training into an upscale event.

Smaller buds = comfortable fit

Man wears Technics EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It might seem obvious, but smaller earbuds generally offer a more comfortable fit. But not always. Sometimes a strange shape can cause pressure, and sometimes the box doesn't contain enough eartip sizes for your particular ear shape. Fortunately, the AZ60 doesn't suffer from either of these problems.

Their rounded contours completely fill the conchas of my ears, but do so without any discomfort. And with seven sizes of silicone earbuds to choose from, most people should be able to find something that works for them. After several hours of use, my ears definitely needed a break, but I was never bothered by these buds.

It can be that quiet

Technology EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

We found that the AZ70 has excellent Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and the AZ60 is just as impressive. The current gold standard is the Bose QuietComfort earbuds, but the AZ60 are so good that I can hardly tell the difference between the two products. This applies to both consistent, booming noises like the bathroom fan standing two and a half meters from my desk at home, as well as inconsistent noises like traffic or conversations. They say silence is golden. Well, if silence is what you're looking for, the AZ60s are gold and more.

These earbuds also have a transparency mode and you can easily switch between it and ANC with a long press on the right earbud. It's not quite as magically clear as the AirPods Pro, but it lets in a lot of sound – more than enough for heightened situational awareness. There's also a setting in the Technics Audio Connect app that can set the transparency mode to only enhance voices to make it easier to chat with others.

Sweet sound

Technology EAH-AZ60.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The AZ60 retains Technics' energetic sound signature with incredible clarity in the mids and highs. It's the kind of precision with which you can hear details in your favorite tracks that smaller earbuds or headphones usually obscure. In the opening bars of Sia's Saved My Life, which include notes played on a piano, you can actually hear the sound of the damper pads rising and falling on the piano strings. If you hear Sweet Jane the Cowboy Junkies from their Trinity Session album, you can hear the faint echo of the drums from the recording room. This precision creates excellent stereo imaging and a soundstage that invites you to reach out and touch the instruments.

The bass response is tightly controlled – always there when you need it, but never overwhelming. It's a bit too controlled for my taste, but purists looking for a balanced or neutral sound would likely disagree. The Audio Connect app gives you several options for changing the EQ with four presets and one that you can adjust via a five-band slider. For me, the unadulterated factory tuning was the most satisfying. The Dynamic preset adds a generous amount of emphasis to the entire spectrum, but it boils over the high frequencies, making cymbals and other sibilants too sharp.

It's also worth noting that the AZ60 is one of the few wireless earbuds you can buy that support Sony's LDAC bluetooth codec, which in theory should enable Hi-Res wireless audio if you can with an LDAC enabled Pair your phone (currently Android models only). as Apple does not support LDAC). As a test, I swapped back and forth between an iPhone 11 (AAC codec) and a Pixel 5 (LDAC) with various lossless audio tracks from Tidal HiFi. There is indeed a difference, but it is incredibly subtle. LDAC creates a smoother sound signature that attenuates some of the higher frequencies. There's a little more detail too, but you have to be very careful to hear it.

But whether you use LDAC or not, the AZ60 delivers incredible sound quality. In head-to-head comparisons with Sony's $ 280 WF-1000XM4, Master & Dynamic's $ 299 MW08, KEF's $ 230 Mu3, and Grado's $ 259 GT220 – all top notch audio performers – the AZ60 can hold its own, which makes it an exceptional value considering its price and other features.

Double dip devices

The AZ60 lacks Google Fast Pair or Apple's one-tap pairing, but that's no big deal. The first time you pull the buds out of their case, they'll go into pairing mode and from there you just select them from your device's bluetooth menu. Once paired, the connection is reliably strong and consistent. I found myself up to 15 meters from my phone outdoors, but sometimes only 6 meters when walking between floors.

But what I really like about the AZ60 is its ability to make multi-point Bluetooth connections – a rarity among true wireless earbuds. In this way you can connect the headphones to your phone and, for example, your PC at the same time. You can stream music from your computer and when your phone rings just stop the music and take the call – the AZ60 switch seamlessly, with just a split second in the audio. If you're multitasking between devices (and who doesn't these days?) This is a super handy feature.

Delete calls

Speaking of taking calls, the AZ60 is very suitable for making calls. However, note the settings in the Audio Connect app. It offers an option to increase background noise reduction, and I have found that doing so can significantly reduce the clarity of your voice under certain circumstances – which is the opposite of the intended effect. Using the regular settings is probably all you need.

The earbuds are equipped with what Technics calls "JustMyVoice" – a fourth microphone used to detect speech – which the company claims can isolate and amplify words and minimize ambient noise. It seems to work, but I'd argue that Jabra's Elite 7 Pro is still better for calling in noisy environments.

A little help, Alexa?

Screenshot of the Technics Audio Connect app.The AZ60 lets you activate your phone's built-in voice assistant, but if you're an Amazon Alexa fan, you can use Amazon's AI. instead of this. The advantage of this is hands-free access to the wake-up word – just say "Alexa, …" followed by any of the usual commands you might need, including phone functions like volume ("Alexa, volume, 50%") or playback (" Alexa, (Play / Pause) "). While this is slowly becoming a more common feature, we've only seen it on a handful of earbuds like the Sony WF-1000XM4, JBL Tour Pro +, and of course Amazon's Echo Buds.

Total control

While I'm not a huge fan of touch controls, Technics did a really good job with the AZ60's touch sensors. They are responsive, easy to type precisely, and offer a small tone for every successful tap. The Audio Connect app allows you to tweak any gesture to perform any of the available activities (play / pause, skip tracks, volume up / down, ANC / transparency, voice assistant, answer / end call and microphone mute). I've only seen this level of customization on the Jabra Elite series and it's a fantastic integration from Technics. Technics also offers a Find My Earbuds option that tracks the last known whereabouts of your buds and lets you turn on a chime so you can find them.

The only thing missing are in-ear sensors that automatically pause / resume music playback when you remove or reinsert the earbuds.

Sufficient power

Technics EAH-AZ60 charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The only thing that is average about the AZ60 is the battery life. You get roughly seven hours per charge (give or take 30 minutes if you use ANC or not) and the charging case can extend that to 24-25 hours of total playtime. This is neither extraordinary nor unacceptable – most people will find it perfectly adequate for a full day.

There's a quick charge option, but it's not particularly noteworthy: 15 minutes will give you 70 or 80 minutes of extra usage.

As with any earbuds or headphones that enable the LDAC codec, using this feature will drain the battery much faster, so a single charge of the earbuds will reduce the life of the earbuds to 4.5 hours of use if you also turn on ANC.

This brings us to the only other feature that Technics has omitted: wireless charging for the case.

Our opinion

Great sound, impressive ANC, comfortable and secure fit, high-resolution LDAC support and tons of features – all at a price that beats most of the competition. Yes, we are big fans of the Technology EAH-AZ60 and we think you will be too.

Is there a better alternative?

There are only two other products to consider before purchasing the Technics EAH-AZ60:

$ 280 Sony WF-1000XM4: This is the upgrade selection. It has everything the AZ60 can do, plus wireless charging, Alexa or Google Assistant of your choice, and in-ear sensors that automatically pause music when you speak or when you remove an earbud. But the earbuds are bigger and less comfortable, especially for people with smaller ears.

$ 200 Jabra Elite 7 Pro: These earbuds don't have the exceptional sound quality of the AZ60 (although, in fairness, they still sound really good) or the Alexa speakerphone, but they cost less, are smaller, and more convenient, plus they're completely waterproof, and have on-ear sensors and wireless charging.

How long will they last?

This question is always difficult to answer, but with an IPX4 rating and what appears to be a very good build quality, they should last for many years. Panasonic backs Technics' true wireless earbuds with a one-year warranty.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. They're one of the best sets of true wireless earbuds we've ever tested.

Editor's recommendations



04 Nov
Blog

Sony WF-C500 Earbuds Review: Small Buds, Big Sound

Sony WF-C500 true wireless earbuds.

Sony WF-C500 earphones

RRP $ 100.00

"The base buds from Sony are the most comfortable so far and they have that Sony sound."

advantages

  • Great Sony sound

  • Very comfortable fit

  • Excellent controls

  • Amazing earbuds battery life

disadvantage

  • Mediocre total battery life

  • No transparency mode

  • No sidetone on calls

Sony is no stranger to true wireless earbuds. It sells some of the best we've ever tested, like the WF-1000XM4 for $ 280, the WF-1000XM3 for $ 200, and the WF-SP800N for $ 200.

But Sony has been reluctant to step into the more budget-friendly end of the market. That is, until the WF-C500 hit the market for $ 100, its smallest and most affordable true wireless earbuds yet. But to bring the price down, Sony had to cut away many of the features that made its other models so compelling. Did it go too far? Let's take a look.

That Sony sound

Sony WF-C500 true wireless earbuds.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I've tested a lot of Sony headphones and earbuds, and one thing I've found to be consistent is Sony's sound signature. It tends to be warm, like getting a bear hug from your favorite songs. Bass is always solid but rarely intrusive, and there is usually a nice amount of detail and separation in the mids, upper-mids, and high frequencies. The good news for Sony fans is that the C500 doesn't deviate from this sound formula – they sound rich and full, and the Sony Headphones app gives you the same amount of EQ tweaking that you get in the company's flagship earbuds Find. the 1000XM4.

You can sit the C500 as low as you want and once in place it won't move at all.

I'm not saying the C500 sounds as good as the XM4 – if they did it would be a miracle given the price – but they can do very well with any other set of earbuds I've tested on the same or similar prices, such as Jabra Elite 3, Soundcore Life P3, Sennheiser CX True Wireless and Wyze Buds Pro. If you're a fan of ultra-clear high frequencies, the C500 may sound a bit muffled, but again, the app's EQ adjustments can help a lot in getting the exact sound you want.

There is very good stereo separation. And the C500's soundstage, while not as wide or deep as its more expensive siblings, is still large enough to make you feel like your music is around you, not buried in your skull. I've found the shape of the buds to provide excellent noise isolation. While there is no active noise cancellation (ANC), you may not feel its absence too clearly.

The C500 are equipped with the quality-enhancing DSEE technology from Sony, which increases the sound quality even more, especially when listening to highly compressed digital music.

Great fit

Sony WF-C500 true wireless earbuds side by side with Sony WF-1000XM4.Sony WF-C500 (left) and Sony WF-1000XM4 Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

As much as I admire the way Sony earbuds sound and (if applicable) cancel noise, they aren't always the most comfortable headphones. The WF-1000XM3 and SP800N stick out of the ears a little awkwardly, and the WF-1000XM4 takes up a lot of space in the concha, which will be a challenge for those with smaller ears. The C500, on the other hand, are far more comfortable. They still fill your entire outer ear like the XM4, but they're just a little smaller.

These are good controls – their surface area is almost the same size as the earbuds so you can't miss them.

It doesn't look like much of a difference if you sit them next to each other, but in your ear it's a different story. You can sit them as low as you want and once placed they won't move at all. Combine this with their IPX4 water and sweat resistance and you have a nice little set of companions that will make runners and other fitness enthusiasts pretty happy, but with one major caveat: there is no transparency mode so you need to be extra vigilant when You wear them while around potential safety hazards like traffic.

Big buttons

Sony WF-C500 true wireless earbuds.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Another first for the WF-C500 is the use of oversized, physical buttons. In the past, Sony preferred touch controls on their earbuds, which work well, but I'll be using physical buttons instead of touch controls every day. And those are good controls – their surface area is almost the same size as the earbuds themselves, so you can't miss them. They take almost no force to push (sometimes a good thing, sometimes not) and provide a nice tactile click when you push them. They're not quite as satisfactory to use as Jabra's buttons, but they come very close to them.

The WF-C500 lacks some helpful functions such as transparency mode and auto-pause.

There's no way to change how the buttons are controlled, but you get pretty much everything you need: play / pause, skip forward / back tracks, answer / end a call, increase / decrease volume, and trigger voice assistant. You can also use the earbuds independently for music and calls, but depending on which you choose, you will lose access to the volume or track skip features.

Best (and worst?) Battery

Sony sometimes makes mind-boggling choices, like the tiny USB charging cables it includes with its full-size headphones or the inconsistent support for Bluetooth codecs. With the C500, I find it difficult to understand why the company decided to adorn the earbuds with a phenomenal battery life of 10 hours (certainly one of the largest capacities at this price), but then decided to charge the same time to give case.

Typically, you can expect between two and three full charges on a charging case. If this had been the case with the C500, Sony could have created a fantastic total gaming experience of 30 to 40 hours. But with only 20 total hours, these earbuds actually land on the lower end of the real wireless spectrum, which is a shame. A quick charge option gives you an extra hour of playtime with just 10 minutes of charging time.

case closed

Sony WF-C500 true wireless earbuds.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I won't say much about the charging case of the WF-C500. It doesn't offer wireless charging, but its compact, rounded shape sits comfortably in the hand or pocket. The earbuds snap on and off with ease, and the case lid opens and closes with a nice, precise movement. The LED indicator lights on the housing and the buds are visible through the translucent plastic of the lid.

Answer call (inside)

Call quality on the C500 can be very good, but you have to choose your moments. They don't do very well for external noise cancellation and loud noises like traffic or wind drown your voice. But when you go to a quiet place it's a whole different experience – your voice will come across with a lot of clarity and detail. Unfortunately, even in quiet places, you will find that the sound of your own voice is muffled because the C500 does not listen in on calls.

Didn't make the cut

So what did Sony leave out functionally to offer the WF-C500 for $ 100? Quite a lot:

  • Wireless charging
  • Active noise cancellation
  • Transparency mode
  • In-ear sensors for autoplay / pause
  • Fit test for earplugs
  • Customizable controls
  • Sidetone for calls

Our opinion

Man with Sony WF-C500 True Wireless Earbuds.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The WF-C500 are a very comfortable set of true wireless earphones with excellent sound quality. They're missing some helpful features like transparency mode and auto-pause, and their overall battery life is a bit anemic, but they're still a good buy for Sony fans looking for a budget-friendly set of buds.

Is there a better alternative?

Yeah, I think Jabra is $ 80 Elite 3 manages to offer more advantages and a lower price point than the WF-C500, which means that you should definitely consider these before buying the Sonys.

The Elite 3 has a transparency mode that comes in very handy for people who wear their earbuds for hours or even just jogging around the neighborhood.

They are extremely comfortable, have better dust and water protection (IP55) and while they don't last as long on a single charge (7 hours versus 10 hours), the overall time is better (28 hours versus 20 hours). . The Jabra Sound + app can even track the last known location of the Elite 3.

The sound quality is very comparable, but here I give the C500 a bit of an edge if for no reason other than Sony you can customize the C500's EQ in more ways, and its DSEE technology can definitely improve the sound of some digital music.

How long will they last?

It's always hard to tell if you've only had a short amount of time with a product like this, but the WF-C500 appears to be very well built and will likely prove to be quite rugged. However, their biggest advantage in terms of longevity is their battery capacity. As a product ages and you go through multiple charge / discharge cycles, its capacity decreases. If you only start with four to five hours, you will only be able to see two hours after a few years. Even if the C500 drops 50% of its capacity (a worst case scenario), they can still last longer than a brand new set of Apple AirPods Pro.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. You can find other earbuds that cost less and have more features, but what is it? WF-C500 do, they do it very well.

Editor's recommendations



17 Sep
Blog

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ Review: Big Buds, Big Sound

With both earbuds removed, open the Beoplay EQ case.

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ in the test: big buds, big sound – big price

RRP $ 399.00

“Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay EQ true wireless earbuds are $ 400, so is the price justified? Yes, if you value tradition, excellent workmanship and construction as well as a distinctive sound signature. "

advantages

  • Pronounced signature sound

  • Long range, reliable Bluetooth

  • Wireless charging

  • High quality metal components and housing

  • Effective adaptive ANC

disadvantage

  • Earphones don't always sit properly in the case

  • No adjustment for touch controls

  • No support for virtual assistants

There has been some talk at Digital Trends lately about not really having to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good pair of true wireless earbuds. I recently enjoyed the $ 99 Nothing Ear 1 earbuds while my colleague Simon Cohen tested a number of similar models and concluded that $ 100 is more than enough to get a great one, unless of course , You are a true audiophile pair of true wireless earbuds.

Where's the $ 400 Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ? It's all about heritage, audio appreciation, and the very big sound they deliver that opens your wallet a little bit more.

draft

It is immediately clear that the Beoplay EQ are not small earbuds. The case is considerably larger than an Apple AirPods Pro-Bud and even larger than the Beoplay E8-Bud. That means they stick out quite a bit from your ear and are definitely not subtle. Each weighs 8 grams, so you can feel them in your ear more than a lighter bud like the Apple AirPods Pro. But the metal case and glossy end caps with the eye-catching B&O logo look great. The box contains four silicone earbuds that offer a flexible size selection for even the smallest ears.

Beoplay EQ earbuds on an iPhone 12 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

However, I initially had problems holding the Beoplay EQs securely in my ears. The large silicone tips were too big and the middle ones a bit too small, so that you can quickly get started with activities. Fortunately, Bang & Olufsen includes a pair of Comply Sport 200 foam nibs in the package. They are really excellent and immediately resolved the fit issue. In addition, they also helped to minimize the effects of weight, and I found them extremely comfortable to wear for a long time, with slight fatigue not showing up until about four hours.

The earphones are housed in a stylish aluminum case in the colors Black Anthracite or Sand Gold. It's a discreetly designed piece with Bang & Olufsen branding on the top of the case and a non-slip base so it doesn't slip off the table. It looks really great. The buds are held at an angle on the inside and are very easy to remove, but putting them back in is tedious. They are held magnetically, but you need to be very precise when inserting them correctly or the buds will not sit or charge. It just needs to be slightly out of alignment too.

I often listen to podcasts to help me fall asleep and in my semi-awake state it was frustrating to play around with the case and earbuds and most of the time I would wake up in the morning to find that an earbud was not inserted properly and not charged. Once you know you need to check this out, it probably won't happen, but it's nothing like other true wireless earbuds that suggests the pretty case is all form over function.

Hold the Beoplay EQ cabinet.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

There's a tiny LED light on the outside that shows the charge level, but the top of the case doesn't seem to have a magnet to keep it securely closed, or if it does, it's pretty dim. However, it's compact and much more practical than the leather-covered case of the Beoplay E8, as the aluminum case should look better for longer.

You certainly pay a premium for the quality workmanship and materials, as well as the brand name, but there's nothing really wrong with that, especially when the product is as stylish, portable and classy as the Beoplay EQ.

Controls and functions

The earbuds connect via Bluetooth 5.2, which offers excellent range and rock-solid reliability, and use Qualcomm's AptX Adaptive Codec, so they deliver the same sound quality as AptX and AptX HD, but adapt to the best possible sound depending on the audio source and environment Quality play. The earbuds also support AAC and SBC codecs.

Beoplay EQ with app on the iPhone 12 Pro.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You interact with the EQs via touch-sensitive controls that have to learn a plethora of gestures, differ for each bud and cannot be adjusted in the app. There are too many double-tap commands and the earbuds get confused. For example, you can double-tap the left bud to toggle between Active Noice Canceling (ANC) modes, but you can also double-tap and hold to decrease the volume. It's okay to sit still, but difficult to modulate when you're moving. Also, due to the sensitivity of the controls, it is far too easy to pause playback while temporarily adjusting the fit of an earbud.

The Beoplay EQ is Bang & Olufsen's first pair of true wireless earphones with Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (AANC). This clever technology uses the six omnidirectional microphones in the earphones to adapt the ANC in real time to the ambient noise in your environment. Think of it as a more personalized version of the normal ANC. I used the EQs indoors and outdoors and didn't really notice the adaptive part, and think that's a pretty good thing. Most of the time it kept ANC active and only slipped into transparency mode a few times. Since I was one of those times having a conversation outside, it seems to be working fine. A function that B&O calls "Own Voice" made me sound less echo in my ears even in transparency mode.

Beoplay EQ earbuds in the ear.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I found ANC mode's isolation very effective, minimizing all noise in my house and on the street, even if I only heard the spoken word. I didn't notice any added pressure in my ears, but there is a small hiss when the ANC is on and nothing is playing. The adaptive part can be deactivated in the app if you prefer manual control of the ANC. I also like that you can only use one earbud at a time which is handy for making calls.

The included app has an adjustable equalizer mode, a battery indicator for each earbud and the case, and a few other settings, including turning on an automatic standby mode where the earbuds turn off after 15 minutes of inactivity. What's unusual about Beoplay EQ is that there's no way to use a virtual assistant, a feature found on most competing earphones regardless of price.

sound

The Beoplay EQ is equipped with 6.8mm electrodynamic drivers and Bang & Olufsen has not held back when it comes to tuning. The earbuds are pretty big, but the sound is bigger. From the wide soundstage to the deep, powerful bass and breathtaking voice control, the Beoplay EQs sound fantastic. I've heard with an iPhone 12 Pro, an iPad Pro (2020), a OnePlus Nord 2, and an Asus Zenfone 8.

The old Beoplay H8 were the first headphones I really loved, and the Beoplay EQs remind me: they're full of depth, energy, warmth and detail. I far prefer the sound here from the Beoplay E8s, which for some reason never quite hits the sweet spot. What I mean? When everything comes together just right. It struck me especially when I was listening to Yasashii Dake Nara from Nogizaka46, where the sweet but powerful vocals shine, but are not quite as up front on the soundstage as, for example, headphones from Audio-Technica, which gives you the orchestra in this special way appreciate can pursue even more. The Beoplay EQs get it right.

The top of the Beoplay EQ cabinet.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The back of the Beoplay EQ cabinet.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Beoplay EQ earphones in a case.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Beoplay EQ earphones are pulled out of the case when viewed from the side.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

CloZees Inner Peace demonstrates both the wide soundstage and the details, along with the sheer power of the Beoplay EQ. There is nice, thick bass everywhere, with the entire synthesizer madness of the track remaining clear and defined. The complex bassline in Red Velvets Queendom remains controlled and never overwhelms the vocals while still delivering the required level of warm thump. In my ears I find the way B&O tunes the bass to be preferred over the Sennheiser, for example, with more authority and a harder punch.

You pay a lot for the Beoplay EQ, but that's why. You are not getting an off-the-shelf audio tune from a newbie, but rather all of Bang & Olufsen's 95 years of experience in beautifully designed and engineered earphones. Big and bold, but full of delicious detail, the EQs deliver all of this remarkable legacy straight to your ears. If you like this, you will be very happy with your purchase.

Battery and charging

B&O states that the battery provides approximately 6.5 hours of playback with ANC or 7.5 hours without ANC. The case stores enough energy for two more charges and takes an hour and 40 minutes to charge. In my experience, the EQs seem to come very close to the times stated by B&O and come in use after about six hours before they have to be charged with the ANC switched on.

The charging port on the Beoplay EQ case.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The case has a USB Type-C port on the back, or you can use a Qi wireless charging pad to charge it. I used the bottom plate on the Belkin Boost Charge 3-in-1 and it worked with no issues.

Price and availability

The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EQ is available now through Bang & Olufsen online and in its retail stores for $ 399 in the US or £ 349 in the UK.

Our opinion

If your mission is to pay the least amount for a new pair of true wireless headphones, the Beoplay EQs are not for you. What do you get for four times the price of the Nothing Ear 1, for example? On up to 100 years of musical knowledge and high-quality product design. As much as I like the Nothing earphones, the quality is nowhere near the Beoplay EQs. The workmanship of the housing, the feel of the metal and the safety and comfort of the compliance tips provided make the EQs stand out as a quality product even before you hear them.

The sound is almost perfectly matched, ready for a bombastic or relaxing listening pleasure, depending on the mood and choice of music. The ANC kept the outside world away from my ears and the transparency mode isn't intrusive or too artificial. The 6 hour usage and two extra charges from the case mean it will last a couple of weeks (work) if you use it for a couple of hours or so per day.

With Beoplay EQ, you pay for quality, from design and construction to sound and battery life. Not all of these aspects are indispensable for everyone, but the Beoplay EQ brings them all together in one very desirable package for those who expect a little more from headphones.

Is there a better alternative?

The high price of the Beoplay EQ means you have to be really taken with the brand's style. Anyone looking for just a pair of true wireless earbuds would be well advised to check out the cheaper options, including the Nothing Ear 1, but if you're looking for higher quality sound, a distinctive audio signature and are looking to spend more money, then Beoplay EQs are good choices, but there are others to consider.

The $ 280 Sony WF-1000XM4 are our current top pick for true wireless earbuds and are notoriously hard to beat for sound quality, plus they feature adaptive active noise cancellation. Anyone who wants to spend that much on true wireless earbuds is likely to be heavily influenced by style and sound quality as well. The $ 299 Master & Dynamic MW08 looks and sounds great, and the boutique audio brand has a distinctive and always very enjoyable sound signature. his own, similar to B&O. That's before you consider Apple's AirPods Pro and a host of others.

How long will they last?

The earphones have a waterproof rating of IP54, so they are protected against sweat and dust and should also be used in the rain. The aluminum case has not yet been scratched and will certainly protect the earphones well. Bang & Olufsen has already delivered a software update since it was launched in mid-August, which is installed via the app. All of this, along with great sound, means you should be happy with Beoplay EQs for years after you buy them.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you value brand heritage, quality and a distinctive signature sound, the Beoplay EQ is well worth the enjoyment.

Editor's recommendations



01 Jul
Blog

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 Review: Elegant Style, Big Bass Sound

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds in their charging case.

"The PI5 is sleek and stylish and offers an alternative to white plastic earphones."

  • Simple, elegant design

  • Comfortable

  • Wireless charging

  • Effective ANC

  • Wear sensors

  • Full, rich sound

  • Cumbersome transparency controls

  • No EQ settings

  • No adjustment of the control

  • Some bluetooth connection problems

It took Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) longer than expected to launch its first true wireless earbuds, but they're finally here: the $ 400 flagship PI7 and the downward model PI5, which costs $ 250. The sleek looking earbuds came out at a crucial time when most brands are already working on their second, third, or even fourth generation products after years of learning and making improvements. Can B&W get in with a first-gen product at a great price and compete with established companies like Sony, Bose, Jabra and JBL?

I put the B&W PI5 through its paces.

What's in the box?

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones and Accessories.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Not only is B&W a little late for the real wireless party, but it also seems to have missed the memo on sustainable packaging. Although the box is relatively small, it has embedded magnets, foam pads, and fully coated surfaces that make recycling difficult, if not impossible.

Inside you will find the PI5 already in its charging case, two additional sizes of earplugs, some paper documents and a generously long USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Unfortunately, B&W failed to add a USB-A to USB-C adapter for those of us who don't have a readily available USB-C port or charger.

The earbuds manage to look smaller in your ear than other earbuds thanks to their terraced shape.

design

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds in their charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

B&W has a flair for sophisticated designs. Whether it's the company's PX7 full-size headphones or the Formation wireless speakers, it's all about sleek elegance. The PI5 shares this design language with smooth lines and subtle accents such as the spiral texture on the outer touch control surface and an aluminum ring with the B&W brand.

Thanks to their terraced shape, the earbuds look smaller in your ear than on the Sony WF-1000XM4, Jabra Elite 85t and JBL Tour Pro +.

They can be easily removed from their wireless charging case and the case's magnets are just the right strength to hold the earphones precisely in place – don't worry about incorrectly aligned charging contacts.

The lid of the case can be opened and closed easily and easily and the large LED display on the front allows you to quickly check the charging status as well as the status of the buds when docked.

The case is just small enough to put in your pocket. The only catch with the otherwise beautiful design is the plastic selection chosen by B&W for the case: Even after unpacking the case, the case was covered with fingerprints and the factory condition could not be restored even by careful polishing with a soft cloth.

They don't look like that, but the PI5 are IP54 certified for good dust resistance and moderate water resistance. However, the case is not protected against dust or water, so you should clean the earbuds before replacing them.

Comfort, controls and connections

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5's sleek lines don't suggest a lot of comfort, but I found them very comfortable. The inner part of the earplugs is gently curved, while the outer part sits in the concha, where it, together with the silicone earplugs, holds the earplugs in position.

You want to move quickly from hearing nothing to hearing as much as possible. But there is simply no way to do that.

They may not be entirely safe for high energy workouts, but I think most people will find them suitable for their daily treadmill or treadmill routine.

As with most touch controls, there are times when typing on the PI5 has not been registered, but B&W includes a feedback tone so you know when you typed correctly. There's no way to change the gestures – you get play / pause, answer / end call, skip forward / back tracks, and access to the voice assistant. The volume control needs to be done on the phone (or you can ask Siri / Google Assistant to do it).

There's also the option to toggle active noise cancellation with a tap-and-hold gesture on the left earbud, but I'm not crazy about it. In my opinion, the opposite of ANC on is not ANC off, but transparency mode on. You want to move quickly from not hearing the outside world to hearing as much as possible. But there is simply no way to do that. To switch from ANC (on or off) to transparency you need to use a control buried in the B&W Headphones app.

Bowers & Wilkins headphone app with ANC control.

Bowers & Wilkins headphone app with advanced settings.

Oddly enough, it is possible to have both ANC and Transparency mode enabled at the same time, which makes no sense at all. This is a major oversight that the company will hopefully fix with a firmware update as soon as possible.

The PI5 are equipped with wear sensors (which can be disabled in the app) and they are very accurate, pausing and resuming the music almost immediately when you remove or replace an earbud.

When testing the B&W PI7, we noticed some pretty flaky Bluetooth connections, but the PI5 were mostly reliable. Your wireless range is perfectly acceptable when you have your phone with you: 35 feet outside and 6 feet or so inside, but if you need to roam more, you're likely to experience dropouts.

I had a couple of glitches getting the PI5 to reconnect after putting it back in its case. It often took a few moments for the earbuds to turn on and then another five to 10 seconds to reconnect to my phone.

Once the earphones switched off the microphone part of the connection without warning. About halfway through a recording, they just stopped working and I had no idea until I played the recording.

On some tracks, the lower mid-range may sound a little distorted.

On the plus side, the PI5 can remember the last four paired devices, and the app lets you choose which of them to try first when you pull the earbuds out of their cases (or you can choose "last paired" as the default). You can also use each earbud independently.

Sound quality

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds are worn.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5 has a very forward-looking sound signature that gives the music a warm, rich, and full reproduction. That bass really lets you feel the dark sounds of a track like Hans Zimmer's Time, but it lacks the subtlety of Sony's WF-1000XM4 that can better bring out the little nuances.

The challenge here is that B&W does not offer any EQ adjustments within the app. On some tracks, like Dominique Fils-Aimés Home, where deep acoustic bass and drums are accompanied by sultry vocals, the lower mids can sound a bit distorted. This becomes more noticeable as you turn up the volume. It's not a deal breaker, and despite the lack of low-end precision, there is excellent clarity in the upper mids and highs, which makes the vocal performance really enjoyable.

The PI5 are equipped with Qualcomm's aptX Bluetooth codec, which is said to offer slightly better performance than AAC, but I couldn't make out any difference when switching back and forth between an iPhone 11 (AAC) and a Google Pixel 5 (aptX). .

For less expensive earbuds, I'd probably overlook this, but at $ 250, the PI5 stands up against great audio performers like the $ 200 Sennheiser CX 400BT, $ 230 Jabra Elite 85t, and $ 230 KEF MU3, the all have excellent frequency separation.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5's active noise cancellation is very good. It was able to completely block the noise from my loud bathroom fan from six feet away, and it also adapted well to traffic and construction site noise as I walked through my neighborhood. It's actually a remarkable feat considering the earbuds only have two microphones. Most of the ANC earbuds that do this good require three microphones.

When melodies are not playing you can only make out a tiny hiss, but it's insignificant and easily ignored.

The transparency mode, which you can fine-tune to let in more or less sound, is very good too, but doesn't quite match the AirPods Pro's creepy ability to make it seem like you're not wearing any earbuds at all.

As I said above, the big problem is not being able to switch between ANC and transparency quickly and easily.

Battery life

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earbud Charging Case.

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earbud Charging Case.

B&W states a battery life of 4.5 hours per charge for the earphones with the ANC switched on, which can be extended by another 20 hours with the charging case for about 24.5 hours of use before a cord or wireless charger is required. The PI5 is on par with the AirPods Pro, but is still at the lower end of the range of current true wireless earbuds.

In testing, I found these numbers a bit optimistic. With the ANC switched on and the volume set to 50%, I only have a little more than four hours of playing time.

However, there is a quick charge function that could help with range anxiety: 15 minutes in the sockets gives two hours of additional gaming time.

Call quality

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds are worn.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I found the PI5 did a good job of canceling out background noise during a call. Some wind noise wasn't a problem either. But B&W may need to increase the gain on the microphones – my voice sometimes sounded a bit far away.

You can switch to transparency mode (from within the app) during a call, which really helps you hear your own voice more clearly.

I'm just not sure what to make of the microphone dropout issue mentioned above. If that happened all the time during phone calls, it would become a major nuisance.

Extras

In the B&W Headphones app you will find a number of six “soundscapes” such as waves or forest noises, all of which can be set with a timer to help you fall asleep. These might be helpful for getting 40 winks while flying, but I doubt most people will want to wear these earbuds to bed.

Our opinion

The PI5 brings B & W's famous elegance and sophistication to the true world of wireless earbuds, but a few weaknesses keep them from usurping the ruling brands at this price point.

Is there a better alternative?

At the same price as the PI5, Apple's AirPods Pro provide a better overall experience for everything but sound quality. They are smaller, more comfortable, and have better ANC and transparency modes.

For a non-Apple alternative, that's $ 230 Jabra Elite 85t are superb, with better sound quality, better battery life, lots of customization options, and more useful and effective ANC and transparency modes.

For even more savings, try the $ 199 JBL Tour Pro + – their bass isn't as powerful, but just as good or better than the PI5 in every other way.

How long will they last?

B&W backs the PI5 with a two-year warranty that's twice the average for true wireless earbuds. They look very well made and with their IP54 protection class should withstand most activities unscathed. My only concern is the battery. All batteries lose capacity over time, so it's not ideal for your earbuds to last for 4.5 hours or less – this can easily drop to just two hours after a year or two of regular use.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you can overcome your cumbersome ANC / transparency controls, the B&W PI5 offers a very stylish and sonorous alternative to the current noise-canceling true wireless earbuds.

Editor's recommendations



27 Mar
Blog

Master & Dynamic MW08 Review: Revel In The Sublime Sound

Master & Dynamic MW08

Master & Dynamic MW08 Review: Indulge in the sublime sound

"The wonderful sound quality makes the MW08 an excellent choice for audiophiles."

  • Beautiful design and materials

  • Very convenient

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Really long battery life

  • Effective transparency mode

  • Good call quality

  • Simple and intuitive controls

  • Expensive

  • Limited customization

  • No wireless charging

  • No EQ adjustments

  • Poor ANC performance

Master & Dynamic (M&D) may not have the brand awareness of Sony, Apple, Bose, or Sennheiser, but the New York City-based boutique audio company has made some really standout headphones and earphones. The latest of these is the $ 299 MW08, the successor to the excellent MW07 Plus, which is now set to drop to $ 249 in price. With new materials, better Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and improved battery life, here's what you can expect from the MW08.

What's in the box?

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

First of all, I would like to take a moment to praise the MW08's box itself. It is a master class how to create an elegant package for a high-end product from 100% easily recyclable materials. It even has a book hinge design that stays closed without the use of embedded magnets. This is how all the electronics should be shipped.

The extremely sustainable box contains the earphones, your charging case, a cord denim carrying case, four sizes of silicone rubber earplugs (in addition to the pre-installed set) as well as a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, a USB -C to USB-A adapter (thanks M&D!) And some quick guides in paper form.

design

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Master & Dynamic attaches great importance to the appearance of its products. The MW07 Plus was available in a wide range of 10 colors and styles (28 if you include M & D's partnerships with brands like Nike and Leica), most of which had a unique pattern and gave them a handmade feel. The MW08 continues this tradition, but places greater emphasis on simplicity: It is available in four single-color combinations of earphones and charging case: black ceramic / matt black stainless steel, white ceramic / stainless steel, brown ceramic / stainless steel and blue ceramic / graphite gray stainless steel.

Attention to detail is everywhere.

The black ceramic earbuds we tested have a subtle M&D logo and a high-gloss finish that exudes sophistication (despite being a giant fingerprint magnet). If you look closely, you will see a small black aluminum tape encircling the ceramic surface, which serves as both an antenna and a frame that holds everything together. This design approach was made famous by the iPhone 4.

While not as light as some other models, the earbuds are very compact and even smaller than any other high-end earbud, with the possible exception of Apple's AirPods Pro. The MW08 retains the same tiny physical control buttons as the MW07 Plus, making it look like a touch-based set of earbuds, but with the precision of real buttons.

The matt black stainless steel charging case is heavy and sturdy and has a hinged lid that can be opened and closed with the authority of a luxury car door. When you put the earbuds back in your pocket, you'll feel like you're putting them in a protective vault, not just a carrying case. Now, if I were to pick the best looking charging case, it would be a dead heat between the MW08 and the Zippo-inspired design of the Klipsch T5 II.

Attention to detail is pervasive, from the smooth movement of the hinge, to the way the earbuds are angled slightly towards you – so you can pull them out with ease – to the fact that the only thing that breaks the steel surface is three indicator LEDs are. You won't find any text or even a logo on the outside.

Wireless charging would have been a nice touch, but to my knowledge, steel and wireless charging are not happy companions, and M&D would have had to create a plastic charging window to achieve this.

It was easy to get a comfortable and secure seat.

The earbuds are rated IPX5 – more than enough for handling sweat and rain – while the case is rated IPX4, which we've only seen on a handful of other products like the Marshall Mode II.

Convenience, control and connections

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Thanks to the ergonomic shape of the MW08 and the generous number of silicone earbud sizes in the box, it was easy to get a comfortable and secure fit. M&D dumped the rubber wing tips of the MW07 Plus, which meant a compromise.

The MW08 are more comfortable for longer periods of time, but they don't lock in with the same level of security. As long as you're not trying to break sprint records, they should stay fine.

While you can definitely use them while running, I don't recommend it. Despite their small size, the earbuds are surprisingly heavy at 0.31 ounces each. For comparison, the AirPods Pro and Jabra Elite Active 75t are both 0.19 ounces.

Most of this mass is on the outer part of the earbud (that beautiful ceramic and aluminum) where it is least supported. As your feet pound on the sidewalk, that weight can be felt with every step, which I found tiring after a while, although they were still very comfortable overall.

The MW08's tiny control buttons are at the top of each earbud – a single button on the right and a double rocker button on the left. They work effortlessly, with very little travel and a pleasantly precise click when you press them.

They require you to put your thumb on the bottom edge for leverage, and I found that sometimes while jogging this can interfere with the position of the earbud in my ear. The bigger concern (at least for those who live in wintry conditions for half a year), however, is that the buttons can be difficult to operate with gloves on – a surprise given M & D's NYC headquarters.

Still, you get everything you need: volume, play / pause, answer / end, track forward / backward skip, access to voice assistant and ANC / transparency mode.

"Audiophile Quality" is being overused, but if there has ever been a line of true wireless earbuds worthy of the term, it is the MW08.

There's no way to change these (even though M&D created their very first smartphone app for these buds), but they're so intuitive that I wouldn't change them even if I had the option.

You can use each earbud independently if you want, but only the correct earbud can be used for calls.

Each earbud has a wear sensor that allows it to pause and play automatically when you remove or reinsert it. The response time is a bit slow: it can take up to three seconds for the sensors to register a change and then stop / start the music. You can deactivate this function in the M&D Connect app.

Sound quality

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

M & D charges a premium price for the MW08. If the company's choice for exotic materials and workmanship doesn't justify the $ 299 it cost, the sound quality should make you a believer.

Just like the MW07 Plus, the MW08 is a treat for your ears. The term "audiophile quality" is becoming increasingly popular, but if there has ever been a line of true wireless earbuds that deserve it, it is the MW08.

Take one of your favorite songs – you know, one of those songs that will never get old no matter how many times you listen to it – and the MW08 will breathe new life into it. Details hidden at the very end of a note, possibly the slightest click of a piano key or the vibration of a string while plucking or selecting, all become audible and put a smile on your face.

M&D doesn't offer EQ tweaks in the app, but if a sound signature is that good, who cares? The output of the MW08 is a clever balancing act, bright and precise through the upper mids and highs and warm and resonant in the mids and lows. The bass? Oh, there is plenty of it, but you will not hear it until asked, and then it cannot be ignored. The sound stage has an open and airy quality and is somehow intimate.

I owe the ventilated design of the MW08 to this achievement. Letting a small amount of air move between the outside world and your inner ear has a positive effect on openness – not to mention comfort, as it partially eases the sucking sensation of some earbuds – but it can also cause unwanted noise.

This is where the MW08's noise cancellation comes into play. Without them, you'd have to seek a quiet, controlled environment. But turn it on and almost any room can be your concert hall.

At the forefront of the true wireless market, it can be very difficult to pinpoint the best sound among giants like the Sony WF-1000XM3, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, the KEF Mu3, the Grado GT220, and the Bose QuietComfort earbuds. But I would argue that the MW08 can easily hold its own against these other models, and in my opinion they are the current market leader.

Noise cancellation and transparency

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Master & Dynamic MW08 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/master-and-dynamic-mw08-00001-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Master & Dynamic MW08 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/master-and-dynamic-mw08-00009-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Master & Dynamic MW08 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://img.dtcn.com/image/digitaltrends/master-and-dynamic-mw08-00014-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Based on what I just said above, you probably expect me to give M&D praise to the ANC of the MW08, but it's not that straightforward.

There are two settings of ANC – "max ANC" and "all day ANC" – the latter being designed for less intrusive environments.

When it comes to creating a calm floor for indoor music enjoyment, max ANC is really good. But as a focus tool, it can't compete with the AirPods Pro or the Bose QuietComfort when you want to escape roaring noises like the fans, machinery, or engines of an airplane (not that this has been much demanded lately) earbuds. It also struggles to suppress the daily commuting noises like traffic.

There are also two modes of transparency (or ambient mode, as M&D calls it): language and awareness. Think of these as zoom modes – voice enhances nearby sounds like conversations, while the mind tries to bring in sounds from further away. Both work very well, depending on what you need right now.

The MW08's fast charging capabilities are downright insane.

The biggest downside to both ANC and Transparency modes is that you have to press and hold the corresponding left earbud rocker button to activate it, rather than being able to instantly switch from one to the other. The Jabra Elite 85t can do this and is ideal for quick calls. The other thing I could do without is the sultry female voice announcing these mode changes every time. It gets old very quickly.

Battery life

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The MW07 Plus was already an outstanding performer in terms of battery life with 10 hours per charge and three additional full charges for a total of 40 hours. M&D claims the MW08 has even more juice: 12 hours per charge and an additional 30 hours in the case for a total of 42 hours of playtime.

Unfortunately I was unable to verify this. In my tests, the M&D Connect app showed 22% remaining battery life after eight hours of continuous playback. If this is accurate, it means the total playing time is closer to 10.4 hours, not 12.

When I reached out to M&D staff with these results, they were surprised and offered to review them at the end. I will update this review with their answer as soon as they have had a chance to run their own tests.

What I can confirm is the MW08's fast charge capabilities which are downright insane. If you put the earbuds back in the case for just 15 minutes, they will be charged to 50%. This is class leading in every way.

Call quality

Master & Dynamic MW08Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Calling the MW08 is very good. I found that the microphones did a great job of making my voice sound natural, without the compression that can plague other earbuds. In quiet places, it almost sounded like I was speaking directly into my phone's microphone. This is the holy grail for earphone call quality.

They also did a good job of blocking out background noise like traffic as I walked through some busy intersections. Some particularly loud noises still managed to drown out my voice, but that's not surprising – only the Bose QuietComfort earbuds turned out to be far better for calls.

Our opinion

The MW08 is beautifully crafted, offers great sound quality and battery life, and is an excellent choice for those who want to get the most out of their music. Just keep your noise cancellation expectations in check and you won't be disappointed.

Is there a better alternative?

I don't think you'll find a lineup of true wireless earbuds that look better, sound better, or last longer than the MW08, but that doesn't mean there aren't any worthy alternatives, especially if you're looking to save some cash.

The $ 230 KEF Mu3 have very comparable sound quality and I would argue that they are very attractive in their own unique way. But their ANC is mediocre, they have a larger and less pocketable charging case, and their call quality wasn't very impressive.

Sennheiser's $ 300 Momentum True Wireless 2 They also have great sound and very effective ANC, but are larger and bulkier and only get around six hours per charge.

If noise cancellation is a top consideration, the $ 280 Bose QuietComfort earbuds are amazing with sound quality that will not disappoint. However, they are significantly larger and less comfortable than the MW08 and have the shortest overall battery life of any of the alternatives.

How long will they last?

Master & Dynamic grants a two-year guarantee on all headphones. With IPX5 water resistance and great materials and build quality, I expect the MW08 to last for many years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. They have the best sound quality of any earbud we have tested. Reason enough to consider them for your next set of headphones.

Editor's recommendations




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




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