I got these earphones as a review unit from Gearbest.com, i specifically requested to review these because I usually like the build quality and "house sound" of the "Awei" brand.
Specific product page: https://www.gearbest.com/earbud-headphones/pp_717698.html?lkid=10690141
George from GB accepted my request to do a little discount for head-fi, so here's a discount code for the AK8:
On to the review:
Package\accessories:
The packaging of this model is outstanding! I usually don't care too much about packaging, but it was really satisfying to unbox this product.
As you can see in the pictures, this kind of packaging is what you'd expect to see in 100$+ products of world class brands.
These earphones would make a really good impression as a gift because they are presented like a premium product.
In the accessories department we can see that Awei didn't settle on the regular S\M\L eartips, but also included a quality zipper case, A shirt clip and a pair of useful silicone earhooks which keep the earphones steady in your ears.
Sound:
It took me a song or two to get used to the new sound signature, but I like it now and they are my new daily driver when I'm outside the house.
The sound can be described as energetic yet pleasant in the treble region.
The Mids are a bit behind the treble and the bass which is a bit boosted in order to create a nice synergy with the treble (but it's far from a basshead signature).
Overall I would describe these as the least Bass centric model I have tried from Awei (for reference, I've tried the following models: ES900i,ES800,Q3,A980Bluetooth).
It seems as if Awei is always trying to create fun sounding Earphones which will suit every contemporary music genre.
I like to equate the Awei "house sound" experience to the sound experience of a car stereo – the sound is never perfect or 100% accurate, but you can't help but bob your head and tap your feet when music is playing.
It doesn’t matter if I'm listening to EDM,Rock,Metal,Rap or Pop - The AK8 are always giving me a good time. I don't even need to reach for the EQ settings too much.
Comfort of use:
Fun sound is not the only reason why I use the AK8 so much these days. I also like the smart magnets on each earphone which allows me to put the AK8 around my neck as a necklace when I'm not using them.
When you attach the earphones together they automatically turn off and when you detach them from each other they automatically turn on.
Fit and Isolation:
You are probably asking yourself why I did choose to put a pic of the nozzle here?
Well, for me the AK8 actually feature two nozzles in one.
When I first put the silicone eartip on the regular nozzle I found the sound to be less bassy and the fit was a bit too shallow for me.
Then I took some cheap foam tips (which cost almost nothing at ebay) and put them around the larger part of the nozzle below the actual nozzle.
For me, the AK8 sounds better when I'm using the foam tips around the larger nozzle.
FYI: The size of the opening of my foam tips is around 5mm .
The isolation is pretty good with the AK8, the sound of the occasional loud motorbike or police siren will find their way to infiltrate your music, but that's the case with most earphones.
Regular cars and people talking do not interrupt me with these earphones on.
Comparison to my two other BT sets: QCY QY8 and the AWEI A980BL:
Sound:
1A. A980BL
1B. AK8
2.QCY QY8
The A980BL and the AK8 are pretty much tied when it comes to sound. The A980BL sounds like a more powerful and darker sounding speaker while the AK8 sounds like a smaller yet more precise speaker.
I think the AK8 is a bit better technically as it sounds better when EQ is not in consideration.
One might like the AK8 more than the A980 due to personal sound preference.
Battery:
1.AK8
2.QY8
3.A980BL
Looks:
1.A980BL
2.AK8 (just because they stick out a bit more than the A980BL)
3.QY8
Sports use:
1.QY8
2.AK8 (Silicone earhooks keep these almost attached to your ears).
3.A980BL (shallow fit and no silicone earhooks included).
Specific product page: https://www.gearbest.com/earbud-headphones/pp_717698.html?lkid=10690141
George from GB accepted my request to do a little discount for head-fi, so here's a discount code for the AK8:
On to the review:
Package\accessories:
The packaging of this model is outstanding! I usually don't care too much about packaging, but it was really satisfying to unbox this product.
As you can see in the pictures, this kind of packaging is what you'd expect to see in 100$+ products of world class brands.
These earphones would make a really good impression as a gift because they are presented like a premium product.
In the accessories department we can see that Awei didn't settle on the regular S\M\L eartips, but also included a quality zipper case, A shirt clip and a pair of useful silicone earhooks which keep the earphones steady in your ears.
Sound:
It took me a song or two to get used to the new sound signature, but I like it now and they are my new daily driver when I'm outside the house.
The sound can be described as energetic yet pleasant in the treble region.
The Mids are a bit behind the treble and the bass which is a bit boosted in order to create a nice synergy with the treble (but it's far from a basshead signature).
Overall I would describe these as the least Bass centric model I have tried from Awei (for reference, I've tried the following models: ES900i,ES800,Q3,A980Bluetooth).
It seems as if Awei is always trying to create fun sounding Earphones which will suit every contemporary music genre.
I like to equate the Awei "house sound" experience to the sound experience of a car stereo – the sound is never perfect or 100% accurate, but you can't help but bob your head and tap your feet when music is playing.
It doesn’t matter if I'm listening to EDM,Rock,Metal,Rap or Pop - The AK8 are always giving me a good time. I don't even need to reach for the EQ settings too much.
Comfort of use:
Fun sound is not the only reason why I use the AK8 so much these days. I also like the smart magnets on each earphone which allows me to put the AK8 around my neck as a necklace when I'm not using them.
When you attach the earphones together they automatically turn off and when you detach them from each other they automatically turn on.
Fit and Isolation:
You are probably asking yourself why I did choose to put a pic of the nozzle here?
Well, for me the AK8 actually feature two nozzles in one.
When I first put the silicone eartip on the regular nozzle I found the sound to be less bassy and the fit was a bit too shallow for me.
Then I took some cheap foam tips (which cost almost nothing at ebay) and put them around the larger part of the nozzle below the actual nozzle.
For me, the AK8 sounds better when I'm using the foam tips around the larger nozzle.
FYI: The size of the opening of my foam tips is around 5mm .
The isolation is pretty good with the AK8, the sound of the occasional loud motorbike or police siren will find their way to infiltrate your music, but that's the case with most earphones.
Regular cars and people talking do not interrupt me with these earphones on.
Comparison to my two other BT sets: QCY QY8 and the AWEI A980BL:
Sound:
1A. A980BL
1B. AK8
2.QCY QY8
The A980BL and the AK8 are pretty much tied when it comes to sound. The A980BL sounds like a more powerful and darker sounding speaker while the AK8 sounds like a smaller yet more precise speaker.
I think the AK8 is a bit better technically as it sounds better when EQ is not in consideration.
One might like the AK8 more than the A980 due to personal sound preference.
Battery:
1.AK8
2.QY8
3.A980BL
Looks:
1.A980BL
2.AK8 (just because they stick out a bit more than the A980BL)
3.QY8
Sports use:
1.QY8
2.AK8 (Silicone earhooks keep these almost attached to your ears).
3.A980BL (shallow fit and no silicone earhooks included).
