Specifications
Price: ~$40.
Available directly from Jade Audio online store.
Credits to the FiiO team for providing the EW1 for review.
Design
For a first wireless earphones model, the EW1 have simple and compact design with decent build quality. The earpieces look like round capsule with just the extra nozzle. They are made of two plastic pieces, very lightweight with very smooth surface, matte black colored inner part and shiny on the outer part with the ‘Jade Audio’ writing printed on both right and left sides. Like many other true-wireless sets, the EW1 are supposed to withstand more active use with IPX5 rating.
The EW1 feature touch control on both sides. They power on once taken out of the case but can also be turn on and off separately by long press on touch panel; a good feature when not willing to carry the case along. Every TW set has its own touch control panel and so are the EW1. Single touch on the right or left side will turn the volume up or down, respectively. The volume jump is fine, not too abrupt but not small either. Long press will get to next (right) or previous track (left). To pause the music it only possible from the right side by a quick double touch, and it is resumed by single touch on any side. Phone calls can be also handled by the touch buttons.
Battery and Wireless performance
Battery working time rates about 6~7 hours, and while in practice it will depend on the volume set, the numbers are fairly accurate. Considering the standard average time for true wireless sets now of around 5 hours, the EW1 performance is good. The charging case will add a few extra charges but does not support quick charge for the earphones.
Bluetooth version is of 5.0, already adopted on many true-wireless. Supported wireless codecs are not only the usual SBC and AAC but the EW1 also feature AptX/AptX-LL, and actually the first TW set I’ve tried with AptX. An extra good feature on the EW1 is that each earpiece can be used as single earphone as each will recognized by R and L on the available Bluetooth devices list.
Sound
Sources: FiiO M6 & M5, iBasso DX160
The EW1 sound signature is warm and thick, with a strong lift on the bass and yet well present midrange and smooth more laid-back treble. If it was tuned for the more active on-the-go use, then it seems to fit well to its current price tag, putting less emphasis on micro detail and more towards the fun factor and musicality with a slighter bias towards the darker presentation.
The low end is powerful, rich and well-bodied. Bass depth is fairly good considering the small driver inside and the total wireless tech. There a typical mid-bass enhancement that tends to sound more intrusive and a touch bass-heavy, resulting less balanced with the sub-bass which being more reserved and limited. The mid-bass lift is not too overwhelming but very present when the track allows, yet keeps good control on less bass heavy music leaving room for a more forward midrange. Speed is average, acceptable for the price and form factor; certainly focused in sounding more fun than accurate.
With the extra bass intensity, mid and upper-bass, the midrange results very warm and thick. Despite the bass bleed, the whole midrange is not recessed but rather overshadowed if there is a strong low-end on the music played. The lower midrange is more affected by the bass power, losing in layering and separation, while upper midrange is cleaner and a bit airier. Instruments have a drier texture whereas vocals are more upfront and nicer textured, mainly female vocals. In fact, with less bass boosted kind of music, the EW1 is not too far from sounding mid-centered and vocal focused, smooth and rarely sibilant.
Treble is mostly smooth. Emphasis is more in the lower treble area with moderate energy and very little sparkle to complement the midrange but overall sits behind the lows and mids. There is little to no harshness, at least on moderate comfortable listening volumes. Detail is about average with decent control for a more laid-back nature and rolls off at the upper treble freq., not rare on a TW set and fine for the price. Presentation is more intimate and narrow in stage with the warm to mid-centered signature.
Comparisons
Zolo Liberty+ ($100~150)
In build quality these both models are not far away from each other. The Liberty+ may have the upper hand a bit as the included silicone fit ‘wings’ may withstand less care. Fit and comfort goes for the EW1; they’re simply more compact and easy to fit, less intrusive and give a similar level of isolation.
In sound quality, the Liberty+ are v-shaped, more even in the whole bass, more sub-bass presence and with more mid-bass control. Midrange is more distant but also clearer and detailed, more energy put on the upper midrange being less forgiving. Treble is much brighter too, extended if a bit sharper, but overall offers better balance. Sound on the EW1 is more mid-bass focused, thicker in the low midrange and more mid-forward on the whole. It sounds more congested and laid-back but also more relaxed and forgiving.
Jays m-Seven ($130)
Build quality still one of the best among true-wireless models on the Jays, and the fit is just excellent. EW1 are quite fine for the price and very comfortable too and just isolation is about average. Both sets have touch controls with pretty much all the needed functions, however the EW1 can be turn on without the need of the case. Also, the EW1 features better BT codec with AptX and more stable wireless connectivity than the m-Seven or even the above Liberty+.
In sound, they are close. Low-end focused, powerful, unforgiving and engaging bass with an overall dark, laid-back presentation. m-Seven are more extended on the lows and have more sub-bass gain, while the EW1 are still greater on the mid-bass kick. Midrange is more linear and neutral on the m-Seven, a bit more detailed but drier and less present; the EW1 instead, are thicker and more midrange forward with nicer texture on vocals. Treble is almost identical, lacking in extension and very dark; EW1 have a bit more upper-mid energy, whereas the m-Seven better width and depth on soundstage.
Soundcore Spirit Pro ($30~50)
Not true-wireless but still a wireless set and also similar priced to the EW1. The Spirit Pro have AptX too and like the EW1 a very good Bluetooth connectivity. Build quality is tougher on the Spirit Pro with all metal housings versus the plastic build EW1. Isolation is around the same if using the silicone fins on the Spirit.
In terms of sound, the Spirit Pro are more v-shaped. Bass response is very similar, powerful and forward mid-bass impact, with some bleed into the lower mids. Midrange is thinner and more distant on the Spirit Pro but also a bit cleaner. Instruments are better presented on the Spirit Pro, while vocals are more highlighted and enjoyable on the EW1. In treble, again, the EW1 are laid-back and smooth and the Spirit Pro more energetic and brighter.