Tronsmart Onyx Prime Dual-Armature Driver Wireless Earbuds QCC3040 BT 5.2

Tronsmart ONYX PRIME review





The Tronsmart Onyx Prime is the latest TWS released by Tronsmart for Audiopile. It’s their first TWS with Dual Hybrid drivers Technology with Balanced Armature driver and a Dynamic driver. So excited to review them.



Packaging






The Tronsmart Onyx Prime comes with:

- True Wireless Earbud with Charging Case (Single LED indicator)
- USB Type-C Charging Cable

- 3 pairs of silicon tips

- 3 pairs of ear hooks
- Warranty Card
- User Manual

Specifications





Model: Tronsmart Onyx Prime

Chipset: QCC3040
Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 5.2
Bluetooth profile: HFP/HSP/AVRCP/A2DP
Audio codec: APTX Adaptive, APTX, AAC, SBC
Connection distance: Up to 10 meters / 33 feet Driver: Hybrid Dual Drivers (Balanced Armature & Dynamic)
Audio frequency range: 10 – 25K Hz
Playtime: up to 40 hours (50% volume)
Charging case: up to 20 hours (50% volume)
Battery capacity: Earphone: 50 mAh
Charging case capacity: 500 mAh
Waterproof : IPX4






Design and build quality



The Tronsmart Onyx Prime is the inner ear type and come with a long and thick stem with 4 mics for call. The Tronsmart Onyx Prime earbuds are well designed and stays comfortable in the ears during my normal usage outdoor walking around. It also comes with 3 sizes of ear hook for sport usage. You can switch between gaming mode and music mode by tapping 3 times on the left or right ear bud.

The case is a round capsule shape with single LED indicator for battery capacity for the case. The LED will blink Blue indicate 21% to 100% full, while blink Red for 1% to 20% battery capacity). There is a USB C port behind support fast charge (10mins for 1 hr usage). The earbuds are in auto pairing mode once you remove them from the case.

Sound, call quality and Gaming Mode




The Tronsmart Onyx Prime’s chipset supports APTX adaptive, APTX, SBC and ACC for android devices and IOS devices. Its extreme low power consumption and low latency means there will be no lag while watching movie with your devices.

As the Tronsmart Onyx Prime is the in ear type of earbuds, silicons tips and ear hooks of different sizings are provided. Volume, music play/pause, call answer/reject and call assistant controls are all available via the touch sensitive button on the earbuds.

Tronsmart Onyx Prime is the best sounding TWS from Tronsmart so far. The Dual hybrid drivers contribute to a rich, detailed and clear sound quality. Bass is slightly boomy with a warmer mids and slightly recessed treble at the default setting. However you can connect to Tronsmart app to use the preset EQ to set to your own preference. “HIFI” setting is the best EQ IMHO. Sound quality I would give it a 9/10.

The Tronsmart Onyx Prime’s microphone quality is loud and clear for the other party in the call. My friend is able to hear my voice loud and clear. Voice quality 9/10

The gaming mode in Tronsmart Onyx Prime is one of the best I tried so far. When playing FPS games like PUBG and Call of Duty, every gunshot is instantaneous after every click. This further enhanced the mobile gaming experience to another level. Gaming experience is a 8/10

Verdict




Tronsmart Onyx Prime is the BEST SOUNDING TWS from Tronsmart and I am glad to see that Tronsmart team have put in a lot of effort in upgrading their TWS in term of improving the sound quality. However there is no Active noise cancellation and if you are looking for ANC then you need to look elsewhere. And if you like tips rolling or using third party silicon tips then you need to becareful as the case might not close fully and the earbuds might have problem charging (example symbio orange tips). Personally I loves JVC Spiral Dot tips (size XL) and I use them in all my TWS to access their sound quality so as to have a fair comparison and the earbuds still charge properly in the case except that the case is not fully close with a slight gap. I would highly recommend the Tronsmart Onyx Prime to those who are looking for an excellent sound quality TWS for music. For a reasonable $50 this is the best sounding TWS in the market in this price bracket, period. Tronsmart definitely hit another winner with the Tronsmart Onyx Prime.

You can purchase the Tronsmart Onyx Prime here…

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H2VGJNY

https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-prime-dual-driver-wireless-earbuds

Tronsmart Onyx Prime ($69.99): Can this TWS compete against the big boys?



Onyx Prime

Amazon

Intro:

I was lucky enough to be chosen as a participant in the Tronsmart Onyx Prime review program. As such, I was given the unit for free, under the guise of writing an open and honest review. It is implied that the unit is mine to keep but may be asked back for at any time. It is also understood that I will not flip the unit once I am done; as that ever remains low down and dirty, irresponsible and totally uncool. I have also participated in the Tronsmart BT speaker review as well. I appreciated the unit, even with a couple of shortcomings. My daughter now has the unit and is satisfied with the performance.

What follows are my own words without provocation from Tronsmart or any other input, save my own.

Specs:

1. Chip:Qualcomm QCC3040
2. Bluetooth Version:5.2
3. Audio Decoding:aptX Adaptive, aptX, SBC, AAC
4. Bluetooth Compatibility:AVRCP v1.5, A2DP v1.3, HFP v1.7
5. Transmission Distance: Over 10m/33ft
6. Driver:Hybrid Dual Drivers(Balanced Armature & Dynamic)
7. Playtime:40 Hours
8. Battery Capacity:Earbuds:50 mAh; Charging Case:500 mAh
9. Input:5V/400mA Max
10. Charging Time:Earbud: About 2 Hours;Charging Case: About 2 Hours
11. Charging Port:Type-C
12. Dimension:70 x 48.3 x 30.4mm/2.75 x 1.9 x 1.20 inches
13. Weight:55.1g/ 1.94oz

In The Box:

• 1 x Onyx Prime
• 1 x User Manual
• 1 x Type-C Cable
• 2 x Extra Pairs of Eartips & Ear Hooks

Gear Used/Compared:

iPhone 13 Pro Max
MacBook Pro

1More ComfortBuds Pro ($79)
1More ColorBuds 2 ($79)
Fiil T1X ($55)
Bomaker Sifi II ($50)



Songs Used:

BHT & TM
Alex Fox
Tommy Emmanuel
Jesse Cook
Peter Frampton


Unboxing:

Coming in a brightly colored orange and white box, you get a feeling of fun upon first impression. I will state that the box is large, overly large. In this day and age, companies should be minimizing packaging while still promoting their products. The box is very informative with life-size picture of the TWS buds and case on the front and the technology on the back. The flapped side shows and exploded diagram of the unit, which is quite informative along with box contents. The last side (opposite the flap) shows off the three usages with color pictures.

Opening the flap, you get a larger than life exploded diagram on the flaps along with a clear plastic protecting cover over the unit, case and tips along with the different sized ear hooks. Removing the plastic tray, which holds the above-mentioned items, you find the instruction manual, a desiccant pack and a box, which contains a very nice USB-C charging cord. Standard fare for all, and well protected, but still large. A nicely presented packaging show, nonetheless.



Fit/Finish/Build:

As per typical of this price, the unit is made of plastic. Made of three or four pieces fit together well, there is a slot behind the nozzle, which holds the ear hook in place. This is the first TWS of which I have kept the ear hook on without it bothering me. The unit is on the larger size, and the outer panel, which drops down looks like a solar panel to me. The inside has four copper connecting points, which is how the unit charges inside the case. This is a nice idea and could possibly have charging benefits.

The nozzle has a nice lip, which while thin is of sufficient size to keep the tips in place, but not be too large of a diameter. Putting on some used Comply T-series I have; I could listen for a good 2-3 hours without bother. Using the included silicon tips, I could go longer, but the sizes provided did not give me adequate isolation; even in the largest offered size. I will state that the build/finish is a bit below this price point to me, but not inexcusable by any means.

As mentioned, the best fit comes with Comply’s, and I do wish more manufacturers would follow Sony’s lead of making foams, which can also stay on when the unit is charging. I find it quite annoying that in order to use foam tips, I either have to go to a smaller size, or remove them every time I put the unit in the case.

Overall build, fit & finish would be average to slightly above average to me.



Technology, etc:

• 【Hybrid Dual Driver】: Featured with a powerful dynamic driver and meticulously tuned balanced armature driver, Tronsmart Onyx Prime Wireless Earbuds deliver detailed high-end audio with an expansive frequency range(10Hz-25kHz). Natural, resonant bass and mids integrate with clear melodious treble through precise tuning and a seamless crossover.
• 【Qualcomm QCC3040】: Cutting-edge Qualcomm QCC3040 with aptX Adaptive codec presents a high-resolution auditory feast with acoustic tuning. Besides, cVc 8.0 call noise cancellation aims to offer you a best-sounding conversation over FaceTime, Google Hangouts and Zoom in unprecedented clarity.
• 【Bluetooth 5.2 & Low-latency Game Mode】: The upgraded version of 5.2 Bluetooth technology makes signal transmission faster and stronger, shortening the waiting time of connected devices, onyx prime's unique low-latency technology, so that the game screen and sound can be truly synchronized, let your gaming experience is more enjoyable
• 【IPX4 Waterproof & Wide compatibility】: Onyx PRIME waterproof coefficient is IPX4, waterproof and anti-sweat, suitable for exercise, etc. Wide compatibility, support Apple or oppo/Huawei/Samsung and other Android phones, laptops, etc.
• 【40 Hours Playtime】: A single charge of wireless headphones guarantees 7 hours of playtime, up to 40 hours of playtime with charging case. Made of ergonomics design with optional eartips and ear hooks, wireless earbuds are suitable for jog or commute as well as a long-haul flight.

Marketed as a dual driver, the BA is mounted right in the nozzle to gain full benefit of being close to the listeners ear. The bass unit (DD) sits in a cavity behind, but melds well together. Since the BA unit is so close to the listening experience it is first and forefront in the occurrence. As such, this pushes the mids and treble notes to the front.



Functions:

When one purchases a TWS bud, how it is used is as important as how it sounds to me. Lack of easy functionality can ruin a thoroughly enjoyable experience and having a steep learning curve of the functions is tantamount to looking like a dolt in public situations, which demand your control. The Onyx Prime is fairly intuitive, with one touch on the right as volume increase and one on the left as volume decrease. Double tapping pauses and plays on either. Tapping and holding for a second (or two) starts the track over on the left and moves to the next on the right. A nice easy feature.

Calls are answered or ended with two taps when incoming and rejected by holding like you would for rewind/fast forward. Easy to use and understand. Tapping three times enters or exits gaming mode, which expands the soundstage to me when used in audio mode. Again, with low latency, the sound and placing of necessary gaming items is accurate and precise. While certainly not a gaming headset, it will work for that game of Retro Bowl or Clash Royale on your commute into work.

Call quality is good as you would expect, with active technology noise reduction. In a conversation with our son, he said I did sound a bit distant, and muted, but not bad. That is of course in comparison to the excellent call qualities of the iPhone 13 Pro Max as it is.



Sound:

Summary:

Marketed as a fun alternative, but still an audiophile one to boot; there is no hiding behind the fact that the mids are pushed forward. This gives a certain vibrancy to the note, coming from that BA in the nozzle as well. That said, the notes are not so far forward to cover the rest. Bass is fairly taut but a bit slow in response, lending a certain amount of warmth and richness to the signature. Treble sounds good, but not great. Cymbal clashes sound a bit analytical and less than realistic. Not bad mind you, but not on par with others. That fun signature does lend itself to getting your juices flowing, such as in a workout segment, though.

Isolation even with the largest silicon tips is below average to me and would be an annoyance in noisy situations. I would certainly opt for foam tips as mentioned above, but not if I were riding a bike in traffic. There, I would tolerate the noise for safety’s sake. Call quality is good, with minimal distraction, and the “gaming” mode provides fairly low latency keeping its head in the game so to speak. Adding to the fun sound, vocals come across as fairly clean and crisp, which helps across all platforms.



More:

It really is a different beast when reviewing TWS items. You can judge for good audio quality such as the more expensive Sony’s or M&D’s but when you hit the sub-$100 market there are plenty of discrepancies to keep you busy judging whether the unit is actually good, bad or indifferent. The Onyx Prime comes across as a fairly decent example that lacks some of the frills available in its peers. There is no noise cancelation, which makes traveling with them interesting as you would need foam tips (to me) in order to isolate the sound. Having traveled extensively this fall, noise cancelation is a must to me, and others such as the much more expensive Sony’s M&D’s & B&W’s all come with top class noise cancelling technology. So, in that regard, the Onyx Prime falls behind. That said, two of the models I compare below also fail that note, but those came about before noise cancelling technology became “needed.”

Based purely on the audio merits, the sound is pretty decent. Bass while not as strong as others comes across as competent with a bit of low-end gruff. On Big Head Todd’s Bittersweet, the bass guitar follows the sound as it should, but lacks that visceral feeling of others to me. As a foundational aspect though, it is just fine.

The mids are a conundrum to me. With little bleed of the bass into the mids, they take the front of the stage in the signature. This can be good for it provides good detail and decent enough clarity; but it can also highlight a bit of overemphasis, which can lead to near sibilance or grating in vocal presentation. Todd’s voice is so superb you want it to sing all day, but on the aforementioned song, it can come across as a bit strident. Guitar work comes across presented cleanly, though.

Up top, the treble note adds to that conundrum of the mids. Cymbal clashes sound a bit artificial here, and this can give a falsity to the sound, but in overall consideration is not really that bad. I pick a bit here. That stridency can give a sort of lift to the top here, helping promote that fun part of the signature. On Jesse Cook’s fabulous acoustic Shake, the song alone makes me want to take up Spanish dancing lessons. On the Onyx Prime I pretty much feel the same way as that push up top adds to the experience without much bother.

That lack of isolation tends to hinder separation as well as layering, since the outside sound competes for attention. But, using Comply T-series foam tips, there is a decent effort at the two. For an audiophile branded TWS, it is laudable. I would call it on par with the others at this price. Soundstage is decently wide, tall and only a bit too shallow for my tastes. This presentation gives you an up-front feel, but without too much depth.



App use:

While using the easy app, there are 8 preset EQ’s, which can easily change the character of the Onyx. None are completely offensive, but some are better to me such as the “Deep Bass” and “Orignal,” while the “Rock” and “Vocal” sound quite a bit off to me. “3D” does add a bit of depth to that soundstage, which I said was lacking, so there is that as well. Updating to Firmware version 2.2.5 was easy to download and install using the app until the “rebooting you device” aspect, which did take a bit. Other than that it was fine. I could not tell a difference in sound after the update.



Comparisons:

Tronsmart Onyx Prime ($70) v 1More ComfortBuds Pro ($79):

This was the first pair I tried when I traveled, and I liked them very much. With excellent noise canceling qualities that do not hinder the audio quality these quickly became my favorites to use on the plane. Until I tried the Sony’s...but that is another story. The CB Pro offers the guttural bass that the CB2 lack, and it is on par with some very fine IEM’s in my estimation. These should be a very big selling point of this TWS, and I highly recommend a listen if you like very good noise canceling as well as deep, rich bass. This does tend to bleed a bit into the mids, which are more withdrawn than the Onyx, but still quite good. Cymbal “realness” is about the same in both, as in lacking; but this should not hinder your choice. Limitations pretty much abound in any TWS below $100.

Of the two, this is an easy choice for me due to the additional bass and noise canceling ability. The ComfortBud Pro wins handily, even with a bit of a learning curve and connectivity, which took a bit. That said, the above should not stop you from trying the Onyx Prime for it does provide good quality.


Tronsmart Onyx Prime ($70) v 1More ColorBuds 2 ($79):

Very mid-centric in sound, the ColorBuds 2 are almost too bright for my taste. They fit very well, and all but disappear in my ear, with the best fit of any here. Lacking the deep guttural bass, the CB2 focuses on clarity, which they have in a copious amount. Make sure you have the right tip mounted for isolation, as a lack of seal can play with the sound. Pushing the unit into my ear deeper does result in better bass quality and quantity; but one should not need to do that as often as I had to with the CB2.

That said, these are a fine TWS bud, with better clarity than the Onyx can hope for. If you want details galore, the CB2 is the choice amongst these two. Engaging as well, but I would give the overall nod to the Onyx Prime for my tastes.



Tronsmart Onyx Prime ($70) v Fiil T1X ($55):

The last two are purchases I made at the recommendation of Scarbir, who to me is the undisputed king of TWS reviews. While he may focus on those models, which are more economical (less than $150), his reviews are spot on to me and I feel the same as he does on both of these. The T1X was a co-purchase with the Sifi II, and I do not regret either. As they are both a couple of years old, neither has the noise canceling of the two 1More branded TWS buds.

No matter, for I purchased these for the audio quality, and feel the T1X is still a solid purchase. With better bass depth and grunt, the T1X provides for a better foundation to me. Along with that, there is a bit of bleed into the mids, which also sit behind those in the Onyx. That artificiality of cymbal hit is present as well. But the treble note to me comes across as ever so smooth. Easy to use function-wise as well, I still really like the T1X. This would come down to whether you like better bass, and a very solid “audiophile” sound, or less bass, and a more forward mid-based “audiophile” sound. Solid choices, both.


Tronsmart Onyx Prime ($70) v Bomaker Sifi II ($50):

Of the Fiil & Bomaker, I do believe the Sifi II provides me with a better audiophile sound, but with a bit less bass. Mids almost on par with the more forward Onyx, but presented better, this is still one fine TWS bud. Other than being a real PITA to get out of the case, connection is easy and fit/use is the best of those here. I do hear that the original Sifi supposedly sound better, but I am thoroughly satisfied with the Sifi II for its wonderful melodic signature, that provides just enough bass to keep a solid foundation, and the best vocals this side of a much more expensive TWS bud. Better 3D presentation as well make this an easy recommendation for those who want an audiophile-grade TWS. Mind you it is almost as fun as the Onyx signature as well. Lacking noise cancelation here does hinder its use, but the isolation with silicon tips is much better than the Tronsmart. If the Bomaker had more bass quantity, it would be considered a giant killer. As is, it is a very solid choice to me.



Finale:

I have on hand an excellent selection of TWS buds with which to review and listen. As such, I have quickly become as spoiled about them as I am about IEM’s or headphones. This is not necessarily a bad thing for not only do I find my preferences, but also can gauge those on hand against what cometh my way. And the Tronsmart Onyx Prime came at a very good time. Having spent a good portion of the fall in air travel, I auditioned many TWS buds on planes and through airports. Most are very good, with some extraordinary ones as well (reviews coming).

This also highlights my own personal purchases here and what technologies have trickled down since then as well. The Onyx Prime seems to bridge that gap between audiophile and all-purpose TWS pretty well. Even without noise cancelation technology, it sounds pretty good. A more forward mid-section than I prefer, and a lack of deep-reaching bass hinder my overall satisfaction with it, but quite possibly not yours. If you like a solid mid-section, with easy to use controls and a fun sounding blend to your TWS bud; then you could do much worse than the Onyx Prime. This would be a good pair for the gym bag to keep you going on those extra sets you know you should do after the holidays, which might be motivation enough.

I thank Tronsmart for the inclusion in the Onyx Prime review tour, this is a pretty decent TWS bud they have here and might be worth a listen if you espouse to the virtues set forth above.

Cheers.

Intro

Tronsmart’s Onyx Prime is a TWS that’s marketed as “Made for Audiophiles”. How? Well, it has got a dynamic driver and also a balanced armature in the earbuds. Let’s find out today if the sound is really as what Tronsmart claimed, for audiophiles.


Packaging

The packaging is pretty straight forward, nothing to expect at this price point.
A box consists of the IEM, eartips. Pretty straight forward and no BS. It came with several ear-fins. I will go into that in the next section.

Build and Comfort

The whole earbud is made out of plastic and there are no sharp edges or any protrusion that causes discomfort. The charging case is rather big, but given the size of the earbuds itself is not small, it is understandable as it also holds quite a number of additional hours.

Now, on to the ear-fin. Basically the ear-fin serves no purpose to me. I am on the largest size of the ear-fin but I still don't feel that it is hooking onto my ears. So i’m not entirely sure about the purpose of it here, also the stock tips don't seal quite well. I am using it with spinfit’s CP360.



Specifications





Connection Test and Latency

• Placing my phone on my dining table in my living room, i walked to my balcony with a thick wall in between and there’s no disconnection nor any distortion, connection remained rock solid stable
• As for gaming, the delay is very noticeable on music mode, but when you switch it over to gaming mode, the delay is still noticeable, but much better than when it’s on music mode, the slight delay is only noticeable when playing fast paced action game, on normal and simple game, the delay is close to none.
• VIdeo and movie’s audio is pretty much in sync with no noticeable delay/latency.

Tronsmart App Functionality

• You can switch mode between music and gaming in the app, also updating the firmware of the TWS
• However applying EQ seems like a painful process to me, i noticed that only one side of the earbud is applied with the EQ that i’ve chosen, and when you reconnect the TWS, the saved EQ seemed to revert back to the default EQ, that means you have to re-apply it every time when you reconnect the TWS, updated the firmware doesn’t seem to solve the issue as well

Audio Quality

Onyx Prime’s tuning is more on the “fun” side of the spectrum. Slightly elevated low and high without recessing the vocal. You can change the tuning of it via Tronsmart’s app.
To my ears, the tuning is definitely nowhere near audiophile’s tuning. I would say it’s more of generic tuning rather than audiophile.

*This evaluation is done using the default preset

Bass

• Sub bass rumble can be felt and heard during EDM track such as Ping Pong by Armin
• Bass quantity and quality is good enough (You can always change to a different preset if you feel like having more “Boom”)
• Bass response is neither fast nor slow to a point where it got too boomy
• Fairly good extension

Mids

• Vocal is lacking in terms of texture, slightly recessed
• Occasional bass bleed
• Definitely not the star of the show
• Timbre sounds a little on the cooler side

Treble

• Good treble extension thanks to the BA
• Average resolution

Soundstage and Imaging

• Soundstage is pretty much in your head, not too narrow or wide
• Imaging is alright as the instruments can be pinpointed correctly

Battery Life Test

• Battery life is above average in this case
• Single usage is more or less the same as claimed by Tronsmart which is 7 hours +- depending on your volume level, during the time of testing, i am playing it at about 40% of volume level which is loud enough to me

Final Thoughts

Throughout the week that I've been using Onyx Prime, I find them to be very comfortable overall and soundwise, they offer a good enough sound for generic users. However, for the audiophiles, you may want to fiddle with the EQ for a little bit, it will somehow sound closer to audiophile tuning with some tweaks in the app.

Overall I find them to offer a balanced performance with a good price performance ratio considering the specifications of the earbuds. At this asking price, It is very easy to recommend it to anyone who is looking for a budget TWS right now. I see no reason why I shouldn't recommend it.

Also hoping that Tronsmart will release a firmware update that will fix the EQ saving issue.

A 4/5 judging from the value and performance it offers to generic users.
A 3.5/5 judging the sound itself from an audiophile’s perspective

*I received the unit in exchange for my honest opinion from Tronsmart. The link attached is not affiliated and i don’t earn a single cent even if you decide to purchase it

If you’re interested you may head to the store below to get them. At the time of writing, it is priced at 69USD

Introduction

It's not the first time I've reviewed a Tronsmart TWS and, again, I've agreed because their technology and operability is one of the best I've tried. I'm still a Bluetooth sceptic, but they keep getting better and better, including the sound, which is the most important thing to me.
Tronsmart has a strong partnership with Qualcomm®, not least because they use their QCC3040 chip, which provides aptX™ audio decoding, for these new Onyx Prime.
One of the big attractions of these new TWS is that they use dual technology for their drivers, mounting a BA and a dynamic driver. Of course, they use the latest version of Bluetooth v5.2 and have a battery life of up to 7 hours on a complete charge. Of course, their external face is tactile, they use cVc 8.0 noise reduction, as well as TrueWireless™ Mirroring pairing mode, which speeds up the connection to the device and eliminates lag.
Unsurprisingly, Tronsmart has changed the shape of its TWS again, from the previous Apollo Bold I tested earlier. They now have a shape reminiscent of earbuds, but they are still cylindrical IEMS attached to a wide flange, which contains the microphone, LED and charging connectors on the inside.
With all these new features and a few other surprises, I'll now take a closer look at what this new model has to offer.



Disclaimer

Tronsmart, offered me this model, in exchange for writing an honest review. I want to make it clear that all my opinions written in this review have not been conditioned by this fact, nor will I ever write anything that I do not really think or feel here. I will only write about my personal opinion in relation to the revised product.



Specifications

• Colour: Black.
• Chip: Qualcomm® QCC3040.
• Bluetooth version: 5.2.
• Audio decoding: aptX™, aptX™ adaptive, SBC, AAC.
• Bluetooth compatibility: AVRCPv1.5, A2DP v1.3, HFP v1.7.
• Transmission distance: over 10m.
• Drivers: Dynamic + Balanced Armature
• Frequency range: 10Hz-25kHz.
• Battery Capacity Earphones: 50 mAh.
• Charging case: 500 mAh
• Playing time: 40 hours.
• Charging time: 2 hours.
• Dimensions 70 x 48.3 x 30.4mm/2.75 x 1.9 x 1.20 inches.
• Net Weight 55.1g/ 1.94oz

Packaging

The Tronsmart Onyx Prime comes in a white box with dimensions 175x115x65mm. On the top side there is an orange hanging flap. On the front side there is a real picture of the TWS and the charging box on an orange stain. In the centre is the name of the model, in white letters. In orange letters, on the base, you can read "Made for Audiophiles Hybrid Dual Drivers", in two lines. At the top left is the Qualcomm® aptX™ logo, the brand logo in the middle, under an orange box, and finally a "Hybrid Dual-Driver" logo in the top right corner.
The rear face is much more explanatory, with many of the model's features on display. Another photo of the TWS and its charger can also be seen.
The sides are loaded with photos and other features of the model, as well as an internal exploded view of the pod.
The box opens like a book, to the left, and on the exposed hard cardboard flap, the exploded view and more information about the hybrid technology used can again be seen. On the right, protected by a transparent plastic cover, the charging box can be seen underneath in a protective mould. At the top are the silicone tips and the adjustment rings. This first layer can be removed and leads to another level containing a black cardboard box with more accessories. In summary, the complete contents are as follows:

• The charging box.
• The TWS inside.
• 3 pairs of black silicone tips, conical shape, sizes SxMxL.
• 3 pairs of adjustment rings, sizes SxMxL.
• 1 USB Type-C charging cable.
• User manual.
• Warranty card.

The box seems a bit big for a contained number of accessories. As usual, the silicone tips are usually very limited, both in shape and size. Personally, I can't use any of the standard ones, because they are too small for my wide ear canal. Then, on the last level, there is a relatively large box, which only comes with a charging cable, whereas it seemed that there could be other accessories, such as a bag to protect the charging box or more tips.
Be that as it may, the contents are the bare minimum. That's all, when the presentation is very eye-catching and bodes well for something more succulent.
On the other hand, I have to praise Tronsmart because the manual is very complete and exemplary. In this respect, both their website and the standard manual contain all the information necessary for the use of the TWS.



Construction and Design

The construction of the capsules is predominantly rigid, shiny and smooth plastic. They are a kind of hybrid between earbuds and IEMS. But in the end, they are like a cylinder to which a thick, wide flap has been attached, while at the other end, they have angled nozzles, which emit the sound. In the middle of the cylinder, a rubber ring can be attached to improve the fit to the ear. The outer circular face has the Tronsmart logo in white. Next to it there is an oval hole covered with a grille. On the underside of this face is an LED, while on the inside face are the 4 gold-plated charging connectors. A hole on the lower edge appears to be the microphone. The nozzles are 6mm long and have three levels of diameter. The first and closest to the body has a diameter of 6.2mm, the middle 4.9mm and the thinner outer edge returns to 6.2mm. The nozzle is protected by a very fine grille, which reveals the BA driver on the other side.
Internally, the Qualcomm® QCC3040 chip is used and there are two drivers, one dynamic and one Balanced Armature. The diameter of the DD is not specified, nor the material of its diaphragm. Nor is there any mention of the BA's origin.
The case is rather oval and thin, it does not stand upright. Both the USB Type-C connection and the LED are located at the back. The brand name is engraved on the top of the lid. Internally, the TWS are positioned in profile, facing each other and at an angle. If tips larger than the standard ones are used, the lid may not be able to be closed. Almost any large silicone tip will prevent the lid from closing if it is fitted halfway up the nozzle.
Last but not least, the box has a small L and R inscription to indicate the correct side to place the TWS.
Although the construction is very plasticy, the fact that they are black and smooth gives them a touch of distinction. But it is still a material that is susceptible to scratching and more or less predictable deterioration.
Another thing to highlight is the location of the adjustment ring and its usefulness. Honestly, I don't find special use for it, nor does it help me in the adjustment, as I will comment in the next section.



Adjustment and Ergonomics

The Tronsmart Onyx Prime have oriented nozzles and are relatively long. However, I had a hard time finding tips that fit correctly. I can't use them as a deep or medium insertion, because they fall out and in the end I had to opt for the extra large tips I have, which have an inside diameter of 4.5mm. With these tips, I can push them all the way in and manage to touch the inner tube to the body of the capsules, so I can put them in the box and close it. If I place the tip at its midpoint, as it seems to be designed, I cannot close the loading box. It is true that at this point, the fit to my ears is the best, but having to keep repositioning the tips all the way to the bottom and then to the midpoint is not very pleasant. On the other hand, the adjustment of the tips at the midpoint makes the TWS too far away from my ears, making the adjustment ring totally useless. Pushing the tips all the way in worsens my fit and makes it more shallow. It's a little less secure, but the TWS stick to my ears more. Still, the fit rings barely rub any part of my ears and I can say that I have a very average anatomy, I have almost no problems with any IEM or earbuds. So such an accessory is of dubious use to me.
In conclusion, the fit I get is superficial, with a relative sense of seal, occlusiveness, isolation and sense of security. It is true that the TWS do not fall off, but these models are still far from the fit of the more common IEMS.
Despite all this, the Onyx Prime have improved on the fit of the Apollo Bold, as the inner part of the ear does not rub against the ear, making them clearly more comfortable and pleasant to wear than the Apollo Bold.



Operation and Connection

It is true that I don't have many TWS that are particularly good in this area. Although I have tried a few, the ones I have from Tronsmart are the best when it comes to connection. Pairing is almost immediate, in unison on both capsules and by default it is in aptX™ mode. Transmission distance is sure to be in that 10m or so, I've moved all over my small flat with no breaks, through several walls, something that with other models is not as effective.
The volume is pretty decent. I do complain that the TWS are not very sensitive, nor are they very loud. The Onyx Prime are on the high end of all my TWS.
Call use is very good, one of the best I've tried, loud and clear sound, no problems with the microphones. I can finally talk to my mother with a TWS without her having to keep saying "What? That's the acid test of a good TWS in conversation mode. From then on, the rest of the conversations are quality too.
As far as isolation and external noise reduction are concerned, they seem to work remarkably well. Placed and without music, their passive ability is already noticeable.
I don't find the tactile operation as good. First of all, the more elongated body makes it a bit more difficult for me to find the touch-sensitive part, I don't always get it right the first time. Something similar happens to me with double taps and one or two second counts. I'm really not very good at these touch operations. But even so, the sensitivity of the surface is good.
I'm not going to explain or summarise the operation of the Onyx Prime, because it comes with a great and very explanatory manual. In addition, in the link above that points to their website, you can find the same manual online. Again, I repeat that Tronsmart spares no effort to provide their customers with the best and easiest information available. There are many other TWS that are very obscure on this point, with unknown and inaccessible websites, manuals in Chinese or not very explanatory. None of this is the case with Tronsmart and it is to be warmly welcomed. And it is worth remembering that this is a brand from China, like the ones I am referring to.
Finally, I would like to emphasise the Tronsmart APP. As soon as I connected to it, I was able to update the firmware of the Onyx Prime to version 1.2.6. With this APP, you can activate the game mode or the music mode, select among the various presets (8 in total), as well as play with the 5-band parametric equalizer that comes with it.



Sound

Profile

The Onyx Prime could be said to have a lowercase "L" or almost "U" profile, with a generally warm tendency. It is clear that there is more emphasis on the sub-bass than in the other bands, but its drop towards the mids is quite pronounced. Despite the high level of the low end, thanks to the BA driver, both the high mids and the treble are well present, without hiding behind the bass.
On the other hand, connected to a smartphone, via its APP, the sound can be equalised by means of 8 presets or you can create your own tuning thanks to the 5-band parametric EQ. By this I mean that you can change this profile to others that you like better.
I have used the default settings, when describing most of the sound. I have played with the EQ to extend some particular bands to better describe their potential, especially the high end. But, in the end, I found that the default EQ sounds more coherent and less forced.



Bass

As I have already mentioned, the main emphasis is in the sub-bass and it immediately decays towards the centre of the midrange (1kHz). Its speed is quite good for a TWS and despite its gummy aspect, it has good elasticity in its recovery. This tuning and this level of speed mean that the aftertaste is moderately light and the bleed towards the mids is relatively small. This is true when the bass lines are separate bass drums or single beats. However, if such lines are continuous, as in Massive Attack's Sly, (I don't like to give musical references, but this song is a clear example of what I mean) the sense of density can become overwhelming, even saturating. Fortunately, in those cases, the bass doesn't become a magma from which you can't get out, but it is clear that the bass floods the environment. In those critical cases, it is best that the mids are still standing, although the highs look better. I can't deny that when those continuous lines disappear, everything comes back to normal, even if there are powerful bass drums. This is probably the weak point of the lower range.
As can be seen from the previous comment, although the movement in one direction is effective, its lateral expansion is more continuous and less defined. In this sense, the bass tends to move like a wave, faster, but accompanied by a horizontal mass, frequency-wise. This effect limits the separation of the bass notes, losing resolution, softening their texture and nuances.
On the other hand, the sonority of the bass is quite achieved, it is true that you feel warmth in them and a slight colouring in that lower end, the sub-bass being more audible than sensory. But overall, the range can be described as enjoyable, with a good impact, energy level and delivery.
Finally, when moving away from the more fuzzy electronica and playing styles with less bass, that's when the lower range performs best, because that respect for the rest of the band comes through and the bass shows up to enrich and bring enjoyment to the music.



Mids

I keep insisting that when the bass is predominant, an overlapping of the bass towards the mid-range is evident. In more normal situations, the coexistence is much more harmonious. Although that thread of horizontal continuity in the frequency scale persists, threading the music together to make it smooth and mellow. In this aspect, a little more resolution and definition capacity is lacking, which manages to separate the elements to expose them more individually and thus achieve a better view of their development and exposure of the details. The reality is that the timbre enjoys respect in its warm nature and does not feel negatively altered in any way. But the level of resolution is not on a par with many of its wired IEMS counterparts. Clearly, equalising and boosting the midrange and treble (or just reducing the bass) does improve the sense of clarity and transparency, but I wouldn't call these TWSs particularly brilliant in this respect.
Turning the criticism of this range around, and in relation to other TWSs I own, the vocals themselves sound quite full (this is something that can be appreciated in calls), with a medium body that moves them away from thinness. Their positioning towards the listener is not clearly close, but that fullness gives a pleasant sense of proximity. This, together with their soft contour, provides a quite pleasant musicality, even in the sibilance zone, escaping gracefully in those tricky moments.
The instrumentation of the zone develops in very similar parameters, maintaining the same close relationship as the voices. In this way, the integration of all the elements of the range feels very well blended, which gives the sound harmony, smoothness, fluidity, continuity and balance, without forgetting the warmth of the whole. Really, this is quite a musical and easy-to-listen-to midrange.



Treble

There is no doubt that the high range is another band that feels the effects of Bluetooth "extension". And, in this respect, few TWS can escape. Assuming this premise, the high range presentation of the Onyx Prime starts with a slight controlled emphasis, but ends up forming several peaks emphasised to the audible extreme. Despite this alternation of peaks, I don't feel the Onyx particularly sharp in its first half, I think it still weighs down the warm tone in the overall sound, as well as its L-profile. But it is eloquent the later brightness level and its tuning, which tries to emphasise the highest zone. In its first half it is easy to observe a good, if restrained, sparkle. The first harmonics are splashed, which allows a fine flash to be generated, controlled in presence, energy and with an acceptable representation. This gives it a certain naturalness in its recreation and fits it within a pleasant sounding range suitable for long listens, without having to give up a relative level of light and detail. The second part is not as coherent and the result can feel somewhat unnatural, harsher. If the EQ would allow for a flattening of the high end tuning, the range would be more appropriate.
Overall, the level of resolution is relative. When playing music that requires a good level of technical skill, the Onyx Prime's show their limitations, offering a moderately nuanced level of detail. At the macro level and in broad strokes, such elements are audible, while at the micro level they are more difficult to locate with ease, reaching a level of compromise: some are noticeable while others feel more opaque. Although I could say that the ratio is relatively good for a TWS of its range.



Soundstage, Separation

The scene surprised me for the better. It is not a flat or congested TWS, but offers a good expansive feeling and a certain level of three-dimensionality. On the one hand the scene has good depth and width. This is coupled with a clear sense of height and dynamics, which gives the sound a surprising looseness and that light, but perceptible ethereal feeling. Stereo recreation is augmented and the sound becomes punchy and lively, but within a coherence, without feeling forced or unreal. This is how the image recreation feels larger, with a good sense of placement, soft, not too defined, but visible nonetheless.
The separation is not very high, it is true that it is a cohesive sound, which has a certain level of air, but the distance between elements is more than acceptable. Both the musicality of the ensemble, as well as the softness of the sound in almost its entirety, influence this sensation, limiting the perception of a darker background and silence between notes.



Comparisons

Tronsmart Apollo Bold

The Apollo Bold was the first Tronsmart branded TWS I tried and I must say it left a very good taste in my mouth. I was impressed with their level of performance, operability and connectivity. So much so, that I have taken it for granted that the new models must be superior in this respect, and so they have been. It's true that with the Onyx Prime I haven't spent so much time detailing its operation, nor its use with the APP, because it's the same as for the Apollo Bold.
The first thing that surprised me about the Onyx Prime is its connection speed, which is faster than that of the Apollo Bold. The Onyx uses cVc 8.0 sound reduction, while the Apollo Bold uses Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) technology that allows it to be deactivated/activated by touch. In this respect, I find this feature more advantageous, although it is detrimental to accurate sound recreation.
The shape of the two TWSs is very different and although I am not a fan of either, I prefer the superior ergonomics of the Onyx. I must comment that the Apollo's, over time, became uncomfortable in my ears, due to their rounded shape.
As far as sound is concerned, the first feeling I had with the Onyx I really liked. And when comparing them with the Apollo they are even better. I thought there wouldn't be that much difference, but I was surprised. Tronsmart has taken a clear step forward in terms of sound quality. And I'm glad. The first thing you notice is the change in profile, much more polarised in the Apollo, while the Onyx are more balanced, comparatively speaking, with a more present midrange. Another big difference is the endurance of the drivers. The Onyx allow for higher volume without any distortion, while the Apollo is more delicate in this respect. As standard, the Onyx perform better than the Apollo, are more sensitive and move more easily.
Turning to the sound, the Onyx bass is more natural and less coloured, but the Apollo has a more present treble, like a good U-profile. The Onyx offer a more balanced, homogeneous sound, with more body and density, with a more pronounced continuous presence. The Apollo's sound is thinner, thinner, and this is noticeable in the middle. The Onyx, on the other hand, have a fuller, more consistent sound, with fewer fissures. The highs are not as explicit as in the Apollo, but perhaps have a little more realism and control.
The Apollo's low end feels deep, with an elevated sub-bass. In the Onyx there is also that emphasis, but it is not as pronounced and the bass feels wider, more noticeable in the sound, due to being a little more linear. Although the level of fatness is similar, the Onyx's better driver performance and endurance improves the overall bass quality, sounding more coherent and natural. The bass is more delicate in the Apollo and when the volume is a little loud, you can feel it suffer. In fact, both models suffer when bass lines are complex, but the Onyx seems more precise, giving a more comfortable sense of control.
The mid-range is thin in the Apollo, while the Onyx is warmer and fuller, also closer. Despite the thinness, the Apollo's sound brighter, but clearly farther away, which is why the detail is perceived as less, because it is difficult to distinguish at that distance. Only the sparkle is perceived closer. Voices and instruments are thin, continuous, smooth and of lower resolution, detail and definition. In the Onyx everything is more forceful, denser and closer, although they are not a prodigy of technique and resolution either, their mid-range is more adequate, fuller, closer and warmer, which results in a profile more suitable for many more genres.
In the high end, while the Onyx has a BA driver, the Apollo has a clear emphasis. It is brighter and livelier, the notes sound more individual. In the Onyx the first treble is more nuanced and I don't really like the sonority of one or the other. On the Apollo the upper range sounds dull because of that sense of individualism. On the Onyx the filing of the initial zone, at times, is too noticeable, cutting the brightness and emotion. A mix of the two would have been more coherent.
Although neither presents a great level of separation, the Apollo's remoteness in its mids could give a greater sense of separation, as opposed to the Onyx's greater density. In terms of soundstage, it is more natural, wider and three-dimensional in the Onyx.
Overall, despite the differences, the Onyx has a different profile, but generally has more upside and is more resolving on more occasions. Normally, I would always choose the Onyx over the Apollo. And that's a good thing because the "newer is better" rule holds true.



Conclusion

Technology is advancing and so is sound. The price is decreasing and the quality is increasing. What more could you ask for? Actually, there is still a lot of room for improvement in the current TWS. In this particular case: better operation of the APP, more bands for parametric equalisation, as well as the possibility of saving custom profiles. But Tronsmart is on the right track and this model is an evolution of those remarkable Apollo Bold. They have improved in many aspects, in ergonomics, in sound, in speed, in robustness, and so on. And every time, it is more and more pleasant to listen to a new model of this brand.
As for the sound, Tronsmart continues to advance and mature its tuning. In my opinion, it should soften the low end, keeping the mids closer and getting a bit more out of that BA driver, which I find a bit wasted and not very linear. But, on the other hand, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised and compared to other TWS in my limited collection, they are among the first, without being the most expensive. All this is a very good sign and I will continue to bet on Tronsmart.



Sources Used During the Analysis

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro
• HiBy R3 Pro
• JWD JWM-115
• Tempotec Variations V1-A

Ratings

• Construction and Design: 80
• Adjustment/Ergonomics: 80
• Accessories: 60
• Operation and Connection: 90
• Sound: 82
• Quality/Price: 94

Purchase Link

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H2VGJNY (30% coupon)
https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-prime-dual-driver-wireless-earbuds

You can read the full review in Spanish here:

https://hiendportable.com/2021/11/28/tronsmart-onyx-prime/

DISCLAIMER
I would like to thank Tronsmart for providing this review unit.
It can be gotten here: https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-prime-dual-driver-wireless-earbuds or https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H2VGJNY



EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Tronsmart Onxy Prime is Tronsmart's first hybrid TWS set. This features good technical performance, long battery life and stable BT connectivity.

A provided app to tweak settings, perform EQ (custom/preset) and a charging case are also good features. In the stock tuning, this set is a basshead set, but EQ can be done to lower the bass.


SPECIFICATIONS

• Bluetooth: 5.2 TWS+, Advanced Qualcomm® QCC3040 chip, with TrueWireless Mirroring Technology
• Bluetooth codec: apt X, AAC, SBC
• Driver type: Hybrid Dual-Driver Technology with Balanced Armature
• Connection distance: Over 10m/33ft
• ANC: none
• Weight: 55.1g/1.94oz
• Frequency response: 10Hz-25kHz
• Waterproof rating: IPX4 rating (ie waterproof and anti-sweat)
• Playtime: Earbud: up to 7 hours on one charge with the earpieces, up to 40 hours playtime with charging case (50% volume)
• Charging time: 2 hours
• Tested at $69.99 USD

ACCESSORIES



In addition to the TWS IEM, it comes with:

1) 3 pairs of silicone tips
2) 3 pairs of earhooks
3) USB C charging cable
4) Charging case

• The case is quite small and pocketable, weighing in at about 55 grams.
• It is like a small eggshell that can be opened/closed easily.
• The case can charge earpieces fully ~ 3 times.
• The charging case operates via USB C, but there is no wireless or fast charging unfortunately. It takes around 2 hours to fully charge.
• Unlike some other TWS sets with a real-time battery indicator, the charging case here only has a red light to indicate that charging is needed (battery between 1 - 20%). It flashes blue if the battery life is > 20%. Honestly I would have preferred a case that has more detailed information so as not to catch one unawares outdoors.
• Do note that when the Onyx Prime first comes in, one must peel off the stickers covering the charging ports of the TWS, if not it won't charge!!

BUILD/COMFORT

The Tronsmart Onyx Prime is very comfortable, light and ergonomic, no issues using it for hours. There are added earhooks to aid in fitting if you wish to use those.

Although there is no ANC here, passive isolation is very good, and it might even beat some other ANC type TWS in isolation!

The Onyx Prime is advertised to have waterproofing of IPX4 rating (ie waterproof and anti-sweat), so it should be suitable for exercise.


FUNCTION/CONNECTIVITY

The Onyx Prime powers on when taking it out of the charging case. Putting them back into the charging case powers them off. I had no issues with pairing it with multiple BT devices, they recognized the Onyx Prime on the spot.

During pairing mode, the Onyx Prime earpieces will flash red and blue. During charging, the red indicator wil be on, and it will turn off when fully charged. Once the battery level hits < 10%, the earpiece indicators will flash red with a voice prompt.

Function for the Onyx Prime is as per this picture, the buttons work as advertised:


The Tronsmart app can be downloaded on your smartphone, and allows one to customize what the touch buttons do, in addition to doing preset EQ/customized EQ. Unfortunately, after doing customized EQ, the app doesn't save the settings if one closes it.


Inside the app, you can customize what the buttons do.


Inside the app, you can also do customized or preset EQs if you are not a fan of the stock tuning.

Tap and hold the TWS IEM's button for 5 seconds when the TWS is inside the charging case to enter reset/factory mode.


The Onyx Prime uses a Truewireless Mirroring concept that is advertised to deliver lag-free audio.

BT connectivity is very stable on the Tronsmart Onyx Prime, it can hit about 10 meters or so even with thin walls/obstructions. I didn't have any drop outs in the few weeks I was testing it, so this is an area to laud.


TECHNICAL ASPECTS

The Tronsmart Onyx Prime supports SBC, AAC and aptX codecs. Unfortunately, no LDAC or aptX HD is supported.

Battery life wise, this set is advertised to have up to 7 hours on a single charge with the earpieces, and up to 40 hours playtime with charging case (50% volume). I do think it is thereabouts, but as per most electronics, the battery life will be expected to progressively worsen with repeated charges.

Calls are pretty decent for the mic on the Onyx Prime, a few callers gave feedback that words were intelligible.

I didn’t detect much latency with music, and the Onyx Prime has a gaming mode that decreases the latency speed further!

In stock tuning, the Onyx Prime is a V shaped basshead set. The subbass extends deep for a TWS set, with a subbass rumble that can really rattle the jaw. The midbass quality is unfortunately not great, with a slow "one noted" bass and midbass bleed that encroaches into the other frequencies. The good news is that the app allows customized/preset EQs, and indeed, lowering the bass a few dB allows the other frequencies to breathe. But when going outdoors, the increased bass in the stock tuning is possibly welcome, even for non bassheads, as bass frequencies are the first to be lost in a noisy environment. So the bass is kind of "consumer tuned" rather than "audiophile tuned", but as discussed, the app does save the day with EQ.

On stock tuning, the mids are recessed, upper mids are not shouty thankfully, but midlovers might want to fiddle with the EQ tweaks. The added BA in the Onyx Prime really helps, with the treble being quite extended and sparkly for a TWS set, though there is some sibilance present.

Soundstage is unfortunately intimate in all 3 dimensions, but imaging, details, clarity and instrument separation are good for a TWS, though it won’t beat some wired gear in this aspect. Instrumental timbral accuracy is quite good, considering there are BA drivers inside.

I liked that there was no hiss heard, unlike some other TWS sets.


COMPARISONS

The Moondrop Nekocake also has an app to tweak preset EQs. The Nekocake has a bigger soundstage, but loses in other technical aspects. The Nekocake has a poorer passive isolation (though it has ANC), with the Nekocake allowing troubelsome windnoise in. The Nekocake also has a poorer BT stability and has some hiss present.

Their bigger brother, the Tronsmart Apollo Bold, is another bass cannon. The Apollo Bold has a bigger soundstage, but otherwise has less sparkle and treble extension than the Onyx Prime. The Onyx Prime edges it in technicalities (other than soundstage). The Apollo Bold has ANC and ambient mode though.


CONCLUSIONS

The Onyx Prime is quite a nifty TWS set, featuring good BT connectivity, charging case, good battery life and an app to tweak stuff. In stock tuning, this set is a bass cannon that goes for quantity over quality, but thankfully, the app allows one to adjust the frequency response to your heart's content.

The Onyx Prime has good ergonomics, and while it has no ANC, the passive isolation is excellent enough. Coupled with good technical performance (the added BA here really makes a difference), this set will make a very presentable gift this Christmas season for relatives and friends.

Hello, I'm Ah Hui aka Mr Wong. I'm a K-pop fan and audiophile from Malaysia.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to @Tronsmart Official of Sending me this review unit and giving me the opportunity to review the Tronsmart Onyx Prime .
This is my second time working with Tronsmart I remember my first time reviewing their Bluetooth wireless speaker called Tronsmart studio Bluetooth wireless speaker .thanks again to them sending me their TWS IEM to me .I'm very excited to review this .

PACKAGING :
Simple and medium size box . Inside consists of the wireless TWS .Accessories include an earhook , type C cable, operating manual and warranty card. The unboxing experience is quite good

FRONT OF BOX :


BACK OF BOX :

LEFT/RIGHT SIDE OF BOX :

TOP OF BOX :

BELOW THE BOX :

WHEN OPEN THE BOX WILL SEE :

ACCESSERIES :

DESIGN OF TWS :

Configuration of IEM : Hybrid Dual-Driver Technology with Balanced Armature.

Price of IEM : US $69.99 from Tronsmart Amazon official store .

Comfort: Comfort is great. It fits securely in my ears and I dont feel any sort of fatigue after long hours .

Design : small size TWS .Faceplate got Tronsmart logo .

PRO:
long playtime , IPX4 waterproof level ,deep soundstage ,detail retrieval decent . Support APTX decoder . Type-C charging port . .More customizable of sounds with Tronsmart APP
CONS:
harsh treble present , treble clarity average ,stock eartip not suitable for me . Bass bleeding .Bass boomy .Male vocal bleeding

**Disclaimer : This reviews done by TRN red eartips (M size) and flat EQ with Tronsmart APP.

BASS: The bass here is punchy .Bass response is fast . When I listen to Weeekly - After School ,I can feel the sub bass is punchy and rumbly but I feel the bass is quite boomy

MIDS : laid back mids present ,details and crisp of female vocal present .When i listen to this Female Vocal track called Diana Krall - I'm an Errand Girl for Rhythm . I really enjoy the vocal present on here as it is balanced , details and crisp present here .However I more prefer body female vocal present . How about Male vocal ? Male vocal is bad .Male vocal too laid back and bleeding into bass . When I listen Sabia -Angel I can feel the male vocal is too laid back and feel some bleeding .

HIGH : Treble is harsh .The clarity it's about average I feel the treble is harsh and sibilance .When I listen Daft Punk - Beyond I can feel the background of treble it's quite harsh and sibilant .

SOUNDSTAGE : it is deep and wide. When listening to the Sabia - Angel i feel the backgroud is deep and wide it's more space on background .

IMAGING : it's about decent .When I listen to Sabia - Angel ,I can pinpoint the instrument and the singer on stage .It's stereo position

Details : detail retrieval here is about decent When I listen to some tracks, I can pick up on the micro-details.

Overall i can't recommend this TWS to you because the sound is overly harsh.
I think got better choice in this price range like TRN T300 TWS .

link to buy :
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H2VGJNY
tronsmart website :
https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-prime-dual-driver-wireless-earbuds

Disclaimer: Tronsmart offered these unit for me to test and review. Everything i write here is my subjective honest opinion about the unit.


Gears used for testing:
Spotify from my Android phone

Other TWS used for comparison: Tronsmart Apollo Air+, Tronsmart Onyx Apex, Airpods Pro, Sony WF1000-XM3

I won’t be covering informations/specifications that’s already available on the website, so feel free to go to this link for more info.
https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-prime-dual-driver-wireless-earbuds

I will be covering things/ info that are not readily available on the spec page, also some personal thoughts and opinions after using it personally for a few days.


What you get in the box:





Back of the box info:



Built and accessories:
The case material is solid and nice to the touch, and the lid has a nice satisfying “clap” sound to it when I close it. Also, a nice touch is that the lid would hold itself open with friction when fully open. I also have no problem getting the earpieces in and out of the case.

The battery indicator is using the same method to the Apollo Airs and Bold, which is blinking white when above 20%, and red when below it to indicate when to charge. Personally, I prefer the Onyx Apex’s indicator, but that is a really small niggle. The case is also the largest when compared to the rest of the Onyx/Apollo family, mostly to accommodate the added ear hooks. Despite the size however, I do prefer this one compared to the Apollo Air when putting it in my pocket, because of the slightly thinner form of the case. Also, even though it is a touch larger than the Onyx Apex, the case is a bit lighter.

There’s no automatic pairing here when we open the lid, same as the Onyx Apex, so you must pick them up from the case to initiate pairing. I personally like this method more, but some other might prefer it differently.

The case doesn’t support wireless charging, so we can only charge with the USB-C connection.

The earpieces themselves is the same material and finish used on the Onyx Apex and Apollo Air TWS, which is glossy plastic.

Provided inside the box are standard 3 pairs of eartips, 3 pairs of ear hooks, USB-C cable, and manuals.

The Onyx Prime is only available in black


Size comparison (left to right: Onyx Apex, Onyx Prime, Sony XM3):











Fit:
By design of the eartips provided, this Onyx Prime should be using deeper insertion, but the fact that there are ear hooks that could prevent deeper insertion means the other way, so it is a bit confusing for me personally. I also find that even the largest sized tips provided a bit small for me, so I opted to use an aftermarket eartips (Spinfit CP360) on my Onyx Prime.

The ear hooks seems to do nothing for me, but removing it altogether would also problematic because of the sharp plastic grooves would be exposed. I personally have no problem using it without the ear hooks, but for the safer side, I would go to the smallest size.

Bear in mind that fitting scenario above is strictly my personal situation and might not reflect on everyone the same way.




Battery life:
The battery life is around 7 hours of playtime, that’s average on today’s standard, so no problem there for me.


Apps:
Now, this is where I think the whole potential of the Onyx Prime is held back, at least in my personal experience testing it this couple of days. Some of the nagging problems are:

• I can’t seem to update my unit. Even after the installation process, it would always display “update failed” message, and after that the TWS unit would not be able to pair again to my phones, forcing me to do full factory reset on them to fix that problem. I'm using Samsung Note 10 and Note 8, both have the same problem
• Every time I connect the unit to the App, it would ask to “pair” again (adding another “LE” name on the Bluetooth list). After that I can control the frustrating EQ (more on that later), change button presses, initiate game mode, and also update firmware, which as you read above, seems to fail every time for me.
• The kicker is, after I disconnect the TWS from the App (or putting it on the case again, for instance), the TWS won’t be able to connect again to that phone, with the only solution is to delete pairing and pair again. This makes using the app a hassle.
• Now...the biggest gripe for me: the EQ setting is all over the place… changing the preset would often shift the center-balance to the left or right, depending on which earpiece is acting as the master at the time of pairing, and pressing the save button would sometimes suddenly change the sound from what you set it before. It seems that different starting preset would differ in sound completely to our adjustment... for instance you take two preset: the “Hi-fi” and “Rock”, and you adjust both of them to the same EQ form (let’s say flat EQ), both would ended up with really different sound. That is not how EQ supposed to work.
• Also when you save preset, it would only registered on the designated master unit at the time of pairing…so let say when pairing initially to your phone that the left unit is the master (easily tell by which one is blinking red-blue), when you save an EQ preset it would only sound like that the next time if you also use the left again as the master.. if for some reason you pair them again using the right unit, then the EQ preset would be different...and good luck trying to replicate the same EQ setting on both the TWS earpiece with that temperamental EQ setting…

UPDATE: After chatting with a Tronsmart representative via email (Thanks Ella! ), she said that she doesn't have the pairing and updating problem with her phone, so I decided to try updating it again using a different phone, this time using an old Google Pixel 2 i have lying around. And happily, the update process was successful. Also i found that when connecting to the Tronsmart app on the Pixel 2, it didn't ask for another pairing like i had on the Note 10 and Note 8...so maybe that connection problem is exclusive to the Samsung Note? or maybe all Samsung? i don't know, but that is something to take into consideration.

The EQ problem is still there on the Pixel 2 though, so i think it's the app's problem and i sure hope Tronsmart will update their app to fix it (and tone down the bass from all of the preset!).

All of this is really frustrating, especially as I know that this Onyx Prime has good raw driver capabilities and can definitely take great EQ-ing, as I genuinely found some nice sound out of it. But the fact that getting that setting is like feeling my way in the dark with random outcomes, and also the possibility that I can lose my EQ preset unwillingly and have to revert to the “Default” preset (which is honestly really bad), makes me really sad.

So, unless there’s a fix for this from future update (which is also a frustrating process for me), this TWS feels like running a race but stopping short before the finish line…

I don’t know if this app problems is exclusive to my experience, so do enlighten and help me to fix this problem, as I truly want this TWS to work out to its full potential.

For your info I tried this using multiple different phones at my home (Samsung Note 10, Note 8), and both have the same frustrating outcome.


Isolation, ANC/ Ambient mode:
Passive isolation: Passively, it performs well. I think this is the best in term of passive noise blocking compared to the other Onyx/Apollo

No ANC/ Ambient mode on the Onyx Prime


Sound characteristic:
In the default EQ presets, it is mostly hard V shape with too much bass and killing the true potential of the crisp treble from the added BA driver…

The only bass light preset would be the “Hi-fi” but it also has a problem, which is some hollow/ missing frequency somewhere in the mids, making the soundstage disjointed between the left and right channel.

I found my ideal setting by using the “Rock” setting which has the most forward mids, and then cutting the bass frequency quite a bit to make the treble pops. In this setting, it is one of my most preferred TWS in terms of sound, because driver capabilities-wise, this is the best Tronsmart TWS compared to the other Onyx/Apollo line, especially when talking about the treble resolve.


Bass:
Just like the other Tronsmart Onyx/ Apollo TWS, this Onyx Prime has no problem outputting ample amount of bass. Sadly, the EQ presets seems to be doing the bass too much…just like the other Tronsmart lines. I really wish that they would tone down the bass significantly and just use some more well-known target curve, like Harman, etc (especially with the added “made for audiophiles” tagline for this Onyx Prime)

Mids:
Most of the preset have low amount of mids, making it sounded distant. The only preset that shows the true potential of this TWS is the “Rock” preset, which clearly shows that the Onyx Prime can indeed have a good mids

Treble:
This is where the Onyx Prime sets itself apart from the other Onyx and Apollo line. The extra crispness and sparkle of the treble is simply can’t be achieved by the other Onyx/Apollos.

Soundstage:
With the "default" EQ (and most of the other ones), the bass blurred the depth of sound, making it more flat, especially compared to the Apollo Bold and Air, which also have big amount of bass, but doing it in a more fun way and not masking the depth of the soundstage. When tuned right, the Onyx Prime is more similar to hybrid/ all BA stage monitor IEMs in depth and spread: positioning the listener not too far back in rows, and more close to intimate in staging.


Conclusion:
I really do want this to be the perfect Tronsmart TWS in terms of sound…that makes me more frustrated to see the state of the app (EQ, updating process, and app connection). If Tronsmart can fix this App problem and give the Onyx Prime true EQing capability, this TWS can seriously crush the other competitors, as I do rate this highly among my collections in terms of sound. I hope the fix would come soon.

With the default EQ, i would give this a 3 in rating, but after my luckily saved EQ tuning (which made me afraid to try updating it again, because it would definitely forces me to reset to default if the update process fails), i give this a 4

If the app is fixed and the EQ section is spotless, I would give this TWS a solid 5 stars.

Tronsmart Onyx Prime



Intro: The Tronsmart Onyx Prime is a hybrid TWS with a 1DD 1BA driver configuration. For Bluetooth 5.2 support, it uses the well-known QCC3040 chip supporting AptX Adaptive which is backward compatible with AptX. Non-AptX users have AAC or SBC. USB-C charging. The manufacturer stated runtime of 40 hours is optimistically based on recharging more than a few times.




Packaging: Nicer and larger than I expected for the price. Inside you will find replacement ear hooks and a set of tips. Also a cool diagram showing the hybrid driver placement in the shell.



The case is slim and the earbuds have more of a vertical orientation. I would prefer a flat bottom so the case would stand upright.


The earbuds are comfortable and I would suggest rotating the earhooks to fit your ear for a more secure fit. The included tips seem ok but did not provide an adequate seal so I used my own tips. The touch-sensitive button on the earbud worked very well for me also.

Sound:


As other reviews have mentioned, there is some bass here. For those who are Harman2019 fans, this is a bit more than Harman levels. I measured the Onyx Prime as it was shipped without installing the app first. The blue line is labeled Tronsmart Onyx Prime Default is this out-of-the-box sound. If you are using the stock tips that do not seal well in your ears, this level of bass will not sound as extreme as it looks. If you do what I did and swap tips to fir your ears, this is a high quantity of bass. It is also impactful for a TWS or even some IEMs in the same price range. For my usage which is mainly outdoors, I do enjoy a bigger V-shape signature like this as it blocks out the environmental noise without fatiguing levels of volume. The bass here is big on quantity, fun, and more controlled than I assumed it would be.

The mids are going to take on some recession and warmth from this big V-shape but it is also where you will hear the quality of AptX in the resolution and detail, as well as the quality of the drivers, or I should say the decision to pair this BA with this DD. The two sound as one (after you turn the bass down), more so than other hybrid TWS I have tried recently and in the past. In the mids, you do get the warmth from the bassy DD but also those sharper overtones from the BA as you would expect from a hybrid driver configuration. For me, this bumps it from an average set to hybrid TWS done quite well as this BA contributes positively to the imaging and separation as you would expect. Considering the bass level out of the box, the vocals are quite clear and certainly better with some EQ. With AptX and this driver configuration, you will also hear the Bluetooth codec limitations on resolution, texture, detail compared to your wired sets. I don't say that negatively, but rather they did well to the sound quality to edge of what is possible in this configuration and price.

The treble is a bit thin but it is the contrast to the bass and in the V-shape sound, especially outdoors, it works well. For a TWS to present that much treble extension without fatigue or straying off into metallic tinniness, again I think these two drivers work well and a good design decision.

For the stage, a bit small. Could use more width and some height to improve the imaging.

My personal preference was to start with the HIFI preset in the application EQ panel which you can see as the green line above in the graph. Drops the bass quite a bit and the upper range works better for me as slightly higher volumes. Generally, a shallower V is also going to help showcase those mids better as well. Again, this is dependent on your fit so with a poor fit, the hifi preset is going to sound nearly bass-less.

As far as the application support, do install it and check/upgrade the firmware as mine needed an upgrade. The EQ presets are easy to set but when I would quit the app the re-open it, the EQ settings do not seem to be saved or recalled. I figured this out after spending a bunch of time customizing the hifi preset only to have it disappear on the next open of the app. So for now, I stick to the Hifi preset. Hopefully, they will offer more robust custom EQ support in the future.

Thank you to Tronsmart for sending this review sample to me. You can find more info on Tronsmart's main site here or purchase on Amazon here

For more details, my video review is here:

Tronsmart Onyx Prime - Giant Killer?



Well, I have to say that regancipher's rather excellent review of the Tronsmart Onyx Prime has left me feeling rather inadequate. It's definitely a hard act to follow - especially considering that my thoughts and opinions on these headphones pretty much match regancipher's findings in his review.







Case



The case pretty much looks and feels like a lot of other inexpensive Bluetooth IEM's out there - small enough to easily fit into the coin pocket of your jeans (God, it's been many years since I've worn a pair of jeans!). I do find it somewhat slippery and sometimes difficult to open though. The hinge feels like it could potentially last the lifetime of the buds. There's no wireless charging but the case does use USB C so that's good. I found charging time to be perfectly acceptable and the buds offer a reasonable 7 hours of playback time (this is thanks to the lack of active noise cancelling). The case itself offers Up to 40 hours of additional charge.

It took me a couple of goes to get used to getting the buds in and out of the case but it's actually quite easy - they go in at a kind of angle and there's magnets to help them go in. Almost, but not quite, as good as the Sony's.

Buds



Quite big but not uncomfortably so. I would describe the insertion depth as 'medium' - deeper than the Apollo Bold's but not as deep as the triple-flanged Etymotics ER4P. They're light enough to stay in whilst moving around and their passive noise insulation is actually quite impressive. The touch controls are excellent - on par with the Sony's - sensitive but with an easy to find touch surface which helps reduce accidental triggers.



I did experience a couple of drop-outs when walking around with the Prime’s but this is something that may be more to do with my phone than the headphones - it was only a couple of times during around 30 minutes of walking so not really something that bothered me that much. One thing that I did find impressive was the passive noise cancelling which was almost as effective as the ANC on some of the other TWS headphones in my collection.

Sound Quality

I have to admit that my tastes in both music and the frequency response of my headphones have changed somewhat over the last few years. I used to love the sound of the Etymotic ER4P - although I did sometimes find them a little fatiguing. Then I bought the Shure E500 IEM"s. These had a far 'darker' sound which took a little getting used to but I eventually got used to them. After that the excellent Ultimate Ears Triple Fi 10's which I still own. These exhibited a far more neutral sound character but with a little more oommph in the bass when compared to the Ety's. Well, the Onyx Prime definitely shares a similar sound character to the Triple Fi's - and that's very high praise - especially for a wireless headphone. The Onyx does have even more bass to offer though. Very deep, similar to the Apollo Bold's, but with a little more control and detail. I think that this sub-bass emphasis is bordering on, but just staying south, of boomy. Truth is that I like it and it helps when listening to music at lower volume levels. I think the Apollo Bold's still take some beating when it comes to listening at really low levels though.



Mids offer a surprising amount of detail - one test track I use often for detail analysis is 'Young Lust' from Pink Floyd's The Wall album. The dialogue from the TV sets in the background came through with surprising clarity. The highs are nicely detailed without coming across as harsh. Cymbals have a nice metallic 'sheen' to them. I’m quite sensitive to harsh highs but didn’t feel that the Onyx Prime ever stepped into harsh territory at all.

I've just spent a pleasant couple of hours listening to some vintage Rush and Yes. The Onyx Prime really shines when it comes to producing a great sound from some of these older recordings - especially when it comes to bass slam.

One of my favourite IEM's for overall sound character are the Sony WF1000XM3's. Whilst they're not technically the most detailed headphones out there, they do have a nice 'big' sound to them and, in my opinion, are very musical. The Tronsmart Onyx Prime share that same 'big' sound that the Sony's offer without the active noise cancelling and 'big' price. For me, the Sony’s definitely hit that magic combination of smooth but detailed sound, decent but not ever overblown bass, excellent ANC, really nice touch controls and an overall sound character that I always find really pleasing. I know that some people find the Sony’s somewhat ‘dark’ but I really like that character. Whilst the Onyx Prime’s exhibit a slightly less ‘dark’ sound, they still have that big sound with smooth non-fatiguing delivery that works well with pretty much any genre of music. I found this very impressive considering the difference in price between the two models.

What really impressed me though was when I connected them to my Amazon Firestick HD and started watching some action movies with them. This additional sub-bass boost really added to my movie watching experience. Likewise when I connected them to my Xbox One and had a go on Forza and Call of Duty the end result was really quite excellent. The Onyx Prime features a 'Gaming Mode' which offers reduced lag at the expense of some sound quality and it works. Gunshots from Call of Duty perfectly synced up with what I was seeing on-screen and they definitely go a little louder than any of the other bluetooth headphones and earbuds I’ve tried with the Xbox. Great result!

Conclusion

I was having a conversation with someone at work the other day about some of the headphones I have owned in the past (and many that I still own) and commented about how some of the less expensive wireless headphones around now can seriously compete with some of the finest wired IEM's from a few years back. I have to say that the Tronsmart Onyx Prime is a perfect example of this - whilst I would say that they’re not technically as good as the Ultimate Ears Triple-Fi 10's, they're really not that far behind either. I'm always impressed with the overall quality that Tronsmart offers with their inexpensive products - in so many ways they make a mockery of the more expensive counterparts from the likes of Sony, Technics and the like. Whilst they lack the ultimate features of these higher-end models, they definitely put their attention into what's important - sound quality.

If you’re looking for a well specified, comfortable, nice sounding wireless IEM and don’t require active noise cancelling, then I can highly recommend the Tronsmart Onyx Prime. For their price, they’re very hard to beat. Whilst they are cheaper than the Apollo Bold model, I personally think that they sound better all round (except when listening at really low volume levels - the Apollo Bold is utterly superb when it comes to low level listening).

Whilst they’re not perfect - I personally still feel that there’s a tad too much bass (this is Tronsmart’s sound signature but can be adjusted quite nicely with the Tronsmart App) and the case is outrageously slippery and can be difficult to open, However, even with all these minor faults, and the Tronsmart Onyx Prime definitely redeem themselves when it comes to bluetooth range, battery life, excellent touch controls, excellent accompanying app, superb value and, most importantly, outstanding sound quality. For their price, I think you would be very hard to find a more complete TWS package - Well done Tronsmart.

nicked from regancipher's review (hope you don't mind)

Model: Tronsmart Onyx Prime
Price: MSRP Approx $59.99
Distributor: Aliexpress, Geekbuy
Vendor Website: Tronsmart

RC057

How I review: (See Previous Reviews)
Instagram: regancipher
YouTube: regancipher

Model: Tronsmart Onyx Prime
Price: MSRP Approx $59.99
Distributor: Aliexpress, Geekbuy
Vendor Website: Tronsmart
Review Reference: RC057

Manufacturer Specification:

• Brand: Tronsmart
• Model: Onyx Prime
• Driver: Hybrid Dual-Armature Driver
• Chipset: Qualcomm QCC3040
• Mic: 4, cVc 8.0 Noise Reduction
• ANC: No
• Volume Control: Yes
• Codecs: AptX-adaptive, AAC, SBC
• Earbud Weight: 6.34g
• Earbud Dimensions: 28mm stem length, 29mm depth with nozzle
• Gross Case & Buds Weight: 53.14g
• Case Dimensions: 70mm width, 30mm depth, 50mm height
• Case Charge Capacity: 400mAh
• Full Charge Time: 120 minutes
• Quick Charge: No
• Wireless Charging: No
• Input: 5V 400mA
• Single Use Playtime: Up to 7 hours
• Playtime with Charge Case: Up to 40 hours
• App Support: No
• Bluetooth Range: 10m advertised
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth® 5.2
• Bluetooth Protocols: HFP 1.7/ A2DP 1.3/ AVRCP 1.5
• Water Resistance: Not stated

Includes:

1 x Pair Wireless Earbuds
1 x USB Type-C Charge Case
1 x USB Type-C Charge Cable
1 x User manual, English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, Russian
3 x Pairs Eartips and Earhooks
1 x Warranty Card


Real Life Experience

Welcome to the Regancipher review of one I've been eagerly anticipating, the @Tronsmart Official Onyx Prime.

When I reviewed the Apollo Air a few months ago, I lamented the absence of dual driver options within their range. At the time, SoundPEATS already hit the market with the H1, Anker with the SoundCore Liberty Air Pro 2 - even budget brands KZ, QCY and Haylou had a couple of releases, and subsequently we saw the Edifier NeoBuds Pro amongst others also offer hybrid driver products to the market. This release clearly demonstrates Tronsmart listen to the market and act accordingly - exactly what we want from a vendor - but are a little late to the party, so the release would have to be worth it!

So what is so special about dual-armature drivers? Well, firstly lets understand our apples and pears. Dynamic drivers are what you find typically in Bluetooth earbuds. They're small, cheap and generally do a decent job. A static magnetic field interacts with the current in the coil to move it back and forth as per the signal applied, and a diaphragm amplifies the vibrations producing soundwaves, just like any standard tweeter or woofer. So far so good.

The problem is, when stuff improves, the interconnected stuff with it has to improve too. As codecs have become more efficient, SoC's have become more powerful per mm, and transmission has become more stable, there was always going to be a point where the hardware in TWS had to keep pace with what's under the hood and the ecosystem around it.

Balanced Armature drivers are nothing new, and in fact work in a very similar way to Dynamic drivers, albeit looking very different. The key differentiator is the coil in a BA is stationary - instead a reed runs through the coil and attaches to the diaphragm. When voltage is applied to the coil, the coil magnetises the reed and causes it to vibrate, which in turn vibrates the diaphragm.

Hang on...that sounds familiar. If you're thinking 'isn't that how hearing aids work' then you would be correct - the hearing aid market uses BA almost exclusively. In fact, QCY's first hybrid driver release (the disappointing T10) was essentially using a hybrid-driver single unit, like the reverse of what we are seeing here - separate drivers working in harmony. It is worth mentioning as well, that there are vendors that design BA drivers for music only now - whilst QCY used a multi-functional BA in the T10 and T11, Sony and Etymotic have designed their own music-specialised BA drivers, and Knowles - a name many will be familiar with - have a wide range of functional BA drivers in their portfolio.

Hybrid-armature SHOULD mean (at least) two separate drivers, one dynamic and one balanced, and in TWS two is probably as convenient as it can get, because despite the small footprint of these drivers, you still have to factor in positioning. Whilst the wavelengths are also small, there are still optimal and suboptimal (and everything in between) positions for locating each driver. Tronsmart have, like SoundPEATS and Soundcore, positioned the BA in front of the woofer, and it is actually visible (like the H1) if you look close enough into the nozzle - usually a bad idea, but it works with TWS due to the size and usually a clever design. More on that later. When you get the positioning right, the idea is the combination of a tweeter (the BA) and a woofer (the DD) can produce a much nicer sound signature - instead of nasty, bloated mid-bass spikes, you can tune the DD to handle the lower frequencies more precisely (avoiding bleed) and the BA to handle the detailed, higher frequencies.

This worked emphatically with the 4BA KZ SKS, one of the best sounding earbuds around, but they lacked practicality due to the size, so vendors have been chipping away since trying to find the perfect balance.

The Unboxing - 9/10



Unboxing with Tronsmart is often a cut above the rest, and we are back to Apollo Bold levels with the Onyx Prime. The front cover is in Tronsmart's signature orange and white (although the purple has been dropped) with the slogan MADE FOR AUDIOPHILES clearly denoting the target audience - not sure that's going to apply looking at the Frequency Response, but let's see!

The inner folding cover explains what I described above in less jargon and more consumer-friendly parlance, and is a true representation of the design, at least according to the photos they submitted for FCC approval.



The back details the key features, and the unboxing reveals an impressive array of tips and wings to try to make the fit as stable as possible.



Tronsmart's documentation is the best in this price range. Whilst the text is in a variety of languages, the main manual section uses visuals and symbols to represent how to use the buds, and it is extremely effective.

The Case - 6.5/10



The case is possibly the most underwhelming element of this release. It isn't especially big, although it is definitely on the larger end of the scale at 7cm wide and 5cm high. The finish also isn't half as bad as some cases, albeit still quite generic looking with a deeply-etched Tronsmart logo on the top. However, whilst it has a lip in the middle for single-handed operation, in practice because of the position (just under half-way up) it is pretty awkward to use in this way, borderline impossible. It is reasonably well-built (although the hinge is the weakest part), but the array of seemingly unnecessary grooves at the back makes it rather ugly looking and sometimes a bit uncomfortable in your hand.

The charging socket - USB-C - is located towards the bottom, with a blue light next to it denoting charge. When you replace the buds, the light will flicker six times to tell you they are on charge - blue if above 20%, red if below. When you plug the case in, a solid red light will show the case needs charging, going off when the case is fully charged (approx 2 hours). Again, this is not really very helpful, when you have buds like 1More, Samsung and even KZ giving you far more visual information about how much charge you have left or need. Otherwise it's guesswork, and this is further exacerbated by the absence of quick or 'warp' charge.



Weighing 53g, it is one of the heavier cases I've tested, although it is suitable for a jacket pocket. Certainly not a deal-breaker, but a more visible and intuitive charging LED scheme (preferably on the front)

Ergonomics - 7/10



The buds are a little 80's looking in their design, with a mini-stem shape a minor variation on that used by Anker with their Soundcore Liberty Air Pro 2. The mesh next to the logo is a chamber which facilitates the mic noise reduction, assists the driver arrangement and acts as a pressure relief hole.

The touch control area is, as always, fingertip-shaped, and makes for easy and intuitive control. The LED on the outside is mostly for when the buds are in the case (getting around the lack of LED's on the front). They do flash blue and red intermittently to demonstrate they are looking to pair. When charging, opening the case will reveal the buds glowing red, and this stops when charge is complete. If you need to reset the buds, hold the buttons down in the case, and you'll get a longer intermittent blue and red flashing sequence.

The only time the LED comes on when in use is when the battery is about to die, and this is actually pretty useful - you also get a clear, English voice prompt - again, one of Tronsmart's key differentiators.



From the side, they look like a cross between the SLA2 Pro and the Apollo Air, with a hairdryer-esque shape, but with handy wingtips, which tuck into your antihelix to provide a little more support, although not that it is really necessary. They got the shape down to a tee, with the design providing such good passive isolation that the lack of ANC is academic. Usefully, the beveled charge connectors are kept apart from your skin - especially useful if you suffer from allergies.



You can just about make-out the rectangular BA in the nozzle above, and the angled, asymmetrical location of the nozzle augments the design and comfort.



From the front, the buds are obviously more obtrusive than, for example. Jabra Elite or SoundPEATS Mini, in-ear button-style buds. Even with the smallest tips, the elongated nozzle, designed so due to the positioning of the drivers, means they are a little overt. They are reasonably comfortable though, and only start to give fatigue after a good few hours use. Comfort is not on par with the smaller buds on the market nowadays, but they balance comfort and stability along with the necessities of the design really well. No arguments here.



From the side you see that the 80's look is toned down quite a bit, and the wingtips are really useful in tucking in and giving you that extra bit of support.

Sadly there is no IPX rating with the Onyx Prime, and I suspect this is down to the BA drivers - it adds complexity to the design to keep them insulated and provide the best possible acoustic environment - not impossible, but would have added additional cost for sure.



The buds are quite heavy - over 6g - but due to their surface area, they don't feel especially heavy in the ears, and I took them out for a little run earlier and other than a few minor adjustments they were fine.

Audio - 8.5/10 (for the price paid), 7.5/10 (raw score)

Boom! This is where the Onyx Prime come into their own. I tested with a wide variety of music styles and the Onyx Prime passed every test with flying colours. The 'made for audiophiles' claim might be a bit wide of the mark here though - the Onyx Pure have a boomy lower frequency response and sparkly trebles that makes them a raw and punchy companion best reserved for the moments you can dance around the living room without too much care for accuracy.

Crazy by Seal has a warmth and intimacy where the keyboard separates beautifully from the wah-wah pedal guitar. The percussion has great texture despite the heavy focus on the lower frequencies in the track. The higher frequencies have much more emphasis than the SoundPEATS H1 or Edifier NeoBuds Pro, and this at times makes for a more engaging experience. Whilst not quite the Harman-style 'audiophile' sound signature that Tronsmart inferred on the front cover, the detail is not lost - in fact, the detail in the percussion, tams and pads is quite well represented, if a shade fatiguing after a while.

This is further demonstrated in 7 Seconds by Yossou N'Dour, a naturally spacious track with a full bassline which shows no degredation as Neneh Cherry's vocals, strings and synths of a variety of frequencies are introduced. It is here that the first signs of minor sibilance are revealed, and a look into the Tronsmart app shows the default EQ position inexplicably overbakes the top end. Revoking this gives you a far less fatiguing experience. However it is this track which shows the elastic soundstage errs on the side of warmth and intimacy over wide and airy - not a problem, as it is the case with most TWS, but worthy of note.

This is again the case with 'Just Another Day' by Jon Secada, where the claps and hats are a little raspy throughout. Moving through the genres, 'Momentum' by Don Diablo has great punchiness and speed to the kick, but those raspy high-hats come out again in Blonde's 'I Loved You More' and notably in the build up in 'Koala' by Oliver Heldens.

Even with these nuances, I'm not gonna lie I haven't really smiled much listening to music over the last few years. With my favourite festivals pretty much all cancelled I've barely listened to anything other than to review. The Onyx Prime had me up dancing from the moment I put them in my ears...and there's a lot to be said for that. Music is a spiritual thing, something that is meant to invoke emotion....harman curves are great for prolonged listening but when I'm banging out some techno, fatigue is the last thing on my mind....I went through all my favourite playlists and I'm pretty sure the neighbours saw me bopping to Camelphat at one point

If the H1 were the pre-party, the Galaxy Buds Live the festival, the Onyx Prime are the club. Probably Printworks at around 5am!

Call Quality - Indoors - 8/10, Outdoors - 7.5/10

Calls are pretty decent on the Onyx Prime, and reflective of recent releases which show that whilst little thought has gone into the mic placement or design, the MEMS units are simply improving in quality.

Your voice sounds very natural indoors, and handles background noise, especially other voices, quite well. Unfortunately, your voice also loses a bit of clarity, but there's no 'overprocessing' you hear on many other sets. They feature on my indoor call test here:



Outdoors, your voice is elevated over traffic or splashes, and whilst they are more evident than, for example, the SoundPEATS Mini, which uses an AI-based algorithm to differentiate your voice from other frequencies, they don't sound like splashes or traffic, they just sound like 'hums'. Again, you retain naturalness but lose a little clarity.

They were one of the better performers in my test of 28 different tws models in a testing, outdoor environment:



Calls are easily doable on the Prime, and whilst not the headline feature, are more than respectable.

Connectivity, Controls and Other Features - 8/10

Tronsmart have once again used the Qualcomm QCC3040 chip, which brings Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity and aptX-adaptive support, and it was evident again that the occasional glitches symptomatic of early QCC3040 releases, and even lesser chips like the Jieli, Airoha and BES equivalents, have been ironed out. Connectivity is very solid.



The Onyx Prime are supported in the Tronsmart app, and from left to right, top to bottom, you see the journey of connecting them, and then using them. The first screen after connection shows you the battery level of each bud and allows you to switch between gaming and music mode. Next you have the equaliser - as I said earlier, inexplicably lifted trebles by default, just notching this down a shade is a measurable improvement.

Almost all of the touch controls are customisable, including tap and hold. A fairly common feature these days, but a welcome one. The voice prompts are very clear, and you don't have to decipher morse code to tell what's going on - a nice bonus that adds gloss to Tronsmart's releases. Latency is good in music mode - practically lip sync, even with AAC.

The obvious omissions - ANC, Fast Charge, Wireless Charging and High Res Codecs are a shame. ANC is not such an issue as the passive isolation is very good, but quick charge and the option for LHDC would have been nice. Perhaps this is reserved for the next Apollo release?!

Battery Life - 8.5/10

Battery life has typically disappointed with Tronsmart buds, but with the efficient BA driver taking some of the load, this allows for a good 5.5-7 hours playtime from a single charge, and you can get around 3-3.5 more charges from the case, a total of 40 hours - very respectable and helped by the cases large capacity. The problem is the charge time - no quick charge, and 2 hours for a full charge, but given the long total playtime, it shouldn't be a deal-breaker.

Final Comments

Tronsmart have not really made a big splash about this release - despite getting it out for Singles Day, a new and fairly intensive day job meant I couldn't get the photos done this week with barely any daylight here in the UK outside working hours, and it was a shame as I really wanted to help promote this surprisingly excellent release.

Overall Tronsmart can be happy with the Onyx Prime, and I really hope the community supports it. I posted a few deals on hotukdeals last week for earbuds, and the Tronsmart one got the least love (although it was the most expensive) - I suspect partly because of the association with Luis Suarez (outside Liverpool he's generally hated over here ) and partly because they aren't overt about their products. Fingers crossed we can get more consumers to realise that Tronsmart has a quality offering - and drive more traffic Headfi's way too. Tronsmart as a vendor engage actively here, and it is this engagement that helps them help us - I think they actually gave away several pairs in a competition on here, which is again to their credit - doing the right things, the right way.

Dual-armature TWS aren't as simple as chucking a tweeter in there, there are a lot to consider before getting the release out there and getting it right. It feels like Tronsmart took their time over this and understood the sacrifices before releasing a very decent first effort in the hybrid driver arena. The sound is incredibly engaging. The Prime are the life and soul of the party, but don't skimp on detail. The soundstage contracts and expands as it needs to, although it could be wider at times, and the comfort is good enough for a series of sprints, if not a marathon.

I really like the Prime, to the point they reminded me how fun music can be. One of the questions I always hate is 'Which are the best buds' and inevitably the question will soon be 'These or the H1?'...when genuinely I have to say the answer is both. I like the relative calm of the H1 and the joyous anarchy of the Onyx Prime...why can't I have both?! Calls are better on the Onyx Prime, although battery life is better on the H1. Both use the same chip (although not the same drivers) and have the same codec support. The H1 are IPX5.

I suspect Tronsmart will follow this up with an Apollo Hybrid-Driver in time, but for now, the Onyx should not be overlooked. It is far better than the KZ attempts, and a very credible attempt. Well done Tronsmart!

Price Weighted Score: 83%
Raw Score: 79%

instagram: regancipher

Tronsmart Review Inventory:

Onyx Prime
Studio
Apollo Air
Battle
Onyx Apex
Apollo Q10
Onyx Free
Apollo Bold

About Tronsmart:

Tronsmart are now fully established as a mid to premium range earbud vendor, with their focus almost solely on audio products - mostly speakers and headphones. Founder Eric Cheng, a self-confessed geek, founded the company with his first paycheck (where was he working?!), building a lab to disassemble audio products with the aim to recreate them in his own vision at a cost-efficient price point.

After bringing in ear-chewing trophy-winning footballer Luis Suarez as an ambassador, the company have gone from strength to strength, building a close relationship with Qualcomm, and bringing two of their chips to market first with the Apollo Bold, and then the Apollo Air, which uses the Qualcomm QCC3046.

For speakers, the range is now almost as extensive as their earbuds, ranging from 7, 10 and 15w mini speakers through to the 60w Force Pro and Mega Pro.

Tronsmart remain one of my favourite mid-tier vendors, outrunning their budget competitors by releasing flagship products alongside the run-of-the-mill releases, and demonstrating transparency and commitment to quality and innovation with every release.