Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro QCC3040 E2031 IPX5 Semi-In Ear TWS cVc 8.0 13mm driver

Disclaimer: Thank you to Tronsmart for sending the Onyx Ace Pro to me for review. You can find more information here: https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-ace-pro-true-wireless-earphones

Specs from Tronsmart:

Since I am later in the review list, I'll skip the packaging and user guide pics as those have been covered well already and skip to the audio bits.



I will mention the reset button at the bottom of the case is one of the more innovative features at this price if you have ever been in the position of trying to figure out how to reset a TWS.



Sound and Relevant Factors:
First, I am a believer in the higher quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX Adaptive and aptX supported here. My Pixel 6 Pro simply says the connection is AptX

At the $35usd price, there are some aptX sets, but not many as it does require licensing. I am also an Android user and this aptX implementation seems as good as others I have heard recently.

Second, the airpod-like bud design is great for casual all-day listening, but wouldn't be my first choice for a serious music session. This is your do-it-all grab-and-go set that is generally good at music, calls, games, movies, etc. It is a generalist in sound and will easily handle anything you might need to wirelessly on the go. For a more serious music session, I also have Tronsmart's Onyx Prime which is also aptX and really geared towards audio enthusiasts. Onyx Ace Pro is geared towards anyone looking for an affordable set to throw in your gym bag or backpack for a day out.

The airpod style fit is not my favorite as it does allow quite a bit of environmental noise. Again, as a grab-and-go set where you might need to hear transportation announcements or want to listen to vehicular traffic, this is perfect. If you are looking for an IEM-type of isolation, that does not happen here and it affects the sound signature.

The bass is good but is not going to go deep with this style of fit. This is a mid-centric signature that is perfect for general music listening, taking calls, or watching movies. The bass in a quiet environment is quite nice and will be a bit harder to fully hear in a noisier environment.

The mids are a bit forward as you would expect in a generalist TWS set. There is just enough warmth on the low end to counter a bit of a rise in the upper mid. Again, this is a bit of a fit issue, the looser the fit, the more of a chance the upper mids will lean thin. Very similar to an IEM without a proper fit, lose some bass and an apparent brighter sound. The same happens here but again, this works in your favor for calls as you are getting a nice clear vocal emphasis.

Treble is fine, upper mid/lower treble emphasis and polite continuing on through the upper. I think both the bass and upper treble are there to really support the mids. Just enough so nothing is missing.

Overall, Tronsmart has delivered an affordable airpod-style TWS that can really handle everything you might need to do on the go. Music, games, calls, movies are all handled well here helped out by Qualcomm's chip and codec.

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 for Sending me this review unit and giving me the opportunity to review the Tronsmart Onyx ace pro .
This is my third 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 .

details of box :




When unboxing :


accessories :


Earbud design :

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

Configuration of IEM : 13mm composite polymer driver

Price of IEM : US $26 from Tronsmart Aliexpress official store .

Comfort: Comfort is great. Fitment need adjust a bit to secure with ears

Design : small size TWS .feel like airpod

PRO:
long playtime ,detail retrieval decent . Support APTX decoder . Type-C charging port . Dual microphone with cVc Call reduction .
CONS:
Earbuds feel doesn't fit secure , treble clarity average , Bass boomy

**Disclaimer : This reviews done by using Samsung A02 with UAPP pro

BASS: The bass here is boomy . When I listen to IVE - Take it ,I can feel the sub bass is boomy and rumbly but doesn't feel bleeding .

MIDS : forward 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 forward, details and crisp present here .However I prefer a more bodied female vocal presence . How about male vocals ? male vocal is full bodied and doesn't bleed. Great tuning IMO.really enjoyed the male vocal presence on Jo Yuri - Autumn memories .

HIGH : Treble is smooth . I feel the treble is smooth and well extended .When I listen to Daft Punk - Beyond , I can feel the background of treble is smooth and extended.

SOUNDSTAGE : it is deep and wide. When listening to the Sabia - Angel i feel the backgroud is deep and wide .

IMAGING : it's about decent .When I listen to Jo Yuri - Autumn memories ,I can pinpoint the violet instrument on left side ,the drum is forward in my face , the singer centered on stage with great stereo positioning.

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

Overall i can recommend this TWS for casual listening .

Playtime : up to 27 hrs

4 / 5 star .

interesting ?
https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-ace-pro-true-wireless-earphones
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004152736397.html

DISCLAIMER

I would like to thank Tronsmart for providing this review unit.
The Onyx Ace Pro can be gotten here: https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-ace-pro-true-wireless-earphones

Or https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3256803966421645.html





EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro are a versatile on-the-go TWS pair of buds, very suited for a daily beater pair, or even for calls and meetings. They feature stable BT connectivity, multiple codec support, long battery life, waterproofing and an intuitive UI.


SPECIFICATIONS

Bluetooth: 5.2
Bluetooth chip: Qualcomm® QCC3040
Bluetooth codec: aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC
Frequency range: 20Hz - 20KHz
Connection distance: 10m/33ft (Open Area)
Waterproof rating: IPX5
Dimensions: Earphone: 39 x 16.5 x 16.8 mm / 1.54 x 0.65 x 0.66 inches Charging Case: 48 x 23 x 57.5 mm / 1.89 x 0.9 x 2.26 inches
Weight: Earphone: about 4 g / 0.008lbs Charging Case: about 37 g / 0.08lbs
Playtime: Up to 6.5 Hours (on a Single Charge); Up to 27 Hours (with the Charging Case)
Charging time: Earphones: About 1 Hour 30 Minutes; Charging Case: About 2 Hours
Microphones: 4
Voice Assistant: Supports Siri, Cortana and Google Assistant
Tested at: USD$40, currently selling at $26


ACCESSORIES

In addition to the TWS buds, a Type-C charging cable and charging case are provided.

The charging case features a magnetic grip on the earbuds, so even if the contents of the case are turned upside down, the TWS buds inside won't drop out. The charging case supports USB Type-C charging, but no fast charging is available.




Weighing in at 30+ grams, the case itself is pretty light and small in profile, and can easily be slipped into a pocket.



The number of lights at the front of the case will indicate the remaining battery life and charging status.



The case has a reset button - see no. 7 circled above. If a reset or pairing issues are encountered, one can press the reset button on the case for 10 seconds.



BUILD/UTILITY

The Onyx Ace Pro's fit is similar to that of apple airpods, featuring a hybrid between earbuds/IEMs.



These buds are very light and ergonomic, I've no issues using them for hours. Indeed, they also fit well and do not drop out of the ears even with robust head turning/shaking, eg during exercise. The long stem provide a good counterweight to the actual earbud, so in terms of design, they are well implemented.

Speaking about exercise, these are IPX5 rated waterproof, so they can resist a sustained, low-pressure water jet spray, and are well suited for gym work or even jogging in the rain.


FUNCTION

The mic/charging contact are at the bottom of the stem and the function button is located at the top of these buds


The buttons work as advertised, and are on the more sensitive side. However, the buttons are a bit small and those with large fingers may have an issue with pressing them.



Taking the earbuds out of the charging case will turn them on automatically, and putting them back in turns them off. They can also be turned off manually via pressing the buttons for 5 seconds. To manually turn them on, tap and hold the buttons on both earphones for 2 seconds. These buds will also turn themselves off after 5 minutes if there is no sound input provided via BT, or when the battery is low.

Interestingly, the Onyx Ace Pro can be used in Mono mode, but volume cannot be adjusted in this mode.

Battery life is rather good, advertised by Tronsmart to hit up to 6.5 Hours (on one charge) or up to 27 Hours (with the charging case) at moderate volumes. In practice, I found the battery specs to be just a tinge below the above, but as per most electronics, the battery life is expected to decrease with repeated charges. Suffice to say, one can easily get thru a whole day with the charges provided via the charging case.


CONNECTIVITY

I had no issues pairing the Onxy Ace Pro with multiple bluetooth devices (both windows, android and apple based, and even some DAPs like the Sony A55 and Shanling Q1), they recognized them immediately.

Various codecs such as aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC and SBC are supported by these buds, so that's pretty nifty. In terms of BT connectivity, the Onyx Ace Pro doesn't disappoint, having very stable connectivity and range. Tronsmart advertises the effective range to be around 10 meters, and it is thereabouts, assuming no big obstructions are in the way. I had few dropouts during my few weeks of usage with them.

Sadly there is no app support on the Tronsmart app (at this current time), so there are no EQ or touch button customization options.


SOUND

The Onyx Ace Pro features a 13mm composite polymer driver, and they are tuned to a consumer friendly mild V-shape signature. While they aren't the most "audiophile" tuned pair of TWS buds in terms of absolute sonic fidelity, they are well suited to be a daily beater pair for lay consumers, and do a fair job in terms of sound.

These are mid-bass focused, with a sub-bass roll-off due to the lack of isolation (in view of the hybrid earbud design). Bass is fast enough, and decently textured for a TWS pair. The lower midrange is depressed as per the V-shaped tuning, but upper mids are boosted and female vocals are quite forward over male vocals. The upper mids region may get a bit hot at louder volumes (Fletcher Munson curve), especially if they are used in a noisy environments, as the lack of isolation may make one tempted to boost the volume to hear better. Treble is quite airy and extended with occasional sibilance at louder volumes (as mentioned above).

At low volumes and in quiet places, the V-shaped tuning is quite well done, but perhaps at noisy places, I would resist the urge to pump up the volume, to protect hearing health and to lower the upper midrange glare.

Instrumental timbre is very good and natural, though vocals can be a bit nasal at times, with a thin note weight. For a TWS pair, micro-details, clarity are decent, imaging and instrument separation are about average. Soundstage width is quite good, though depth/height are kind of "in your head". The caveat is that one can't compare these technical aspects with wired gear, but I would say the Onyx Ace Pro are more tuned for consumers than for true "audiophiles"; the Onyx Ace Pro do a decent enough job for sound on the go, and indeed one wouldn't be really focused on the fine nuances and analysis of critical listening while out and about.



I didn’t detect overt latency with music but there is a gaming mode that actually decreases the latency further. This gaming mode does decrease the soundstage to be more "in your head" but imaging seems to be more focused in this mode, perhaps giving better localization to footsteps and gunshots in this mode.

The Onyx Ace Pro supports various Voice Assistants like Siri, Cortana and Google Assistant, which is a nice addition.

Tronsmart advertises that these buds feature dual mics with cVc 8.0 call reduction, to theoretically quell background noise to offer better call quality. Indeed, call quality is pretty good on the Onyx Ace Pro, during calls for zoom teleconferences, I could hear others very well, and the feedback garnered from the other participants is that the speech was intelligible and understandable (though a bit soft and just a tinge muffled).


CONCLUSIONS

The Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro are a versatile on-the-go TWS pair of buds, very suited for a daily beater pair, or even for calls and meetings. They feature stable BT connectivity, multiple codec support, long battery life, waterproofing and an intuitive UI.

While not the last word in absolute sonic fidelity for "audiophiles", the Onyx Ace Pro are a good pair for consumers who want an all-rounder TWS set that serves most functions well. For the $26 USD introductory price, I'd happily stock up on a couple as presents for friends and family!

For $26usd, the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro is a steal.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?:​

• A USB charging cable, some paperwork, and the TWS itself.
• Simple and effective. No complaints.

Specifications:
- Audio Codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC
- Bluetooth Version: 5.2
- Bluetooth Range: 10m/33ft (Open Area)
- Number of Microphones: 4
- IP Rating: IPX5
- Play Time: Up to 6.5 Hours (on a Single Charge); Up to 27 Hours (with the Charging Case)
- Charging Time: About 1 Hour 30 Minutes; Charging Case: About 2 Hours
- Frequency Range: 20-20kHz
- Voice Assistant: Supports Siri, Cortana, Google Assistant, etc

Click to expand...

NON-AUDIO IMPRESSIONS :​

• Fit - Fit for me is good. I have used them for workouts and they managed to stay in my ears throughout the entire workout sessions. Never had to readjust them. YMMW (Your mileage may vary)
• Battery - Battery life is pretty amazing for me. The Onyx Pro Ace can last 6.5 hours on a single charge and you can get up to 27 hours from the case. I only need to charge them once a week or less. No complaints.
• Portability - The case size is great. It is somewhat like the Apple Airpod's size. Much smaller than the Sony WF-XM3 which is bulky and not at all pocket friendly. With the Onyx Pro Ace, I could just put it in my back pocket and forget about it.
• Bluetooth connectivity - No issues with any connectivity issues. With 4 Bluetooth codecs to choose from (aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC), it is more than enough for a TWS at this price range.
• Battery Indicator - The battery indicator is easy to understand and straight to the point. 4 bars, with Left & Right indicators as "top/bottom" to indicate that the Left and Right units are charging.
• Build - Build quality, in general, is pretty good. I have no issues with throwing them into my back pocket and sitting on them. However, the charging case does sometimes fail to detect my Left Unit, which may cause some annoyances at times as the Onyx Ace Pro would still be connected to my phone although it was already inside the case.
• Touch Controls - Easy to pick up. However, I would much prefer to have the option to customize the touch controls to my own personal liking - just like the Tronsmart Onyx Prime - I'd assume that app support will come someday in the future, but at the moment, the Onyx Pro Ace isn't available on the app.
• Overall, functionality wise, I have no complaints with the Onyx Pro Ace. It is easy to carry and easy to use. Perfect for what I need them for.
• However, the lack of touch control customization is a bit annoying for me. I hope that this feature will be added to the app in the future.

AUDIO IMPRESSIONS:​

• Sound signature here I would describe as fun, bassy, and dark. It has a more "consumer" sound signature.
• Bass - Bass is easily the best thing about the Onyx Pro Ace. Bass is full, thumpy, thick, and engulfing. Bassheads will definitely be satisfied. However, I do find the bass a bit much when used in quiet areas. In noisier areas, however, the emphasized bass is perfect as it "cancels off" the outside noise a bit, allowing you to still hear the bass instead of getting totally covered up by traffic noises.
• Mids - Midrange here can be stuffy and recessed at times, especially with female vocals. For male vocals, they mostly come off as full and thick.
• Treble - Treble here is smooth and dark. It is pretty inoffensive so I don’t think anyone will have any issues with the treble here. However, if you are looking for a brighter/treble-focused sound, this ain't it.
• Soundstage - As the Onyx Ace Pro is a TWS with an open-back, earbuds design, the soundstage here is pretty open and wide.
• Imaging - Imaging, however, is a bit blunt and hazy for me. Not the best.

IN CONCLUSION:​

Despite some minor gripes with the sound of the Onyx Ace Pro, I still really like it thanks to its inoffensive tuning and great functionality.

I've been using them as my workout TWS for the past few weeks and honestly, I can't find too many things to complain about. I've used them for gym sessions, jogs, walks, hiking… and they have stayed in my ears with no signs of them falling off.

In terms of sound, yes, the Onyx Ace Pro aren't "top class" in terms of sound quality in its price range, but it is good enough for *most* people. Don't get me wrong, the sound quality isn't bad, its just that, if I am looking purely for sound quality, Onyx Ace Pro wouldn't be my first choice. I would go for the Onyx Prime instead.

Overall, very solid TWS for $26usd. Great job Tronsmart.

4.5/5 stars ​

Thank you Ella from Tronsmart for sending the Tronsmart Bang 60W over. I am not at all compensated by them and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Interested in getting the Tronsmart Bang? Here is the purchase link (non-affiliated):

• Tronsmart - https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-ace-pro-true-wireless-earphones
• Aliexpress - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004152736397.html

Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro Review - Worthy of the Pro Moniker?



Intro
Tronsmart needs no introduction in the mainstream audio product community. They have a wide range of products and I have reviewed several of them and generally I find them to have a very good price performance ratio. Despite not claiming to be audiophile targeted product, some of the products are actually worthy of being categorised as audiophile TWS, such as the Tronsmart Onyx Prime. Let us take a look today at Onyx Ace Pro and see how it performs.


Packaging
Packaging is very simple and bare minimal as Onyx Ace Pro is earbud style TWS, so it is no surprise that it doesn’t come with any eartips. It does come bundled with a charging cable of course.


Build Quality/Comfort/Fit
Being an earbud style TWS, fit will always be a primary concern for the majority of people as this is not an in-ear styled TWS where you can swap eartips to fit properly. For me, I have no issue with the fit as it stays in my ears throughout the time, even when I am vigorously shaking my head (Just to test the fit, normally you won’t be shaking your head vigorously I suppose?) Lightweight and comfortable throughout my listening session




Specifications (Grabbed from Tronsmart’s Website)
Audio Codecs: aptX Adaptive, aptX, AAC, SBC
Bluetooth Version: 5.2
Bluetooth Range: 10m/33ft (Open Area)
Number of Microphones: 4
IP Rating: IPX5
Play Time: Up to 6.5 Hours (on a Single Charge); Up to 27 Hours (with the Charging Case)
Charging Time: About 1 Hour 30 Minutes; Charging Case: About 2 Hours
Frequency Range: 20-20kHz
Voice Assistant: Supports Siri, Cortana, Google Assistant, etc


Gears Used for Testing
Iphone 12 Mini (AAC Codec)


Sound Impression
The general sound presentation sounded like U shaped to my ears. The vocals are not excessively recessed, just slightly recessed. Highs are laid back with just enough details. Sub bass is slightly rolled off, Mid bass is rather thumpy. Let’s take a look in detail:


Bass

• Bass on Onyx Ace Pro is largely depending on the fitment of the earbud, if it doesn’t fit properly, what you will get is thin sounding bass or no bass at all
• Sub bass is rolled off so you won’t get any rumble basically
• Mid bass is thumpy but it is not tight and rather loose sounding
• Bass is definitely not the strong point here for Onyx Ace Pro, it gives just enough thump for the songs to sound fun

Mids

• Vocals sounds rather forward
• Both male and female vocal is lacking note weight
• Average detail in the midrange

Treble

• Treble is smooth and lacking extension
• Slight roll off to my ears
• Average detail retrieval capability, at this price point, can’t really nitpick

Soundstage/Imaging

• Soundstage is rather average in my opinion, not tall nor wide, sounded rather boxy, lacking the “out of head” feeling
• Imaging is also average, instruments can be identified on normal tracks, but when you are listening to metal tracks like Slipknots, it does get a little congested and every instruments just sounded like its attempting to over power each other

Features

• Touch control on the earbud itself is quite sensitive, the positioning is also carefully chosen, to avoid accidental touch. Personally, i like where it is positioned
• Various high resolution BT codecs
• Battery life is average in my opinion, most of the TWS is also sporting similar battery life/capacity
• Gaming mode does significantly reduce the audio lag, however, it is not 100% lag free, this is tested on AAC codec. I believe on aptx adaptive, the performance will be better
• Connection is fairly stable as i leave my phone on my dining table in the living room, slowly move out towards the balcony which is 8-9 metres away
• Call quality is decent as well, i have used it throughout my meetings on Microsoft Teams and the attendees has got no issue hearing me

Final Thoughts
Despite not sounding very audiophile, I personally still think it is a good valued TWS coupled with the features mentioned. Onyx Ace Pro doesn’t sound anywhere near audiophile quality, however, that is fine because I believe the target audience is the general consumers who are budget conscious and looking for a good price performance ratio and also loaded with features.


I will recommend this for the general users, but if you are using it for critical listening, this TWS is not for you. In terms of overall performance, values and pricing,
i am giving this a 4/5 stars

If you are interested in purchasing the Onyx Ace Pro, you may head over to their store to grab one at the following non affiliated link, it is currently on sale at 26$ only!
Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro

For more information regarding Onyx Ace Pro, please head to their product page at the following link:
https://www.tronsmart.com/products/tronsmart-onyx-ace-pro-true-wireless-earphones

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

Model: Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro
Price: MSRP Approx $40
Website: Tronsmart, Geekbuying, AliExpress
Review Reference: RC071

Manufacturer Specification:

• Brand: Tronsmart
• Model: Onyx Ace Pro
• Driver: 13mm Composite Polymer Dynamic Driver
• Chipset: Qualcomm QCC3040
• Mic: 4, Uses cVc 8.0 noise reduction
• ANC: No
• Codecs: AptX-Adaptive, AptX, AAC, SBC
• App Support: Not Yet
• Volume Control: Yes
• Gaming Mode: Yes
• Earbud Weight: 3.47g
• Earbud Dimensions: 37mm total stem length
• Gross Case & Buds Weight: 41.4g
• Case Dimensions: 48mm (width) x 58mm (height) x 23mm (depth)
• Case Charge Capacity: 400mAh
• Quick Charge: No
• Wireless Charging: No
• Single Use Playtime: Up to 6 hours (60% volume)
• Playtime with Charge Case: Up to 27 hours
• Bluetooth Range: 10m advertised
• Bluetooth: Bluetooth® 5.2
• Bluetooth Protocols: HFP 1.7/ A2DP 1.3/ AVRCP 1.5
• Water Resistance: IPX5

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, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Simplified Chinese
1 x Warranty Card

YouTube Review:



Real Life Experience

Welcome to the @regancipher review of the sequel to the @Tronsmart Official Onyx Ace, the imaginatively named Onyx Ace Pro. With their strong partnership with Qualcomm and rapid expansion into America, Europe, Middle East & Asia, Tronsmart releases are always a pleasure, and I'm delighted to be seemingly amongst the first to review this new TWS, their first for a while as they bombard the market with speakers!

The Onyx Ace Pro were a set of buds I tried before I decided to start reviewing, and piqued my interest in Chinese-branded earbuds. However, even despite their qualities, they still suffered with comparatively weak sound (as every TWS did back then) compared with wired IEM's, connection frailties (as every wireless earbud did back then) - even so, for many they were the go-to for semi-in-ear 'Airpod-style' non-invasive buds at a price everyone could afford.

Fast forward two years and you have a pretty congested market, although this style of earbud tends to get little in the way of attention from vendors. Tronsmart have to compete with the Soundpeats Air3 / TrueAir2+, 1More Comfobuds 2, QCY T12, Haylou Moripods and FIIL CC2 (and soon the Nano), so I was interested to see how big a deal this release was to Tronsmart given the competitive landscape.

Comparison with Onyx Ace



As you can see above, on paper, the differences are rather academic. The Bluetooth version has been upgraded to 5.2, the QCC3040 chip replaces the QCC3020 of the original thus now offering aptX-adaptive codec support, the battery life has been extended to 6/27 hours, gaming mode has been added along with voice assistant and a button has appeared on the base for 'one key recovery' (I assume this is factory default).

Otherwise it really is pretty much the same bud - except it isn't - the sound is a big change, in a good way. Read on for more....

The Unboxing - 7.5/10



Tronsmart unboxings go from insane experiences (the Onyx Prime and Apollo Bold) to pretty basic (the Apollo Q10). This is definitely closer to the Q10, with the standard parameters listed on the back, key features on the front and sides, and the buds and case housed inside a nicely custom-molded insert. It's those major under the hood changes that are listed - battery life, aptx-adaptive support and Bluetooth 5.2.



Inside the box you are greeted by the case - which is identical to the original, a warranty card, a manual (in a number of European languages as well as Chinese and RuZZian, and a USB-C to A charge cable.

The manual, as you can see above, is monochrome as opposed to full colour - a little disappointing, but with so few features on this style of earbud, understandable. Instructions are still easy to read and understand, with visuals accompanying text to good effect.

The Case - 8/10

The Onyx Ace case is both attractive and functional, finished in a reasonably hard-wearing glossy white, with a shiny, metallic 'well' in the centre above the Tronsmart logo. This displays the amount of charge remaining in the case through four LED's, each of which represent a 25% chunk of the impressive 27 hours total charge offered by the case. Rather cleverly, the top LED will light up when the left earbud is charging and the bottom the right when plugged in or closed. This is a nice little feature to remind you in case you've left the other in your ear without realising, or if the charging connectors are obscured and thus one or more isn't charging.

Not pictured, the case also has a 'One Key Recovery' button, which I assume is to factory default (at least it does that on my mum's Lenovo laptop!) in case of any issues, or being stuck in single mode. As a maintenance and support feature it is always good to have something like this, and it is prominent without being positioned where it could be accidentally initiated. The USB socket shows thought in the design, with a thick metallic rim reinforcing the connection. Tronsmart have gone some lengths to minimising unnecessary returns, which is pretty amazing given the price point.



In terms of dimensions, it is really well-proportioned, and certainly nice to carry around. The shape is vertically asymmetrical but horizontally symmetrical, and importantly it's tiny, which means it is possible to pop them in your trouser pocket without them looking or feeling too intrusive.



This is reinforced by their lightweight footprint - just 41g, amongst the lightest cases around, but not especially light compared to other semi-in-earbud cases - it is a whole 10g heavier than the SoundPeats Air3 case, and only the metallic FIIL CC2 and TaoTronics TT-BH080 are heavier. That said, the flat-pebble design is ideally shaped for handbags and pockets alike - the lighter QCY T12's open design was prone to debrid obscuring the battery connectors, and the Air3 case is notably flimsy by comparison. The Moripods case is awkward-shaped, and of very questionable quality by comparison.

Some comparisons:

SoundPeats Air3 - 31g
QCY T12 - 33.13g
1More Comfobuds 2 - 35g
SoundPeats TrueAir2 - 37g
Haylou Moripods - 39.76g
Tronsmart Battle - 39.81g
Tronsmart Onyx Ace - 41.1g
FIIL CC2 - 44.39g
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 80 - 46.9g



The case combines the attractive looks of the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 80, the portability of the Air3, and the battery life of the 1More Comfobuds 2. Whilst sticking with the looks that were successful on their maiden release, the shiny finish goes against the grain in an increasingly matte world, but as I show in my video review, it's matte cases that tend to wear the most scratches a month or two in your pocket with your keys.

If I had a minor complaint it would be the hinge, which is a little flimsy, although not atypically-so at this price point. You can't leave the case propped open on the desk like with the Huawei FreeBuds Pro for example - it just snaps shut. This makes single bud use a two handed operation, and the buds aren't especially easy to remove from the case at the best of times, but overall it is a nice case that, if we are being brutally honest is probably everything the Soundpeats Air3 case should have been had they not cut so many corners, and some genuine evidence of good workmanship for the price.

Ergonomics - 7.5/10

The Onyx Ace Pro design has, like the case, not changed from the original.

The cylindrical stem is a little odd-looking, although it enhances the surface area of the battery connection, which is often the first thing to fail with TWS - again, Tronsmart have thought about longevity!

Otherwise it is a very familiar design, with mics at the base (for the voice) and the top of the touch control area for ambient sound. The touch controls are really easy and intuitive to use, and well-positioned, with limited accidental touches compared to the Air3 and CC2.

At the bottom, on the outside you have LED's denoting pairing status, and an L or R depending on which bud you're looking at. On the top and inside are pressure release chambers, and they work very well (put a finger over the top one, and you'll see what I mean!)



The inside reveals a meshed-finish to the driver-surround (like the QCY T12). This is always pleasing to see, and provides both resistance to and clear evidence of any waxy residue build-up that is obscuring the driver and thus causing blockages, potentially dropping the volume - a common complaint with TWS.

The profile of the top of the buds is also very nicely curved, and compared with the angular FIIL CC2 and Haylou Moripods and sloped Soundpeats Air3 and TrueAir2, it makes adjusting them a little easier and more reliable - in other words, you don't suddenly pause your music if you need to reposition them.

The bevel around the edge is not too thick, and thus the Ace Pro wear comfortably for prolonged periods - something Haylou really messed up on their Moripods (which I ended up having to sand down!)



The stem-length is noticeably rather long compared with newer releases, such as the Air3 and Tronsmart Battle. With the alternatives coming in at 33 and 30mm respectively, the Ace Pro feels a bit unwieldy with it's non-tapered base and protruding length, fortunately the neck is well designed and they still pass the shake test quite comfortably. Even so, it is an area I would have liked to have seen a little more imagination from Tronsmart on - FIIL also stuck rigidly to their CC design, and it isn't necessarily a good thing - continuous improvement is always the aim, after all. A shorter stem would have been preferred, and maybe we will see one coming from Tronsmart in the future with the economics of the Battle and features and sound of the Ace Pro.



The driver opening is notably probably the biggest of all of the buds pictured above, and it makes for a nice airy soundstage through auditory masking.



The weight of the bud - 3.47g - is comparatively low. Below are some comparisons:

Tronsmart Battle - 3.27g
Tronsmart Onyx Ace - 3.47g
SoundPeats TrueAir2 - 3.85g
SoundPeats Air3 - 3.96g
FIIL CC2 - 4.08g
QCY T12 - 4.17g
Haylou Moripods - 4.21g
1More Comfobuds 2 - 4.26g
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 80 - 4.47g

This can make them feel a little light in the ear, and again a shorter stem with slightly different weight displacement could have helped ensure even greater stability, but all in all Tronsmart have balanced stability and comfort really quite well.



In the ear, they don't protrude past your ear, look perfectly fine, and bring the voice mic close enough to your mouth to help with call clarity.

They are IPX5, ensuring they do not go bang if you get caught in the rain, and you can use them for a workout without any moisture-related worries. This is pretty good by semi in ear standards.

Audio Quality - 8/10 (for the price paid), 7/10 (raw score)

The original Onyx Ace suffered with a slightly bloated low end, and rolled off trebles that could see them described as a tad dull. Not so this time around.

Tronsmart have tried remedying this by boosting the treble, and with a more airy soundstage they can bring a bit more life to tracks that sounded peripheral on the original. The shape of semi in ear means detail is rarely going to be a priority - that's why you use IEM's - but you want a pleasant listening experience where you hear enough without it sounding imbalanced or fatiguing. Many buds sound fine when you push them right in your ear, but as soon as you experience them in real life it's a different story, and Tronsmart have acknowledged this with a punchier, v-shaped sound signature that complements the design nicely.

Even compared with the excellent Soundpeats Air3, hearing Alanis Morissette's unmistakable vocals panning from left to right on the remastered 2015 edit of 'You Oughta Know' was a surprise. Female vocals come right to the front, but whereas they were hard to make out on the original, they've over-egged the pudding a little on the successor, with sibilance creeping in, especially at higher volumes.

There is a nice texture to 'Thinking About Your Love' by Kenny Thomas, with male vocals a little less prominent, giving instruments a little more room to breath. Percussion comes through clearly on tracks like 'Sign Your Name' by Terence Trent D'Arby (Sananda Maitreya), and even more challenging tracks like 'Fly Away' by Lenny Kravitz have a more open feel, but the recessed, more central mids make some notes difficult to discern.

The Onyx Ace Pro are fun earbuds with a v-shaped sound signature that, like most buds around this price point, prioritise oomph over accuracy - and it's a good trade-off. Compared with the mid-centric Edifier TWS200, 1More Comfobuds 1 and TaoTronics SoundLiberty 80, the un-equalised result is a fun, bouncy sound that only needs a little notch to become less fatiguing - not quite to the extent of the thinner 1More Comfobuds 2, but still, for many they will still be a shade too tiring after prolonged use. Fortunately, this can be remedied with Wavelet, and hopefully through the Tronsmart app in the future for IOS users.

The open soundstage differentiates it from the darker, more intimate SoundPeats sound signature, so they're a great option for house, dance and electronic music fans, and a really enjoyable alternative for those that prefer their sound airy and punchy.

Call Quality - Indoors - 8/10, Outdoors - 7/10

Call quality is pretty good. The Onyx Ace Pro use cVc 8.0, inherent to the Qualcomm QCC3040, but their interpretation does a better-than-average job at separating ambient and voice frequencies, and as a result you get a coherent call indoors, and a decent call outdoors, save for the odd rogue motorbike!

Your voice sounds natural, although the volume can be a little low - you may need to speak slightly louder to make yourself heard, but ambient sound is also reduced, so it balances out on outdoor calls in particular.

The Onyx Ace Pro feature on my latest YouTube mic test here:



Controls and Other Features - 7/10

The Onyx Ace Pro are not awash with features, but have all the basics - Gaming Mode and Voice Assistant have been added, and are initiated with a triple tap on the left and right buds respectively.

Without app support, you're stuck with Tronsmart's default control scheme - which thankfully includes single tap for volume control and double tap for play/pause and answer call - which should be the industry standard, but isn't always! On calls, it gets a bit more confusing - you have to hold the buttons down for 2 seconds to increase volume, otherwise you will end up cutting the caller off! Single mode is also supported, but you lose volume control.

Hall-Switch mode is supported, pairing or connecting from the moment you open the case, and the AptX-adaptive codec selected by default on Android 12.

Battery Life - 8/10

I got just over 5 1/2 hours on my first blast. Considering this included calls, and the advertised 6.5 hours is at 60% volume, it's about what I expected, and edges them some way ahead of the SoundPeats Air3 and QCY T12, making them the plum choice for prolonged use.

Unfortunately, quick charge is absent. There is no 15 minutes for 1 hour playtime like on the 1More Comfobuds 2. This is slightly disappointing and an area, IMO, that vendors should be looking to prioritise. A full charge takes around 90 minutes, which is a fair compromise, giving three additional charges.

Some comparisons:

Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro - 6.5 hours / 27 hours
1More Comfobuds 2 - 6 hours / 24 hours
FIIL CC2 - 5 hours / 27 hours
SoundPeats TrueAir2+ - 5 hours / 25 hours
Haylou Moripods - 5 hours / 25 hours
Tronsmart Battle - 5 hours / 25 hours
SoundPeats Air3 - 5 hours / 17.5 hours
QCY T12 - 4 hours / 20 hours
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 80 - 4 hours / 20 hours

Summary

Whenever Airpod-style buds are discussed, the de facto response has been the SoundPeats Air3 or TrueAir2+ for quite some time. Now we have the, erm, 'comfy' Comfobuds 2, and for those who like their soundstage bigger, the Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro. Whilst the Onyx Ace have received little cosmetic surgery, under the hood the improvements are obvious, with far better battery life - leading the way amongst the semi-in-ear vendors, AptX-adaptive and Bluetooth 5.2 support, improved call quality, gaming mode, voice assistant support, and most importantly, a far more vibrant sound that doesn't compromise too much on detail.

I think Tronsmart recognise this is a bit of a 'me too' release - but at the same time, they have an offering that has some clear differentiators over their direct competition. Whilst it isn't the innovative, reinvention of the wheel that some of us look for in our TWS, it's a solid option for the semi-in-ear brigade, ticking almost all of the boxes, and finally breaking the SoundPeats monopoly!

Price Weighted Score: 84%
Raw Score: 80%

Tronsmart Review Inventory:

Tronsmart Onyx Ace Pro
Tronsmart Bang
Tronsmart Studio
Tronsmart Apollo Air
Tronsmart Battle
Tronsmart Onyx Apex
Tronsmart Apollo Q10
Tronsmart Onyx Free
Tronsmart 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.