Going fully Wireless IEMs. Too soon? Or are we there yet?

[xkcd0137]

Edifier X3 for $25 or Soundcore Liberty 2 (non-Pro) for $50??

 

[webvan]

So I have yet again gone back to my Anker L2Ps after a brief outing with the Klipsch T5 II which whilst very nice, I found that I preferred the signature of the L2Ps in particular vocals and low end presence. The L2Ps have remained my staple earphone and have seen off the Bose QCs, M&D MW07+, Sennheiser TW and Jabra 75Ts. There are specific aspects of other earphones that eclipse the L2Ps but in terms of the overall package I am yet to come across a TW earphone that surpasses these. I find that quite staggering considering the price difference on some of these sets, these can be picked up at just over £100 these days. I am keen to hear the Jabra 85Ts as I did love the 75Ts. Am also keen to know if anyone else who has owned the L2Ps have gone on to find an earphone even better than these?

I haven't found any TWE that sounds better, no. The closest would be the Bose QC I suppose that maybe have some better instrument separation but the overall SQ remains with the L2Ps, likely due to their DD+BA design a DD can't really compete with.

 

[clerkpalmer]

So far this happened once to me but hasn't since.

Btw on my Bose app the battery readings are always the same for both buds. They do not measure independently. I am on android. Are your the same?

 

[logiatype]

There is somehow no information about that. Is that normal for FiiO?


Yes, I thought about that option as well. The 5K looks very impressive.
Does it have a built-in mic for phone calls and video chats and similar?
It is supposed to be used with the clip right? In a pocket the buttons would get clicked all day long by accident I guess.

It is a clip on. I use the ES100 for my work calls (all day). It connects to my work computer and my phone so I listen to music from my phone and take zoom/teams/etc calls for work. It's kind of off-topic in this sub so you can read through the dedicated thread here:

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-qudelix-5k-thread.914628/

 

[Caipirina]

So, this morning I reached for my Bose QC Earbuds and got a low battery warning (both were at exactly 5%) after being in the case all night long. The case was not out of juice (2nd light).

Charging the case and buds now, so we'll see how they hold up and if this continues or was a fluke.

That seems to be a Bose issue .. I had that with both my SSF (and the one pair that still works needs to be 'watched' for proper charging .. and recently it loves to wiggle off the contacts and hog the BT connection without warning) ... also hearing on an FB group about the newly release Sleepbuds 2 that a lot of people seem to have exactly those issues again ...

Good I did not have a chance to 'early adopt'

 

[Caipirina]

I can't see the point of running with the Bose QC, they're bulky, expensive and "thumpy" of course...I was going to check that latter aspect for "science" but just a couple of strides produced that annoying and sound destroying "thump" so I put them down and grabbed the trusty X12.

Thanks for your science check

When I got the SSF I thought how cool it would be if in 2 years they could fit QC20 level ANC in there ... I never had a problem with the slightly bulky form factor, but I enjoyed the semi open style.
And now they have a smaller sport model without ANC and a bulky 'no-run' model with ANC ...

Saved 279$ ... hooray!

 

[brtalush]

Did any one try : MPOW X5?
$55, ANC, TOUCH CONTROLS, 8Hrs (32Hrs) play time.
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Mpo...hild=1&keywords=mpow+x5&qid=1602776985&sr=8-2

 

[xkcd0137]

Edifier X3 for $25 or Soundcore Liberty 2 (non-Pro) for $50??

Anyone?? Which one has better sound quality for the price? Is Soundcore Liberty as good as Liberty 2 Pro?

 

[brtalush]

And another one - looks like an Edifier TWS NB2 rebrand.
Every thing is the same, but no app - Its now $65 -> Exclusive 20% Off Discount Code: EFAPANC2

EarFun Air Pro Active Noise Cancelling
https://www.amazon.com/EarFun-Cance...Active+Noise+Cancelling&qid=1602780037&sr=8-3

 

[TK33]

There is somehow no information about that. Is that normal for FiiO?


Yes, I thought about that option as well. The 5K looks very impressive.
Does it have a built-in mic for phone calls and video chats and similar?
It is supposed to be used with the clip right? In a pocket the buttons would get clicked all day long by accident I guess.

The 5K has a mic like the ES100. I think the 5K also supports an inline mic although I have not tested this.

I have both the ES100 and 5K and prefer the 5K for SQ, build quality, better connection, PEQ and everything else but the buttons. Both built in mics are not the greatest and I actually use my Samsung Galaxy Buds Live for work calls. They have been fantastic for calls. I use the Galaxy Buds Live with a Samsung phone so I can use the scalable codec. I still really like the Samsun Galaxy Buds Live and have not really been using my other TWS.

I recently did a hour and half commute into NYC with the Galaxy Buds Live for the first time since the COVID shutdowns and was initially bummed I left my SE846 at home...then I realized how convenient they are with the open design and ANC (helped with train AC noise but could still hear announcements). They did not leave my ears until I was in my office or back home (after I washed my hands and applied generous amounts of hand sanitizer). Not having any wires is nice when you have to wear a mask.

 

[Kalli]

The 5K has a mic like the ES100. I think the 5K also supports an inline mic although I have not tested this.

I have both the ES100 and 5K and prefer the 5K for SQ, build quality, better connection, PEQ and everything else but the buttons. Both built in mics are not the greatest and I actually use my Samsung Galaxy Buds Live for work calls. They have been fantastic for calls. I use the Galaxy Buds Live with a Samsung phone so I can use the scalable codec. I still really like the Samsun Galaxy Buds Live and have not really been using my other TWS.

I recently did a hour and half commute into NYC with the Galaxy Buds Live for the first time since the COVID shutdowns and was initially bummed I left my SE846 at home...then I realized how convenient they are with the open design and ANC (helped with train AC noise but could still hear announcements). They did not leave my ears until I was in my office or back home (after I washed my hands and applied generous amounts of hand sanitizer). Not having any wires is nice when you have to wear a mask.

Thanks a lot for that in sight. I was curious about those beans all the time. They don't have aptX though, right?

 

[TK33]

Thanks a lot for that in sight. I was curious about those beans all the time. They don't have aptX though, right?

No they don't but they work great still, especially since I have a Samsung phone. I still use my Qudelix 5K for music almost daily.

 

[dwells]

Switched to a random USB-A to Micro-B (+ Type-C adapter) cable and the T1XS charges as usual from both sources.

So yeah. Prolly a "dumb" C charging port unfortunately.

P.S. The horrific daisy chain that follows actually works: Type-C to USB-A adapter + USB-A to Micro-B cable + Micro-B to Type-C adapter. This results in a monstrosity that's Type-C at both ends, and also one that charges the Fiil T1XS case just fine... despite the obvious silliness involved.

Considering that, I think your hypothetical scenario (A-C cable with an A-C adapter) should work just fine.

Hey, thanks for checking this for me. I picked up an A to C adapter, and it does work, but only with the adapter end plugged into the power bank, and even then it takes a try or two to get the juice flowing. No dice at all with the Apple 30W adapter, which has no problem charging the power bank interestingly enough. Apple must be a bit more strict in making sure devices ID properly before it opens up the power flow.

Honestly this is an absolutely huge flaw and if I weren’t flying out on Tuesday and planning on backpacking for a year, this would be a dealbreaker and they’d be going back. Major ****-up by FIIL, having a non-compliant USB-C port is actually worse than having a Micro USB port on the back.

 

[PixelSquish]

I also mentioned it over at the MTW2 thread and I‘ve been listening to them with this feature enabled for several hours now. I think you‘re description is pretty accurate. It‘s definitely wider sounding, less sibilant at high volumes and instrument separation seems better as well.

I just find it a bit odd, that they implement something like that in an app update (not in a firmware update) and that nobody really knows what this is about exactly as there is no detailed description of the feature besides „refined and pure sound profile“ - would have been great if they explained a bit more what exactly changed and why it deserves the „High-End Sound Tuning“ name...

I definitely get a little bit more bass, in the lower frequencies, and slightly wider soundstage. Never had an issue with sibilance before so not noticing that change. I use these everyday when walking my dog and they are really fun buds. I find myself busting little dance moves and nodding my head to the music all the time with these. Good stuff.

 

[webvan]

Did any one try : MPOW X5?
$55, ANC, TOUCH CONTROLS, 8Hrs (32Hrs) play time.
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Mpo...hild=1&keywords=mpow+x5&qid=1602776985&sr=8-2

They look like Tozo NC9, no ? In which case the ANC will likely "weakest possible sauce"