[drewbadour]

Get the 5 over the 3 IMO. More power, ambient mode and wireless charging. Newer tech. You'll also need the MMCX version with a 2 Pin adapter. Female connector on the Dusk and Variation is recessed. It's annoying. If you got the MMCX version, you'd have to cut off the metal ring around the 2 Pin connector on the UTWS5 then file the plastic to make it narrow enough to fit the Dusk or Variations. Been there. Wound up flipping my Variations and going with a Thieaudio IEM and today trying out the SeeAudio Midnight with the Shure TW2 adapters. Loving them

I went from midnight to dusk and now variations. What made you choose midnight over the other two?

 

[samandhi]

Thanks! Yeah, I'll go with the 5s. I only have a couple of MMCX cabled IEMs and zero 2 pin. The 3s would probably drive them just fine, but it's better to get the newer tech with more power and latest functionality to boot.

Unless the 5 comes back soon, I am considering the 3. Not so much because I am impatient, but because I have nothing that can do AptX Adaptive. Yes, the 5 has more power, but I only have one set that is hard to drive (TinHifi P1). I don't really need ambient mode because I will occasionally be using classic earbuds with them. As for S/N and THD, only having AptX available kinda' makes the small differences irrelevant IMO. Plus battery life is longer on the 3 from what I am reading.

All that being said, can anyone think of another argument (that I might have missed or am wrong about) that I might want to pay $60(ish) more dollars for something that really doesn't benefit my specific setup? I really want to want the 5, but the more time goes by, the more I realize I can't benefit so much from the newer tech, and etc... I would be using them with my Note 9, iBasso DX300, and DX160. Probably the DXs more because Samsung has gimped BT codecs on the phone in favor of their proprietary adaptive codec.

 

[PixelSquish]

Samsung has come a long way since the S7. No useless bloat anymore and what they do install feels like an improvement over stock android.

(I am a pixel user but constantly jealous of my partner's Samsung phones)

Yeah I've been a Nexus and Pixel guy the last 8 years, and I've been keeping up with Samsung and I'm not so worried about the OS anymore, and they finally are giving updates faster and for longer. The only thing keeping me from a Samsung this year is the camera is just poor in lower light for anything that moves slightly.

I would have switched to a Samsung s22 because the six pro has been a bit of a disappointment. Not terribly but enough to have tried the Samsung if the camera was better.

 

[erockg]

I went from midnight to dusk and now variations. What made you choose midnight over the other two?

I've only had the Blessing 2 and the Variations, but they don't gel with the Fiio unless you use the adapter on the bt adapters. For me, it makes the arm too long and they just never sat right. I love them both but I actually think I prefer the mellow balance sound of the Midnight. For most stuff, I use my Monarch MK2. Midnight arrived after a late might wild hair seeing them on Amazon and delivered with Prime

 

[TK33]

Samsung has come a long way since the S7. No useless bloat anymore and what they do install feels like an improvement over stock android.

(I am a pixel user but constantly jealous of my partner's Samsung phones)

Since this is a TWS thread, I do think the fact that Samsung cripples other Bluetooth codecs in favor of their own Scalable codec should be mentioned (sorry for repeating again since I know this has probably been discussed before), even though, in my opinion, I think they make some of the best Android phones and tablets. I have had every Galaxy phone since the GS3 - GS9 and still have the Tab S7 FE (which I think it a great tablet and my wife loves her Flip3 and had the S10 before that). However, I stopped using Samsung phones when I started getting into TWS because I got turned off by the fact that they don't support aptX HD or aptX adaptive and I have not had any Samsung devices that could automatically (i.e. no need to mess with Developer Options) achieve and maintain a stable LDAC 990 connection like my LG V60 and OnePlus 8T do. My Pixel 6 is not the snappiest of phones and also doesn't do LDAC 990 well but it is half the price of new Samsung phones and aptX HD works really well (also got it because it has dual SIM if you use eSIM). I do prefer the Samsung UI to Pixel but I actually like the OnePlus software the best (OnePlus 8T has a terrible camera though). I found the OnePlus 8T to be the most stable in terms of Bluetooth connection among my three current phones and pretty much use it as a Bluetooth DAP for commuting these days.

EDIT - just wanted to add that, while codecs may not be a priority for everyone (and many just don't care about them), I probably spend as much time listening to music as I do looking my phone (not really into social media or anything like that, time spent on audio related forums excluded) and if I am going to be buying all these Bluetooth devices (TWS, ES100/Qudelix, headphones) then I would rather be able to utilize them to their full capability.

 

[samandhi]

Since this is a TWS thread, I do think the fact that Samsung cripples other Bluetooth codecs in favor of their own Scalable codec should be mentioned (again), even though, in my opinion, I think they make some of the best Android phones and tablets. I have had every Galaxy phone since the GS3 - GS9 and still have the Tab S7 FE (which I think it a great tablet and my wife loves her Flip3 and had the S10 before that). However, I stopped using Samsung phones when I started getting into TWS because I got turned off by the fact that they don't support aptX HD or aptX adaptive and I have not had any Samsung devices that could automatically (i.e. no need to mess with Developer Options) achieve and maintain a stable LDAC 990 connection like my LG V60 and OnePlus 8T do. My Pixel 6 is not the snappiest of phones and also doesn't do LDAC 990 well but it is half the price of new Samsung phones and aptX HD works really well (also got it because it has dual SIM if you use eSIM). I do prefer the Samsung UI to Pixel but I actually like the OnePlus software the best (OnePlus 8T has a terrible camera though). I found the OnePlus 8T to be the most stable in terms of Bluetooth connection among my three current phones and pretty much use it as a Bluetooth DAP for commuting these days.

I know what you mean, and totally agree with you. I have owned every Note phone since the Note II (up to my current Note 9), and I have watched them slowly take features away (good features, not obsolete ones), and increase the price. Once my Note 9 dies, I will either DIY replace the battery, or move on to another company. They used to be innovators, now they simply copy the best parts of what other makers come out with (mainly Apple), and take away features only to bring some of them back behind a pay wall. If I could (and have security) I would GLADLY go back to my Note 4. It had all the features you could ever want (for the tech of that time). Gimping BT codecs 2 years into owning my Note 9, and without warning, did not make me happy, to say the least.

Disclaimer: All of these ideas are solely my opinion, and no phones were harmed in the making of this paragraph.

 

[mt877]

Unless the 5 comes back soon, I am considering the 3. Not so much because I am impatient, but because I have nothing that can do AptX Adaptive. Yes, the 5 has more power, but I only have one set that is hard to drive (TinHifi P1). I don't really need ambient mode because I will occasionally be using classic earbuds with them. As for S/N and THD, only having AptX available kinda' makes the small differences irrelevant IMO. Plus battery life is longer on the 3 from what I am reading.

All that being said, can anyone think of another argument (that I might have missed or am wrong about) that I might want to pay $60(ish) more dollars for something that really doesn't benefit my specific setup? I really want to want the 5, but the more time goes by, the more I realize I can't benefit so much from the newer tech, and etc... I would be using them with my Note 9, iBasso DX300, and DX160. Probably the DXs more because Samsung has gimped BT codecs on the phone in favor of their proprietary adaptive codec.

The reason I asked about the bugs with the 5s is because of the bad initial experience with the Grell TWS/1. I don't really want to go through a company's "beta test program" again. So I may wait on the 5s, I'm not in any rush.

 

[samandhi]

The reason I asked about the bugs with the 5s is because of the bad initial experience with the Grell TWS/1. I don't really want to go through a company's "beta test program" again. So I may wait on the 5s, I'm not in any rush.

Good point. Nor am I in a rush, though I have been watching/waiting since about this time last year. At some point I guess I need to "s**t or get off the pot" as it were.

 

[mt877]

Good point. Nor am I in a rush, though I have been watching/waiting since about this time last year. At some point I guess I need to "s**t or get off the pot" as it were.

I got the funds, but still recovering from the last shopping spree we did together... LOL!

 

[xuan87]

Just a photo of the store I was at and what they have available for demo.

I tried the LG FP9 on the 12th, tried the FP5 and FP8 today so will give a quick summary of what I think of the sound.

On paper I expected all 3 of them to sound similar, because they have the same sized driver, and tuned by the same company, but if I had tried them without looking at them, I would have guessed that they are from different companies.

The FP5 was probably my favorite, it's the most balanced among all 3 with good clarity and resolution. I won't call it bass light, but of the 3, it has the least bass.

The FP8 was the worst sounding, the entire sound signature was just strangely very muffled compared to the FP5 with more flabby bass. Very strange.

The FP9 will probably be the crowd pleaser, it has great rumbly bass, better mids and highs compared to the FP8.

Honestly, I feel FP5 and FP9 are on similar levels but their signatures are so different that you will likely prefer one over the other.

I'm now on the prowl to look for a good deal on a second hand FP5 set.

 

[yoru1119]

Hey guys
Just come across this thread and wondering if anyone can recommend me a nice sound quality wireless earbud?
I have only used wired IEM before (my current one is Westone W4).
I listen to all sort of music (ranging from orchestra, acoustics to synthpop and EDM), and i love me a wide soundstage and clear mids/highs. Not a big fan of overly bassy earbud.
Don't really have a budget atm, as I have no clue....

Thanks!

 

[Ceeluh7]

I was gonna ask this same basic question, but slightly different way.

Here goes: Is it worth it to get the UTWS3 now or wait until FiiO irons out the bugs with the UTWS5? Looks like the UTWS5 can be bought at AE, but of course there's the shipping time as well.

Both are very good units however the price increase for the 5 is justified imo. The 3 is a fantastic adapter in its own right. Tuned well and slightly less power than the 5. Personally I enjoy the 5 alot more and it stands to reason that I would. It has its own dac separate from the SOC as well as an upgraded amp section that really does a nice job... The tonality is really fantastic. Both are very good but if you can get the 5..........get the 5

 

[Ceeluh7]

Unless the 5 comes back soon, I am considering the 3. Not so much because I am impatient, but because I have nothing that can do AptX Adaptive. Yes, the 5 has more power, but I only have one set that is hard to drive (TinHifi P1). I don't really need ambient mode because I will occasionally be using classic earbuds with them. As for S/N and THD, only having AptX available kinda' makes the small differences irrelevant IMO. Plus battery life is longer on the 3 from what I am reading.

All that being said, can anyone think of another argument (that I might have missed or am wrong about) that I might want to pay $60(ish) more dollars for something that really doesn't benefit my specific setup? I really want to want the 5, but the more time goes by, the more I realize I can't benefit so much from the newer tech, and etc... I would be using them with my Note 9, iBasso DX300, and DX160. Probably the DXs more because Samsung has gimped BT codecs on the phone in favor of their proprietary adaptive codec.

The 5 doesn't have that much more power... Really man. It's slightly noticeable but nothing crazy. The 3 is nice

 

[ldo77]

Do you know if there is an Android application for the final audio ZE3000 ?

 

[Caipirina]

Hey guys
Just come across this thread and wondering if anyone can recommend me a nice sound quality wireless earbud?
I have only used wired IEM before (my current one is Westone W4).
I listen to all sort of music (ranging from orchestra, acoustics to synthpop and EDM), and i love me a wide soundstage and clear mids/highs. Not a big fan of overly bassy earbud.
Don't really have a budget atm, as I have no clue....

Thanks!

Just throwing some thoughts out here:
a) you can look around scarbir.com for some ideas on the budget market ... there's just SO much out there.
b) my current favs and thus recommendations would be the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro, the Fiil T2 Pro and ... heck, those are actually the 2 I am currently reaching for the most ... I also really enjoy the Bose QC Earbuds and Sony XM4, which are price wise on the top end ... and if you are an Apple fanboy, the APP as well as the Beatd Fit Pro are very nice and fit well in the ecosystem

Really depends on your needs (work out? Lots of phone calls? ANC needed? ) and then budget ... you can go super cheap with 25$ and the RealMe Neobuds Pro, which are surprisingly good for that cheap .. or up to the 400+ echelons of the BW Pi7 or Gemini from Devialet ...

Also, once you check out this rabbit hole, there is a good chance that you end up with more than one set of TWS ... you have been warned