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

[assassin10000]

By “the old style,” do you mean the ones that came with the classic wheel-interface iPods? Because those were the ones that had foam and fit me better too!

I do pretty well with smaller headphones that don’t have angled edges of the enclosure pressing against my ears, and I particularly like comply foam tips. I’ve been experimenting with Acoustune AT07 small tips, and they fit nicely secure, but they still feel slightly large for listening for more than two hours. I still haven’t found my perfect tips, and it seems tips matter the most for me! I actually quite liked the stock tips that came with the Phonak IEMs, the BLON BL-03, and the small tips that came with the IE 300 and IE 900. I actually use the latter on my grells a lot I need to order some more Comply, it’s been a few years.

I’m not exactly sure which microphones gave you issue on the grells… they haven’t changed.

On the three samples I’ve had at home, I’ve received call quality compliments that people can hear me well, and I even used them while speaking on Sonic Visions podcasts a few times, though of course I wouldn’t use it for voiceover recordings. They are designed to cut wind noise well, too. In transparent mode, the microphones sound fuller and richer as they reproduce the environmental sounds… but to do that in with natural gain levels, there’s no audio processing to de-noise and focus just on ambient vocals, so there’s a bit of hiss in transparent mode. If I’m trying to listen for traffic dangers, ordering food at a cafe, or something, I’m OK worth transparent mode as-is, but I prefer ANC on for serious listening.

I don’t know if that’s the answer you’re looking for, but I figure it’s better to be honest and say the mics are good for ANC and functional phone calls, but won’t sound as good as a lavalier mic or a studio mic.

If you like foam tips, do you prefer barrel or round ones?

If you're a fan of barrel style, the tennmak 'strong' foams are excellent and have an outer skin. Makes them easy to wipe clean and they last a long time. They can also be cleaned with a mild soap and warm water.

There's also some excellent round tips found on AE called ts400 iirc. Some of the most comfortable. Only thing better were the shure olives.



Edit: back on topic, anyone have side by side pics of the sony linkbuds and samsung buds live? Looking for a size comparison.

 

[Fleeple]

By “the old style,” do you mean the ones that came with the classic wheel-interface iPods? Because those were the ones that had foam and fit me better too!

I do pretty well with smaller headphones that don’t have angled edges of the enclosure pressing against my ears, and I particularly like comply foam tips. I’ve been experimenting with Acoustune AT07 small tips, and they fit nicely secure, but they still feel slightly large for listening for more than two hours. I still haven’t found my perfect tips, and it seems tips matter the most for me! I actually quite liked the stock tips that came with the Phonak IEMs, the BLON BL-03, and the small tips that came with the IE 300 and IE 900. I actually use the latter on my grells a lot I need to order some more Comply, it’s been a few years.

I’m not exactly sure which microphones gave you issue on the grells… they haven’t changed.

On the three samples I’ve had at home, I’ve received call quality compliments that people can hear me well, and I even used them while speaking on Sonic Visions podcasts a few times, though of course I wouldn’t use it for voiceover recordings. They are designed to cut wind noise well, too. In transparent mode, the microphones sound fuller and richer as they reproduce the environmental sounds… but to do that in with natural gain levels, there’s no audio processing to de-noise and focus just on ambient vocals, so there’s a bit of hiss in transparent mode. If I’m trying to listen for traffic dangers, ordering food at a cafe, or something, I’m OK worth transparent mode as-is, but I prefer ANC on for serious listening.

I don’t know if that’s the answer you’re looking for, but I figure it’s better to be honest and say the mics are good for ANC and functional phone calls, but won’t sound as good as a lavalier mic or a studio mic.

I'm afraid I mean the gen 1 tws earbuds, although she also really liked the wired ones not the foam tho.

I can't remember if that's what I'm remembering then.....i may have to give them another go

 

[Juturna]

I'm currently trying real hard to talk myself out of getting the B&O EX instead of getting a cheaper set this month... I shouldn't get the EX but I've realized that I think I can afford it this month...

 

[subguy812]

I'm currently trying real hard to talk myself out of getting the B&O EX instead of getting a cheaper set this month... I shouldn't get the EX but I've realized that I think I can afford it this month...

I love the sq of the EX. Not to make your decision any more difficult.

 

[Tenlow]

I love the sq of the EX. Not to make your decision any more difficult.

Speaking of which...I've also just pulled the trigger and ordered the EX. It was just a matter of time Should be here soon. Excited to compare them to my still beloved MTW3.

 

[erockg]

Why thank you interesting.....my sister prefers the old style but all different kinds of ears out there. What have you had the best luck with thus far?

Also would love to try the Grells again now that I have a solid selection of 3rd party tips, but would you say the microphone quality has been tweaked any since launch?

Sadly, I returned mine about two weeks-ish after I got them - a long time ago now. The fit was tough for me and the Sound ID app at the time had a lot of bugs. At times, I did enjoy the sound, but lately, for me, other options sounded better to my ears. Sooooo many choices...

 

[erockg]

Got a basic case size comparison...

TW-E5b case is about 2" tall and 2.5" wide.

Tip rolling is a hoot. The buds fit a certain way and lock in so they keep near the same depth so some tips just like the stock medium might not seal as well as they can since you can't push them in more. Most tips really sound good but different. Haven't gone through many but not as easy here to discard.

Didn't take very long for them to clean up on the sound. I think the bass may take more time but not much run in proved to up the detail and show more clarity.

So far excellent and another level toward wired sounding. These will be well regarded.

My weekly wild hair kicked in and I picked up the Yamaha TW-E5B. Decent soundstage, still tip rolling but the Azla are working for me. Fit is nice. Clear and smooth sound. The only thing that I own that might be similar are the Noble Falcon ANC, less the extra features of the NF ANC. The NFA have more sub-bass, but I'll still keep tweaking the EQ on the E5B. The NFA app is incredibly robust in comparison. But I actually hear a little distortion in the NFA. Lowering the gain knocks it out. Transparency on the E5B is much more natural. The NFA get so much louder, but the E5B are no slouch, I actually think they sound better at first listen. Smooth, easy, wide and everything just works. These Yamaha are a huge step in a better direction than the E3A & B. I didn't like those at all. I'm really looking forward to the E7B now.

 

[J_3000]

Speaking of which...I've also just pulled the trigger and ordered the EX. It was just a matter of time Should be here soon. Excited to compare them to my still beloved MTW3.

Im waiting for your comparison. I have the MTW3. I like them, but still been tempted to have a go with the EX. Few days a go the EX was out of stock and discounted to 350€ on Amazon.de and couldn't resist on pulling the trigger.

Now I dont know how long I have to wait for them. My MTW3 return window closes on the last day, most likely I wont get the EX by then.

 

[erockg]

Im waiting for your comparison. I have the MTW3. I like them, but still been tempted to have a go with the EX. Few days a go the EX was out of stock and discounted to 350€ on Amazon.de and couldn't resist on pulling the trigger.

Now I dont know how long I have to wait for them. My MTW3 return window closes on the last day, most likely I wont get the EX by then.

I very much prefer the EX over the MTW3. The sound on the EX is euphoric. You made a great decision

 

[vladzakhar]

Opposite to me. I send the EX back, and keeping MTW3. Better sound to my ears. And the form factor is more comfy. Also, the BT range is longer.

 

[samandhi]

If you like foam tips, do you prefer barrel or round ones?

If you're a fan of barrel style, the tennmak 'strong' foams are excellent and have an outer skin. Makes them easy to wipe clean and they last a long time. They can also be cleaned with a mild soap and warm water.

There's also some excellent round tips found on AE called ts400 iirc. Some of the most comfortable. Only thing better were the shure olives.



Edit: back on topic, anyone have side by side pics of the sony linkbuds and samsung buds live? Looking for a size comparison.

 

[jant71]

My weekly wild hair kicked in and I picked up the Yamaha TW-E5B. Decent soundstage, still tip rolling but the Azla are working for me. Fit is nice. Clear and smooth sound. The only thing that I own that might be similar are the Noble Focus ANC, less the extra features of the NF ANC. The NFA have more sub-bass, but I'll still keep tweaking the EQ on the E5B. The NFA app is incredibly robust in comparison. But I actually hear a little distortion in the NFA. Lowering the gain knocks it out. Transparency on the E5B is much more natural. The NFA get so much louder, but the E5B are no slouch, I actually think they sound better at first listen. Smooth, easy, wide and everything just works. These Yamaha are a huge step in a better direction than the E3A & B. I didn't like those at all. I'm really looking forward to the E7B now.

Hmmmm...those don't sound half bad. Also nice when things just always work. No volume control locks up, right bud freezes, ambient has a quirk, or whatever oddities seem to happen on various models here and there.

 

[dweaver]

Well, I caved and ordered the Linkbuds S. Hope like hell they tick all the boxes I am looking for and the EQ works well of the default signature isn't to my liking.

I am thinking if they are nice and comfy with decent features and reasonable battery life I will sell my AZ60band if I really like them will also sell the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.

The Gbuds Pro sound great but the ANC is so weak and the AZ60 sound good but are a bit uncomfortable to wear and lack a few features I like about the Linkbuds S.

The real trick will be if I like the sound or not... Thinking I will just carry the UTWS5/FH5 for when I want great sound quality.

 

[Uncle00Jesse]

I think you’ll enjoy them. Linkbuds S are king right now for me

 

[Juturna]

Well, I caved and ordered the Linkbuds S. Hope like hell they tick all the boxes I am looking for and the EQ works well of the default signature isn't to my liking.

I am thinking if they are nice and comfy with decent features and reasonable battery life I will sell my AZ60band if I really like them will also sell the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro.

The Gbuds Pro sound great but the ANC is so weak and the AZ60 sound good but are a bit uncomfortable to wear and lack a few features I like about the Linkbuds S.

The real trick will be if I like the sound or not... Thinking I will just carry the UTWS5/FH5 for when I want great sound quality.

I don't think I've had Sony earbuds that I've liked the sound quality on since way back before wireless earbuds were a thing.
They're never BAD, but I feel like they're never close to my preferred tuning and using EQ they can obviously be okay-to-good but I've never been particularly impressed. They're usually impressive in all other aspects than the sound though.

I'm not sure if my taste has changed with the years or the sound signature of those wired Sony earbuds were completely different because I remembered preferring them to the Sennheisers, Philips, etc that I also tried at that point.