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

[jsmiller58]

Here you go. This works great for me.

Wow, you really like that bass!

 

[ld100]

What other earbuds sound similar to Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2? I am an iPhone user and unfortunately, Galaxy Buds Pro 2 don't have an iPhone app and are quite limited in the Apple world. But I prefer their sound signature to everything else I tried so far. Is there anything with a similar sound signature that plays well in the Apple ecosystem?

 

[absolutnie]

What other earbuds sound similar to Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2? I am an iPhone user and unfortunately, Galaxy Buds Pro 2 don't have an iPhone app and are quite limited in the Apple world. But I prefer their sound signature to everything else I tried so far. Is there anything with a similar sound signature that plays well in the Apple ecosystem?

What about Apple Airpods Pro 2nd gen?

 

[ld100]

What about Apple Airpods Pro 2nd gen?

I don't like them at all. I think Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 is significantly better in terms of audio.

 

[Ieonasj]

I don't like them at all. I think Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2 is significantly better in terms of audio.

final audio ze3000 SQ better vs both

 

[busski]

Just got the az80 a few days ago and my initial impressions are “meh”. They tick all the boxes but don’t really feel like a significant upgrade to the AZ60 which can be had for half the price. Sound signature is similar, with a bit more bass extension and soundstage a little wider. ANC still not great and certainly not up to the level of APP2, XM4. Got complaints about audio quality on my first phone call from the person on the other line while driving in a car with windows up. The biggest issue is volume levels which are far too low. I’m on iPhone and am at 90-100% at all times and even at 100% I’m still below full rocking out levels.

It’s a good package overall and the app is best in class with terrific customization but if az60 is an 8.5/10 these might be a 9. Not worth the price of the upgrade.

They are likely going back.

 

[dweaver]

What other earbuds sound similar to Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro 2? I am an iPhone user and unfortunately, Galaxy Buds Pro 2 don't have an iPhone app and are quite limited in the Apple world. But I prefer their sound signature to everything else I tried so far. Is there anything with a similar sound signature that plays well in the Apple ecosystem?

AKG N400NC are likely a good option for similar sound. But the controls are not great from what I read.

JBL Live Free 2 would be my next choice if you stay in a buds style. Or go JBL Live Pro 2 if you want a stem style and a bit harder hitting bass.

I have owned both JBL models and they are very solid TWS with good sound, excellent apps, and all round functionality.

 

[Crodley]

Just got the az80 a few days ago ...The biggest issue is volume levels which are far too low....

They are likely going back.

I sent mine back already but the idea that the volume was way too low happened for me too, until I realized turning my phone full didn't mean the buds were also full. To get full volume, turn your phone full AND beep beep the volume button on the buds too. There are two separate volumes, one on the phone and one on the buds. It took me a bit to realize that. I'm on Android so it might be different for you, that's just my observations.

 

[Ieonasj]

AKG N400NC are likely a good option for similar sound. But the controls are not great from what I read.

JBL Live Free 2 would be my next choice if you stay in a buds style. Or go JBL Live Pro 2 if you want a stem style and a bit harder hitting bass.

I have owned both JBL models and they are very solid TWS with good sound, excellent apps, and all round functionality.

im use bose QCE II, like neutral sound with small bass boost, so compared bose sound to my animal focal stellia, from bose got mini stellia sound at app with EQ -7bass,+7mids,+4highs. big soundstage. also waiting soundcore anker lyberty 4 to try. and maybe will see lypertek Z5 and final audio ze3000. sold my texhnics az60 and skip this time az80 .

 

[bladefd]

I sent mine back already but the idea that the volume was way too low happened for me too, until I realized turning my phone full didn't mean the buds were also full. To get full volume, turn your phone full AND beep beep the volume button on the buds too. There are two separate volumes, one on the phone and one on the buds. It took me a bit to realize that. I'm on Android so it might be different for you, that's just my observations.

Can you change bud volume on the technics app? Considering ordering the az80.. I would probably turn off the touch controls because I am not a fan of touch controls

 

[VICosPhi]

Just got the az80 a few days ago and my initial impressions are “meh”. They tick all the boxes but don’t really feel like a significant upgrade to the AZ60 which can be had for half the price. Sound signature is similar, with a bit more bass extension and soundstage a little wider. ANC still not great and certainly not up to the level of APP2, XM4. Got complaints about audio quality on my first phone call from the person on the other line while driving in a car with windows up. The biggest issue is volume levels which are far too low. I’m on iPhone and am at 90-100% at all times and even at 100% I’m still below full rocking out levels.

It’s a good package overall and the app is best in class with terrific customization but if az60 is an 8.5/10 these might be a 9. Not worth the price of the upgrade.

They are likely going back.

AZ80 seem like very good, but not a big upgrade if you are coming from AZ70, that's why I got the Status Audio's 3ANC to see how those fare with triple drivers and what seem to be good call quality and battery life.

 

[newworld666]

I just got this afternoon the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 from amazon ... It's a bit difficult to be completely clear about the sound quality right now,

but I do have some early remarks & thoughts :
-> I had to use some XL spinfit CP360 for an easier instant perfect sealing (stock Anker large tips were not sealing so easily in my ears)
-> The Liberty 4 drivers are very comfortable in the ears (like the Jabra Elite 7 pro, so much better than Samsung Galaxy Buds2 pro)
-> LDAC is rather tricky to set up (needed 2 firmware updates), but it seems to be efficient and stable, though, I still have to make some more serious direct A/B comparison with AAC (using the android App Bluetooth Codec Changer). But already. This TWS, after a few fast switching, as predicted, proves going from AAC to LDAC makes some real SQ change (lows and highs are very different), so it becomes difficult to go back to AAC.
-> Sound quality is basically really not too bad but seems to be tuned for AAC, as some significant sibilance are becoming present in LDAC mode (they far less in AAC mode). Though Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 pro is maybe more convincing without any EQ in SSC mode.. The Liberty 4 is changing a lot the sound quality signature with or without ANC too, much more than most of my other TWS..
-> But, there are some real improvements, when I apply (without ANC) some Rtings AutoEQ PEQ. We those activated trough poweramp EQ app, I can easily reach Samsung Buds2 pro sound quality in SSC mode (with some AutoEQ PEQ too)..

So my first impressions are that the Soundcore Liberty 4 is very comfortable, with instant good sealing with proper tips (so, in my case ANC is probably not needed at office or home ). The Sound quality signature with PEQ seems to reach an interesting level, LDAC is available and very stable at 900/990Kbps like 10meters around my Z Fold 2/4 (same as all of my BT receivers like Up4(22)/Go Blu/BTR7/WM1A)....
Now, I hope I have at least 8 hours playing time per charge in LDAC mode without ANC and that I can reach over 9 hours in AAC mode for less critical listening at 50% volume level (for evenings and sleeping in the night).

... to be continued..

 

[ld100]

"Rtings AutoEQ PEQ and I can reach easily Samsung Buds2 pro sound quality (with some Crinacle Auto PEQ).."

Can you please clarify? I have both now and thinking about which one to keep. Samsung sounds much better to me but Liberty is way more comfortable. If I could get Liberty 4 to sound like Galaxy Buds 2 I would certainly keep Liberty. But so far no matter what I tried I'm not too crazy about the sound. What settings do you use?

 

[jant71]

Now, I hope I have at least 8 hours playing time per charge in LDAC mode without ANC and that I can reach over 9 hours in AAC mode for less critical listening at 50% volume level (for evenings and sleeping in the night).

... to be continued..

I thought they are rated at up to 6 hours LDAC. Not sure how at least 8 is gonna happen.

 

[newworld666]

"Rtings AutoEQ PEQ and I can reach easily Samsung Buds2 pro sound quality (with some Crinacle Auto PEQ).."

Can you please clarify? I have both now and thinking about which one to keep. Samsung sounds much better to me but Liberty is way more comfortable. If I could get Liberty 4 to sound like Galaxy Buds 2 I would certainly keep Liberty. But so far no matter what I tried I'm not too crazy about the sound. What settings do you use?

Without EQ, Samsung, for me, has a better sound quality, but there is still room for improvement with PEQ applied (based on Crinacle AutoEQ to Harman target for samsung Buds2 Pro) ..
The Soundcore Liberty 4 seems to be basicaly tuned for AAC codec and seems to produce too much sibilance with LDAC Codec. So, I would say sound quality without EQ is a real step behind Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro.
When I apply Rtings AutoEQ PEQ to Liberty 4, the sound quality seems to be significantly improved and is maybe near if not better than Samsung Buds2 Pro (with some Crinacle AutoEQ applied to samsung) => but this need some deeper analysis these next 2 days before I can confirm the sound quality of Liberty 4 can be as good as Samsung after PEQ.
The PEQ parameters I apply can all be found there => https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/blob/master/results/INDEX.md
As I use PowerampEQ android's APP, the parameters profiles can be automatically applied when I switch between my TWS for nearly instant A/B comparison.