I saw this thread a few weeks ago while I was weighing up whether to buy Beoplay E8 2.0.
I’ve owned several wireless earbuds now, so here are a few thoughts. Unfortunately I haven’t really compared any side-by-side, so this is from memory.
Wireless earbuds were/are for the gym (including a long walk to/from) and running.
Here are some thoughts. I always use the most recent iPhone and iOS with Extreme Spotify or HQ Apple Music, so the source isn’t a variable.
B&O Beoplay E8 2.0
Terrible connection reliability for slave earbud was terrible so I returned it.
Jabra Elite Pro
I got these for free with an Apple purchase.
They didn’t fit my ears so I gave them to a friend who says the reliability and ease of connection is amazing.
Bose SoundSport Wireless
The fins were awkward to me and they lacked isolation, so I returned immediately.
Also too much sound leakage for my taste. I know I would only be at the gym or running outside, but it still annoyed me.
Denon Wireless AH-C160W
I’ve owned several wireless earbuds now, so here are a few thoughts. Unfortunately I haven’t really compared any side-by-side, so this is from memory.
Wireless earbuds were/are for the gym (including a long walk to/from) and running.
Here are some thoughts. I always use the most recent iPhone and iOS with Extreme Spotify or HQ Apple Music, so the source isn’t a variable.
B&O Beoplay E8 2.0
- Fit: Good. No problems running. No risk of falling out. But I have to occasionally reposition for optimal fit (more for perceived fit than actual sound/seal).
- Comfort: Very good. Slightly bulkier and heavier that MTW, but no fatigue after the first day.
- Isolation: Good (silicone). No wind noise unless ambient sound is turned on.
- Sound: Better at detail than MTW. Slightly better all round to my ears. Best I’ve heard (but not as good as even my backup wired Sony XBA-H3 from about 5 years ago).
- Connection: Solid in general. Occasional crackling and distortion that seems to be caused by interference rather than distance. I tried to re-pair but it it didn’t help. If it continues to annoy me I will reconsider because it’s unacceptable for the price.
- Controls: Good. No phantom button presses. But on one occasion button presses didn’t register at all.
- Case build quality seems more premium (leather) but probably isn’t as durable as a plastic one for scuffs.
- Wireless charging (also USB-C) is a bigger upgrade than you would think.
- For better or worse, they must be turned on manually each time, and they seem to turn off automatically after a time if removed and kept at a desk or in your pocket.
- If the crackling persists I will have to reconsider.
- Fit: Very good. No problem running. Didn’t fall out.
- Comfort: Excellent. Very light, so no fatigue.
- Isolation: Medium. A little disappointing. I think a few extra millimetres on the stem would be better for me.
- Sound: Among the best of any true wireless earbud I’ve owned, but not at all impressive either compared to wired. Not remotely close to IE800, but it has been about 5 years since I sold mine.
- Connection: Generally reliable. Some cutouts to the slave earbud in particular gym locations (minimal distances, approx: 5ft). Single device connection. Awkwardly connected to the wrong device when turned on sometimes.
- Controls: Easy and not painful when tapped. Occasionally failed to detect taps. Touch controls are not good with a tightened hood (running in the rain). Also see issues.
- Very limited EQ options in app.
- Transparent hearing never worked.
- Case build quality was poor. I had a loose hinge and the Sennheiser logo was not straight.
- After a couple of weeks one earbud kept registering phantom touches that reduced the volume so I returned it. Re-pairing and resetting didn’t help.
- Ultimately on a par with ACS Encore as the most disappointing headphones I’ve ever owned—I waited months after they were announced and was among the first to pre-order and receive them.
- Fit: Decent but not as good as MTW or E8.
- Comfort: Decent but not as good as MTW or E8.
- Isolation: Good. Slightly better than MTW.
- Sound: Okay. Not very detailed.
- Connection: Terrible. Slave earbud would cut out anywhere that had many devices, from gyms to train stations. It would cut out all the time and was unusable.
- Controls: Easy, but button presses were painful to my ears.
Terrible connection reliability for slave earbud was terrible so I returned it.
Jabra Elite Pro
- Fit: Seemed okay in terms of playback but not secure. I almost lost an earbud several times and that’s never happened with the others.
- Comfort: Poor. Felt heavy substantial because of HR reader. Fatigue significant.
- Isolation: Good. Slightly better than MTW.
- Sound: Okay. Not very detailed.
- Connection: Quite poor. Cut out at busy places.
- Controls: Easy but buttons were painful to my ears.
- HR did not track reliably.
- Terrible app and firmware update process.
- Poor connection reliability.
- Gave it away when I got an Apple Watch (HR).
I got these for free with an Apple purchase.
They didn’t fit my ears so I gave them to a friend who says the reliability and ease of connection is amazing.
Bose SoundSport Wireless
The fins were awkward to me and they lacked isolation, so I returned immediately.
Also too much sound leakage for my taste. I know I would only be at the gym or running outside, but it still annoyed me.
Denon Wireless AH-C160W
- Fit: Poor. Earhooks were awkwardly shaped.
- Comfort: Poor. Earhooks did not curve round my ear naturally, so the cable drop was as at a bad angle.
- Isolation: Ok, but always ruined by fit.
- Sound: Okay. Not very detailed. But didn’t use much.
- Connection: The worst. Cut out all the time. Outside while walking or running, and at busy places.
- Controls: Did not really use.
- Bad fit and terrible connection.
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