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

[Saraugie]

The ** bandwidth is lower in Multipoint for any earbuds even if the 2nd device is basically idle and the reason aptX Lossless drops to Adaptive unless you only connect to one device.

I had the AZ80 and the three way Multipoint worked fine (only 2 devices can be connected via LDAC, the 3rd a lesser codec) again due to bandwidth.

** Learn something new everyday!

 

[Saraugie]

The B&W's arrived. Listening and getting used to them. Anyone find their favorite EQ they wish to share?

Every time so far when I intend to EQ, I start listening to a song to do the adjustments with I never start; ....

“Just when I thought I was out, they the sound pulls me back in.”

 

[TK33]

With so many conflicting opinions, I am not sure if I should buy any more TWS. I have tried so many and have not really found sound quality differences that are compelling enough or consistent enough to choose one over the other definitely. I basically end up liking the AirPods for ease of connections and Sony or Bose for ANC.

Given all the different opinions from reviewers and people here, I wonder if that other poster had the right idea choosing the Shure 846 after all. With a BT ear hook adapter it might be the best way to get better sound quality with some TWS like convenience. Does anyone feel like any TWS can compete on sound quality with those?

They are personal opinions (i.e.personal preference). I would just trust your own ears. In my personal opinion, TWS and IEMs have very different use cases. I am out of town on vacation for the week and brought the Buds3 with me (open ear, used them for 3 1/2 hours of back to back Zoom and Teams meetings today and they were fantastic). Jabra Elite 10s were with me when out and about and used to take some calls and, while I left my SE846+TW2 at home and brought my wired SE846 instead, I am actually using the AZ80 right now to listen to music because I have limited space on my very cluttered hotel room dining table. TWS are also more convenient when doing things like dishes or washing bottles (probably what I should be doing right now). In my opinion, the AZ80 are not even close to the SE846 but this is all personal preference since others may just dislike the sound of the SE846. Am enjoying my music on the AZ80 even though it is not the best I have in terms of sound. I think there are other features and benefits that TWS bring to the table that need to be considered. In the end, I like to focus on finding something that I can enjoy, even if it is not the "best". That's just me...

 

[erockg]

The B&W's arrived. Listening and getting used to them. Anyone find their favorite EQ they wish to share?

Boom

 

[TK33]

I had the AZ80 and the three way Multipoint worked fine (only 2 devices can be connected via LDAC, the 3rd a lesser codec) again due to bandwidth.

** Learn something new everyday!

AZ80 app also says LDAC will not work with 3 device multi-point. Screenshot attached.

 

[newworld666]

So many years I bought so many TWS and still have them all on the shelf... (Apple, Samsung, Sony, JVC, Cambridge audio, Aviot, Soundcore, Jabra, Jlab, ....) I would rank actually those who are still worth to buy in 2024 for a reason or another like this :

1) for sound quality,
EAHAZ80 & WF-1000XM5 << TE-ZX1PNK <<<< NW-WM1A + IER-Z1R set in BT LDAC receiver mode (IER-M9 is not far behind IER-Z1R)
Unfortunately sound stage of any TWS I own are very limited and far from my absolute IEM reference (IER-Z1R) used in BT LDAC mode with WM1A...
The Sound Quality of TE-ZX1 PNK with the "tribrid/5 drivers" system is the most convincing one with even rather good extendended drum kit cymbals (though still not the level of IER-Z1R/M9)..

2) for real life usability and comfort for commute or sleeping head on the side for an whole night with enough battery playing time (9 to 15 hours).
EAH AZ80 < Galaxy Buds2 pro << WF-1000XM5 < Epic Air Sport ANC < Elite 8 active V2 ANC <<< Sleep A20 (no ANC but double flanged tips) <<Quloos MUB1 + IE800s
Those can be used for long overseas flights too with decent ANC (though results are far from the efficiency of BT Headphones like EAH-A800)
Actually for my trips in 2024 in my bag beside some mirrorless cameras and Z Fold 5, I bring the TE-ZX1 PNK, Elite 8 active V2 ANC, Sleep A20 and of course the combo NW-WM1A + IER-Z1R... none of my TWS can offer all what I expect to have in 2024 in one TWS only. Of course no TWS have a chance to really replace an good IEM for sound quality.

All other TWS I own have too poor battery playing time (less than 6 hours without charging in their cases), tough sound quality can be still decent and very enjoyable when not used in A/B comparison with better TWS

 

[Saraugie]

Boom

Tried that setting nice...they can really scale well.

Have you tried the Pi8 with the M300? If so did you try, if not would you please, to use both LDAC & aptX Adaptive?

 

[helmutcheese]

Do Apple buds

Do Apple buds have this issue? I feel like I have paired AirPods to several devices and not seen any reduction in quality.

Pairing and Multipoint are two different things.

Many earbuds can pair to at least 8 devices where you disconnect from your PC and connect to your phone and go out a walk (2 devices paired in memory).

Multipoint can connect to two (apart from the AZ80 which is 3) at the same time, so you are sitting at home listening to music on you PC when your phone rings and you can take it on the earbuds or pause the music on the PC and resume playback on your phone.

Since Apple do have multipoint and only use AAC it would effect it less to a certain extent than both having LDAC as AAC is limited in bandwidth to start with even less than SBC.

 

[potix]

The Pi8s were pretty good but it honestly just felt like they went for a more reserved V shape style tuning, I did feel some sibilance in things like cymbals , and the bass was fairly well extended too. However it lacked that natural mid- and vocal range the pro 2s deliver. It also felt like some low guitar notes had a sort of “bloat” to them which I didint really enjoy.

Thank you for this observation, there are a lot of reviews across internet but literally every reviewer are doing a copy&paste of the older models sound analysis. After the first two iterations I was hoping b&w changed their tuning, now I guess they didn't. I remember it was a nightmare to identify and compensate those huge peaks and dips in the treble area.

 

[JML]

The Absolute Sound reviewer usually knows what he's talking about (and hearing).

But IEMs are tough to review (and have to judged for yourself). For example, I thought the Technics AZ80 was one of the worst IEMs I've ever heard - wooly and overwhelming bass - and connection problems. Bu many reviewers (and posts here) like them.

 

[erockg]

Thank you for this observation, there are a lot of reviews across internet but literally every reviewer are doing a copy&paste of the older models sound analysis. After the first two iterations I was hoping b&w changed their tuning, now I guess they didn't. I remember it was a nightmare to identify and compensate those huge peaks and dips in the treble area.

I actually am on the other end of this. I love the PI8. Love the bass, don't feel any bloat in guitars. But I was also a lover of the Devialet G2. That said, I do listen to a ton of hard rock and metal. For that, perfect. They are comfortable, fun and yes, @Saraugie, using them on my M300 right now. PI8 with Aptx Adaptive on my M300 kicks them up a notch for sure. Listening to the latest Tom Keifer album and his acoustic guitar sounds like he's playing on my lap. Gross, sure, but still awesome. Enjoying the PI8 on my iPhone, Android DAP and Mac. Dig the sound more than the Final ZE8000 (which are great).

So far, my only gripe with the PI8 are the tap controls. While still better than the last gens, I wanted more flexibility.

My two favorites the last few weeks are the B&W PI8 and the AKG N5.

 

[Saraugie]

I actually am on the other end of this. I love the PI8. Love the bass, don't feel any bloat in guitars. But I was also a lover of the Devialet G2. That said, I do listen to a ton of hard rock and metal. For that, perfect. They are comfortable, fun and yes, @Saraugie, using them on my M300 right now. *** PI8 with Aptx Adaptive on my M300 kicks them up a notch for sure. Listening to the latest Tom Keifer album and his acoustic guitar sounds like he's playing on my lap. Gross, sure, but still awesome. Enjoying the PI8 on my iPhone, Android DAP and Mac. Dig the sound more than the Final ZE8000 (which are great).

So far, my only gripe with the PI8 are the tap controls. While still better than the last gens, I wanted more flexibility.

My two favorites the last few weeks are the B&W PI8 and the AKG N5.

High praise indeed for the Pi8. I became confused (it's a constant state of mind with all the new gear. Pi8 does not do LDAC and aptX Adaptive works fine for me on the M300.

 

[erockg]

High praise indeed for the Pi8. The M300 and I have a love/hate relationship for sure lol. Did you have to turn anything on or off, or do any adjustment to get to work?

No issues. Just put the buds in the case, held the L & R until pairing mode activated, then paired to the M300. Works great. I did update the Hiby app today. Everything else was up to date.

 

[Saraugie]

No issues. Just put the buds in the case, held the L & R until pairing mode activated, then paired to the M300. Works great. I did update the Hiby app today. Everything else was up to date.

Thanks!

My wife wants to meet you. She wants to know how to get me to do things, like buying a AKG N5 when she's heard the mantra 'I don't need another TWS and I'm happy with what I got, plenty on order, no way I'm buying it.' And now, of course, I'm looking for how fast I can my hands on one!

'No Honey, I'm sorry that nice man, he lives in Siberia and doesn't speak English...but I'll give him your regards.'

 

[Killedkella]

I’m honestly still confused about the Devialet Gemini 2s. I must have listened to a pair that had some sort of EQ applied to it, because the bass was overwhelming in its quantity, but I’m not seeing that on any of the measurements or graphs. Even RTINGs gave them a favourable impression.

I would void my opinion on them for now. I will demo these units again but have all the pre requisite apps for each installed before hand to double check all the settings.