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

[Thesonofkrypton]

Had a brief early listen of the Pi6 which are due in most markets in a couple of weeks. Will be returning my Pi8 I think and getting those when it arrives, I don't see myself toggling the eq or using the app much and the anc sounds pretty similar.

 

[doublet2323]

So I’ve been a lurker on here for awhile now and would call myself an amateur in all this, but I need some help. Heard people talking about the KS100s from Alpha & Delta so I said ok I’ll try them. I bought a pair off Amazon (the DD version) and for some reason they wouldn’t work. I pulled off all the stickies on the earbuds and case but wouldn’t charge and wouldn’t connect. So I did an Amazon replacement which I just got today and they STILL don’t seem to work/connect/charge. Is it possible I have 2 duds? Or am I doing something wrong?

 

[helmutcheese]

If I have the right earbuds they are quite old stock (2017) so may have been lying a while if no longer in production the batteries can end up not charging but you can sometimes jump start them via a external power source.

 

[doublet2323]

If I have the right earbuds they are quite old stock (2017) so may have been lying a while if no longer in production the batteries can end up not charging but you can sometimes jump start them via a external power source.

I don’t think they’re from 2017. They have Bluetooth 5.2. I think they’re from earlier this year. Shouldn’t be old batteries.

 

[BigZ12]

Comply Foam just tested the Pi8 for compatibility with their foam tips.
They said that the TW-170-A is a good match.
I have some mediums on the way...

Could there be anyone in here, who by chance, that have both the Pi8 and TW-170-A, and could do a test run?

 

[helmutcheese]

I don’t think they’re from 2017. They have Bluetooth 5.2. I think they’re from earlier this year. Shouldn’t be old batteries.

Yes you are right that was from the Amazon US listing which can be iffy at times.

 

[chrisnyc75]

The case is now known to be Adaptive not lossless.

So, I now have them both in hand, though I haven't opened the Pi8 yet. I am SO impressed with the AZ80 I would be SHOCKED if Pi8 measures up. Giving it a week or so with Technics before I do a proper comparison, though. Based solely on AZ80 I am seriously wondering if the best-of-the-best TWS are now on par with similarly priced chi-fi IEMs? The sheer bass dynamics still lag behind a bit, but that's something that will only be solved by a seismic leap in battery tech.

Is it possible the USB connection can't support lossless?

This is also what I thought - the 3.5mm out supports aptx adaptive, usb-c to usb-c supports aptx lossless.

Either way, AZ80 supports LDAC which I think is higher bandwidth than either?

 

[chrisnyc75]

Can anyone suggest a pair of gaming wireless headphones better than the current Audeze Maxwell wireless? Curious to know if there are any LCD-GX owners here?

The new Noble Fokus Apollo looks intriguing. I've also heard really good things about Asus's ROG Delta, though I put little stock in hype about mainstream company releases.

 

[helmutcheese]

So, I now have them both in hand, though I haven't opened the Pi8 yet. I am SO impressed with the AZ80 I would be SHOCKED if Pi8 measures up. Giving it a week or so with Technics before I do a proper comparison, though. Based solely on AZ80 I am seriously wondering if the best-of-the-best TWS are now on par with similarly priced chi-fi IEMs? The sheer bass dynamics still lag behind a bit, but that's something that will only be solved by a seismic leap in battery tech.


This is also what I thought - the 3.5mm out supports aptx adaptive, usb-c to usb-c supports aptx lossless.

Either way, AZ80 supports LDAC which I think is higher bandwidth than either?

If you mean aptX Lossless it can hit about 1.2Mb/s and LDAC is only 909/990KB/s, and LHDC can do 1.0Mb/s at least (I would need to check my settings).

 

[chrisnyc75]

If you mean aptX Lossless it can hit about 1.2Mb/s and LDAC is only 909/990KB/s, and LHDC can do 1.0Mb/s at least (I would need to check my settings).

Thank you, I am new to putting any meaningful thought into bluetooth bandwidth as it only JUST started to make any real difference. I am, however, almost shocked at how meaningful the difference is between SBC and LDAC on AZ80. It's almost like Elex vs Clear.

 

[helmutcheese]

 

[JackNarrow]

For anyone plagued with Nickle/acrylates issues with consumer grade earbuds (not bacteria or silicone related) here is an update:

OnePlus pro 3, Galaxy buds 3 Pro, LG tone series are all still a no go because of chemicals used.

Sennheiser MTW4 are still the only ones I have found that do not produce a reaction after prolonged use..I hope one day the others will get these irritants out of their production process.

Do u have a source for more information on this? Especially with the tone series. Wasn't aware of any issues with them

 

[TK33]

Stopped by Audio46 (awesome store by the way) on my way in to the office and picked up the B&W PI8s. These are definitely my favorite TWS for music (so far).

Comfort is the first thing I noticed. These are noticeably more comfortable than the Technics AZ80 in my ears (using Azla Max tips on AZ80 and just the stock B&W.tips on the PI8 for now). I skipped the PI7 S2 but I don't recall thinking my original PI7s were the most comfortable TWS (still really liked them). I think my Jabra Elite 10s may still be more comfortable but I unfortunately left them at home today. These come close to me but with better sound.

Soundwise, I prefer the PI8s over my AZ80s, not because the AZ80s are bad but, because I think I am used to how B&W headphones sound (i.e. personal preference). I have been struggling to find an EQ that I like with the AZ80s and the sound of the AZ80 was great to me but never wowed me. To my ears, the AZ80 had good separation, nice wide soundstage, and had good detail and bass but also had this veiled sound to my ears (even on the Treble+ setting) so I have found myself constantly tweaking the custom EQ even 6-7 months later. I had pretty much gone back to using my wired Shure SE846s for listening to music while commuting. I still need to spend some time playing with the PI8s but I quicmly spent about 2 minutes messing with some EQ in the B&W music app and the sound is just more fuller, clearer and cohesive to me vs. the AZ80. The PI8s have made me a believer in TWS again. Vocals on the PI8s also sound more natural to me but that is, again, probably just my opinion on how I like things to sound. Keep in mind, I am more used to the B&W sound as I also have the Px7 S2 and Px8 headphones. You can definitely hear the similarities across the three B&W products.

Took some comparison photos between the TWS I have with me today (B&W PI8, Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and Technics AZ80), which are attached. PI8 case is larger but a hair slimmer compared to the AZ80 case and the rounded edges of the PI8 case actually make the PI8 case more comfortable to me in my pocket. Obviously the Buds3 wins on pocketability.

Codec wise, I am using the Xperia 1 V (basically my camera and on the go music source) but don't think I could reliably tell the difference between aptX adaptive 44.1 vs 96khz. However, I have not experienced any connectivity issues forcing 96khz aptX adaptive. If you care about codecs, AZ80 is still more versatile because of LDAC and 3 device multipoint (my primary phone is a Samsung Galaxy Fold 5 so I do appreciate having LDAC on the AZ80s).

Still in the honeymoon phase but very happy with my purchase so far.

 

[mainguy]

Stopped by Audio46 (awesome store by the way) on my way in to the office and picked up the B&W PI8s. These are definitely my favorite TWS for music (so far).

Comfort is the first thing I noticed. These are noticeably more comfortable than the Technics AZ80 in my ears (using Azla Max tips on AZ80 and just the stock B&W.tips on the PI8 for now). I skipped the PI7 S2 but I don't recall thinking my original PI7s were the most comfortable TWS (still really liked them). I think my Jabra Elite 10s may still be more comfortable but I unfortunately left them at home today. These come close to me but with better sound.

Soundwise, I prefer the PI8s over my AZ80s, not because the AZ80s are bad but, because I think I am used to how B&W

Took some comparison photos between the TWS I have with me today (B&W PI8, Samsung Galaxy Buds3 and Technics AZ80), which are attached. PI8 case is larger but a hair slimmer compared to the AZ80 case and the rounded edges of the PI8 case actually make the PI8 case more comfortable to me in my pocket. Obviously the Buds3 wins on pocketability.

I got the beige set too, absolutely stunning and very premium looking. Thanks for the codec comparison.

 

[dasadab]

I got the beige set too, absolutely stunning and very premium looking. Thanks for the codec comparison.

Have been considering the AVIOT TE-ZX1 based on so many positive reviews here. But now the B&W offering is available. The Aviot is now available on Amazon prime with a two or three day delivery window.

Based on one of the reviews here, I recently bought the Nothing ear offering on Amazon. The black version was just a little over $119.

I must say, I was quite impressed with the Nothing ears.

Sound wise, they are a whole grade level above the Apple Pro2. They also are very light and comfortable.

Which gave me the itch to try ultra premium to see if it’s worth it. And BTW, I also on the Denon Pearl, pros, which I think have quite excellent sound quality and are also a grade level above the Apple.

Of course, in my opinion, you really can’t beat the Apple for outstanding ANC and calls and the overall integration of the package. It’s quite excellent, I just wish the sound was more dynamic, rich, and airy. (I don’t really speak review lingo)

Any thoughts appreciated.