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

[fidgeraldo]

and can recommend a set?

I recommend not to do that while biking!

Cheers!

 

[PixelSquish]

I recommend not to do that while biking!

Cheers!

I'm doing a four day bikepacking trip on a canal trail with no car traffic on it, 200 miles, so appreciate the advice, but for this use case, it's just fine.

 

[fidgeraldo]

I'm doing a four day bikepacking trip on a canal trail with no car traffic on it, 200 miles, so appreciate the advice, but for this use case, it's just fine.

No worries...I Get it; it sounds safe.
But have you thought of those small BT speakers...
Marshall has fantastic small speakers...
You'd be more connected that way with nature, biking, and music...all together.

Enjoy!

Cheers!

 

[audionooby]

Anyone have a recommendation on a cheaper TWS (sub-$100) that has good passive sealing and secure fit?

 

[Not so fat head]

No worries...I Get it; it sounds safe.
But have you thought of those small BT speakers...
Marshall has fantastic small speakers...
You'd be more connected that way with nature, biking, and music...all together.

Enjoy!

Cheers!

 

[audionooby]

Do these still have the weird nozzle that Anker/Soundcore had on the LIberty 4 NC? If so I’ll need to pass, since I just cannot tip roll on those.

 

[FSUnoles]

No they went with normal rounded opening so aftermarket tips should work

Overall they don't appear to do anything extremely better than anything else

 

[audionooby]

Anyone use one of the open ear earbuds here while bike riding and can recommend a set? Thanks!

I personally just use transparency mode instead of switching to open for these uses.

But in case it’s relevant, 1More just released a new set of open earbuds, the S70, which is now their most expensive product. They also added a couple cheaper open sets I think, but here’s the S70 product page: https://usa.1more.com/products/1more-fit-open-earbuds-s70

Example review here:

 

[dweaver]

Do these still have the weird nozzle that Anker/Soundcore had on the LIberty 4 NC? If so I’ll need to pass, since I just cannot tip roll on those.

Apparently a normal nozzle from the reviews I have seen.

 

[Not so fat head]

Interesting that the Liberty 4 pro uses a super small titanium tweeter, and not a BA.
This might be a first, however maybe in the hearing aids category it’s being used. Would like to see how it’s being manufactured . Bass is via DD…

 

[JoshG1217]

I have my fair share of following the hype, but so far, they all have been good. I was interested with the PI8 coz of the transmitter on the case in flight use, but I just purchased my GB3pro and it has been working really well with my use.

You have lucked out, my friend. I have set far too much money on fire due to bad recs. Mostly wired stuff from bigger names, ie900, fibae 5, campfire cascade, and others. I've grabbed some great stuff as well: hifiman he 6 se 2, ier z1r, thieaudio monarch and Prestige, dx320.

It's a crap shoot, so if I can help others learn from my errors, I want to: like don't buy the pi8. It's objectively mediocre and overpriced. It's downgrade from the xm5 or az80.

 

[voicemaster]

You have lucked out, my friend. I have set far too much money on fire due to bad recs. Mostly wired stuff from bigger names, ie900, fibae 5, campfire cascade, and others. I've grabbed some great stuff as well: hifiman he 6 se 2, ier z1r, thieaudio monarch and Prestige, dx320.

It's a crap shoot, so if I can help others learn from my errors, I want to: like don't buy the pi8. It's objectively mediocre and overpriced. It's downgrade from the xm5 or az80.

Well the most expensive TWS that I've bought so far was Denon Pearl Pro, Audio Technica TWX9, Aviot ZX-1 PNK and GB3 pro. There are some cheapos like Soundcore VR10, KZ Xtra, Noble H-ANC, and all Galaxy buds except the SE.
I have spent even more on wired IEMs lol. The latest one was the Elysian Pilgrim and Meze Alba. Very satisfied with both price and performance.

 

[FSUnoles]

We have definitely hit a plateau with buds right now
What we're getting is trickle down tech to the sub $100 space

Everyone seems to be trying for open buds as well because of this hardware stall

 

[TK33]

You have lucked out, my friend. I have set far too much money on fire due to bad recs. Mostly wired stuff from bigger names, ie900, fibae 5, campfire cascade, and others. I've grabbed some great stuff as well: hifiman he 6 se 2, ier z1r, thieaudio monarch and Prestige, dx320.

It's a crap shoot, so if I can help others learn from my errors, I want to: like don't buy the pi8. It's objectively mediocre and overpriced. It's downgrade from the xm5 or az80.

There is nothing objective about your statements and, in my opinion, your post would be much more meaningful and productive if you acknowledged that yourn statements are based on your subjective opinions based on your personal persectives and perception of sound. You are entitled to your opinions and are free to express them but it would be nice if you were a little more respectful of the opinions of others as well.

I personally really enjoy my PI8s and am very happy with them. I also own the AZ80s but find that I enjoy (and use) the PI8s more. AZ80s pretty much stay in one of my backpacks as a backup set of TWS. I do not find one objectively better than another. For me, it is about the sound that I subjectively enjoy. Note, I actually do EQ both as I do not enjoy the stock sound of either the PI8 or AZ80 but, subjectively, I prefer the PI8 over the AZ80, in terms of sound, soundstage/separation, and definitely overall comfort in my own ears. I just got back from a very short trip and I took my B&W PI8 and Px8 with me (left my AZ80s at home) and found myself using the PI8s quite a bit, even during the flight. The PI8s are not perfect but I am still glad I got them.

 

[TK33]

I have my fair share of following the hype, but so far, they all have been good. I was interested with the PI8 coz of the transmitter on the case in flight use, but I just purchased my GB3pro and it has been working really well with my use.

I ended up not needing the transmission feature on the PI8 case on my flights earlier this week. Bluetooth on the in-flight entertainment system of the Airbus A321-NEO (operated by Delta) worked really well with both the PI8 and Px8. This is where having an app is nice because it was really easy to remove the paired device in the B&W app on my phone after each flight. Hopefully this becomes more widely available if it is not already.