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

[JML]

I'm sending my ZX1 back to Amazon. They start to hurt after a while and after trying them again tonight I have just given up. I loved the sound, but I just cannot wear them for long without pain, regardless of the tips used. I hate foam tips but they were the most comfortable, but they wouldn't stay on securely (the bore is larger than the silicone tips). The language and voice firmware settings also would not "take" even after several tries.

The search for an LDAC or aptX-HD (not Adaptive) pair will go on. Unfortunately, I did not like the newest Sony (for many reasons) and the Panasonic were far too boomy. Any suggestions?

 

[jsmiller58]

Using the Galaxy Buds 3 pro for easy portable listening.

They arent as audiophile as my Dunu / iBasso Combo but they are damn flexible and easy to use and sound stellar (more on the lively, crisp side) on my Galaxy S24 Ultra (UAPP Bluetooth Direct / Stock EQ / 96 khz + 24 bit SSC Codec).

You have to update to the OneUI '6.1.1' Update (September Update) at least to get the 96 khz UHQ setting in your wearable app.

Hmmm… I just got my Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (updated the firmware right away) and with my S22 Ultra I am only able to select 48Khz… did you have to do anything special to enable 96Khz? (I am at OneUI 6.1, not 6.1.1… maybe that’s the issue?)

Also, is multipoint supposed be supported? I can only establish 1 connection at a time, having to disable one device to enable a second device. Not a showstopper , but disappointing in 2024…

 

[mikaik]

I'm sending my ZX1 back to Amazon. They start to hurt after a while and after trying them again tonight I have just given up. I loved the sound, but I just cannot wear them for long without pain, regardless of the tips used. I hate foam tips but they were the most comfortable, but they wouldn't stay on securely (the bore is larger than the silicone tips). The language and voice firmware settings also would not "take" even after several tries.

The search for an LDAC or aptX-HD (not Adaptive) pair will go on. Unfortunately, I did not like the newest Sony (for many reasons) and the Panasonic were far too boomy. Any suggestions?

I quite like the Sennheiser MTW4 at the moment. The anti wind mode is the best so far, battery lasts very long. I took them with me on a trip to Paris and I had no connection problems in the airports, underground, etc. You can change the touch commands, so I set transparency to a simple tap - it makes travelling so much easier.
Also, there is very little difference in terms of sound between ANC on/off.
Cons: just like many other models, there is a slight hissing in ANC mode. Sony is the only one that didn't have that...

 

[botmann]

... Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (updated the firmware right away) and with my S22 Ultra I am only able to select 48Khz… did you have to do anything special to enable 96Khz? (I am at OneUI 6.1, not 6.1.1… maybe that’s the issue?) ...

Try installing Bluetooth Codec Changer. It's free; there is premium upgrade but not really needed. It should tell you what codecs are available for both your earbuds/headphones and your phone. It actually can help you change the codec you're using.

I assume with those two, you should be using SSC, which is around 96khz. I have the Buds Pro 2 with S23U and it automatically uses SSC.

 

[regancipher]

Got the Moondrop Moca's the day before yesterday.

They are FAR superior to the previous Moondrop true wireless earbuds that I've tried (Space Travel/Golden Ages), really disliked both of those. With Wavelet these actually sound pretty damn good for the price even though omitting LDAC from these is rather puzzling to me.

The case, the aesthetic and the ANC are also clear improvements to the aforementioned earbuds.

I got mine yesterday and I'm blown away. Given how popular the Space Travel were (I also thought they were a bit over-rated) I can see the Moca being a huge success.

They've pretty much solved all the issues the Space Travel had:

• lid added to the case (although it is a little awkward getting the buds in and out)
• battery LED indicator on the case that actually tells you something
• strong ANC - Moondrop's strongest by far and actually pretty effective at mid-frequency sounds
• improved design - oval nozzles AND oval eartips this time making them more comfortable (for me at least)
• improved volume - much louder OOTB and there's a high gain mode to boost it even further
• wireless charging
• in-ear detection

Haven't given them a long listen yet but you can see what they were trying to do with the sound. Bit of EQ shift which is to be expected given the ANC strength.

For $50 this is looking like a steal. Begs the question why they bothered with the Ultrasonic!

 

[mainguy]

• battery LED indicator on the case that actually tells you something
• strong ANC - Moondrop's strongest by far and actually pretty effective at mid-frequency sounds
• improved design - oval nozzles AND oval eartips this time making them more comfortable (for me at least)
• improved volume - much louder OOTB and there's a high gain mode to boost it even further
• wireless charging
• in-ear detection

Haven't given them a long listen yet but you can see what they were trying to do with the sound. Bit of EQ shift which is to be expected given the ANC strength.

For $50 this is looking like a steal. Begs the question why they bothered with the Ultrasonic!

These have the Aria 2 driver. I'd imagine they match the $300-400 tws for technicalities. I find my Nekocake, which are the predecessor to these, sound better than most tws and are within around 15% of the Airpods Pro 2, bettering them in some respects...

Interesting to see what happens when a real audiophile company makes tws lol.

 

[SussyTofu420]

These have the Aria 2 driver. I'd imagine they match the $300-400 tws for technicalities. I find my Nekocake, which are the predecessor to these, sound better than most tws and are within around 15% of the Airpods Pro 2, bettering them in some respects...

Interesting to see what happens when a real audiophile company makes tws lol.

I'd be very surprised if they can match the 5 drivers of Aviot. Also no LDAC support and very short battery life... But I guess it's only 50 bucks (plus 25.5% sales tax and shipping).

 

[mainguy]

I'd be very surprised if they can match the 5 drivers of Aviot. Also no LDAC support and very short battery life... But I guess it's only 50 bucks (plus 25.5% sales tax and shipping).

Drivers really mean nothing, there are single DD wired iems that absolutely crush Aviot for technical performance (Singularity, IE600, Xelento, etc).

I'm not saying one will be better than the other, but driver count is a useless metric for determining that.

The Nekocake is really really good, and I got it for $36. It stages better than APP2 and has better spacing between instruments, with slightly less detail. Depends how much Moondrop packed into these, but if they are Aria 2 but with bluetooth, they'll probably clean up most tws on the market for sound. My bet is they'll play in the XM5/Momentum 4/PI8 kind of region, trading blows with those for technicalities but being better tuned, so overall sounding better to most people.

 

[SussyTofu420]

Drivers really mean nothing, there are single DD wired iems that absolutely crush Aviot for technical performance (Singularity, IE600, Xelento, etc).

I'm not saying one will be better than the other, but driver count is a useless metric for determining that.

The Nekocake is really really good, and I got it for $36. It stages better than APP2 and has better spacing between instruments, with slightly less detail. Depends how much Moondrop packed into these, but if they are Aria 2 but with bluetooth, they'll probably clean up most tws on the market for sound. My bet is they'll play in the XM5/Momentum 4/PI8 kind of region, trading blows with those for technicalities but being better tuned, so overall sounding better to most people.

I guess my scepticism comes from the fact that I've only heard the Blessing 2: Dusk that was supposedly a giant killer, but turned out to be a very mediocre experience even though I paid about 300€ for them. Their Littleblack BT cable was decent, even with the slight hissing and short battery life. Of course both of these products are already old by chi-fi standards, so things have probably gone forward quite a bit. I'm also still really smitten by the Aviot TE-ZX1, I can't really imagine anything better in it's size.

 

[Saraugie]

HIFIMAN SVANAR​

50% off at Amazon. FOMO get thee back !!!!! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C73D3RQK?th=1&psc=1

 

[utku1985]

Big shout out to the design too. The transparent case so you can see the buds and contacts not only looks great but is v practical for seeing anything in the case that can obstruct charging.

After buying over 15+ tws sets, the Nothing Ear are easily the best value set on the market, followed not too far behind by the Anker Soundcore A40 for sheer value.

I have the black one nothing ear (a) 2024 for the price they re amazing good overall sound and app not very much detail but bass is good good design I can use right ear till the battery dies almost 8 hours or more then swtich to left , for my luck I get pain on my left ear , so left side can’t use that much but overall comfortable also . I paid 80$ with promo very good value . ANC worked great on airplane as well I don’t use transparency mode can’t say much about that .

 

[clerkpalmer]

HIFIMAN SVANAR​

50% off at Amazon. FOMO get thee back !!!!! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C73D3RQK?th=1&psc=1

That is really tough to pass on. The Svanar are legit good even at $500.

 

[Saraugie]

HIFIMAN SVANAR​

50% off at Amazon. FOMO get thee back !!!!! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C73D3RQK?th=1&psc=1

That is really tough to pass on. The Svanar are legit good even at $500.

Ok, stop trying to make me buy it !!!! Ok, Ok, Ok, already ...I will. Ok, I did. :>)

I have a secret. I bought the TWS450 for $39. when they first came out. They are still sealed. I am going to A/B with the Svanar. That should be a fun.
Thanks clerkpalmer for the nudge.

Justifying*: $499 at Hifiman com.

*As if I needed to here lol....

 

[Not so fat head]

That is really tough to pass on. The Svanar are legit good even at $500.

Did HIFIMan ever come out with a good app with EQ? Man, I have to EQ everything to get the sound I need. I have never NOT EQ'd any of my headphones, including
my Stax Sigma's.

 

[BishieBishie]

Hmmm… I just got my Galaxy Buds 3 Pro (updated the firmware right away) and with my S22 Ultra I am only able to select 48Khz… did you have to do anything special to enable 96Khz? (I am at OneUI 6.1, not 6.1.1… maybe that’s the issue?)

Also, is multipoint supposed be supported? I can only establish 1 connection at a time, having to disable one device to enable a second device. Not a showstopper , but disappointing in 2024…

Needs to be 6.1.1 which as far as I know is only out for S24 range and Z flip/fold 6 right now. Then its just an option in the wearables sound section for the buds.