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

[Soreniglio]

cut

I'll be waiting for some more details about the Whizzer TP1

 

[FYLegend]

I will agree that he should not get the Sabbat, but not for the reasons stated. They are cheap Chi-fi. Music was never meant to be listened to with a 'neutral' sound signature. It is only recorded that way so that it can be pumped through a wide range of audio devices and still have a moderately similar sound that doesn't distort. If you want proof that music was never intended to be listened to that way, go to a concert, any concert and you will find that almost always the artist is pumping up the bass throughout the performance. The mids get pumped up quite often too. This is how the artist intended their music to be heard. As a result, a neutral signature is a lie. If that's what you prefer, ok, but it has nothing to do with how the music was intended to be heard.

But exactly what's wrong with the Sabbat? I've seen too many up and down impressions of it.

 

[d3myz]

How are the T1 pro's better than 359? Curious if it's with the upgrade

I'm not sure what upgrade you are referring to, but mine are BT 5.0. I wouldn't really consider them better overall sound quality wise. They have much less bass, but cleaner and more accurate treble and midrange. Some might say they sound a little thin, because of the way they are EQ'd but i really enjoy them especially for Audiobooks. The volume is better than the T1's but the Anbes volume is way louder. I also feel like the soundstage on the Pro's is a bit wider. I don't remember the specs but the battery like is 3-4 hours on the pro and the case has a 700mah battery. They are touch instead of click which I definitely prefer. Hope that helps.

 

[vstolpner]

I'm not sure what upgrade you are referring to, but mine are BT 5.0. I wouldn't really consider them better overall sound quality wise. They have much less bass, but cleaner and more accurate treble and midrange. Some might say they sound a little thin, because of the way they are EQ'd but i really enjoy them especially for Audiobooks. The volume is better than the T1's but the Anbes volume is way louder. I also feel like the soundstage on the Pro's is a bit wider. I don't remember the specs but the battery like is 3-4 hours on the pro and the case has a 700mah battery. They are touch instead of click which I definitely prefer. Hope that helps.

I guess upgrade was relatively speaking.... But yeah that helps, thanks!

I'm getting Astrotec S80's this weekend too.... Curious to see how the beryllium drivers will impact sound....

 

[rhsauer]

Just got my Powerbeats Pro today. Never been a fan of Beats, but so far, these are pretty good. I think they are more comfy than my soundsport wireless. Don't expect them to sound like the K10U I used to own, but pretty convenient. Case isn't that big. No bigger than I'd carry the K10U in - smaller probably. They do leak a lot of outside noise in, similar to the Bose, but the upside is you don't get that thump thump bone conduction as you walk.

edit: Too bright. Tricky to get a decent seal. Returning.

I also found them too bright and (not unrelatedly) impossible to get a good seal with. They just didn’t work for NYC subways — not enough isolation. It was very disappointing, because the Class 1 range and H1 features were all very nice.

 

[rhsauer]

This is what I get for having all my orders collected at my 'maildrop' and then finally arrive and being overwhelmed by 10+ new TWE

So far I only did quick checks if they are all working (only the Sabbat E12 have a faulty right bud, seller wants a video to prove this and then will offer 'a solution')

But here my very quick take-aways of some of them, all out of the box with tips as they came.

-Syllable S101 ... those I actually like the most so far and did 2 very successful +10K runs with them ... sound, fit, looks. Only once the left bud would totally lose connection and then I had to randomly press some buttons and they came back

- QCY T1 ... I love those as I can totally and securely jam them all the way up my ear canal And they sound nice

- Havit G1 ... they remind me a LOT of my Jabras which died too soon ... the rubbery texture, that knobbly form factor ... I need to try them next on a run ... they even have a similar Bassy-McBassFace 'fun' sound as the Jabras ... need to do tip rolling to get perfect seal, for strange reasons I got the right side done with out of the box tip (my right ear canal is usually the problem child) but left has not worked out yet ...
Kuddos to the unique case design. But what I don't like is that the charging points on the buds are quite visible (and what about rain?)



-Mifo 05 BA version ... not impressed ... that case is super heavy .. sound is .. eh ... will give it some more time. They arrived with the tips bent all out of shape



-redmi airdots ... were a pain to pair, found a YT video to help reset and then they would finally pair with each other

-Anbes 359 ... i still feel pretty neutral about them ... also, will need more time

-whizzer TP1 ... those feel HUGE .. but sound nice ... not super impressed yet, but giving it some time




-XG17 for 8.52$ ... if you really can't afford more than 10$, those will do .. or if you lose TWE all the time ... they actually work, they have a bit of a background noise (sometimes, not always)... they do not sound like total rubbish ... maybe good present for kids ... pairing was easy



- some more at or sub 20$ buds: tiso i4, Capsule Anomoibuds, Haylou GT1 .. they all do a pretty decent job for this price range ... The Haylou (beautiful tiny case, just trying them again as I type, liking the sound) had similar pairing issues as the redmi airdots, eventually i figured it out



- 1more stylish ... quite liking them, they way they fit, but i think i still have to play with the different fittings ... voice is CHinese and I have not figured out yet how to change ... or I just keep it

- My Blitzwolf FYE5 have been in custody @customs since 5/27 .. let's see if they ever get released, by now I fear they dropped off some shelf in the trash

Funny thing is that somehow I am having way too much fun with a certain white stemmed replica bud for 25$, which I got for 'science' purposes .. to compare, to see what the fuzz is about ... and well, it appears to be a huge gamble if one really ends up getting the model that has been advertized, or if the promised features are working ... reading the comments makes it seem like a casino rolled into a mine field enshrouded in an enigma, in other words, just stay away

But the fact that something at that pricepoint comes that close and in the sound department possible even exceeds the original fruit (to be fair, I only got to sample the originals in-store with ample background noise, but was thoroughly not impressed by what I would consider a 'cheap earbud sound') is mind boggling ...

Did I get too many TWE? Yes, but hey, learning curve .. and I only get to do this once a year.

Did I list ALL that I have ordered in the review? Possibly? There might still be some on the way? No, not really, as far as I know only the freebie i7s I 'won' for 0.01cents are on their way, with a tracking number that is not recognized ... shady business that... oh, and that cheapo T8 TWS that looks like the Lezii x12 still has to pop up.

Now I really need to stop with this madness and wait for the Bose 700 ANC TWS to drop .. and whatever 'cheap' stuff then pops up with that new qualcom chip ...

Until then I will each and every TWS set some time to play with ... I might sell some off to friends, so far I don't feel any of them is total trash ... I feel a bit miffed about the mixed back of emotions with the more expensive pairs I got ... the Mifo fail to impress, the Sabbat do not work, the Whizzer are HUGE !!! ...

If anyone wants to follow a similar rabbithole, stay with the 20$ buds Or get a different hobby ..

Glad you’re liking the Syllable S101s. I’m still loving mine.

 

[AtariPrime]

The Klipsch T5 is now available. Was released a couple of days ago. $199.00

USB-C
IPX4 - 'sweat and waterproof'
8 hr battery w/ 24 in case
Dynamic Driver - 5mm
AptX and AAC


Reviews are few so far, but there is one below (kid is a bit annonying in it though).

The promotion with the lighter is kind of silly, but they are going for a 1980s rocker vibe, so why not.

https://www.klipsch.com/products/t5-true-wireless-earphones

It looks like lots of them were sent out for review. Below is another review that popped up from Digital Trends.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/apple/klipsch-t5-true-wireless-vs-apple-airpods/

 

[hifi80sman]

I guess upgrade was relatively speaking.... But yeah that helps, thanks!

I'm getting Astrotec S80's this weekend too.... Curious to see how the beryllium drivers will impact sound....

Looking forward to your impressions.

 

[hifi80sman]

But exactly what's wrong with the Sabbat? I've seen too many up and down impressions of it.

I like the Sabbat E12. Fun sub-bass, slight mid recess, but not too much, and rolled off a bit, yet not too dull. It's basically consumer-friendly tuning with some added bass kick. Time and a place. I'm not a 1 signature kinda guy. For example, yesterday at the gym, I was rocking the Sabbat, but when I got home and was maxin' & relaxin' in front of the computer, I was rolling with the Astrotec S80.

 

[FYLegend]

I just bought Oluv's Earfun Free, not sure when they will ship though. Was a bit reluctant over the fact it's only SBC but people sayit still sounds good and I plan to use them with my computer anyways. Still no news on my Anbes, shoulda picked another seller....

The Sabbat E12 seemed promising but theres the uncertainty whether sellers like Gearbest or Gearvita carry the version with wireless charging or not.

I was considering buying S60 BT5.0 but they sold out and there is talk of yet another revision soon... The BT4.2 barely lasts me 3 hours and I feel like the overall battery life is draining down overall. Sometimes I forget to ensure they are snapped into the pins and they dont end up charged....

 

[Caipirina]

So far I only did quick checks if they are all working (only the Sabbat E12 have a faulty right bud, seller wants a video to prove this and then will offer 'a solution')

Yeah, got those e12 to work and oh boy! What a bone shaking bass! This is, well, I guess it can be too overwhelming for some ... but thus far I only used it on some ambient / OST music (title track of the Expanse i.e.) and those bass bottom harmonies come rumbling across fabulously !!! Have not even tried thumping bass music ...

Now I just have to see if this is a recurring problem that the right bud does not charge properly ... need to reposition like 20 times before I get the charging light and then NOBODY BREATH! as the smallest movement will turn that light off again ...



happy that wireless charging case seems to be working as well. This is pretty nifty (I am new to wireless charging, other than my apple watch)

 

[chinmie]

I like the Sabbat E12. Fun sub-bass, slight mid recess, but not too much, and rolled off a bit, yet not too dull. It's basically consumer-friendly tuning with some added bass kick. Time and a place. I'm not a 1 signature kinda guy. For example, yesterday at the gym, I was rocking the Sabbat, but when I got home and was maxin' & relaxin' in front of the computer, I was rolling with the Astrotec S80.

what's the battery life on the astro s80?

 

[chinmie]

This is what I get for having all my orders collected at my 'maildrop' and then finally arrive and being overwhelmed by 10+ new TWE

So far I only did quick checks if they are all working (only the Sabbat E12 have a faulty right bud, seller wants a video to prove this and then will offer 'a solution')

But here my very quick take-aways of some of them, all out of the box with tips as they came.

-Syllable S101 ... those I actually like the most so far and did 2 very successful +10K runs with them ... sound, fit, looks. Only once the left bud would totally lose connection and then I had to randomly press some buttons and they came back

- QCY T1 ... I love those as I can totally and securely jam them all the way up my ear canal And they sound nice

- Havit G1 ... they remind me a LOT of my Jabras which died too soon ... the rubbery texture, that knobbly form factor ... I need to try them next on a run ... they even have a similar Bassy-McBassFace 'fun' sound as the Jabras ... need to do tip rolling to get perfect seal, for strange reasons I got the right side done with out of the box tip (my right ear canal is usually the problem child) but left has not worked out yet ...
Kuddos to the unique case design. But what I don't like is that the charging points on the buds are quite visible (and what about rain?)



-Mifo 05 BA version ... not impressed ... that case is super heavy .. sound is .. eh ... will give it some more time. They arrived with the tips bent all out of shape



-redmi airdots ... were a pain to pair, found a YT video to help reset and then they would finally pair with each other

-Anbes 359 ... i still feel pretty neutral about them ... also, will need more time

-whizzer TP1 ... those feel HUGE .. but sound nice ... not super impressed yet, but giving it some time




-XG17 for 8.52$ ... if you really can't afford more than 10$, those will do .. or if you lose TWE all the time ... they actually work, they have a bit of a background noise (sometimes, not always)... they do not sound like total rubbish ... maybe good present for kids ... pairing was easy



- some more at or sub 20$ buds: tiso i4, Capsule Anomoibuds, Haylou GT1 .. they all do a pretty decent job for this price range ... The Haylou (beautiful tiny case, just trying them again as I type, liking the sound) had similar pairing issues as the redmi airdots, eventually i figured it out



- 1more stylish ... quite liking them, they way they fit, but i think i still have to play with the different fittings ... voice is CHinese and I have not figured out yet how to change ... or I just keep it

- My Blitzwolf FYE5 have been in custody @customs since 5/27 .. let's see if they ever get released, by now I fear they dropped off some shelf in the trash

Funny thing is that somehow I am having way too much fun with a certain white stemmed replica bud for 25$, which I got for 'science' purposes .. to compare, to see what the fuzz is about ... and well, it appears to be a huge gamble if one really ends up getting the model that has been advertized, or if the promised features are working ... reading the comments makes it seem like a casino rolled into a mine field enshrouded in an enigma, in other words, just stay away

But the fact that something at that pricepoint comes that close and in the sound department possible even exceeds the original fruit (to be fair, I only got to sample the originals in-store with ample background noise, but was thoroughly not impressed by what I would consider a 'cheap earbud sound') is mind boggling ...

Did I get too many TWE? Yes, but hey, learning curve .. and I only get to do this once a year.

Did I list ALL that I have ordered in the review? Possibly? There might still be some on the way? No, not really, as far as I know only the freebie i7s I 'won' for 0.01cents are on their way, with a tracking number that is not recognized ... shady business that... oh, and that cheapo T8 TWS that looks like the Lezii x12 still has to pop up.

Now I really need to stop with this madness and wait for the Bose 700 ANC TWS to drop .. and whatever 'cheap' stuff then pops up with that new qualcom chip ...

Until then I will each and every TWS set some time to play with ... I might sell some off to friends, so far I don't feel any of them is total trash ... I feel a bit miffed about the mixed back of emotions with the more expensive pairs I got ... the Mifo fail to impress, the Sabbat do not work, the Whizzer are HUGE !!! ...

If anyone wants to follow a similar rabbithole, stay with the 20$ buds Or get a different hobby ..

how do the 1more, syllable, and the T1 compares sound quality - wise?

 

[Slater]

only small problem i have noticed is since you cant hang them around neck like semi-wireless earphones, i have to ensure i put them in case each time i am done using them and few times they almost slipped out of my hands as some ear wax or sweat can make them slippery.

Yes, this is a definite con of TW.

I was cycling a century ride a few weeks ago, and about halfway through my ride sweat and/or earwax caused one IEM to work it’s way loose and it fell out of my ear.

Luckily it didn’t get damaged, but it was stressful having to turn around and spend time looking for it (the whole time worrying if it was broke or lost).

 

[Slater]

Ok guys, does anyone think the foster will outperform the trn 20 in a meaningful way? I’ve asked this before but I’m ready to take the plunge. What iem do I want to pair with it? Give me fun sounding and a bit warm. Also needs to be durable enough to use in the gym. Send me your recommendations. Thanks!

Well, I think you’re blazing the trail in that one, as lots of people have the BT20 and no one has the Fostex. So honestly, YOU are probably gonna be answering more questions about the Fostex than you’re gonna be asking

My advice would be to demo them in person if possible, or at least make sure you can return the Fostex if you don’t like them.

As far as what mmcx IEM to pair them with, that is kind of a loaded question because there’s thousands of IEMs you could go with and it all depends on your sonic preferences, ear anatomy, etc. My advice would be to start with the ones that come with the Fostex. For $299 I’m willing to bet they’re going to sound good and not like dollar store headphones. Because if you like the included ones, then you’re done. It’s only if you hate the included ones that you start worrying about what other IEMs to pair them with.