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

[Griffith]

Not sure, but at least it creates a larger playground, but obviously, it's up to developers/manufactures to take full advantage of all potential features and benefits. All else being equal, I would take BT 5.0 over 4.2, but the mere mention of BT 5.0 when selling a product, leans more hypebeast over substance. Design, implementation, and quality wholesale execution is far more important than stats.

For example, my B&O E8 (BT 4.2) get better range with my iPhone Xs Max than some of my BT 5.0 Chi-Fi units. Again, apples to apples with the only difference being BT version, I'll take BT 5.0 all day, every day.

If I'm looking at more expensive gear, I would look for BT 5.0 to offset obsolescence.

Like I mentioned before in another response, I believe that Bluetooth range has more to do with the design of the device than the version of Bluetooth used. Of course, if all things are equal, a newer version of Bluetooth will have better range, but that's never the case so, in my opinion, it's a mute argument. There's a response just after my original one of someone with a pair of Bluetooth 5 wireless IEMs reporting connectivity issues.

Lastly, while I understand that someone would prefer Bluetooth 5 because of its new features, it should not be because of obsolescence. There's no such thing as Bluetooth obsolescence. Bluetooth is backwards compatible.

 

[fluteloop]

I find the convenience of wireless is negated by battery life. Don't ever see that changing.
I've tried several models and I can never get over the fact that at some level the sound must be compressed to get where it's going. In the end, I've spent loads money acquiring a set up that plays music as pleasing as possible, only to move it to my ears via one more process.
Long way to go.

That's why you buy two pairs of whatever you favorite model is and keep swapping every time you hear the low battery warning. unlimited energy...no problems !

 

[DigDub]

I have just received a set of Creative Outlier Air, and I love the sound and the fit. However, I keep getting regular dropouts from either the L (secondary) bud, or both buds, when connected to my Galaxy S9. It seems like it is losing connection for a fraction of a second, but I can't sem to pin down particualr situations where it happens more than others.
I have had no issues across a wide room, but if I am cycling and my phone is in my trouser pocket then it happens. Bizarrely it can happen when I am looking at my phone in landscape and it is a foot from my face?
The buds are properly paired (I use R as my primary) so I am at a loss to explain this unless I got a dud set. Anyone else having dropouts with these buds? I haven't had a single dropout with exactly the same usage with my QCY T1's....

Have you tried to master reset the earbuds? I had an occasion where the left couldn't sync with the right bud. I had them master reset and it kept disconnecting from my phone even when the phone was in front from my face. I master reset them once more and they are fine now. I'm guessing since my home wifi and the earbuds Bluetooth both use the 2.4ghz frequency, master resetting the earbuds will change the channel that it is on and prevent a conflict with the WiFi network. The master reset can be worth a try before changing them.

 

[Inear]

Skullcandy announced new TWS. Looks a lot like Anker ones

https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/09/skullcandy-indy-true-wireless-earbuds-announced/

 

[galangerz]

if anyone's willing to part ways with their sabbat e12 hit me a PM ) Ebay just said that my packaged got lost. offered to let me choose anything else of equal value in their shop for compensation, but I dont want to wait another month for these things.

thanks

 

[camberwell]

Have you tried to master reset the earbuds? I had an occasion where the left couldn't sync with the right bud. I had them master reset and it kept disconnecting from my phone even when the phone was in front from my face. I master reset them once more and they are fine now. I'm guessing since my home wifi and the earbuds Bluetooth both use the 2.4ghz frequency, master resetting the earbuds will change the channel that it is on and prevent a conflict with the WiFi network. The master reset can be worth a try before changing them.

Yes, I did a master reset several times. The fact that I get this issue with both buds at the same time and not just the secondary (no matter which bud is the primary), and the fact that my QCY T1's don't do this, leads me to think that it is unrelated to interference and is likely a manufacturing error....

 

[Caipirina]

A while ago I grabbed those 'cheapo' TWS at a MiniSo (Q5, also sold as 'Roman' or 'Smartomi' on amazon) while traveling ... they are not even that bad and they were cheap. But they only came with one set of eartip / wing, which appears to be medium in size and I am now looking around AliX to find the right tips ... also, if anyone here knows about those, are there any other tips that might provide a better seal? I am actually liking that semi open sound sensation I get from those, but would be nice if I could change back and forth.

So far I found THOSE https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3-P...orts-Bluetooth-Headset-S-M-L/32844896792.html

 

[DigDub]

Yes, I did a master reset several times. The fact that I get this issue with both buds at the same time and not just the secondary (no matter which bud is the primary), and the fact that my QCY T1's don't do this, leads me to think that it is unrelated to interference and is likely a manufacturing error....

You can try to do an exchange from creative. The qcy t1 signal is the strongest one I have so far out of all the TWS I own.

 

[Arthur Li]

I have a noob question: in theory, would the clocking precision of BT source impact sound quality of wireless headphones? For example, would a dedicated DAP with Femto-grade oscillators built-in renders a cleaner digital signal (with less jitter) than a smart-phone? Let's assume no SRC/both using same BT codec.

I don't know if it's placebo effect - I "notice" that when using Fiio M6 as source, my Sennheiser MTW sounds a bit less bass boomy & clearer as opposed to when HTC10 is being used.

 

[actorlife]

$12 could be used as a backup while the other ones charges. 4.1 and 4hr battery: Bluetooth Headphones True Wireless Earbuds with Mic in Ear Earphones with Microphone Noise Cancelling with Charging Case for Running Sports https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DTJR4MW/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_PTy1Cb991AEAP

 

[Caipirina]

$12 could be used as a backup while the other ones charges. 4.1 and 4hr battery: Bluetooth Headphones True Wireless Earbuds with Mic in Ear Earphones with Microphone Noise Cancelling with Charging Case for Running Sports https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DTJR4MW/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_PTy1Cb991AEAP

It is ridiculous how cheap one can find some TWE these days. Spotted this one which is BT 5.0 (allegedly) and doubles as a 2200mAH power bank. Only found one video on YT about it in which they look incredibly cheap and the guy is complaining that one side does not work (maybe that was his video for the AliX seller )

 

[AtariPrime]

I find the convenience of wireless is negated by battery life. Don't ever see that changing.
I've tried several models and I can never get over the fact that at some level the sound must be compressed to get where it's going. In the end, I've spent loads money acquiring a set up that plays music as pleasing as possible, only to move it to my ears via one more process.
Long way to go.

If you find yourself in a gym, that's where you will miss wireless. Especially the first time you are lifting a weight and you end up yanking the earbud right out of your head. It hurts, interupts the flow, and 50/50 you tear the cord out of your earbud.

 

[Chinslide]

time

I get it. That's the ying to that yang.

 

[hifi80sman]

If you find yourself in a gym, that's where you will miss wireless. Especially the first time you are lifting a weight and you end up yanking the earbud right out of your head. It hurts, interupts the flow, and 50/50 you tear the cord out of your earbud.

You got it, AtariPrime (loved that boxing game).

Years ago, I used to use corded earbuds to maintain the best audio quality, but they got snagged so much it became impractical with other solutions out there. Even the "wireless" earbuds connected by a wire, one side always slipped or they just flapped around and eventually fell out of one ear. Plus, when I was working out, I just noticed "good sounding music" and was not sitting there thinking about detail retrieval, etc. If it sounded good, that's all I noticed. If it sounded crappy, I noticed too, but once it rose to a certain quality level, anything beyond that was imperceptible, given I was engaged heavily in another activity. Go BIG, or go home.

Shoot, as others here have said, the MW07 and even the MTW, rival decent wired earbuds. Clearly, all else being equal, wired will give you the best sound, but drivers, acoustic design/housing, tuning, etc. have a larger impact on these sound waves we enjoy so much. Just ask @Slater, the guy mods prescription pill bottles for use with TWEs (and somehow they sound better).

 

[AtariPrime]

100%. To each their own. If you love the desktop setup and cannot deal with anything else, that's your endgame. For most, I presume, if you're going to critical listen, you're not going to reach for the Anbes 359, you'll go for one of your high-end over ear cans. I've never been a black/white kinda cat, there are layers, so if I'm mobile or mobile in the home and I can at least enjoy my music, I'm set. As long as something can rise to the level of "good", I can roll. If I want to hear the lip smacks, I'm going wired and not going to be working out at that same time. There's a time and place.

For example, I prefer brunettes, but I ain't gonna tell that blonde to hit the road.

It's interesting that so many on here keep touting the Anbes 359. Notice, no reputable sites endorse them. In short, either there are people on here that are doing some guerilla marketing or the Head-Fi hype train has left the building. There is nothing special about the Anbes 359. It supposedley has a good sound. That doesn't change the fact that it is overly large, has middling battery life, and is last year's tech. Get the Creative Outlier Air, Mavin Air-X, or the consensus best overall true wireless earbuds instead, the Jabra Elite Active 65t. Its due for an overhaul but still gets lots of awards. No offense to anyone here, but Gadgeteer, Jim's Review Room, Rizknows, Engadget, Rtings, and thewirecutter, can't all be that far out of touch so as to not even mention them if they were any good.