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

[C_Lindbergh]

best full review I've seen, note the part about heavy metal attack https://pragma-life.com/ath-twx9-review/

Hyped! Shame about the waiting time :/

 

[Luke Skywalker]

now that the Bose & APP2 wait is over and the hype reviews are about to pour in ...

How do we feel about the next Sony XM5 TWS? Or won't there be any? All Linkbuds now?

In hindsight, I think what had me a bit less enthused when testing the Bose QC 2 was that on that day I only had my Free Byrds with me for a/b .. and those are still very hard to beat IMHO. Just to clarify, I think those new Bose have the potential to be very awesome buds and maybe new ANC kings, since one can theoretically achieve proper seal with the right tip/band combo. The sound is as good as Bose has always been. Personally I do miss the stay hear tips, but the fit I got from the (I guess M tip / M band) was a pretty good start) .

I am pretty sure I will eventually end up buying the new Bose, but I might wait until I catch a good deal maybe around xmas ... I am in no dire need of new TWS, something I always keep telling myself ...

I actually didn’t even like the XM3. Probably my least favorite I own and they sit in a drawer. I should get around to selling them some time

 

[Caipirina]

I actually didn’t even like the XM3. Probably my least favorite I own and they sit in a drawer. I should get around to selling them some time

I feel similar about the xm3, bought them because of ‘those are the best’ and when I managed to get them for 140$ ,.. but recently tried again, yes, they sound great, but they do have connection issues. At least my set.

The XM4 on the other hand I really really like a Lot. Belongs to the 5 sets that all tie for places 1-3

 

[Juturna]

By "better" are you referring to the overall tuning or detail retrieval? Though the tuning could be better, I wish I had something with the L3P's level of detail and bass impact but in the form factor of the A40.

The L3P has a similar issue with the buds not charging, but I don't encounter it frequently. Sometimes one bud (usually the left one if I recall) powers off thinking it's in the case when I take them out. I have noticed the circular contact on the left bud has developed some wear/corrosion. Other times the buds don't properly power off when I put them in the case and I don't find out until the morning when I get a notification on my phone saying the earbuds are low on battery.

That's definitely something I would want as well. The L3P's are poorly tuned with the stock EQ but they clearly have some great hardware in there because it can be tuned to sound just amazing. I actually wouldn't mind a leaner and faster/more natural bass response than the L3P's (but I still want it to be able to rumble with the best of them when it's warranted), but what I definitely don't want to compromise on is that great sound stage and the detail retrieval and those sparkly highs.
I also had issues with the buds not charging properly in the case, I think for my case it could be as easy as the connectors having just being a bit dirty, wiping them usually helped. But it was frustrating as **** charging the case for a couple of hours, only to pop the earbuds in and the left one is like "Battery low" right away.

Right now I'm thinking of buying another pair of L3P's, A40's, Bose QC Buds II, Fokus Pro or... something else, haven't really decided yet.

 

[gabriely]

Pulled the trigger on the B&O EX. It's expensive for sure, and it has its problems, but it's pretty to look at and it's damn comfy.

Plus, IP57 is great because these will be my gym & sports buds - I'm looking forward to wearing it in the pool

 

[Caipirina]

Pulled the trigger on the B&O EX. It's expensive for sure, and it has its problems, but it's pretty to look at and it's damn comfy.

Plus, IP57 is great because these will be my gym & sports buds - I'm looking forward to wearing it in the pool

I respect and admire your priorities, sir

 

[Maxximum]

Does anyone have issue of totally random loud (compared to the music, not super loud) pop when listening to music (via aptx on Android) with B&O Beoplay E8 Sport (or normal e8 v3)? It especially sucks when it happens when lying on bed chilling. It feels like a jump scare

I contacted the support and they recommended a reset. It helped for a week or maybe a bit more so but it started to happen again. Before the reset, it could happen once everyday or once every other day.

 

[jmwant]

Anyone interested in this earbuds?
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/angry-miao-cyberblade-review/

The name made me click the link. Very unique design.

 

[FYLegend]

I don't think the A40 will have the same bass quantity but I am really enjoying the level detail the A40 give and have been surprised a few times by how nice the sound stage is in size and 3D spatial qualities. My best TWS setup is the Fiio FH5 and UTW5S which has a great 3D presentation. The A40 is not quite to that combos level but has more of it's qualities than any of my other standard TWS and that includes models like the Status Between Pro which also sports a hybrid setup like the L3P and the older L2P.

Before the L3P, I thought the best-sounding ones I had tried were the 1More Dual Driver, but I returned them due to the fit and also suspect that I got a dud with channel imbalance, as the left bud seemed brighter. In terms of detail they seem similar to the L3P but the 1Mores sound detailed and metallic despite the treble being comparatively darker. I was rather disappointed with its ANC but feel the L3P is only slightly better. Neither does a good job with a more "diffused" loud noise like an old grumbly Mark I Skytrain. If I recall, Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 did a better job at reducing this type of noise.

Not sure if this is really a BA/hybrid thing but I do find dynamics to work well all-around but tend to miss the mark for detail retrieval for me...

That's definitely something I would want as well. The L3P's are poorly tuned with the stock EQ but they clearly have some great hardware in there because it can be tuned to sound just amazing. I actually wouldn't mind a leaner and faster/more natural bass response than the L3P's (but I still want it to be able to rumble with the best of them when it's warranted), but what I definitely don't want to compromise on is that great sound stage and the detail retrieval and those sparkly highs.
I also had issues with the buds not charging properly in the case, I think for my case it could be as easy as the connectors having just being a bit dirty, wiping them usually helped. But it was frustrating as **** charging the case for a couple of hours, only to pop the earbuds in and the left one is like "Battery low" right away.

Right now I'm thinking of buying another pair of L3P's, A40's, Bose QC Buds II, Fokus Pro or... something else, haven't really decided yet.

I tried making my own custom EQ dropping it around 400 hz and in the upper-mid treble, but felt like the bass couldn't be turned down much without losing its impact, and the treble was difficult to tone down as well. I'm guessing the EQ in the app has some weird limiter and Q values, so the subbass is still "puffy" when you turn everything down.

Sadly Wavelet works badly with the L3P and its AutoEQ preset has some awful clipping in certain tracks. There was one user who claimed the only way to get good tuning close to Harman is to turn down the volume in the stock app and then use PowerAmp EQ.

 

[Evshrug]

For these, the planar driver is the "tweeter". The "woofer" is a multi-magnet dynamic driver, and it does deliver plenty of sub base. I've been using mine daily since I got them off of Amazon UK, but reports are that the very similar Oppo Enco X2 is better. It seems that there is a sort of an anti-stem bias, but for me it's the opposite for a number of reasons. These have click controls, and the up down swipe of the stem has been the most useful TWS volume control I've experienced. If the Oppos have the same, and I'm guessing they do then I would go for those at around $150.

Makes sense to me... each driver type has inherent advantages and disadvantages. Planar treble benefits from the lightweight transducer membrane, but the limited excursion necessitates a larger surface area to create enough air displacement for bass, plus they are a flat membrane attached firmly at the edges to a rigid frame (something Dan Clark Audio tries to rectify with their accordion "v-fold" driver design, ironically making them similar to the stiff cones and elastic membrane surrounding dynamic drivers). Using a Planar for highs and Dynamic driver for mids and lows seems logical with an in-ear where space is a premium!

Are the Oppo Enco X2 available in the United States?

 

[Luke Skywalker]

So I bought some UM Indigos and they have electrostatic and bone conduction. It makes me wonder if those technologies will make it into TWS buds at some point

 

[nekonhime]

The name made me click the link. Very unique

Please buy it and review lol. Those seem cool btw

Makes sense to me... each driver type has inherent advantages and disadvantages. Planar treble benefits from the lightweight transducer membrane, but the limited excursion necessitates a larger surface area to create enough air displacement for bass, plus they are a flat membrane attached firmly at the edges to a rigid frame (something Dan Clark Audio tries to rectify with their accordion "v-fold" driver design, ironically making them similar to the stiff cones and elastic membrane surrounding dynamic drivers). Using a Planar for highs and Dynamic driver for mids and lows seems logical with an in-ear where space is a premium!

Are the Oppo Enco X2 available in the United States?

No, but you can buy it via ebay or aliexpress

 

[gabriely]

I respect and admire your priorities, sir

Hahahahahaha thank you!

I had a pair of Noble Fokus Pros that I sold off - sounds great when they do work, but my pair was plagued by so much connection troubles it just wasn't an enjoyable experience.

These buds are really nice - but they're super shallow in the ear. This does help make them really comfy, but noise isolation, ANC and transparency is, as a result, absolutely terrible. The LG FP9 sounded great too and was superb value at that price point, but fit was a bit weird for me so I just bit the bullet on these.

I couldn't demo the audio-technica buds here in Singapore sadly - I was really keen on that, but with TWS buds I make it a point to only buy what I can audition because fit/comfort is a such a big part of what makes or breaks products in this category for me. I know I could just buy stuff on Amazon and abuse their return policy, but I'm personally trying my best not to generate too much e-waste so here I am for now...

 

[Juturna]

gosh, I really don't have any good choices for earbuds right now! Went back to my Devialet Geminis, and after EQ:ing I actually started to like them ok, but less than a day in and I'm already close to getting actual sores on the inside of my outer ear. They are SO damn uncomfortable.
I went back to my Galaxy Buds Pro now and not only do they sound so flat after the dynamic sound of the Geminis, I also know for a fact that they're not great for my ears... I don't think I'm allergic like the people who had the worst response to them, but I get really wet earwax by using them and it doesn't feel super healthy, as soon as I stopped using them when I first got my L3Ps my ears went back to normal for the first time since I started using my GBPs...

Can't wait until my next pay check so I can buy some new buds.

 

[Luke Skywalker]

Hahahahahaha thank you!

I had a pair of Noble Fokus Pros that I sold off - sounds great when they do work, but my pair was plagued by so much connection troubles it just wasn't an enjoyable experience.

These buds are really nice - but they're super shallow in the ear. This does help make them really comfy, but noise isolation, ANC and transparency is, as a result, absolutely terrible. The LG FP9 sounded great too and was superb value at that price point, but fit was a bit weird for me so I just bit the bullet on these.

I couldn't demo the audio-technica buds here in Singapore sadly - I was really keen on that, but with TWS buds I make it a point to only buy what I can audition because fit/comfort is a such a big part of what makes or breaks products in this category for me. I know I could just buy stuff on Amazon and abuse their return policy, but I'm personally trying my best not to generate too much e-waste so here I am for now...

I wonder if those who who are having connection issues with FoKus are using Android? I’ve never had a single issue with AAC -> iPhone 12 Pro Max