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

[Saraugie]

108 where?

Amazon has the black color on sale for $119. https://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Ear-...d&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d&th=1

 

[cresny]

So, recently I got Freebuds pro 3, and set it to LDAC under BT settings, and when I check developer options, it's on AAC. Anybody know why?

This is on Galaxy 24 Ultra. Also, what app yall use to set LDAC easier?

When I had freebuds Pro 2, I had to side load Hauwei ai, life or whatever it's called just to enable Hi-Fi audio which finally allowed me to get ldac. It was the app and then a module, etc. And I remember it took me awhile to get it to work. So if you're in the US, where Huawei is banned, you may be facing the same thing.

 

[highlightshadow]

108 where?

Amazon UK

 

[mcnaugha]

Have these been mentioned yet? As far as I can tell, they continue to be the world’s only aptX Lossless earhooks. They’ve finally appeared on Aliexpress. Previously only available on Taobao.

They’ve got a choice of QCC3081 or QCC3091 with a price difference of about £16. They have MMCX or 0.78 2-pin.

It’s currently £100 (inc tax) at checkout today for QCC3091 which does 16/44.1, 24/44.1, 24/48 lossless - Technically, they are £65 ex tax in China.

It’s currently £84.19 (inc tax) at checkout today for QCC3081 which does 16/44.1 lossless

As usual, you need the relevant Qualcomm transmitter to enjoy lossless. For 24/44.1/48 lossless, that’s a smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the aptX Lossless licensed by the vendor.

I have no complaints about my QCC3081 model when it comes to listening to music. I use with the FlooGoo FM120 aptX Lossless transmitter and confirm they operate at the anticipated 1Mb+ transmission rate thanks to the FlooCast app. I can’t tell the difference between wired and wireless 16/44.1 with these.

I’ve just ordered the QCC3091 model.


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007806613835.html


On Taobao, these are currently being sold with a 3D-printed charging cradle. I don’t know if this will be supplied via Aliexpress.

They also support LDAC. My QCC3081 ones do connect with LE Audio but do not appear to include LC3.

 

[newworld666]

Though I am not sure this combo is worth the price for everyone and even if I didn't have any real expectations for music quality => In a way, it's really surprising that in less than one week, I could find some real life uses for these Ultras devices !!!

These Watch 7 Ultra + Bose Ultra Open + Amazon Music Offline & 4G => don't have any competitors in my 20 or so TWS, though TWS Aviot TE-ZX1 PNK can be at the opposite far more immersive and near to IEM's sound qualities (compared to my IER Z1R or IMR Enigma+ AMT plugged to a Quloos MBU1/NW-WM1A).

Initially, I was going to return the Bose Ultra Open in less than one week to Amazon just for testing purposes .. but, after using it in a car for a 700 km family trip, in the living room at home, and in my office .. I will definitely keep this as I have nothing at this level of a nice music ambiance in public (though it's probably unusable outdoor or for commute in planes, trains, etc)

For me 2024 was a really interesting year for TWS activities (if not the best year since 1980 and my Sony's first Blue Walkman) :
-> a really convincing Aviot TE-ZX1 PNK (this tribrid 5 drivers is far ahead all my other recent TWS)
-> a really comfortable for sleeping and decent musically Soundcore Sleep A20
-> this unexpected Bose Ultra Open Airbuds to create an interesting/decent permanent background musical environment usable in rather quiet "public" places (Electric Cars, Home, Office)

 

[hongky]

Have these been mentioned yet? As far as I can tell, they continue to be the world’s only aptX Lossless earhooks. They’ve finally appeared on Aliexpress. Previously only available on Taobao.

They’ve got a choice of QCC3081 or QCC3091 with a price difference of about £16. They have MMCX or 0.78 2-pin.

It’s currently £100 (inc tax) at checkout today for QCC3091 which does 16/44.1, 24/44.1, 24/48 lossless - Technically, they are £65 ex tax in China.

It’s currently £84.19 (inc tax) at checkout today for QCC3081 which does 16/44.1 lossless

As usual, you need the relevant Qualcomm transmitter to enjoy lossless. For 24/44.1/48 lossless, that’s a smartphone with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the aptX Lossless licensed by the vendor.

I have no complaints about my QCC3081 model when it comes to listening to music. I use with the FlooGoo FM120 aptX Lossless transmitter and confirm they operate at the anticipated 1Mb+ transmission rate thanks to the FlooCast app. I can’t tell the difference between wired and wireless 16/44.1 with these.

I’ve just ordered the QCC3091 model.


https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007806613835.html


On Taobao, these are currently being sold with a 3D-printed charging cradle. I don’t know if this will be supplied via Aliexpress.

They also support LDAC. My QCC3081 ones do connect with LE Audio but do not appear to include LC3.

Is there any app for this ?

 

[highlightshadow]

Bit the bullet on the Nothing Ear (2024) since they were on £108.
The fit is really nice -- the capsule design means they do actually sit in the ear a bit better than more tradition "airpod pro" style (Earfun AP4's). So they feel more nestled in there and less prone to shifting around.

Driving them on LHDC v5 since i have that on my Xiaomi. Connection has been rock solid so far - no glitching/drops/downgrades. Which is better than the MTW4's manage even on AptX Adaptive (not lossless).

The ANC is on part with MTW4's --- maybe a slight difference --- the Nothing's let a bit more "mid" through maybe which i feel is easier to ignore when listening to music.
Certainly better than the Earfun AP4's bit a small amount

The sound signature out of the box is pleasing. Did their version of a hearing test and set that to "Rich". Dropped the bass-boost down from 3 to 2 and nudged the treble +1
Essentially very punchy bass but feels very tight. EDM works really well.

The Nothing App is nice, follows their aesthetic on mono + red dotted font. Very clean. Usual tweaks. Controls can be customised to a point (you get 3 options per action to pick from)
Bass Boost is separate from EQ (kinda like DPP's Immersion)
EQ has 2 modes, Simple (a set of 3 sliders for bass/mid/treble) or the full EQ which gives an 8 band parametric-esque EQ with frequency, amount & Q-factor
The App allows you to import / export EQ's via a QR code.

Usual other stuff like ear detection, codec select, firmware updates, find my buds, low-latency/multipoint selectors etc etc

I'd say for £108 these are packing a good punch and can compete well with the usual suspects

 

[JackNarrow]

So, recently I got Freebuds pro 3, and set it to LDAC under BT settings, and when I check developer options, it's on AAC. Anybody know why?

This is on Galaxy 24 Ultra. Also, what app yall use to set LDAC easier?

Turn high Res mode on within the ai life for the freebuds

 

[mainguy]

Bit the bullet on the Nothing Ear (2024) since they were on £108.
The fit is really nice -- the capsule design means they do actually sit in the ear a bit better than more tradition "airpod pro" style (Earfun AP4's). So they feel more nestled in there and less prone to shifting around.

Nice! Bargain at 108 too.Idk about you but im loving the case design too. No bits of lint or whatever can build up on the contacts, and it feels less fiddly. Also being able to scan a QR and get anyones EQ profile and save it instantly...Total game changer.

Bit mad Nothing have made the best tws app and competitive tws for 130. The one to buy imo.

 

[Quaz1]

Bit the bullet on the Nothing Ear (2024) since they were on £108.
The fit is really nice -- the capsule design means they do actually sit in the ear a bit better than more tradition "airpod pro" style (Earfun AP4's). So they feel more nestled in there and less prone to shifting around.

Driving them on LHDC v5 since i have that on my Xiaomi. Connection has been rock solid so far - no glitching/drops/downgrades. Which is better than the MTW4's manage even on AptX Adaptive (not lossless).

The ANC is on part with MTW4's --- maybe a slight difference --- the Nothing's let a bit more "mid" through maybe which i feel is easier to ignore when listening to music.
Certainly better than the Earfun AP4's bit a small amount

The sound signature out of the box is pleasing. Did their version of a hearing test and set that to "Rich". Dropped the bass-boost down from 3 to 2 and nudged the treble +1
Essentially very punchy bass but feels very tight. EDM works really well.

The Nothing App is nice, follows their aesthetic on mono + red dotted font. Very clean. Usual tweaks. Controls can be customised to a point (you get 3 options per action to pick from)
Bass Boost is separate from EQ (kinda like DPP's Immersion)
EQ has 2 modes, Simple (a set of 3 sliders for bass/mid/treble) or the full EQ which gives an 8 band parametric-esque EQ with frequency, amount & Q-factor
The App allows you to import / export EQ's via a QR code.

Usual other stuff like ear detection, codec select, firmware updates, find my buds, low-latency/multipoint selectors etc etc

I'd say for £108 these are packing a good punch and can compete well with the usual suspects

Question - When you trigger transparency mode, does music auto pause?

 

[mainguy]

Question - When you trigger transparency mode, does music auto pause?

nope

 

[mcnaugha]

Is there any app for this ?

There is no official app that I’m aware of. They will talk to the Qualcomm dev apps but there’s not a lot you can do with them besides verifying the chip model.

 

[Jozurr]

For people who have the nothing buds, how are they for calls in a noisy place?

 

[AntoineDe]

New Sony Linkbuds Open and Linkbuds Fit

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[voicemaster]

fyi I tried the fiio utsw5 for jogging and it was not fun, YMMV of course. Maybe the Shure is better?

The shure has better fit around the earlobe. The UTWS5 just hanging onto the earlobe thus making it moves around while running while the shure kinda clamp to your head and even if you run, it barely moves.