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

[helmutcheese]

AFAIR Default will be Best/Effort Adaptive or whatever it calls it.

I would need to fire up a pair of LDAC earbuds later, I will do so on both Android and Windows.

 

[dasadab]

Looks like new Aviot TE-ZX1 batches are arriving on Amazon, this is a big deal for me, I was looking for a pair lol

I decided not to wait and bought one from the Amazon, like new, offerings.

The sound is excellent, but I’m disappointed that with my iPhone the volume seems too low, even at max. It’s fine for normal listening, but even in the slightly noisy environment, I find that I wish it had more volume. I don’t normally like things loud so it’s really not adequate. Maybe I just got a bad unit.

 

[Not so fat head]

I decided not to wait and bought one from the Amazon, like new, offerings.

The sound is excellent, but I’m disappointed that with my iPhone the volume seems too low, even at max. It’s fine for normal listening, but even in the slightly noisy environment, I find that I wish it had more volume. I don’t normally like things loud so it’s really not adequate. Maybe I just got a bad unit.

Try going to accessibility, then audio/visual and turn Headphone Accommodations ON
There’s several things you can play with that might increase volume

 

[dweaver]

Good catch thanks. I am not really sure what that is, maybe default is the highest.

You have to go into full options in the codec app.

Then scroll to the bottom to set the codec.

 

[ZMan2k2]

It's called Android auto and it's pretty seamless with all my Android phones. No issues playing music from my Amazon Music subscription either. Moving files is drag and drop and can be automated. This Apple vs Android thing is silly in my opinion and it is not a zero sum game. You are free to like Apple products (most of my friends do). Pointing out what you perceive to be shortcomings of Android phones does not somehow make your iPhone any better than it actually is. For people who are interested in TWS as a hobby and in maximizing audio quality, as many in this thread are, Android certainly provides more options.

Couldn’t agree more. Used to be “Team Android”, but about 7 years ago, I switched to “Team Apple”. Is one better than the other? YES! They each have strengths and weaknesses. But the overlap is becoming more and more. It comes down to YOUR desired functionality. Liking one or the other doesn’t make you more or less a tech lover. Just enjoy your flavor, and let others enjoy theirs.

Now, back on topic.

 

[subguy812]

You have to go into full options in the codec app.
Then scroll to the bottom to set the codec.

Yes 660 is the most stable of the higher bitrates

 

[Knightsfan11]

As someone who is also entrenched in the “walled garden” that is Apple, I recommend the Creative BT-W6. No LDAC, but there is aptX Lossless. CD quality is soooo nice.

I use the BT-W5 on my Mac with my Momentum 4's, works well.

 

[cresny]

You’re seriously judging the entire Apple ecosystem, features, and benefits based on AAC? That’s like saying Italy sucks because of airplane pasta.

Yes, Apple is more expensive, but let’s talk about the actual experience in the eco system (which in the end is what I think you actually pay for with Apple)

• My iPhone unlocks my Mac like magic.
• I copy on my phone, paste on my Mac—no setup, no nonsense.
• Notes, Calendar, Safari tabs—instantly synced.
• AirDrop shoots files across devices in seconds, no cables or cloud dance.
• CarPlay? Flawless. Maps, texts, podcasts—zero effort, zero distractions.
• My dusty old Time Capsule still backs up like a champ because Apple doesn’t abandon its own.

Meanwhile on Android:

• Transferring files? Hope you like emailing them to yourself.
• No universal clipboard. No Handoff. No seamless continuity.
• Messaging? Broken group chats, no tapback reactions, green bubble shame.
• Car “integration”? More like Bluetooth roulette.
• And cloud sync? A Frankenstein of services duct-taped together.

So yeah, AAC isn’t LDAC. But I’ll take reliability and an ecosystem over a codec flex.

Feel free to take this on feature by feature.
.

There is some good stuff here, some I miss as an Android user since my work computer has been Mac for the past 20 years.

But really, what I rely on is the Google ecosystem: Chrome, Photos and Drive. I know many iPhone users who still talk about losing photos and all kinds stuff if their phone goes missing. With my Pixel I can factory resert with no worries. Same with my laptop. I can get a loaner and log into Chrome and get working right away. Safari looks nice but I never touch it. For the car I hate when my wife or kid's phone is on instead of mine. Maps on Android Auto is much better than CarPlay.

 

[dweaver]

Yes 660 is the most stable of the higher bitrates

I struggle to hear any real difference at the higher bitrates so tend to just stay at the default which is variable. Likely my ears can't hear the differences any more...

 

[Beh0lder]

As someone who is also entrenched in the “walled garden” that is Apple, I recommend the Creative BT-W6. No LDAC, but there is aptX Lossless. CD quality is soooo nice.

Another rec from me as well. Even though there is no app, it works quite well even if you have multiple TWS. Now if only I could find something with both lossless and stable LDAC... For folks with phone in a case, there is an USB C extender if your case is on the thick side.

 

[Tommy C]

I do have the Technics AZ80 that I use occasionally. But I'm 99% wired, you're right.

I'm just curious to see how the tech is evolving, especially codec-wise like aptx lossless and such.

Wait a second, so you never even tried AirPods 4 ANC or Pro and you’re mocking me for saying they sound quite good?
Are you able to put your Apple hate aside for 5 mins?
Apple AirPods 4 ANC, it’s the middle of the road model open earbuds, in other words it has no silicone tips. Not only they sound good, Apple added ANC which is actually very effective for what it is. When the music is playing even at low volume you can barely hear your surroundings. I was doubting it at first but it works well.
I demoed other earbuds style with ANC, they weren’t good.
So yes, the tech behind it and the implementation is impressive and if you like tech and enjoy innovative products then kudos to Apple as they are deserving for it putting such a product together at this price point.

 

[howdy]

After way to much research deciding between the AZ100 and Pi8 I bought both and will have to decide by testing both and returning one of them.

 

[Laethageal]

I hate to say it but anything that costs the equivalent of 4 lattes probably won't do it for me. I'm sure there is a place for these however. Just not my place.

4 lattes for 60$ usd?

Where the hell did I go wrong in life

 

[clerkpalmer]

4 lattes for 60$ usd?

Where the hell did I go wrong in life

Apparently you haven't been to Starbucks lately.

 

[audioaura]

Wait a second, so you never even tried AirPods 4 ANC or Pro and you’re mocking me for saying they sound quite good?
Are you able to put your Apple hate aside for 5 mins?
Apple AirPods 4 ANC, it’s the middle of the road model open earbuds, in other words it has no silicone tips. Not only they sound good, Apple added ANC which is actually very effective for what it is. When the music is playing even at low volume you can barely hear your surroundings. I was doubting it at first but it works well.
I demoed other earbuds style with ANC, they weren’t good.
So yes, the tech behind it and the implementation is impressive and if you like tech and enjoy innovative products then kudos to Apple as they are deserving for it putting such a product together at this price point.

I actually picked up the AirPods 4 with ANC just a week ago, and I’m mind blown, I wasn’t expecting much from open earbuds with ANC, but wow… Apple really pulled off some serious wizardry here. The isolation, especially with music playing, is shockingly good for this form factor. And the overall sound? Super clean, super enjoyable. Honestly, hats off to Apple — this is some next-level tech at a great price point.