1.3b - LifelongCaboose's Wireless Earphone/IEM/Earbud Guide
Wireless, in every audio category wireless, is behind. Usually not because of the lack of technology but because of the just kinda crap products that get released.
- Wireless gaming headsets, very behind.
- Bluetooth headphones, getting damn good but still behind.
- Bluetooth adapters, almost there.
- True Wireless IEMs, surprisingly they're getting damn close. While the market is flooded with garbage TWS IEMs *cough* Raycons *cough*. But there are a hand full that are damn good and I wouldn't be ashamed to have as a daily driver.
So here is a very small list of the TWS IEMs that I'd recommend. If it'sI not on this list I most likely don't recommend it. DO not this is from the perspective of audio quality first. Feature-wise I won't touch on too much, this is strictly audio quality.
TWS IEMs
| Name | FR/SQ | Recommended Price | Signature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBL Live 300TWS | B+/C- | $150USD (MSRP) | Under Consideration | |
| Jabra Elite 85t | B+/C (Alpha Grades) | $230USD (MSRP) | Under Consideration | |
| 11. KZ S2 | C/D+ | $30USD | V-shaped | These are more on here as a cheap option. It's not good it's not bad, it's about as good as TWS gets at $50. If you need cheap these are an option. |
| 10. QCY T5 | B-/C- | $40USD | Neutral V-Shaped* | |
| 9. Jabra Elite Active 65t | B/C | $140USD | Neutral V-Shaped* | A much more consumer and well active focused IEM, but the sound is not to bad. It is enjoyable to listen to. Lite V-Shaped - Some bass roll-off and elevation from 40-500hz, some serious treble roll-off. Riding the line of neutral and v-shaped.* |
| 8. Airpod Pros | B-/C | $140USD (you'll never find it for this price) | Almost neutral (mid-forward) | These actually sound good, the old airpods sounded pretty bad so I'm surprised that these are good. AirPods. But sadly the price ruins them. Id put these on par with the Free and 65t, but cost too much. |
| 7. Bose SoundSport Free | B/C | $140USD | Neutral | Maybe the best sounding bose product I have heard. It sounds more open than other IEMs because it kinda is. Surprisingly good. But a tad overpriced. |
| 6. Lypertek Tevi | A-/C- | $100USD | Neutral with a bit of a bass boost. | Aside from the XM3 and the buds, this is what I'd call the best TWS IEMs, I was shocked at how good it was. I'd take this over all the others on this list aside from the top 3. |
| 5. Sony WF-1000XM3 | B+/B- | $200USD | Neutral with a bit of a bass boost. | If your someone who is looking for features, this is for you. More "features" packed than the top 2 and nearly as good sounding. |
| 4. Samsung Galaxy Buds | A-/C+ | $120USD | Harman Neutral (Neutral with a bass shelf) | What a shocker how good these sound, and some of the EQs that it comes with are also great. Easy recommendation from me. Hands down the best sounding TWS IEM. |
| 3. Samsung Galaxy Buds+ | B+/B- | $150USD | Harman Neutral (Neutral with a bass shelf) | Closer to Harman neutral, which isn't good or bad it just is. Proper iPhone support and almost double the battery life of the original. You also get a better mic. Pretty much as good as the Buds. Best in class battery life. |
| 2. AKG N400 | A+/B- | $190USD | Harman Neutral (Neutral with a bass shelf) | Sadly not the easiest to get as it's not released world wide but hands down the new best sounding TWS IEM on the market. |
| 1. Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro | A+/B | $200USD | Harman Neutral (Neutral with a bass shelf) | Yet another nice incremental upgrade from Samsung with improved features. |
TWS Earbuds
| Name | FR/SQ | Recommended Price | Signature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airpods 2 | C+/D | $130USD | A true wireless Earpod. So you're getting the $20 earpods but TWS. | |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds Live | B-/C+ | $130USD |
TWS IEMS that look promising:
Tin Hifi T2000 - Unique dual wired/wireless design.(failed) C/D+- EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid - Includes a low latency mode via an included USB C dongle.
- Google Pixel Buds TWS - Tuning was solid and fairly neutral actually. Getting back in for retesting.
Posted Jan 4, 2021, 3:29 AM UTC · edited
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