In Romanian, the word ‘Alba’ translates to ‘first light’. Instantly, this makes me think of new beginnings; of fresh experiences. And so, in come the Meze Audio Alba – an affordable pair of in-ear monitors aiming to be the first light for entry-level audiophiles, everywhere.
And I’m not going to beat around the bush here, Meze Audio absolutely nailed it with this model. These IEMs have a list price of $159 / £139 / AU$239, meaning they’re easily on the budget side of things. But very little about these in-ears feels or sounds budget to me.
First of all, these deliver fantastic sound quality – the most important quality needed to compete with the best wired earbuds around. If you’re new to the world of audiophile sound, you’ll be wowed with awesome attention to detail right across the frequency range, as well as clear, surprisingly expansive audio output.
Meze itself describes the Alba as having “a neutral sound profile with an added touch of warmth” – and that’s a largely accurate description in my view. Mids never sound recessed, treble is expressive, and bass is impressively weighty given these IEMs' small size. I certainly sensed that slight preference towards low-frequency sounds when listening to Overflow by Kolter, where the meaty, spacey bass hit with serious impact.
When tuning into Where Do We Go From Here by Jamiroquai, lead vocals were pleasingly clear in the overall mix, while rhythm guitar was effortlessly separated and afforded plenty of room to breathe. Groovy bass and percussion was also excellently defined, helping the track’s funk-infused character to flow, without compromise.
You’ll get a dynamic, detailed listen from the Alba too. I tried playing Rains again by Solji, and every breath came through clearly, while delicate vocals remained controlled and emotive throughout.
In fact, my only slight issue with these IEMs sonically speaking, is that higher-pitched treble sounds can get a little harsh at higher volumes. For instance, I listened to Straight From The Underground by Riordan, and snappy percussion sounded a little edgy as I ventured into the upper echelons of loudness. Again, though, these offer a great listen overall.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyond sound, these IEMs continue to plate up serious quality. They’re made up of zinc alloy and anodized aluminium parts, and the outer casing is intended to represent the appearance of a pearl. In hand, the Alba feel far more luxurious than their price would suggest. As much as I love the Sennheiser IE 200, their plastic casing doesn’t come close to the Alba’s more durable, flashy design.
In addition, the braided cable is elegant and even felt nice to run through my fingers. It is a little prone to tangling, especially after taking out of the satisfyingly compact carry case (included in the box). And if you want a volume controller for on-the-go use, you’re out of luck here – you’ll need to consider a third-party option.
Back to the good stuff: there are a couple of connectivity options here. You can either use the standard 3.5mm connector, or make use of the included custom-made USB-C adapter. This has a built-in DAC and AMP, ensuring you can access hi-res audio on the go, even with your smartphone. It also has an LED light that shines if you’re connected up properly – nice touch! It's worth noting, though, that there’s no 4.4mm adapter in the box.
I was also very pleased with the comfort and fit of the Meze Audio Alba. I typically use the Sony WH-1000XM6 to listen to my music, as I can often find in-ear options to feel a little tiresome after an hour or two. But not these. They fit snugly for me, and are lightweight enough to feel non-invasive. There are a range of different-sized eartips in the box, too, so you can find the perfect seal.
Of course, you don’t get the benefits of active noise cancellation with wired IEMs – something you’d expect from the best wireless earbuds. But that firm seal was all I needed to unearth the full benefits of the Alba’s passive noise isolation abilities. Even when listening at middling volumes, chatter around the office and passing by vehicles were dulled significantly, helping me to remain immersed in my music.
So, all in all, I think it’s clear. The Meze Audio Alba are a brilliant option for anyone looking to enter the audiophile world, with a low price, stunning looks, and detailed sound. They’ll help you see your favorite songs in a new light. And for that alone, they’re well deserving of my recommendation.
(Image credit: Future)
Meze Audio Alba review: price and release date
$159 / £139 / AU$239
Launched in June 2024
The Meze Audio Alba are a highly affordable pair of IEMs, coming in with a list price of $159 / £139 / AU$239. Interestingly, they appear to be regularly priced a little higher than this in both the UK and Australia, but only by a small margin. They were released in June 2024, and are available in a single colorway.
Meze Audio Alba review: specs
Drivers
10.8mm dynamic
Weight
14g
Frequency range
15Hz-25kHz
Connectivity
3.5mm; USB-C
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the Meze Audio Alba?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Brilliant USB-C adapter, great passive noise isolation, detachable cable, no in-line controller or mic.
4.5/5
Sound quality
Well separated, defined sound with impressive bass and attention to detail.
4.5/5
Design
Gorgeous outer casing, beautiful braided cable, a little prone to tangling.
4.5/5
Value
Phenomenally priced for the luxurious sound and looks on offer.
5/5
Buy them if...
You want audiophile-grade audio on a budget The Meze Audio Alba plate up high-standard audio at a pretty low price, making them an incredible option for anyone looking for an entry point into the audiophile world.
You want to stand out from the crowd One of the things I like most about these IEMs is their gorgeous looks. Their zinc alloy and anodized aluminium parts make for a premium look, while the neatly braided cable and silver details top off a gorgeous set of in-ears.
Don't buy them if...
You want in-line controls or a mic for casual listening If you’re buying these purely for casual listening, the lack of an in-line controller could be frustrating, particularly when you’re on the go. Having said that, these do feature a detachable cable, so you may be able to identify a suitable third-party replacement if you want a controller and a mic.
You want the best tangle-resistant cable I had a great time with the Alba, but I did find that its cable was a touch prone to tangling. The tangle resistant nature of the Sennheiser IE 200 cable may be preferable if you don’t want to spend time unfurling your buds on almost every use.
Meze Audio Alba: also consider
Meze Audio Alba
Sennheiser IE 200
Activo Volcano
Price
$159 / £139 / AU$239
$149.95 / £129.99 / AU$239.95
$80 / £99 (about AU$120)
Drivers
10.8mm dynamic
7mm dynamic
1x 8mm, 2x 6mm dynamic triple-driver
Weight
14g
4g (per bud)
5g (per bud)
Frequency range
15Hz-25kHz
6Hz-20kHz
20Hz-20kHz
Connectivity
3.5mm; USB-C
3.5mm
3.5mm; 4.4mm; USB-C
Sennheiser IE 200 I love the Sennheiser IE 200 and they really do feel like the natural competitor to the Meze Alba. With an entry-level price-point, attractive braided cable, and small-sized outer casing, the likeness is there for all to see. The IE 200 offer pleasing low-end weight, fantastic instrument separation, and a beautifully lightweight feel. They aren’t as premium-looking as the Alba, but they’re still a top-tier pair of affordable IEMs. Read our full Sennheiser IE 200 review.
Activo Volcano The Activo Volcano are an exceptionally low-priced set of IEMs for anyone interested in entering the audiophile world. They supply prominent bass, multiple connectivity options, a secure fit, and a detachable cable. They are a little large for my liking, and they won’t offer the most neutral sound on the market, but they’re still a solid budget option. Read our full Activo Volcano review.
How I tested the Meze Audio Alba
(Image credit: Future)
Tested for two weeks
Used in the office and while out and about
Predominantly tested using Tidal
I tested the Meze Audio Alba in-ear monitors across the course of two weeks, after a thorough run-in. I predominantly used their 3.5mm connectivity option, while hooked up to my laptop – but I also tried the USB-C dongle with my phone when listening on the go.
Most of the time, I used the Alba while playing tracks via Tidal, in order to access higher-res music files. On Tidal, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a wide range of genres. However, I also played a number of tracks from my own personal library, including some go-to tunes I use for testing audio gear.
Where appropriate, I compared the Meze Audio Alba side-by-side with the Sennheiser IE 200 on aspects such as sound quality, design, and features.
More generally, I’ve tested tons of products here at TechRadar, where I largely focus on the audio-visual segment. I’ve reviewed everything from all-action party speakers, such as the LG xboom Stage 301, through to premium IEMs, like the Sennheiser IE 600. As a result, I have a strong understanding of what is required for audio gear to stand out in a highly competitive market, and what makes a product great, rather than good.
The Sony LinkBuds Open are yet another contender in the trendy and ever-expanding world of open earbuds – but they still stand out from the crowd.
This model succeeds Sony’s first attempt at open earbuds, which launched three years ago now, and combines a slightly unorthodox design with a broad feature-set, tuneable audio, and modern controls. With a price of $199 / £149 / AU$249.95, though, there’s a lot of expectation on Sony’s latest open buds – so, can they hit all of the right notes?
Well, I’ll start by talking about my first impressions out of the box. As soon as I unboxed the Sony LinkBuds Open, I was struck by their unusual yet enticing looks. Unlike a lot of the best open earbuds, these adopt neither the clip-on nor the hooked designs that most of their competitors adopt. Instead, each bud has a ring-shaped driver, which lets ambient sound in easily. The batteries are housed in an orb-shaped casing, and wings are attached to these for a more secure in-ear fit.
I’m a fan of the ring-shaped in-ear components – these fit nicely and let in ambient noises without a hitch. Admittedly though, the spherical exterior looks a bit clunky, and although the wings ensure a pretty secure fit, they felt a little peculiar in my ear, which took comfort levels down a bit for me personally. Overall, these should still feel fine in-ear for a few hours, but there are comfier alternatives out there, like the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, for instance.
Something I loved was the charging case. The white color variant has a glossy, marble-like appearance and I appreciate the attention to detail here. It’s worth noting that you can also grab these buds in Black or Violet – the latter being a special edition produced in collaboration with singer Olivia Rodrigo.
Another thing that really impresses me about these buds is their feature-set, which is bursting at the seams with user-friendly goodness. There’s multi-point connectivity, 360 Reality Audio support, voice assistant integration, and services such as Spotify Tap – all accessible via Sony’s Sound Connect app.
But there’s more! There’s customizable, and surprisingly effective touch controls, DSEE upscaling for lower-quality music files (still looking at you, Spotify), and depth-filled EQ options. There’s Find Your Equalizer – a gamified way to uncover the best tuning for you – as well as presets and a five-band custom option. Combine that with Scene-based listening, head gesture controls, and a wearing condition check-up, and you’re looking at a highly talented pair of buds.
Still, it’s worth flagging that some competitors offer features that have been omitted here. There’s no active noise cancellation – something you’ll spot on a model like the Edifier LolliClip or Honor Earbuds Open – though you probably want to hear your surroundings clearly if you’re buying open-style earbuds. There’s also no LDAC, Sony’s ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth audio codec, but again, the open design here does limit audio capabilities.
Finally, there aren’t any health monitoring options – think a heart rate or blood oxygen tracker (you'd need to look to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for that). But still, you have plenty to play with on the LinkBuds Open, and the companion app is super easy to use.
(Image credit: Future)
A quick note
When I started testing the Sony LinkBuds Open, I encountered some issues, such as a rattling noise in one bud and connectivity issues. Thankfully, we were swiftly presented with a fresh, fully functional unit, but for transparency's sake, I wanted to flag such quirks. These issues have not influenced my final scoring of the model.
By now, then, you must be wondering how the LinkBuds Open sound. Well, I have mixed feelings about this model. Firstly, it’s worth pre-empting this by emphasizing that an open design means a likely hit to audio fidelity, and typically weaker bass response than you’d expect from earbuds with a seal or over-ear headphones, for example.
Still, I was relatively impressed with the low-end performance of the LinkBuds Open. I tried listening to AAAAA by Kiefer with EQ set to ‘Off’ (flat), and found that the bass rippling through the track was meatier than what the impressive SoundCore AeroClip could offer with default tuning. Was it the cleanest low-end replication I’ve heard? Well no.
In Stepping Out (feat. $Ha Hef) by Jay Worthy and LNDN DRGS, the funky bassline clashed slightly with vocals, which didn’t have quite enough space to breathe. Meanwhile, the palpable sub-bass is pretty understated in The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy – though that’s almost to be expected from a pair of open-ears given their technical limitations.
Elsewhere, highs sounded pretty prominent out of the box – but perhaps a little too prominent at times. On occasion, sounds in the treble-frequency edged towards the harsh side of things – though this can be remedied with EQ adjustment in the Sound Connect app.
It’s in tracks more focused around vocal performances, then, where the LinkBuds Open truly shine. For instance, when tuning into Déchire la Toile by Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier, gliding keys and emotive vocals sounded clear and controlled, with a pleasing openness to the sound creating a decently immersive listen. Even at higher volumes, there was a solid level of detail on display, though my colleague did note significant sound leakage – not ideal if you’re in the office or on public transport.
All in all, you won’t get that perfectly balanced, beautifully layered audio – and you might want to tinker with that out-of-the-box sound profile. But for a pair of open earbuds, the LinkBuds Open are certainly solid in the audio department, with generally clear, weighty sound.
A few final notes on this open-ear option from Sony. Firstly, you get a pretty standard serving of playtime. You should get around 8 hours from the buds alone, plus an additional 14 with the charging case. During my testing, I found this to be about right – putting them about on-par with modes like the aforementioned Soundcore AeroClip.
And one more thing: there are optional fittings that you can purchase to customize the LinkBuds Open to your liking. These include multi-colored covers for both the buds themselves and the charging case, if you really wanna jazz things up. This level of customizability is admirable, but you’ll have to spend extra to access it.
In the end, then, can we say that the LinkBuds open hit all of the right notes? Not quite – but they still put on a good show. I’m not totally sold on their design and sonically, they’re not as strong as some wireless buds in the same price-range. But still, commendable mid-range performance, fairly meaty bass given the design and lots of EQ options kept me satisfied overall.
Unfortunately, there's one area where these buds fall down for me: their cost. They're very pricey for open ears, which already come with some compromises in terms of audio. So, even though they have a deep feature-set and secure in-ear fit, this model's not quite a slam dunk. If you've got a good amount of cash to splash on some open earbuds, these may well be worth checking out, but otherwise, I'd suggest taking a peek at my other recommendations in the ‘Also consider’ section.
Sony LinkBuds Open review: specs
Waterproof rating
“IPX4 equivalent”
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds); 22 hours (with charging case)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.3
Weight
5.1g (per bud); 30g (charging case)
Frequency range
20Hz-20kHz
(Image credit: Future)
Sony LinkBuds Open review: price and release date
$199 / £149 / AU$249.95
Launched in October 2024
The Sony LinkBuds Open – or Sony LinkBuds Open WF-L910 as they’re sometimes listed – released at the end of 2024. They have a list price of $199 / £149 / AU$249, which is by no means cheap for a pair of open-ears, though nowhere near as steep as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which launched at $299 / £299 / AU$449.95.
On top of that, I’ve already spotted these on sale in some territories. For instance, they’ve dropped to under £130 / AU$250 on Amazon at the time of writing. You can pick the LinkBuds Open up in a variety of colors, including Black, White, or Violet. The latter is a collaboration with singer Olivia Rodrigo, and includes custom EQ options which were tuned by the artist and her producer.
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Sony LinkBuds Open?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Wide suite of features and awesome in-app experience.
4.5/5
Sound quality
Generally solid for open ear sound, imperfect yet fairly meaty bass, clear mids.
3.5/5
Design
Not the most elegant looking, just OK comfort, but secure fit and appealing case.
3.5/5
Value
Despite good overall performance, these are expensive against similar quality rivals.
3/5
Buy them if...
You want access to excellent features As is usually the case with Sony products, the LinkBuds Open are brimming with features. Bluetooth audio upscaling, EQ options, multi-point, and Scene-based listening are all here. And there’s a whole lot more too – just download the Sound Connect app to discover what’s on offer.
You want a secure open ear fit Although I wasn't totally bowled over by their looks, I can’t deny that the LinkBuds offer a pleasingly secure fit. If you’re out on a run or at the gym, you won’t have to worry about them slipping out easily – and with their open design, you’ll be able to hear your surroundings easily too.
Don't buy them if...
You’re an audiophile If you want a beautifully detailed, elegantly balanced, and effortlessly separated sound, the Sony LinkBuds Open probably aren’t for you. A lot of that is a result of their open design – aspects like bass response and detail levels won’t compare to that of the best wireless earbuds.
You’re on a budget At $199 / £149 / AU$249.95, the Sony LinkBuds Open are hardly cheap. If you’re set on an open design, the Huawei FreeArc down below are our pick for the best budget option – more on those below.
Sony LinkBuds Open: also consider
Sony LinkBuds Open
Anker Soundcore AeroClip
Huawei FreeArc
Price
$199 / £149 / AU$249.95
$129.99 / £129.99 (about AU$210)
£99.99 (about $130 / AU$210)
Waterproof rating
“IPX4 equivalent”
IPX4
IP57
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds); 22 hours (with charging case)
8 hours (earbuds); 24 hours (with charging case)
7 hours (earbuds); 23 hours (with charging case)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.2
Weight
5.1g (per bud); 30g (charging case)
6g (per bud); 42g (charging case)
8.9g (per bud); 67g (charging case)
Frequency range
20Hz-20kHz
20Hz-20kHz
20Hz-20kHz
Anker Soundcore AeroClip I’m a big fan of the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, and they remain some of the best open earbuds I’ve tested. Out of the box, they’re not as bass-heavy as the LinkBuds Open, but a quick EQ tweak can give you a sound closer to your preference. With solid battery life, a comfortable clip-on design, and reasonable asking price, there’s a lot to like here. Read our full Anker Soundcore AeroClip review.
Huawei FreeArc For a more "traditional" open-ear build, the Huawei FreeArc are a top-tier choice – and they’re pretty cheap too. With surprisingly good sound quality, excellent protection against the elements, and a comfortable fit, they’re well-worth checking out. Read our full Huawei FreeArc review.
How I tested the Sony LinkBuds Open
(Image credit: Future)
Tested across the course of multiple weeks
Used in the office and while out and about
Predominantly tested using Tidal
I tested the Sony LinkBuds Open over the course of multiple weeks while in the office, at home, and out on walks.
For the most part, I listened to music with the buds via Tidal, though I occasionally dipped into a few tracks on Spotify. During testing, I made sure to run through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a range of genres. I also listened to songs from my personal library.
Where appropriate, I compared the LinkBuds Open against rival models, such as the Anker Soundcore AeroClip, which helped me to assess aspects like audio performance and comfort.
In every headphone niche there are going to be the big-name players, and there are going to be the little-known challengers offering a more affordable or even more novel take on the form factor, and it’s no different with clip-on, cuff-style sets, which still count among the best open earbuds we've tested.
Open earbuds are a type of headphone which intentionally doesn’t block out surrounding sound, letting you hear what’s going on when you’re working out, going on a run outdoors or are on your commute, and clip-ons are one style which clips onto your ear, in a kind of cuff style, rather than a hook style that snakes behind the curve of your ear.
While this form factor is dominated by names like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and, more recently, the Shokz OpenDots One, a few other brands offer something different, and Baseus is now one of them.
The Baseus Inspire XC1 are the third 'clipping' headphone from Baseus, so you’d hope the brand has some expertise it can bring. Their pitch is that they fix open-ears’ common sound quality problems by bringing Bose-tuned audio, support for Hi-Res Audio and LDAC availability, all for a relatively modest price.
To that end it was claimed at launch that the XC1 were the first open earbuds with two drivers per bud, an assertion which the aforementioned Shokz OpenDots One might take issue with, but that certainly shows a focus on sound quality.
It’s ironic, then, that the sound quality was a weaker point for these open earbuds. The sonic profile is warm yet ill-defined, so bass lacks punch and trebles and mids are missing something themselves. While some fitness users might enjoy this kind of indistinct wall of noise (something to tune out with, while focusing on your workout), audiophiles aren’t going to be impressed.
I also found that the buds’ bridge could pinch over long listening periods, which isn’t ideal, but I do mean long – I could listen for several hours before noticing the issue, so it won’t be a problem everyone faces. And the fit is reliable beyond that.
I’m starting this synopsis with two negatives, but there’s a lot to like about the Inspire XC1 beyond these pitfalls. The battery life is longer than on many rivals, for one thing, and the equalizer is advanced with several presets and plenty of customization. Also, the touch controls are easy-to-use and convenient.
That last point in particular is something I want to emphasize. The vast majority of headphones and earbuds do touch controls terribly but Baseus' solution was simple and easy – other brands could learn a thing or two here.
As mentioned above, the Baseus also undercuts both Bose's and Shokz’ alternatives, and offers good value for money when you compare their feature sets and audio qualities. If you don’t want to stretch your budget to reach for those pricier options, the Baseus Inspire XC1 option could be a good compromise.
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Specifications
Component
Value
Water resistant
IP66
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.4
Weight
5.5g / Charging case: 55g
Driver
1x 10.8mm, 1x tweeter
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Announced in September 2025
Priced at $129 (roughly £100, AU$200)
Undercuts many rivals
The Baseus Inspire XC1 were released at the annual tech conference IFA in September 2025, alongside the XH1 over-ear headphones and XP1 in-ear buds.
At retail price, the Inspire XC1 cost $129 (roughly £100 or AU$200 but TechRadar wasn’t provided international release information prior to launch).
That price is in the ballpark of rivals, confirming that the Baseus product undercuts lots of its competition to a greater or lesser degree; the Huawei FreeClip, Shokz OpenDots and Bose Ultra Open earbuds all cost increasingly more.
But there are some well-respected options for cheaper still, including the JLab Flex Open and Anker Soundcore C40i. And let's not forget, Baseus itself has two other alternatives that undercut this, in the MC1 and BC1.
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Bud and counterweight connected by small hook
Lightweight but can pinch after extended use
Easy-to-use touch controls
For those of you who skipped the intro, the Baseus Inspire XC1 is a clip-style (or cuff-style, if you prefer) open-ear earbud. The latter hyphenation indicates that these are earbuds which don’t block your ear, so you can hear your surroundings, and the former signifies that instead of using a sports loop to hover over your ear, they clip onto your auricle, using a small earbud which nestles into your ear and a counterweight behind the ear which are linked by a plastic bridge.
Clipping earbuds always look frightfully unreliable but that’s rarely the case, and it’s not true for the XC1 either: the buds’ hold is reliable and I went on many hours of runs without any slipping or falling. However, it does pinch a little which, although only noticeable after sustained use, means they can stop being comfortable if you’re listening for long amounts of time. I also found myself knocking the behind-the-ear counterweight with my shoulder on occasion when I was stretching or rolling my head, but those were rare cases.
Each bud weighs roughly 5.5g, so they tip the scales to a similar degree as rivals, and they have an IP66 rating which certifies them against any kind of solid particles like dust, as well as high-pressure water jets… I think. Elsewhere in the information Baseus provided to TechRadar, it referred to the buds as having an IPX7 rating, which offers no proofing against dust but increased water resistance.
The counterweight has a small physical button, and you can customize what this does using the app – but by default, it pauses music. I found it pretty easy to pinch this to control my music once I got used to the position, and I’m glad Baseus isn’t trying to do anything more complex with its controls like some other brands.
The case weighs 54g and it’s fairly small, although that’s not saying much given that most clip-on earbuds have tiny cases. It opens horizontally and accepts either earbud in either hole, saving a lot of faff when you want to put the buds away.
Design score: 4/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Not as many features as rivals
Battery life is 8 hours, 40 hours with case
EQ with lots of useful presets
The Baseus Inspire XC1 will offer you 8 hours of listening time in one go, according to the brand’s figures – my own testing didn’t raise any reasons to doubt this. That just a hair on the long side compared to lots of other rivals using this form factor.
Using the case, you can get an extra 32 hours of listening time, for 40 hours in total, and again lots of the Baseus’ rivals fall a little short.
Due to the form factor, there’s no noise cancellation – it’s not unheard of in open-ears, but it’s incredibly rare and so we don’t expect it.
Baseus offers an app with a few extra features including an equalizer, a low latency mode, the ability to customize touch controls, toggles to high-res audio and a feature I haven’t seen much of on headphones: a battery-saver mode. As someone who gets battery anxiety on long trips, this is certainly a welcome feature.
The equalizer comes with seven presets, including a Bose-designed one, but you can create your own sound mix using an eight-band EQ mode too.
I’ve never written this sentence about an earbud tie-in app before, but the Baseus app felt very slow to use on my powerful Android phone. This shouldn’t dictate your purchase decision but it’s just to say ‘no, your phone isn’t breaking down’.
Features score: 4/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Sound performance
(Image credit: Future)
Two drivers per bud
Muddied sound profile
Support for several standards
Each bud of the Baseus Inspire XC1 gets two drivers: a 10.8mm woofer for low-end sounds and a balanced armature tweeter for high-end ones that we weren’t told the size of.
It’s rare to see a dual-driver open-ear, with most manufacturers opting not to kit out earbuds that will be competing with so many background sounds, but that’s not all. The buds also support higher-resolution audio and the LDAC codec if you switch them on in the app.
Listening to music, it’s clear that the sound is good quality, and that’s especially true if you do opt to make the most of the standards offered. And so you’re probably wondering why I criticized the audio before. Well, that comes down to the tuning.
The Inspire XC1 have a warm sound profile, with the woofer coming up clutch to support lots of bass. However it’s an ill-defined kind of bass, muddy and indistinct, a that’s an issue that plagues music as a whole: treble isn’t sharp, mids are mushy.
The result is that music seems to lack a lot of energy and spark. I don’t know about you, but lifeless tunes are the last thing I want with earbuds designed for exercise.
You’re probably wondering why I didn’t just jump into the equalizer to fix the problem; I tried, and it didn’t really work. Other presets beyond the default (the Bose-tuned one, I must add) maintain the issue to a lesser or greater degree. If you’ve got the buds, I’d recommend opting for the Jazz Rock preset, which was the most energetic to my ears.
Sound performance score: 3.5/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
The Baseus XC1 undercut a decent amount of the competition, including options which don’t offer substantially more for your money, although you can get alternatives that are a lot cheaper if you shop around.
Bearing in mind the cost and what you’re actually getting for your money, they offer a reasonable value set, letting you get all of the features of pricier rivals with a few downgrades to justify the cost.
Value score: 4/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Value
While they don't match premium options in terms of feature set, they don't in price either.
4/5
Design
They're not the most comfortable open-ears I've ever used, but they're lightweight and don't fall out.
4/5
Features
The equalizer is handy but beyond that there aren't any unique features and the battery life is about average/
4/5
Sound
I wasn't wowed by the Inspire XC1's audio chops, despite the hardware, but non-fussy workers-out will find them fine.
3.5/5
Baseus Inspire XC1: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy them if...
You want something protected I don't often see earbuds with an IP66 rating, with most opting for less protection against dust ingress and sometimes just sweat resistance, instead of the ability to survive jets of water.
You know your way around an equalizer I appreciate how much customization Baseus offers over your music. You've got plenty of presets for people who don't want to fuss over their tuning, and a 10-band EQ for people who do.
You don't want to stretch for a name brand Clip-on earbuds from well-known brands cost more, but Baseus offers most of those features for a lower price, even though it's not an out-and-out budget option.
Don't buy them if...
You're an audiophile Despite the specs, I wasn't won over by the Baseus' sound quality, as it didn't offer energy in tunes. If you need perfectly-optimized music in order to enjoy your workout, you might not enjoy these buds.
You plan to wear for long periods I could feel the Baseus on my ear after working out for an hour or longer, so if you're about to do an ultramarthon and want something comfortable, this isn't it.
Also consider
Component
Baseus Inspire XC1
Shokz OpenDots One
Huawei FreeClip
Water resistant
IP66
IP54
IP54
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
10 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
8 hours (earbuds), 36 hours (total)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
Weight
5.5g / Charging case: 54g
5.6g / Charging case: 52g
5.6g / Charging case: 44.5g
Driver
10.8mm, tweeter
2x 11.8mm
10.8mm
Shokz OpenDots One
For a little bit more money you can get these Shokz options, which are more comfortable to wear, sound better and come with a longer-lasting battery.
For roughly the same price as the Baseus, this option from well-known Chinese brand Huawei comes with similar specs in most areas. However its age means that you might be able to find it greatly discounted.
How I tested
(Image credit: Future)
I wore the Baseus Inspire XC1 for two weeks in order to write this review, which is TechRadar's standard testing time for headphones.
The buds were connected to my Android smartphone through the test. I used them on runs, on cycle rides, at the gym, on public transport, at home and on walks around my neighborhoor, mostly for music streaming but for some spoken word too.
I've been testing products for TechRadar since 2019 and this has included plenty of other workout headphones, as well as loads of open earbuds.
In every headphone niche there are going to be the big-name players, and there are going to be the little-known challengers offering a more affordable or even more novel take on the form factor, and it’s no different with clip-on, cuff-style sets, which still count among the best open earbuds we've tested.
Open earbuds are a type of headphone which intentionally doesn’t block out surrounding sound, letting you hear what’s going on when you’re working out, going on a run outdoors or are on your commute, and clip-ons are one style which clips onto your ear, in a kind of cuff style, rather than a hook style that snakes behind the curve of your ear.
While this form factor is dominated by names like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds and, more recently, the Shokz OpenDots One, a few other brands offer something different, and Baseus is now one of them.
The Baseus Inspire XC1 are the third 'clipping' headphone from Baseus, so you’d hope the brand has some expertise it can bring. Their pitch is that they fix open-ears’ common sound quality problems by bringing Bose-tuned audio, support for Hi-Res Audio and LDAC availability, all for a relatively modest price.
To that end it was claimed at launch that the XC1 were the first open earbuds with two drivers per bud, an assertion which the aforementioned Shokz OpenDots One might take issue with, but that certainly shows a focus on sound quality.
It’s ironic, then, that the sound quality was a weaker point for these open earbuds. The sonic profile is warm yet ill-defined, so bass lacks punch and trebles and mids are missing something themselves. While some fitness users might enjoy this kind of indistinct wall of noise (something to tune out with, while focusing on your workout), audiophiles aren’t going to be impressed.
I also found that the buds’ bridge could pinch over long listening periods, which isn’t ideal, but I do mean long – I could listen for several hours before noticing the issue, so it won’t be a problem everyone faces. And the fit is reliable beyond that.
I’m starting this synopsis with two negatives, but there’s a lot to like about the Inspire XC1 beyond these pitfalls. The battery life is longer than on many rivals, for one thing, and the equalizer is advanced with several presets and plenty of customization. Also, the touch controls are easy-to-use and convenient.
That last point in particular is something I want to emphasize. The vast majority of headphones and earbuds do touch controls terribly but Baseus' solution was simple and easy – other brands could learn a thing or two here.
As mentioned above, the Baseus also undercuts both Bose's and Shokz’ alternatives, and offers good value for money when you compare their feature sets and audio qualities. If you don’t want to stretch your budget to reach for those pricier options, the Baseus Inspire XC1 option could be a good compromise.
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Specifications
Component
Value
Water resistant
IP66
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.4
Weight
5.5g / Charging case: 55g
Driver
1x 10.8mm, 1x tweeter
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Price and availability
(Image credit: Future)
Announced in September 2025
Priced at $129 (roughly £100, AU$200)
Undercuts many rivals
The Baseus Inspire XC1 were released at the annual tech conference IFA in September 2025, alongside the XH1 over-ear headphones and XP1 in-ear buds.
At retail price, the Inspire XC1 cost $129 (roughly £100 or AU$200 but TechRadar wasn’t provided international release information prior to launch).
That price is in the ballpark of rivals, confirming that the Baseus product undercuts lots of its competition to a greater or lesser degree; the Huawei FreeClip, Shokz OpenDots and Bose Ultra Open earbuds all cost increasingly more.
But there are some well-respected options for cheaper still, including the JLab Flex Open and Anker Soundcore C40i. And let's not forget, Baseus itself has two other alternatives that undercut this, in the MC1 and BC1.
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Bud and counterweight connected by small hook
Lightweight but can pinch after extended use
Easy-to-use touch controls
For those of you who skipped the intro, the Baseus Inspire XC1 is a clip-style (or cuff-style, if you prefer) open-ear earbud. The latter hyphenation indicates that these are earbuds which don’t block your ear, so you can hear your surroundings, and the former signifies that instead of using a sports loop to hover over your ear, they clip onto your auricle, using a small earbud which nestles into your ear and a counterweight behind the ear which are linked by a plastic bridge.
Clipping earbuds always look frightfully unreliable but that’s rarely the case, and it’s not true for the XC1 either: the buds’ hold is reliable and I went on many hours of runs without any slipping or falling. However, it does pinch a little which, although only noticeable after sustained use, means they can stop being comfortable if you’re listening for long amounts of time. I also found myself knocking the behind-the-ear counterweight with my shoulder on occasion when I was stretching or rolling my head, but those were rare cases.
Each bud weighs roughly 5.5g, so they tip the scales to a similar degree as rivals, and they have an IP66 rating which certifies them against any kind of solid particles like dust, as well as high-pressure water jets… I think. Elsewhere in the information Baseus provided to TechRadar, it referred to the buds as having an IPX7 rating, which offers no proofing against dust but increased water resistance.
The counterweight has a small physical button, and you can customize what this does using the app – but by default, it pauses music. I found it pretty easy to pinch this to control my music once I got used to the position, and I’m glad Baseus isn’t trying to do anything more complex with its controls like some other brands.
The case weighs 54g and it’s fairly small, although that’s not saying much given that most clip-on earbuds have tiny cases. It opens horizontally and accepts either earbud in either hole, saving a lot of faff when you want to put the buds away.
Design score: 4/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Not as many features as rivals
Battery life is 8 hours, 40 hours with case
EQ with lots of useful presets
The Baseus Inspire XC1 will offer you 8 hours of listening time in one go, according to the brand’s figures – my own testing didn’t raise any reasons to doubt this. That just a hair on the long side compared to lots of other rivals using this form factor.
Using the case, you can get an extra 32 hours of listening time, for 40 hours in total, and again lots of the Baseus’ rivals fall a little short.
Due to the form factor, there’s no noise cancellation – it’s not unheard of in open-ears, but it’s incredibly rare and so we don’t expect it.
Baseus offers an app with a few extra features including an equalizer, a low latency mode, the ability to customize touch controls, toggles to high-res audio and a feature I haven’t seen much of on headphones: a battery-saver mode. As someone who gets battery anxiety on long trips, this is certainly a welcome feature.
The equalizer comes with seven presets, including a Bose-designed one, but you can create your own sound mix using an eight-band EQ mode too.
I’ve never written this sentence about an earbud tie-in app before, but the Baseus app felt very slow to use on my powerful Android phone. This shouldn’t dictate your purchase decision but it’s just to say ‘no, your phone isn’t breaking down’.
Features score: 4/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Sound performance
(Image credit: Future)
Two drivers per bud
Muddied sound profile
Support for several standards
Each bud of the Baseus Inspire XC1 gets two drivers: a 10.8mm woofer for low-end sounds and a balanced armature tweeter for high-end ones that we weren’t told the size of.
It’s rare to see a dual-driver open-ear, with most manufacturers opting not to kit out earbuds that will be competing with so many background sounds, but that’s not all. The buds also support higher-resolution audio and the LDAC codec if you switch them on in the app.
Listening to music, it’s clear that the sound is good quality, and that’s especially true if you do opt to make the most of the standards offered. And so you’re probably wondering why I criticized the audio before. Well, that comes down to the tuning.
The Inspire XC1 have a warm sound profile, with the woofer coming up clutch to support lots of bass. However it’s an ill-defined kind of bass, muddy and indistinct, a that’s an issue that plagues music as a whole: treble isn’t sharp, mids are mushy.
The result is that music seems to lack a lot of energy and spark. I don’t know about you, but lifeless tunes are the last thing I want with earbuds designed for exercise.
You’re probably wondering why I didn’t just jump into the equalizer to fix the problem; I tried, and it didn’t really work. Other presets beyond the default (the Bose-tuned one, I must add) maintain the issue to a lesser or greater degree. If you’ve got the buds, I’d recommend opting for the Jazz Rock preset, which was the most energetic to my ears.
Sound performance score: 3.5/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
The Baseus XC1 undercut a decent amount of the competition, including options which don’t offer substantially more for your money, although you can get alternatives that are a lot cheaper if you shop around.
Bearing in mind the cost and what you’re actually getting for your money, they offer a reasonable value set, letting you get all of the features of pricier rivals with a few downgrades to justify the cost.
Value score: 4/5
Baseus Inspire XC1 review: scorecard
Category
Comment
Score
Value
While they don't match premium options in terms of feature set, they don't in price either.
4/5
Design
They're not the most comfortable open-ears I've ever used, but they're lightweight and don't fall out.
4/5
Features
The equalizer is handy but beyond that there aren't any unique features and the battery life is about average/
4/5
Sound
I wasn't wowed by the Inspire XC1's audio chops, despite the hardware, but non-fussy workers-out will find them fine.
3.5/5
Baseus Inspire XC1: Should I buy?
(Image credit: Future)
Buy them if...
You want something protected I don't often see earbuds with an IP66 rating, with most opting for less protection against dust ingress and sometimes just sweat resistance, instead of the ability to survive jets of water.
You know your way around an equalizer I appreciate how much customization Baseus offers over your music. You've got plenty of presets for people who don't want to fuss over their tuning, and a 10-band EQ for people who do.
You don't want to stretch for a name brand Clip-on earbuds from well-known brands cost more, but Baseus offers most of those features for a lower price, even though it's not an out-and-out budget option.
Don't buy them if...
You're an audiophile Despite the specs, I wasn't won over by the Baseus' sound quality, as it didn't offer energy in tunes. If you need perfectly-optimized music in order to enjoy your workout, you might not enjoy these buds.
You plan to wear for long periods I could feel the Baseus on my ear after working out for an hour or longer, so if you're about to do an ultramarthon and want something comfortable, this isn't it.
Also consider
Component
Baseus Inspire XC1
Shokz OpenDots One
Huawei FreeClip
Water resistant
IP66
IP54
IP54
Battery life
8 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
10 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
8 hours (earbuds), 36 hours (total)
Bluetooth type
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
Weight
5.5g / Charging case: 54g
5.6g / Charging case: 52g
5.6g / Charging case: 44.5g
Driver
10.8mm, tweeter
2x 11.8mm
10.8mm
Shokz OpenDots One
For a little bit more money you can get these Shokz options, which are more comfortable to wear, sound better and come with a longer-lasting battery.
For roughly the same price as the Baseus, this option from well-known Chinese brand Huawei comes with similar specs in most areas. However its age means that you might be able to find it greatly discounted.
How I tested
(Image credit: Future)
I wore the Baseus Inspire XC1 for two weeks in order to write this review, which is TechRadar's standard testing time for headphones.
The buds were connected to my Android smartphone through the test. I used them on runs, on cycle rides, at the gym, on public transport, at home and on walks around my neighborhoor, mostly for music streaming but for some spoken word too.
I've been testing products for TechRadar since 2019 and this has included plenty of other workout headphones, as well as loads of open earbuds.
The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 is the brand’s newest flagship digital audio player, and it is priced accordingly. If you measure the worth of a product by how relatively heavy and remarkably shiny it is, though, you won’t be able to argue with the $3,999 asking price.
The SP4000 goes a distance towards justifying its cost in the way it’s specified to perform, too. Numerous technological highlights abound, none of them in any way ‘affordable’, and between the sheer heft of the physical item and the lengthy list of technologies Astell & Kern has brought to bear, the SP4000 seems about as purposeful as these things ever get.
And in action, it is an uncomplicated pleasure to listen to, fully befitting a place in the best MP3 players around. In every meaningful way, the SP4000 is an extremely accomplished device, able to combine brute muscularity with deft insight, rhythmic positivity with outright scale. No matter what you choose to listen to, the Astell & Kern seems to enjoy it just as much as you do – and it’s not about to sit in judgement on your choice of headphones either.
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Priced at $3,999 / £3,799 / AU$6,599
The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 is on sale now, and in the United States it sells for $3,999. In the United Kingdom the asking price is £3,799, and in Australia you’ll have to part with AU$6,599.
Not cheap, is it? Anyone who takes an interest in this sort of thing will know Astell & Kern has no problem in pitching its products as uber-high-end propositions, but no matter how many times I see one of its products priced this way, it remains difficult not to do a double-take…
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 review: Features
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
4 x AKM4191 and 4 x AKM4499EX DACs in 1:1 architecture
4 x opamps per analogue output
Snapdragon 6125 octa-core processor
Something would seem amiss, wouldn’t it, if a digital audio player costing very nearly four thousand of your US dollars wasn’t groaning under the weight of its specification? Well, when you consider the extensive nature of the SP4000, it’s a wonder it’s not even bigger and even heavier than it actually is.
It follows that I should try to be reasonably brief, otherwise we’ll be here all day.
At its most fundamental, the SP4000 is built around ‘octa’ audio architecture. The digital-to-analogue signal processing is in a 1:1 structure, with one AKM4191 digital processor paired with one AKM4499EX DAC. This allows digital signals to be delivered to a single DAC, four times over – this is a true quad-DAC design, with the aim of allowing precise signal transfer with a vanishingly low signal-to-noise ratio. The ability to deal with PCM resolutions of up to 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 means any realistic digital audio file is catered for.
There are eight opamps deployed, four attending to the unbalanced 3.5mm analogue output and four dealing with the 4.4mm balanced equivalent. The intention is to increase dynamic range and enhance detail retrieval – Astell & Kern calls this arrangement ‘high driving mode’ and suggests it provides powerful and stable signal output.
A newly developed LDO (‘low drop-out’) regulator in the power supply stabilizes battery voltage in an effort to suppress noise. Proprietary ESA (‘enhanced signal alignment’) technology is designed to improve the alignment of frequency signals (sometimes opaquely referred to as ‘timing’) to minimize distortion and enhance clarity. The PCB is a high-end ‘Any Layer HDI’ design that allows for extremely complex circuitry to be laid out in a very small space, minimizing signal loss.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
What else? The audio block sits behind a 99.9% pure copper shielding can, offering significant shielding from electromagnetic interference. The audio block itself is Astell & Kern’s ‘Teraton X’ design, which incorporates HEXA-Audio circuitry along with power-efficient amplification and considerable power noise cancellation, to deliver what the company suggests is the ‘ultimate sound solution’.
The entire show is run by a Snapdragon 6125 Octa-core processor that features a high-performance CPU and 8GB of DDR4. CPU, memory and wireless comms circuitry are configured as a single module, and with the digital circuit components arranged in the same area it’s effectively a system on a chip.
I could go on. There are six digital filters available to allow the user to, in a small way, design their own sound. The ‘crossfeed’ feature allows a little of the left-channel mix into the right channel (and vice versa) and, in conjunction with some adjustment options, tries to replicate the effect of listening to speakers when listening to headphones. The second generation of Astell & Kern’s DAR (‘digital audio remaster’) technology, dubbed ‘Advanced DAR’, uses a ‘virtual sound extender’ as part of a two-stage upsampling process that can convert PCM signals of up to 48kHz to 385kHz or to DSD128, and signals of greater than 96kHz to DSD256, for playback.
Surely, though, the broad point is made by now. Astell & Kern didn’t leave space for the kitchen sink, but it has thrown pretty much everything else at the A&ultima SP4000.
Yes, you can fiddle around the edges of the way the A&ultima SP4000 sounds – investigate filters, fool around with EQs, you name it – but what you can’t do is alter its overarching sonic character. Which is just as well, because this Astell & Kern digital audio player is a staggeringly direct, informative and, ultimately, complete listen. Few are the sources of audio information, of any type and at any price, that can match its powers of communication – and I have heard plenty.
No matter if you’re listening to a 16bit/44.1kHz FLAC file of Ride’s Leave Them All Behind, a 24bit/48kHz FLAC file of James Holden’s Common Land or a DSD64 file of The Band’s I Shall Be Released: it’s all the same to the SP4000. In every circumstance it’s a profoundly detailed, rhythmically positive, articulate and energetic listen. There really isn’t an aspect of music-making at which it doesn’t prove itself masterful.
And it’s not as if I can offer a “yes, but…” or two in the name of balance. The longer I listen to the SP4000, the more beguiled I become.
Tonal balance? It’s basically impeccable. Frequency response? Smooth and even from way down at the low frequencies to the vertiginous top end. The Astell & Kern sounds naturalistic and unforced, and it’s completely even-handed in the way it presents the frequency range. And at every point, it’s absolutely alive with detail both broad and fine. The minutiae of tone, timbre and texture are made absolutely apparent, and the player loads all of this information onto the listener without being in any way showy or uptight about it. This fanatical attention to detail is simply a way of ensuring you get as complete a rendition of your digital audio files as possible.
The presentation is spacious and well-defined at the same time, and no matter if it’s a large ensemble all packing the stage or just one voice with a single guitar as accompaniment, the SP4000 lays it all out in confident and coherent fashion.
It deals with rhythm and tempo with similar authority, keeping momentum levels high and observing the attack and decay of bass sounds (in particular) with obvious care. It can ease back if necessary, though - nothing gets hurried along, but rather is allowed to proceed at its own chosen speed. Dynamic headroom is, to all intents and purposes, limitless. From the smallest, quietest event in a recording to the last almighty crescendo, the SP4000 is on top of things - the distance between these two states is prodigious. And the smaller, but no less crucial, dynamics of harmonic variation, the attention to the over- and undertones that surround the fundamental when listening to a solo instrument, are given very judicious weighting. Context is everything, and the SP4000 seems to almost instinctively understand it.
And the Astell & Kern even has the decency not to be sniffy either about the music you listen to or the headphones via which you access it. Obviously it does better work (or, rather, its potential is best exploited) by hi-res files and high-end headphones - but if you want to connect your bog-standard true wireless in-ear via Bluetooth and listen to Spotify’s free tier the SP4000 won’t judge you. Not too badly, anyway.
Sound quality score: 5 / 5
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 review: Design
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Polished 904L stainless steel and PVD-coated ceramic
150 x 85 x 20mm
615g
Ordinarily, a digital audio player is designed to be reasonably compact, and light enough to be slipped into a pocket. Of course, Astell & Kern sets out for its digital audio players to be anything but ordinary.
So the SP4000 is a fairly large (150 x 85 x 20mm) device that weighs a considerable 615g. Too big and heavy, in other words, to be comfortably carried in any pocket smaller and less robust than that of a military greatcoat. This is its naked weight, too. If you add one of the included screen protectors (which is, admittedly, going to make negligible difference to the weight) and slip the player into its supplied Perlinger leather* protective case, it becomes heavier still. At least that case prevents the player’s sharp, pointy corners from digging into hands or pocket linings, mind you.
(*I’m not a vegetarian. I know people who are, though, and some of them are just as interested in high-quality audio as I am. So once again I find myself wondering why companies like Astell & Kern imagine real leather – in this instance, leather made from "the soft, delicate hide of calves under one year old" – to be the untouchable height of luxury. Surely it’s possible to offer a protective case for the SP4000 that looks and feels upmarket but that isn’t going to alienate who knows how many prospective customers? Or is that just me?)
The four sides of the SP4000 are built of 904L stainless steel (the same stuff the likes of Rolex uses, on the basis that it will accept an extremely high polish), and feature some of the angularity and asymmetry that Astell & Kern established as part of its design vocabulary a good while ago. The front is of toughened glass, 152mm on the diagonal, and is almost entirely touchscreen. The rear panel, meanwhile, is finished in PVD-coated ceramic.
It really goes without saying that the standard of build and finish on display here is flawless. With the design of the SP4000, Astell & Kern has set out to deliver a product that blurs the line between ‘electrical hardware’ and ‘luxury accessory’. Or, as the company’s website rather feverishly has it, "a work of art where technology, design, intuition and performance converge". You may feel that Astell & Kern has done exactly what it set out to do, you may find the design rather self-consciously opulent. Taste is a very personal thing, after all.
It’s worth noting the grandeur of SP4000 ownership starts well before you peel the protective covering off the player itself. It arrives in a branded box that’s a similar size to that which contained a pair of size 10 Tricker’s boots I bought the other day. Inside there is another, branded, clasp-fastening box covered in what I strongly suspect is a further quantity of leather.
Inside that you’ll find the SP4000, along with compartments that contain that Perlinger leather cover, a case with a flap covering into which the player (in its cover) can be slipped (more leather, I presume), various guides and warranty documents, a congratulatory note from the company, and a reasonably heavyweight, branded USB-C to USB-C cable. I am pretty sure this all comes under the heading of ‘the experience’.
Design score: 4 / 5
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 review: Usability and setup
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
2160 x 1080 touchscreen
Supports Full Android OS
Qualcomm QC3.0 fast charging
The SP4000 represents the first time an Astell & Kern product has supported full Android OS. The convenience and all-around common sense of the operating system is intended to help the SP4000 be as flexible and convenient as possible, while some of the Snapdragon 6125 octa-core processor’s responsibilities center around rapidity of the OS response and the smooth, comfortable user interface motion.
Happily, it all works very well. The big 2K (2160 x 1080) touchscreen is responsive and swift, smooth-scrolling and consistent. The operating system will be mercifully familiar to anyone whose smartphone isn’t an iOS device, and it’s just as wide-ranging and usable here as it is in its most successful smartphone applications.
Setting up the SP4000 is no kind of hardship. It’s simply a question of connecting it to your local network (its dual-band Wi-Fi is tenacious when it comes to making and maintaining a connection to your router or tethering to your smartphone if you’re out and about), and from there it’s simple to load the apps you require. The ‘AK File Drop’ function makes transferring files from a PC, smartphone or FTP program on a common network faster and easier than before, too.
The Astell & Kern also supports Qualcomm QC 3.0 fast charging, which means it can be charged more rapidly (and more efficiently) than previous flagship A&ultima models. Mind you, ‘fast’ and ‘rapid’ are definitely relative terms in this instance. From ‘flat’ to ‘full’ takes around five hours, which is about half the time it takes for the SP4000 to flatten its battery if you’re listening to ordinary files at ordinary volume levels.
There are a few physical controls arranged around the edges of the SP4000. As you look at its touchscreen, there’s an elaborate volume control/power on/off on the top-right edge – it’s pleasantly shaped and knurled, and a light behind it glows in one of a variety of different colors to indicate the resolution of the audio file it’s currently playing.
On the opposite side there are three buttons that deal with skip backwards/rewind (accessible via ‘press’ or ‘press and hold’ respectively), skip forwards/fast-forward (same) and play/pause. There’s a ‘button lock’ switch on the top edge, to the right of the 3.5mm hybrid optical/unbalanced analogue and 4.4mm balanced analogue outputs, and on the bottom edge you’ll find a USB-C socket and a microSD card slot, which will accept cards of up to 1.5TB.
Usability and setup score: 4.5 / 5
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 review: Value
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
First things first: you don’t contemplate ownership of the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 because you’re in any way concerned about value for money. Is it the best-sounding DAP out there? Sure. Is it twice as good as alternatives from the likes of FiiO or Astell & Kern itself that cost comfortably less than $2k? Not a chance.
No, the value in the SP4000 comes from its status as the shiny flagship of the Astell & Kern range. It comes from the knowledge that no one you bump into when in the First Class Lounge has a more expensive DAP than you. It comes from the ability to add ‘DAP’ to the list of ‘madly luxurious accessories I own’.
Should I buy the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000?
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Buy it if...
You want more from your digital audio player than just digital audio In the same way as there’s more to a Montblanc fountain pen than just the ability to function as a pen…
You admire extremely thorough specification Astell & Kern has left no stone unturned here.
You take good care of your belongings That super-shiny stainless steel is quite fingerprint-hungry…
Don't buy it if...
You pay the slightest attention to value for money It’s it’s true value you’re after, virtually any other Astell & Kern DAP will suit you better than the SP4000.
You’re vegetarian or vegan Astell & Kern considers leather to be shorthand for ‘sophisticated’.
You don’t own any expensive, high-performance headphones You’d better be budgeting for some, that’s all I can say.
Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000 review: Also consider
FiiO M23 The FiiO represents remarkable value at $699 for a DAP with such balanced, eloquent and entertaining sound. And think of what you could do with all the money you’ll have saved... Read our full FiiO M23 review
Astell & Kern Kann Ultra Don’t bother looking for like-for-like alternatives to the A&ultima SP4000 – there aren’t any. But there are some extremely capable digital audio players available for a fraction of SP4000 money, many of them well worth considering. The Astell & Kern Kann Ultra, for instance, is a great-sounding and well-specified device that’s yours for $1,759.
How I tested the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP4000
Tested for over a week
Tested with streamed and downloaded content
Tested with wired and wireless headphones
I slotted a microSD card filled with hi-res content (up to 24bit/192kHz and DSD64, anyway) into the SP4000, and I downloaded the Tidal and Presto music streaming apps while I was at it.
I listened to lots of different types of music, via lots of different file types and sizes – and I did so indoors and (with some trepidation, I don’t mind telling you) outdoors too.
If you’re looking to get the party moving, the LG xboom Stage 301 could be the perfect Bluetooth speaker for you. This floor monitor-inspired party speaker aims to unleash powerful bass, AI-optimized sound, and karaoke features – for casual users and performers alike. But can it live up to the hype? Well, yes – yes it can.
During my time testing the LG xboom Stage 301, I was hooked on its clean, impactful, yet controlled sound. Bass is meaty, sure, but it doesn’t overwhelm sounds elsewhere in the frequency range. There’s also AI calibration and EQ modes so that you can uncover the perfect tuning for your space and the genre of music you’re playing.
Even when blasting bass-heavy house tunes at top volumes, the LG xboom Stage 301 didn’t produce distorted or overly compressed audio – like the best Bluetooth speakers around, it’s a disciplined, talented sonic companion. It may not be capable of ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth audio, and its front-facing design means that you get pretty directional audio, but I was still very impressed with the speaker’s sonic capabilities.
This thing doesn’t only sound good, though, it’s also rammed full of features – most of which are accessible through the LG ThinQ companion app. Auracast, multi-speaker pairing, a sleep timer – you name it. There are even some fun (but kinda gimmicky) DJ sliders and sound effects, a karaoke mode (if you’ve got mics or a guitar to plug in), and Healing Therapy sounds, for when you want to wind down.
Design-wise, this model is a hit too. It has a quality dual-bar LED light system, which can be synced to your music or customized from scratch in LG’s companion app. Elsewhere, a classic black finish, well-sized buttons, and a classy speaker grille all combine for a solid overall look.
You can also angle this speaker upwards, stand it upright, or mount it on a stand, making it a very versatile option.
What’s more, this model is actually priced pretty well – something LG hasn’t always got right with its other Bluetooth speakers. It comes in with a list price of $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$449, but you’ll already spot it going for less in some territories.
Now, you probably won’t get the maximum 12 hour battery life LG quotes – that is unless you have lights off and play music at a low volume, but you can use this speaker plugged in, which also enables the speaker to hit its maximum power output. You can also replace the battery, which is handy if you run out of juice and want to slot a second in to keep the party going.
Overall, I’m feeling highly positive about this model. The IPX4 waterproof rating is average for a stage-style model, but won’t compete with typical party speakers like the IP67-rated Earfun UBoom X, for instance. There are a couple of small technical quirks in the app, too, but otherwise, it’s a really useful companion.
And in the end, the LG xboom Stage 301 stands tall as a versatile, fantastic-sounding, and feature-rich model that’s up there with some of the best party speakers I’ve tested. LG’s xboom range – produced alongside will.i.am – has been a bit of a mixed bag so far. But the Stage 301 is, without a doubt, one of the highlights of this line, and I’m more than happy to recommend it.
(Image credit: Future)
LG xboom Stage 301 review: price and release date
$299.99 / £299.99 / AU$449
Launched in April 2025
The LG xboom Stage 301 was announced at CES 2025 as part of a new Bluetooth speaker range, alongside the LG xboom Bounce and LG xboom Grab. It’s the largest, and, as you’d expect, priciest speaker in the line-up, which was launched in collaboration with producer and artist will.i.am.
Although the Stage 301 has a list price of $299.99 / £299.99 / AU$449, I’ve already seen it going for less – it’s down to under £250 in the UK via LG's digital store, for instance. It’s worth noting that there’s no stand included for Concert Mode, so you’ll have to purchase one separately.
Customizable lights and EQ, room calibration, DJ and karaoke modes
12-hour battery life, but can play while charging
As is usually the case, LG has packed a ton of neat smart features into this speaker. There’s classic stuff like multi-point connectivity and multi-speaker pairing (with xboom models), for example. But with the LG ThingQ companion app, you can access so much more.
You can customize the speaker’s LED lights, with a variety of presets with differing colors and motion patterns. You can also enable AI Lighting, which analyzes playback and produces optimal lighting for your audio content. I made use of the AI mode and it worked great – it really made my music come alive.
The lights aren’t the only thing you can customize though. You can also adapt the speaker’s sound to fit your needs with EQ settings. There are a handful of presets here, such as Bass Boost and Voice Enhance, but the AI sound option was the one that piqued my interest the most. This performs a real-time “genre analysis” of the media being played, in order to output the best possible audio, and again, I could really hear the difference in the best way here.
One issue I had, though, is that while listening to music, changing to a different EQ causes playback to cut out for a split second. That was a bit jarring when I simply wanted to activate Bass Boost in a pinch, say. In addition, the custom equalizer option only uses three bands, which is a bit basic compared to a Bluetooth speaker like the Sony ULT Field 3, which has a seven-band alternative.
Anyway, let’s go back to the good stuff. Something I personally appreciated was an AI calibration tool, which tailors the speaker’s sound to your listening space. After you perform this, the app provides a before and after, making the difference more tangible to listeners. This is a really smart inclusion from LG, and it genuinely improved the clarity of my tunes.
And really, I could go on all day about the app’s copious options. I’ve not even mentioned the Healing Therapy sounds, which are great if you want a bit of ambience or just want to wind down at night. On top of that, there’s a sleep timer, Auracast, customizable shortcut button (called MY Button), and a tab that integrates locally stored music files. Whew. I did say there was a lot.
But perhaps some of the more unique options are the DJ and karaoke related modes. DJ mode allows you to alter playback with delay, wah, phaser, and flanger effects, play drum and ‘club’ sound effects, and even layer vocal samples that you can record in the companion app. These sounds aren’t perfectly responsive, but it's a fun little mode to play around with.
Meanwhile, karaoke mode can be accessed if you hook a microphone or guitar up to the Stage 301. It includes vocal effects like helium, robot, and soprano if you fancy switching things up a bit, and you can alter volume or reverb using control knobs on the reverse side of the speaker.
So, there’s a lot of options at your fingertips with the LG xboom Stage 301, but does it have the battery life to keep the party moving? Well, even though LG quotes battery life at twelve hours, your mileage will almost certainly vary. See, if you’re using AI sound mode with volume high and both lights on, you won’t get close to that. With this setup, I lost 20% capacity in about 40 minutes. If you’ve got the lights off and you’re keeping volume low-high in Clear Voice mode, though, you can expect a ton more playtime.
That max 12 hours is standard for this type of speaker, though most users will probably struggle to get that much. Instead, I found it best to keep the Stage 301 playing while plugged into the power socket. You get louder max volume and don’t have to worry about the speaker dying on you. It’s worth noting, too, that the battery is replaceable. So, if you’re not near a socket, you could insert a second battery to keep the tunes blasting well into the early hours.
Features score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
LG xboom Stage 301 review: sound quality
Clean, rhythmic bass
Limited distortion and compression
By design, sound is pretty directional
When we tried the LG xboom Stage 301 at CES 2025, our Managing Editor of Entertainment, Matt Bolton, said that it offered “bass that felt suitably deep but not overwhelming at all”, while also providing “tons of space for the rest of the music to leap out at you”. So, after putting the speaker through its paces in our music testing space, does this still ring true?
Well, before I give a definitive answer, let’s talk bass, which is the most important aspect of the Stage 301’s sonic abilities. I’ll start by saying that our first impression was very much accurate. This speaker didn’t spit out the heftiest bass I’ve ever heard, but that’s not inherently a bad thing. Low-end output remains meaty, but it doesn’t smother sounds elsewhere in the frequency range.
In addition, bass output is both clean and responsive. When blasting Fascinator by Max Dean, the hard-hitting kick drum sounded pleasingly deep and rapid, never sounding lethargic or unrhythmic. Sub-bass entering the fray around the minute-mark was also handled really well – every note was clear and impactful, resulting in an immersive, almost hypnotic listening experience.
If you feel like you do want a bit more low frequency weight, you can always enable Bass Boost in the speaker’s companion app or set your own custom EQ.
When bumping various bass-heavy bangers, vocal chops in the mid-range – as well as high-pitched percussion – were both well-defined in the mix, so you’ll get a disciplined, yet exciting listen out of the Stage 301. Even with a ballad like Solji’s Rains again, rain sound effects were true-to-life rather than staticky, while the delicate vocal performance was replicated adeptly, indicating that this model has the talent to handle a range of genres.
I tested the Stage 301 at a range of volumes, even cranking it up to the max for a bit. Something I realized was that peak loudness is only available if you’re using the speaker while its AC adapter is plugged in – it’s a fair bit quieter while battery powered. But when listening at top volumes, I was impressed with the lack of distortion and noticeable signal compression.
One shortcoming here, which may seem obvious, is that the Stage 301’s front-facing design limits the soundstage to a degree. For example, I tried listening to music from behind the speaker, and both mid-range and treble sounds were a bit muffled and far less prominent. This speaker is designed to fire audio towards listeners, rather than be a true 360-degree stereophonic hub, like the Marshall Kilburn III, say, so just ensure you work around its build and most will love what they hear.
And as one final note, there aren’t any ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth codecs here. The best this speaker can manage is AAC – there’s no LDAC or Snapdragon sound to uncover, something LG has experimented with on other products like the LG Tone Free T90S earbuds, which are fantastic by the way.
But still, you can expect a decently detailed, full-sound from the Stage 301. For so many speakers, ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth audio really isn’t the bottleneck. It’s well engineered drivers and enclosures, quality materials, and intelligent tuning that make a world of difference.
Sound quality score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
LG xboom Stage 301 review: design
Classy, customizable LED lighting
Three different ways to stand the speaker
IPX4 waterproof rating
When I reviewed the LG xboom Buds, I was very critical of their looks. How could a pair of buds designed alongside the fashion-savvy will.i.am look so plain and uninspired? Well, LG can consider itself redeemed, because I love the look of the Stage 301!
First of all, I’m a huge fan of the dual bar LED lights, which can sync up to your music for a highly immersive listening experience. Unlike a party speaker like the original Tribit Stormbox Blast, this model takes a much classier approach to LEDs. They’re housed behind a speaker grille and don’t appear cheap – there’s also a million ways to customize them via LG’s companion app.
The speaker itself also has a well-finished black exterior alongside red-detailed ‘xboom’ logos on either side. Being able to see the drivers behind the grille is a nice touch too. The handle is conveniently placed as well, and 14.7lbs / 6.7kg is fairly lightweight for a model of this size and shape, making it fairly easy to transport.
In addition, buttons on top of the speaker are well-sized and backlit, while the volume control can be twisted clockwise or anti-clockwise to crank things up (or tone them down).
Something I really loved about this speaker, though, was its ability to be stood in various positions, enabling you to find the optimal sound and display type. It can be placed flat like a regular Bluetooth speaker, but I personally enjoyed using it in Street Mode, an upward-angled configuration that made me feel like I was at a rave. There’s also Concert Mode, but this requires a stand, which is sold separately.
Finally, this speaker is IPX4-rated, essentially meaning it's splash resistant. Although that’s disappointing against IP67-rated party speakers like the JBL Xtreme 4, say, IPX4 is fairly standard for a stage speaker like this. It may not be the best for outdoor environments, though, so if you’re not totally sold on the wedge design, maybe look to a typical party speaker, such as those in the ‘Also consider’ section.
Design score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
LG xboom Stage 301 review: value
Competitively priced against rivals
Already on sale in some markets
Very good all-round quality
LG doesn’t always get it right when it comes to pricing. I can recall testing out the LG XBoom Go XG8T and being totally bamboozled by its sky-high $379.99 / £400 (about AU$600) list price. We weren’t quite bowled over by the $179.99 / £139 / AU$299 cost of the LG xboom Bounce, either, which couldn’t stack up to rivals in its price-class.
But when it comes to the LG xboom Stage 301, it’s a different story. This speaker is priced competitively if you stack it against rivals like the JBL Partybox range or the Bose S1 Pro+ PA system. It's even on par in terms of cost against Bluetooth speaker/karaoke machine hybrids like the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, which has a list price of almost $300 / £260.
For new DJs looking for a stage speaker, it’s fairly affordable too, with a lot of the more industry-specific models costing well upwards of $300 / £300 for similarly designed alternatives. Considering the versatility of the Stage 301 for casual listening, karaoke, and even DJing, it’s a strong value pick.
It’s already on sale in some territories too. In the UK, for instance, you can scoop the speaker up for less than £250, which is well worth it. Sure, this isn’t a budget product, and if you want mics and a stand you’ll have to purchase them separately. But with a combination of great sound, features galore, and neat looks, you certainly get what you pay for.
Value score: 4.5/5
(Image credit: Future)
Should I buy the LG xboom Stage 301?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
Standard battery life, but AI features rock and it has customizable sound and lights.
4.5/5
Sound quality
Clean, impactful, but disciplined bass, controlled audio at higher volumes.
4.5/5
Design
Attractive lights, neat positioning options, IPX4 waterproofing is average.
4.5/5
Value
Well-priced against rivals, strong quality all round, overall well-worth it.
4.5/5
Buy it if...
You want plenty of bass The LG xboom Stage 301 produces clean, impactful bass, but it never sounds overwhelming or muddy. When blasting a range of house tunes, I was treated to rapid, responsive, and rhythmic low-end output that had me hooked.
You’re looking for a versatile party speaker The LG xboom Stage 301 is ideal for parties thanks to its floor speaker style design, immersive lighting, and pumping bass output. It even has DJ and karaoke modes if you want to make use of those. Wired connectivity is also handy if you want low-latency audio for performances.
Don't buy it if...
You want a rugged audio companion This model is only IPX4-rated, meaning it’s not going to be ideal for outdoor use if it’s raining, or if you’re poolside, for example. IPX4 is normal for a model like this, but I would’ve liked to see LG push the boundaries.
You’re expecting ultra-long battery life The LG xboom Stage 301 is a powerful stage speaker and won’t have the battery life of typical party rivals, such as those listed down below. Even compared to rival options, it's got a fairly standard battery life, and you’ll have to keep things very minimal to get the max 12 hours of playtime, as listed.
LG xboom Stage 301 review: also consider
LG xboom Stage 301
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
Sony ULT Field 7
Price
$299.99 / £299.99 / AU$449
$299.99 / £257 (about AU$490)
$499 / £399 (about AU$770)
Weight
14.7lbs / 6.7kg
19.2lbs / 8.7kg
14 lbs / 6.3kg
Dimensions
12.3 x 12.2 x 11.1 inches / 312 x 311 x 282mm
18.8 x 10.2 x 7.6 inches / 477.5 x 259.1 x 193mm
20 x 9 x 9 inches / 512 x 224 x 222mm
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm, 6.3mm (mic/guitar) USB (MP3 playback)
Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm, mic ports
Bluetooth 5.2, 3.5mm, 6.3mm (mic/guitar), USB
Battery life
12 hours
30 hours
30 hours
Speaker drivers
2x 2.5-inch midrange drivers; 1x 6.5-inch woofer
2x 45W mid-range drivers; 2x 15W tweeters
2x 46mm tweeters; 2 x 114mm woofers
Waterproofing
IPX4
IP67
IP67
Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 It’s safe to say I was blown away by the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 when I tested it at the start of 2025. It offers phenomenal thumping bass, customizable LED lights, and wonderful battery life – it really is the full package. Pair that with a karaoke mode, IP67 waterproofing, as well as a regularly discounted price, and you’re looking at a class-leading party speaker. Read our full Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review.
Sony ULT Field 7 The Sony ULT Field 7 has a lot in common with LG’s party-ready speaker, and thanks to price-cuts, it’s now well-worth considering. Both the Sony and LG are almost equal in weight, each offer ports for guitars and mics, and they each assume a unique build in what is a fairly ‘same-y’ market. You’ll get better battery life and wraparound sound from the ULT Field 7, but its build isn’t as optimal for DJs as the LG speaker and the lighting isn’t as classy. Read our full Sony ULT Field 7 review.
How I tested the LG xboom Stage 301
(Image credit: Future)
Tested across the course of one week
Mainly used in the music testing space at Future Labs
Predominantly tested using Tidal
I tested the LG xboom Stage 301 Bluetooth speaker across the course of one week, spending most of my time with the unit in our music testing space at Future Labs.
During the testing period, I spent hours on end blasting tunes from a variety of genres, though I did put more of an emphasis on bass-heavy tracks to get the best out of the model. On top of that, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which is standard practice for me when trialing audio gear.
When listening to music, I typically used Tidal, but I also tried bumping some tunes from my library on Spotify. I listened at a variety of angles and volumes, exhausted all of the features in the LG companion app, messed around with various lighting calibrations, and used the speaker in its various standing positions.
Here's a thing very few of the best wired earbuds offer, at least in the mass-produced consumer space: specialized tuning for each member of your band – yes, even the bass player. But that's what Beyerdynamic did at the very start of the year, releasing not one but four sets of IEMs tuned just slightly differently, in a bid to give each of your musician friends what they need.
The set I have under review here is the DT 72 IE, "for guitarists and singers". These IEMs boast a "subtly tuned bass" so as not to overwhelm during performance. The optimized frequency response here is also listed as between 200-500 Hz to compensate for the occlusion effect. This is a known issue wherein the perception one's own voice is too loud, hollow, or even boomy due to the ear canal's obstruction (with said IEMs, funnily enough) and the trapping of sonic vibrations within.
What of the rest of the range? DT 70 IE is billed as the set "for mixing and critical listening". DT 71 IE is "for drummers and bassists"with asound signature that Beyerdynamic says "enhances low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones". DT 73 IE is the pair for the orchestral musician, pianist or keyboard player, with extra care taken on treble overtones (there's a subtle boost from 5kHz upwards).
I think it's fair to say that given the asking fee of whichever set you pick (which is $499, or anywhere from £431 to £479 in the UK, so around AU$900) these are IEMs for the successful musician – something emphasized by acclaimed jazz pianist, gospel artist and producer Cory Henry and Gina Miles (winner of The Voice Season 23) who both agreed to help showcase the new products in January of this year.
(Image credit: Future)
Am I qualified to give these singer-specific buds a thorough appraisal? I'd say so. It's been a while, granted, but I've performed in several big musicals, films, and a fair few gigs over the years, often with a trusty pair of cheap and cheerful Shure SE215 in (or hanging out of) my ears. Hey, I sang solo and covered leads, y'know…
The Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not like my old Shure workhorses, though, reader. This is what I would have bought myself if I'd been making something other than a lowly performer's wage, and/or had the promise of work engagements lasting for more than six months at a time. The latter is something not even the best of us regularly gets… and I was far from the best.
But let's put the delicate topics of coin and talent to one side. The DT 72 IE are very well made. The case is fabric but pocketable and holds its shape – the 1.4m cable will not tangle, is near-silent and comes with a 3.5mm termination and 6.35 mm adapter. The headshells are beautifully small. Your accessories are also resoundingly high-end: alongside the five pairs of silicone ear tips, you also get three in Comply memory foam (which I'll always go for, if they're offered). You even get a spare set of earwax guards and detailed instructions on how to switch them out, if and when the need arises.
You'll need to shape the ear hooks yourself, but once you take a moment to get it right, I found them very comfortable and also hardly noticeable (from a visual perspective) once in my ear. So far, so successful.
What about for sound? I fired up my FiiO M23 and a few of my old audition standards. Now, I had no access to the pro mixer, mic or gain stages I used to enjoy, back in the day – so full disclosure: I couldn't set any of that up. What follows is my analysis of the DT 72 IE as listening devices to analyze my own recorded vocals and also to record a quick demo – en route to a last-minute audition, say.
And, good grief, did I hear extra detail and even a bit of vib to be proud of in my own rendition of The Show Must Go On from 2018, sung as an aerialist/singer in a German Queen tribute show called We Are the Champions. All true, I promise.
It's as if guitar riffs and my voice has been plucked from the soundstage and held above the mix in a surgical layering system, like items to be admired (or admonished) aside from all else. It's exactly what your lead vocalist of axe man needs, to hone their craft and I wish I'd had them when performing every day. If I'd had the DT 72 IE, I might've realized I was just a touch flat when trying to reach "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer" on that cruise ship gig…
Any drawbacks to the DT 72 IE sonically? This is an analytical listen, rather than an exciting one. From a listener's perspective, things can feel just a little flat on occasion. This is because the bass injection has been pulled back and so, dynamically, tracks can feel just a touch uneventful. Beyerdynamic has expressed as much and offers another model for critical listening and/or mixing, but it's still worth stating for those who want something to lay down tracks with and to listen purely for the pleasure of doing so.
Personally, I love them. If your favorite aspect of recorded music is the lead singer and/or the guitar solos, you may have found the set of IEMs for you. No, they're not neutral – that's the whole point.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Price and release date
Released on January 23, 2025
Priced $499 / from £431 (around AU$900)
It's important to state that the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not unique – IEMs pitched squarely at vocalists exist (from companies such as Moondrop, 64 Audio and even Sennheiser) and the 64 Audio U12t, for example, costs four times as much as the Beyer product you're reading about.
The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, however, (a popular choice among the musicians I know) cost around a fifth of the DT 72 IE's asking fee. So it really is a mixed bag…
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Specs
Drivers
Dynamic (closed)
Weight
3g per earpiece (without ear tip)
Frequency range
5Hz - 40kHz
Waterproof rating
None
Other features
No in-line mic, plenty of accessories
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
What these earbuds are designed for has been beautifully achieved – no more, no less
5/5
Sound quality
If picking out the vocal or guitar is what you need, they deliver. If you want to listen casually, too, they may not be for you – but that's hardly fair
4.5/5
Design
Beautifully svelte earpieces and cable, only let down by the need to bend (and re-bend) the ear hooks yourself
4.5/5
Value
To call them 'mid-range' feels unfathomable, but the prices you can pay in this niche sector of the market are variable, to say the least
4/5
Buy them if...
You're a pro singer or guitarist – and you're good Done OK for gigs recently and want to level up your art? I think these are a great professional product.
You have a smaller ear I may well put these into our best earbuds for small ears guide, because they slip so happily into my smaller tragus and present no issues to my bijou ear canal.
Don't buy them if...
You want an all-round listen These are not that product, despite their considerably gifted performance when it comes to vocals and midrange instruments.
Gigs haven't been plentiful lately These are either a treat for the end of a lucrative run of shows or something for the muso not short of work in general. Those of us who don't know where (or from whom) the next paycheck is coming may sadly have to look elsewhere.
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Also consider
This particular product is a tad niche for TechRadar (we're not a dedicated musician or performer site, as you'll know) but personal experience has taught me that Shure's 215 SE are often the entry-level option here, as are the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro – both of which are a lot cheaper than the model listed above.
Are they as good? No, that wouldn't be fair given the dearth in price – and that's the point I want make here: if you have the money, the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are very, very good for singers and guitarists.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: How I tested
Tested across two weeks
Used at home, listening to my vocal recordings and regular testing tracks
Predominantly tested using my iPhone (and hi-res Flac files on my laptop)
I had to go back to 2018 (the last time I sang professionally, and the year before I became a full-time audio journalist) in the name of testing the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE.
I revisited a time when money was tight but professional fulfilment was plentiful. I had work! Lots of it – and I also had a post-grad degree to pay for. I listened to both my own vocals (even the ones recorded quickly as voice memos on my iPhone, to learn a tricksy harmony line in rehearsal) and then to everything from Melissa Etheridge to Ginuwine – both of whom I love for what they've given to music.
And know this: the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE were never uncomfortable and always enlightening during my testing.
Here's a thing very few of the best wired earbuds offer, at least in the mass-produced consumer space: specialized tuning for each member of your band – yes, even the bass player. But that's what Beyerdynamic did at the very start of the year, releasing not one but four sets of IEMs tuned just slightly differently, in a bid to give each of your musician friends what they need.
The set I have under review here is the DT 72 IE, "for guitarists and singers". These IEMs boast a "subtly tuned bass" so as not to overwhelm during performance. The optimized frequency response here is also listed as between 200-500 Hz to compensate for the occlusion effect. This is a known issue wherein the perception one's own voice is too loud, hollow, or even boomy due to the ear canal's obstruction (with said IEMs, funnily enough) and the trapping of sonic vibrations within.
What of the rest of the range? DT 70 IE is billed as the set "for mixing and critical listening". DT 71 IE is "for drummers and bassists"with asound signature that Beyerdynamic says "enhances low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones". DT 73 IE is the pair for the orchestral musician, pianist or keyboard player, with extra care taken on treble overtones (there's a subtle boost from 5kHz upwards).
I think it's fair to say that given the asking fee of whichever set you pick (which is $499, or anywhere from £431 to £479 in the UK, so around AU$900) these are IEMs for the successful musician – something emphasized by acclaimed jazz pianist, gospel artist and producer Cory Henry and Gina Miles (winner of The Voice Season 23) who both agreed to help showcase the new products in January of this year.
(Image credit: Future)
Am I qualified to give these singer-specific buds a thorough appraisal? I'd say so. It's been a while, granted, but I've performed in several big musicals, films, and a fair few gigs over the years, often with a trusty pair of cheap and cheerful Shure SE215 in (or hanging out of) my ears. Hey, I sang solo and covered leads, y'know…
The Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not like my old Shure workhorses, though, reader. This is what I would have bought myself if I'd been making something other than a lowly performer's wage, and/or had the promise of work engagements lasting for more than six months at a time. The latter is something not even the best of us regularly gets… and I was far from the best.
But let's put the delicate topics of coin and talent to one side. The DT 72 IE are very well made. The case is fabric but pocketable and holds its shape – the 1.4m cable will not tangle, is near-silent and comes with a 3.5mm termination and 6.35 mm adapter. The headshells are beautifully small. Your accessories are also resoundingly high-end: alongside the five pairs of silicone ear tips, you also get three in Comply memory foam (which I'll always go for, if they're offered). You even get a spare set of earwax guards and detailed instructions on how to switch them out, if and when the need arises.
You'll need to shape the ear hooks yourself, but once you take a moment to get it right, I found them very comfortable and also hardly noticeable (from a visual perspective) once in my ear. So far, so successful.
What about for sound? I fired up my FiiO M23 and a few of my old audition standards. Now, I had no access to the pro mixer, mic or gain stages I used to enjoy, back in the day – so full disclosure: I couldn't set any of that up. What follows is my analysis of the DT 72 IE as listening devices to analyze my own recorded vocals and also to record a quick demo – en route to a last-minute audition, say.
And, good grief, did I hear extra detail and even a bit of vib to be proud of in my own rendition of The Show Must Go On from 2018, sung as an aerialist/singer in a German Queen tribute show called We Are the Champions. All true, I promise.
It's as if guitar riffs and my voice has been plucked from the soundstage and held above the mix in a surgical layering system, like items to be admired (or admonished) aside from all else. It's exactly what your lead vocalist of axe man needs, to hone their craft and I wish I'd had them when performing every day. If I'd had the DT 72 IE, I might've realized I was just a touch flat when trying to reach "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer" on that cruise ship gig…
Any drawbacks to the DT 72 IE sonically? This is an analytical listen, rather than an exciting one. From a listener's perspective, things can feel just a little flat on occasion. This is because the bass injection has been pulled back and so, dynamically, tracks can feel just a touch uneventful. Beyerdynamic has expressed as much and offers another model for critical listening and/or mixing, but it's still worth stating for those who want something to lay down tracks with and to listen purely for the pleasure of doing so.
Personally, I love them. If your favorite aspect of recorded music is the lead singer and/or the guitar solos, you may have found the set of IEMs for you. No, they're not neutral – that's the whole point.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Price and release date
Released on January 23, 2025
Priced $499 / from £431 (around AU$900)
It's important to state that the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not unique – IEMs pitched squarely at vocalists exist (from companies such as Moondrop, 64 Audio and even Sennheiser) and the 64 Audio U12t, for example, costs four times as much as the Beyer product you're reading about.
The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, however, (a popular choice among the musicians I know) cost around a fifth of the DT 72 IE's asking fee. So it really is a mixed bag…
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Specs
Drivers
Dynamic (closed)
Weight
3g per earpiece (without ear tip)
Frequency range
5Hz - 40kHz
Waterproof rating
None
Other features
No in-line mic, plenty of accessories
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
What these earbuds are designed for has been beautifully achieved – no more, no less
5/5
Sound quality
If picking out the vocal or guitar is what you need, they deliver. If you want to listen casually, too, they may not be for you – but that's hardly fair
4.5/5
Design
Beautifully svelte earpieces and cable, only let down by the need to bend (and re-bend) the ear hooks yourself
4.5/5
Value
To call them 'mid-range' feels unfathomable, but the prices you can pay in this niche sector of the market are variable, to say the least
4/5
Buy them if...
You're a pro singer or guitarist – and you're good Done OK for gigs recently and want to level up your art? I think these are a great professional product.
You have a smaller ear I may well put these into our best earbuds for small ears guide, because they slip so happily into my smaller tragus and present no issues to my bijou ear canal.
Don't buy them if...
You want an all-round listen These are not that product, despite their considerably gifted performance when it comes to vocals and midrange instruments.
Gigs haven't been plentiful lately These are either a treat for the end of a lucrative run of shows or something for the muso not short of work in general. Those of us who don't know where (or from whom) the next paycheck is coming may sadly have to look elsewhere.
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Also consider
This particular product is a tad niche for TechRadar (we're not a dedicated musician or performer site, as you'll know) but personal experience has taught me that Shure's 215 SE are often the entry-level option here, as are the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro – both of which are a lot cheaper than the model listed above.
Are they as good? No, that wouldn't be fair given the dearth in price – and that's the point I want make here: if you have the money, the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are very, very good for singers and guitarists.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: How I tested
Tested across two weeks
Used at home, listening to my vocal recordings and regular testing tracks
Predominantly tested using my iPhone (and hi-res Flac files on my laptop)
I had to go back to 2018 (the last time I sang professionally, and the year before I became a full-time audio journalist) in the name of testing the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE.
I revisited a time when money was tight but professional fulfilment was plentiful. I had work! Lots of it – and I also had a post-grad degree to pay for. I listened to both my own vocals (even the ones recorded quickly as voice memos on my iPhone, to learn a tricksy harmony line in rehearsal) and then to everything from Melissa Etheridge to Ginuwine – both of whom I love for what they've given to music.
And know this: the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE were never uncomfortable and always enlightening during my testing.
Here's a thing very few of the best wired earbuds offer, at least in the mass-produced consumer space: specialized tuning for each member of your band – yes, even the bass player. But that's what Beyerdynamic did at the very start of the year, releasing not one but four sets of IEMs tuned just slightly differently, in a bid to give each of your musician friends what they need.
The set I have under review here is the DT 72 IE, "for guitarists and singers". These IEMs boast a "subtly tuned bass" so as not to overwhelm during performance. The optimized frequency response here is also listed as between 200-500 Hz to compensate for the occlusion effect. This is a known issue wherein the perception one's own voice is too loud, hollow, or even boomy due to the ear canal's obstruction (with said IEMs, funnily enough) and the trapping of sonic vibrations within.
What of the rest of the range? DT 70 IE is billed as the set "for mixing and critical listening". DT 71 IE is "for drummers and bassists"with asound signature that Beyerdynamic says "enhances low frequencies while ensuring detailed reproduction of cymbals, percussion and bass guitar overtones". DT 73 IE is the pair for the orchestral musician, pianist or keyboard player, with extra care taken on treble overtones (there's a subtle boost from 5kHz upwards).
I think it's fair to say that given the asking fee of whichever set you pick (which is $499, or anywhere from £431 to £479 in the UK, so around AU$900) these are IEMs for the successful musician – something emphasized by acclaimed jazz pianist, gospel artist and producer Cory Henry and Gina Miles (winner of The Voice Season 23) who both agreed to help showcase the new products in January of this year.
(Image credit: Future)
Am I qualified to give these singer-specific buds a thorough appraisal? I'd say so. It's been a while, granted, but I've performed in several big musicals, films, and a fair few gigs over the years, often with a trusty pair of cheap and cheerful Shure SE215 in (or hanging out of) my ears. Hey, I sang solo and covered leads, y'know…
The Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not like my old Shure workhorses, though, reader. This is what I would have bought myself if I'd been making something other than a lowly performer's wage, and/or had the promise of work engagements lasting for more than six months at a time. The latter is something not even the best of us regularly gets… and I was far from the best.
But let's put the delicate topics of coin and talent to one side. The DT 72 IE are very well made. The case is fabric but pocketable and holds its shape – the 1.4m cable will not tangle, is near-silent and comes with a 3.5mm termination and 6.35 mm adapter. The headshells are beautifully small. Your accessories are also resoundingly high-end: alongside the five pairs of silicone ear tips, you also get three in Comply memory foam (which I'll always go for, if they're offered). You even get a spare set of earwax guards and detailed instructions on how to switch them out, if and when the need arises.
You'll need to shape the ear hooks yourself, but once you take a moment to get it right, I found them very comfortable and also hardly noticeable (from a visual perspective) once in my ear. So far, so successful.
What about for sound? I fired up my FiiO M23 and a few of my old audition standards. Now, I had no access to the pro mixer, mic or gain stages I used to enjoy, back in the day – so full disclosure: I couldn't set any of that up. What follows is my analysis of the DT 72 IE as listening devices to analyze my own recorded vocals and also to record a quick demo – en route to a last-minute audition, say.
And, good grief, did I hear extra detail and even a bit of vib to be proud of in my own rendition of The Show Must Go On from 2018, sung as an aerialist/singer in a German Queen tribute show called We Are the Champions. All true, I promise.
It's as if guitar riffs and my voice has been plucked from the soundstage and held above the mix in a surgical layering system, like items to be admired (or admonished) aside from all else. It's exactly what your lead vocalist of axe man needs, to hone their craft and I wish I'd had them when performing every day. If I'd had the DT 72 IE, I might've realized I was just a touch flat when trying to reach "for waiting up there is the Heaviside layer" on that cruise ship gig…
Any drawbacks to the DT 72 IE sonically? This is an analytical listen, rather than an exciting one. From a listener's perspective, things can feel just a little flat on occasion. This is because the bass injection has been pulled back and so, dynamically, tracks can feel just a touch uneventful. Beyerdynamic has expressed as much and offers another model for critical listening and/or mixing, but it's still worth stating for those who want something to lay down tracks with and to listen purely for the pleasure of doing so.
Personally, I love them. If your favorite aspect of recorded music is the lead singer and/or the guitar solos, you may have found the set of IEMs for you. No, they're not neutral – that's the whole point.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Price and release date
Released on January 23, 2025
Priced $499 / from £431 (around AU$900)
It's important to state that the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are not unique – IEMs pitched squarely at vocalists exist (from companies such as Moondrop, 64 Audio and even Sennheiser) and the 64 Audio U12t, for example, costs four times as much as the Beyer product you're reading about.
The Sennheiser IE 100 Pro, however, (a popular choice among the musicians I know) cost around a fifth of the DT 72 IE's asking fee. So it really is a mixed bag…
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Specs
Drivers
Dynamic (closed)
Weight
3g per earpiece (without ear tip)
Frequency range
5Hz - 40kHz
Waterproof rating
None
Other features
No in-line mic, plenty of accessories
(Image credit: Future)
Should you buy the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review?
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
What these earbuds are designed for has been beautifully achieved – no more, no less
5/5
Sound quality
If picking out the vocal or guitar is what you need, they deliver. If you want to listen casually, too, they may not be for you – but that's hardly fair
4.5/5
Design
Beautifully svelte earpieces and cable, only let down by the need to bend (and re-bend) the ear hooks yourself
4.5/5
Value
To call them 'mid-range' feels unfathomable, but the prices you can pay in this niche sector of the market are variable, to say the least
4/5
Buy them if...
You're a pro singer or guitarist – and you're good Done OK for gigs recently and want to level up your art? I think these are a great professional product.
You have a smaller ear I may well put these into our best earbuds for small ears guide, because they slip so happily into my smaller tragus and present no issues to my bijou ear canal.
Don't buy them if...
You want an all-round listen These are not that product, despite their considerably gifted performance when it comes to vocals and midrange instruments.
Gigs haven't been plentiful lately These are either a treat for the end of a lucrative run of shows or something for the muso not short of work in general. Those of us who don't know where (or from whom) the next paycheck is coming may sadly have to look elsewhere.
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: Also consider
This particular product is a tad niche for TechRadar (we're not a dedicated musician or performer site, as you'll know) but personal experience has taught me that Shure's 215 SE are often the entry-level option here, as are the Sennheiser IE 100 Pro – both of which are a lot cheaper than the model listed above.
Are they as good? No, that wouldn't be fair given the dearth in price – and that's the point I want make here: if you have the money, the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE are very, very good for singers and guitarists.
(Image credit: Future)
Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE review: How I tested
Tested across two weeks
Used at home, listening to my vocal recordings and regular testing tracks
Predominantly tested using my iPhone (and hi-res Flac files on my laptop)
I had to go back to 2018 (the last time I sang professionally, and the year before I became a full-time audio journalist) in the name of testing the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE.
I revisited a time when money was tight but professional fulfilment was plentiful. I had work! Lots of it – and I also had a post-grad degree to pay for. I listened to both my own vocals (even the ones recorded quickly as voice memos on my iPhone, to learn a tricksy harmony line in rehearsal) and then to everything from Melissa Etheridge to Ginuwine – both of whom I love for what they've given to music.
And know this: the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE were never uncomfortable and always enlightening during my testing.
I’ll admit that it was with reticence that I agreed to test earbuds clearly angling for the title of ‘cheapest ANC buds’ but let me dispel any similar cynicism you may have: the JLab Go Pods ANC are, for their price, excellent.
Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, because these new cheap earbuds come from esteemed affordable audio brand JLab, which has a lot of experience with affordable audio options. But anyone who’s tried to save a buck by buying lower-cost tech knows that you can’t take anything for granted, even with legacy brands.
Let’s first address the selling point in the headline: are these the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market? No, but if you add 'cheap' to that question, quite possibly. They are cheap, they do have noise cancellation, and they certainly are earbuds. Plus, they’re really good at what they do, and so I can give them a tick there. But are they the cheapest buds with ANC?
I was expecting to be able to find plenty of cheap Amazon rivals with ANC, but I was wrong; one or two ANC-toting options from unnamed brands sit at the same price as the JLabs here, but there’s not much on offer for less that also has ANC. So from the right angle, the Go Pods ANC tick that box too.
What same-price rivals probably don’t offer is decent audio quality. For budget earbuds these sound really good, with (depending on how you set up the equalizer) crystal-clear treble, hearty mids or scooping bass, and a broad soundstage that you don’t often get in buds twice the price.
The ANC itself also works well, plastering over background sounds with little tact but with heart. That said, the transparency mode is a nightmare which will cause you to hear every little thing going on around you with frightening accuracy.
Like all good earbuds, the JLabs are also nice and lightweight, so you can wear them for ages without getting earache. Similar can be said of the tiny plastic carry case, which completely disappears into a trouser pocket.
I can’t pretend that these earbuds are perfect, and they do have a few things which annoyed me during testing. For one, JLab has replaced a charging port with a charging cable, so you plug the case into something, rather than plugging something into the case, to power it up. Good in theory, but functionally I found it less useful than the standard option which every other company uses, of simply letting you plug a cable into the case.
The in-box ear tips also didn’t offer much in the way of grip, so when I walked or ran in the buds they had a habit of falling out pretty quickly. This is a problem you can solve with the added expense of third-party eartips (or using ones you have left over from your last earbuds).
But even as earbud shortcomings go those aren’t the biggest I’ve ever faced, or even a huge issue at all in the case of the first one. Know this: these are fantastic-value earbuds.
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Price and release date
(Image credit: Future)
Released in summer 2025
Costs $36.99 / £29.99 (roughly AU$60)
The JLab Go Pods ANC were announced in May 2025 and put on sale in the months after. It took them barely any time to go on offer, but more on that in a moment.
The default retail price for these buds is $36.99 / £29.99 (roughly AU$60), so they’re some of the most affordable noise cancelling earbuds you can find, and the few alternatives I can find at this price tag almost all come from unknown brands on Amazon.
I say ‘default price’ because only a few months after release, the Go Pods ANC can easily be found for a discount. In the US I found them for $29.99 and in the UK they’re at £24.99, making these super-cheap buds even cheaper. And that’s before Black Friday.
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Specs
Drivers
10mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Battery life (ANC off)
7.5 hours (buds) 26 hours (case)
Weight
4.2g (buds) 27.6g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4
Waterproofing
IP55
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Features
(Image credit: Future)
Battery life of just 5 hours with ANC on
Good ANC but iffy transparency
JLab app brings a few useful extras
During my testing time, I didn’t once have any kind of connection issue with the JLab Go Pods ANC, so you don’t need to worry about them having an unreliable Bluetooth link.
The buds have some extra features via the JLab app, though it’s mostly just some customization and tweaks rather than anything truly novel.
It took my while to get my head around the Noise Control Modes tool, which lists ANC on, off and Be Aware mode, but with toggles by all of them, so it’s easy to turn two or all three of them on at the same time… right? That’s what I thought, until I realized that toggling these selects whether you can switch to them via the buds via touch controls. The real way to switch ANC modes is to physically select the mode you want, not toggle its slider.
Another option via the app is an equalizer, which comes with three unnamed presets and a custom mode. It’s a 10-band equalizer so it’s pretty advanced, and audiophiles will be able to get a lot of depth in how they customize their tunes.
(Image credit: Future)
Running down its list, the app also lets you set a max volume limit for safety, change what touch controls do, switch between a Music Mode and Movie Mode (which seems to increase the sound spread but decrease quality) and… set up a workout interval timer? That’s not exactly a standard headphone feature but it might prove useful to a few people.
The battery life of the Go Pods sits at 7.5 hours, according to JLab – that’s with ANC turned off and, from my testing, you’re looking at about 7.5 hours with it turned off which isn’t exactly a competitive figure. The company puts the extended play time offered by the charging case at 26 hours.
One final thing we probably need to touch on is the ANC itself – is it any good in these cheap buds? Surprisingly, it really is. It hushes your surroundings pretty substantially, and while it obviously doesn’t reach the heights of rivals in the market – a light background hum always got through, and sharper noises weren’t dimmed as much – it’s a lot better than JLab could have got away with for the money.
I wasn’t as impressed, though, with Be Aware mode (JLab’s take on Transparency). While using it I was too aware – not only did it not cancel noise, it seemed to amplify every little thing that occurred around me in a jarring experience overall.
Features score: 4/5
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Design
(Image credit: Future)
Both buds and case are super lightweight
Case has a built-in charging cable
Ear tips don't offer much grip
The JLab Go Pods ANC have one small design difference that sets them apart from the vast majority of other samey wireless earbuds, and it’s built into the case.
The buds’ charging case is a 4.52 x 6 x 2.61cm pebble which opens lengthwise along the side; it’s made of plastic so it only weighs 27.6g (for context, most buds I test have cases double that weight). This is all to say that it’s quite small and very light.
While most charging cases are nondescript save for perhaps a logo and a USB-C charging port, JLab does away with the latter and replaces it with its own USB-C cable; you can plug this into a port to easily power up the buds.
In theory I get why JLab would use this instead of a simple port: it means you can power it up via your phone or laptop without needing an extra cable. In practice though I found it annoying, as it meant I couldn’t use the standard USB-C charger I bring for my other gadgets. I couldn’t power up the case from my phone if I was also charging said phone, and I couldn’t plug it into wall outlets on public transport or adaptors at my home (all of which use standard USB).
Onto the buds: these weigh 4.2g each so they continue the Go Pods style of being lighter than the competition. They’re stem-style buds, consisting of a large body, tips angled slightly downwards and a flat stem bearing JLab’s logo.
(Image credit: Future)
There are touch controls on each of said logos, which worked reasonably well although there were a few mis-touches when I was readjusting the buds or times when one press would be picked up as two. Also the default controls are a little odd so I’d recommend jumping into the app to customize them yourself.
I really appreciate low-weight buds like the Go Pods as they were easy to use for long periods of time without feeling any ache or wear. That was only the case if I was sitting still though.
The in-box eartips seem to offer so little friction that they may as well be made out of WD40: as soon as I went for a walk, or heaven forbid a run, the earbuds began slipping from my ears (yes, I tried all three options included in the box). Even putting in or removing the buds normally, you can feel how little they’re inclined to stay in the ear – not great for active people.
While the case doesn’t have any official protection, the buds have an IP55. This means they’re mostly protected against dust ingress and can withstand low-press jets of water (including rain and sweat) but aren’t suitable for swimming.
The JLab Go Pods ANC come in three color versions: black, lilac and green, and as you can tell I tested the former.
Design score: 3.5/5
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Sound quality
Single 10mm driver
Can handle regimented bass and clear treble
High max volume
(Image credit: Future)
I’m going to wager that your expectations for the JLab Go Pods ANC’s audio chops probably match what mine were going into the testing: you see the price and shudder at the thought of those cheap buds you bought on Amazon once and know what to expect. But banish the thought.
The JLab Go Pods ANC actually sound pretty good; I’m not sure I’d pick them over something like the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro but for the price, they’re surprisingly capable.
By default (that is, with the JLab Signature equalizer mode), music sounds bright with defined treble and mids, and a laudable breadth of soundstage so you can hear different passages and harmonies in the music surrounding you.
There’s clearly a little distortion crackling away when too many different instruments are playing at once, or when the hi-hat gets going, but only in mixes that can trouble much pricer buds too.
I’ll admit that I largely listened with some heavy equalizer tweaks, but I was surprised by how much bass the Go Pods were capable of when asked. There’s scope for hearty, scooping bass with the right song and right EQ set-up. But even without this set-up, lower-register lines felt well-defined.
The buds’ max volume is really high – higher than you’d ever normally need, unless you accidentally held down the ‘volume up’ button on your phone like me – and doesn’t distort as much at louder settings as many other buds do.
Sound quality: 4/5
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
The JLab Go Pods ANC are basically the cheapest noise-cancelling earbuds that are actually worth buying.
Because of their feature set and audio quality, these aren’t just ‘good for the price’; they’re good full stop. JLab didn’t need to offer them for such a low price but in doing so, it’s made them a fearsome value proposition.
Value: 4.5/5
Should I buy the JLab Go Pods ANC?
JLab Go Pods ANC score card
Attributes
Notes
Rating
Features
The ANC is good, as is the general feature set, though the battery life is poor.
4/5
Design
The buds are lovely and lightweight, but the eartips don't stick well and I'd have preferred a charging port.
3.5/5
Sound quality
For the price, the JLabs sound really good: cheap and cheerful.
4/5
Value
These offer fantastic value for money given how cheap they are.
4.5/5
Buy them if…
You're on a (low) budget If you've set yourself a budget for earbuds and it isn't a big one, then there are going to be very few alternatives to the Go Pods ANC.
You want noise cancellation Noise cancellation is a feature which is common on expensive earbuds but not so much on cheap ones. That's not the case with the JLabs though.
You want to charge from your phone The charging case's cable attachment lets you power up your buds from your phone, great if you rarely have access to a power point.View Deal
Don’t buy them if…
You're not willing to provide your own eartips I didn't rate the in-box ear tips, so I'd recommend the buds mostly to people who would be willing to buy their own (or, more likely, have leftovers from your last buds).
You need a long-lasting battery If you're listening with noise cancellation, you're only getting five hours of listening time, which isn't a competitive figure.
JLab Go Pods ANC review: Also consider
JLab Go Pods ANC
JLab Go Pop ANC
Earfun Air 2
JBL Wave Beam
Drivers
10mm
10mm
10mm
8mm
Active noise cancellation
Yes
Yes
No
No
Battery life
7.5 hours (buds); 26 hours (case)
7 hours (buds); 24 hours (case)
9 hours (earbuds), 40 hours (total)
8 hours (buds) 24 hours (case)
Weight
4.2g (buds) 27.6g (case)
4.1g (buds); 22g (case)
4.5g (buds) 45g (case)
8.8g (buds) 39.5g (case)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.4
Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth 5.2
Waterproofing
IP55
IP55
IPX7
IP54
JLab Go Pop ANC
Forgive the incredibly similar name. These buds cost just less than, or the same as, the Pods depending on where you live, and have a similar feature set with the design being the biggest difference.
Another low-cost option that has a similar stem-toting design is the JBL Wave Beam. This has a smaller driver and no noise cancellation but it won't break the bank and has a fairly good battery life.View Deal
How I tested the JLab Go Pods ANC
Tested for four weeks
Tested at home, in the office, working out and on walks
I tested the JLab Go Pods ANC for about four weeks, which is longer than the standard TechRadar testing process, but is a testament to their audio chops.
I used the buds while they were connected to my Android phone, mainly for Spotify but also for streaming movies, games and listening to voice notes. I used them while at home, at the gym, on runs and on walks around my neighborhood.
I've been testing gadgets for TechRadar for over five years now and in that time have used other JLab products as well as some of their biggest competitions.
