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Apple EarPods USB-C review: sleek, stylish, yet sonically unremarkable wired earbuds
6:56 pm | November 21, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: | Comments: Off

Apple EarPods USB-C: Two-minute review

Reader, I want you to cast your mind back to the 2010s, maybe even the noughties – I’m sure many of you will have fond memories of plugging your wired Apple earbuds into your iPod, or perhaps even an early-gen iPhone. And my mind was cast back to this exact period as soon as I got my hands on the Apple EarPods USB-C. These wired earbuds may not fit your iPod anymore, but they’ll work with almost any modern handset – Apple or not – thanks to their USB-C connector. But do these buds merely open a window to the past, or do they craft a strong sonic experience in their own right?

Well, to find out, let’s start with sound quality. Perhaps unsurprisingly, you’re not going to get next-level performance from the Apple EarPods USB-C; after all, they only cost $19 / £19 / AU$29. But for the most part, they do still offer adequate audio. I rarely felt that treble was too grating or that overall sound was tinny – an issue that a lot of cheap competitors are guilty of. On top of that, you get a decent helping of bass – even if it’s not ultra-clear or able to stretch to extreme depths. Given these also support Apple lossless audio, at a glance they seem decent for general audio quality – but let’s drill into the details.

I tried listening to Young Blood by The Naked and Famous and quickly identified one key issue. The electric guitar that blares throughout the track is meant to have a well-defined position in the mix – in the lower-mid range, separated from the bass – to uphold the track’s powerful, full-sounding profile. However, it really didn't sound all too distinct, coming through slightly muddied with sounds in the low-end – an issue that you won’t experience with some of the best wired earbuds.

And speaking of that low-end, you’re not going to be blown away with incredibly clear quality. For instance, I played Ma quale idea by Pino D'Angiò and the iconic, funky bassline was uncharacteristically muddy. This muddiness almost smothered D'Angiò’s smooth, deep vocals, cluttering the soundstage. Despite that, actual bass levels are respectable – you get a solid amount of low-end weight for some super-cheap wired buds, even if clarity isn’t top-drawer. You won’t get tasty sub-bass though. I tried listening to The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy and although sub-bass was audible, it lacked its imposing, ground-shaking boom.

The lack of bite was also apparent with treble elements in Rains again by Solji and the vocalist’s high notes – despite avoiding the abrasiveness some cheap buds inflict – failed to reach their grandiose, showstopping potential, sounding slightly dulled and restrained.

Something that I feel diminishes the listening experience significantly is actually nothing to do with audio quality, though. That’s right: I’m talking about the fit of the Apple EarPods USB-C. These earbuds don’t have eartips, so you don’t get a proper seal with them. This looser fit means that sound isn’t perfectly concentrated and the buds will sometimes feel as if they’re falling out of your ears. This can be quite frustrating when you’re on the move; I found myself readjusting to get a more snug feel a little too often for my liking. It is worth noting, though, that some may find wearing buds with eartips for extended periods uncomfortable – so your impression of the fit itself will vary depending on personal preference.

A less debatable flaw of the relatively loose fit of the EarPods is that it allows a lot of external noise to seep through. Again, the lack of eartips removes what is typically a passive protective layer, so I often heard colleagues talking in my office or cars zooming by while on walks. If shutting out the wider world is a top priority, I’d simply recommend not grabbing these – there are better wired options for noise isolation, like the SoundMagic E80D or cheap wireless buds with active noise cancellation, like the Earfun Air Pro 3.

But on a positive note, these are a very elegant pair of wired buds – in fact, a lot of budget competitors can’t even come close in the style department. They are a fair bit heavier than a lot of competitors at 1.1oz / 30g, but they never felt heavy in-ear or irritating to wear for longer listening sessions. The drivers are encased in the classic white glossy housing that Apple fans will be well accustomed to. The wire is also slim, rounded and not too bad of an offender when it comes to cable noise – which is still noticeable, but not overwhelming. The USB-C connector here is also pleasingly compact and never got in the way when I was holding my phone.

Finally, the included controller is sleek and well-sized, though it did sit a little closely to my cheek – if it was slightly further down the wire it would be perfect. It includes volume and play/pause controls for music and taking phone calls, as well as a mic. And in terms of quality, the mic is pretty standard. Vocals were decently clear on a voice recording and phone call, although there is some noticeable static in the background – something that’s typical for cheap and even some less cheap buds.

So, at the end of it all, where do I stand on the Apple EarPods USB-C. Did they provide a fun, nostalgic ride for me? Sure, they still have the token Apple charm, sleek looks and minimalist design, and the wired look is aesthetically pleasing, in my view. But did they impress me in terms of audio quality? Well, not quite. The soundstage is a tad messy, with instruments often failing to find a defined pocket to play in. But having said that, there’s not too much tinniness or unpleasantly aggressive treble sounds that you get with a lot of cheap wired buds. Overall, then, the Apple EarPods USB-C are pretty solid given their low price – that is if you can deal with their lack of ear tips.

Apple EarPods USB-C plugged into iPhone 16 with Apple Music showing on the handset's display

(Image credit: Future)

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Price and release date

  • $19 / £19 / AU$29
  • Launched in 2023

The Apple EarPods USB-C released in 2023 and are the tech giant’s debut in the wired USB-C world. One of the most attractive things about these buds is their super-low price. They’re available for just $19 / £19 / AU$29 – that’s in-line, or cheaper than a lot of competitors. You can only get them in one color, White, but that was no issue in my book, given the glossy, bright look suits them to a tee.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Specs

Controller of the Apple EarPods USB-C

(Image credit: Future)

Should you buy the Apple EarPods USB-C?

Buy them if...

You love the way Apple products look
If you typically like the white, glossy look of Apple’s peripherals, you’ll surely be a big fan of these buds – well, design-wise at least. If your top priority is style, these hit the right notes, thanks to a diminutive connector, sleek curved buds and a slim wire.

You’re on a tight budget
These buds subvert the preconception that many have of Apple products – they’re not expensive at all. At just $19 / £19 / AU$29, they’re ideal if you’re working with a limited budget.

Don't buy them if...

You’re an audiophile
If top-drawer audio quality is what you’re after, keep looking. I didn’t find these buds to produce grating, nasty sound, but I didn’t feel that they offered well-defined, separated or dynamic audio either. They’re just decent sound-wise – fine for cheap buds, but not good enough for the keenest of listeners.

You want decent noise isolation
Because of their shape and design, the Apple EarPods USB-C won’t keep sound out effectively whatsoever. If you want passive noise isolation, you’re better off choosing some buds with ear tips in order to form a sound-repelling seal.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: Also consider

Skullcandy Set USB-C
The Skullycandy Set USB-C offer a sleek, curved design, excellent color options and IPX4 waterproofing, making them a worthy budget pick. Audio isn’t going to wow and the controller lacks volume controls, but if you just want some stylish, cheap buds, that likely won’t be a real dealbreaker. Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

SoundMAGIC E80D
If you want to take a step-up on the Apple EarPods audio quality-wise, the SoundMagic E80D could be the perfect fit. They’re a fair bit more than Apple’s buds, but for less than $50/£40/AU$70, you still get detailed, balanced audio – partially thanks to a built-in DAC. You also get solid noise isolation and a comfortable fit. Sure, the controller is a little fiddly, but otherwise these are a great pair of wired earbuds. Read our full SoundMAGIC E80D review.

Apple EarPods USB-C review: How I tested

Left earbud of the Apple EarPods USB-C

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for one week
  • Used in the office, at home and while on walks
  • Listened using both Apple Music and Tidal

I tested the Apple EarPods USB-C over the course of one week. I used them while using Apple Music on the iPhone 16 as well as with Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. I also played tunes on Spotify and watched video content via YouTube. I tested the EarPods USB-C in the office, at home and while out on walks near busy roads.

When listening to music I played tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs spanning a variety of genres – though I also spent hours blasting bangers from my personal library. When appropriate, I compared these buds to the similarly priced Skullcandy Set USB-C, in order to better assess audio quality, comfort and elements of design.

  • First reviewed: November 2024
  • Read more about how we test
Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker review: a small speaker with stacks of personality
1:30 pm | November 3, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Marshall Emberton III: Two-minute review

Without a doubt, the Emberton III is one of Marshall's best Bluetooth speakers with long battery life and impressive sound considering its relatively small size. This third generation Emberton delivers even better battery life and slightly louder sound, and while it's not going to rattle the rafters it's an impressive performer.

The Emberton III is particularly good at lower volumes where Marshall's Dynamic Loudness delivers a bass boost that prevents your music from sounding too weedy; for podcasts, where voices tend to be lower frequencies, there's an EQ preset to cut the lows and boost the mid-range instead.

The main selling point here is a feature we weren't able to test: Auracast via Bluetooth LE. Auracast will enable you to create a multi-speaker setup with your Marshall as the sound source, broadcasting over Bluetooth to other Auracast-capable Marshalls, but the feature hasn't yet been implemented. It's coming as an over-the-air update via Marshall's smartphone app and Marshall tells us it's coming very soon. Basically, it's built to be LE Audio ready, so if future-proofing your Bluetooth system is something you're into, it's a great buy.

With speakers this small there is of course a limit to how much bass they can put out and how loud they can go before things start getting harsh. But the Marshall is a powerful performer for its size, and if you don't push it too hard you'll be able to get the most out of its large battery too.

Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker

The Emberton III comes in two colours, a light stone and the none more black option shown here. (Image credit: Future / Carrie Marshall)

Marshall Emberton III review: Price & release date

  • Released August 2024
  • Costs $159 / £159 / AU$289

The Marshall Emberton III was launched in August 2024. The recommended retail price is $159 / £159 / AU$289.

This is the third version of this Marshall portable speaker; we reviewed the original Marshall Emberton back in 2020 and the Emberton II in 2022. It's one of two new releases from the firm alongside the Willen II, a smaller and more affordable speaker ($119 / £99 / AU$199) with one driver rather than two.

Marshall Emberton III review: Specs

Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker

This is a speaker to listen to, not to look at: controls are simple and straightforward. (Image credit: Future / Carrie Marshall)

Marshall Emberton III review: Features

  • Bluetooth LE and Auracast ready
  • 32+ hours of battery life
  • "True Stereophonic" audio

You can set up the Emberton III in two ways: directly through your device's Bluetooth, or via the Marshall iOS or Android app. That gives you access to three EQ presets: the default "Marshall sound"; a low and high end boost; and a mid-range boost. That latter one is for speech such as audiobooks and podcasts. As with the previous model there are no EQ customization options.

Using the device is very simple, because it's a very simple device. There's an on-off button, a rocker switch for volume and track skipping, and a red LED strip to show battery life.

The big news here is the upgrade to Bluetooth LE audio and Auracast multi-device broadcast support. With Auracast you'll be able to share your music to multiple speakers simultaneously, but the Bluetooth LE it requires won't be available on launch day: Marshall promises an update imminently via the Marshall Bluetooth app but of course that means we weren't able to try that specific feature. There's also built in microphone so you can use this Marshall for calls, but not for voice assistants.

As with the previous Emberton, the Emberton III has what Marshall calls True Stereophonic, a 360-degree audio feature that promises to fill your room with surprisingly big sound. Oh, and there's a strap for your backpack so you can annoy people on hikes.

One of the issues with many speakers is that they can become too bass-light at low levels because audio characteristics change with volume. Marshall has a solution that it calls Dynamic Loudness, which automatically adjusts the tonal characteristics based on the volume you're listening at.

Battery life is a claimed 32-plus hours, two more than before, and we didn't have any problems achieving thirty hours with playback volumes around 50%. Full recharge via the USB-C port takes two hours compared to three for the Emberton II.

In a nice touch, the Emberton III plays a cute little ascending guitar riff when you power it on and a descending one when you power it off.

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker

The companion app gives you a choice of three audio presets but there's no custom EQ. (Image credit: Future / Carrie Marshall)

Marshall Emberton III review: Sound quality

  • Dynamic Loudness impressive at lower volumes
  • EQ boost for podcast and audiobooks
  • Punchy given its small size

It'd be rude not to start testing with some classic rock, so the first song to try was naturally AC/DC's Back in Black. The Emberton delivered an impressively punchy performance with excellent mid- and high-range clarity, and the promise of room-filling sound was definitely delivered: this little speaker rocks much harder than you'd expect it to and doesn't need you to position it carefully to get the best results.

That said, it's important to manage your expectations with a speaker of this size. There's only so much air that two-inch drivers can push, so while Marshall has done a good job delivering low frequencies at lower volumes – so much so that you might want to swap to the mid-range EQ boost for podcast listening so the presenters don't make everything around you vibrate – when you crank up the Emberton to higher volumes the low end distorts and the higher frequencies become harsh.

With Marshall amplifiers, it's traditional to turn them up. But this Marshall speaker is best turned down. At lower volumes the Dynamic Loudness delivers very impressive bass for a system this small. REM's Out of Time album was a particular highlight, Mike Mills' bass as clear as his harmonies.

The relative lack of bass at higher volumes is particularly noticeable on dance music such as Pet Shop Boys' Loneliness, Troye Sivan's slinky One of Your Girls or Charli XCX's 360, all of which lose a lot of their floor-filling thump, and with expensively produced tracks such as Taylor Swift's No Body No Crime, which has a very distinctive bass drum sound that loses its punch here. All of these tracks sound better quieter on this system.

That's also an issue for guitar-based rock music, especially relatively busy tracks such as The Killers' When You Were Young. It's fun at lower volumes but turn it up and it quickly becomes tiring.

To my ears this is a speaker best suited to bedroom, kitchen or study listening and for taking outside on nice days. If you're looking for a party monster or intend to listen loud you might be better with something built around larger speaker drivers.

  • Sound quality score: 4/5

Marshall Emberton III Bluetooth speaker

You're not going to mistake this speaker for any other brand. (Image credit: Future / Carrie Marshall)

Marshall Emberton III review: Design

  • Looks like a Marshall amp
  • IP67 for dust and water resistance
  • Rugged and stackable

The Emberton III unsurprisingly looks a lot like the Emberton II. As with other Marshalls the design echoes that of the famous Marshall cabinets and stacks we've seen on rock stars' stages, and that means they're pretty rugged-looking and no-nonsense as well as stackable, just like stage speakers. I think they look great; having Marshall's design DNA in speakers makes more sense to me than crowbarring it into headphones such as the Marshall Major III, which I think just look overly boxy. You can choose between a classic black or cream.

The new Emberton is rated IP67 for dust and waterproofing, so it's capable of surviving a dunk as deep as 1m of water for up to 30 minutes. That makes it largely immune to a spilled drink or festival rain.

Inside the Marshall there are two class D amplifiers pushing twin 10W 2-inch full range drivers and two passive radiators. Frequency response is 65Hz to 20kHz and it's slightly louder than before, pushing out a sound pressure level of 90dB at 1m compared to the 87dB of the Emberton II.

The Marshall, thankfully, is a lot lighter than the Marshall amps I've had to lug up and down stairs and fire escapes: it's 0.67kg/1.5lbs.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Marshall Emberton III review: value

  • Lots of impressive competitors in this price bracket
  • Marshall's battery life leaves many rivals behind

At $159 / £159 / AU$289 this speaker is competing against some very impressive rivals: spend £20 more and you could get our current favorite among the best Bluetooth speakers, the Sonos Roam 2. But where the Marshall has the Sonos speaker beaten is in battery life.

The Sonos promises up to 10 hours whereas the Marshall can deliver more than three times that. So if you're going to a weekend festival or anywhere else where home comforts will be absent for a few days, the Marshall is the speaker you'll want to take with you. It's small enough to be truly portable but loud enough to soundtrack your adventures without having to push it too hard.

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Marshall Emberton III?

Buy it if…

You like the Marshall sound
You can't customize the EQ presets so you're going to be listening the way Marshall intends.

You like 'em tough
Just like Marshall's amps this looks and feels bomb-proof.

You listen long
With 32 hours of battery life this speaker has serious stamina.

Don't buy it if…

You're a bass monster
There's only so much air two-inch drivers can push.

You listen loud
Like most speakers of this size, the Marshall isn't at its best when it's really loud.

You want to connect a cable
The Emberton III doesn't have an Aux socket.

Marshall Emberton III review: Also consider

Sonos Roam 2
We called the original "the best Bluetooth speaker on the planet", although the controversy over Sonos's bungled app update has tarnished the brand a little this year. But the Roam 2 is a superb portable speaker with exceptional sound. Find out if it's the better option for you by reading our in-depth Sonos Roam 2 review

JBL Charge 5
The Charge 5 is a hooligan, and we mean that as a compliment: it's ridiculously loud for its size and while it doesn't offer 360-degree audio it does deliver 100% audio entertainment. Its drivers are larger than those in the Marshall and you can hear the difference. For more info, see our full JBL Charge 5 review

Marshall Willen II
The Emberton has a baby sibling, the Willen. It's effectively half an Emberton with a single 10-inch full range driver, and while it’s not as loud as the Emberton it's still impressive for its size. Battery life is 17 hours and it weighs just 0.36kg/0.79lbs. We haven't reviewed it actually, but if you like its looks, it's worth a look… 

How I tested the Marshall Emberton III

  • Tested for two weeks as an alternative to Apple HomePods and UE's Wonderboom
  • Used indoors at sensible levels – and loud outside
  • Listened to Apple Music, my own library, Overcast podcasts and some of my own tunes too

I used the Marshall Emberton III for two weeks with Apple Music and some of my own recordings, using the same tracks I use to test all audio kit – a big mix of genres including live performances, dance and pop music, various flavors of metal and more. I also listened to podcasts via the Overcast app.

I've been a musician and audio obsessive for over 35 years now, and I've been reviewing audio kit – headphones, speakers and audio devices of all kinds – since the late 1990s.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: October 2024
Loewe We Hear Pro vs Kylian Mbappé review: a powerful player… and so is the Bluetooth speaker
4:30 pm | October 1, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Loewe We Hear Pro: Two-minute review

The We Hear Pro is the latest powerful outdoor speaker from luxury brand Loewe, and it comes with a luxury price tag too: it's more expensive than its sibling, the We Hear 2, and it's more expensive than many rivals too. However, it's also considerably more powerful than most of the best Bluetooth speakers with 100W of Class D amplification driving two woofers, two tweeters and two passive bass radiators. If budget allows, you can connect more than a dozen of these speakers to play simultaneously.

The We Hear Pro is a good-looking thing, especially in its neon option, and the design is familiar with some thoughtful touches. Having on-device EQ controls is unusual and useful, although the illumination on the controls isn’t visible in direct sunlight. 

The bass frequencies aren’t as low as some rivals but the low end is tight and doesn’t get unpleasant at higher volumes, and the volume of this speaker goes very high indeed. Like any single-speaker system it can get a bit tiring when you’re listening loud but as a go-anywhere speaker it’s very impressive in almost every respect: it's big enough to deliver a big sound but not so big you'll hate moving it around. 

This isn't the most expensive party speaker you can buy, but it is still considerably more expensive than most rivals. However, its closest rival, the JBL Xtreme 4, costs even more – and Ultimate Ears' loudest portable is more expensive still.

Loewe We.HEAR Pro

The We Hear Pro is available in two sober colors and this hugely entertaining neon option. (Image credit: Future)

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Price & release date

  • Released May 2024
  • Costs £249.99 (about $319 / AU$489)

The We Hear Pro is available now with an RRP of £249.99. That’s significantly more expensive than its £159 predecessor the We Hear 2, but it has 40W more power and around seven more hours of battery life.

At this price the Loewe is competing with some of the best portable speakers by brands such as JBL, Ultimate Ears and Marshall.

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Specs

Loewe We.HEAR Pro

The Kylian Mbappé branding isn't too much: it's limited to initials on the bass reflex ports and on the optional carrying strap. (Image credit: Future)

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Features

  • Fast and stable Bluetooth
  • Up to 24 hours of battery life
  • Can charge your other devices

Setting up the We Hear Pro couldn’t be simpler: press the on button, press the connect button and it’ll appear in your phone’s Bluetooth list. Connecting is fast and remained stable; we didn’t suffer from a single dropped connection. There are nicely subtle audio cues on power up, power down and when you establish a Bluetooth connection.

The We Hear Pro has Bluetooth multipoint and can be paired with up to 14 other Loewe speakers if you have the desire and the cash, although unlike the JBL Xtreme it doesn't support Auracast multi-speaker streaming. It has an aux input as well as Bluetooth 5.3 and includes a mic so you can use it for voice calls via your phone.

The USB-C port isn’t just for charging the speaker; you can use it to charge your smaller devices too.

Unlike most speakers, where the EQ is controlled via your phone, the We Hear Pro enables you to adjust the bass and treble using controls on the top. We didn’t feel the need to change the standard EQ but it’s nice to have the option. It's most effective at lower volumes; at full pelt it doesn't make a great deal of difference.

Battery life is a claimed 24 hours, which seems accurate enough: if you run it at full power that’ll drain the battery more quickly but as we were listening at more neighbour-friendly levels in the evenings we were able to go the best part of a week between charges.

  • Features score: 4/5

Loewe We. HEAR Pro

The on-speaker controls are really useful but the white illumination isn't visible in direct sunlight. (Image credit: Future)

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Sound quality

  • Very, very loud
  • Sounds particularly good with dance music
  • EQ controls are right there on top

This is first and foremost a party speaker – something for the football dressing room after a win, say. And that means it needs to be loud, it needs to deliver great bass and it needs to be able to connect to more speakers in larger spaces. The We Hear Pro delivers in all three respects. Its 100W Class D amplification with two drivers, two tweeters and two hard-working bass radiators is impressively loud and doesn’t push the drivers too hard into excessive distortion; like most party speakers it loses all subtlety at higher volumes but it remains punchy and fun, especially on dance tracks such as Charli XCX’s 360. Rock music, particularly classic rock such as AC/DC, works very well too, but it’s with dance music that this portable speaker really excels. 

In addition to our usual playlists we decided to try some party-themed songs too from The Associates’ Party Fears Two through LMFAO’s Party Rock Anthem and of course, Andrew WK’s Party Hard. They’re very different songs sonically – 80s synth-pop, chart-topping house and hard-driving party rock respectively – but the We Hear Pro delivered each one with plenty of enthusiasm. 

The frequency range doesn’t go quite as deep as some rivals – it’s 50Hz to 20kHz, while the likes of the JBL Charge 5 goes down to 20Hz – so if you’re looking for truly subterranean bass you might want to look elsewhere. But during our extensive listening we never felt that the Loewe was lacking in low-end; for solo indoor listening you might notice a difference but outside with friends it really isn’t an issue. 

We only had a single speaker to review so we weren’t able to test it as a paired speaker or as part of a multi-speaker setup.

  • Sound quality score: 4/5

Loewe We.HEAR Pro

The USB port can charge other devices and there's an Aux port too. Both are located on the underside and protected with a seal. (Image credit: Future)

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Design

  • On-device controls are really useful...
  • ...but the illumination isn't visible in direct sunlight
  • Celebrity branding isn't off-putting

While the We Hear Pro's cylindrical design with bass ports at either end is a familiar silhouette, there are some nice touches here. On top the volume, bass and treble controls light up with a separate touch-sensitive bar to adjust them. It looks really nice in the evening but the choice of white illumination here means you can’t see it at all in direct sunlight.

The obligatory USB-C port and aux cable socket are on the bottom, protected by a weatherproof flap. It’s neat but it does mean that you’ll need to slightly angle the speaker if you’re using a cabled connection to an audio source.

There are three colour choices: black, blue and the eye-popping neon yellow of our review unit. That’s by far the best-looking option and means you’re very unlikely to misplace it. There’s also a matching carrying strap that enables you to wear the speaker like a satchel or to carry it like a small handbag; it’s a little scratchy feeling but it’s solid enough, and you’ll be glad of it: the speaker weighs a hefty 2.2kg.

The speaker is IPX6 water resistant but not waterproof, so while it’ll survive the odd rain shower it’s not a speaker you want to dunk in deep water. If you’re planning to party poolside you might be better off with a fully waterproof rival.

  • Design score: 4/5

Loewe We Hear Pro: Value

  • Very expensive compared to most portable speakers
  • You're paying a lot for that extra power
  • The same firm's We. HEAR 2 is a lot cheaper

The We Hear Pro is one of the most eye-catching outdoor speakers around, especially in its neon option, and it’s also one of the more expensive options. That’s largely because it has a larger battery and more power than similarly sized rivals, delivering 100W with 20-plus hours of listening time. You can also use it as a portable charger for your other devices. However, that price tag means it's up against some serious competition: at the time of writing the Sonos Roam 2, our current pick of the best portable Bluetooth speakers, is around $169 / £139. You could buy two for only slightly more than you’d pay for one We Hear Pro.

  • Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Loewe We Hear Pro?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Also consider

How I tested the Loewe We Hear Pro

  • I tested for two weeks as an alternative to Apple HomePods and UE's Wonderboom 4
  • I used it indoors at sensible levels and loud outside
  • I listened to Apple Music, my own library, Overcast podcasts and some of my own tunes too

I tested the Loewe We. HEAR Pro over the course of two weeks both indoors and out, testing it both as an everyday speaker inside and a party speaker outside. I have a go-to playlist that encompasses a lot of different genres including block-rocking bass and much more delicate recordings, and for this speaker I added in plenty more party anthems as that's the most common use of such a loud outdoor speaker. I used Apple Music and Overcast for streaming from my iPhone and also streamed from my Mac.

I've been a musician and audio obsessive for over 35 years now, and I've been reviewing audio kit – headphones, speakers and audio devices of all kinds – since the late 1990s.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: October 2024
You can now transfer your playlists from Apple Music to YouTube Music and back
6:08 am | August 29, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Mobile phones news | Tags: | Comments: Off

You can now move playlists between Apple Music and YouTube Music in an official manner. Apple has published two help documents (linked as the Sources below) which outline what you need to do to switch from one service to the other. Before you ask - no, there's no official way to move from Apple Music to Spotify or Spotify to Apple Music. For now, it's only Apple Music to YouTube Music or YouTube Music to Apple Music. Keep in mind that only the playlists you've created (including collaborative playlists that you own) are transferred. Music files, non-collaborative shared playlists and...

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 review: an excellent record player with great built-in amp that’s ideal for beginner audiophiles
1:08 pm | July 30, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Turntables | Tags: | Comments: Off

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1: two-minute review

The Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 is here to change the reputation of all-in-one record players. These have a poor reputation, largely because they're usually built to a very low price, with all the sacrifices that entails. The Juke Box E1 is not like this, because Pro-Ject hasn't built this for budget, it's built it for convenience. This isn't a cheap-o system, and it doesn't look, feel or sound like one either.

The Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 takes the familiar and good-looking Pro-Ject Primary E1 turntable and adds a built-in phono stage, amplification and Bluetooth receiver to deliver an all-in one sound system – just add speakers. Or grab the bundle that Pro-Ject offers with matching speakers.

If you already have a decent amp, then you'd be better off with one of the stand-alone Pro-Ject E1s, but as a one-box option among the best turntables for beginners who are starting from nothing, this is exceptionally simple to set up and use, and it delivers an impressive performance across all kinds of music. 

At £599 / $799 / AU$999, this is not a super-cheap purchase, but you'd need to spend the same or even more to get a good-quality turntable and separate amplifier of the same level of quality, so it's fair value and compact, in that regard. 

However, if you think you'll become more ambitious in the future, a standard Pro-Ject E1 and separate amp might be more future-proof, since you could replace one without swapping the other.

Juke Box E1 from above

Despite its additional features the Juke Box E1 looks very similar to the E1, E1 Phono and E1 BT turntables. (Image credit: Future)

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 review: price and availability

  • Released in February 2024
  • £599 / $799 / AU$999
  • £799 / $1,199 / AU$1,566

The Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 is available as a stand-alone unit without speakers for £599 / $799 / AU$999, or you can buy it in a bundle with the matching Pro-Ject Speaker Box 5 set of stereo speakers for £799 / $1,199 / AU$1,566. 

The price here is more expensive than most other all-in-ones, but it's targeted at a different kind of buyer – one who's got more interest in audio and component quality, but is perhaps short on space or would prefer to avoid the hassle of separates.

The Juke Box E1 is the successor to 2018's Juke Box E, and it was released in early 2024.

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 rear

All the key connections are round back where you'll find line and phono outs as well as the speaker outs. (Image credit: Future)

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 review: Features

  • Includes its own amp
  • Can be used with external amps
  • You can stream to it over Bluetooth

The Juke Box E1 comes with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge, which is also used to excellent effect in the standard E1: it's a good all-rounder and easily upgradeable. But the most significant features are inside, where you'll find both an integrated phono stage and 2x50W of Class D amplification. That makes this a full hi-fi system: just bring or buy speakers, no separates required. 

The platter here is belt-driven to reduce mechanical noise and in addition to the outputs there's a line in so that you can connect another sound source. You can also stream from your phone via Bluetooth.

As with the E1 there's no start/stop automation: you set and lift the tonearm manually.

  • Features score: 4/5

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1: Audio performance

  • Musical, involving and entertaining
  • Decent bass and airy highs
  • Can go fairly loud

Having previously tested the Pro-Ject E1 we had a good idea of what to expect here when we connected it to the same speakers as before: Pro-Ject's turntables are very musical, and the E1 with the Ortofon OM 5E performs very well with a wide range of genres including classic rock and electronic pop. 

As with the E1, the sound stage was clear and detailed, offering excellent separation of instruments with a largely neutral performance and a bit of warmth. It's the sort of turntable that makes you smile involuntarily as you listen. Bass guitars are tight rather than rubber band-y, layered vocals and synth pads are well positioned and you'll often hear details that other turntables can't deliver quite so well. Lushly recorded music is a particular pleasure, but we had fun annoying the neighbors with noisy guitar rock too. It's a very enjoyable listen.

What's different this time, of course, is that the Juke Box has its own phono stage and amplification – and if you buy the bundle, its own speakers. The amp is rated 2x50W at 4 ohms, and I was impressed by its performance compared to an affordable standalone option.

Whether you're using Pro-Ject's speakers or bringing your own there's a noticeable difference in spaciousness if you're streaming a song over Bluetooth rather than listening to it on vinyl. That's Bluetooth's fault rather than the amp and speakers' fault, but it does feel like you're not making the most of what the Juke Box can do. 

Pro-Ject's own speakers have a frequency range of 55Hz to 20kHz, which is decent for relatively small bookshelf-sized speakers like these and only marginally narrower than the 52Hz to 28kHz of the Bowers & Wilkins bookshelf speakers I normally test with.

Like the B&Ws, they're two-way speakers with bass reflex ports and benefit from careful placement: too far from a wall and they can lack bass; too close and there can be too much of it. I preferred the sound of my B&Ws using the same built-in amp, finding them to be slightly wider and more airy, but the Pro-Ject speakers are still very lively and entertaining.

  • Audio score: 4/5

Juke Box E1 display

There's a status display in the lower right corner of the plinth, but because it's on top you can't see it from across the room. (Image credit: Future)

Pro-Ject E1 review: Design

  • It's a Pro-Ject E1, but chunkier
  • Still good-looking despite the added bulk
  • Retains the zen design of its siblings

As the name suggests, the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 has a lot in common with its sibling, the Pro-Ject E1 – but while they look very similar, the Juke Box is a little more chunky because it's not just a turntable. It also has a significantly larger power supply.

This is the latest generation of the firm's award-winning all-in one, and as before it provides everything you need to enjoy vinyl apart from the speakers (unless you opt for the bundle that includes stereo speakers). What's different from the previous version is that there's a new tonearm, a new drive system for the sub-platter, and a switch to toggle between 33 and 45rpm. 

The Juke Box has the same belt-driven ABS anti-resonant platter as the regular E1, but it's in a slightly different place, presumably because the interior needed to be repositioned to make room for the amplification circuitry. As with the previous Juke Box, there's a small LCD display in one corner of the plinth to show the selected input and its volume, and as before it's on top so it's only visible if you're looking down on the turntable. 

In order to achieve something close to the zen-like simplicity of the normal E1, the Juke Box has hidden some of its controls. The speed switch has been relocated to underneath the front of the plinth, and the on-off switch is on the underside too. Speaker, line in and out and power connectors are round the back. There's a single volume control on the front and the inputs are switched by pressing it or via the included remote control. 

There are four finishes: glossy white, red or black, and a walnut wood grain effect. All come with a clear acrylic dust cover. The cover is in a normal place but opening it will knock the Bluetooth aerial out of position.

  • Design score: 4/5

Juke Box E1 remote

The included remote is straightforward and slim, with a tendency to slide down the side of your chair. (Image credit: Future)

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 review: Usability and setup

  • Extremely user-friendly
  • A small display shows input source
  • Included remote control

The Pro-Ject E1 on which the Juke Box E1 is based is an extremely user-friendly turntable, and the same applies here but even more so: where the E1 still needed to be connected to an amp, the Juke Box has one inside it. As with the E1, the tonearm tracking force is factory pre-set, so it's just a matter of assembling the Juke Box, putting the belt on the pulley, adding the platter and slip mat and connecting your speakers. 

The other main difference here is the display, which standard E1 doesn't have. It's simple and effective, showing the volume level and input source. You can control the volume with the control dial or press it to change inputs. 

Really, the only usability thing missing here is automatic operation, which would certainly be a nice pairing with how generally great this is for beginners – but not everyone wants it, so it's not a real issue that it's missing.

  • Usability score: 4.5/5

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 review: Value

  • A decent price for a turntable/amp combination
  • Hard to find a good rival at this price

The Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 is roughly twice the street price of the regular Pro-Ject E1, but for that extra cash you're also getting a powerful amplifier. You'll really struggle to get a decent, separate amp for that amount of money, and of course an all-in-one is more convenient as it takes up less space. In that regard, this thing is excellent value – and having it be a Bluetooth receiver is the icing on the cake.

However, there's a question of the long-term value that it delivers because you obviously don't get any flexibility for future upgrades, if you think you'll want them. You can't swap the amp out for a more powerful one to pair with more capable speakers. You can't swap the turntable out for something with different options while keeping the amp.

If you don't think you'll need to make these changes in the future, or you just don't think you'll mind the cost, then no problem. But it does mean that the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 is a double-edged sword when it comes to value – fantastic in the first instance, but with an issue as you get more ambitious.

  • Value score: 4/5

Buy it if...

You don't want separates
The Juke Box contains everything you need to play records apart from speakers, and Pro-Ject will happily sell you a set of those too.

You have eclectic tastes
The supplied Ortofon cartridge is a good option for all kinds of genres.

You appreciate style
Pro-Ject's turntables are beautiful things, even in this slightly more chunky size.

Don't buy it if...

You have a decent amp
The regular E1 model will be a better fit from this specific range.

You'll probably upgrade
If you think you might go down the audiophile road in future, separates offer better upgrading options.

You tend to lose things
The remote here is slim and easy to lose down the side of your chair.

Also consider

Pro-Ject E1
If want an affordable Pro-Ject option and have an amp already, then the amp-less sibling here, the E1, is an ideal option. It's super simple, it's warm and rich sounding, it's very well priced – and it comes in a version with a phono stage, or with Bluetooth, if you prefer. Here's our full Pro-Ject E1 review.

Lenco LS-410
We didn't exactly rave about this record player in our Lenco LS-410 review, but it one-ups the Pro-Ject by including speakers as well, so if you really want to save space and money, take a look.

Pro-Ject Juke Box E1: How I tested

  • Used over several weeks across a ton of records and with streamed Apple Music
  • Tested alongside the Pro-Ject E1
  • Tested with Pro-Ject's optional speakers as well as the reviewer's own; tested with and without integrated amp

I tested the Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 at home over several weeks alongside its sibling, the Pro-Ject E1, connected through its own amplifier to both Pro-Ject's own bundled speakers and to my own Bowers & Wilkins bookshelf speakers. 

I also connected the Juke Box to my Onkyo amp, bypassing the Juke Box's own integrated amplifier; as expected it sounded identical to the E1. For both turntables I listened intensely to albums I already know inside out across a wide range of genres from the most luscious yacht rock to rowdy punk and slinky electronic pop.

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: a budget Bluetooth speaker with booming, well-rounded sound
3:00 pm | July 6, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Tribit XSound Plus 2: Two-minute review

The Tribit XSound Plus 2 is an impressive Bluetooth speaker, especially given its modest price. Into its slight frame, Tribit has managed to squeeze two 15W, neodymium full-range drivers, as well as a battery that it says will last a healthy 24 hours. You also get IPX7 weatherproofing, which means it’ll see off any splashes or showers, and Tribit’s app offers nine-band EQ, enabling you to fully customize the sound. Not bad for $69.99 / £63 (about AU$105).

When it comes to performance, the Tribit Xsound Plus 2 isn’t short of enthusiasm. It’s able to produce a ridiculous amount of sound for a relatively small unit: it can happily fill a room with energetic, full-bodied sound, and doesn’t skimp on detail just because you’re sitting outside the sweet spot of its stereo field. And it can reach ear-splitting volumes if pushed: I’d urge you to use caution when hitting that volume button, lest it upsets your neighbors or audiologist.

But it’s not just a blunt instrument – it’s capable of some surprisingly sophisticated sound for a speaker of the price. Producing decent, well-rounded and expressive mids, as well as pumping bass, it makes certain genres shine. However, higher frequencies don’t fare quite as well as they do with some of the best Bluetooth speakers – these sometimes sound a little thin and fragile, and tracks that lean on a full, treble-heavy mix, can end up feeling a bit glassy.

Fortunately, the Tribit XSound Plus 2 has a secret weapon here. That nine-band EQ means you can tailor the sound it produces to suit your favorite songs and genres, create your own presets, and assign them to one of the three settings on the programmable EQ button atop the speaker. Given how much the sound profile of the speaker can vary though, any genre-hoppers among you might find yourselves needing to chop and change the EQ pretty regularly to ensure it keeps sounding its best.

Design-wise, the XSound Plus 2 is pretty conservative, with a matte-black plastic casing and slightly convex grille. Behind a rubber plug on its rear is a 3.5mm jack to use as a line-in, and a USB-C port for charging the device. There are buttons on the top for turning it on, activating pairing mode, changing the volume, playing, pausing and skipping music, changing EQ presets, and pairing with another Tribit speaker. It’s maybe not quite as robustly built as rivals like the Ultimate Ears Boom 3, so bear that in mind if you’re looking for something that can cope with a proper adventure out in the wilderness.

All things considered, the Tribit XSound Plus 2 can produce sound that its size and – more importantly – its price would belie. If you’re willing to really ride the EQ settings, you can get a lot out of it for such an affordable speaker. But if you’re looking for something that’s a true jack – or, preferably, master – of all trades, you'll likely want to spend a bit more on something that has more range, like the JBL Flip 6, which you'll be able to rely on for great sound regardless of the genre you play.

'XSound Plus 2' is engraved on the reverse side of the Tribit XSound Plus 2

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: Price & release date

  • Released April 2024
  • Costs $69.99 / £63 (about AU$105)

Released in April 2024, the Tribit XSound Plus 2 is available to buy in both the US and the UK, although it doesn’t seem to be available in Australia at the time of writing.

It's priced at a very reasonable $69.99 / £63 (around AU$105). Perhaps its closest rival at this size and spec is the JBL Flip 6, which costs $99.95 / £129.99 / AU$149.95; even Tribit’s more pocket-sized Bluetooth speaker, the StormBox Micro 2, costs $59.99 / £54 (about AU$90), making the XSound Plus 2 look like something of a bargain.

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: Specs

Power, Bluetooth, and volume down button on the top of the Tribit XSound Plus 2

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: Features

  • Supremely customizable 9-band EQ
  • Rock-solid Bluetooth connection with easy pairing
  • Epic battery life

Surprisingly for a speaker of this price, the Tribit XSound Plus 2 has an impressive feature set. While you’re not going to get top-of-the-range features like lossless audio Dolby Atmos, or fancy automatic room-correction algorithms, this speaker does offer plenty of attributes that rivals twice its price don't.

Across the top, a band of buttons allows you to control most aspects of the speaker. The power and pairing switches behave exactly how you’d expect, while there's also a button to toggle between the three assignable EQ presets, and one to toggle Party Mode. There are also volume controls and the play button, which can be tapped once to play / pause, twice to skip forward, and thrice to skip back.

Fire up the Tribit app and not only does it allow you to toggle the speaker's auto-shutdown feature on and off, it gives you access to a pretty comprehensive EQ. This comes with six pre-programmed presets – XBass, XBass Off, Audiobook, MaxSound Traditional, Rock and Jazz – but also allows you to create your own profiles with its nine-band EQ. As a result, you can seriously customize the sound it produces, based on your tastes and the genre you’re listening to.

By default you can quickly switch between XBass, XBass Off, and Audiobook mode using the physical EQ button on the speaker, with the light above it turning white, off, or blue respectively to indicate which mode you’re in. But what if your tastes extend beyond just ‘bassy’, ‘less bassy’ and ‘books’? Then you’re in luck: you can assign any of the presets, or your custom profiles, to each setting. Personally, as someone with absurdly eclectic tastes, I’m a big fan of any speaker that allows me to quickly fire up dedicated sound profiles for witch house, UK drill, and psychobilly at the press of a button.

Thanks to the inclusion of Bluetooth 5.3, the XSound Plus 2 also has rock-solid connectivity. The connection can in theory extend as far as 150 feet and, while I rarely stretched it this far, it was able to cover the full 46-foot length of my apartment through walls without breaking a sweat. And the multi-device pairing that's built into more recent versions of Bluetooth meant it was always consistently quick to pair and swap between devices – you won’t need to spend 10 minutes forgetting and repairing connections just to get the speaker to swap from your phone to your laptop.

This also means the XSound Plus 2 supports pairing with other Tribit speakers. Once it's paired with your phone, all you need to do is tap the TWS button on the right-hand side of the speaker and the two speakers form a stereo pair. Alternatively, if you’re just looking to boost the volume for a larger space, you can press the TWS button on a stereo pair to switch the speakers into Party Mode, turning them into an ersatz multi-room setup.

If you throw particularly epic parties, perhaps the XSound Plus 2’s most attractive feature is going to be its battery life, especially for such a small unit. Tribit claims it will last 24 hours at 60% volume, which is a life long enough to make Methuselah envious. Putting this to the test, I set it to play at that volume until it had dropped down from 100% to 60%, which took eight hours and 45 minutes – that means it should last almost 22 hours on a full charge. That’s a little shy of what Tribit promises, but very few Bluetooth speakers are going to give you this much juice, especially for this kind of budget.

  • Features score: 4/5

Various button controls on top of the Tribit XSound Plus 2

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: Sound quality

  • Seriously loud, room-filling sound
  • Punchy bass and warm mids…
  • …but you’ll really need to ride the EQ to make some tracks shine

The Tribit XSound Plus 2 offers shockingly good sound considering its cost; both in terms of dynamics and how well rounded its lower frequencies are, it can hold its own against speakers twice its price. It's tuned to play to its strengths, and it smashes any music that matches its preferred sonic profile. Unfortunately, this also means it can rapidly come unstuck when served something outside its wheelhouse.

Despite its relatively small footprint, it can pack a pretty decent punch when it comes to anything with dynamic bass, especially when you enable XBass. When I dropped Cirrus by Bonobo, I was genuinely impressed by how effortlessly the XSound Plus 2 was able to shift between the punchy kicks and the organic melodies of the kalimbas. The sound felt very cohesive, and while it didn’t have quite the outrageous levels of bass that the more party-focused Bluetooth speakers can muster, the bass response was tight and well-integrated with the rest of the frequency range.

But there are definitely some compromises going on in order to enable such a cohesive, well-integrated sound. Listening to Paul Simon's vocals and Ladysmith Black Mambazo’s choral hook during the intro of Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes feels like you’re being immersed in honey and, when the drums kick in, they rise through the mix without overpowering it. However, I could detect some undeniable sharpness in the treble of elements like those jangly guitar chords, suggesting the XSound Plus 2 is less proficient when it comes to handling transients.

Some songs clash with the XSound Plus 2’s processing, coming off much worse. Initially, when I played Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac, I was rather taken aback – it sounded tinnier than my hearing after a week-long festival. Both the high-mids and trebles sounded surprisingly brittle and, unlike with other genres, the band’s leaner soft-rock sound didn’t serve up enough bass to stop things from sounding seriously top-heavy. Playing the same song on the JBL Charge 5 really showed me what I was missing – the tom tom fills that were almost entirely neutered on the XSound Plus 2 added much more body. Clearly the cohesive sound the Tribit delivers while playing some genres means that certain frequencies are ducked and, to me, those low-mids seem to be one of the areas that are squeezed out.

This is where those EQ settings come in handy. When I flipped the XSound Plus 2 to its rock setting, Fleetwood Mac’s breakup anthem sounded much more like the song I recognized – the treble had a bit more oomph across the spectrum, while the bass was less subby, prioritizing the register of those toms and bass kicks. And finding the right setting can make other tracks shine too: Kamasi Washington’s Clair de Lune already sounded solid, but when I popped it into jazz mode, it gave due deference to that double bass, while giving more timbral depth to rest of the instruments, particularly that sultry trombone solo.

Ultimately, though, there isn’t any set-it-and-forget-it EQ setting that shows all tracks off in their best light. That may be less of an issue if you tend to only listen to one or two specific genres, but if you have diverse tastes or chop and change a lot, you may find yourself having to pull out the app more often than you’d like to ensure you’re getting the absolute best sound for your favorite tunes.

Given that it only has two forward-facing drivers, I’ll admit I was a little skeptical about the kind of presence that the XSound Plus 2 could deliver. But blow me down: it’s actually a solid little performer when it comes to soundstage. Naturally, it’s very much a point source of sound, but I tried sitting with it at a range of angles, and I didn’t find that the audio suffered when I was outside of the optimum stereo field. Even with the speaker pointing directly away from me, the treble didn’t significantly diminish, so when you have guests round they won’t all be jostling for the one seat from which they can actually hear the tunes playing.

And it’s just absurdly loud when you push it. Not only could it happily fill my living room with sound – which is no small feat given that I have cavernously high ceilings – but while running the above battery test at 60% volume in our offices, I could still hear it two rooms away despite the fact that it was wrapped in a jumper, stuffed in my rucksack, and in a room with acoustic damping on the walls. Inevitably, there’s a fair amount of distortion when you really crank it up to its eardrum-melting maximum, but you’re never going to be left wanting when it comes to sheer volume.

  • Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Tribit XSound Plus 2 with attached lanyard on gray surface

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: Design

  • Pleasant (if slightly anodyne) matte plastic finish
  • IPX7 rating protects it from rain and puddles
  • Lanyard feels a bit flimsy for a speaker of this weight

All told, the Tribit XSound Plus 2 is a likeable enough package. Don’t get me wrong: it’s not an objet d’art, but equally it doesn’t look conspicuously cheap. It’s far from the most flamboyantly hued Bluetooth speaker ever: your choices here are black or… erm… black. But plenty of brands offer brightly colored speakers; the XSound Plus 2 is clearly aiming for a subtler aesthetic, and I’d say it nails it.

Its body is made of a matte-black plastic that feels pleasingly soft to the touch, while the round curves on its rear make it comfortable to grasp in a single hand. On the front of the device, the drivers are covered by a convex metal grille, which is a bit more visually distinguishable than the cloth-covered cylinders that seem pretty much ubiquitous these day. If there’s any speaker the Tribit resembles, it's the Beats Pill, but less rounded overall.

If you’re wanting to take the Tribit XSound Plus 2 into the great outdoors, it will easily be able to handle the elements. Thanks to its IPX7 rating, it should be able to cope with being dunked in water up to 3ft / 1m for up to 30 minutes, which means it’ll shrug off splashes with the enthusiasm of a golden retriever. But, beyond this, it’s probably not as hardy as some of its rivals: it’s not been tested for dust and grit ingress, and I’d argue its relatively dainty build won’t handle accidental drops quite as well as more robust portable speakers on the market.

And that last point really makes me question one design choice. The XSound Plus 2 comes with a lanyard on one end that allows you to wrap it around a wrist or attach it to a backpack, but it feels pretty flimsy, especially given the speaker’s 1.76lbs / 0.8kg weight – leaving it dangling and pirouetting around at the end of this string felt like I was hanging a $70 speaker from a 50¢ cord. Fortunately, it’s easy enough to hold in a single hand or stick in a pocket that I never really needed to trust the Tribit to this tenuous lifeline.

  • Design score: 4/5

Removable tab on reverse side of the Tribit XSound Plus 2 open to reveal an AUX and USB-C port

(Image credit: Future)

Tribit XSound Plus 2 review: Value

  • Produces sound almost as good as speakers twice its price
  • Offers a broader range of features than many budget rivals
  • IPX7 weatherproofing make it a wise purchase for outdoor use

With the Tribit XSound Plus 2, you’re getting a lot of speaker for not very much money. The features it offers exceed what I’d expect for a speaker at this price. Sure, you’re not getting cutting-edge features like lossless audio or Dolby Atmos, but its EQ settings are super-customizable, and the ability to network multiple speakers together should give you a much more impressive soundstage than you’d get from one single $140 / £130 / AU$200 speaker.

And design-wise, its utilitarian looks are still pleasing enough, while that IPX7 rating will shrug off most of what the great outdoors can throw at it, making it a wise purchase for anyone looking for a cheap, durable speaker to take trekking or camping.

Admittedly, it’s hardly the most neutral listen, and this does cause some inconsistencies, depending on what you’re listening to. In comparison, the similarly sized JBL Flip 6 offers superior sound – but it also costs more than double the price. So in terms of bang for your buck, you’re getting a pretty sweet deal here.

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Tribit XSound Plus 2?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Tribit Xsound Plus 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the Tribit Xsound Plus 2

  • I tested for two weeks, and I tested it against the JBL Charge 5
  • I used it in the office and at home
  •  listened to Spotify, Apple Music and Pocket Casts on an iPhone 13 Pro and a MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019)

I tested the Tribit XSound Plus 2 over the course of two weeks. Not only did I listen to a wide range of different genres and styles on it, but I also tested it using TechRadar’s reference playlist, which helped me assess the speaker’s full range and how it handled specific frequencies.

As well as connecting the XSound Plus 2 to multiple devices, including my iPhone 13 Pro and my MacBook Pro, I also directly compared how it performed relative to the JBL Charge 5, testing each speaker side by side. To test the speaker’s battery life, I set it to play continuously at 60% volume, and measured the battery drop over time.

I’ve been reviewing gadgets and technology for nearly 10 years, particularly headphones, speakers, and music hardware. I also regularly produce audio and music in my spare time, giving me a strong understanding of sound dynamics and frequencies.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: June 2024
Motorola Moto Buds+ review: brilliant budget wireless earbuds with Bose-tuned sound – but there’s one big catch
12:30 pm | June 21, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: | Comments: Off

Motorola Moto Buds+: Two-minute review

The recently released Motorola Moto Buds+ claim to offer excellent audio tuning and impressive active noise cancelling. Which perhaps isn't surprising given their sound was certified by Bose, whose earbuds are celebrated for their cutting-edge audio features. The price tag of $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$249 sounds enticing; however, there are some frustrating limitations. There’s a lack of app support for some devices, and it’s not possible to use the Dolby Atmos or Dolby Head Tracking features without a compatible Motorola smartphone. This seems like an odd choice, alienating a large portion of the market, especially as many iPhone models are capable of handling Dolby Atmos, but here we are.

As a result, a lot of the features that I’m going to mention in the full review are only accessible via the Moto Buds app, which, unfortunately, is only available on Google Play. It is not available on all Android devices either, as the app was incompatible with our FiiO M11S music player, which also uses Google Play. This means that some users won’t be able to make use of all of the features. The earbuds can pair with an iPhone, so you can still enjoy the impressive sound quality and most of the noise control modes via the touch controls, but that’s about it, sadly. 

The Motorola Moto Buds+ are equipped with a range of features that you’d find on offer from some of the best wireless earbuds, including wireless charging and multipoint connectivity. The noise control capabilities are mixed, but one mode in particular stood out. The modes available are Transparency, Noise Cancellation, and Adaptive. Adaptive mode can only be activated through the app, but you can cycle through the other two modes or turn noise control off by holding your finger on the earbud's touch control area for three seconds.

The Motorola Moto Buds Plus case is sitting open in a women's palm. One of the earbuds is inside the case, and the other sits in front on her hand.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of the Noise Cancellation mode, these earbuds could give some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds a run for their money. I tested this feature out on a flight to the Canary Islands without the app, and this particular mode was very impressive. When I took the earbuds out after listening to music for a while, I couldn’t believe how noisy the airplane cabin was; the Moto Buds+ cut that ambient noise out completely.

Another useful feature that is on by default is wear detection. Nine times out of ten, this feature worked well, pausing within a second of an earbud being removed and resuming playing almost instantly after putting the earbud back in. 

The design of these earbuds is pretty unobtrusive. I can’t speak for the Forest Gray color, but the Beach Sand color option is giving me pebble vibes. Despite photos on the Motorola website making the earbuds look slightly metallic, in reality, they have a rough matte finish. I wasn’t a fan of this texture at first, but it grew on me slowly. The touch controls worked well most of the time, but there were a few occasions where they misregistered gestures or there was no response at all.

Finally, but most importantly, I can confirm that you certainly get the sound quality you expect from these Bose-certified earbuds. With dynamic basslines, and delicate details from both vocals and instruments, they make for a wonderful listening experience.

Both Motorola Moto Buds Plus earbuds, one with the silicone tip facing the camera, the other facing backward. They are photographed on a dark surface with a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Motorola Moto Buds+ review: Price & release date

  • $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$249
  • Available since April 2024

Released in April 2024, the Motorola Moto Buds+ earbuds are available to purchase directly from the Motorola website in the UK and the US, and the Australian website will redirect you to Lenovo (who happen to own the brand).

Given they’re packed with features such as Sound by Bose, Dolby Head Tracking, Active Noise Cancellation, and wireless charging for just $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$249, you could be forgiven for thinking these earbuds sound too good to be true.

Admittedly, they do have their pitfalls, such as the lack of app support for some devices, and the inability to use the Dolby Atmos or Dolby Head Tracking features without a compatible Motorola smartphone. This is disappointing, especially as many iPhone models are capable of handling Dolby Atmos. Nevertheless, if you have a compatible device, the Moto Buds+ are great value for the price, and, to be honest, even without the bells and whistles that the app has to offer, they’re pretty darn good as they are.

The wireless Motorola Moto Buds Plus case is closed, showing the silver Motorola logo on the top. The case is a sandy colour and has a rough texture. It is pictured on a dark surface and against a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

Motorola Moto Buds+ review: Specs

Motorola Moto Buds+ review: Features

  • Customizable EQ and touch control settings
  • Active Noise Cancellation up to 46 dB
  • 3 microphones per earbud with Environmental Noise Cancellation

The Moto Buds app is attractive and intuitive. However, I was disappointed to discover that it is only available to download on Google Play. It isn’t available on Apple’s App Store or some Android devices, such as older smartphones and the FiiO M11S music player, for example, despite them having Google Play. The Motorola Moto Buds+ can connect to these devices via Bluetooth, but you won’t be able to access all of the features as most are only available on the app. 

The app has a lot of common features that you’d expect from earbuds in this price range. The in-ear detection feature is on by default, and it works well. It paused within a second of taking an earbud out and started playing nearly instantly when I put the earbud back in. The app shows you the battery level of each earbud and the case, which is always useful. There is also a Find My Earbuds feature, which plays a sound out of the left or right earbud to help you locate it if you’ve misplaced it. 

You are given the option to change the gestures of each earbud. As default, double tap is play/pause, triple tap on the right bud and you’ll skip to the next track, while tapping the left takes you back a track, and tapping and holding for three seconds switches between noise control modes. You can rearrange these gestures to suit, or change a gesture to control volume or activate your device's voice assistant instead. You can also select None if you do not want a particular gesture to toggle an action.

A close up side profile of a woman with orange and pink hair, she has one of the Motorola Moto Plus earbuds in her ear, and her finger is hovering ready to press the touch control area.

(Image credit: Future)

There are also four equalizer presets available to fine-tune your listening experience – Brilliant Treble, Bass Boost, Vocal Boost, and Flat, which is the default. If you wish to set the levels yourself, you can customize the equalization settings manually, too.

An interesting feature on the app that I hadn’t encountered before was the Fit Test, designed to ensure excellent audio quality and noise control by ensuring you’re wearing your earbuds correctly. When I had the earbuds in, they played a tune to determine if either bud needed adjusting. In my case the right side was fine, but it recommended adjusting the left or changing to another ear tip size.

The active noise cancellation in these earbuds is pretty good. You can set the level of noise cancellation on the app or by holding your finger on the touch area for three seconds. The only noise cancellation mode you can’t activate without the app is the Adaptive mode, but you can cycle between Transparency, Noise Cancellation, and Off modes via the touch controls. 

Adaptive mode was adequate, but I found myself choosing the Noise Cancellation mode every time as this offered the best noise cancelling by far. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan of the Moto Buds+ Transparency mode. While I could hear the sounds from the environment around me, every time I tried it out it sounded over-amplified, and there was audible hissing in the background, which was off-putting.

A close up view of one of the Motorola Moto Buds Plus earbuds. You can easily see the silicone tip and the microphone at the top of the ear piece. It is siting on a dark work surface.

(Image credit: Future)

I tested Noise Cancellation out on a four-hour plane journey and it cut out cabin noise efficiently. So much so that it was a shock every time I turned it off or took an earbud out, as the ambient noise was so loud. I also tested it out while taking a train, walking along busy roads and through a bustling city center, and it worked a treat. 

The Moto Buds+ have a triple microphone system and Environmental Noise Cancellation to aid the various noise control features. The talk microphone proved reliable during testing, and my voice sounded crisp and clear when played back.

The Moto Buds+ are advertised as providing up to eight hours of continuous playtime. Upon testing with ANC switched off, the left bud lasted for six hours exactly, while the right bud soldiered on until a few minutes past seven hours. Motorola hasn’t given a figure for the battery life with ANC switched on, but I found that the earbuds' battery dropped by 20% in just under an hour while playing music at 50% volume.

On the subject of batteries, an additional feature I appreciate is that, along with the standard option of charging via USB-C, the Moto Buds+ case can be charged wirelessly. This is a feature that even the Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Earbuds don’t have unless you want to spend an additional $50 on a case, despite those earbuds costing just shy of $300 in the first place. I’m pleased to report that the Moto Buds+ case charged quickly on my Anker 3-in-1 Cube charger.

  • Features score: 3/5

Motorola Moto Buds+ review: Sound quality

  • Great all-round performance
  • Generous volume levels
  • Delivers detailed sound

The Motorola Moto Buds+ are fantastic all-rounders, even when left on the default Flat EQ profile. They delivered an enjoyable listening experience for every track on our testing playlist, plus all the other music and podcasts I listen to regularly. The sound quality is both impressive and immersive, making these a new favorite for me.

The Moto Buds+ had impressive treble clarity when playing the song Young Blood by The Naked and Famous. As this song breaks down around the three-minute mark, it’s also clear that these earbuds had good control over lower-frequency sound too.

The track Clair de Lune by Kamasi Washington gave the Moto Buds+ another opportunity to showcase their ability to handle different levels. The bassline was clear but not overpowering. As a multitude of instruments build and layer over each other, these earbuds delivered a dynamic sound with loads of detail. Another song that confirms the Moto Buds+ abilities is I Want You by Moloko. The hit of percussion feels sudden and exciting. Once again, the earbuds deftly handle the many layers of instruments, synths, and vocals with precision, providing yet more intricate detail.

The Motorola Moto Buds Plus case sits open on a dark surface with a pink background. Both earbuds are in place inside the case, and the Bluetooth connectivity button is visible towards the front.

(Image credit: Future)

The vocal clarity in Rains Again by Solji was fantastic. I could hear wonderful detail in the vocals, and the high notes were handled well. Despite being in a similar range, the vocals, strings, and guitar complemented each other well. One slight disappointment with this track, however, is that the sound of rain at the beginning and end of the song sounded more like static, which is surprising considering the Moto Buds+’s ability to pick up so many other details.

Black Eye by Allie X gives further proof of how dynamic these earbuds are. The song starts with an explosion of electric energy, sinking into the deep bass of the drum machine effortlessly. Despite the Moto Buds+ focus on low frequencies, they were still able to pick out the delicate electronica in the background.

The volume level on offer is generous – when testing the battery life by playing our tracklist continuously at 50% volume I could easily hear the music when the buds were on my desk. Even when working in the office with noise cancellation switched off, I found I could listen to a podcast at 25% volume and not miss anything.

  • Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Motorola Moto Buds+ review: Design

  • Comfortable and secure fit
  • Touch controls not always very responsive
  • No IP rating

The Moto Buds+ are available in two different colors in the UK and Australia, Forest Gray and Beach Sand, while currently only Forest Gray is available in the US. I was provided with the Beach Sand color option. The case has a rough matte textured finish, with a shiny silver-colored hinge at the back above the USB-C charging port. There’s an indentation at the front of the base allowing you to get some purchase when opening the lid, and both the case and hinge feel sturdy and reliable.

There’s a circular button toward the front of the inside of the case that puts the earbuds into pairing mode; the small indicator light on the front of the case will flash blue when it’s activated. The case’s interior has a softer matte finish, as do the inner-ear sections of the earbuds. Conversely, the exterior sections and the posts have the same rough matte texture as the outside of the case. Admittedly, I wasn’t fond of this texture at first, but it has grown on me.

A close up of the front of the Motorola Moto Buds Plus case. It is closed and sitting on a dark surface and is against a pink background.

(Image credit: Future)

The earbuds themselves, including the silicone tips – which come in small, medium, and large – are the same color as the case, apart from the black feedforward microphone at the top of each post. There are three mics in each bud: the feedforward microphones I just mentioned; the feedback microphones, which sit in with the speaker and are used for the noise control modes; and the talk microphones that are located within the silver base of each earbud post. The touch controls, which sit towards the top of the outside of each earbud post, below the feedforward microphone, were somewhat responsive. But there were multiple occasions when they did not register my gestures correctly, if at all. 

The earbuds were lightweight and comfortable to wear straight out of the case. I usually need to change to a smaller tip size, but the medium size that was already on them fit perfectly well. As I have long hair that has a tendency to misbehave, I often find myself accidentally pulling earbuds out when trying to get it out of the way, but the Moto Buds+ stayed firmly in place.

A close up side profile of a woman with orange and pink hair, she has one of the Motorola Moto Plus earbuds in her ear.

(Image credit: Future)

As for durability, I had some initial concerns regarding the rough texture on the outside of the case, as it looked like it could be prone to showing scratches or dirt. However, it fared quite well after a few weeks of use, despite being transferred between bags and pockets and left out on desks, the case had only suffered a few minor scuffs that were barely visible unless caught in the right light. 

Motorola states that the Moto Buds+ have a water-repellent design, protecting against moderate water exposure such as accidental spills or light rain. There is no evidence of an IP rating though, which is disappointing – and unusual, as even budget earbuds such as the Speck Gemtones Play have an IPX5 rating.

  • Design score: 3.5/5

Motorola Moto Buds+ review: Value

  • Great quality sound and noise cancellation
  • App and some features only compatible with certain devices
  • No official water resistance rating

Unfortunately, the elephant in the room with these earbuds is the lack of app support for iOS users. Not all Android devices are a sure bet either, as the app wasn't available to install on our FiiO M11S music player or older devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S9. There is a workaround if your main device isn’t compatible with the Moto Buds app, but it would involve you having access to a compatible Android device to update your settings, which obviously wouldn’t work if you like to change EQ settings often.

However, if you have a compatible device then, all in all, these feel like a bit of a bargain considering the fantastic Bose-certified sound quality and noise cancelling on offer. Especially given they cost around $70 less than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which don’t have wireless charging or the ability to connect to a second device, as the Moto Buds+ do. 

That being said, do you want to spend $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$249 on a pair of earbuds that don’t have an official water resistance rating? Motorola’s use of the vague marketing term “water-repellent design” does raise some questions, especially considering many of the best budget earbuds on the market have IP ratings. If you’re a particularly careful person then this may not pose a problem. However, if you’re a little on the clumsy side, like myself, or you plan to wear them rain or shine on your commute, this lack of official rating is worth considering before purchasing.

The Motorola Moto Buds Plus case is sitting open, with the left earbud inside, and the right earbud sitting outside of the case on a dark surface. The charging case is pictures against a dark background.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Motorola Moto Buds+?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Motorola Moto Buds+ review: Also consider

How I tested the Motorola Moto Buds+

  • Tested the earbuds for a month
  • Used them when commuting, at work, and at home
  • Listened to music and podcasts on Tidal, Apple Music and Spotify

I wore the Moto Buds+ on weekdays, listening to music or podcasts on my walk to the train station, on the train, and when walking through a busy city center. I wore them in the office, for work calls and to listen to music while I tapped away on my keyboard. I also wore them on the weekends and during my time off, including on a four-hour plane journey.

I followed our usual testing protocols and tested the battery life of the earbuds with ANC switched off. Normally I would repeat the full test with ANC switched off, but these earbuds automatically turn off the ANC when they aren’t being worn, even with wear detection switched off. I can confirm, however, that the battery level decreased by 20% after just under an hour.

I used the Moto Buds+ with the following devices: Google Pixel 7a, Samsung Galaxy S22+, OnePlus Pad Go, iPhone 12 Pro, and a MacBook Air. I listened to a bunch of different music genres, from country to rock to indie pop to classical instrumentals, as well as the TechRadar testing playlist, of course.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: June 2024
CMF By Nothing Buds review: stylish budget earbuds with a vibrant flair
1:00 pm | April 14, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: , | Comments: Off

CMF Buds: Two-minute review

The CMF By Nothing Buds are very cheap for what they offer. At just $39 / £39, it’s predictably too good to be true to expect great Active Noise Cancellation, exceptional sound quality, and all the other things that come from much pricier earbuds. However, there’s a charm to the CMF By Nothing Buds with their minimalist yet attractive case and that extends to use.

They certainly won’t rival most of the best wireless earbuds but among budget buys, there’s a temptation here. The CMF By Nothing Buds sound reasonable if not exceptional. There’s a crispness here but bass is pretty weak and understated. Music won’t stand out here and even the soundstage is a little lackluster but they’re fine for listening on the move.

Similarly, ANC is more about dampening background noise rather than taking a proactive approach, but it’s better than nothing. You’re left being merely impressed that the CMF By Nothing Buds even attempts ANC at this price. There’s also app support, although it’s temperamental. 

Dual-device connectivity and reasonable battery life all add up to make the CMF By Nothing Buds a nice pair of budget buds, even if not the pair you’ll want to live with forever. That’s not bad at all for under $50 / £50, although in an ideal world, you’ll want to invest more into the best noise-cancelling earbuds.

CMF Buds review: Price and release date

The CMF Buds on carpet

(Image credit: Future)
  • Released in March 2024
  • Officially price dat $39 / £39

The CMF By Nothing Buds was released in March 2024 for $39 in the US and £39 in the UK. The Nothing site directs you exclusively to Amazon for online purchases while UK customers can go to the Nothing store in London if they prefer.

The earbuds are available in orange, dark gray, and light gray. Orange is the most eye-catching color and it’s already proving to be the most popular. Typically, the best budget wireless earbuds are usually black or white so being able to get something more distinctive is a nice perk. 

The biggest rival at this price is the JLab Go Air Pop, which is slightly cheaper but lacks ANC. Other than that, you’ll have to pay more for options like the Sony WF-C700N with the budget wireless earbuds market fairly limited when you go this low.

CMF Buds review: Specs

The CMF Buds being held

(Image credit: Future)

CMF Buds review: Features

The CMF Buds control app

(Image credit: Future)
  • Up to 35.5 hours of battery life with ANC disabled
  • Companion app
  • Dual-device connection 

Perhaps surprisingly for the price, the CMF By Nothing Buds cover all the bases for essential features. There’s what Nothing calls dual-device connectivity so you can switch between your devices. There’s app support, ANC, and decent battery life.

The app is a little bit of a mixed bag. It’s simple to use and clearly laid out with options for adjusting the equalizer, activating Ultra Bass which makes things a bit more bossy, along with ANC controls. The issue with the app is that I found it would sometimes forget my earbuds. My phone would happily pair with the CMF By Nothing Buds and then switching over to the app would report an issue so I’d have to re-pair them. It’s not the end of the world but it can be mildly irritating if you just want to change the ANC settings briefly.

The ANC is also pretty poor. It dampens down surrounding noises but never to the point where it isn’t entirely obvious that the noise is there. That goes for whether you have the Transparency mode enabled or you go ‘full’ ANC. I’m not exactly complaining though as efforts are made and at this price, any kind of attempt of blocking out noise is a welcomed thing.

Nothing promises a battery life of up to 35.5 hours via the charging case and 6.5 hours on one 10-minute charge. That seemed about right in my time with it and I had no complaints at all. Diving into the app can always help you see what’s going on with power. As is often the way, Bluetooth 5.3 means no chance of dropouts. 

Features score: 3 / 5

CMF Buds review: Sound quality

A single CMF Bud

(Image credit: Future)
  • Weak ANC 
  • Little quiet 
  • Small soundstage

The CMF By Nothing Buds’s strong point definitely isn’t audio quality. They don’t sound awful but it’s very run-of-the-mill stuff. These aren’t hidden gems to rival the best earbuds. 

Instead, you get a fairly weak aural experience that you’ll have to crank up to enjoy. That’s fine for going for a walk but if you want to hear every crisp note of your favorite songs, you’ll be a bit disappointed. I worked my way through David Guetta’s discography and nothing truly caught my attention. Bass is fairly flimsy and trebles and mids are distinctly weak. Better however was listening to podcasts. Sound is reasonably crisp so voices come through clearly. 

That’s less the case when you’re walking near busy traffic as the CMF By Nothing Buds’s ANC doesn’t do much to block things out. The soundstage also feels pretty narrow so you won’t feel wrapped up in the magic of a hit through these. Even when using the ultra bass setting on the Nothing app, the likes of Muse’s Hysteria struggled to truly grip me.

Sound quality score: 3 / 5

CMF Buds review: Design

The CMF Buds on carpet

(Image credit: Future)
  • Super smooth case
  • Touch controls 
  • Room for a lanyard 

The CMF By Nothing Buds’s case feels like a minor work of art. It’s angular yet smooth and it looks so much cooler on your desk than regular earbud cases. It has a silver sliding circle that moves around to reveal holes for a lanyard. I received a lanyard with my earbuds but these don’t come as standard. Still, it’s easy enough to get hold of your own.

The case isn’t a wireless charging case which is hardly surprising at this price, but it means it’s lightweight and easy to store. The buds themselves are fairly standard and they fit snugly in your ears with a selection of silicone eartips included to get things how you like them.

Each earbud has a touch-sensitive area for controlling things like skipping tracks, answering calls, switching between ANC and Transparency mode. No complaints here. For a change for touch controls, it wasn’t overly easy to activate the controls.

Design score: 4 / 5 

CMF Buds review: Value

The CMF Buds in their case

(Image credit: Future)
  • Cheap for what they offer 
  • Not perfect but appealing 

The CMF By Nothing Buds aren’t perfect at anything but they’re incredibly cheap for earbuds that offer ANC, even if it’s not great. 

In an ideal world, you’d want to spend more and enjoy ANC that actually works well, of course. The likes of the Sony WF-C700N and the JLab Go Air Pop sound better but the former cost a lot more and the latter lack ANC. It all depends what’s most important to you.

Value score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the CMF Buds?

Buy it if... 

Don't buy it if.. 

CMF Buds review: Also consider

How I tested the CMF Buds

A CMF Bud being held

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested over seven days 
  • Compared to Soundpeats Air4 Pro and Apple AirPods (Pro 2 and 3rd Gen)
  • Listened to Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube videos and Twitch 

Over the lasts even days, I’ve replaced my usual AirPods Pro 2 with the CMF By Nothing Buds. Of course, the price difference is huge so I also reacquainted myself with the more affordable Soundpeats Air4 Pro that I was using fairly recently. 

I used the CMF By Nothing Buds on my daily morning walks. I know the route well enough that I can tell you all the worst places for traffic noises, so it was a good way of seeing how well the buds fended off distractions.

I also used them on a run to see how well they coped with wind and speedy (ish) movement. It was a good test of the Transparency mode in particular so I didn’t have to worry about missing hearing a bike ride past me.

At home, I used the CMF By Nothing Buds to watch Twitch videos and content on YouTube. That went well with my podcast listening to check out how clear voices sounded on them. 

For music, I predominantly listened to Apple Music and Spotify. The iPhone 14 Pro was driving most of that with a MacBook Pro entertaining me with videos. My taste is fairly varied so there was a lot of spoken word content but also Linkin Park, David Bowie, Foo Fighters, and David Guetta.

I’ve reviewed audio products for over 10 years. I might usually use pricier earbuds as my main option but I regularly use cheaper earphones and headphones for work and so I can keep up with the biggest work-related question I’m asked by friends -- ‘do you know of any good cheap earbuds?’.

Jabra Elite 10 review: Dolby Atmos sound in first class comfort
5:24 pm | April 13, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Jabra Elite 10: One-minute review

The Jabra Elite 10 is the Danish brand’s flagship premium wireless earbuds. They're its most expensive pair of headphones to date, borrowing smarts from the company's headset and hearing aid businesses to help it deliver incredibly clear call quality and effective Active Noise Cancellation. 

As its most advanced pair of buds yet, the Elite 10s pack in a lot of premium features, like Dolby Atmos with head tracking and multipoint pairing, in a unique new oval design that sits on the outside of your ears, making them incredibly comfortable – even when wearing them for long periods. 

But being a premium pair of buds means that the Elite 10 has a lot of competition among the best wireless earbuds. When compared to rivals like Sony's, Bose's or Apple's top earbud offerings, it falls short of being the absolute best for sound quality. That said, it's priced slightly less than its closest competitors so if you want comfortable spatial audio while on the go and are not bothered by best-in-class ANC and hi-res audio quality, the Elite 10 could be a great alternative.   

Jabra Elite 10 review: Price and release date

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)
  • Announced on August 31, 2023 
  • Became available to buy in September 2023
  • Priced at $249 / £229 / AU$379

Jabra first announced the Elite 10 back in August 2023 alongside a more fitness-focused model called the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which sells for $199 / £199 / AU$329. As its flagship earbuds, the Elite 10 costs more than its sporty offering at $249 in the US, £229 in the UK and AU$379 in Australia. This means it's also more expensive than its predecessor’s, the Elite 7 Pro, launch price of  $199 / £199 / AU$299.    

The jump in cost means the Elite 10s are going head-to-head with the biggest players, but they undercut the competition in the premium market on price. They’re less than both Sony’s WF-1000XM5 ($299 / £259 / AU$499) and the Technics EAH-AZ80 ($299 / £259 / AU$499) that launched at the end of 2023. And they are squarely in line with two premium releases from 2022: Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which cost $249 / £229 / AU$399 and $199 / £199 / AU$299, respectively, at the time of writing. 

Jabra Elite 10 review: Specs

A pair of headphones on a table next to a DAP

(Image credit: Future)

Jabra Elite 10 review: Features

Three iPhone screenshots of the Jabra Sound+ app

(Image credit: Future)
  • Immersive Dolby Atmos with head tracking 
  • ANC is decent but not best-in-class
  • Crystal clear call quality 

Since launching its first pair of wireless earbuds in 2016, the Elite Sport, Jabra has released seven generations of buds, and the Elite 10 is its most advanced yet. It's the step-up from the Elite 7 Pro, which had targeted the lower to mid-range market but still had premium features like ANC, adjustable EQ settings, an IP57 rating and wireless charging. The Elite 10 builds upon all of its predecessor's features, and Jabra has a few more tricks up its sleeve to make sure it can hold its own among the market’s premium offerings. 

The newest feature to be included in the buds is also a first for Jabra earbuds: support for Dolby Atmos with head tracking. This makes the buds have a wider soundstage when turned on and listening to Atmos content that's like hearing each instrument in a track as if they’re placed all around you. When head tracking is turned on, this virtual soundstage moves with you but I found this to have a slight delay when you readjusted your head to a new position. I found it worked better when watching a show or movie rather than listening to music. Conveniently, you can toggle both spatial audio and head tracking on and off in the Jabra Sound+ app as well as adjust the HearThrough mode, Advanced ANC, EQ settings and more. 

Outside of the app, you can also control the Jabra Elite 10 by pressing the buttons on the buds themselves. Pressing the surface of the left bud will rotate through HearThrough and ANC, while pressing the right can pause and play a song (you can switch to different variations of this in the app). Tapping the right bud twice skips tracks, while holding down either button increases (right) and decreases (left) the volume. Holding down both at the same time also activates pairing mode. 

As for other features, there's also in-ear detection, automatic muting settings, Bluetooth Multipoint pairing for listening to two devices at the same time, voice assistant support that lets you control your buds with voice commands and FindMy for when you've misplaced them. And while the Elite 10's six hours of battery life (21 hours with the case) does outlast Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, it's beat by Sony's WF-1000XM5s.      

One of the biggest standout features for me is the Elite 10's exceptionally clear call quality, especially while out and about, and that’s down to the six mics inside them. Jabra says that the external mics are active all the time, while the internal mics activate when wind is detected. The extra mics make the Elite 10’s call quality far better than the AirPods Pro 2, which only has two mics. Jabra’s Advanced ANC is also on by default during calls to help cancel out unwanted background noises, which is a feature that was improved on in a March 26 software update (Jabra claims that the update helps cancel background noises twice as easily). There's also an adjustable sidetone setting so you can hear your voice more, which is not something we see a lot of. 

Just like Apple’s Adaptive Noise Control, Jabra’s Advanced ANC uses scanning tech and noise leakage detection to automatically adjust the ANC to your surroundings. It’s the brand’s most advanced ANC mode, and is claimed to deliver two times more noise cancellation than its standard ANC. And it does work, cancelling out the screeching banshees along the Northern Line of the London Underground. However, compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, it doesn't quite match up. 

Features score: 4 / 5

Jabra Elite 10 review: Sound quality

The Jabra Elite 10 buds outside their case

(Image credit: Future)
  • A balanced listen, with some minor adjustments 
  • No hi-res support (only AAC and SBC)
  • Immersive Dolby Atmos tracks 

There’s a strong confidence to the Jabra Elite 10’s sound performance. If I were to summarize it in one word, I’d say it was effectively balanced. From the trebles to the mid-range and through to bass, the sound is tonally steady when streaming via Apple Music on a FiiO M11S (keep in mind there's only support for AAC and SBC). 

But when listening with a keener ear to a more bass-heavy track like Black Eye by Allie X, there was a lack of oomph that I'm used to hearing. This was easily improved upon by adjusting the EQ settings but for an out of box listen, the Elite 10 wasn't completely ready to go. I found this again when testing the bud's treble. Again, tracks like Rains Again by Solji benefited from a slight EQ adjustment to really come alive for me personally. 

As a whole, I'd say the earbud's audio quality is still generally great, it's just not exceptional, especially when compared to the likes of the AirPods Pro 2, which offers a more dynamic listen. Even with smaller drivers, the Sony WF-1000XM5 can deliver an "agile, meaty and fun listen" that's packed with enthusiasm. If you're an audiophile looking for flawless hi-res sound quality, I'd recommend looking to its rivals for a more detailed listen. 

Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

Jabra Elite 10 review: Design

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)
  • Proprietary ‘ComfortFit’ technology
  • Ergonomic, uniquely designed earpieces

Jabra found during the research and development of its latest earbuds range – the Elite 10 and Elite 8 Active – that comfort was the most valued feature by most people. A survey conducted by the company saw 47% of participants valued comfort over all else, with sound quality and battery life coming next. For this reason, Jabra has developed what it calls ‘ComfortFit’ technology, which is a new type of unique oval-shaped design. 

Jabra calls it "EarGels" and the best way I can describe the semi-open fit is that instead of sitting completely inside your ear canals – like the in-ear monitors in our best wired headphones guide – the buds sit in the outside of your ear, snugged up inside the middle part of your ear. Jabra says it scanned 62,000 ears to get the unique shape and the results are effective, as they're some of the comfiest earbuds I've worn to date (the silicon is softer than the plastic used in the AirPods Pro 2).   

The design of the buds' earpieces is similar to that of the Sony WF-1000XM5, which we’ve found to fit most people – and the same is true for the Elite 10s. The only time I briefly had trouble with the fit was while out, when I could feel them coming loose from walking around and moving my head, but a quick readjust made them feel secure again.  

Aside from the unique oval shaped buds, the Elite 10s have a simple design that you can personalize by choosing from one of five different colors, including cocoa, cream, black, matte black and titanium black. The case is slightly bulkier than the likes of the AirPods Pro 2 but this is quickly outweighed by the softer materials used for the buds. The Elite 10s also don't have poky stems that dig into the bottom of your ear, making them a lot more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.   

Design score: 5 / 5 

Jabra Elite 10 review: Value

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)
  • Cheaper than premium rivals  
  • ANC and sound quality can be beaten 

There are trade-offs when it comes to earbuds. If you want ANC, don't expect flawless sound quality. If you want a portable earbud design, then they're not going to be as comfortable as a pair of over-ear headphones. And so it goes without the Elite 10. 

The ANC is by no means the best in the business (instead we’d recommend looking at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds) but the comfort is the best I’ve experienced in a while and the call quality was far better than the AirPods Pro 2 I tested them against. The sound performance is also not going to beat the Technics EAH-AZ80 but if you value other features like spatial audio and a good control app more highly, the Jabra Elite 10 offers a great middle ground.    

Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Jabra Elite 10?

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if… 

Don't buy it if... 

Jabra Elite 10 review: Also consider

How I tested the Jabra Elite 10

The Jabra Elite 10s on a Mac next to an iPhone and DAP

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for more than two weeks and compared to AirPods Pro 2 
  • Streamed music from Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer
  • iPhone 13, MacBook Pro and FiiO M11S as source players

I tested the Jabra Elite 10s for more than two weeks, during which time I alternated between connecting them to my phone, laptop and a digital audio player. I used them mostly at home to listen to music, make phone calls and watch the odd show, but also took them out with me while commuting to test the ANC.  

To test the sound quality, I listened to a playlist that we test earbuds with at TechRadar. I did this with both the ANC on and off. In addition to music, I also listened to podcasts and watched a YouTube video to see how the audio quality compared between sources. 

To keep my overall judgement of the earbuds fair, I also conducted a blind listening test, comparing them to the AirPods Pro 2 while streaming music via two iPhones on Apple Music and Spotify simultaneously.

Jabra Elite 10 review: Dolby Atmos sound in first class comfort
5:00 pm |
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Jabra Elite 10: Two-minute review

The Jabra Elite 10 is the Danish brand’s flagship premium wireless earbuds. They're its most expensive pair of headphones to date, borrowing smarts from the company's headset and hearing aid businesses to help it deliver incredibly clear call quality and effective Active Noise Cancellation. 

As its most advanced pair of buds yet, the Elite 10s pack in a lot of premium features, like Dolby Atmos with head tracking and multipoint pairing, in a unique new oval design that sits on the outside of your ears, making them incredibly comfortable – even when wearing them for long periods. 

But being a premium pair of buds means that the Elite 10 has a lot of competition among the best wireless earbuds. When compared to rivals like Sony's, Bose's or Apple's top earbud offerings, it falls short of being the absolute best for sound quality. That said, it's priced slightly less than its closest competitors so if you want comfortable spatial audio while on the go and are not bothered by best-in-class ANC and hi-res audio quality, the Elite 10 could be a great alternative.   

Jabra Elite 10 review: Price and release date

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)
  • Announced on August 31, 2023 
  • Became available to buy in September 2023
  • Priced at $249 / £229 / AU$379

Jabra first announced the Elite 10 back in August 2023 alongside a more fitness-focused model called the Jabra Elite 8 Active, which sells for $199 / £199 / AU$329. As its flagship earbuds, the Elite 10 costs more than its sporty offering at $249 in the US, £229 in the UK and AU$379 in Australia. This means it's also more expensive than its predecessor’s, the Elite 7 Pro, launch price of  $199 / £199 / AU$299.    

The jump in cost means the Elite 10s are going head-to-head with the biggest players, but they undercut the competition in the premium market on price. They’re less than both Sony’s WF-1000XM5 ($299 / £259 / AU$499) and the Technics EAH-AZ80 ($299 / £259 / AU$499) that launched at the end of 2023. And they are squarely in line with two premium releases from 2022: Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2, which cost $249 / £229 / AU$399 and $199 / £199 / AU$299, respectively, at the time of writing. 

Jabra Elite 10 review: Specs

A pair of headphones on a table next to a DAP

(Image credit: Future)

Jabra Elite 10 review: Features

Three iPhone screenshots of the Jabra Sound+ app

(Image credit: Future)
  • Immersive Dolby Atmos with head tracking 
  • ANC is decent but not best-in-class
  • Crystal clear call quality 

Since launching its first pair of wireless earbuds in 2016, the Elite Sport, Jabra has released seven generations of buds, and the Elite 10 is its most advanced yet. It's the step-up from the Elite 7 Pro, which had targeted the lower to mid-range market but still had premium features like ANC, adjustable EQ settings, an IP57 rating and wireless charging. The Elite 10 builds upon all of its predecessor's features, and Jabra has a few more tricks up its sleeve to make sure it can hold its own among the market’s premium offerings. 

The newest feature to be included in the buds is also a first for Jabra earbuds: support for Dolby Atmos with head tracking. This makes the buds have a wider soundstage when turned on and listening to Atmos content that's like hearing each instrument in a track as if they’re placed all around you. When head tracking is turned on, this virtual soundstage moves with you but I found this to have a slight delay when you readjusted your head to a new position. I found it worked better when watching a show or movie rather than listening to music. Conveniently, you can toggle both spatial audio and head tracking on and off in the Jabra Sound+ app as well as adjust the HearThrough mode, Advanced ANC, EQ settings and more. 

Outside of the app, you can also control the Jabra Elite 10 by pressing the buttons on the buds themselves. Pressing the surface of the left bud will rotate through HearThrough and ANC, while pressing the right can pause and play a song (you can switch to different variations of this in the app). Tapping the right bud twice skips tracks, while holding down either button increases (right) and decreases (left) the volume. Holding down both at the same time also activates pairing mode. 

As for other features, there's also in-ear detection, automatic muting settings, Bluetooth Multipoint pairing for listening to two devices at the same time, voice assistant support that lets you control your buds with voice commands and FindMy for when you've misplaced them. And while the Elite 10's six hours of battery life (21 hours with the case) does outlast Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, it's beat by Sony's WF-1000XM5s.      

One of the biggest standout features for me is the Elite 10's exceptionally clear call quality, especially while out and about, and that’s down to the six mics inside them. Jabra says that the external mics are active all the time, while the internal mics activate when wind is detected. The extra mics make the Elite 10’s call quality far better than the AirPods Pro 2, which only has two mics. Jabra’s Advanced ANC is also on by default during calls to help cancel out unwanted background noises, which is a feature that was improved on in a March 26 software update (Jabra claims that the update helps cancel background noises twice as easily). There's also an adjustable sidetone setting so you can hear your voice more, which is not something we see a lot of. 

Just like Apple’s Adaptive Noise Control, Jabra’s Advanced ANC uses scanning tech and noise leakage detection to automatically adjust the ANC to your surroundings. It’s the brand’s most advanced ANC mode, and is claimed to deliver two times more noise cancellation than its standard ANC. And it does work, cancelling out the screeching banshees along the Northern Line of the London Underground. However, compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, it doesn't quite match up. 

Features score: 4 / 5

Jabra Elite 10 review: Sound quality

The Jabra Elite 10 buds outside their case

(Image credit: Future)
  • A balanced listen, with some minor adjustments 
  • No hi-res support (only AAC and SBC)
  • Immersive Dolby Atmos tracks 

There’s a strong confidence to the Jabra Elite 10’s sound performance. If I were to summarize it in one word, I’d say it was effectively balanced. From the trebles to the mid-range and through to bass, the sound is tonally steady when streaming via Apple Music on a FiiO M11S (keep in mind there's only support for AAC and SBC). 

But when listening with a keener ear to a more bass-heavy track like Black Eye by Allie X, there was a lack of oomph that I'm used to hearing. This was easily improved upon by adjusting the EQ settings but for an out of box listen, the Elite 10 wasn't completely ready to go. I found this again when testing the bud's treble. Again, tracks like Rains Again by Solji benefited from a slight EQ adjustment to really come alive for me personally. 

As a whole, I'd say the earbud's audio quality is still generally great, it's just not exceptional, especially when compared to the likes of the AirPods Pro 2, which offers a more dynamic listen. Even with smaller drivers, the Sony WF-1000XM5 can deliver an "agile, meaty and fun listen" that's packed with enthusiasm. If you're an audiophile looking for flawless hi-res sound quality, I'd recommend looking to its rivals for a more detailed listen. 

Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

Jabra Elite 10 review: Design

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)
  • Proprietary ‘ComfortFit’ technology
  • Ergonomic, uniquely designed earpieces

Jabra found during the research and development of its latest earbuds range – the Elite 10 and Elite 8 Active – that comfort was the most valued feature by most people. A survey conducted by the company saw 47% of participants valued comfort over all else, with sound quality and battery life coming next. For this reason, Jabra has developed what it calls ‘ComfortFit’ technology, which is a new type of unique oval-shaped design. 

Jabra calls it "EarGels" and the best way I can describe the semi-open fit is that instead of sitting completely inside your ear canals – like the in-ear monitors in our best wired headphones guide – the buds sit in the outside of your ear, snugged up inside the middle part of your ear. Jabra says it scanned 62,000 ears to get the unique shape and the results are effective, as they're some of the comfiest earbuds I've worn to date (the silicon is softer than the plastic used in the AirPods Pro 2).   

The design of the buds' earpieces is similar to that of the Sony WF-1000XM5, which we’ve found to fit most people – and the same is true for the Elite 10s. The only time I briefly had trouble with the fit was while out, when I could feel them coming loose from walking around and moving my head, but a quick readjust made them feel secure again.  

Aside from the unique oval shaped buds, the Elite 10s have a simple design that you can personalize by choosing from one of five different colors, including cocoa, cream, black, matte black and titanium black. The case is slightly bulkier than the likes of the AirPods Pro 2 but this is quickly outweighed by the softer materials used for the buds. The Elite 10s also don't have poky stems that dig into the bottom of your ear, making them a lot more comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.   

Design score: 5 / 5 

Jabra Elite 10 review: Value

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)
  • Cheaper than premium rivals  
  • ANC and sound quality can be beaten 

There are trade-offs when it comes to earbuds. If you want ANC, don't expect flawless sound quality. If you want a portable earbud design, then they're not going to be as comfortable as a pair of over-ear headphones. And so it goes without the Elite 10. 

The ANC is by no means the best in the business (instead we’d recommend looking at the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds) but the comfort is the best I’ve experienced in a while and the call quality was far better than the AirPods Pro 2 I tested them against. The sound performance is also not going to beat the Technics EAH-AZ80 but if you value other features like spatial audio and a good control app more highly, the Jabra Elite 10 offers a great middle ground.    

Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Jabra Elite 10?

A hand holding the Jabra Elite 10

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if… 

Don't buy it if... 

Jabra Elite 10 review: Also consider

How I tested the Jabra Elite 10

The Jabra Elite 10s on a Mac next to an iPhone and DAP

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for more than two weeks and compared to AirPods Pro 2 
  • Streamed music from Apple Music, Spotify and Deezer
  • iPhone 13, MacBook Pro and FiiO M11S as source players

I tested the Jabra Elite 10s for more than two weeks, during which time I alternated between connecting them to my phone, laptop and a digital audio player. I used them mostly at home to listen to music, make phone calls and watch the odd show, but also took them out with me while commuting to test the ANC.  

To test the sound quality, I listened to a playlist that we test earbuds with at TechRadar. I did this with both the ANC on and off. In addition to music, I also listened to podcasts and watched a YouTube video to see how the audio quality compared between sources. 

To keep my overall judgement of the earbuds fair, I also conducted a blind listening test, comparing them to the AirPods Pro 2 while streaming music via two iPhones on Apple Music and Spotify simultaneously.

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