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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
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
Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 review: all about value
6:00 pm | June 23, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Turtle Beach Stealth 600: one-minute review

It’s easy to make a premium headset - just pile on the features and get everything hand-made by artisans. Hitting the sub-$100 price point in 2024 as the Turtle Beach Gen 3 Stealth 600 does is much tougher. But if you’re keen to stick to that budget for your next headset, Turtle Beach really has your back here.

It’s included an 80-hour battery life and some very welcome physical controls for chat mix, volume, EQ presets, and a quick swap button between 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth 5.2 connections, along with plenty more tweaking via the Swarm mobile or desktop app. 

The feel and comfort do give away that concessions have had to be made in order to hit this pricing, and you get that same sense from the overall sound, which falls short of great and lands merely at good. But that’s to be expected.

Certain features like the smart mic noise cancellation and mic EQ presets feel like they’re visiting from a higher-priced model, and the easy multi-device compatibility across PC and consoles is a real asset. If you can plug the full-size USB dongle into it, the Stealth 600 can work with it. You might not get all the features on every device, but for the price, this is a real workhorse of a wireless gaming headset.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 on a wooden surface next to a laptop

(Image credit: Turtle Beach)

Turtle Beach Stealth 600: Price and availability

  • List price: $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179
  • Wireless headsets don’t get much cheaper
  • Stacks up well against Corsair and SteelSeries at this price

It’s possible to find a wireless headset for less than the Stealth 600’s MSRP - but not by much. The Corsair HS55 Wireless Core is available for $10 / £10 less, while the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 headset is comparable at a slightly higher $130 / £130. 

As always, UK gamers are slightly fleeced by conversion rates here but the convention of parity between US and UK pricings didn’t begin with Turtle Beach.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600: Specs

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 on a wooden surface next to a laptop

(Image credit: Turtle Beach)

Turtle Beach Stealth 600: Design and features

  • Smart but exciting looks
  • A bit tight
  • Plenty of controls

Let’s be clear off the bat: if you look for tells that this isn’t a premium headset, you’ll find them. Construction materials are exclusively plastic and pleather, and the feel of the foam padding around the earcups and inside the headband isn’t quite as spongy and luxurious as you find about $50 further up the market.

How it stacks up against similarly priced models from its rivals is more revealing, though. Although it’s similar in appearance to Razer’s Blackshark V2 Pro for Console, Razer edges it for feel and aesthetics to our eye. The same is true of the Steelseries Arctis Nova 5, which also offer greater comfort. The closest comparison can be drawn between these and the Corsair HS55 Wireless Core since they’re both chunky and robust designs with a blackout color option, but in our subjective view, the HS55’s variation of materials and finishes edges it. 

It’s not the most attractive wireless headset, then, but it feels built to last. It can withstand a good deal of pulling and twisting force without revealing any obvious weak points and, returns to its shape. There’s also very little noise when moving the earcups around, with no discernible creaking. 

There’s an unusually snug fit to this headset. The clamping force is definitely on the tight side, and the earcup mounting design to the headband means that there’s more of that force being exerted on the lower half, below your ear, than on the upper half. We found that we started to notice that pressure after a couple of hours of play.

We also became aware of the headband’s pressure on our head at around the same time each play session. There’s not quite enough padding here, and although this certainly isn’t a heavy headset at a shade over 10.5oz / 300g, you do become aware of the contact points quite quickly.  

Happily, though, it’s feature-rich for the pricing. The rear of the left earcup has power, mute, EQ preset select, connection switch, and pairing buttons, along with two notched wheels for volume and - the holy grail - chat mix. These are remappable too, via Turtle Beach’s Swarm app giving another string to its bow as a PC gaming headset.

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 on a wooden surface next to a laptop

(Image credit: Turtle Beach)

Turtle Beach Stealth 600: Performance

  • Nice rounded mic audio
  • AI noise cancellation works well
  • EQ tuning favors bass and mids

Does this value-end Turtle Beach headset feature Stealth-wealth when it comes to audio quality and gaming performance? Well, it gets the job done admirably for the price. 

The tuning of its 50mm drivers is definitely geared towards accentuating the low mids and lows, creating a powerful bass response that sounds visceral and immediate in shooters and captures the throaty roar of a car’s engine nicely. 

However, that authoritative response at the lower end of the frequency response spectrum means a compromise higher up. Pricier headsets capture a bit more sparkle from sounds like breaking glass or voices. Compared with both the Arctis Nova 5s and the Blackshark V2, we noticed a slight loss of detail in the mix when listening to music which we couldn’t relocate by cycling the 10-band EQ presets. Turtle Beach’s ‘superhuman hearing’ preset is part of that lineup, intended to amplify important sound cues in shooters and drown out the rest. Perhaps an elite-level player might find this useful, but in our usage it sounded too tinny to put up with for longer than a couple of rounds.

Let’s not lose sight of the intended purpose, though - it’s a multiplatform headset for gaming, and it does that job well, producing clear and at times bombastic sound whether connected via 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth 5.2 on either our PC, iPhone, or being deployed as a PS5 headset. There’s a trend towards either-or wireless connections rather than simultaneous wireless and Bluetooth at the moment and the Stealth 600 Gen 3s follow it - but it’s handy to have the connection switch ready at the press of a button. 

The Swarm app on PC or mobile gives you a lot of tweaking options, from the amount of noise cancellation to custom EQ presets. We were particularly impressed by the AI-assisted noise cancellation, and by the quality of the mic audio itself.

Finally, plaudits for the 80-hour battery life. That’s a huge number for this price, and it held true during our testing period. 

Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Turtle Beach)

Should I buy the Turtle Beach Stealth 600?

Buy it if...

Don't buy if...

Also consider...

If the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 is flying under your radar, alert yourself to these other candidates.

How we tested the Turtle Beach Stealth 600

  • Over a week of daily use during testing
  • Used with competitive games, retro titles, and Discord chat
  • Battery life and recharge time measured

We used the Turtle Beach Stealth 600 Gen 3 as our daily drivers for a full week during testing, keeping tabs on battery life and the USB-C charge time while indulging in PUBG sessions, keeping in comms via Discord, and checking back in with old favorites Unreal Tournament ‘99 and Quake 3 Arena. 

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2024.

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: cheap wireless earbuds with noise cancellation, detailed sound – and a few drawbacks
12:00 pm | June 4, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: | Comments: Off

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30: Two-minute review

The 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds pack in an impressive number of features that make them a tempting purchase at their $49.99 / £39.99 (approx AU$75) asking price. While some of these features don’t always work perfectly, they perform adequately for the price, but it’s the sound quality that really impresses.

The case feels solid and, even in white, has stood the test of time in use for me – and they weren’t given an easy ride. The materials used don’t scream cheap-and-cheerful – the matte finish on the outer case is tactile and has proven to be durable, and the buds themselves feel well made.

The only slight downsides in terms of the design are that the PistonBuds Pro Q30 may not prove the most comfortable fit for those with petite ears due to their wide and shallow inner ear stalks. And the touch detection area on the earbud posts is rather small, making it tricky to use the touch controls at times.

These earbuds are definitely a welcome upgrade over their predecessors, the 1More PistonBuds Pro, and could prove the ideal purchase for those on a limited budget. Especially if you still want great sound quality and the ability to fine-tune your listening experience, whether that’s through the 12 different equalizer presets or by creating your own custom EQ.

While it would be unfair to expect top-performing active noise cancellation for this price, the ANC on offer is more than adequate, capable of blocking out a fair level of ambient noise and effective in tuning out consistent distractions such as aircon humming.

The battery life on offer is also perfectly adequate. It’s certainly nothing to get excited about, and it’s disappointing that during my testing the earbuds weren’t able to make it to the claimed seven and a half hours of continuous playtime, instead lasting just under seven hours. If listening for long hours is a priority for you, but you don’t want to shell out on higher-end headphones, then check out our best wireless earbuds guide for some alternatives. Alternatively, if you’re looking for earbuds that are better suited to petite ears, take a look at our best earbuds for small ears guide.

A top-down view of white and silver PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds in their open case.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: Price and release date

  • Released in December 2023
  • List price: $49.99 / £39.99 (about AU$75)

Released at the end of of 2023 as a welcome upgrade over their predecessors – the mediocre sound of which we touched on in our 1More PistonBuds Pro review – the 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 promised to deliver more in the form of additional active noise cancellation capabilities, customizable EQ settings, and upgraded Bluetooth 5.3 LE Audio. And this is all despite being one of the cheapest offerings from the 1More range, coming in at $49.99 / £39.99.

The PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds are currently available in the USA, Europe, and Japan, but at the time of writing they don’t appear to be available in Australia.

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: Specs

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: Features

  • Multiple noise-cancelling modes
  • 12 presets and customizable EQ
  • Battery life could be better

1More certainly hasn’t held back when it comes to the number of features on offer from these earbuds – especially given the price. While some of these features can be a little hit-and-miss at times, on the whole the PistonBuds Pro Q30 offer a great listening experience.

The touch controls work fine, although it took me a while to perfect the adjustment technique due to the small touch-sensitive area on the earbud post – even after using the earbuds for several months, I was still struggling to hit the target every time. It’s worth noting that my long gel nails may also have played a part in this, as it further reduced the contact from my fingertip – so if you happen to have nails on the fabulous side you may find buds with a post-less design, like the JLab Go Air Pop, more user-friendly.

Photo of a hand holding one of the PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds by its post, showing the small touch control area.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

The 1More Music app is straightforward to use and houses a bunch of useful features – quite an impressive stack of them, in fact, considering the price of the earbuds. If you like to fine-tune your listening experience, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a decent range of 12 equalizer presets, plus you have the option to customize EQ the setting too. There is a little bit of lag when switching between presets on my iPhone 12 Pro, with the app taking a couple of seconds to catch up, but it’s only a minor inconvenience.

Another little frustration is the display of the EQ presets. Half of the options are displayed too far to the right of the screen so, while you’re still able to select the preset, you can’t read what it is. This doesn’t make them redundant, though, as once selected, the EQ preset name is displayed at the top of the screen, and you’ll likely learn where each of them sits. This issue wasn't present on the iPad app.

At first, I couldn’t get the earbuds to connect to my iPad without first going into my iPhone settings to unpair them. In contrast, higher-priced alternatives such as the Marshall Motif II A.N.C will allow you to connect to more than one device without manually adjusting the settings. When I explored the app further, I found an Experimental Features section hiding in the top-right menu, which has a dual-device connection feature, and after enabling this I was able to connect to my iPad and iPhone simultaneously with standard Bluetooth multi-point pairing.

Smart Playback, which is 1More’s wear-detection feature, works fairly well for the most part – but occasionally, the music doesn’t resume once you’ve put the earbuds back in. If you want more control over when your music starts or stops, there are options to set the earbuds to Auto-Pause & Play, Auto-Pause Only, or No Smart Playback. At times, however, either turning off smart playback didn’t work, or the touch controls were overly sensitive when putting the buds in my ears, as this sometimes set the music off.

Despite this, without fail, even with Smart Playback off, the earbuds still detected when I’d taken them out of my ears, and turned off the active noise cancellation. The ANC is automatically re-enabled when you put the earbuds back in your ears, which is helpful when it comes to preserving battery life.

Both 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 buds lying on a marble effect desktop. The top of the earbud has a microphone, and the speaker and silicone tip are toward the front. The left earbud post shows the letter L, and the right shows the letter R.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

The active noise cancellation performance is good for the price. Some cheaply priced earbuds can sound like the volume has just been bumped up when ANC is enabled, but this is not the case with the PistonBuds Pro Q30. The Strong ANC setting does an okay job of filtering out a lot of office noise, like chatter, mouse clicks, or keys clacking, but most notably it did a fantastic job of filtering out bass-range sounds, such as the loud humming from the air-con system above me.

Unfortunately, a white-noise-like effect from the ANC itself is sometimes noticeable in the background of quieter tracks. Pass-through mode, which is supposed to enable you to hear your surroundings and keep up with conversation while your music is playing, has a background hum similar to airplane cabin white noise. Some users may be better at tuning this out, and I was able to after a little while, but it’s worth noting that it’s nowhere near as natural-sounding as the same feature in the likes of the Sony WF-C700N or Nothing Ear (a).

I was also impressed with the clarity and prominence of my voice over the built-in microphones. It’s always hard to accurately judge the quality of the microphones during calls due to the number of variables, such as connection quality, but I did find that I had to switch back to my handset when making a call on a windy April afternoon, as the recipient couldn’t hear me through the wind noise. When testing in controlled conditions, however, the microphones in these earbuds performed miles better than those in similarly priced earbuds such as the Speck Gemtones Play.

Unfortunately, the battery life underperformed during testing. The earbuds survived for just under seven hours, even though 1More claims the PistonBuds Pro Q30 will play continuously for seven and a half hours with the ANC off. During testing, the battery life of the earbuds was reduced to just over five hours when Spatial Audio was enabled, although this was at least as advertised. While this isn’t the end of the world if you don’t intend to listen for hours at a time, if you enjoy listening to music all day without having to pause to charge the buds or if you want ANC or spatial audio on, these may not have the longevity you need.

  • Features score: 4/5

White and silver 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds sitting in the charging case with the lid open. The case is sitting on a white marble-effect desk.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: Sound quality

  • Great sound quality for the price
  • Impressive level of detail
  • Volume levels don’t disappoint

When it comes to sound quality, the PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds certainly hold their own. The bass isn’t overpowering, and they don’t struggle with the treble either. These earbuds pack a punch, and are generous when it comes to volume level, too.  

The difference in volume level was particularly evident when compared to the Speck Gemtones Play earbuds. When following the TechRadar testing protocols and playing our curated tracklist on repeat at 50% volume, the sound coming from the Gemtones Play was barely audible, whereas the PistonBuds Pro Q30 sounded like mini Bluetooth speakers when they were on my desk.

These earbuds deliver a nice level of detail. Listening to Rains Again by Soliji was a great experience. The rainfall that punctuates the beginning of the track is clear enough that it doesn’t mush together into static, and you can hear so much detail in the vocals. They had no issues handling the treble of the high vocal notes either, even on the default EQ setting, which some budget earbuds can struggle with.

Continuing with the default Studio EQ preset, when listening to St. Thomas by Sonny Rollins the earbuds provide impressive detail again, picking up subtleties in the physical impact of the drums being hit – when the Acoustic EQ preset was selected and Spatial Audio enabled, it sounded like I was right there in the room with the band.

The same preset also skillfully handled the raw and high-hitting vocals of the Moloko track I Want You. Further fine-tuning can be achieved by selecting other presets, with Lounge, in particular, delivering satisfying results – the earbuds did well to keep up with the massive variety of instruments, vocals, and synths that are thrown at them on this track. 

It’s impressive that the PistonBuds Pro Q30 can deliver an all-round good-quality listening experience, even on the default EQ preset, meaning that it’s possible to feel relatively satisfied without having to mess about with different settings. This has previously proven a problem with other earbuds in this price range, as they aren’t always capable of delivering crisp vocals while maintaining dynamic sound from other elements.

  • Sound quality score: 4/5

The back of the 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds, showing the silver-tipped white posts, with a small raised touch-control area and the 1More logo in silver.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: Design

  • Available in two colors
  • Good build quality
  • Comfortable to wear

The PistonBuds Pro Q30 are available in black and gold, or white and silver, with a matching case. I was given the white and silver earbuds to review, and, to be honest,I was a little disappointed that I didn’t receive the black and gold version – mostly because that color combination is one of my favorite things, but also because white cases have the potential to get grubby, fast.

It’s been a pleasant surprise, however, to find that after several months of being transferred between pockets and bags or left out in various locations, the case still looks good, other than a few minor scrape marks, which is forgivable after so many months of being thrown into bags and pockets with house keys, and the like. Unlike the black Speck Gemtones Play case, which showed signs of wear within the first hour, the PistonBuds Pro Q30 case has proved itself to be durable, even in white. 

The majority of the case has a matte finish, with a glossy top panel that bears the 1More logo. This is a nice detail, but it does show fingerprints when it catches the light. There’s a small indicator light on the front panel that displays a green light if the case is over 80% charged, amber if the charge is anywhere above 20%, or red if the charge has fallen below 20%.

The hinged lid feels sturdy, while still being easy to open and close. Cases that open this easily always make me a little nervous, but I didn’t experience any issues with it – and even if the case were to open up in my bag, the magnets in the case do a great job of keeping hold of the earbuds, even when the case is given a good shake.

Image shows an open PistonBuds Pro Q30 case lying on its back in a marble-effect desktop. You can see the magnets inside the case that help to hold the earbuds in place.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

The build quality of the earbuds themselves is satisfactory. The white and silver variation features a mostly gloss finish apart from the satin-finished silver section at the top of the post, and the little 1More logo on the middle of the post. When it comes to weight, these earbuds are pretty standard, at 4.6g per bud, making them comfortably light to wear. 

The touch controls are located on the earbud posts, and they’re not as easy to use as the controls on traditional bud-shaped headphones like the JLab Go Air Pop earbuds due to the limited surface area. They also lack a single-tap function, which is disappointing. As default, the touch controls are set to play or pause the track being played with a double tap, and launch your device's voice assistant with a triple tap.

The case is charged via a USB-C cable – a short charging cable is included in the box, and this plugs into the bottom of the case. This is fairly standard placement across other earbuds, but personally I’d prefer the charging port to be on the back of the case; this would then make it possible to place the case upright on a surface when the cable's plugged in, making it easier to take the earbuds out or replace them while the case is charging.

  • Design score: 4/5

Image shows the base of the 1more PistonBuds Q30 case with a USB-C charging port in the centre.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: Value

  • Great audio performance for a budget price
  • Disappointing earbud battery life
  • Durable, good-quality design

You’re getting a lot more than you pay for with the PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds. The sound quality is beyond impressive for the sub-$50 price tag, and I can’t rave about this enough. Even considering the battery life issues and tricky touch controls, thanks to the decent ANC performance and fantastic audio, these earbuds are excellent value for money. There are alternative options in the same price range that can offer longer battery life, but few compete with these earbuds when it comes to sound quality.

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Image shows the 1more PistonBuds Q30 case, which is white with a matte finish.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

Should I buy the 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 review: Also consider

How I tested the 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30

  • Tested for five months
  • Tested at home, in the office, on walks, and commuting
  • Used to listen to music, podcasts, and YouTube content

I tested the 1More PistonBuds Pro Q30 earbuds over the course of five months. I tested them according to our TechRadar standardized testing, including listening to a curated playlist so that I could fairly compare different earbuds, checking the quality of the microphones, and real-world measurement of battery life.

I tested the wearability, sound quality, and features by using them to listen to music, podcasts, and YouTube content whilst at home, in the office, commuting, and generally when out and about.

Read more about how we test.

  • First reviewed: May 2024
JBL Xtreme 4 review: an outdoorsy, bold-sounding Bluetooth speaker that even harnesses AI
12:00 pm | May 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

JBL Xtreme 4: Two-minute review

“Unleash powerful sound everywhere” is the tagline of JBL’s Xtreme 4 Bluetooth speaker, but does it live up to the hype? The short answer is, well… yes. The Xtreme 4 paints a dynamic aural picture in a bid to feature among the best Bluetooth speakers to have graced our testing process, with well-defined high frequencies, full-bodied mids and a pumping bass. It’s worth flagging, though, that its true power isn’t let loose straight out of the box, especially at low frequencies, although that’s nothing the JBL Portable app can’t solve through its customizable EQ settings. In addition, the Xtreme 4 can serve up a very good sonic experience at loud volumes without being hampered by distortion.

It doesn’t drastically depart from the JBL Xtreme 3, but the newest model in the product line brings some cool new features to set itself apart. These include AI Sound Boost, which predicts speaker movement and response to deliver “better and more powerful” sound, and Auracast Bluetooth technology. However, the Xtreme 4’s biggest upgrade is to its battery life, with a base playtime of 24 hours, extendable by a further six thanks to the addition of Playtime Boost. 

The Xtreme 4 also has the IP67 rating, proving it is both waterproof and dustproof. This makes it a solid, great-sounding and dependable pick as one of the best waterproof speakers if you're heading to a pool party or beach (you lucky thing, you). 

So far, you’re probably thinking that this can’t get too much better, but there’s a ‘but’. The main thing holding the Xtreme 4 back is its high price point, which stands at $379.95 / £329.99 / AU$499.95 (note that it is only available in the UK at the time of writing). There are a handful of similarly-sized alternative speakers which offer great audio quality and smart design at a more reasonable cost, meaning the Xtreme 4 isn’t likely to win any ‘Best Value’ prizes.

Despite its protection against the elements and practical design features, the Xtreme 4 isn’t the prettiest Bluetooth speaker either (at least in my view), with similarly-priced competitors (such as the Ultimate Ears Epicboom) pulling off a similar look and sound quality, but with a bit more class. That’s not to say that it’s abhorrent though, in fact, you may even be a fan of its rugged and outdoorsy look – something you can double down on with the Black Camo color option. 

If you’re a loyal JBL fan, the Xtreme 4 is well worth checking out, especially if you’re looking for a larger speaker that's a true all-rounder. However, if you already have the Xtreme 3, you’re open to buying from other brands or you're on a tight budget, you may want to consider better value competitors – or wait for a sale.

JBL Xtreme 4's passive bass radiator closeup, on pink background

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Xtreme 4 review: Price and release date

  • Released on March 14, 2024 (UK), date TBC for US and Australia
  • Price: $379.95 / £329.99 / AU$499.95

The JBL Xtreme 4 launched in March 2024 in the UK, so it's perhaps a little odd that launch date is yet to be revealed for the US and Australia.

Though it may not command the eye-watering prices you’d expect to see from a top-drawer brand (think Bang & Olufsen), the Xtreme 4 is still quite the investment. So, if you’re on a tighter budget, there may be better choices for you.

For ultimate portability you could opt for the slightly smaller but still brilliant JBL Charge 5, priced at $179.95 / £169.99 / AU$199.95, or for more of a party-ready speaker you could nab the eye-catching Tribit Stormbox Blast for $199.99 / £162 (about AU$300).

JBL Xtreme 4 review: Specs

JBL Xtreme 4's strap closeup, on pink background

The strap is fine, but a handle might be helpful (Image credit: Future)

JBL Xtreme 4 review: Features

  • Top notch battery life of up to 30 hours
  • AI-enabled sound refinement
  • Auracast Bluetooth technology

It will probably come as little surpriise to learn that the JBL Xtreme 4 isn’t a huge overhaul of the Xtreme 3. Neither of the speakers are too far apart in terms of weight or size, and both are IP67 rated, have a built-in power bank, as well as Bass Radiators. 

However, the Xtreme 4 brings some new features to the party to set itself apart, such as AI Sound Boost. This essentially utilizes an AI algorithm to predict speaker movement and response in real-time, helping the Xtreme 4 to deliver “better and more powerful” sound, and reduce distortion at loud volumes. No, it's not going to predict your music tastes or answer calls, but it will help the sonic chops. 

A second new addition is that of Auracast, a Bluetooth technology ensuring that there is no limit on the amount of JBL devices (which also have Auracast) that you can connect at once. This is a neat feature if you want to play music in multiple rooms at a party, using the newest standard. You can also rest assured that JBL speakers without Auracast, such as the Xtreme 3, will still be able to pair with the Xtreme 4, thanks to the PartyBoost feature on the JBL Portable app.

Without doubt the biggest (and best) difference between the Xtreme 4 and its predecessor is the far superior battery life. JBL says that the new model has a base battery life of 24 hours, nine hours longer than its older sibling, which is more than enough for most listeners. When I left the Xtreme 4 playing music at 30% volume for 2 hours, it only lost 5%, so there’s no need to doubt JBL’s claim. The speaker can also be fully recharged in just 3.5 hours.

If you need to squeeze a bit more out of the Xtreme 4, the JBL Portable app has a valuable feature called Playtime Boost. This can be activated to grant up to six hours of additional playtime, and ramps up the volume of the speaker to consume less battery. One downside to Playtime Boost, however, is that when active, EQ settings are disabled, meaning you’ll miss out on unleashing the potential of the Xtreme 4’s bass – more on this later. Overall, Playtime Boost makes for a strong addition though, and you won’t find too many Bluetooth speakers of the Xtreme 4’s quality with such long battery life.

On the topic of playtime, you can go one step further to keep the party going thanks to the Xtreme 4’s replaceable battery – yes, really. You can unscrew the base of the speaker to swap in a new, rechargeable battery with ease, though it should be noted that additional batteries must be purchased separately. Charging-wise, the Xtreme 4 opts for a minimalist approach with a single USB-C port only, as opposed to the Xtreme 3's inclusion of a USB-A output port as well. The Xtreme 4’s USB-C port can be used to charge the speaker itself or to give external devices some extra juice. 

If you’re satisfied with the Xtreme 3’s battery life, I’d argue that the other new additions don’t set the Xtreme 4 apart too much. It's also important to note that since the summer of 2023, it has been possible to buy upgraded versions of the JBL Charge 5 and Boombox 3 with Wi-Fi (and Atmos for the Boombox), while the Xtreme 4 really is 'just' a Bluetooth speaker. That said, when I compared the Xtreme 4 against the lower-cost Anker Soundcore Boom 2, I certainly felt that JBL’s speaker had more depth and verve sonically, particularly due to the presence of that AI Sound Boost.

  • Features score: 4.5/5

JBL Xtreme 4 closeup of the control panel on pink background

(Image credit: Future)

JBL Xtreme 4 review: Sound quality

  • Serves up well-rounded sonic experience 
  • Audio elements are distinct with highs sounding particularly sweet 
  • Bass disappointing out of the box, but booms with EQ adjustment

The initial feeling I got when firing up the JBL Xtreme 4 and throwing on Moloko’s I Want You, was one of disappointment – more specifically a disappointment with its deep bass output. For a portable Bluetooth speaker, which you’d expect to get its fair share of use during occasions with plenty of background noise, a powerful bass is fundamental for a great listening experience. For a model costing in excess of $370, and claiming to pump out “next level massive” sound, I expected a higher level of impact from the Xtreme 4 (not least due to its explosive name). 

Luckily, my disappointment was quickly quashed by the JBL Portable app’s EQ settings, which made a world of difference. When I switched to a custom setup, in which the lowest frequencies were considerably dialled up, the Xtreme 4 showed what it was made of – and its bouncing Bass Radiators were well and truly put to work. The pumping bass in I Want You now hit the depths that I’d been thirsting for, so you will want to steer clear of the default ‘JBL Signature’ EQ preset if you’re looking to get the best out of bass-heavy bangers.

Even when compared it to the Soundcore Boom 2 (which although cheaper, has an identity forged around its powerful low-end output), Black Eye by Allie X’s deep bass-laden opening sounded far more energetic and controlled on the Xtreme 4. The Xtreme 4 was very competent at bridging deep bass to the mid-range and maintaining clarity with more demanding audio profiles.

Aside from bass, the Xtreme 4 is very competent when delivering a strong audio performance across the frequencies, and boasts an improved response compared to its predecessor at 44 Hz – 20 kHz (53.5 Hz – 20 kHz for the Xtreme 3). Despite it not going beyond the realms of human hearing through the treble, I would argue that this speaker’s ability to produce crisp highs may be its strongest asset, with Rains again by Solji making for a particularly enjoyable listen straight out of the box. The Xtreme 4 beautifully delivered the track’s delicate vocals, and the sound of rain pouring throughout the song’s opening maintained a natural, soothing tone.

The Xtreme 4 delivers its sweet highs, punchy bass, and textured mid-tones dynamically and clearly, even at high volumes. When listening to Young Blood by The Naked and Famous, guitars in the upper bass range sounded distinct and layered; separated from bass riffs in a cohesive mix. JBL’s “next level” claim may still be a slight exaggeration – after all, the Xtreme 4 doesn’t do anything particularly game-changing – however, it certainly gives room for listeners to taste the distinct flavors of each audible component that might get lost in a hard-to-digest mix through lesser speakers. Sure, the chef may need a bit of guidance, but with the right adjustments, you can bet that a well-balanced plate of sound will arrive at your table.

  • Sound quality score: 4.5/5

JBL Xtreme 4 on pink background, with a closeup on the USB-C charging port

JBL Xtreme 4 will charge your device, so you won't have to take a break from the music  (Image credit: Future)

JBL Xtreme 4 review: Design

  • Not the most elegant, but well-suited to outdoor environments
  • IP67 rating makes it perfect for the beach
  • Convenient shoulder strap but no handle for carrying short distances

Is there such thing as love at first sight? I’m not sure, and I don’t think the JBL Xtreme 4 is going to help me find out. Look, it’s not doing anything strikingly different from the Xtreme 3 appearance-wise, but I’m not sure I can get behind the semi-cylindrical, outdoorsy vibe, especially in the Black Camo coloration (the Xtreme 4 is also available in Blue, the version I tested, or Black). Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and if you’ve liked the aesthetic of JBL’s previous efforts, you’ll almost certainly be a fan of this. 

One thing I did like visually was the speaker’s passive external bass radiators (as seen in the predecessor and several JBL cylindrical models), which pulse with pounding impact when the volume is cranked up high, immersing you deeper into the listening experience. Another neat design choice is that the Xtreme 4 is made, in part, using recycled materials. For instance, the speaker’s grille incorporates ‘post-consumer’ recycled plastic and fabric.

Personal tastes aside, there’s no denying that the Xtreme 4 is designed with utility and longevity in mind. It has medium-large sized buttons, all of which play their part in facilitating a swift setup. The speaker is also pretty bulky, weighing in at 4.63 lbs / 2.1kg. Additionally, it has rubber strips at the base which provide a steady foundation. If that wasn’t enough, the Xtreme 4 is IP67 certified, meaning that it’s both waterproof and dustproof, standing it in good stead for use at a beach event, pool party, or similar outdoor gathering. When I placed the Xtreme 4 in a full sink, it conveniently floated on its side, and played music without any quality reduction after taking a minute-long dive underwater.

Another practical feature is the detachable strap included for taking the Xtreme 4 out and about, tote bag style. I was a fan of the strap’s shoulder padding, which made it comfortable to transport around. It’s also adjustable if you want to wear it across your body. However, I couldn’t help but wish there was more of a ‘handle’ option here for when I just wanted to move it a short distance, especially as the speaker is too large to hold in one hand without the strap attached.

Closeup of JBL Xtreme 4's replaceable battery pack

Believe it or not, JBL will let you replace the Xtreme 4's battery in a kind nod to sustainability (sold separately) (Image credit: Future)
  • Design score: 3.5/5

JBL Xtreme 4 review: Value

  • Delivers a great user experience with top features and sound quality
  • But speaker’s main sticking point is its steep price
  • Competitors can offer brilliant quality at a far lower cost

Sure, the JBL Xtreme 4 delivers controlled bass, clear mids, and delicate highs, it also boasts a long battery life and some cool new features, but there’s one sticking point: you guessed it, the price.

You certainly get an enjoyable listening experience out of the Xtreme 4, but there are a number of cheaper, yet still high-quality alternatives out there. The Tribit Stormbox Blast, for instance, offers textured sound with booming bass for just $199 / £162 (around AU$300), 30 hour battery life, and customizable EQ settings. 

Additionally, the JBL Xtreme 3, is just £199.99 / AU$399.95 (but typically seeming to be priced much higher in the US at $379.95) as well, despite the pair having a myriad of similarities. So, if you’re into the JBL brand, but don’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars on a new speaker, the Xtreme 3 could be a better option.

At the time of writing, it just feels as if the Xtreme 4, despite its qualities, isn’t exactly the best value option on the market.

  • Value score: 3/5

Should you buy the JBL Xtreme 4?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

JBL Xtreme 4 review: Also consider

JBL Xtreme 4 review: How I tested

  • I put the speaker through its paces over a two-week-long period
  • Mostly used in our music testing room in the TechRadar office
  • I listened to a wide variety of music genres during each listening session

Using TechRadar’s intense and methodical testing procedure, I spent hours listening to music on the JBL Xtreme 4, trying its various EQ settings and determining its ease of operation. 

I used Spotify on my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Tidal on the Fiio M11S hi-res music player, to stream tracks from our curated (and regularly updated) TechRadar reference playlist. This included songs with pumping deep bass, delicate vocals, and complex mixes, enabling me to test a speaker’s full range and dynamic nuance across the frequencies. I also used the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 as a point of comparison, when appropriate.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: May 2024
Jabra Elite 8 Active review: are these the best earbuds for working out?
4:36 pm | February 5, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Jabra Elite 8 Active: One minute review

The Jabra Elite 8 Active are the latest true wireless earbuds from Jabra’s Active range of earbuds, which are all designed with a fitness focus. They follow the Jabra Elite 7 Active and offer several improvements, including a higher IP68 rating for dust- and water-resistance, boosted ANC performance, and a bigger bud design for added stability. 

What sets the Active range apart from Jabra’s regular Elite models is that the former are more durable, with a focus on grip and stability, while the Elite buds – including the latest Jabra Elite 10 – boast better sound and Dolby Atmos head-tracking, as well as more advanced ANC. 

The result is a pair of earbuds with a sports-focused design that prioritizes comfort, stability and durability, solid sound and ANC performance, and good battery life. Sure, they may fall slightly short of high-end buds in terms of sound – and won’t be knocking any buds from the top few spots in our best true wireless earbuds guide. However, the Jabra Elite 8 Active are strong contenders to be one of the best workout earbuds we’ve tested. Find out why in our Jabra Elite 8 Active review below. 

Jabra Elite 8 Active review: Price and availability

  • Priced at $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329
  • Released September 2023

The Jabra Elite 8 Active earbuds were released in September 2023 and cost $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329. However, on Jabra’s US website you’ll find them discounted from $199.99 to $179.99 at the time of writing, a discount that could follow through into other regions.

They’re pricier than the Jabra Elite 7 Active at launch, which cost $179 / £169 / AU$279 in 2021. This makes sense considering the Elite 8 Active arrive with upgrades. They come in lower than the latest Elite launch, the Jabra Elite 10, which cost $249.99 / £229.99 / AU$379. Again, that’s to be expected when you take into account that although the Elite buds miss out on some sports features, they do come with better-quality sound.

In terms of how the Jabra Elite 8 Active compares to other models in the broader workout earbuds space, they’re competitively priced and most similar to options from Beats, such as the Beats Fit Pro, which cost the same in most regions at $199 / £199 / AU$299.95.  

These aren’t budget buds, but I do think they’re near-perfect for a fitness pair: the IP68 rating means they’re durable, they stay put through all sorts of exercise, plus they sound decent and feel incredibly comfortable for extended workout sessions.

Yes, the Jabra Elite 10 are likely to be the better option for those who aren’t looking for a pair of fitness earbuds. They may be more expensive, but for the money you’re getting superior sound. For those whose budget won’t stretch to the Elite 8 Active, there are fitness buds that offer decent sound and stability for less, such as the Amazfit Powerbuds Pro.

Nevertheless, if fitness is a priority and you’re willing to spend a mid to high-end range price for some of the best sports buds out there, the Jabra Elite 8 Active are well worth considering. 

  • Value score: 4.5 / 5

Jabra Elite 8 Active review: Specifications

Jabra Elite 8 Active review: Design

Jabra Elite 8 Active

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Comfortable and secure fit
  • Durable build, IP68 rated
  • Silicone matte finish

Looks-wise, you might find the Jabra Elite 8 Active a little dull. However, I was a fan of the simple design that sits neatly in my ears; I’m really a little bored of the shiny, long-stem look of the majority of true wireless earbuds. I also welcomed the fact that the Elite 8 Actives are available in a range of colors, comprising simple understated shades such dark blue, caramel, grey and black. 

The exterior of the buds are coated in a soft silicone, which Jabra says helps keep them in place. I completely agree – it adds a more grippy quality. While the coating here can make dust and smudgy fingerprints as visible as they would be on a high-shine finish, I appreciate the way this soft, almost velvety, texture feels both in my hands and my ears. 

The buds are supplied with three sizes of silicone ear tips, which feels a little stingy for buds that are all about stability. I doubt they’ll suit everyone – although I have notoriously tiny ear canals and the small fit was perfect. Not only did they create a comfortable seal, but even when worn through a wide range of workouts, it was only once during yoga, where I moved swiftly from a standing pose into a forward fold, did a single bud become loose. A simple twist back in saw them sit securely through the rest of the class. Otherwise, they were able to withstand runs indoors and out, and a number of HIIT and weight training sessions without issue.

Featuring an IP68 rating, this basically means the Elite 8 Active can be submerged up to 1.5 meters in water, which makes them extremely sweatproof plus they’d survive a drop into a pool of water (although I wouldn’t recommend it). They’ll also withstand dust clouds and drops of water from more than a meter high. 

The accompanying charging case sports the same finish as the buds, with a simple design that flips open at the top. It’s a little bigger than the case that accompanies the Jabra Elite 7 Active and weighs 46.4g. It’s worth mentioning that the case isn’t as durable as the buds themselves, with an IP54 rating, which means it can handle sweat but we’d keep it well clear of water.

  • Design score: 5 / 5 

Jabra Elite 8 Active review: Features

Jabra Elite 8 Active

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • Good ANC
  • App with EQ
  • Solid battery life at 32 hours in total

The Jabra Elite 8 Active work with the Jabra app, which covers the essential features and is easy to use. I enjoyed tweaking the EQ here, as well as trialling some of the music presets: Bass boost and Energize, for example, which was ideal for early morning workouts. 

Jabra says the ANC here has been significantly boosted since the Elite 7 Active, and in use it’s better than most I’ve tested, masking the majority sounds. Now, only the very low rumbling of traffic, or the high squealing of a baby crying will penetrate the cocoon of sound. So while they may fall a little short of the standard set by the best noise-cancelling earbuds around, they do a solid job, beating most mid-range buds hands-down.

If you do need to hear sounds around you, the Elite 8 Active buds feature a HearThrough mode. This works in a similar way to most high-end buds, allowing you to have conversations or listen out for announcements without having to take the buds out of your ears. Note that you can also adjust levels within the app.

Call quality isn’t exceptional, but it’s good, blocking out most exterior sounds. Unless you need buds for multiple, important calls all-day-long, the Elite 8 Active will suffice. 

For battery life, these buds deliver 8 hours of listening time with ANC on, and 32 hours in total with the charging case. This makes the Jabra Elite 8 Active a decent option not only for working out, but for a day at the office as well as commuting and most plane journeys.

Rival buds such as the Beats Fit Pro provide only 6 hours of listening with ANC on and a total of 24 hours with the case. The Beats PowerBeats Pro offer 9 hours from the buds and only 24 hours in total with the case. As far as workout earbuds go, the battery life on offer from the Elite 8 Active is at the top of the class.

These buds arrive with a small charging case that opens at the top and connects to power via USB-C, and which supports wireless charging, too. 

Controls are located on the buds themselves – on the flat surface of the bud, where there’s a little “Jabra” logo. They work well, allowing you to change tracks and adjust the volume. I did find that multiple press gestures did result in my pushing the buds further into my ears, which changed the fit slightly. This isn’t a deal-breaker; I got round the issue by customizing my most-used gestures to a single press, which you do through the app. 

Another notable feature includes multipoint pairing of up to 10 different devices. This is great news if you plan to use them while you work and want to seamlessly move between a laptop and a phone, for example.

  • Features score: 4.5 / 5

Jabra Elite 8 Active: Performance

Jabra Elite 8 Active

(Image credit: Becca Caddy)
  • 6mm drivers
  • Powerful, bassy sound
  • Dolby Spatial Audio isn’t the best

I found the Jabra Elite 8 Active an incredibly fun listen, particularly when working out. They deliver a super-clear, powerful sound that works across all genres, and a particularly powerful bass. This was evident when listening to the back catalogue of The White Stripes; here, drums at the low end and cymbals at the high end stood out more than usual. 

I wasn’t convinced that as much attention had been paid to the mids. Nevertheless, as I mentioned above, if you’re someone who listens to a lot of tracks with vocals and want to boost the mids, you can make tweaks in the EQ settings in the app. 

There’s no head-tracking sound here, which might please some people. Instead, you get a small passive soundstage, with music appearing to come from inside your head, rather than all around you. You’ll find support for Dolby Spatial Audio, which promises a more immersive experience, which you can enable from within the Jabra app. I welcomed the feature when watching movies with my buds in, as well as when listening to some movie soundtracks. 

However, it made regular audio sound a bit strange and unnatural, so I kept it switched off most of the time.

Unfortunately, there’s only support for SBC and AAC; no high-res codecs such as aptX and LDAC are on offer here. Again, this isn’t a deal-breaker, but it may well push audiophiles towards more accomplished alternatives such as the Sony WF-1000XM4 or more recent Sony WF-1000XM5 buds with LDAC. 

  • Performance score: 4/5 

Jabra Elite 8 Active: Scorecard

Jabra Elite 8 Active: Should I buy?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider

How I tested

I used the Jabra Elite 8 Active for three weeks. I used them as I worked at home at my desk, and while working from a busy coffee shop. I also wore them through all of my workouts – from running outdoors during a storm (not intentionally), while bending, twisting and (sort of) managing a few headstands in a yoga session, and in the gym doing a lot of bodyweight training and weight training. 

I used them with an iPhone 14 Pro and MacBook Pro, moving between Spotify and Apple Music. I also listened to some YouTube Videos and watched Netflix TV shows and movies to get a sense of the experience they offered with different media. 

I’ve had nearly 12 years of experience writing about tech, in particular reviewing consumer tech products that people wear and use every day, including headphones and fitness trackers. Over the past few years, I’ve focused on reviewing mid-range earbuds and headphones built for fitness, so I know what the space looks like and can make comparisons based on months of testing. 

Tribit StormBox Flow review: simple and effective with an incredible battery life
1:00 pm | February 3, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Tribit StormBox Flow: Two-minute review

The Tribit StormBox Flow is a neat portable Bluetooth speaker that packs more of a punch than you’d expect. It’s certainly not stylish but if you look past that and appreciate how simple it is to use, it’s pretty good value for money.

The Tribit StormBox Flow sounds far better than you’d expect. At high volumes it struggles for clarity, but at more comfortable levels for your ears, it sounds crisp with some strong bass booming through. 

That’s further helped by the companion app where you can adjust the EQ to your desired needs or you can just pick out a preset option with some reasonable choices available. It’s all simply laid out even if the app also lacks the wow factor. 

Other useful features include being able to charge your phone via the Tribit StormBox Flow if you’re stuck for power. Also, you can pair it with another Tribit StormBox Flow for stereo sound which works well. 

Priced at $79.99 in the US and £79.99 in the UK, it’s a little cheaper than other rivals among the best Bluetooth speakers in this price range, but there are some design differences in comparison to these.

There’s IP67 waterproofing to help it rival the best waterproof speakers and a robust build with tactile buttons for easy tapping. A strap on one end means you can grab it easily too, although it is a little weightier than some of the competition.

That’s the thing about the Tribit StormBox Flow. It ticks all the right boxes but it won’t stir up excitement. Not everything needs to be exciting and the Tribit StormBox Flow is certainly dependable. If that’s what you need, you won’t be disappointed.

Tribit StormBox Flow review: Price and release date

The Tribit StormBox Flow on a bench

There are plenty of physical controls on the speaker itself for power, volume and more.   (Image credit: Future)
  • Released in August 2023
  • Costs $79.99 / £79.99
  • Available in the US and UK

The Tribit StormBox Flow was launched in August 2023 and is available to buy across the US and the UK. It's priced at $79.99 and £79.99 respectively, but the speaker is already discounted at third-party retailers like Amazon. 

Like much of Tribit’s range, the Tribit StormBox Flow is well-priced, costing a little more than budget offerings such as the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2, while being cheaper than mid-range options from JBL like the JBL Flip 6. 

It’s heftier than some of the most portable Bluetooth speakers like the Stormbox Micro 2, but it’s still fairly easy to grab and take places with you.  

Tribit StormBox Flow review: Specs

Tribit StormBox Flow review: Features

Tribit StormBox Flow control app

The Tribit control app lets you switch sound modes and customize EQ settings.  (Image credit: Future)
  • IP67 waterproofing
  • Companion app and EQ button
  • Can pair with other Tribit Stormbox Flow speakers

The Tribit StormBox Flow is designed to be taken around with you easily. It has a loose handle on one side so you can easily grab it. It could also be hooked on certain things including a tree. Because yes, the Tribit StormBox Flow is designed for the outdoors. While it doesn’t look massively robust, it offers IP67 waterproofing. 

It’s reasonably lightweight too although not quite ‘I didn’t realise it was in this bag’ level of light, such as the Nokia Portable Wireless Speaker 2. Battery life wise, it’s incredible. It has a massive 30 hours of playtime, which probably makes up for a tiny bit of extra bulk.

Bluetooth 5.3 helps here and also means drop-outs simply don’t happen. The speaker supports the AAC and SBC codes, although not AptX, but this isn’t really the kind of speaker you’re buying for exceptionally crisp sound (although, as we’ll see shortly, it’s still pretty good).

The Tribit StormBox Flow also pairs up with another speaker so you can enjoy stereo sound. It’s simple to set up via a couple of buttons. There’s an EQ button so you can rotate through an XBass and audiobook mode. More functionality comes from the Tribit app which allows you to create your own EQ settings as well as use one of six presets. It’s also possible to check battery life via the app with the time dipping a little if you enable XBass. It only drops to around 20-24 hours though, which is still more than good enough for most situations.

Finally, you can use the USB-C port to charge up your phone which is useful when you’re in a jam.

Features score: 4 / 5

Tribit StormBox Flow review: Sound quality

Tribit StormBox Flow on a bench

The Stormbox Flow is built to withstand being dunked under water for a small amount of time and is completely dust tight. (Image credit: Future)
  • 25W drivers
  • Volumes goes high
  • Muddy audio after a certain point

The Tribit StormBox Flow manages to go surprisingly high when you crank up the volume. For a little speaker, it’s going to boom out amongst the pool party you’re having or if you’re simply relaxing at home. The bass is the most impressive part although it does turn into a bit of a mess if you crank things up too high.

Still, the Tribit StormBox Flow is packing a punch here. Pair up two speakers like I did and it’s surprisingly compelling with a wide soundstage. I enjoyed hearing Queen’s Under Pressure all around me. Listening to Taylor Swift’s 1989 album was also suitably vibrant, offering some smooth mids. 

It’s an enjoyable listen all around. Just don’t be surprised if you lower the volume a little more than usual. Also, stick with the XBass sound mode where possible for the punchiest sound. 

Sound quality score: 4 / 5 

Tribit StormBox Flow review: Design

Tribit StormBox Flow on a bench

It's simple design, means the Stormbox Flow isn't the most of exciting of speakers.  (Image credit: Future)
  • Tactile buttons
  • EQ buttons
  • Simple design

I’m not a huge fan of how the Tribit StormBox Flow looks because it’s so simple and straightforward – it somehow manages to look less exciting than even the Bose SoundLink Flex, which costs $70 / £70 more than the Stormbox Flow. However, while far from a designing dream, it does all work suitably well.

On the top are all the buttons – power, Bluetooth, volume, EQ and a button for pairing up with another speaker. Each is raised ever so slightly so you can identify which is which without looking. Having a way to adjust the EQ without the app is useful even if it’s restricted to only a couple of predefined options. 

The power button is a little finicky about how long you need (or don’t need) to hold it down but I have a sneaky feeling that’s more my fault than anything. On the side is the USB-C port, which isn’t obscured by a flap or similar to ensure waterproofing. It’s still fine though and doesn’t cause any issues.

Design score: 3 / 5 

Tribit StormBox Flow review: Value

Tribit StormBox Flow on a bench

It's reasonable price tag means you can quite easily consider buying two to unlock the multipoint pairing feature.  (Image credit: Future)
  • A little cheaper than some of the competition 
  • Robust design
  • Unassuming 

The Tribit StormBox Flow is that device that will surprise you. It looks very unassuming and not exactly as stylish as something like the JBL Flip or Bose SoundLink Flex range but it works well. 

Also cheaper than the JBL Flip 6, the Tribit StormBox Flow makes up for its lack of looks by making it more affordable for you to buy two, while also still being pretty loud. You just might not be showing it off to all and sundry.

Should you buy the Tribit StormBox Flow?

Buy it if...

Don’t buy it if...

Tribit StormBox Flow review: Also consider

How I tested the Tribit StormBox Flow

Tribit StormBox Flow on a desk

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested over 10 days 
  • Used the speaker individually and paired with another 
  • 10 years of audio equipment reviewing experience

The Tribit StormBox Flow was my trusty companion throughout the last 10 days. It was by my side while I worked in my home office and thanks to its portable nature, I took it with me when I headed to the living room and kitchen for extended periods of time. 

Different locations meant I could compare the Tribit StormBox Flow against the noise of my dehumidifier, the neighbours’ never-ending construction work, and more regular noises like the air fryer ticking away in the kitchen. 

The Tribit StormBox Flow’s music choice was powered by my iPhone 14 Pro. I used a mixture of Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube to listen to. Mostly, I listened to various genres of music including pop, rock, jazz, classical, and a few other random choices. 

I also checked out how well the Tribit StormBox Flow sounded when listening to podcasts and other more talk-focused content like Twitch and YouTube videos on my phone. 

  • First reviewed January 2024
Majority Oakington review: a DAB radio, CD player and Bluetooth speaker audio package
4:22 pm | November 29, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Tags: , , | Comments: Off

Majority Oakington: Two-minute review

The term ‘all-in-one audio system’ gets bandied about a lot to refer to a speaker that has multiple uses but Majority has taken the term to heart with the Oakington as there’s very little it can’t do – or play.

The Majority Oakington lets you play from CDs, tune into FM, DAB or DAB+ radio, plug in a device via an aux cord or USB cable, and connect via Bluetooth to stream music. This Swiss army knife of a music machine is only missing Wi-Fi streaming and it’d fill out the bingo card of all the modern ways of listening to music (sorry, vinyl fans, but I said ‘modern’).

This range of features is impressive enough when you consider its £159 ($200 / AU$300) price tag – that’s a great price for a device this versatile, especially with the Oakington boasting the design flair of a designer speaker of 10x that price.

Perfect it is not, however. There’s no one massive flaw with the Majority Oakington, but I did butt up a few little quirks and kinks that stop this being an otherwise glowing review.

The Oakington is a little complicated to set up and use, which admittedly only means that it’s harder to use than a simple press-and-play speaker, but I did have to spend some time poring over the instruction manual when using the device. 

That is to say, people who are technophobic might find the Oakington a little overwhelming. I've tested countless audio devices for TechRadar, including some of the best DAB radios and best Bluetooth speakers, and I'm slightly ashamed to admit that a large number of problems I had with the device were solved by randomly hitting different buttons until something worked.

Jumping between all of the Oakington's audio inputs did raise another annoying issue, and that's that volumes varied quite a bit between them. I'd barely be able to hear Bluetooth music and then deafen myself when jumping to DAB. Am I being dramatic? A little, and I don't want to seem to accentuate the negatives, because overall this is a handy multi-functional device with just a few teething problems.

Majority Oakington: Price and release date

The Majority Oakington's remote by its volume dial

While you can connect your phone to the Oakington to stream music, it also comes with a handy remote.  (Image credit: Future)
  • Released in 2018
  • Originally priced at £159 ($175 / AU$265)

The Oakington was first released in 2018 and it’s remained a popular entry in Majority’s line-up of digital radios ever since.

The device originally cost £159 ($200 / AU$300). But five years after its release, it’s generally sold for £139 ($175 / AU$265), which is the price that every online retailer sells it for at the time of writing and so we’ve reviewed it with this lower price in mind. Just note that Majority mainly ships its products in the UK, and while it does offer a few products in the US, we couldn’t find the Oakington on sale there.

That’s a fair price for this speaker given that it doubles as a radio and a Bluetooth speaker. For context, our top-rated DAB radio, the Roberts Revival RD70, currently goes for £179 (roughly $225 / AU$340). While you can of course get any old DAB for a fraction of the price, this all-in-one audio tool justifies its price when you consider it’s also a Bluetooth speaker, CD player and so on.

However, if you’re interested in the Oakington, you might also want to check out Majority’s Homerton 2, which costs the same amount and has Wi-Fi for extra connectivity like Spotify Connect and other Wi-Fi streaming apps. 

Majority Oakington review: Specs

Majority Oakington review: Features

The rear ports and buttons of the Majority Oakington

The Oakington has a vintage look and comes in two color choices: (yes, you guessed it) oak or walnut.   (Image credit: Future)
  • Long list of connectivity types
  • Mains connection but AAA batteries for remote
  • Tricky set up process

As previously mentioned, the Majority Oakington has a long list of ways to listen to audio. You can connect it to your phone for Bluetooth, extend the antennae to catch some FM, DAB or DAB+ channels (the latter ensures that it’s future proof), plug in either an aux or USB cable to listen to tunes or simply pop in a CD. Such a wide swathe of listening options puts the Oakington in good stead for people who like variety.

As you’d expect, audio quality varies by input, as does volume – more so than you’d expect for such a device. When I first set up the DAB channels I’d just been listening to Bluetooth by streaming music and had to crank up the volume pretty high to hear anything streamed that way. Suffice to say, turning the radio on resulted in a really huge volume increase. This continued through the testing period when changing inputs, which means you’ll have to have your finger on the volume rocker on the remote or ready to spin the dial on the machine itself if you like to change input a lot. It’s easy to switch input thanks to the remote, though. Depending on what you’re switching to, the Oakington will sometimes take a few moments to get its act together to actually switch over.

Being a mains-powered speaker, you don’t need to worry about battery life here… except for the remote, which takes two AAA batteries. You get two with the radio, but once those run out you’ll need to pick up some more.

There are more features on offer here too. You can use the Oakington to charge your phone or another device via its USB port, which is particularly handy if you’re streaming music from the device. There’s an alarm function that turns on your music at a certain time, perfect for people who like to wake up to the radio. There’s also a headphone port that you can use if you want to listen quietly – however, there’s a catch on this last one. You can’t use headphones that have a built-in microphone which, in this day and age, is the vast majority of them. In fact, I don’t own a single pair of headphones that don’t have a microphone (and I test audio; I’ve got many), which limits this functionality somewhat.

Given the broad range of features, the Majority was a little finicky to set up. As I’ve already mentioned, I spent lots of the testing time glued to the manual, especially when setting it up and using the extra tools like switching to the aux input. This stops becoming an issue the more you use the speaker, but it’s worth pointing out if you’re not a tech-head.

Case in point, that has cropped up as I’m writing this – the remote has a few easy-to-press buttons to play from CD, Bluetooth, radio or USB, but to listen from the aux cable, you have to press the button on a different row of the remote simply titled ‘audio’. Or, like me, you can simply start pressing random buttons on the device until the aux-in starts working.

One feature missing from the Oakington is any kind of voice assistant, which is far from a deal-breaker but is worth flagging given how commonplace they are in Bluetooth speakers. If you want Alexa or Google to tee up your next song, you’re going to have to forget it.

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Majority Oakington review: Design

The Majority Oakington's volume dial.

You can use both the dial on the Oakington itself or the remote to adjust volume. (Image credit: Future)
  • Classy wooden design in two colorways
  • Not too big, but has top-mounted dials
  • Remote works most, but not all, of the time

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but in my eyes, the Oakington is a good-looking device – definitely more so than lots of its rivals. It comes in two color options, light or dark brown, with both using a wooden look to fit naturally into lots of home decor.

The front of the device offers two speakers, a small LED screen, eight buttons and a CD slot. The top of it has a dial that you can rotate to change the volume or press in as the device’s ‘select’ button, and the back has the power port and switch and four separate input or output jacks (more on these later).

Despite what pictures suggest, it’s not too big, measuring 40 x 20 x 13 cm and weighing just shy of 4kg. It’s not a portable device per se – nothing with a power cable really is – but it won’t take up too much space in your home. We wouldn’t recommend stacking other things on top of it though, not if you want to be able to change the volume without the remote.

Onto that remote: it gives you all the functions you need, with more functions than on the body of the Oakington, but I’d say it’s possibly too big and complicated for the device it controls. In the testing time, I was frequently having to consult the manual to work out how to enable simple tasks.

Some other reviewers have called the remote’s connectivity spotty, and this was the case for our review sample too – I’d sometimes have to press a button twice to have it pick up the signal. Saying that, I didn’t find it too much worse than most remotes that come packaged with TVs or similar devices. 

A more annoying issue was that the Oakington has 32 volume levels, and as I’ll get into later, the volume varied a lot by input, so I found myself changing it a lot. On the remote, this can mean lots of hammering at the volume up or volume down button to have an audible difference – in these circumstances, I’d end up eschewing the remote and utilizing the rotating dial on the device since it was much quicker. It just involved standing up! 

  • Design score: 3.5/5

Majority Oakington review: Sound quality

  • A good rather than great listen
  • CDs or Bluetooth streaming lacked bass
  • EQ presets offer minor tuning adjustment  

The front of the Majority Oakington

(Image credit: Future)

The Majority Oakington provides good audio, but it falls short of ‘great’ for a few reasons. It doesn’t quite stack up to many Bluetooth speakers on the market, but if you’re only planning to use it for, say, FM radio functions, then that won’t matter to you.

When listening to a CD or Bluetooth streamed music, the lack of bass is palpable – if you want thumping bass then you might have to look elsewhere. You can adjust the EQ with a control on the remote, but this didn’t seem to have a huge impact in tests. There’s an EQ button as well that cycles through presets: normal, class (which we presume is meant to be classical), pop, rock and jazz, but the changes between each sounded pretty minor.

As mentioned before, I had trouble with the wildly variable volumes of different inputs, and for some the max volume was too low. Bluetooth music maxed out at such a low volume that I couldn’t make out the song at the other end of the same room, and couldn’t hear songs from one room over. To reiterate, that’s at maximum volume, so this is only good news for your neighbors.

The lopsided balance is easy to criticize but it’s not a deal-breaker here, and I can see some users finding the sound of the Oakington just fine. That’s particularly true thanks to the sound stage which, bass aside, provides a lot of depth. 

  • Sound quality: 3.5/5

Majority Oakington review: Value

The front of the Majority Oakington at an angle

The Majority Oakington offers good value for its all-in-one solution and price point.  (Image credit: Future)

Given that you're getting about five devices all packaged into one with the Majority Oakington, it's pretty easy to recommend as a good-value audio device.

Of course, you could get each of those five devices separately for a much lower price, but Majority crams them all into one body and at a price lower than all of them combined. I'd call it a good value device for the features and audio props you get.

  • Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Majority Oakington?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Majority Oakington review: Also consider

How I tested the Majority Oakington

  • Tested for two weeks
  • Tested with a range of audio inputs

I used the Majority Oakington for two weeks prior to writing this review. This was mainly split between Bluetooth streaming and DAB radio (as you can see from the images in this review!) but I made sure to spend time testing the other inputs too. 

A lot of the testing time was spent scratching my head while staring at the manual. I should also flag that I moved the Majority about in my flat quite a bit, partly to test its signal and audio power in different locations, but mainly just to find a spot where I could play Bluetooth music and actually hear it. 

I joined the TechRadar team in 2019 and spent several years testing just about every kind of tech under the sun (though my primary role was in the phones team). Since leaving to join TR's sister site What to Watch in late 2022, I've continued to provide tech reviews for TechRadar including headphones, running earbuds, portable speakers, smartphones, robot vacuums and more. 

First reviewed in November 2023

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: glorious wireless headphones with top-end features and sound, but OK ANC
4:12 pm | September 29, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2: Two-minute review

Shure's Aonic 50 Gen 2 look the business. And not only that, they back up their not-here-to-mess-around aesthetic with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Sound support, so aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, regular aptX and LDAC are all here – aka all of the current top-tier wireless audio coding. 

But there's more! The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2's bid for inclusion in our best wireless headphones guide culminates in a special USB-C port not just for charging. It means hi-res USB audio is also on the menu (look over here, iPhone 15 and Apple Music users!) thus completing a veritable banquet of connectivity options, from wireless Bluetooth audio pinged from your phone, older sources in a more traditional wired hi-fi system, right up to USB-C audio from your MacBook Pro at work. If that sounds good to you, add these headphones to your list. 

However, the star feature of these hotly anticipated second-generation Shure cans (let's be clear here, the three years and five months since the originals is eons in the world of headphone iterations) is Shure’s new spatialized audio technology. The feature provides three distinct modes: Music, Cinema, and Podcast. And the good news is that these are a delight across the board, offering oodles of separation and crispness to vocals during movies and podcasts especially, but unearthing extra sonic articles in even your heavy-rotation music playlists too. 

To stake a claim for the best noise-cancelling headphones currently on the market, Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 feature advanced hybrid active noise cancellation. As you'd expect, mics inside and outside the earcup allow the Aonic 50 Gen 2 scope to fine-tune your auditory environment, but you can also help it along thanks to four selectable modes: Light, Moderate, Max, and MaxAware. 

For us, the performance here was just a shade under excellent. On the one hand, the clamping force is strong with this one (possibly even a little too forceful for those blessed with larger skulls) and levels of passive isolation are top-notch. But on occasion we found the more ambient-aware options (MaxAware aims to offer the best of both worlds – blocking unwanted noise and maintaining awareness of your surroundings) added warmth to our music and a marginal sweetness to the upper mids. Essentially, the overall efficacy of the noise-nixing here can be beaten by the class-leaders at the level. 

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2's app, ShurePlus PLAY, three screens showing the features of the headphones, on gray background

Shure's ShurePlus PLAY app is one I'd go to battle for (Image credit: Future)

Picking up on the comfort, at 340g they feel just a tad heavy over longer listening sessions, despite the ample padding. For reference, the Edifier Stax Spirit S3 weigh 329g they're comfortable for all-day use. OK, Apple's AirPods Max weigh 44g more than the Shures at 384g, while Sony's WH-1000XM5 are quite a bit lighter at 249g – so depending on what you're used to, there may be an adjustment period here. 

When it comes to sonic performance, Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 is a set of over-ears for the EQ curious. There is very good sound to be had here, if you're prepared to work for it just a little. Those with neither the time nor the inclination to play with those presets might find the sound out of the box a little light on lower mids, treble-heavy and even a fraction cluttered timing-wise, albeit expansive and detailed. 

The ShurePlus Play app is your friend here and honestly, I'd go in to battle for this companion app – it is slick, easy to navigate and makes more sense than several offered by rival products. It'll even corral your music under one tab, for easy streaming across various services. Pairing is also a breeze and these headphones skip happily from one device to another thanks to multipoint connectivity that really works. 

In summary, the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 are solid all-rounders. If I'm nitpicking (and it is my job to do so), those who want perfect sound quality from the box may not have the patience for these headphones and the ANC is fine rather than fantastic – but those who love immersive spatial audio during movies, podcasts or playlists are well served here. And if you want USB-C hi-res headphones with the option to go wireless? They're an excellent choice. 

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones held in a hand on multi-color background

An understated build, but a quality one, to be sure. (Image credit: Future)

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Price & release date

  • Released in September 2023
  • Priced $349 / £349 / approx. AU$540

The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 arrived in the third week of September 2023, having been announced on August 31.

They are priced aggressively for the elite over-ear headphones sector. To explain, that MSRP is actually cheaper than the launch price of the inaugural April 2020 Shure Aonic 50, which were aimed very much at the upper end of the consumer market and evaluated accordingly at $399 / £359, around AU$580.

This clever new pricing strategy from Shure undercuts the asking fee of some of the best and most notable over-ear headphones in the business by a tidy $50 – see the Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399 / £380 / AU$649), the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 ($399 / £379 / approx. AU$575) and the Edifier Stax Spirit S3 ($399 / £330 / approx. AU$640) for starters.

The Illinois audio specialist has put the Aonic 50 Gen 2 right in the way of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless too, which will set you back $349.95 / £300 / AU$549.95 too. Smart – if the performance is good enough.

Shure Aonic 50 headphones held in a hand showing detail on the earcup

All physical buttons, all on the right earcup – and it works. (Image credit: Future)

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2: Specs

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 in their hard travel case, on a wicker chair

Note the 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable for optional wired listening and USB-A to USB-C, for both charging and audio. (Image credit: Future)

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Features

  • Excellent spatial audio processing options
  • Very useful EQ presets
  • USB Audio supports up to 32-bit/384kHz

Firstly, stamina: 45 hours is very good (although not as good as the 80-hour staying power of the Edifier Stax Spirit S3, granted, but the comparison is skewed since the Edifier headphones are devoid of ANC) and I can confirm that this battery claim holds true.

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones are a walk in the park to pair, too. Multipoint? Easy – and once you get used to that fact that the physical buttons are all on the right earcup, altering volume, playback and ANC profiles works a charm. 

One lovely little perk here is PausePlus. Imagine you're listening to death metal at the office with Max ANC deployed and your boss approaches (just a random example, no reason). If PausePlus is toggled to on, simply pressing the multi-function button to pause the music also deploys ambient sound, so you can hold a polite conversation with your superior and pretend you were only listening to the latest episode of Revisionist History podcast.

Next up, Shure's Spatializer – no, nothing to do with turning vegetables into edible ribbons. In the app, under the device tab (see? It makes sense, it's a feature on the device) you can select spatial audio processing optimized for music, movies or a podcast. I found they brought all of these sources to life, adding depth, value and enjoyment to the whole testing process. 

The EQ presets are a similar story – in fact I suggest using both EQ and spatial audio liberally. There's a dedicated Equalizer tab, and although you can go manual if you want, Shure has sensibly opted to call its presets names such as Bass Cut, Bass Boost, Treble Cut and Vocal Boost. My particular favorite is Treble Cut for music, since I do find these headphones a little heavy-handed through the higher frequenciess, but the point is that Shure has bucked the trend of creating profiles for specific music genres (how often have you wondered whether 'jazz' is the correct preset for the acoustic mix you're listening to, or whether soft-rock is really the same as 'rock'?) and it's an excellent move. 

Now, ANC. It's acceptable. It isn't a complete bubble of silence. You deploy it by moving a physical slider all the way up on the right ear cup for ambient, or all the way down for ANC. But you can also open the app to select either the Environment Mode Level on a slider, or Light, Moderate, Max, or MaxAware ANC options. I was unable to perceive a lot of difference in the ANC options during the course of my testing save for MaxAware, which also filters in ambient noise. For softening the extraneous sounds of the office, they do a job – but the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 or Sony WH-1000XM5 still do that job a fair bit better. 

Call quality is aided by a "Hear myself on calls" toggle and it does exactly what it says on the tin, making calls feel a lot less like your head's stuck in a bucket as you speak. 

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 case, held in hand with a garden in the background

A svelte but durable hard-shell case with a useful strap. (Image credit: Future)

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Sound quality

  • Expansive and revealing separation and clarity 
  • Can come off treble-centric on occasion
  • Not the most musically cohesive listen

Kicking off with Ritchie Sacramento by Mogwai on Tidal (a FLAC file) with a wired USB-C connection to my Mac, the twinkling chimes and expansive ambient soundscape is pensive and more detailed than I remember it through lesser headphones. The driving beat underpins everything and as sonic articles jangle and dart between each ear, a rare talent for clarity through the mids is revealed.

Paolo Nutini's Loving You is a delight, with Nutini's textured voice held centrally among agile guitars and easy drums.

Switching to an Apple Music file on iPhone, Jamie T's Sticks 'n' Stones is energetic and immersive to the point that I feel Jamie and friends all congregating around me at Hampton Wick Station. It's here I notice the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2's tendency to over-celebrate the treble though – and as a result, the mix can sound a touch disorganized and jumbled on occasion; the placement of each musical strand seems as if it relies on the frequency being played. Here, female backing vocal "ah"s come forward a little too readily when T's lyrics should be the star of the show, for example.

It's a relatively minor issue and one only noticeable in direct comparison against the likes of the Focal Bathys and Edifier Stax Spirit S3, but it's our job to notice. Otherwise, we're treated to a detailed mix with plenty of dynamic rise and fall through the mids and a decent serving of snappy bass weight. 

Deploying the Treble Cut EQ option is the panacea for the upper registers, but it really is worth switching out these profiles depending on your music. If you're someone who believes headphones should just sound good without having to lift a finger, you may not like this solution – and it's a fair point. 

  • Sound quality score: 4/5

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 headphones detail with cups rotated to lie flat, on a wicker chair

The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2's cups glide silently to lie flat – but headband adjustments are a bit clicky. (Image credit: Future)

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Design

  • USB port on the right earcup, 3.5mm jack on the left
  • Design lies flat, but doesn't fold
  • Longer hair can get caught in the hinge points when fitting them

Do you miss foldable headphones – the kind that concertina up for easier portability? Well, you won't get them here. The large Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2's earpieces here lie flat in the same way that the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, Focal Bathys or newer Fairphone FairBuds XL do, and the hard-shell case is a little more svelte than the Focal's, but it'll still take up a bit of room in your bag – unless you want to use the strap to latch it to a carabiner on the outside of your backpack, perhaps. 

The build here is classy and the hinges rotate silently and at a glacial pace (be careful; the anchor point is towards the back of the headband and I caught my hair a few times) which is why it's a little strange that the headband itself is a little noisy if you need to alter the sizing. 

The padding on both the earcups and headband is ample and personally, I love that the physical buttons are all one earcup, since I'm right-handed, although those with larger fingers (or lefties) may find this a little fiddly. 

What is a little strange is the location of the cable ports, with one on each earpiece – but this is a relatively small issue. 

There's hardly any sound bleed; people on desks next to me couldn't hear my tracks at 50% volume in the office unless I lifted an earcup away from my head. On this, the clamping force is relatively strong; if you're running for a train you'll be glad of it, if you're relaxing in a comfy chair, perhaps not so much. There's no IP rating for water resistance here, so try not to wear them to the shower.

In summary, the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 are a handsome, sleek – if marginally heavy, at 340g – set of over-ears. They're not winning any design awards for originality, but the branding on each earcup is classy and if you prefer physical controls and sliders over touch capacitive functions (I do) you'll enjoy them. 

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Shure Aonic 30 Gen 2 on a black table, outside

In case you're wondering whether the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2's headband is nicely padded, yes it is.  (Image credit: Future)

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Value

  • Spatial audio is a high-end option
  • USB-C audio connection adds flexibility
  • The merely acceptable ANC may not be what you want

First off, these headphones are not particularly expensive given their features and the price of competitors. That said, if you want the best ANC over-ears money can buy, spend it elsewhere, on the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless or the Sony WH-1000XM5. There is active noise cancellation here, and the presets are fine, but it isn't a class-leading experience. 

Buying headphones almost always involves a compromise somewhere (omission of a particular hi-res codec, poor call quality but great sound, lack of water resistance), but for the wealth of connectivity supported both with wires and without, the spatial audio profiles and the outstanding EQ tweaks, Shure's Aonic 50 Gen 2 are almost impossible to equal.

The battery level is more than sufficient at 45 hours, the build is classy, the companion app is excellent and the multipoint pairing experience has never let me down. 

The flies in the ointment? Occasionally the treble is a little forward in the mix and the ANC is a shade off excellent. Depending on your priorities, this either doesn't matter or is a deal-breaker. It's up to you. 

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2

Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 worn by TechRada'r's Becky Scarrott, in profile, in a garden

Wear headphones while the sun shines. (Image credit: Future)
  • Bulk of testing done using an iPhone 12, running ShurePlus PLAY app, firmware version 2.3.1.0
  • Tested over two weeks, listened against the Edifier Stax Spirit S3, Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and Focal Bathys
  • Used on long walks on public streets, at work in a busy office, on a train, and at home
  • Listened to Tidal Masters, Apple Music, Qobuz and Spotify on an iPhone 12, a Sony Xperia 1 V, and via USB-C connection on MacBook Pro

To test headphones is to invite them into your life – how the case fits in your bag is just as important as how they slip onto your head. These cans became my daily musical companion – after a thorough run-in period. And just as Shure is a trusted name in audio, I now trust these headphones to work every day, regardless of how you're connecting to your music source, without fail. 

The Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 accompanied me to work on busy weekdays (walking brusquely to the station; boarding a train and the London Underground; at the office) and walking along the blustery seafront on the UK coastline – a great way to test any wind-interference from mics during calls.

To check the audio quality across the frequencies, I listened to various playlists across various music genres (spanning everything from grime to classical) on Apple Music and Tidal, but also to podcasts and albums on Spotify – plus of course YouTube tutorials (on how to change my car's brake light, mostly) from my MacBook Pro. 

I’ve been testing audio products for over five years now. As a dancer, aerialist and musical theater performer in another life, sound quality and the user experience have always taken priority for me personally – but portability, security and comfort come a close second. 

Status Between 3ANC review: stunning and with solid ANC, but forget tailoring
1:00 pm | August 19, 2023
Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets | Tags: , , , | Comments: Off

Status Between 3ANC: Two-minute review

How to differentiate yourself in a sea of Apple AirPods impersonators? Create a bold, angular, wide-stemmed design in "bone", with easy on-ear volume that could never be mistaken for an Apple product – that's how. Then, pack the earpieces with three drivers per earbud (dual-balanced armature drivers; one 10mm dynamic driver) and add six mics in total, dotted around the striking design, to boast a whopping 38dB of active noise cancellation. 

It's a compelling proposition. That last claim alone makes these some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds on the market. If all you want to know is whether that noise-nixing assertion holds water, we don't mind spilling the tea early: it does. You can only choose "on" or "off" mind, but when the ANC toggle is switched to on, the rest of the world all but melts away – yes, it's that good. Also, they're surprisingly comfortable and the sound quality is more than acceptable; big, expansive and zealous, although lacking an extra ounce of dynamic sensitivity. 

This New York outfit says it never compromises on the drivers within its products – and it shows. Battery life is also highly competitive, at eight hours with ANC switched on (the same as that offered by the new Sony WF-1000XM5) and 30 hours in the case (which betters the 24-hour total in Sony's latest progeny). Plus, it's nice to see wireless charging and an IPX5 water-resistance rating on the spec-sheet, too.

The thing is, gazing at this same spec sheet (and the companion app), you can't help but notice a few omissions. There are no fit or hearing tests; no branded, spatial audio side-sauce such as 360 Reality Audio, THX, Dolby or Dirac; no sound zones; no auto-off and no voice-enhancing sidetone or "Hear My Voice" tech during calls. 

Status Between 3ANC earbud held in hand

The bud may look an oddly sharp shape, but the Status are very comfortable (Image credit: Future)

Neither do you get LDAC, aptX Low Latency or, in fact, support for any of the higher-resolution Bluetooth codecs, which is a shame. However, you do get multi-point connectivity to two devices, which works well. 

All of this leaves us with a strange proposition. These are some of the best wireless headphones in certain aspects: specifically, active noise cancellation, in a unique design that's also comfortable and includes easy on-ear volume tweaks. In addition, sonically, the eight-band EQ customisation tab is one of the most responsive and useful I've ever tried. 

Build quality and security are spot on; I actually had compliments about them while out and about, which is a first. Also, even the shiny lower part of the stems refuses to collect fingerprints. The thing is, that excellent ANC isn't adaptable beyond "on" or "off", and neither is the Ambient profile – which certainly works, but does add a little warmth to your music. 

The wireless connection to our various devices never faltered, and when watching movies, we experienced very little lag, which makes these Status earbuds a perfectly viable and solid proposition. But Status has billed these flagship earbuds as "supreme triple-driver acoustics, now with ALL the bells & whistles" – but compared to the class-leaders at this level, a few extra accoutrements are missing. 

Whether or not you care when the ANC is this good is up to you, though… 

Status Between 3ANC earbuds in their case, on colorful background

The earbuds slip into their case easily, tails first, which feels reassuringly secure (Image credit: Future)

Status Between 3ANC review: Price & release date

  • Released on April 12, 2023
  • $249 (approx. £249 / AU$399)  

The Status Between 3ANC earbuds arrived in April 2023 with a premium price tag of $249. This is a fair price hike over the April 2021 Status Between Pro they succeed, which launched at $169 / £120 (around AU$235).

At the time of writing, we're still waiting to hear when the Status Between 3ANC will be released in the UK and Australia. 

The keen-eyed will note that Sony's flagship WF-1000XM5 launched just after, priced just a little higher, at $299.99 / £259 / AU$499 – but there isn't a lot in it, and both parties know it. Status is trying to play with the big boys, over that there can be no mistake. 

At this level, other rivals include the excellent Technics EAH-AZ80 (which boast triple-device connectivity and some of the best call quality we've ever experienced) and, of course, the five-star Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, still sitting pretty as some of the best earbuds for active noise cancellation we've had the pleasure of testing. 

Status Between 3ANC earbuds out of their case, on colorful background

The neck may look long, but the buds sit securely – with no twisting or constant readjustments necessary (Image credit: Future)

Status Between 3ANC review: Specs

Status Between 3ANC app, showing three screens

The app is uncluttered and the eight-band EQ tab is a joy, but it does seem a little feature-light compared to rivals (Image credit: Future / Status)

Status Between 3ANC review: Features

  • Solid, efficient; does-what-it-says-it-will ANC
  • Good call quality
  • No auto-off or scope for on-ear control tweaks 

It might be more prudent to list what you're not getting here. There's no support for higher-resolution codecs or special spatial audio sauce (Sony's Tidal upscaler, 360 Reality Audio – aka 24 object-based channels arranged in a 360-degree soundstage, is off the menu, for example), and so your Spotify tracks will be just that – as good as 320kbps can sound. 

Also, you'll find the Status app perfectly acceptable and clean, but devoid of tutorial, fit-test, auto-off, in-call vocal enhancements, or scope to alter the on-ear touch controls. In fact, said app is essentially just three pages: a homepage, Headphones page and a firmware update screen. The homepage provides a nice picture of your product along with battery status. There are two toggles for ANC or Ambient Sound Mode – and despite our eagerness to tell you how good the noise cancellation is when deployed, on or off is your lot in terms of tailoring. 

Under this, you'll see a Sound Mode tab. Click it and you're off two the second screen, to select between "Status Signature", "Status Audiophile", "Original Between Pro" (for fans of the older-generation model, presumably) or a custom EQ setting of your choosing. Of the presets, the third option is the warmest – and, for some, may feel just a tiny bit fuzzy around the lower registers. Audiophile and Signature will suit different ears and are genuinely fun to experiment with, although it would be nice to see a visual representation of them on the eight-band tab you get when choosing your own. 

The third screen is purely for firmware updates and will likely tell you you're all set. Hardly extensive and exhaustive, is it? 

Luckily, what the Status Between 3ANC do, they do very well indeed. There's a small physical button on the top of each earbud that switches between Ambient or ANC modes (switching both off is only possible via the app; it's announced vocally, too); but a tap of either bud's main upper stem, above the driver housing, easily plays or pauses your music. Double-tapping skips back or forward, depending on which bud you tap, and my favourite feature is a press-hold of either bud, which ups or lowers the volume. 

It may sound a simple feature, but the fact that volume tweaks are easy, reliable and don't require the mastering of four-tap morse code skills (Sony WF-1000XM5, I'm looking at you) to alter loudness is nothing short of joyous. I wish more brands would do this, over prioritising access to our voice assistants. I can't be alone in wanting to alter the volume of my favorite tracks without consulting my phone far more often than I ever want to ask Siri the price of cheese? 

Again, though, the most recent Sony proposition offers a choice of 20 increments of Ambient Aware, on a slider, whereas here it's just "on" or "off". And that doesn't really shout "all whistles and bells" to us, splendid although that ANC is. 

  • Features score: 3.5/5

Status Between 3ANC earbud held in hand, above their case

The two-tone top plate looks stylish in an 80s, Jem and the Holograms type of way – and you can adjust volume with a simple hold-press (Image credit: Future)

Status Between 3ANC review: Sound quality

  • Meaty, immersive listen
  • Bass can sound fuzzy on occasion – but can be tweaked in the EQ tab
  • Detail and dynamic build can be bettered by Technics and Sony

As mentioned above, there aren't any higher-resolution codecs onboard here. Nevertheless, there's plenty of bite and excitement from the get-go in an expansive and nicely layered presentation.

It's a meaty and enthusiastic performance when streaming Sean Paul's Gimme the Light, with various additional vocals arriving at each ear in a cohesive performance.

Switch to Aerosmith's Water Song / Janie's Got a Gun, and it's a similar story – up to a point. The 10-second "Water Song" intro (involving a glass harmonica, wind gong and bull-roarers) is accurate across the frequencies, but doesn't build from barely perceptible to quiet and pensive, as it can through more dynamically agile earbuds. These buds are energetic almost to a fault. 

And there's a minor shortfall when it comes to the bass, which is a shade off excellent for depth through the leading edges of notes, which means it can come off a little lightweight or fuzzy (tubby would be an overstatement) without EQ adjustment. 

When streaming Amaarae's Fancy, the virtual placement of audio through the intro is divine, toying around our chin and throat; but when the beat drops, it's just a shade off excellent for a regimented low-end, until we up the bass through a custom EQ profile. This really does help, but bass-fiends may well need more – and here, the Status buds may fall short. 

In direct comparison, the Technics EAH-AZ80 are able to offer a little more clout and depth. For dynamic build (the rise and fall of each musical note) it's also a marginal win for Technics, although that's a more closely run race. That said, for me, the Status Between 3ANC earbuds are incredibly secure and easy to use – and possibly because I have such a great seal betwixt ear tip and ear canal here, the ANC offered by the Status edges it. 

  • Sound quality score: 4/5

Status Between 3ANC earbuds in their case on colorful background

The case isn't the smallest you've ever seen, but it stands up, repels fingerprint smudges, and is of a decent quality (Image credit: Future)

Status Between 3ANC review: Design

  • Striking earpieces – you may get compliments
  • On-ear volume control is a joy
  • Rock-solid connectivity

These earbuds fit me very well indeed – and they're striking. If you ever wanted to look like an extra on Jem and the Holograms, these are the buds for you. The smallest size of ear tips and silicone "fitwings" come pre-fitted, and they fit me perfectly; but  there's a medium and a large set to choose from, too. Also, because the fitwing (which covers the lower portion of the driver housing and makes it more bulbous if your ear needs that) and the ear tip aren't physically attached, they can be switched around independently as necessary. 

Note that these extras are a little tricky to fit, so it's best not to do it on your commute. However, once you get it right, I vouch for the security here. 

It's odd that while Status' earbuds are so distinctive, angular and design-conscious, the case is functional and – let's face it– pretty commonplace. Status' squiggle branding doesn't feature on the buds at all (of which I'm grateful), but it does make an appearance atop this box. That said, the case doesn't collect any greasy thumb-prints, it shuts with a reassuring snap, stands up so you can easily charge up wirelessly or using the USB-C port, and it does feature a useful line of three LEDs to denote battery left within it. Does Sony's WF-1000XM5 case look more expensive? No. But the Technics EAH-AZ80 case does. 

For me, the earbuds are a joy to wear and use. As mentioned above, but it bears repeating: while you'd have to master four quick taps to either up or lower the volume in Sony's newest flagship earbuds, here a simple hold-press does the job and without any registering tones invading your music. Although it's worth noting that there's no option to turn off the notifications that do feature (mostly where ANC and Ambient are concerned). 

The physical buttons on the top edge of each earbud make switching between ANC profiles a certainty rather than guesswork, but more than all of this, the Bluetooth connectivity is rock-solid. Calls? Yes, good. There was a little wind-noise intrusion on a blustery day by the sea, but for the office they'll certainly suffice. 

  • Design score: 5/5

Status Between 3ANC review: Value

  • ANC is solid – but cannot be tailored 
  • Design-conscious wearers will find value here
  • Rivals offer a more tailored experience

The simple truth here is that Technics' EAH-AZ80 earbuds, which can be yours for just a little more, will give you simultaneous connectivity to three devices, not two – and with a clean, comprehensive companion app to boot. Also, you'll get voice-isolating tech for calls, an extra mic per earbud, LDAC support, and the option to tailor both the ANC and Ambient levels and the on-ear controls to your heart's content. 

Does the Bose QCE II edge it for active noise cancellation in direct comparison? Actually, for me, no – but other members of the team have stuck resolutely to Bose's option because, again, these buds offer a slider to tweak the amount of noise you'll hear, which you won't get with these Status earbuds

The fit is excellent and the sound quality is good – I loved the separation, stereo-imaging and verve – but the bass weight does need a bit of help, and dynamically they're a shade off excellent. 

In the end, it comes down to your priorities. Are you prepared to forego fit tests, ANC tweaks, buds that know when you're talking and cut the music, and hearing tests to get solid, dependable noise cancellation in a striking build? Because toggle that ANC on and there's most definitely a fraction of a second where extraneous noise floats off into the ether, leaving you with your playlists. The answer, of course, is known only to each of us – and, luckily, we're all so very different. 

  • Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Status Between 3ANC?

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Status Between 3ANC review: Also consider

How I tested the Status Between 3ANC

Status Between 3ANC earbuds worn by TechRadar's Becky Scarrott, outside

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for two weeks, listened against the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, Sony WF-1000XM5, Technics EAH-AZ80 
  • Used at work (in the office; walking through London; on a train), at home and in Weymouth, Dorset
  • Listened to Tidal, Apple Music, Qobuz and Spotify streams and downloads on an iPhone XR, Sony Xperia 1 IV and a MacBook Pro

As always when testing earbuds or headphones, one has to invest time and energy. After a thorough 24-hour run-in period, the Status Between 3ANC became my commute and office companions, as well as my musical providers on a trip to the UK coastal town of Weymouth, Dorset. 

I wore them throughout the working day and on the busy (read: noisy) London overground train network. I also wore them in an aerial silks class to check what I like to call the "upside-down loss risk". 

The Status Between 3ANC came to work on weekdays (walking brusquely to the station; boarding a train and the London Underground; at the office) and for a particularly blustery walk on the Weymouth Dorset promenade – a great way to test any wind-interference from mics during calls.

When testing the audio quality across the frequencies, I listened to various playlists (spanning everything from reggaeton to prog-rock) on Apple Music and Tidal, but also to podcasts and albums on Spotify – and YouTube tutorials (largely on harnessing the power of Chat GPT, if you were curious) from my MacBook Pro. 

I’ve been testing audio products for five years now. As a dancer, aerialist and musical theater performer in another life, sound quality, fit and the user experience have always been a priority for me personally. I also know full well the benefits of powerful active noise cancellation when done well. 

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: August 2023
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