Organizer
Gadget news
Dali IO-8 review: great-sounding noise-cancelling headphones, but ‘entry-level’ this is not
11:00 am | October 8, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones | Tags: | Comments: Off

Dali IO-8: Two-minute review

The Dali IO-8 are the wireless over-ear noise-cancelling result of the company's attempts to cater for more mainstream customers. A brand like Dali should have more than one pair of wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones in its line-up, of course, especially when the one pre-existing pair it does have costs pennies less than £1,000 in the UK. Yet, even at a price of £599, the aforementioned word ‘mainstream’ is perhaps not the first that should spring to mind for the new Dali IO-8. 

With one fairly notable exception, the IO-8 are specified to compete at this fiercely contested price point for the best noise-cancelling headphones crown. They’re very acceptably built and finished, from high-quality materials (although the real leather isn’t going to excite vegan customers). Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive compatibility, 30 hours of battery life with ANC engaged, 24bit/96kHz support, 50mm full-range drivers with 10Hz-43kHz frequency response… these are all welcome features. The ability to work passively, with no requirement for power, when wired via an analogue connection, is a very nice touch too. 

Only the lack of a control app sounds a slightly bum note, no matter how Dali might seek to spin it as a virtue.

Dali IO-8 over-ear headphones, in their carry case, on a wood surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Dali IO-8 review: Price & release date

  • Released on October 8, 2024
  • Priced $899 / £599 / AU$TBC

The Dali IO-8 wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones launched on October 8, 2024, and in the United Kingdom they currently sell for £599. In the United States they’ll cost you $899, while in Australia the going rate has not officially been confirmed, at the time of publishing (but it'll be around AU$1,165 or thereabouts). 

These are affordable wireless headphones by Dali standards, true, but everything’s relative, isn’t it? This sort of money can buy you some extremely well-regarded alternatives from brands that don’t necessarily consider $899 to be ‘entry-level’...

Close-up of Dali IO-8 over-ear headphone outer earcup

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Dali IO-8 review: Specs

Inner earcups of the Dali IO-8 over-ear headphones on a wood surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Dali IO-8 review: Features

  • 50mm free edge full-range dynamic drivers 
  • Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive compatibility
  • 35 hours of battery life

As far as the ‘wireless’ part of ‘wireless over-ear noise-cancelling headphones’ goes, the Dali IO-8 use Bluetooth 5.2 for connectivity, and have compatibility with SBC, AAC, aptX HD and aptX Adaptive codecs. But it’s also possible to use them via a wired connection – the USB-C socket on the right earcup can be used for data transfer as well as for charging the battery, and connected this way they’re able to deal with digital audio files of up to 24bit/96kHz resolution. Obviously you can give them even larger files to deal with, but these will be downscaled before the digital-to-analogue conversion takes place.

Dali provides a USB-C / USB-A cable in a reasonably compact travel case, and also includes a 3.5mm / 3.5mm analogue alternative. There’s a 3.5mm input on the left earcup, and if you make an analogue connection to a source player the Dali don’t even need to be powered on. Flat battery? No problem: the IO-8 can be used passively, which is a definite bonus.

Mind you, letting the battery run flat will smack of negligence. The Dali will run for 35 hours from a single charge with active noise-cancelling switched off, and if you switch it on that figure drops to a still-competitive 30 hours. The ANC itself (or ‘audiophile active noise-cancelling’, as Dali rather self-importantly has it) has ‘on’, ‘off’ and ‘transparency’ settings, and the company has tuned it for maximum sound quality rather than maximum noise-cancellation.

Dali IO-8 over-ear headphones earcup with on/off switch, battery life and USB-C socket

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

No matter how you get your audio information on board, it’s delivered to your ears by a couple of 50mm free edge full-range dynamic drivers that are good, suggests Dali, for a frequency response of 10Hz-43kHz. Just as it does with its full-size speakers, Dali has built these drivers from a paper fibre material with randomly aligned fibres of varying lengths to create a light-yet-stiff diaphragm with optimal damping.

As far as control is concerned, there are a couple of options here. Each earcup features a couple of mic openings – Dali has used cVc technology for telephony, and these mics also allow communication with your source player’s native voice assistant. In addition to its USB-C input, the right earcup features a combination of push- and touch-controls covering ‘play/pause’, ‘volume up/down’, ‘skip forwards/backwards’, ‘answer/end call’ and ‘power on/off/Bluetooth pairing’ as well as cycling through your ANC options or choosing between two EQ settings (‘hi-fi’ or ‘bass’).

What’s conspicuous by its absence, though, is a control app. Dali wants to make a virtue of this – it’s tuned the IO-8 to sound as good as they can, goes the rationale, and the last thing the sound quality needs is the end user sticking their oar in. Whether or not you think an outlay as significant as this ought to buy a swanky control app a la Bowers & Wilkins, Bose and all the rest of them is a question of personal preference.

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Dali IO-8 review: Sound quality

  • Detailed and expansive sound
  • Positive, dynamic presentation
  • Great low-end expression and agility

If you’ve heard any of Dali’s more expensive loudspeaker designs lately, the combination of talents the IO-8 demonstrate when playing music, of any type, won’t come as any kind of surprise. If you haven’t, though, well… it’s like this…

The IO-8 are remarkably insightful, detailed headphones. No element of a recording is too fleeting to elude them, and they have the happy knack of being able to put even the most transient events in a singular recording like Children Crying by The Congos into convincing context. Their remarkable facility for detail retrieval and expression is not at the expense of the bigger picture, either. The Dali create a large overall image, and it’s only when you peer closely at it that you realise just how alive with detail it is. 

There’s a sensation of directness and of positivity to the way these headphones deliver music, a sensation of engagement that some similarly priced alternatives forgo in an effort to sound somehow more ‘accurate’. There’s no lack of precision to the IO-8, no lack of apparent fidelity – but they’re no dry tool of analysis. The idea of music as entertainment does not escape them, not even for a moment.

They have ample bite and shine at the top of the frequency range, but it’s controlled to the point that there’s never any glint of hardness, even in a Lee Perry production that is constantly on edge where treble sounds are concerned. The transition into the midrange is seamless, and once there the Dali communicate with absolute assurance and no little articulacy. They can relay a vocal performance's minutiae with the sort of effortlessness that makes for a direct and unequivocal listen.

Dali IO-8 over-ear headphones 3.5mm cable socket

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

At the bottom of the frequency range there’s a great combination of weight, texture and momentum. Listening with the ‘hi-fi’ EQ setting selected, the Dali offer straight-edged attack, rhythmic certainty, a decent amount of punch and an absolute stack of tonal and textural variation. Switch to ‘bass’ and while the amount of low-end presence increases noticeably, it’s not at the expense of any of the other work the Dali do with bass information. For my money it’s a slightly less naturalistic setting, but those who crave a bit of wallop won’t be disappointed.

Tonality is carefully neutral, and the frequency response is delightfully even from the very bottom of the frequency range to the very top. The broad dynamic shifts in intensity apparent in a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Stay Lit by Holy F*** are described in full – the IO-8 have no problem putting considerable distance between ‘loud’ and ‘quiet’. And the harmonic variations that are apparent in every instrument in this recording are given plenty of expression, too.

The Dali summon a large and persuasive soundstage, organizes it with utter authority and makes specific elements of even very complex recordings easy to identify and individualize. But at the same time it offers a very persuasive sensation of togetherness and singularity to recordings – there’s always an impression of ‘performance’ to the way it presents music.

Noise-cancelling, predictably, falls squarely into the ‘very good’ category rather than the very brief list headed ‘as good as Bose’ (single occupant: Bose). The IO-8 can do a reasonably thorough job on external sounds and keep those external distractions at bay, sure, but just as importantly, it does so without affecting the sonic characteristics in the slightest.

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Dali IO-8 review: Design

  • ‘Iron’ black, or ‘caramel’ white finishes
  • Real leather contact points
  • Weighs 325g

It comes to something, doesn’t it, when ‘round’ counts as a design flourish? But the fundamental design of over-ear headphones is so established that the perfectly circular earcups and earpads of the IO-8 is about the only part of their appearance that’s even remotely unusual.

They’re expertly built and finished, mind you, and from very upmarket and tactile materials. The round plate that covers the outside of each round earcup is of brushed and anodised metal, while the contact points of the inside of the headband and the earpads themselves are of memory foam covered in genuine leather (so long, vegans, it was nice knowing you). An outer section of the earpads and the entirety of the outside of the headband are covered in hard-wearing textile. 

The headband adjustment mechanism is mostly concealed inside the headband itself, and it moves with nicely judged resistance. At 325g the IO-8 are far from the heaviest wireless over-ears around, and both the hanger arrangement and clamping force are so judicious that they remain comfortable for hours at a time. And unlike quite a lot of rival products, the Dali are not so big that they exclude the smaller-headed among us.

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Dali IO-8 over-ear headphones' headband and hanger arrangement on a wooden surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Dali IO-8 review: Value

  • High-quality sound at a crowded price point
  • Comfortable, look good, excellent battery life
  • No control app, plus non-vegan 

You buy expensive headphones in order to enjoy high-quality sound, right? If so, then there’s no arguing with the value on offer here – the Dali IO-8 are by no means your only choice at the price, but they have nothing to apologize for when it comes to the way they sound.

And if you’re able to overlook the lack of a vegan option, the standard of build and finish is well up to standard, too. The IO-8 look and feel good and they’re comfortable for hours on end, with the battery life to prove it.

If you think this sort of money should buy a control app, you’ll certainly get no argument from me. But I have to wonder what it would be for – after all, the way Dali has voiced these headphones is unlikely to be improved by my fiddling with EQ settings, and the company has already indicated that the ANC is implemented to the maximum level it’s happy with. It would be nice to be able to integrate all my favorite music streaming services into one hub, of course, but I’ve seen enough ropey control apps to know that ‘no app’ is better than ‘annoying app’.

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy Dali IO-8?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Dali IO-8 over-ear headphones carry case on a wood surface

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

Dali IO-8 review: Also consider

Apple AirPods Max
I’m contractually obliged to mention the Apple AirPods Max here. They’re a great option for iPhone and iPad users, to be fair, with a nicely realized sensation of spatial audio when connected to a sibling device, but I’ve yet to see anyone good-looking enough to wear them without looking like a bit of a ‘nana.
See our in-depth Apple AirPods Max review for more info.

How I tested the Dali IO-8

  • Connected wirelessly, via USB-C and via 3.5mm analogue
  • Powered and passively
  • Indoors and out

They’re adaptable by the standards of wireless headphones, the Dali IO-8, and so I listened to them when wireless connected to an iPhone 14 Pro and a FiiO M15S digital audio player. I also listened to them via a USB-C connection to an Apple MacBook Pro (loaded with Colibri software in order to play authentically high-resolution content). 

I also listened to them with the battery switched off and a hard analogue connection made to both the FiiO and the MacBook Pro, too. I listened to them at my desk and on public transport, I listened to lots of different styles of music, delivered via lots of different digital audio file types and sizes. And I did all of this, on and off, for well over a week. 

Focal Diva Utopia is the ultimate stereo speaker system for anyone who can afford it – here’s our review
7:00 pm | October 2, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Speakers | Tags: | Comments: Off

Focal Diva Utopia: Two-minute review

Let’s be polite in our choice of word, shall we, and describe an asking price of $39,999 / £29,999 / AU$59,999 for a pair of wireless active speakers as ‘punchy’? Focal has leveraged both its own long-established expertise (and that of its sister company Naim) and spent five years developing what the asking price insists must be the most accomplished, least compromised wireless music streaming system you can buy.

Certainly it looks the part, as long as you consider ‘the part’ to mean ‘striking and dramatic’. The quality of construction is unarguable, and the finish is currently unique in the world of loudspeakers. There are numerous control options, all of them expertly implemented. And it’s specified without apparent compromise, to the point that it’s ready to do unashamedly high-performance things to all your favourite music no matter where it’s stored.  

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to performance, there’s virtually nothing to take issue with. As long as your room is large enough for the Diva Utopia to stretch out and properly express itself, it will reward you with a sound that combines muscularity, insight, scale and attack with the sort of deft manoeuvrability and rhythmic positivity that makes every listen an event. It’s a staggeringly accomplished system with a list of talents as long as your arm – which, in the context of the asking price, is exactly as it should be.

 Will they enter our best stereo speakers roundup very soon? That's hardly fair since most products within our guide are a mere fraction of the Diva Utopia's asking fee. That said, if you've got this kind of money, they're well worth it, and we never make such statements glibly. 

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

Focal Diva Utopia review: Price & release date

  • Released October 2, 2024
  • Priced $39,999 / £29,999 / AU$59,999

The Focal Diva Utopia launched on 2nd October 2024, and in the United Kingdom they cost a not-inconsiderable £29,999 while in the United States they will set you back an equally significant $39,999. The price in Australia is AU$59,999.

Need I say with undue emphasis that this is an awful lot of money for a wireless audio system in a pair of loudspeakers? That expectations in every respect – design, build, finish, specification, performance, you name it – are, inevitably, sky-high? That anything less than across-the-board excellence must count as a failure? No pressure then, Focal…

Focal Diva Utopia three screenshots of the app

(Image credit: Focal)

Focal Diva Utopia review: Features

  • 800 watts of Class AB power in total
  • 32bit/384kHz native DAC resolution
  • Numerous analog and digital input options

Apparently Focal has, in conjunction with sister company Naim, been working on the Diva Utopia for the past five years. Obviously that’s quite a chunk of time for a product to be in development – but it’s sufficient time for a product’s feature-set to be specified without apparent compromise, too.

Each Diva Utopia is a three-way bass-reflex speaker. Near the top of the front baffle there’s a 27mm pure beryllium ‘M’-shaped inverted dome tweeter – it sits behind a red/black ‘double’ grille that appears to change colour and brightness as you move around the speaker. Beneath it there’s a 165mm ‘W’ mid/bass driver with tuned mass damper surround and a ‘neutral inductance circuit’ motor of the type Focal has been refining for quite some time. 

On each of the speaker’s side panels there are a pair of 165mm ‘W’ bass drivers arranged in a push/push configuration. The output of this quartet is augmented by a downward-firing bass reflex port that vents against the fixed boundary of the speaker’s integrated aluminium plinth.

There’s a total of 400 watts of Naim Audio-designed Class AB amplification on board each speaker to power this driver array. The tweeter and the mid/bass driver get 75 watts each, and the remaining 250 watts is divided between the four bass drivers. Focal reckons this is an arrangement that’s good for a frequency response of 27Hz - 40kHz.

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

As is the way with the majority of products of this type, one speaker does all the heavy lifting where connectivity is concerned. So one of the Utopia Diva has just a mains power socket and an RJ45 socket for making a hard-wired connection to its partner on its rear panel, the other is taking care of business. It features the same mains power input and RJ45 system link, and also has the same substantial heat-dissipating radiator arrangement that’s more than a little reminiscent of Naim’s statement Statement amplification. But it also incorporates an RJ45 for Ethernet, a Type 2.0 USB-A slot, a digital optical input, a line-level stereo RCA input, and an HDMI eARC socket. With the possible exception of a phono input for use with an unamplified turntable, it’s difficult to know what else Focal might have included where physical connectivity is concerned. 

Wireless stuff is handled by Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX Adaptive codec compatibility, and dual-band wi-fi. Wi-fi (or Ethernet, if you prefer) brings Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect into play – the Diva Utopia is UPnP-compatible, too, although it’s not Roon Ready. Internet radio is available, and both Qobuz, and QQMusic via QPlay (for Chinese customers) are also accessible via the dedicated control app. All incoming digital signals, whether wired or wirelessly received, are dealt with by a 32bit/384kHz DAC that’s also compatible with DSD128. 

Focal has deployed UWB (ultra wide band) technology to ensure latency between the two speakers is negligible. When the speakers are connected wirelessly, resolution tops out at 24bit/96kHz - but use the supplied RJ45 cable to make a physical connection between the two and 24bit/192kHz can be yours.  

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Focal Diva Utopia review: Sound quality

  • Deftly dynamic presentation
  • Scale and muscularity combined with detail and insight
  • Requires a fair bit of breathing space

Just imagine what a story it would be if the Focal Diva Utopia, with its remarkable looks, extensive specification and terrifying price-tag, didn’t actually sound all that good? What a story that would be…

But it’s a story that will have to wait for another day – because in the simplest terms, the Diva Utopia sounds bloody marvellous. It’s a profoundly accomplished, endlessly engaging and thoroughly enjoyable listen, a system that revels in any and every type of music, and that is seemingly capable of wringing the last drop of detail from a recording.

No matter if it’s decoding, amplifying and delivering an Amazon Prime Video stream of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ Distant Sky via its HDMI eARC socket, dealing with a (pre-amplified) vinyl copy of Mary Lattimore’s And Then He Wrapped His Wings Around Me or giving the treatment to a TIDAL Connect stream of a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of What Goes On by The Velvet Underground, the Focal system is is complete command of the material. It combines iron-fisted low-frequency behaviour, unarguable dynamic potency and a forensic level of insight that ensures you always feel like you’re getting a complete account of a recording - and at considerable scale.

Low-frequency presence is, unsurprisingly, significant. The system digs deep and hits hard, but loads bass information with an absolute stack of detail concerning tone and texture, and is so positive and straight-edged in its control that rhythmic expression is never a concern. It’s deft enough to skip through a complex double-bass part, muscular enough to attack a hip-hop drum pattern, dynamic enough to make the harmonic variations in a timpani obvious. 

Above there, the midrange communicates in an absolutely explicit, torrential manner. No transient detail is too minor or too fleeting to escape it, and no singer has yet made a recording that can’t have the nuance of emotion, attitude and character of their performance teased out of it. At the top of the frequency range, the Focal is more than substantial enough to give treble sounds proper presence, detailed enough to make the gauge of, say, a cymbal obvious, and attacking enough to really sink its teeth into the brightest and/or splashiest high-end stuff.

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

The tonal balance is carefully and convincingly neutral, and the crossover between the drivers is imperceptible. The entire frequency range hangs together as if it was being produced by a single driver, and there’s no understatement or overplaying of any particular area. The Diva Utopia is a naturalistic as they come where this sort of thing is concerned.

Dynamic headroom is superabundant, as seems only reasonable when you consider the sheer amount of power that’s on tap here. When Michael Tilson Thomas shifts the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra and Chorus into top gear during Orff’s Carmina Burana the sheer amount of drive and attack that the system can summon is almost shocking. But all of this barn-burning intensity is not at the expense of subtlety – when the going gets mild and contemplative, the Focal can cosset with the best of them. And no matter the specific circumstances, the soundstage the Diva Utopia creates is large, three-dimensional and entirely convincing. Even a full-scale orchestra with massed chorus enjoys sufficient elbow room. 

Everything the system does, it does without seeming to make all that much of an effort. There’s an almost casual authority about the way it goes about things, a suggestion that ‘there’s plenty more where that came from’. I’m not sure if the Diva Utopia can be provoked into sounding in any way stressed or otherwise uncomfortable – all I know is I haven’t been able to do so. And believe me, I have tried. 

It follows that downsides are few. In fact, it’s really only the amount of breathing space the system needs that is noteworthy. I’m going to go ahead and assume that anyone with 30 grand to spend on a couple of speakers has a fair amount of space in which to position them – but in a room that’s anything less than ‘really quite large’ the Diva Utopia can overwhelm. And that, really, is about the only note of caution I can sound.     

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

Focal Diva Utopia review: Design

  • High-density moulded polymer cabinet
  • Gray felt finish (with other colors to follow)
  • Floor-spikes or castors 

Each Diva Utopia loudspeaker is 121 x 42 x 56cm (HxWxD) and 64kg – and consequently is quite imposing. But while Focal has obviously designed this system for optimum performance, it hasn’t allowed the opportunity to inject a little visual drama into the ownership experience to pass it by.

The cabinets here are made from high-density moulded polymer, and are structurally reinforced to produce a rigid structure that rejects vibrations almost entirely. Each one stands on an injected aluminium base that is pre-fitted with castors – these can be swapped for chunky, high quality floor-spikes that are also supplied, along with discs they can stand in to protect your floor’s finish. The angularity of the cabinet, especially the top section that houses the tweeter, is a) recognisable to anyone who’s familiar with the Utopia range, b) dictated by sound acoustic principles, and c) more than a little reminiscent of an H.R. Giger creation. 

Focal has finished these cabinets with a robust, tactile grey felt cloth – it combines, says the manufacturer, elegance and minimal environmental impact. Other colors are likely to be available in the future.

It’s certainly a point of difference from high-gloss colors or wood finishes, and it gives the speakers a slightly ethereal look. The division between the side panels (which also include contrasting grille covers for the side-firing bass drivers), where the obligatory illuminated ‘Focal’ logo sits proudly, is brilliantly consistent – Tesla could learn a thing or two about panel gaps from Focal, that’s for sure. The overall quality of the finish is basically flawless and, even if it’s not your cup of tea, you can’t deny that it makes the Diva Utopia look distinctive.  

  • Design score: 5/5

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

Focal Diva Utopia review: Setup and usability

  • Focal & Naim control app
  • Voice assistant-compatible
  • Zigbee remote control handset

Obviously these are large, heavy loudspeakers. But Focal has gone to reasonable lengths to make installation and set-up as straightforward as possible.

The speakers arrive with the castors pre-fitted, and it’s actually quite straightforward to wheel them out of their necessarily large boxes using the little wooden ramp that’s inside. After that, it’s easy enough to get them positioned as you’d like (although if you decide to put them on the supplied floor-spikes, as you really should, you’ll need the help of at least one additional volunteer). 

The system also ships with a ‘Zigbee’ remote control that will be familiar to anyone with experience of Naim electronics over the last decade or so. The Diva Utopia is also compatible with your preferred voice assistant – but it’s the Focal & Naim app where the real action is. As well as the usual stuff like saving some favourites and assigning presets, checking for firmware updates and what-have-you, it also features a comprehensive room correction routine into which the end user gets an unusual amount of input (although Focal’s assertion that it is ‘fun’ is, I am prepared to say here and now, a false alarm). It allows you to enable or disable specific inputs to keep the homepage nice and clean, trim the output level of specific inputs, and plenty more besides. The app was in ‘beta’ at the time of testing, but even in less-than-perfect shape it proves clean, logical, reliable and stable. 

  • Setup and usability score: 5/5

Focal Diva Utopia review: Value

You might argue that $39,999 / £29,999 for a wireless music streaming system can’t possibly represent value for money, and to be honest you won’t get much of an argument from me. 

But what I would point out is that it’s possible to build a high-end music system of the more traditional type and spend way more money than this, that the Diva Utopia is an architectural talking-point as well as a superbly adaptable music system, and that quality like this where both industrial design and sonic performance are concerned seldom comes cheap. 

On a pound-for-pound basis it’s difficult to make the case that you’re getting notable value here – but if you can afford it, I say go right ahead. I know I will if my numbers ever come up… 

Should you buy the Focal Diva Utopia?

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

Buy it if...

You want what is definitely the best wireless streaming system costing less than six figures
It doesn’t have a huge amount of competition at the price, it’s true - but nevertheless the Focal Diva Utopia is a tremendously accomplished product

You have a fairly large room in which to put it
These are big speakers that are capable of big sound – and they will prove altogether too much of a good thing in smaller spaces…

You enjoy muscular, poised and endlessly communicative sound
If there’s an aspect of music reproduction that the Diva Utopia isn’t in complete command of, I’ve yet to identify it

Don't buy it if...

You think this sort of money should buy amplification for a turntable
If a system is really going to be all-in-one (or even all-in-two) then a phono stage for use with a record player really needs to be on the menu

You’re a Roon subscriber
Focal has its reasons for shunning Roon, but well-off music streaming aficionados tend to have music on a number of different platforms that it’s nice to aggregate…

You have a badly behaved cat
That felt finish is a visual and tactile delight – but if I owned the Utopia Diva, I’d be concerned that I wasn’t the only one who thought so…

Focal Diva Utopia speakers in a hi-fi listening room

(Image credit: Future)

Focal Diva Utopia review: Also consider

As far as all-in-two music streaming systems are concerned, there’s not a lot of competition for the Diva Utopia at a similar sort of price – even the never-knowingly-underpriced Bang & Olufsen can only offer its Beolab 28 high-resolution wireless stereo speakers, and they’re around half the price of the Focal. 

Of course, it’s possible to build a system that does much of what the Diva Utopia can do by checking out amplification, passive loudspeakers and a music streamer at around ten grand a pop - but that’s not going to have the same sort of visual impact or ergonomic tidiness of the Focal. The Diva Utopia, then, currently seems to be number one in a field of one…  

First reviewed: October 2024

Read more about how we test at TechRadar

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: great-sounding cheap earbuds but sadly, there are issues
4:30 pm |
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: , | Comments: Off

Xiaomi Buds 5: Two-minute review

Like most Chinese tech companies, Xiaomi's product portfolio runs the gamut from smartphones and fitness trackers to tablets, air fryers, electric scooters and massage guns, and while you may know the company for a few of those gadgets, headphones may not be one of them. And it's true that the company has yet to feature in our roundup of the best earbuds we've tested, although we keep checking with reviews just like these. 

So while the likes of the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Ultra smartphones may be stealing headlines and winning hearts (we gave both 4.5/5), the Xiaomi Buds 5 have more of an uphill battle in order to win listeners over. And as you'll soon find out, the buds' favorite direction is actually 'down'.

The Xiaomi Buds 5 are new headphones that are some of Xiaomi's higher-end audio offerings, but still certainly fall into the 'best cheap headphones' category, bumping up against many options from rival audio brands as well as from market stalwarts.

There's a lot to like with the Xiaomi Buds 5, but enough to dislike that you may not want to put up with the good parts.

My main issue, which plagued testing from the day I started until the day I finished, was the fit of these earbuds. Without any silicone tip, or much of an arch in the design to hook them into your ear, the Buds 5 just refuse to stay in place. They'll start to slip if you so much as walk, and a head shake or jump will see them tumble from place. I found myself repeatedly pushing them back into my ear if I had to go on walks with them in.

I thought the issue was down to my ear shape but (after heavy sanitization) I made a few other people test them out too. They all commented, unprovoked, that the buds felt very loose. A decent fit in a design that doesn't use ear tips to achieve a seal something Apple's worked on extensively for its AirPods 4 rollout, and Xiaomi could learn a little for the Cupertino giant here. 

So you're only going to be able to enjoy your music if you're sitting still, or doing gentle activities like chopping veg for dinner or vacuuming your apartment. But then you're going to have to contend with an app that I found to be quite buggy.

Many times during testing, I'd pop the buds in my ears only to find that some key features weren't working. I found that the buds needed to be manually reconnected in the app for these features to work, with ANC and my custom equalizer only enabled after this. I can't imagine that this is an intentional feature, so I can only presume that it's a bug (hopefully, one that an update will fix).

These are two major issues but there are a few things that I'd consider significant 'cons' on better earbuds: the noise cancellation, battery life and call quality are all middling to poor.

So with that all in mind, why have I given the Xiaomi Buds 5 a fairly reasonable score? Well, it's largely down to the sound quality: they have a really distinctive and appealing audio balance that leans heavily on bass without losing trebles and mids. It's zealous, it's punchy and it's oh-so likeable! Music is high-quality, thanks to support for a few big codecs, and Harman Kardon tuning helps you appreciate your songs in a roaring and bordering on warm balance. That's if you can enjoy your music before the buds fall from your ears!

A few more features win the Xiaomi Buds 5 points too, including an audio-recording feature that you can enable straight from your ears, really convenient gesture controls, and a svelte and lightweight carry case. Honestly, the poor app and irritating fit let these otherwise promising earbuds down. 

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Price and release date

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Unveiled in September 2024
  • Sells for £69.99 (roughly $90, AU$140)
  • On sale in Europe for now

The Xiaomi Buds 5 were announced in late September 2024, alongside the Mi Smart Band 9 and a range of smart-home products.

You can pick up the buds for £69.99 (roughly $90, AU$140) which makes these contenders for our round-up of the best cheap earbuds. Based on precedent, Xiaomi could release a pricier Pro version down the line, and its full audio range extends from pricier open-ear sports buds to some staggeringly cheap buds under its Redmi sub-brand.

At that price you’d be comparing these to a few rivals from other mobile brands including the CMF Buds Pro 2 and OnePlus Buds Nord 3 Pro, as well as the fantastic Sony WF-C510 and Earfun Air Pro 4.

There's no news on a release outside Europe just yet and Xiaomi doesn't release much of its tech in the US, but in Australia we could well see it go on sale based on precedent.

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Specs

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Features

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Middling battery life and ANC performance
  • Offers novel audio recording feature
  • App has some bugs

The Buds 5 do offer active noise cancellation, but it’s nothing to write home about. There are two modes: Balanced and Deep, with an adaptive mode that’ll toggle between the two depending on your environment, but neither are particularly hardcore. They’ll take the edge off of annoying background noises but not muffle them in any significant way, and the lack of passive noise isolation from the buds’ design doesn’t help either.

The battery life of the buds isn’t fantastic, clocking in at 6.5 hours with ANC turned off according to Xiaomi. The company doesn’t provide a figure for listening time with it turned on, but I got the buds to last a touch over 5 hours with ANC deployed. The case will keeping ticking for a lot longer though, with 39 hours of playback when ANC is off according to Xiaomi. Based on my aforementioned figures, I’d estimate that you’d get 30 hours with ANC on.

For the rest of the features we need to jump into the app, but there’s a problem here. The Xiaomi Earbuds app had a big issue which affected the use of many of the Buds 5 features, and I can’t tell if it’s an intentional one or a bug.

Every time I put the earbuds in my ears, the app wouldn’t automatically realize that they were connected – I’d have to load it up and press ‘connect’. Before I did this, features including ANC control and the ability to tweak settings wouldn’t work, and it was an irritating extra step every time I wanted to listen to music. Other options don't do it; I can't imagine why it would be desirable. 

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)

Some of the features offered by the buds are standard ones that we’ve come to expect in wireless earbuds (not that all rivals offer them, so their presence in the Xiaomi Buds are welcome). These include changing the gesture controls, toggling wear detection, setting up dual-device connectivity, checking the buds’ battery life, changing ANC modes and finding the buds if you’ve misplaced them.

The Xiaomi Earbuds app offers an equalizer, albeit one hidden away in the Audio Effects menu, as well as a few simple presets like Enhance Voice or Decrease Bass. I found myself using the Harman AudioEFX preset mostly, which I’ll explore in more detail later on.

You can also use Audio Effects to turn on ‘Dimensional Audio’, which is presumably Xiaomi’s answer to Spatial Audio, a feature that plenty of earbuds offer in order to make music sound like it’s surrounding you. However, this feature in the Buds 5 transports you to one space in particular: the cellar underneath a nightclub bar. It seems to simply slather on oceans of artificial reverb, as though you’re hearing tunes through several layers of brick, making music sound awful. Avoid!

One novel feature the Xiaomi Buds 5 offer is an audio-recording feature. While most earbuds will do this, as they’ll replace the audio input of your phone while connected, Xiaomi bakes this feature into the app, and also lets you enable it as a gesture control for the buds. 

It’s not a feature that everyone will find hugely useful, but I can see some finding it handy in certain situations. I found it convenient as a way to leave myself voice memos without having to find a pen and paper or my smartphone, and I see it being handy for anyone who likes hands-free note-taking like this. Just bear in mind the laws where you live regarding recording people without their consent, something the app does remind you about.

  • Features score: 3.5/5

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Design

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Earbuds keep slipping out
  • Touch controls on the bud
  • Lightweight carry case

Unlike many of its rivals and contemporaries, Xiaomi hasn’t put a silicon tip of the Buds 5. It didn’t for its predecessors, saving that for the Pro equivalents. It’s a shame because my biggest gripe with the earbuds is that they had trouble staying in my ears, a problem eartips would likely fix. 

This problem didn’t occur if I was seated or keeping my head relatively static, but when walking (or doing any other kind of movement) the Buds 5 would quickly start to slip – I’d have to constantly be re-adjusting the fit and pushing the buds back into my ears. 

Not only was this indescribably irritating, but buds that are half out the ear aren’t delivering on their full sonic potential, and also fall foul of sensitive wear detection too. This issue ruled me out form using the buds in the gym, and I stopped using them when cooking too as I didn’t want to push them back into my ears with messy hands – or have them fall into the pot. 

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)

Each bud has a small button on the stem that you can squeeze for various controls: single, double, triple and long presses for different functions. It takes quite a hearty press to trigger the function but a light ‘click’ lets you know that your action was successful.

The buds are relatively light, weighing 4.2g each. They have an IP54 protection which means they’re safe from splashes of water and ingress of dust, but immersion in water will wreck them.

The Buds 5 come in a shiny plastic chrome-looking case, which I think is pretty neat-looking even though the reflections make taking review pictures an absolute nightmare!

Opening this clam-shell case reveals the entirety of the buds, unlike many other cases which hide the stems in the body – because of this I found it really easy to remove the buds when I wasn’t paying attention, as the process was less fiddly than almost all rivals on the market.

The case weighs 36.6g and comes with a USB-C port for charging, and not a lot else. You can pick up the buds in silver, white and black, and your choice affects the case and the buds.

  • Design score: 3.5/5

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Sound quality

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Great audio for price
  • Tuning from Harman Kardon
  • Support for good list of codices

The Xiaomi Buds 5 have 11mm drivers and tick quite a few audiophile boxes. These include support for a range of codecs including AAC, SBC, LC3, aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive, connectivity using Bluetooth 5.4, and support for Bluetooth Low Energy. They also have an audio balance tuned by Harman Kardon, continuing a partnership between Xiaomi and the audio specialists which has also extended to its smartphones and speakers.

When I first started listening to the Xiaomi Buds 5, I was surprised just how much bass they offered for in-ear buds, and of all the buds I’ve tested recently they’re second only to Nothing’s recent audio offerings in terms of sheer thump-power (that’s the technical term). 

In the default audio balance, the Harman AudioEFX, here’s a distinctive focus on lower-focus instruments and pitches, making for a balance so warm that you’d think Xiaomi had used some tech from one of its kitchen gadgets. I can see some people loving the mix, and others really not getting on with it, but the other presets can balance the sound a little better.

Whether you like the balance or don’t, it’s hard to deny that the quality is great for the price; I don’t notice significant peaking or distortion, and the treble and mid were still palpable in the mix even if they weren’t the priority. Music had a level of energy that I’ve longed for in other similarly-priced rivals that I’ve tested.

Marring the otherwise-great audio quality is the bud fit issue that I mentioned before – music sounds great when the buds are sitting comfortably in your ears, but as soon as they begin to slip out you’ll be losing that music magic.

As mentioned earlier there’s an equalizer mode and I see most people relying on the presets due to the way they’re laid out in the app. These largely deliver on the promise in the title: increased bass, focus on voice and so on, with the default mode delivering the most nuanced mix.

  • Sound quality: 4/5

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Value

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Better audio than you'd expect for the price
  • Perhaps hold out for a Pro model

When I first started testing the Xiaomi Buds 5 I didn’t know the exact price they’d launch for, and the cost that I guessed they’d retail for ended up being a slight amount more than the actual price. That is to say, I thought the earbuds would cost more than they do.

That’s mainly down to the audio chops: between the sound quality, specs list and Harman Kardon tuning, Xiaomi seems to have hit exactly what it aimed at, whether or not it’ll be to everyone’s specific tastes. You’re also getting all the features you’d expect for earbuds at this price and they mostly seem to work well.

The one thing I should flag though is the prospect of Pro buds: in the past Xiaomi’s Pro options have had silicon tips, unlike the standard models, and these would fit my ear fit issues. I can’t wholeheartedly recommend the Buds 5 if a reasonably-priced Buds 5 Pro could be around the corner.

  • Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Xiaomi Buds 5?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

Xiaomi Buds 5 review: Also consider

How I tested the Xiaomi Buds 5

The Xiaomi Buds 5 on a bookshelf.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for two weeks
  • Tested at home, in the office and on trips

The Xiaomi Buds 5 enjoyed a testing period of two weeks, though I used the buds for longer than that while I was writing the review itself. They were mainly connected to my Android phone though I paired them to a few other devices, including an iPad and Windows laptop.

Testing was mostly done at home or in my office but I also used the earbuds on a few walks and on public transport. I mostly listened to music using Spotify but also listened to spoken word, played games and watched TV shows on Netflix.

I've tested tech for TechRadar for over 5 years now and that includes countless Xiaomi devices and rival budget earbuds. I tested all of the Buds 5's close contemporary rivals.

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

Loewe We Hear Pro: Two-minute review

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

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

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

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

Loewe We.HEAR Pro

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

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Price & release date

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

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

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

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Specs

Loewe We.HEAR Pro

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

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Features

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Features score: 4/5

Loewe We. HEAR Pro

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

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Sound quality

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

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

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

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

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

  • Sound quality score: 4/5

Loewe We.HEAR Pro

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

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Design

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

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

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

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

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

  • Design score: 4/5

Loewe We Hear Pro: Value

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

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

  • Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Loewe We Hear Pro?

Buy it if…

Don't buy it if…

Loewe We Hear Pro review: Also consider

How I tested the Loewe We Hear Pro

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

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

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

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: October 2024
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: a surprisingly punchy budget speaker
7:15 pm | September 26, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Hi-Fi Wireless & Bluetooth Speakers | Comments: Off

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4: Two-minute review

We’ve long been fans of the Wonderboom series: compact, durable speakers designed to go with you anywhere and pump out sound quality far better than you’d expect for the size – and Ultimate Ears is a name that regularly features in our best Bluetooth speakers roundup. The Logitech brand clearly knows it’s onto a winner with this model, because the latest iteration – the aptly named Wonderboom 4 – doesn’t change too much.

Like the Wonderboom 2 and 3 before it, this is a well-built, backpack-friendly Bluetooth speaker that can survive a fair few adventures. Not only does it feel sturdy in the hand, but its IP67 rating equates to top-tier water- and dust-proofing. In case you wanted further confirmation, throw it in the drink and it also floats.

Sonically, the Wonderboom 4 is identical to the Wonderboom 3. Bass output has no business being so punchy for such a small speaker, while both clarity and separation are impressive at reasonable volumes. Only when you push up the decibels is there a noticeable loss of detail.

You also get all the listening features of previous versions, including stereo pairing, 360-degree sound output and Outdoor Boost for beefier alfresco audio. New for the Wonderboom 4 is a Podcast mode, which adjusts EQ settings to better suit the spoken word. Oh, and Ultimate Ears has finally made the switch to USB-C on the Wonderboom as well – hurrah! 

If you don’t need USB-C connectivity or the added vocal clarity of the Podcast Mode, the now-discounted Wonderboom 3 offers better value. But for the price and size, you’d be hard-pressed to find a Bluetooth speaker that can beat the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Price and release date

  • Released June 26, 2024
  • Officially priced at $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 was released in June 2024, priced at $99.99 / £89.99 / AU$149. That’s the same as the Wonderboom 3 cost at launch, putting it firmly in the affordable category. It’s worth noting that the Wonderboom 3 has since been discounted, making it an even cheaper option with identical audio hardware.

At that price, the Wonderboom 4 sits in a very a competitive category, with recent price reductions bringing both the JBL Flip 6 and Bose SoundLink Micro down to similar numbers. As you’ll read below, though, we think the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 has a lot to offer if you’re looking for a compact Bluetooth speaker to depend on when you travel.

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker against a pink wall

(Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Specs

The back of an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker

(Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Features

  • 14-hour battery life
  • USB-C charging port
  • No aux-in or microphone

One of the headline changes for the Wonderboom 4 is the switch from a microUSB charging port to USB-C. With the world well on its way to a one-cable future, this change was long overdue on the Wonderboom 3. So while it might seem a minor update, it’s also a welcome one that means you've got one less wire to worry about.

Otherwise, the Wonderboom 4’s feature set remains very much the same as its predecessor. As before, there’s no 3.5mm aux input, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you want the option to hard-wire your audio source. There’s no built-in mic, either, so the Wonderboom 4 can’t function as a speakerphone.

Nor does it benefit from the app support of more premium Ultimate Ears speakers, such as the Hyperboom. While the option to connect to the Boom app would objectively add value, we think it’s no bad thing that the Wonderboom 4 is an ‘offline’ speaker; it keeps things simple and accessible, while the Outdoor Boost and new Podcast sound modes (see below) offer all the EQ adjustment that most people would expect at this price point.

Wireless pairing is by Bluetooth 5.2. This isn’t the latest standard and, as we’d expect for an affordable speaker, there’s no support for hi-res codecs. But it can host multiple connections simultaneously, in case you’re sharing DJ duties.

Where the Wonderboom 4 continues to excel is battery life. Rated at 14 hours from a full charge, we routinely achieved better than this during testing. On a single stint, this is a speaker that simply goes and goes. And it’s also the kind of speaker that you could charge at a weekend and use heavily throughout the week, without worrying that you’re about to see the red light come on.

  • Features score: 4/5

The port cover and underside of an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker

(Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Design

  • Available in four color options
  • IP67 waterproof and dust-proof
  • Six-button interface

Owners of the Wonderboom 3 won’t find anything physically different about the Wonderboom 4. It remains a compact, tidily designed Bluetooth speaker that’s put together very well. Weighing just 420g and measuring 104 x 95.3 x 95.3mm, it’s a neat little cylinder that’s perfect for tossing in a bag.

Four color schemes are yours to choose between: Active Black, Cobalt Blue, Hyper Pink and Joyous Bright. Preference is personal, but each of these color combos are characterful in their own way, complementing the Wonderboom 4’s fun-sized stature with a natty look. Each features those trademark Ultimate Ears volume buttons in a bold contrasting hue, with a matching fabric loop that can be used to carabiner the Wonderboom 4 to the outside of your backpack.

It’s all very familiar and all the better for it. From the fabric wrap to the rubberized bumpers top and bottom, the Wonderboom 4 feels like it’s built to go the distance. Despite its lightweight construction, it’s reassuringly solid in the hand. That’s borne out by an IP67 rating against water and dust, plus it’s drop-proof from 1.5m and floats for good measure. All of which adds up to a speaker that’s genuinely adventure-proof and made for the great outdoors.

Besides those unmissable volume buttons, you’ll find three controls on top of the Wonderboom 4 and one beneath. There is a slight learning curve here: the top buttons are unmarked for minimalism, but that does mean it takes a little time to remember their functions. One is for power, one for pairing and the central one is a multi-function number for controlling playback and connecting to other Wonderbooms in stereo.

Underneath is a button marked by a tree symbol, which is used to switch between standard, Podcast and Outdoor Boost sound modes.

  • Design score: 5/5

Control buttons on an Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

(Image credit: Future)

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Sound quality

  • Punchy 360-degree sound output
  • Double Up stereo pairing
  • Outdoor Boost and Podcast EQ modes

To the ears, the Wonderboom 4 is identical to the Wonderboom 3. That’s because it uses the same pair of active drivers, together with two passive radiators, to pump out 360-degree sound. The result is a speaker that punches well above its weight when it comes to both low-end oomph and overall clarity.

Audiophiles will find things to pick at, but for its price and proportions, the Wonderboom 4 is right up there with the best in this bracket. Bass is bold, yet it doesn’t overwhelm the mids and trebles. There’s impressive separation here for a portable Bluetooth speaker, with a richness to the output that isn’t found in many speakers of a similar size. The soundstage is nicely balanced, too.

Crank the volume beyond reasonable levels and you will encounter distortion, with harsh treble creeping in. That said, we were impressed with how well the Wonderboom 4 handled complex tracks even at higher volumes. It’s perfectly capable of filling a small or medium room, and we found that positioning it in a corner or near a wall gives a fuller sound.

For more immersive listening, you have the option to Double Up with another Wonderboom 3 or 4. You can have both speakers play the same audio, or use them as left and right separates for proper two-channel audio. The result in our experience is no gimmick, revealing plenty of details that would be lost in single-speaker playback.

If you’re listening outdoors, the Outdoor Boost setting reduces the bass and amps up the treble. This produces audio that carries better outside, but it also comes with a clear loss in quality. It’s a useful setting for picnic playlists, but not one to use at home. 

New for the Wonderboom 4 is a Podcast mode, which tweaks the EQ to suit spoken vocals. Listening in the kitchen, there was a difference in output versus the standard mode, with words carrying more clearly in a mix that focuses on upper midrange frequencies, giving a marginally more emotive quality to speech patterns. That said, you’d have to be a keen-eared podcast enthusiast to really pick up on this or value it as a dedicated feature.

  • Sound quality: 4/5

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Value

We’ve always rated Wonderboom speakers as excellent value and the fourth version is no exception. For the price, you’re getting a fun, compact speaker that’s built tough and capable of impressive sound quality. Add to that its solid battery life and the option to pair it in stereo, and we think it stacks up as one of the most complete Bluetooth speakers you can buy for the money.

You’ll need to look elsewhere for certain features, such as the app connectivity offered by the similarly priced JBL Flip 6. But that’s not a dealbreaker for the price, and for most people the Wonderboom 4 will do all that they need and more.

It’s worth mentioning that recent discounts mean the Wonderboom 3 is now available for less, making it better value outright. If you don’t need USB-C connectivity or a Podcast mode, it gives you an identical listening experience for a lower price, at least while stocks last. Otherwise, we think the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 represents fantastic value for a Bluetooth speaker in 2024.

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 Bluetooth speaker on a log

(Image credit: Future)

Should I buy the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4?

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review: Also consider

How I tested the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4

  • Tested for a month, both indoors and in the back garden
  • Played a variety of music types
  • Listened via the Spotify app on iPhone

I used the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 as my go-to Bluetooth speaker for the best part of a month. That meant listening to it both at home and while travelling around the UK, sticking it in my backpack for a number of trips to see how it held up on the road.

The Wonderboom 4 went on a real musical journey with me, as I streamed a wide variety of genres via Spotify on my iPhone. That eclectic selection covered everything from mellow background music to Seventies classics, plus more than a few kitchen anthems.

It handled playlist and podcast duties indoors, and was also put to the test around the firepit, soundtracking most of my September evenings on the patio, whatever the weather.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: September 2024
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: tiny earphones that are drowned out by the competition
7:07 am |
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: | Comments: Off

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: One-minute review

As a long-time user of Google’s incredible first generation Pixel Buds Pro earbuds, I was very excited to stuff the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds into my ears. Having received them at the same time as Samsung’s also brilliant Galaxy Buds 3 Pros has, however, muted my opinion of the smaller Google earphones.

Google has gone back to the drawing board for the aesthetic of the Pixel Buds Pro 2, with a much smaller design while retaining the egg-shaped case. This new design sits more firmly in the user’s ear with the same brilliant touch controls on the sides, though a new ‘twist-to-adjust stabilizer’, taking the form of a physical plastic fin, may lead to some discomfort in your ears (in fairness with this criticism, a colleague of mine also using the headphones said he didn’t mind). 

Battery life is better than ever with the second generation, boasting up to eight hours with noise cancellation on or 12 with it off (30 and 48 hours respectively with case recharging factored in).

Noise cancellation has been improved with a redesigned seal and the transparency mode is just as effective as with the previous model. I’ve certainly noticed a difference between the new noise cancellation and Google’s old noise cancellation in the previous generation when walking beside a busy road, though ultimately I don't expect all sounds to be blocked out entirely. In fact, with the earbuds placed in some positions at different adjustments, you may notice an odd windy or whistling sound. Adjust your buds the best you can to mitigate this odd noise, but ultimately it makes quick ease-of-use a step more difficult.

Though perhaps the most unfortunate thing about the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds is that they’re priced far too confidently. At $229/£219/AU$379, the buds fall within range of the better Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, at $249/£219/AU$399. Were you shopping at these price points, I would usher you in the direction of Samsung’s new Pro earbuds.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Price and release date

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 on a table

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
  • Unveiled on August 14
  • Priced at $229/£219/AU$379
  • Price increase over the Google Pixel Buds Pro ($199/£179/$AU299)

We can immediately applaud Google for the bold colorways it’s offering the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in, which are far more interesting than the finishes you'll find when shopping for either the Samsung Galaxy Buds or Apple AirPods.

The standard black (Hazel) and white (Porcelain) are here, but also a gorgeous candy pink called Peony is available, along with a brilliant mint green called Wintergreen. 

While I won’t admonish anyone for shopping based on color (I have friends who tend to buy a lot of pink tech) I would encourage you to think of the better quality on offer with similarly priced headphones, and to maybe consider the original Pixel Buds Pro if you want a splash of color without spending too much.

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Specs

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Features

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in their case

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
  • Exceptional battery life
  • Strong noise cancellation and transparency modes
  • Twist-to-adjust stabilizers may feel awkward in-ear

The feature set on offer with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 puts it in direct competition with any other Pro earbuds on the market, but you may find some things are a bit off. 

These earbuds are more good than bad, so let’s start with the good stuff. The battery life is not only brilliant, but it also bests the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros ever so slightly (8 hours versus 7 hours for the Samsung pair). The original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds had great battery life, so it’s great to see Google keep it up.

Noise cancellation has seen a noticeable improvement with the introduction of what Google calls ‘SilentSeal 2.0’. I tend to walk beside a lot of busy roads in Sydney quite often, and switching between the previous generation and current generation Pixel Buds Pro earbuds, I can certainly hear the difference when a bus rolls past. The Pro 2s are able to block out much more noise, not that the first-generation buds did a bad job. If the transparency mode received any upgrades, for which I can’t find any evidence, it’s not noticeable between the earbuds.

A major point of conflict I have for the earbuds is the in-ear comfort, and truth be told I can’t make heads or tails of it. Google has not just subtly redesigned how the earbuds sit in your ear, but has also introduced a new feature called ‘twist-to-adjust’. We’ll talk about this in greater depth in the design section below, but it’s essentially a plastic fin that sits neatly within your ear for greater support. Twist the earbud up and the bud will sit more strongly in your ear, making it ideal for physical exercise.

This is a great feature and I’ve certainly been using it regularly when going for walks (though it is more intended for cyclists and runners). One of my major problems with the original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds was that they can fall out of your ear all too easily, so it’s nice to see an improvement made on this front.

Finally, the buds also come with Google Gemini support for hands-free use, activated with the simple saying of ‘hey Google’ (or have a free-flowing conversation with the assistant by saying ‘hey Google, let’s talk live’). It’s neat for if you want a quick action performed without using your hands, but it might make you look a bit strange on the train. I didn’t use this feature much as I’m still yet to find a use for a large language model AI assistant. 

  • Features score: 4/5

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Design

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 in-ear

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
  • Much smaller design than original generation
  • Difficult to make comfortable in your ears
  • Egg-shaped case returns with Google Find My Device

The main drawcard of the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds is that they’re smaller than the first generation buds – and it’s quite a noticeable size down. Where in the past a much less careful grip could have firmly inserted, removed, or adjusted the buds in your ears, a deliberate pinch is now required to tweak the buds in and out. The great haptic buttons on the sides of the buds are the same, though obviously with the smaller form factor it may be more difficult for those with larger hands to make adjustments.

As you may have assumed, this smaller size is both a blessing and a boon. They look much more premium and unique, sure, but the smaller fit forces the user to make their interactions with the buds much more deliberate to make any adjustments. I for one prefer the size and shape of the original Pixel Buds Pro earbuds.

The more egregious matter at hand with the design changes comes down to comfort. I just can’t get consistently comfortable with these earbuds. I feel like I’m constantly adjusting them, as I move from the office, to the train, to my home, to walking through the street. The twist-to-adjust stabilizer fins and the surrounding plastic add quite a bit of discomfort to the experience that didn’t exist with the previous generation or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, for which I’m constantly tweaking the earbuds in an attempt to counteract. This leads to complications with the sound quality, which I’ll touch on below.

Finally, the cute egg-shaped design for the charging case has returned with a subtle improvement – support for Google Find My Device. This includes an integrated speaker that plays a chime when you enter pairing mode or a persistent noise when you’re using the Find My Device app. It’s a great addition if you’re the type to constantly lose your earbuds.

  • Design score: 3/5

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Sound quality

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 on a table

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
  • Great sound, if a bit wooly and quiet
  • Decent equalizer customization
  • Complications with comfort can bleed into sound issues

I can’t fault the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earphones on sound all too much, though when constantly switching between these earbuds and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, you’ll quickly learn that there’s better sound depth with Samsung’s alternative, despite smaller audio drivers on paper.

That’s not to say the sound produced by the Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds is bad – it’s just flatter and more wooly. This can be mitigated significantly by using the Pixel Buds app to adjust the equalizer. There are quite a few presets to choose from and the ability to set and save your own custom levels.

The only real problem I had with sound stemmed from the trouble I had with the design. When constantly adjusting these buds, pulling them in and out of my ears and tweaking them around, the buds would start to produce an awkward whistling or windy noise. 

This would be much more pronounced when outside and blocking out an abundance of noise with ANC on or absorbing said noise with transparency enabled. I could hear the seal coming unstuck with each step and the flow of wind past my ear being dulled.

With the smaller design, it’s obvious that you need to find the ‘Goldilocks’ zone in your ears for the buds to sit, lest you succumb to sound issues like me.

  • Sound quality score: 4/5

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Value

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 on a table

(Image credit: Zachariah Kelly / Techradar)
  • Much more expensive than the first-gen Pros
  • Difficult to compete with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro

The Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds are priced to directly compete with the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros, and that’s a problem because the Galaxy Buds 3 Pros are better in every way. This is a problem that is becoming more pronounced across the Pixel product range as Google is starting to price its tech at more premium price points.

The sounds produced by the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a bit flatter and quieter, and the noise cancellation is a bit less impressive when compared to Samsung’s top-end option. With Samsung’s shift to a stem design, the buds also sit more confidently in the user’s ear, and because the buds are naturally larger, it’s easier for more clumsy fingers to make playback adjustments.

It’s not a night-and-day difference between these buds, but it is noticeable. 

  • Value score: 2/5

Should I buy the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 review: Also consider

How I tested the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2

From the moment I received the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 earbuds, I got to work reviewing them. I’ve been using the buds for about two weeks, switching between them and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pros as I’ve gone along.

In my testing, I used Spotify as my music app, switching both pairs of earbuds between the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Google Pixel Pro Fold 9. Both pairs of earbuds were tested in the same environments, including walks beside busy roads, in-office use, home use, walks through the park and when sleeping.

Noise cancellation was used a lot with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2. In terms of EQ, I mostly used the default option, though I did enable the heavy bass option now and again.

To justify the direct comparisons in this review, I found myself constantly listening to the same songs and albums back to back between the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro. 

  • First reviewed in September 2024
Marshall Monitor III ANC review: big sound and even bigger battery life from comfy wireless headphones
5:05 pm | September 24, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Comments: Off

For the past week I’ve been trying out the new Marshall Monitor III ANC over ear headphones. The new cans are available to buy right now in the US and UK for $349 / £299, which makes them a little pricier than their predecessors which were $30 / £30 cheaper. Even with the price rise they’re an excellent follow-up to 2020’s Monitor II ANC headphones – which we gave four stars in our review – thanks to great-sounding audio and a stupendously long battery-life.

Starting on that last point, these new Marshall headphones can go for a ridiculously long time; we’re talking a 70 hour battery life when using them to play music over Bluetooth with ANC on, 100 hours with it off.

For comparison, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones promise only 30 hours with ANC on, and the Apple AirPods Max just 20 hours. The Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 that features in our best noise-cancelling headphones guide as the ideal long-life option hits 60 hours. Marshall’s 70-hour claim looks to hold up too; I’ve been using the Monitor III ANC headphones a lot and haven’t needed to charge them since I did straight after unboxing them – though when I do my full review I plan to properly test how long these cans can last.

But what good is lasting a long time if they don’t put on a performance? Thankfully the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones certainly hold their own here.

The drivers give drum and bass hits like Backbone from Chase & Status and Stormzy the oomph its thumping tones necessitate, while not overpowering tracks like Remi Wolf’s Cinderella that are brimming with bouncy funk. There’s a warmth in the Marshall Monitor III’s audio too – which comes through splendidly in more emotional tracks like Jarki Monno’s Charlie.

The Marshall Monitor III Headphones from the side, being worn by a rockstar with a leather jacket

(Image credit: Marshall)

Outside of music, these cans perform well too. Podcasts, film, TV, YouTube videos, you name it – the Marshall III ANC headphones are putting on a good show.

That said, if you do want to tweak the EQ settings, you can change them to better suit your musical needs, though I’ve found the default 'original Marshall sound' setting is really well balanced and ideal for a lot of different listening experiences.

The soundstage has also had a tune up. Marshall’s previous Monitors had a somewhat restrictive stage. They didn’t feel completely closed off, but trackers were not always given the space they needed to breathe. Out of the box the Monitor IIIs might look like they repeat this error, but with the official app you can now open up that soundstage to suit your likings.

There’s a noticeable change with this Adaptive Soundstage feature switch on, so make sure you turn it on as soon as you can. Songs feel more spacious, and it makes the Monitor III ANC headphones solid picks for watching your favorite films or shows.

Not my style – but a fantastic design

Design-wise the Monitor IIIs admittedly aren’t my preferred style. There is something to love about the undoubtable Marshall look – with the same finish as the iconic amps, the logo on each ear cup, and a kind of classic grunginess that makes these look almost like they’ve been ripped from a rock band’s studio session from decades ago. It’s just not for me.

The Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones folded up tightly and packed in their case lines with red velvet.

(Image credit: Marshall)

That’s subjective though; the objective design features of these ’phones are undoubtedly positive.

I love the physical knob for the volume and playback controls – give me one of these over tap controls any day. There are also two dedicated buttons, one on each side, that manage the active noise cancellation controls (with you being able to set which modes it swaps between in the app), and a customizable M Button (which can do whatever you set it to do, again in the app).

There’s also a USB-C port on the underside of the left cup, however, you won’t find a 3.5mm aux port.

Beyond the button layout, these cans are designed to be thrown in a bag and taken on adventure. Their headband can survive fairly extreme bending and twisting without snapping, and the outer shell can take a fair few knocks. They also fold up very tight and fit into what I’ve been told is the smallest case for over ear headphones on the market – inside its lined with a red velvety material to mimic the inside of guitar cases. It’s also one of those proper protective cases that zips up, not an awkward shell that some headphones rely on nowadays.

Oh, and don’t let me forget comfort. These things are so easy to wear thanks to the super-spongy cushions; I’ve had no issue wearing them practically all-day.

Don’t forget the app

To get the most out of these over-ear headphones you need the official Marshall app. It allows you to manage the Soundstage settings, the on-device button controls, the EQ so that music meets your exact specifications (though the default Marshall profile is very good), and a few other features.

It’s fairly standard as headphones apps go at this point, with a clean intuitive interface, and it was very easy to set up.

The only issue I’ve had with any feature is that the Auto Play/Pause tool was initially too sensitive – moving my head at all would cause the Monitor IIIs to pause tracks, not just when I removed them. However, a firmware update does appear to have resolved this issue and for the past few days I’ve been able to keep Auto Play/Pause on without it frustrating me – it can be turned off in the app.

The Marshall app showing off the Monitor III ANC headphones, the EQ settings and the Soundstage settings.

(Image credit: Future / Marshall)

Despite this minor (and seemingly now resolved) set back, the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones have so far really impressed me. They have the comfort and battery life to keep me wearing them for days on end, and a vibrant sound that I’ll happily immerse myself in for all that time.

I need to conduct a few more tests, but so far I’d say they hold their own against the best wireless headphones, and their small size could make them a great contender to be the best travel headphones. So if you’re thinking of grabbing a new pair of cans this is looking like another model to add to your list of ones to consider.

You might also like

Sony WH-1000XM4
Even if they're a few years old the Sony WH-1000XM4s are still the best wireless headphones for most people as they boast impressive audio, ANC, and come at a great price. These aren't ones to ignore.

Read our full reviewView Deal

Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are up there with the best wireless headphones we've ever tested with top-notch audio, an elegant design, and (unfortunately) a fairly high price.

Read our full reviewView Deal

Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max are the perfect headphones for Apple devotees and best-in-class spatial audio, however you can find better cans if you're looking to pick up a pair for full-price.

Read our full reviewView Deal

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: excellence across the board from B&W’s much-changed flagship noise-cancelling earbuds
4:30 pm | September 22, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: | Comments: Off

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Two-minute review

I was once told that only a poor writer starts with a quote. So forgive me, because this one (from author and leadership mentor John C. Maxwell) explains my thoughts on Bowers & Wilkins' Pi8 far better than I could: A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them. 

A lot has been corrected here, and it takes a big man (or woman, or person) to do it. TechRadar reviews typically begin with the bold claims made by a product's marketing team, and end with whether or not we felt the performance lived up to the hype. But B&W has approached this iteration with such humility, honesty and determination (rather than nonchalance and bravado) that I cannot do that. What I can tell you – and with some joy – is that the Pi8 are some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds I've ever tested.

They are, as you'll probably have guessed, completely unlike their older siblings. Gone are the Swiss watch-style embellishments and metallic circular top plates of the Pi7 and Pi5 (and the Pi5 S2 and Pi7 S2), which looked beautiful in my hand but didn't work in my ear canal. Bowers & Wilkins has effectively started from scratch this time around, deploying the services of the same in-house team that created its PX7 S2 and sublime PX8 over-ear headphones – a set of cans I said "look stunning and sound even better" under intense review. 

Has the gamble worked? While I'd love to stretch this two-minute verdict out, let's face it, the star rating at the top of this review is kind of a giveaway. Yes, it has. The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are now as physically comfortable and secure as they are sonically detailed and dynamically agile.

Also, you now get on-ear volume control. I've been knocking B&W's decision to leave this off the spec sheet since 2021, which meant that even with the company's most elite earbuds, I had to rifle through my bag to alter the volume, while propositions at a fifth of the price could do it. And now that's fixed. Okay, you have to choose whether you want the tap-and-hold gesture of either earbud to tweak volume (left down; right up) or scroll between ANC and passthrough in the left bud, and voice assistant activation in the right, but I don't care – at least, not enough to knock a half-star off. 

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are a five-star set of earbuds all day long, even at their considerable price point. 

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 held in a hand, with floral background

(Image credit: Future)

A quick bit about their corresponding Pi6 siblings, which were unveiled (as is B&W's tradition) on the same day: aptX Lossless support is reserved for the flagship Pi8. Also, while the slightly cheaper Pi6 feature new 12mm bio-cellulose drivers (based on tech used in the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e, B&W's 2023 update to the aforementioned PX7 S2 over-ears), the Pi8 get an upgraded DAC, DSP and amplifier components from ADI, meaning they effectively bypass Qualcomm's digital-to-analog converter. You also get the carbon cone drive unit technology first used in the excellent top-tier PX8 over-ear headphones in the Pi8 – see the design language carried over from that in-house team?

The Pi8 also offer the case retransmission function first seen in the Pi7 and January 2023-issue Pi7 S2. This lets you ping audio to the earbuds wirelessly but without Bluetooth, from connected analog or digital sources, (in-flight entertainment systems, gym equipment, newer USB-C-enabled iPhones, and so on). It's not the first case capable of doing the retransmission dance – see the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 or LG Tone Free T90S for more examples – but B&W's case goes a step beyond, by retransmitting in aptX Adaptive (ie. up to 24-bit/96kHz quality). It's quite the upgrade if you care about streaming quality – and with earbuds as capable (and aspirational) as the Pi8, you really should.  

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: Price & release date

  • Unveiled on August 21, 2024 
  • Priced $399 / £349 / AU$599

Admittedly, the Pi8 are not cheap. The best one can say about the asking price is that the 2021 Pi7 launched at the same $399 / £349 / AU$699, so it's refreshing to see that Bowers & Wilkins hasn't hiked the price – although that's still top-end in today's money, to be sure. 

The cheaper Pi6 became available on September 15, priced at $249 / £219 / AU$449, which is more palatable, but remember that you don't get the flagship features or hardware, as detailed above.

What else can this kind of money buy? Why, competition is rife up here, friend! Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds come in at $299 / £299 / AU$449; Technics' excellent EAH-AZ80 are also in the same ballpark, at $299 / £259 / AU$499 and the Final ZE8000 MK2 (our pick for the best-sounding buds we've ever tested) are $399 / £289 (around AU$609), where available.

Suffice to say, it's tough at the top. But that's where B&W now finds itself – and the Pi8 are sitting rather prettily up there, it must be said. 

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 held in a hand, with floral background

(Image credit: Future)

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: Specs

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: Features

  • Excellent case retransmission feature
  • Effective ANC
  • Very good call-quality; Music App is a joy to use

Do the Pi8 nix noise as deftly as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds or the AirPods Pro 2? For me, yes. As I understand it, the Pi8 have received quite the overhaul here – using tech from their PX8 over-ear siblings – and however B&W has implemented this, it works. That cocooned feeling of leaving the outside world behind kicked straight in but without any sense of wind-tunnel nausea or my eardrums being unceremoniously sucked into a vacuum. It's probably also thanks to the hugely improved fit and the seal it creates betwixt those talented drivers and my ear canals (more on this later), but you should know that here, the noise-cancelling is very good. 

There’s also a useful 'Pass Through' mode, that lets me hear my colleague talking next to me. You can switch these profiles off entirely, but there’s no capacity to tweak the levels of ANC any further, and no 'adaptive' ANC option. I don't care. When the full-fat version is this good, why get granular and try to tweak things? If you just want something that kicks extraneous noise to the curb so you can revel uninterrupted in your sonic selections, the Pi8 are it. 

Now, the case: aside from its no-nonsense, pocketable appeal, you can plug that USB-C port (USB-C to 3.5mm and USB-C cables are in the box) into a non-Bluetooth source, such as an in-flight entertainment system, and it'll double as a wireless audio re-transmitter but in aptX Adaptive transmission up to 24-bit/96kHz quality. Imagine the scene: you're in the middle seat on a long-haul flight, and the window-seat passenger wants to get out. It's fine! Your earbuds are safe in your ears, still sending audio, and your fellow passenger won't trip over long tangling cables – not on your watch! 

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds, held in a hand on grassy background

(Image credit: Future)

What about call quality? I liked it a lot, despite the lack of sidetone-type tech to either boost or minimize my own or the caller's voice manually. The Pi8 have three mics per earbud and B&W says the setup's been upgraded using PX8-flavor tech. For me, even during an off-shore windy day in Woolacombe (never been? It's on the UK's North Devon coastline, surfer hotspot, you should check it out), my caller told me I came through loud and clear. 

It's worth noting that there are no ear-tip fit tests, hearing tests for creating personalized sound profiles, or proprietary spatial audio processing here. If you want those things, you'll need to look at options from Bose, JBL, or even Nothing. What you'll find instead is a very good five-band EQ tab and the talented Bowers & Wilkins Music app. This companion app will quickly become the way you access your music since it corrals all of your paid-for music streaming services (so I never need to go to Qobuz or Tidal specifically – it's all here!) and even serves up various "curated by Bowers & Wilkins" playlist selections for your new listening gear. 

For better or worse, B&W wants the star of the show to be the untouched and unadulterated sound quality, rather than giving you ways to mess with it. The inclusion of Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Bluetooth 5.4 chipset is a testament to that. But remember, a separate high-performance dedicated DAC/DSP amp has also been thrown in, to swerve that within even the Qualcomm chip. That's the extent to which B&W has taken matters into its own hands regarding the sound quality. While it might not be an ideal proposition for those who know they need to augment certain frequencies right from the box (and would rather have B&W do it for them), those who don't need specific sonic recipes cannot fail to be wowed by the separation, neutrality and sonic clarity here.

If you've got an aptX-compatible source, you'll get much better wireless audio support too, including aptX Lossless and aptX Adaptive support at up to 24-bit/96kHz. And as you'll read below, the sound quality here is unparalleled from a wireless earbuds design. 

  • Features score: 4.5/5

Three screengrabs of the B&W Music app, using the Pi8 earbuds

Yes, I still love 2003 Laith Al-Deen…  (Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: Sound quality

  • Separation, detail and clarity in spades 
  • Bass is resolute; mids textured
  • Noise-cancellation doesn't mar the experience

Rarely will you read a TechRadar section entitled 'Sound' so wholly positive, so prepare yourself: no matter what genre of music I threw at them (and no matter the streaming source) it felt as if the B&W Pi8 had unpacked, weighed, opened out, examined, layered and finally presented my music with the skilled hand of a French pâtissier. The Pi8 buds also didn't seem to care whether they were working with lowly compressed Spotify streams, Tidal Max tracks, Apple Music offerings or Qobuz albums. Everything was served up with a flourish. 

In Lupe Fiasco's Cake, bass frequencies in the vocals sink easily as low as Fiasco is able (which is considerable), revealing a bass floor few earbuds can take you to. During the title track, Samurai, I'm struck by the pin-point accuracy of each voice's placement in the mix. Hype men jump out from my ear lobes, my temples and beneath my chin in a raucous and zealous mix. 

Switching to Stranger by Hinds and Grian Chatten, jangly guitars and Hinds' ethereal vocal stylings are present and have ample room to shine, joining each other in a cohesive mix but never competing for space. Chatten's voice joins centrally and I'm living inside my head as if at a gig, with the Fontaines D.C. front-man, well, literally in front of me… 

Refreshingly, deploying ANC or pass-through doesn't make anything go sonically awry either. Bass is just as resolute in Gunna's collage with pass-through on, a profile that can so often throw a slightly tinny, sweet veil over the audio. 

Any downsides? I'm struggling – and we pride ourselves on being tough critics here at TechRadar. For attack, drive, musicality, dynamic nuance, balance across the frequencies, placement, timing, and all the other things I usually talk about where sound is concerned, Bowers & Wilkins' considerable work and back-to-the-drawing-board approach has paid off. Oh, do these earbuds sound good… 

  • Sound quality score: 5/5

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds, held in a hand on grassy background

(Image credit: Future)

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: Design

  • Totally reworked driver housings – and it works 
  • On-ear functions require a compromise
  • Pocketable case

While they might not look as resoundingly premium as the Swiss watch-esque Pi5 or Pi7, the redesign here was necessary. The top surface of each nicely-branded bud is a shiny touch-capacitive button that works very well. 

The buds are available in Anthracite Black with silvery accents (the sample pictured here), Dove White, Midnight Blue and Jade Green. It's a plastic build, but of premium matte plastic that seems to murmur 'I'm expensive' when you pluck them from their small, pebble-shaped case. 

Bowers & Wilkins came clean to me and admitted it needed to fix some issues in the older iterations: the mic and sensors on the older Pi7 models weren’t in the best position, meaning they could get blocked by the wearer. Remember my quote at the very top of this review? It takes a big company to admit to its mistakes, and it has all been fixed for Pi8.

There's now a little indentation containing a sliver of grille, running the entire circumference of each earpiece and directly under that touch capacitive top plate. Under it are those mics and sensors – as far away from your head and ear folds as it's possible to put them. Neat.

As noted previously, a brand new "trickled down from the PX8" carbon cone driver is at the helm here, and you get four silicone ear tip options in the box: extra small, small, medium and large. I switched to the small set, but since the neck of the earbud isn't long and the design has been so carefully conceived, I don't think the tip size is paramount here. Honestly? I truly feel that B&W has taken a long, hard, humble look at Technics' EAH-AZ80 with 'concha-fit' design for the Pi8. Why do I think this? Because, as with the Technics earbuds, they look a little bulky (and they do weigh 7g each, which isn't light) but they fit just as naturally and unobtrusively. The weight is distributed as evenly as possible so they feel as if they hug your outer ear, once in situ. Simply put: they fit beautifully, and you don't need to keep screwing them further down your delicate ear canal. 

The Pi8 offer more battery life than their older siblings – but not much more. The maximum playtime is 6.5 hours from the earbuds and a further 13.5 hours from the case, for 20 hours of total use – but the good news is that those tests are with ANC on. Without it, I got closer to 8.5 hours from a single charge in my testing. For clarity, the Pi7 S2's stamina was 5 hours for the earbuds (ANC off) and an additional 16 hours from the charging case, for a 21-hour total. 

I do have one minor negative though, and it's similar to the minor issue I encountered with the JBL Live Beam 3. Basically, you need to ditch a set of functions again. To clarify, you can now get on-ear volume control by long-pressing either Pi8 earbud, but to have it you need to forego scrolling through ANC profiles and access to your voice assistant. On the one hand, I love that I now get on-ear volume support. On the other, I'd also like to have the option to deploy ANC by touching the earbuds as well. And I know it's not too much to ask at this level because the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 can do it. 

That's where the complaints end though because when you add in that case retransmission feature, this is a very likeable, comfortable design from Bowers & Wilkins – and a complete rewrite of the playbook that I'm sure did not come easy. 

  • Design score: 4.5/5

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds, held in a hand on grassy background

The buds are truly comfy, honestly!  (Image credit: Future)

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 review: Value

  • Acceptable battery life given the excellent sound
  • Sound-per-pound, they're winning
  • If you want hearing tests, you'll be disappointed

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 are not cheap. They are earbuds for the listener who wants excellent, unchanged, high-quality audio in a comfortable build. If that's you, the sound here is the best I've heard in a wireless design to date. And if you've got a decent hi-res music service subscription, the B&W Music app will have at it and make your life very easy. Essentially, if you value sound quality above all else, here's where the smart money goes.

However, for battery life, the Pi8 can be beaten by recent options from JBL and Cambridge Audio, and if you want spatial audio mixed in with the ANC, you'll need to look to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. 

Hearing tests (and the personalized sound profiles they can facilitate, from the Nothing Ear, for example) and ear-tip fit tests are also absent in the Pi8, so if those extras are high on your list of priorities, the value-for-money option lies elsewhere – possibly with Nothing; maybe even with the Denon PerL Pro. 

  • Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8?

Buy them if...

Don't buy them if...

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8: Also consider

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
The ANC is very good indeed here, too – as is the sound quality. And to top it all off, you get the option of Matt Berry on voice prompts (his "Waiting to pair!" is the best you've ever heard). The overall aesthetic isn't as polished (the case is a little bigger) and the fit is good but not exceptional, but the M100's still a viable rival, depending on your priorities.
Make your choice by reading our Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 review

How I tested the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 earbuds, held in a hand on grassy background

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for three weeks; listened against the Cambridge Audio Melomania M100, AirPods Pro 2, JBL Live Beam 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra
  • Used at work, at home and on a long weekend away (in the office, walking along Woolacombe beach, on a train) 
  • Listened to Tidal Masters, Apple Music Lossless tracks and Spotify on an iPhone 12 Pro, a Sony Xperia 1 V and a MacBook Pro

The Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 became my musical companions for over three weeks – after a thorough 48-hour run-in period. 

They accompanied me to work on weekdays (walking brusquely to the station; on the London Underground network; at the office), and throughout a long weekend in Woolacombe, with regular trips along the seafront after surfing – which is a great way to test any wind interference from mics during calls.

To better test the fit and security of the Pi8, I even wore them during an aerial silks training session, and they did not budge. 

To check the audio quality across the frequencies, I listened to various playlists (spanning everything from grime to classical) on Apple Music, Qobuz and Tidal, but also podcasts and albums on Spotify, and YouTube tutorials (mostly about checking the tire pressure on my car, and how to reset the system so the warning light goes off, in case you wondered) on my MacBook Pro. 

I’ve been testing audio products well for over five years now. As a dancer, aerialist and musical theater performer in a previous life, sound quality, fit and user experience have always taken priority for me – but having heard how wonderful ANC can be when done well, I have grown to love immersing myself in a bubble of silence too. 

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed: September 2024
SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: not quite the magic over-ear headphones we hoped for
11:30 am |
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Gadgets Headphones Wireless Headphones | Tags: , | Comments: Off

SoundMagic P58BT ANC: Two-minute review

Chinese audio company SoundMagic's bid to become a leader in the best budget headphones stakes is a strong one. The audio specialist retains a special place in cash-savvy audiophiles’ hearts, thanks to 2018’s SoundMagic E11C wired earbuds, which paved the way for a range of similarly affordable IEMs. And after launching its first wireless over-ear headphones in 2021 with the SoundMagic P23BT, it’s back with a pricier follow-up.

That’s how we come to the SoundMagic P58BT ANC, cans that are still distinctly affordable, but with a few upgrades over the past models. After testing, though, I’ve got to say that the upgrades don’t make these a better proposition.

It goes without saying that you have to set your expectations at a reasonable level when looking at affordable over-ear headphones (and I say it anyway to make it clear that I did lower my standards). And there is a lot to like here with that in mind, but I had two big issues with the SoundMagic that any potential buyer will have to get over first.

Firstly, I simply didn’t find them comfortable to wear. A relatively small arch means the pads are pushed right into your head, and I had to remove them every time I listened for more than an hour due to the headaches they caused. The P58BT ANC have a 60-hour battery life which is really great (though not best-in-class), but at my rate, that means 60 listening sessions followed by ample pauses.

The other issue, which is decidedly less subjective than the last, is that the SoundMagics don’t have any kind of smartphone app, marking the only audio gadget I can recall testing in recent years that doesn’t have any kind of way to control its features other than on the product itself. 

This means you’re lacking some (arguably-) basic features that most rivals have, namely an equalizer to tweak the audio mix. I desperately wanted to fiddle with the sound of the cans, but was stuck with the default balance which emphases mids over bass or treble frequencies.

If you want to toggle the features the P58BTs do have, you have to use gesture controls over the large pad on each earpiece, or rely on button-pressing patterns for the sole physical button on the left ear cup. In my several-week-long testing period, I found myself completely incapable of memorizing all the various gestures and shortcuts for the modes that I’d usually enable on my smartphone, and I’d imagine all other users (who aren’t in MENSA) will have the same experience.

As I said, you always have to bear in mind the price with low-cost headphones like the SoundMagic P58BT ANC, and the detailed audio and valiant battery life will sway over some users, especially those who may be able to overlook my stated issues. Yes, SoundMagic puts out its headphones at a competitive price point, but there are many other rivals on the market at similar price-points that I found more impressive.

SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: Price and release date

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC held above a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Released in August 2024
  • Sell for $90 / £79 / AU$134

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC were announced, and put on sale, at the end of August 2024. That’s a lengthy three-year hiatus since the P23BT. They're also available in a pretty lengthy list of countries around the world on SoundMagic’s website.

At launch, the headphones cost $90 / £79 / AU$134, so they’re pretty affordable if not as bargain-bin as the $55 / £50 (roughly AU$100) P23BTs, and we'd expect a little more as a result.

There are a lot of competitors at that price point, including some on our list of the best cheap headphones, with the top-rated Earfun Wave Pro and the Sony WH-CH520 both slightly cheaper. 

SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: Specs

SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: Features

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC with a gesture control being activated.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Distinct lack of features
  • ANC is welcome if not powerful
  • Total battery life of up to 60 hours

I tend to wax lyrical in headphone review ‘features’ sections, for better or worse, but that won’t be the case for the SoundMagic P58BT ANC. And that's because there isn't a lot to cover.

Let’s start with the titular feature: active noise cancellation, something the P23BT didn’t offer. Here it’s present and accounted for, but nothing to write home about: solid enough to remove overbearing background noises but lacking nuance or power to compete with the greats. As an example, the headphones would cancel out the rumble of a bus I was riding, but not the low chatter of the people on said bus.

Bear in mind that these are over-ear headphones, so there's some natural noise cancellation from the natural fit of the cups, and this certainly helps the ANC.

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC on a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)

The SoundMagics do compete in terms of battery life, with 60 hours of music in the tank. There are few headphones that last that long, even amongst over-ears, and it’s truly a blessing for people who habitually forget to charge (like me) or suffer from battery anxiety (also me). Some rivals beat the SoundMagic in this department, (see the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 for an excellent 100-hour option with ANC disabled – albeit a more expensive one) but many top-end cans fall far short of the figure.

And the rest of the feature set is… almost totally barren. You see, SoundMagic doesn’t have an app, so all the features you’d normally find when using one are notably absent. No equalizer, no ambient modes, no way of tracking the P58BT’s battery level if your phone UI doesn’t tell you.

There is actually a low-latency game mode, which does what it says on the tin, and solves an issue that I’ve never faced in all my years of mobile gaming. For the reasons you’ll read about in the design section, I found enabling this more faff than it was worth.

  • Features score: 2.5/5

SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: Design

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC on a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Comfortable and light design
  • A few on-cup controls
  • Folds up into carry case but no IP rating

The SoundMagic P58BT tip the scales to the tune of 305g, so they’re not particularly heavy, but there are certainly lighter headphones out there if you’re worried about them being too weighty. 

That wouldn’t be a misplaced fear either, as I found them a little uncomfortable to wear – the silicone ear pads felt very rigid, pressing down on my ears rather than settling onto them, and I had to break up listening sessions as a result. It goes without saying that this is a subjective observation but I do have to mention it, especially given that I’d use some other headphones I’m testing as a reprieve when the SoundMagics got too painful.

They come in two color options: black or silver, and don’t seem to have a waterproofing or IP rating that’s listed on SoundMagic’s website.

You can adjust the cans to quite an extent with an adjustable-length headband and cans that can rotate and fold to quite a dramatic degree. I kept accidentally flipping the cans around 180-degrees and getting confused which side was right or left.

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC's ports.

(Image credit: Future)

The left ear pad is the one with the features: it has a USB-C port for charging, 3.5mm jack (with an audio cable included in the box) and the power button, which needs to be held for a surprisingly long amount of time to turn the P58BT on or off.

Most of the controls, however, come with the gesture controls, and this is my biggest gripe with the SoundMagics. The flat pad on each cup can be swiped in different directions or tapped for loads of different functions: changing volume, skipping tracks and so on.

Frankly, I found the amount of different gestures I needed to memorize overwhelming, which is to say I simply couldn’t remember any of them. If I wanted to pause music or change volume I’d have to rely on my phone; ANC is toggled with the power button instead of the pads and I continually forgot about this until I’d already tried all the swipes and slaps.

There’s also the issue that some controls are directional: swipe up for one command, swipe left for another. This would seem well and good but ‘up’ and ‘left’ can be very different directions depending on the angle you’re holding your head, and I’d often accidentally enact the wrong gesture due to leaning my head too far backward or forward, or at certain angles. 

This gesture control was in place in the SoundMagic P23BT and our reviewer didn’t mind it there, but those headphones didn’t have those (few) extra features over the previous pair that need to be controlled with gestures too.

  • Design score: 3/5

SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: Sound quality

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC on a man's head.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Well-balanced audio
  • Mids bloated just a little
  • Max volume is really, really loud

Tech-wise, the SoundMagic P58BT ANC packs 40mm drivers with support for SBC and AAC. Those are largely in line with other headphones you’ll be considering at this price.

People who’ve used other budget headphones might find the SoundMagic pretty good – music has a lot of detail and clarity, with a broader soundstage than some other similarly-priced gadgets I’ve tested and a commendable lack of peaking at reasonable volumes.

However, at least personally speaking, I wasn’t a fan of the balance of the headphones. The detail of bass and treble is provided at the expense of their energy or power – mid sounds dominate the mix and on certain genres of music, this saps some of the ‘pizazz’.

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC on a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)

I particularly think that bass-heads will be disappointed as lower-frequency sounds lack power, as though you’re watching a bassist play their instrument when it isn’t plugged in. The genres I enjoyed best with these headphones were acoustic-laden folk, singer-songwriter and bluegrass songs, where thumping bass rhythms aren't as important.

I did enjoy listening to the spoken word on the headphones though, as I found the detail provided by them helped convey small nuances in tone and pitch. Podcast-listeners might find these a decent pick.

Bear in mind that the lack of an equalizer means you’re reliant on the default sound of the P58BT ANC – no bass boosting or rock modes here. Because of this, more so than on other headphones, I'd really recommend trying to source a pair to test before you buy them.

  • Sound quality: 3.5/5

SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: value

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC on a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s hard to make a firebrand statement about the cost-value proposition of the SoundMagic P58BT ANC because you’re basically getting what you pay for here.

In terms of audio quality and design, the headphones tick the boxes you’d expect from them, and you see in similarly-priced rivals. 

Dragging the value down a little is the lack of an app, which gives the impression of these being some cheap AliExpress buys, even though SoundMagic is a reputed brand. However I do think the soft carry bag for the phones does tip the scale in the right direction a little.

  • Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the SoundMagic P58BT ANC?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

SoundMagic P58BT ANC review: Also consider

How I tested the SoundMagic P58BT ANC

The SoundMagic P58BT ANC on a wooden table.

(Image credit: Future)
  • Tested for two weeks
  • Tested at home, in the office, on public transport and on walks

The testing process for the SoundMagic P58BT ANC took place over two weeks, which includes the set-up, review writing and general usage time. This is the usual amount of time I allocate to headphone reviews.

For most of the testing, I used the headphones connected to my Android phone via Bluetooth, but I also connected them to my phone and laptop using the audio cable for some testing too. I mainly tested using Spotify and several streaming services, with some gaming done to test out that mode. Lots of the testing was done in my office, and on various walks, bus rides and train journeys to and from it, but I also used them at home and in other everyday environments.

My history of review-writing at TechRadar spans over five years, and I've been covering tech for even longer. I've tested loads of similarly-priced headphones (including one mentioned in the 'also consider' section), as well as a range of other gadgets. 

I mentioned earlier that I used the SoundMagic alongside another pair of headphones; this was a pricier model and it wouldn't be fair to compare them.

  • First reviewed in September 2024
OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: a huge sonic upgrade from OnePlus’ not-to-pricey buds
1:00 pm | September 18, 2024
Author: admin | Category: Audio Computers Earbuds & Airpods Gadgets Headphones | Tags: , | Comments: Off

OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Two-minute review

Earlier this year, the OnePlus Buds 3 made their debut with an updated design language and a more balanced sound than anything we'd heard from the company to date. Now, with the arrival of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, that same approach has been kicked into overdrive; resulting in OnePlus' best noise-cancelling earbuds yet, and by quite a stretch.

Although on paper, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 sport a similar spec sheet to their predecessors, the company has enhanced things at a component level; meaning the familiar dual driver design is now also backed by dual DACs in each earbud, plus a few other hardware tweaks. Pair that with revised tuning from Dynaudio and, while the Buds Pro 3 retain their forebears penchant for bass, there's far more dynamism in that lower frequency range, joined by more balanced mids and crisp highs; right through the volume range.

The Pro 3 are also brimming with features and most of them aren't solely tied to OnePlus devices anymore. You now get decent spatial audio support (with head tracking) that works on a far greater range of Android devices than before (as well as non-Android iPhones). Seamless dual device switching, a low latency game mode and five excellent EQ presets, along with a frankly outlandish bass boost feature and the ability to tune your own profiles too.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case closed OnePlus Pad 2 OnePlus Nord 4

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Any downsides? One. As much as the sonic profile has come on – enough to make these true rivals for notable buds from audio-first brands such as Bose and Technics – and despite packing what OnePlus bills as its best noise cancelling yet, ANC (active noise cancellation) is good but not class-leading. Microphone performance is fine too, with acceptable background noise suppression, but the transparency mode does little to differentiate itself from being switched off entirely.

You'll also have to reconcile yourself to the absence of features from similarly-priced rivals, namely conversation-awareness and voice command support. Are these deal-breakers? (I'd suggest they're not, but it's worth noting that they're not here.)

Speaking of deals, despite all the advantages and upgrades over its last few buds, OnePlus hasn't upped the price of the Buds Pro 3 in most markets, including the US, where they cost $179 (with an early bird reduction at the time of writing, to $149). UK buyers will have to swallow a £20 price bump versus the Buds Pro 2, but they too can be had with an early bird offer that knocks them back down to £179. Not bad, eh? 

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Price and release date

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review settings

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Launched on August 20, 2024
  • Priced at $179.99 / £199 / Australian pricing TBC
  • Early bird pricing includes a $20 / £20 discount

The standard OnePlus Buds 3 arrived on the market in February 2024 and six months later (in which time they leaked extensively), the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 launched, on August 20, 2024.

In most markets, OnePlus has set the Buds Pro 3 at the same asking price as the previous OnePlus Buds Pro 2: $179.99 in the US, €179 in Europe and ₹13,999 in India. The exception to that is the UK, where the Buds Pro 3 see a £20 increase to £199, which reframes their standing in the market as a slightly more premium offering, comparatively.

The silver lining is that, at the time of writing, OnePlus is still offering the Buds Pro 3 up with an early bird discount; a $20 reduction to $149.99 Stateside; making them something of a steal, considering the sound quality on offer. That same reduction also carries over to the UK too, so the price drops back down to its predecessor's RRP of £179, for the time being.

Australian pricing and availability hasn't yet been revealed, but as the Buds Pro 3 are already listed on OnePlus' regional website, the implication is that they'll be on sale sometime soon.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Specs

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Features

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review EQ

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Check out 'neck vertebrae health' tool
  • Broader compatibility than predecessor
  • No voice command or conversation awareness

Pairing the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is as easy as opening up the case near a Google Fast Pair-compatible Android phone. So long as Bluetooth is turned on, all you have to do is choose to connect via the card that pops up on-screen, and that's it. iPhones unsurprisingly don't feature Google Fast Pair but connection is still painless, with a long-press on the pairing button on the side of the case, after which you just have to select the buds from the Bluetooth menu, like usual.

If you're rocking any of the best OnePlus phones, unlocking the full feature set of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is as easy as pairing; with access to everything direct from the Bluetooth devices menu. For any other Android phone or iPhone, control falls to the HeyMelody app (which serves up an identical UI).

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review ANC

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

From top to bottom, you're presented with a battery readout, Noise Control (which lets you toggle on ANC, Transparency or turn off both). There's then a noise cancellation sub-menu, where you can select the degree of background noise suppression; that includes three levels, as well as a dynamic 'auto' mode.

The Sound Master EQ sub-menu plays home to the hard work the Danish engineers at Dynaudio contributed to the Buds Pro 3, with five presets (Balanced, Bold, Serenade, Bass and Dynaudio featured), along with an additional BassWave toggle that can be paired with any of the EQ profiles and itself includes a -/+ 5 slider. Rounding out this menu is where you can build your own custom EQ profiles, split into six frequency sliders.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review EQ presets

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Hi-Res mode is next, with the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 opting for LHDC 5.0 as its codec of choice here (alongside SBC and AAC). As for devices that support it, in the smartphone space recent OnePlus, Oppo & Realme phones, as well as the top entries amongst the best Xiaomi phones, and Nothing Phone 1 and 2, are all confirmed to support LHDC 5.0, but there are other offerings from brands like Motorola that play nice with older iterations of the codec too.

I preferred the default 'Balanced' EQ profile, with BassWave disabled for general listening, but collectively augmented that configuration with the Golden Sound feature. It takes you through a frequency test for each bud, before building an audio profile unique to your ears; a feature I'd highly recommend you spend the time to set up to get the most out of the listening experience here.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review spatial audio

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Next-up is spatial audio, which was available on the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 but only worked with flagship OnePlus phones at launch. Now, support is hugely expanded, available across popular music and streaming apps on all sorts of Android phones, and even iPhones (although iOS isn't using Google's Spatial Audio profile). Optional head tracking is on the table too, which works well in practice.

There are three Buds Pro 3 features exclusively available to OnePlus smartphone/tablet users, but in the grand scheme of things, don't feel like damaging omissions if you're on another platform.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review neck mobility

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

The most interesting is the 'neck vertebrae health' tool, which can use the sensors in the buds to assess your neck mobility and even notify you of bad neck posture while you're wearing them. Zen Mode Air serves up relaxing white noise sounds (like 'Summer Waves' or 'Forest Rain' in wonderful high fidelity. Lastly, the Buds Pro 3 supports camera control on OnePlus devices, letting you snap a picture with their on-stem controls, or supply your videos with the microphone feed from the buds, if desired.

Game Mode reduces latency between the buds and your device, turning on automatically on OnePlus devices when they detect you're running a game, while it appears as a toggle in the HeyMelody app for other Android and iOS users.

Multipoint connectivity (branded 'Dual connection' here) is a great inclusion on the Buds Pro 3 that, once setup, lets you seamlessly pause audio on one device and move to another without needing to re-pair to keep listening. This works without issue in practice, tested across OnePlus, Android and iOS devices.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review Zen Mode Air

The soundscapes available in Zen Mode Air (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

The last two features at the OnePlus Buds Pro 3's disposal are a fit test – to ensure you have a good seal when wearing them, and a Find My option, which emits a loud tone from the buds when activated, and on Android devices also plugs into Google's Find My Device system; noting the last location they were used.

In short, an absolute mountain of functionality that makes the Buds Pro 3 incredibly versatile for a variety of listening conditions. All that's missing is conversation-aware ANC (which quietens or pauses music when the buds detect someone speaking to you or vice versa) and voice commands; for hands-free playback control or interaction with your device's smart assistant.

  • Features score: 4.5 / 5

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Design

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case open plus buds near

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Stemmed buds w/ chromed outer face
  • New top-loading case is better, but wireless charging is backwards
  • IP55 rated buds, IPX4 case

OnePlus' Buds Pro line has always sported a stem-style design, originally accented with a chrome-dipped tip aesthetic, while the driver housing has typically been finished in lightly textured plastic. With the Buds Pro 3, however, that chrome finish has crept up to cover the stem and housing completely, which I think is a shame.

While eye-catching, the 'dipped' look of previous entries made for a more distinctive appearance, even at a distance. Many levied criticism at Samsung for the design similarities of its new angular stemmed Galaxy Buds 3 and Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, but the more rounded stems and, now consistent, surface finish of OnePlus' latest buds renders them far more like chrome-clad AirPods Pro 2 doppelgangers, in my opinion.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review bud in hand

Look closely and you can see the touch sensitive area on the inside of the stem (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

That said, while the finish more readily holds onto fingerprints than previous iterations, ergonomically, it sits far more comfortably in the ear than any true wireless buds I've worn of late, and that's with the pre-fitted medium silicone ear tips. OnePlus also includes extra small, small and large-size oval-shaped alternatives in the box (along with a charging cable).

Despite the fact that they've gained a little weight, I found the Buds Pro 3 to be more comfortable and secure when worn (over the older Buds Pro 2), even when working out or for extended periods. In-ear detection proved reliable too, pausing and resuming music when you remove or insert either bud, and it works on iOS as well as Android.

The Buds Pro 3 boasts a completely redesigned case that has caused some discord among fans on platforms like Reddit. In place of the squared makeup compact-style case of previous generations – which opened to reveal the buds in their entirety – the Pro 3's buds reside within a new top-loading oval enclosure, that features smooth edges, contrasted against a leather-like textured surface finish.

Image 1 of 2

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case closed near

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Image 2 of 2

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case open handheld

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

I think the new case makes the Pro 3 more pocketable and more likely to retain the buds inside, should you drop it, but some people don't seem to appreciate the change. The USB-C port on the case's underside allows for a quick 10-minute charge to deliver 13 hours of playback (for comparison AirPods Pro 2 deliver just 1 hour of playback from a 5-minute recharge), while a full 100% refill takes approximately 70 minutes.

The OnePlus Buds Pro 3 also, conveniently, include wireless charging too (a full recharge this way takes about 2.5 hours), but for some unknown reason, unlike every other pair of wireless charging-capable buds out there, OnePlus' new case design demands that you place it face down, instead of face up when recharging without cables. It's an unintuitive design move that just takes some getting used to. At least with up to 43 hours of use per charge, you won't have to worry about fiddling with the case on a wireless charger all too often.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review earbud controls

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Along with the existing repertoire of stem-based press or press-and-hold controls that previous Buds Pro have sported, the Buds Pro 3 carry across the new swipe gesture added to the OnePlus Buds 3; letting you adjust volume (or switch track) on-ear, by swiping up or down on the front of the stem. Even now, I still sometimes struggle to find the touch-sensitive area consistently, but controls otherwise work reliably.

For added peace of mind, the case is IPX4-rated, while the buds themselves are IP55-rated against dust and water ingress; collectively meaning you should have no issues wearing these when working up a sweat or getting caught in the rain.

  • Design score: 4 / 5

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Sound quality

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review in ear side

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Excellent, well-balanced sound profile
  • Huge upgrade on predecessor that's comparable to pricier rivals
  • Still behind the curve on mic voice isolation and ANC

Perhaps the most divisive aspect of the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 is the audio performance. In a nutshell, this product outputs exceptional sound, with a great default profile, outlandishly lavish bass (without making things muddy), and significantly-improved response in the mids and highs (compared to the Buds Pro 2), that punches above its weight.

The flip side is that, despite the promise of strides made in ANC, microphone performance and transparency mode, the improvements feel significantly more pedestrian.

If you didn't tell me the buds' noise cancellation was dynamic, I wouldn't readily know. ANC performance is good at slightly softening mids, while also trimming low drones and high hisses, but speech and the like still slip through, as do sudden changes in volume in your surroundings. Of course, that's to be expected to a degree, but still, the performance here when massaging away constant, low-level sounds was fine rather than fantastic. 

On calls and when recording your voice, the Buds Pro 3 boast a three-microphone setup, supported by a VPU (voice pick up bone) sensor, however, the results are again just 'fine'. They're more full-bodied than the mics on some other buds around this price point, but plosives in speech tend to get lost when the Buds Pro 3 are trying to iron out background noise at the same time.

While I already touched on a lack of awareness to Transparency mode, any benefit over just disabling it altogether went as far as adding more high frequency sounds back into the buds' passive isolation.

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review Dynaudio logo

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Microphone-bashing out of the way, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3's excellent sound improvements likely come as a result of the move to dual DACs per driver, per bud; one for the 11mm woofer and one for the 6mm tweeter. Dual DACs, two magnets and a fancy new ceramic-metal composite diaphragm on the woofer, alongside a "small but mighty" 35-micrometer flat voice coil for the high frequencies (likely the biggest contributor the this generation's more balanced sound profile) collectively elevate the standard of OnePlus' audio quality to new heights.

The result is a cleaner, more dynamic sound, with great separation, less crowding in the lower frequencies and more definition in the mids and highs.

  • Sound quality score: 4 / 5

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Value

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review case closed OnePlus Pad 2

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Superb sound for the price
  • You'll need to pay more for buds with superior ANC
  • Discounts bring strong rivals down to a similar price point

If you spend the majority of your time listening on your headphones, rather than talking, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 impress with just how much they improve over the Buds Pro 2, while also serving up excellent sound outright, that belies their $179 / £199 asking price.

With the transitional pricing space they reside in, the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 serve as worthwhile alternatives to the likes of more established premium entries, like the Sony WF-1000XM5 (originally $300 / £260 but available today in the UK, at least, for as low as £190) or Technics EAH-AZ80 (available today for around $300 / £240), as well as more budget focused options, like the Bose-certified Moto Buds Plus (approximately $150 / £130).

Headphones today aren't just about listening, however, and so even with their comparatively paltry battery life, if microphone quality, ANC and Transparency mode are major factors for you, you'll likely want to cough up a little extra and go for a known quantity, like Apple's AirPods Pro 2 ($250 / £230) or the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 (about $180 / £250 today).

  • Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the OnePlus Buds Pro 3?

Buy them if…

Don’t buy them if…

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review: Also consider

How I tested the OnePlus Buds Pro 3

OnePlus Buds Pro 3 review in pocket

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
  • Review test period: 1.5 weeks
  • Testing included streaming from different audio sources, including spatial audio supported videos 
  • Switched between OnePlus, (other) Android, iPhone and PC devices

I used the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 every day for the duration of the review period, giving them an initial 10-hour burn-in before assessing sound characteristics.

I paired the Buds Pro 3 with all manner of devices, from Android phones made by OnePlus and other manufacturers, as well as iPhones and a Windows laptop. This was partially to test the likes of multipoint, as well as checking which feature, if any, were exclusive to certain device types or operating systems.

I used every feature that the Pro 3's software experience had to offer and tried the buds themselves in all manner of environments, with varying degrees of ambient noise to test features like ANC and microphone quality against.

As a reviewer with 13 years experience, and having reviewed numerous audio products – from Bluetooth speakers to a myriad of true wireless buds at a full range of price points  – I felt confident assessing and scoring the OnePlus Buds Pro 3 in the context of the wider TWS earphones market in which it competes.

Read more about how we test

  • First reviewed September 2024
« Previous Page — Next Page »