What You Get

• EVO
• Storage Bag
• USB Cable
• Manual
• Service Card
• QC Certificate

Design

The Evo is like a white version of the Fiio UTWS5. The outside is sleek, thin, and lightweight, causing as little distraction as possible when looped over your ears. No matter which pair of IEMs I paired with the Evo, I always felt the main body and hooks of the Evo were comfortable. They sat naturally around my ear, and I never thought about them throughout my listening time

I also particularly like the zipper bag charging case. It’s a bit bulky, but different from what you’re used to getting from true wireless adapters. It makes it feel like more of a specialized accessory than another cheap product. Your IEMs, no matter the size will be able to fit in this case while still attached to the adapters. Everything about the presentation of the Evo outclasses other Bluetooth adapters of its kind.

One aspect of the Evo’s design I’m not so keen on is its touch panel. It’s finicky and not very responsive. The actions only activate after long delays and multiple touches. This might interfere with taking calls over the Evo too, but the actual call clarity is servicable. Disappointingly, there is no companion app for the Evo. I would have liked to see some added features like an EQ or adjustable controls.

Bluetooth & Battery Life

Getting the Evo to pair is very easy. It supports Bluetooth version 5.2, and it has a fast connection with good stability. There’s a big selection of CODECs that the Evo offers, including aptX Adaptive and aptX HD. Of course, using an iPhone with the Evo only gave me access to AAC audio.

By far the most infuriating aspect of the Evo is its battery life. I was shocked when I first heard the “battery low,” and “power off” voice indicators play, as I had only been listening for an hour or two. It would appear that’s all the charge the Evo is capable of giving you.

Sound Impressions

I used a few different IEMs with the Evo, from the Dunu Titan S2 to the Meze Alba. What the Evo did to the sound was most apparent in the overall volume of it. The sound signature as a whole felt elevated in pure gain, acting as a true DAC/Amp component. Listening to music on my phone gave me tons of headroom to play with compared to most Bluetooth headphones and earphones. It kept as much detail as possible while squeezing through common Bluetooth CODECs. For its price, the sound is mostly impressive for its energy alone, making up for the loss of detail with its strong drive. I can’t say there was much else to distinguish in these IEMs, but they rival the Go Pods and UTWS5 in terms of their power, which is quite a feat for its price point.

Summary

The Moondrop Evo has a lot of faults, but for the price, it does what’s expected of a true wireless Bluetooth adapter for your IEMs. If sound quality is all that matters to you, then the Evo is exactly what you need. It has more power than you would assume for the price, and it maintains your IEM sound signature quite well over Bluetooth. Otherwise, it’s hard to look past the finicky touch controls and incredibly disappointing battery life.

The Moondrop Evo is available at Audio46.

The post Moondrop Evo Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

Look & Feel

Both of these headphones have the classic Sony look to them. They both carry a solid color, with a plasticky build that’s lightweight and compact. The XM5 is a bit lighter, but the ULT WEAR folds inward like the older 1000x models used to do. Despite some of these differences, these headphones are very similar in terms of comfort. While the ULT WEAR has a tighter, more secure fit, they can both be worn for many hours without causing extra pressure or fatigue.

Design & Functionality

The XM5 and ULT WEAR have two different drivers. With the ULT WEAR, you get a bigger dynamic driver that is supported by Sony’s Processor V1. This is all to help that headphon’s bass properties, as the XM5 is only 30mm in comparison. All of the extra features that you expect from Sony still exist with both headphones though, including their industry leading noise-canceling technology. Other features like 360 Reality Audio will allow you to listen to both headphones with spatial audio, provided that you are subscribed to a service that offers it.

Bluetooth

Both the XM5 and ULT WEAR offer stable wireless connections supported by Bluetooth version 5.2. They both offer the LDAC CODEC and have multipoint connection.

Battery Life

The ULT WEAR surprisingly has a much better battery life than the XM5. A 30 hour battery life for the XM5 was solid when it launched initially, but since then more inexpensive headphones have beefed up they playtime. While it depends on the amount of features in-use, the ULT WEAR should last you around 50 hours of playtime, which is much superior to the XM5.

Soundstage 

With both headphones, you’ll get the most out of the soundstage if you can use them with 3D Audio. Listening to the ULT WEAR and XM5 with spatial audio increases the immersion that the built-in soundstage can bring. However, when listening in standard stereo, the ULT WEAR has more of an advantage over the XM5. This might be surprising to some, but switching between both headphones reveals that the XM5 feels a bit constricted in comparison. Some of the bass extension features on the ULT WEAR can impact its spatial imaging, but the scope of the sound is still more apparent than it is on the XM5. These headphones will perform similarly when listening through 360 Reality Audio though. The soundstage and imaging take on a whole new depth where everything appears more like a precisely placed object.

Low End

Usually, this is where the XM5 thrives compared to most other Bluetooth headphones. The thickness and customizability of the lows are still some of the XM5’s best attributes, but bass richness is the ULT WEAR’s entire MO. The reason the ULT WEAR exists is to be the bassist headphone that costs significantly less than the XM5, and it definitely succeeded on that front. While the XM5 has body and resonance, the ULT WEAR is thunderous and cinematic. It feels more artificial than the XM5, but it’s more fun. Both headphones create this pool of bloated low frequencies that result in boominess, but the ULT WEAR takes better advantage of its timbre that way.

Mids

Neither the XM5 nor the ULT WEAR have the midrange as their strong suit. The unfocused mids have always been a personal gripe of mine with the XM5, but I find it more forgivable on the ULT WEAR. Both headphones feature major recession in the mids, but the ULT WEAR feels less hollow to me somehow. With EQ, the XM5 can sound clearer than the ULT WEAR though. You can reduce some of the cloudier low mids and make some space for the mids to balance out the sound profile, which is easier to do on the XM5 than on the ULT WEAR even though they both use the same in-app EQ.

Highs

The treble is where the XM5 is the clearest winner. While the ULT WEAR doesn’t falter too much in the highs, the XM5 is much more articulate in comparison. There’s more room for the high frequencies to develop naturally, and it’s much more responsive with EQ. The XM5 delivers much more height and clarity to the sound signature, while the ULT WEAR just smooths them out so as not to get in the way of the more dominant frequency areas.

Summary

While you can never go wrong with a pair of wireless headphones from Sony, the ULT WEAR and XM5 are very different headphones for two very different prices. They carry many of the same features, but they still serve different functions. The ULT WEAR is a bass machine, and while it’s incredibly fun to listen to, the XM5 gives you a bit more detail to bite on in terms of fidelity. This mostly has to do with the upper-mids and highs being better, but the sound signature is also more natural in comparison. Your decision will come down to price and how important bass response is on your preferred sound profile. Otherwise, everything else that’s great about Sony headphones exists with both products.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 and ULT WEAR are available at Audio46.

The post Sony WH-1000XM5 Vs ULT WEAR Comparison Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

What You Get

• OpenEgo Wireless Earbuds
• Charging Case
• Charging Cable
• Quick Guide & User Manual

Look & Feel

The OpenEgo earbuds are true wireless, with ear loops that hang on your ears. While they’re good looking earpieces, the feeling of wearing them can be quite distracting. They’re not uncomfortable, but the way they hang off of your ear makes them constantly move around. You can combat this with the provided rubber sleeves that you can attach to them, but it doesn’t make them completely stationary.

Design & Functionality

The OpenEgo uses 16.2mm dynamic drivers supported by TOZO’s OrigX technology. While these are large drivers in comparison to most wireless earbuds, it has a quieter output. Using the tap controls is very handy though, as the touch sensors are very responsive. The TOZO app also gives you access to extra features like EQ that has 16 different presets and other sound personalization modes.

Bluetooth

You can expect a highly stable wireless connection with the OpenEgo thanks to Bluetooth 5.3. Only standard CODECs are available.

Battery Life

After some quick charges from the case, the OpenEgo should last you around 30 hours before you need to recharge them. This is definitely a solid amount of battery life for the price.

Soundstage

Being open-air earbuds gives the sound a few benefits, namely the soundstage. With that, the OpenEgo doesn’t feel like it has any apparent barriers in its stereo field. Your music is presented linearly but extends wide and into a naturally open headspace. It doesn’t quite feel like listening to speakers, but its ability is definitely impressive for wireless earbuds. There’s no real height or depth to it, but the specific sound elements are still localized naturally. It’s a flat space that provides enough separation and blank space for the sounds to occupy in a balanced form.

Low End

A common factor that I’ve experienced with some of the recent open air earbuds I’ve tried is their lacking bass. It’s hard to convey a sense of weight or impact with this design, but the OpenEgo does its best to give it shape. While the bass lacks significant drive, there’s a layer of bass here that reads as good enough. It propels the mid-bass frequencies it can toward that front to give the timbre some form of identity, but the results are few and far between.

Mids

There’s a surface to the midrange that offers space for the instruments to convey their tone. While the OpenEgo struggles to reproduce midrange frequencies with any real energy, the surface has a clean timbre. Instruments are pleasant, and presented with admirable clarity for the price. You won’t find any color to it, even in vocals, but the balance is consistent with most genres.

Highs

The frequency content of the treble is a lot richer than the rest of the sound signature. You can sense a lot more flavor to the tone, as the highs come through with expressive shimmer. There’s a crisper edge to the timbre, but it doesn’t form any excessive brightness. Everything is well controlled, and it only results in a more colorful instruments.

Summary

I like seeing how these brands can further develop open-air earbuds designs into some exciting earbuds. While I’ve liked quite a few, the OpenEgo reminds me that there’s a lot of work to do before they can compete with in-ears. On its own, the OpenEgo are a good pair of inexpensive earbuds. Certain sound properties are flawed, but it does enough to be easy to enjoy, which is all you can really ask for. It gets what it needs to mostly right, however, the comfort is still not the best. It might be something that you need to get used to overtime, but the OpenEgo providing accessories to fix this still highlights its shortcomings.

The TOZO OpenEgo is available on Amazon.

The post TOZO OpenEgo Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW Review

IN the BOX

FIT

They fit. They’re comfortable. They don’t fall out of my ears when I’m hanging upside down by a thread. And in addition to the three different sized tip options, the box also includes foam ear tips should you choose to warm up the sound profile. No problems here.

DESIGN

Active Noise-Cancellation

This hybrid ANC technology is interesting. When it is activated, it emits a very mild and highly pleasant “shhh” sound. It like a calm and distant ocean. But then I realize why. Using the accompanying app, you can switch between ANC modes, including, airplane mode (which explains the “sshh”), on-the-go mode and office/study mode.  It might also be important to note that I’ve almost never tested a noise-cancelling in-ear headphone that actually muted noise completely. I can still hear my fingers typing and my leg twitching under my desk. But let’s be fair. With my TV turned on at a reasonable volume, the ANC300TW does reduce Joe Exotic’s voice considerably. Not completely. And that just might be too much to ask from ANC technology. Even a hybrid one. Still, I have to admit, the ANC300TW does do better at quieting outside noise than do most other true wireless models I’ve tested, even at higher price points.

These earbuds also let you switch to “hear-through” mode, which is a now common headphone feature that invites in sound of the outside environment. It’s like a little speaker in your ears that says, “Yes, your 2 month-old is losing his f——-ng mind.”

The last point to note is that you cannot turn off the ANC technology altogether. That is, you’re either on ANC mode or you’re on hear-through mode. There’s no in between. But these little things have ceased to bother me. I have more important issues to deal with, like counting toilet paper plies.

Functionality

In this complicated world, I love to keep things simple. For this reason, I appreciate Audio-Technica’s decision to employ two simple buttons at the top of the earpieces that control all the functions. No annoying touchpad, no swiping left or right. Just some sensible, good ol’ fashioned buttons. Press the left button once, and you’ll switch between ANC and hear-through mode. Press it twice or thrice, and you’ll adjust the volume. Meanwhile, the right button controls play/pause, track skipping and call answering/ending.

Battery Life

Not particularly impressive in this department. But let’s be honest. Does anything really matter anymore? Listen, it’s a fine amount of battery life. Average. 4.5 hours of usage at a time. And another 13.5 hours of charge in the case. Compare this to Sennheiser’s latest true wireless model, which offers a total of 28 hours of use, and I think, “Hmm. I see why the Sennheiser model is so much more expensive.”

Waterproofness

The ATH-ANC300TW has an IPX2 rating. So, if you spill a little coffee on these buds, your world won’t end. However, if you wear them when you jump into the Hudson River with a ball and chain tied to your ankle, you can rest assured that you’ll be sh—t out of luck.

Call Clarity

Leave that Zoomaroke party and call you mother. Call clarity is fine. Not astounding. Like, I couldn’t hear the saliva moving on my mother’s tongue. But I did clearly hear her say, “I had oatmeal for breakfast at 8:30am instead of 8am because I had to help your father find the thermometer.”

Supported Codecs

iPhone users and Android users are all treated equally here. Which is more than I can say for our essential workers. The ANC300TW supports both aptX and AAC, in addition to SBC. But what the hell is SBC, anyway. It’s five o’clock somewhere. Remember when time was a thing? Let’s crack open a beer and put on a fresh pair of pajamas before we move on.

SOUND

Low Frequencies

I hear bass. It’s dry, it’s got grip. It’s generous but not overpowering. Pop music reveals some solid low-end oomph. Yet, string instruments, such as double basses don’t sound like bloated whales slowly dying on a polluted beach. The level of detail warrants the price tag. And I have to admit, I’m starting to have some fun, all sleeping pills aside.

Middle Frequencies

Ahh, is that the sound of a perfectly balanced midrange? Yes. The upper midrange avoids harshness or artificial emphasis, and the low mids are ever present, creating a warm and lush, comprehensive sound. Rock and pop-rock tracks with heavy instrumentation sound expansive and juicy. Indeed this is my favorite kind of balance. Easy on the ears and more full-bodied than my ass after this pandemic is over.

High Frequencies

Again, oh so sweet on the ears. No piercing violins or trumpets. But still snappy when listening to pop and funk tracks. Female vocals are smooth and more velvety than the cream cheese I’m currently making love to.

Soundstage

Big. Bigly. Perhaps the biggest soundstage in the history of mankind. Seriously, these things sound quite spacious for a pair of true wireless buds. And there’s even some dimension here too. You’ll hear a good deal of depth, and while the sense of height is not mind blowing, it’s certainly passable for a wireless headphone at this price point.

PROS and CONS

Pros: Effective ANC, sweet balance, easy to navigate controls, good fit, decent value for money.

Cons: Battery life could be longer.

SUMMARY

These ANC300TW earbuds are a pleasure to listen to. A warm and all-encompassing sound profile, comfortable to wear, and ANC technology that actually works to some extent. The price tag is also inoffensive. In these uncertain times, what the hell more do you want? Are these my favorite Audio-Technica earbuds to date? Yas queen.

You can find these earbuds for the best price here:

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW at Audio 46

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW on Amazon

MajorHifi may receive commission through retail offers.

The post Audio-Technica ATH-ANC300TW Review: Practice Makes Perfect appeared first on Major HiFi.

What to Look Out For 

The Live 300TWS comes fully integrated with JBL and Harman smart technology. Person-Fi, unveiled by Harman at last year’s CES, auto-callibrates the listener’s settings according to place and taste. With automated listener preference EQ, stereo widening, and room EQ, you can have a fully customizable and individualized listening experience.

JBL’s new true wireless headphones come with Google Assistant or Alexa, as well as JBL’s signature Ambient Aware & TalkThru Technology. There is a combined 20 hours of battery life (six hours with the headphones outside of the case), and the headphones are IPX5-certified sweatproof and water resistant, making them perfect for workouts. Speedcharging for just ten minutes gives upwards of an hour of playtime. 

Personally, I’m excited for these headphones, though we have yet to fully demo them here at MajorHiFi. JBL already has a strong line of wireless, in-ear products–11, including the Live 300TWS, which come with the same 5.8mm drivers as the Reflect Flow, the only other in-ear model offered by JBL at $150.

The distortion and sensitivity specs compared to the Reflect Flow gives me hope that the Live 300TWS will deliver a clean, balanced, and immersive sound, especially for its size. We’re excited to give them a full, in-depth review as soon as we can!

The design of the headphones and their carrying case is something to look forward to as well. In comparison to the TUNE 220TWS that JBL released earlier this year, leaving the tee off of the 300TWS body allows for a much more compact and elegant carrying case. 

Availability

Look out for the JBL Live 300TWS in-ear headphones at Audio 46 and other retailers at the end of April. Online stores like JBL’s own site already have pre-orders up and are scheduled to ship out on April 21st. 

The post JBL Live 300TWS True Wireless In-Ear Headphones Launch in April! appeared first on Major HiFi.

For a while, the Momentum True Wireless has been one of the top dogs when it comes to true-wireless earbuds, and the Momentum True Wireless 2 makes dramatic improvements to ergonomics and functionality while presumably retaining the same excellent sound quality.

Improvements

Battery life is up by almost 50% – while the original Momentum TW offered 4 hours of playback on a single charge, the Momentum TW 2 offers 7. The charging case’s capacity is also significantly higher, offering 21 additional hours of playback for 28 hours total. Compared to the original Momentum TW’s 12 hours, that’s a very significant improvement indeed!

The Momentum TW 2 also adds Active Noise Cancellation into the mix, making it an even better choice for public transportation.

We haven’t yet had a chance to listen to these at MajorHifi, but rest assured that when we do we’ll give you the lowdown on exactly how they sound. Identical distortion and sensitivity specs indicate that they probably share the same 7mm drivers, but the sound may be somewhat modified by the inclusion of ANC.

As usual, the Momentum TW 2 also features a nice touchpad on the faceplate, so making adjustments to your listening while on the go will be easy. And it uses Sennheiser’s equalizer, allowing you to change its sound signature easily.

Availability

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 will be available at Audio46, Sennheiser’s own website and other retailers starting on Wednesday, April 1st, 2020. They’re already available for pre-order.

And keep an eye out for our review – we hope to get a unit into our offices soon enough.

Stay safe, everybody!

The post Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 2 launches April 1st! appeared first on Major HiFi.

Fostex TM2 True Wireless Review

IN the BOX

FIT

I wasn’t particularly happy with the fit until I realized that the ear hooks are malleable. Bend them, twist them…Whatever the shape or fit is of the IEM you’re trying to attach, the TM2 should comply. Furthermore, the actual Fostex earbuds that come with the TM2 provide decent sound isolation and a no-nonsense fit. You’ll also have three different sized eartips to choose from. So, no complaints in this department.

DESIGN

Driver Unit and Connection

The TM2 employs a 6mm dynamic driver unit that is detachable via MMCX connection. In fact the earpiece detaches in two areas, as shown below. The reason for this is that Fostex also sells a couple of 2-pin options (sold separately) for those who use IEMs with a 2-pin connection. 

Controls and Functionality

The TM2 uses a combination of buttons and touch sensors to control its host functions. For example, the touch sensor on the sides of the earpieces allow you to adjust volume and even fast forward through tracks (which is a neat and uncommon feature). The buttons on the bottom of either earpiece allow you to play/pause, skip tracks and answer/end calls. I found both, the buttons and touch sensors easy to navigate after a few minutes of practice. And the touch sensors were responsive without being overly sensitive.

Call Clarity

A bit of a problem here. It’s not that the call clarity is particularly lacking, but if you live in New York, the microphone will pick up chatter in Houston. So, the mic won’t isolate from any ambient sound. And if you live in a busy city, forget about it. (This problem could potentially be fixed by adjusting the “landscape sound” settings in the accompanying app. But I didn’t have the will or energy to play around with it. #Coronavirus)

Battery Life and Charging

The TM2 offers 10 hours of continuous use. Now, I don’t think that the case holds any extra charge. At least, Fostex doesn’t advertise anything about the charging case holding additional charge. But I’m $%^&#@* up on DayQuil right now. So, you probably shouldn’t trust anything I write in this review.  

The other thing to note is that the charging case uses a micro-USB connection for charging, which in terms of longevity, is inferior to the newer USB-C charging option. (USB-C also usually faster to charge). Still, the TM2 fully charges in 1.5 hours, which is surprisingly fast. 

Supported Codecs

Aptx, AAC, SBC.

Water Resistance

The TM2 has a IPX5 rating, which means it should be able to withstand some sweat and a little rain.

Extra Features

The Fostex TM2 has an accompanying app that gives you a battery life indicator as well as the option to update firmware (and the “landscape sound” setting). And Fostex also promises to include a 5 band equalizer in a future firmware update. But the future is now, and I don’t see the equalizer. I guess promises are made to be broken.

Portability

SOUND

Low Frequencies

The bass has some solid grip to it. So, it’s not a wet or resonating sound. And while the bass has enough power and impact to do justice to pop tracks, it doesn’t steal the show. In fact, this is the kind of bass that works well for all genres. The low end lends a little warmth to rock tracks without bleeding into the higher frequencies. And because the sound is dry and detailed, classical strings have plenty of texture and substance. 

Middle Frequencies

The upper mids are favored over the lower mids. As a result, vocals tend to slightly stand out in the mix, creating a dynamic feel when listening to modern genres especially. The downside to this is that you lose a little body in the lower midrange. That being said, the overall sound is tight and clean; the separation is quite impressive. And as such, acoustic genres, like folk, have a nice crystalized feel. So, if you like a tidy and intricate acoustic guitar, the TM2 is sure to please.

High Frequencies

The highs offer some crisp percussion without becoming uncomfortable or bright. At the same time, the TM2 doesn’t present a weighty sound signature. And vocals in this range feel reasonably buoyant, even if they don’t present a thoroughly airy performance. 

Soundstage

Although the soundstage didn’t strike me as particularly grand, the imaging felt quite accurate for a true wireless model. The sense of height is certainly there, and though you won’t get the deepest stage, the more obvious gradations in depth are apparent.

PROS and CONS

Pros: Clean and inoffensive sound signature; if you don’t like the sound signature, you can change it for one you do like.

Cons: Not good for calls.

SUMMARY

Besides the wacky microphone, I have no complaints. Decent sound with controls that are easy to navigate. No pairing issues. Sure, it would have been nice to get an extra 20 hours of battery life in the charging case, but hey…Life is full of disappointments. Let’s give Fostex a break. The TM2 introduces a really cool technology that turns your favorite IEMs into a true wireless miracle. #Gratefulaudiophile. #Blessed.

You can find the Fostex TM2 for the best price here:

Fostex TM2 at Audio 46

Fostex TM2 on Amazon

The post Fostex TM2 True Wireless Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

TREBLAB XFit Truly Wireless Earbuds Review

IN the BOX

FIT

The fit is one of my favorite aspects of the XFit. Compared to most other true wireless earbuds on the market, these things are tiny. And they snugly seal into the ear, giving you the impression that you’re wearing nothing at all. So, unless you have freakishly shaped ear canals, you shouldn’t worry about these buds falling out during exercise sessions. 

DESIGN

Controls and Functionality

The XFit offers pretty standard functionality, using the buttons on the earpieces. The buds allow you to play/pause, skip tracks and answer/end calls. Unfortunately, you can’t control volume from the earpieces, which can be a pain if you’re using these buds for running. But to be honest, even many higher priced true wireless earbuds don’t offer volume control from the earpieces. 

Battery Life and Charging

You’ll get about 4-5 hours of playtime on one charge. And there’s an extra 25 hours of juice in the charging case. This is on the higher end of standard for a pair of true wireless earbuds in the higher price range. So, for 50 bucks, the battery life is impressive. 

The charging case employs a Micro-USB connection. Micro-USB tends to be slower to charge than the newer USB-C connection. That being said, Treblab’s website claims that the XFit will fully charge in just 1 hour.

Call Clarity

Not bad. Less than crystal clear. But certainly, the caller sounds clean enough to carry out a intelligible conversation.

Water Resistance

The XFit offers an IPX6 waterproof rating, which means it can withstand a significant amount of sweat and even heavy rain.

Bluetooth and Supported Codecs

The XFit supports Bluetooth 5, which is the latest Bluetooth technology. In theory, it should mean fewer dropped signals. And writing this review in the middle of Manhattan, I experienced zero dropouts.

The XFit also supports the high-resolution codec, AAC for iPhone and Android, which is unusual for a pair of true wireless buds at this price point. 

Portability

I mean, how cute…Can you stand it?

SOUND

Low Frequencies

Massive. I mean, Treblab’s giving Dr. Dre a run for his money. Bass-heads will certainly gravitate towards this sound signature. But if you have even the slightest aversion to heavy bass, the XFit isn’t for you. It’s boomy and reverberating. In fact, playing some Bruno Mars tracks, the bass overshadows the entire mix. That being said, once the bass creeps up into the higher frequencies, it becomes a little less pronounced. And if you appreciate a warm sounding rock track, the XFit will deliver.

Middle Frequencies

Because the bass is so heavy, you won’t hear too much of the lower-midrange frequencies. Instead, the upper-mids shine through the mix. As a result, the Xfit presents quite a dynamic profile, where there’s a dramatic contrast between the lows and higher frequencies. This kind of sound signature works particularly well for pop because what stands out is bass, drums and vocals. So, Billie Eilish, for example, sounds great on these buds. In terms of clarity, the separation becomes solid once it moves up the frequency spectrum. And though you won’t hear too much detail when listening to string instruments, the XFit presents a satisfyingly thick and fluid feel that is certainly enjoyable to listen to. 

High Frequencies

Nice and crispy in this range. Again, pop is a good genre for these earbuds because percussion in this range presents plenty of snap. At the same time, the high frequencies avoid any sharpness. So, the XFit is also easy on the ears. And that thickness that I mentioned above makes vocals in this range velvety and honey-like. So, vocalists like Rihanna and Whitney Houston sound super sweet.

Soundstage

Because the bass is so heavy, the soundstage presents somewhat of an insulated feel. But the imaging isn’t bad for a pair of true wireless for a pair of wireless earbuds at this price point. And you’ll certainly get a good sense of height, even if there’s little audible depth.

PROS and CONS

Pros: Rich and satiating sound signature; hi-res codec support; great fit; adorably tiny charging case.

Cons: Bass may be overkill for some.

SUMMARY

I’ve reviewed quite a few true wireless earbuds in this price range, and I always find a flaw, whether it’s the fit, sound quality or poor battery life. But unless you suffer from bass-anxiety, these buds are a great bang for your buck at $50. The sound signature is rich and meaty. And the fact that the XFit also supports the AAC codec is a huge plus as well. Furthermore, with a solid 30 hours of total battery life and a super cute and snug-fitting minimalist design, the XFit is a great option for the gym or your daily commute. Verdict: besides the hedonistic bass, I have zero complaints. 

You can find these erabuds for the best price here:

Treblab XFit on Amazon

MajorHifi may receive commission through online offers.

The post TREBLAB XFit Truly Wireless Earbuds Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT90BT Review

IN the BOX

FIT

Snug. Very snug. Almost too snug if your main priority is comfort. But if you’re looking for the most secure fit for your sports activities, the SPORT90BT is hard to beat. Backflips, bungee jumping, you name it. The effective seal also means that the SPORT90BT eliminates a lot of outside noise. In fact, in terms of sound isolation, it may be more effective than some of the leading noise-cancelling earphones on the market.

DESIGN

Controls and Functionality

In addition to the standard functions – play/pause, track skipping and call answering – the SPORT90BT also comes with a transparent hearing mode. This invites in the sound of your surroundings, which is a handy feature given that the sound isolation is so effective. And the SPORT90BT’s transparent hearing mode is one of the reasons this model is more expensive than the SPORT60BT.

Music Player

Another feature that separates the SPORT90BT from the more affordable SPORT60BT is the music player. And it doesn’t just play MP3s. If you want to go hi-res, you can add files such as FLAC and WAV. But you’ll have to be picky about what you download because the SPORT90BT only hold up to 4GB. This is plenty of space for compressed files, but you won’t have too much hi-res space. 

Call Clarity

A little muffled, but enough clarity to convey your thoughts about your growing pecs. 

Battery Life

The battery life is nothing to write home about. You’ll only get 5 hours of continuous use from these buds. (Using the music player alone, you’ll get about 8 hours of juice). Not too impressive when you compare it to even cheaper models from other major brands like JBL and Sennheiser. 

The SPORT90BT takes 3 hours to fully charge, which is also disappointing given the short battery life. But hey, given the series of disappointments I’ve experienced over my lifetime, I’m not surprised. 

Water Resistance

These buds offer an IPX5 water resistance rating. So, they should be able to withstand a sweaty workout and some rain. 

SOUND

Low Frequencies

Audio-Technica decided not to go too crazy with the bass on this model. The low-end is not incredibly deep and reverberating like it is on some of their other in-ear models. You’ll probably still get the punch you’re looking for when listening to pop tracks. But you shouldn’t expect much of a sub bass response on your hip-hop tracks. Still, the low-end does lend a little warmth and richness to rock tracks.

Middle Frequencies

You can expect a full midrange. Because the low-mids get a good amount of attention, rock and pop-rock tracks have plenty of body. You won’t get any unpleasant harshness in the upper mids either. So, two boxes – checked. 

In terms of clarity, the SPORT90BT does a solid job as well. String instruments reveal texture and substance, offering a relatively realistic performance. And the level of separation isn’t bad for a wireless earphone either. Guitar strums, for example, have clean definition. And overall, the sound avoids any muddiness in the lower-midrange.

Highs

The highs don’t get too sparkly or crispy either. So, this is an easy listening experience. At the same time, there’s no obvious roll off, so the treble doesn’t feel blunted or dull. 

Soundstage

Don’t expect too much dimension in terms of depth. But instrument placement on the horizontal axis is discernible. So, you will get some sense of imaging. Listen, let’s give these things a break. Wireless sports earphones for 160 bucks aren’t going to be high fidelity.

PROS and CONS

PROS: Very Secure fit with great sound isolation; inoffensive sound signature.

CONS: Not so comfortable that you’ll forget you’re wearing them. 

SUMMARY

These buds do two things very well. A super secure fit and great sound isolation. The music quality isn’t bad either. And if you’re engaging in sports activities that don’t allow you to carry your iPhone, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better pair of wireless earbuds with a music player. That being said, if you don’t download music, then there are more affordable wireless sports models out there.  

You can find these earbuds for the best price here:

Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT90BT at Audio 46

The post Audio-Technica ATH-SPORT90BT Review appeared first on Major HiFi.

JBL REFLECT Eternal

JBL has teamed up with Swedish company Exeger to create an on-ear headphone that can be charged completely by the Sun.

The headphones use Exeger’s Powerfoyle technology that turns the headband into a photo-voltaic surface.

The battery charges quickest in direct sunlight, but will receive charge from indirect and indoor lighting as well.

Specs

The battery holds 24 hours of charge, and just 1.5 hours in direct sunlight will convert enough energy for 68 hours of playtime. With that kind of efficiency, you might never need to plug in the REFLECT Eternal at all, though a USB-C cable is included.

Other specs include 40mm drivers, voice assistant compatibility, and an IPX4 ‘splashproof’ rating.

Welcome to the Future

While still in the prototyping stage, the JBL REFLECT has already achieved it’s early crowdfunding goals, and is set to ship production units in October of 2020.

It’s only a matter of time before solar charging becomes the universal standard. Leave it to the Scandinavians to pave the way for the rest of us.

The $75 early bird special has sold out, but you can still hop on board for $99 and $129. Retail is looking like $165, and you can choose between Red and Green.

Pick ’em up on the IndieGogo page.

JBL REFLECT Eternal

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