Relaible Jabra Elite Sport Affordable Earbuds review | Mobile Accessories

Jabra has created great sounding wireless earbuds with fitness in mind. Find out more in our Jabra Elite Sport review.

 

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Should I buy the Jabra Elite Sport?

The Jabra Elite Sport are fairly pricey but you get a lot for your money thanks to additional fitness features. Accurate heart rate monitoring and clever tracking combine to make these great for running and working out. Sound quality is decent, too, but if you’re not going to use the sporty features then look elsewhere

Price when reviewed

Jabra Elite Sport Buy From Amazon 

Jabra Elite Sport full review

As the demand for wireless headphones increases, so does the popularity of wireless earbuds. Some are made especially for fitness and this pair even has a heart rate monitor. Here’s our Jabra Elite Sport review.
The firm is claiming these headphones are ‘the most technically advanced true wireless sport earbuds’. That’s fairly specific and the word ‘true’ in the area of the market means there are no wires whatsoever.

Jabra Elite Sport: Price

You’re not going to get technically advanced headphones for cheap and the Jabra Elite Sport are £229.
It’s a lot considering rivals from the likes of Sony and Jaybird are cheaper, but you don’t get things like the heart rate monitoring and other features.

Jabra Elite Sport: Design and build

The Elite Sport earbuds are fairly chunky but not too heavy. The size is only really an issue if you have quite small ears.
Everyone has very different ears in terms of size and shape and wireless earbuds require a really good fit so they not only stay in place but also sound good.
At first we couldn’t get them to fit very well but Jabra supplies the Elite Sport earbuds with six different pairs of tips (half silicon and half foam) and three sets of wings. That’s plenty of combinations so you should be able to find the right formula.
Being built for sport, the headphones have an IP67 rating so they’re dust and waterproof up to one meter so you don’t need to worry about them too much. It also means you can give them a wipe or wash. If you register them, you get a three year warranty against sweat damage.
Each earbud has two buttons with the left for volume and skip track and the right for other things like play/pause and toggling the Hear Through mode we’ll explain below.

That’s a really good amount of control but pushing the buttons can easily ram the earbud into your ear canal which is painful. We’ve found it better to grip the earbud then push the button.
The Elite Sport earbuds are available in two colours: Black or Lime Green Grey with the wings being green.

Jabra Elite Sport: Sound quality and features

As well as being wireless headphones, Jabra has added a bunch of sporty features so make the suitable for fitness and sporting activities. That’s partly why you’re paying the price for these headphones.

With a clinical grade heart rate monitor and TrackFit motion counting sensor (tri-axis accelerometer) there’s plenty you can do with these headphones. Via the Jabra Sport app you can track runs but also do other workouts such as cross-training. You can use other apps like Strava if you want to, though.
The Jabra Coach will talk to you in real-time (if you want) and you get tonnes of data and feedback so you can improve. You can track all kinds of things including speed, distance, pace, steps, cadence, calories, heart rate, heart rate zone and VO2 max estimation.

There’s plenty for fitness enthusiasts to get stuck into here and the heart rate monitor is very accurate.

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When you’re out for a run or just using the headphones normally it’s not always the best thing to be cut off from the world. The Hear Through feature means you can hear what’s going on around you without taking an earbud out.

Microphones on the outside of the earbud mean the Elite Sport can play you whatever you would be hearing if the headphones weren’t in. This means you’ll be more aware of dangers when out and about or have a conversation without any hassle. The microphones are also used for hands-free phone calls.

In terms of battery life, the Jabra Elite Sport will last up to four and half hours on a single charge. That’s with or without activity tracking and the compact charging case will charge the headphones twice giving you a total of 13 and a half hours.
Last but not least is sound quality. All of the above would be fairly pointless if these headphones sounded rubbish.

Gladly that’s not the case and we’re pretty impressed with the sound quality of the Jabra Elite Sport. There’s no driver size listed but the firm describes them as ‘bespoke bass-enriched speakers’ and they have a frequency response of 20-20,000Hz matching the human hearing range.
When you get a nice fit, the earbuds sound generally really good. The bass is rich but nicely controlled so doesn’t drown everything out. Mid-range is perfectly good but it’s the top-end that’s particularly impressive.

The headphones are very bright and detailed which overall sounds good. Some tracks can end up being more top-end than mid so lose vocals resulting is a slightly harsh sound but this doesn’t happen too often.

Relaible Optoma NuForce BE Free5 Review: Affordable True Wireless Earbuds | Mobile Accessories

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Optoma's NuForce BE Free5 true wireless earbuds combine quality with a price that's hard to beat

Optoma offers a wide range of audio-based solutions, including a number of different headphone product lines. The NuForce BE Free range focuses on offering the greatest levels of freedom possible through the use of a true wireless design, and recently the company made available its latest addition to this line, the NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds. These earbuds are now available to buy and cost $99 in the US.

Specs & In the box

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The NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds feature 5.6mm graphene drivers along with a frequency response of 20Hz – 20kHz, a sensitivity of 95dB ± 3dB, and support for AAC on devices running a minimum of Android 8.0 (Oreo). In addition, the BE Free5 are rated as IPX5 for protection against water - which makes them resistant to light water encounters including rain and sweat, but not designed for submersion in water. With these being wireless headphones they are reliant on Bluetooth (version 4.2) to establish a connection, as well as a battery rated at 55 mAh per earbud along with a charging case rated at 500 mAh. The combination of both earbud and case mAh capacities is listed to result in up to 16 hours of usage.

The unboxing experience is fairly generic, and in addition to the NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds, buyers can expect to find a microUSB charge cable, a charging/carry case, as well as a selection of SpinFit ear tips and the usual paperwork.

Hardware & Design

The NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds were first announced in May and follow on from the NuForce BE Free8 option. As a result they do not differ massively from the BE Free8 in overall design, but instead adopt a few minor changes. This is important to note as these earbuds have arrived to market at a cheaper price than the previous model and are largely considered to be more of an entry-level option, in spite of this they still offer a very similar design and build quality. With these being true wireless earbuds, in the most basic sense they are simply small black (there is also a blue option) buds with the most obvious change taking place in the outer-facing part of each earbud. As while the BE Free8 sported small ridges on the outside panel, the BE Free5 do not, instead opting for a more refined and elegant look while still adopting a similar mirror-like quality that is even more apparent when the light hits them.

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This particular change is worth paying closer attention to as it’s not just cosmetic. The BE Free8 ridges did not do anything other than add a tactile quality to the buds with users having to rely on a very small button to activate and interact with the earbuds. In contrast, this new plate is effectively one big button which marks a huge improvement in design, as the earbuds are now far easier to use with wearers able to push against any part of the back plate to engage the earbuds. Although it could be argued the force needed to press and activate each earbud is a little excessive, resulting in the wearer pushing the earbuds a little hard against the ear each time.

The design of the new model means the main bulk of the earbud body is a little bigger than its predecessor while the actual ear tip is a little smaller, which brings us to the actual fit. Due to the design in use here, these are comfortable earbuds which straight out of the box fitted well in the ear and remained securely in place, and even during more vigorous head movements. Your miles will vary on this point due to the shape and size of ears, but the company does include enough ear tip options to hopefully ensure everyone does find the right fit for their ear. Individual differences aside, the general design, shape, and size, does lend itself well to a comfortable and secure fit.

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Another notable change compared to the BE Free8 is the carry/charging case. The previous model came with a very large case and certainly far larger than what was needed to accommodate the earbuds. Optoma has greatly refined the case with this model and so it's not only much smaller, more compact, and easy to transport, but also better looking due to the use of a sand-blasted finish. This is all while maintaining a build quality suitable enough to keep the earbuds protected when not in use. Optoma has also added a magnetic element to the case so when the user is putting the earbuds in the case, they are pulled in and this helps to keep the buds securely in position. For example, you can literally turn the carry case upside down while open and the buds will remain in place. As the case is a charger, and the slots the charge points, this design also means the connection made between the case and earbuds is more solid and reliable than what was offered with the previous model - and similar products for that matter.

One criticism of the design of the carry/charging case is when the earbuds are in the case and charging, the case does not provide any visual indication of the current charging state. In other words, there’s no way to know if the earbuds are fully charged when the case is closed. Instead, users do have to physically open the case before any of the color-based indicators respond, or alternatively keep the case open while charging. As the case does include lights denoting battery status (they respond when the lid is open) it would have been good for these lights to also respond when the lid was closed to offset against this issue. This also goes for the charge level of the case itself, with users needing to open the case each time to see if the battery is full, running low, or almost out. Another criticism is the use of a microUSB port on the back, with this more likely to be an issue for those who have changed over to USB Type-C for all their other devices.

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Overall, while the price suggests these are more of an affordable version of the BE Free8, you would not necessarily know that from the design. If, anything, the design changes in use here add to the product overall and do feel like an improvement when compared to the BE Free8. Therefore, you are in effect getting a better-designed product at a more affordable price - which is hard to argue with.

Sound Quality & Performance

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As a rule - for $100 you would expect decent sound quality on a pair of headphones. However, when those same headphones adopt a true wireless design then you might expect the sound to be where they compromise. That’s not quite the case with the BE Free5 which offer a nice and pleasant output overall. To be clear, there are better quality headphones available, and in particular the vocals feel a little rough around the edges. However, the range in general is fairly well accounted for and especially at the lower end. For example, the bass is good when considering the size of the drivers, and the lower-mids come through very well. In some cases, however, a little too well which is where the vocal roughness comes in with some artists sounding a little deeper than they naturally should. Therefore, it’s that proper mid area where the sound loses a little in quality by hedging its bets too much on the lower end of the mid spectrum. This is not to say the mids quality is bad, as it's not and you can hear vocals cleanly and clearly (they are not squeezed), it's just that they sound a little deeper than they should. Tops, on the other hand, come through fairly clearly, and not to a point where they are piercing, but enough for them to be discernible and helping to balance out the lower end emphasis.

Overall, and especially when considering the complete package and what you are getting here for under $100, these earbuds do provide a solid and full sound. The point on the vocals is not necessarily something which should deter away from the value, as although it was noted during the review, this is a small compromise compared to how lacking the sound could be if the earbuds were less competent on the bass or treble ends. There is always likely to be a give with a product like this, and priced at this level, and with the BE Free5 it happens to be the mids and in a way which seems to impact more on vocals.

Performance is less of a smooth ride unfortunately due to what is a needed learning curve. This is the result of the way in which the controls operate. Basically, users will have to be very precise when it comes to timing to ensure the earbuds do what the wearer wants them to do, as well as remembering the correct combination of 'side and time' for each action. To decrease the volume the user must press the left earbud for approximately two seconds. To increase the volume, the right earbud for two seconds. What complicates this is the two-second thing really matters as pressing them for slightly less ends up pausing the music and any longer shuts the earbuds down completely. To be clear, Optoma states you have to hold either side for four seconds before the earbuds shut down, but the issue becomes more apparent when trying to avoid pausing a song when attempting to adjust the volume. This intentional bid to avoid pausing almost always results in the wearer overcompensating on how long either side is pressed for - typically resulting in the earbuds shutting down. To makes things worse, while holding down one side for four seconds shuts down both earphones, turning one earbud on does not turn both on. So each time this situation occurred, it became quite time-consuming to turn both sides back on individually and wait the few seconds from them to pair again and start playing. All just to find yourself in the same situation to begin with - in need of adjusting the volume.

Adding to the confusing combinations is double-pressing, as this also results in a different action on each earbud. For example, double-pressing the left earbud skips to the next track (there is no option to skip back) and the right earbud initiates Google Assistant (or Siri). So overall, the use of actions on the BE Free5 just feels a little convoluted. Yes, you will eventually get used to how long (and how hard to press), but in reality, users should not have to ‘get used’ to doing this so much. The actions should be more intuitive and natural than they currently are.

Battery Life & Connectivity

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As is always the case with true wireless earbuds, there's the issue of battery life to contend with. While this sort of product offers the greatest experience in terms of freedom, it does typically come at the cost of battery life and the NuForce BE Free 5 are no different with the company suggesting each earbud’s 55 mAh capacity battery is capable of delivering four hours of continuous playback. To pad out what is effectively a very limited level of standalone battery life, the BE Free5 do come with a carry case that doubles as a portable charger thanks to the inclusion of a 500 mAh capacity battery. As a result, the case is said to be able to provide three full battery refills which effectively equates to an additional 12 hours of usage, bringing the suggested overall total up to sixteen hours - bud battery + case battery. This makes the NuForce BE Free5 largely identical to the BE Free8 which also offered fours hours of standalone usage and sixteen hours in total when the carry case was taken into consideration. It’s worth noting though that users should not necessarily rely on that sixteen-hour marker, as it’s very unlikely the average user will use these earbuds to full depletion, then charge to full, then rinse and repeat until the case's battery has fully discharged. Instead, most average use cases will see the carry case continually keeping the earbuds topped up after each use. The sixteen hours therefore should only be interpreted as a guide on how much you could get out of the earbuds if used in a very specific way.

In testing, the four-hour marker was found to be not so realistic with the earbuds more commonly starting to fizzle out after only three hours. It's worth noting the earbuds were tested playing audio continuously, and at the loudest possible volume. Therefore, it could be the case that as and when the volume is set to a lower level the earbuds last longer, although based on the testing it would seem unlikely they will reach the full four hours consistently. To add to this, the BE Free5 are also said to be able to deliver an hour’s worth of additional playback after a quick fifteen minute charge, but again during testing the outer limit of the suggested range could never be reached with the earbuds typically only offering thirty minutes of usage after fifteen minutes of charging - again, this was based on playback at the highest possible volume setting and so may vary somewhat at a lower volume setting.

In contrast to the playback times, Optoma is fairly spot on when it comes to charge times, as the company suggests the earbuds are capable of gaining a full charge from the carry case in about one hour and thirty minutes. This was found to be a conservative measurement and the absolute longest you should expect to wait with one hour and 15 minutes typically enough in most instances. Likewise, the case itself usually took ninety minutes to reach a full charge after depletion, and this was again very much in line with what the company suggests. So while the earbuds were not found to last quite as long as claimed, the rate of charging was quicker than expected which should mean users will never have to wait that long, regardless of how long the earbuds last.

Generally speaking, there were no major issues with connectivity due to the BE Free5 providing a good and reliable experience overall. However, there were a couple of minor issues that are worth being aware of. The first is the connection range. These earbuds are powered by Bluetooth version 4.2 and as a result should be capable of connecting to a device from as far as ten meters away. The short answer is, they can. The slightly longer answer is they become far more unreliable towards the end of that range. While that should be somewhat expected considering that is the limit of their range, they are more unreliable than other headsets that are equally limited. So while they can connect from about ten meters away, they don't reliably at all. The more common issue buyers will experience, however, are signal drop-offs. This is a system which relies on only the right earbud connecting to the playback device. This is a common design in true wireless earbuds and results in the left earbud becoming the weak point in the chain, and more subject to losing a connection with both the right earbud and the playback device - as is the case with the BE Free5. On a positive note though, the left earbud is extremely fast at reconnecting (not always the case with other headsets which suffer in the same respect) and so the downtime is minimal, and to a point where by the time you have realized the left earbud has dropped out, it has reconnected again.

Wrap up

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Price alone makes these an option worth considering, and especially for those looking to migrate to a true wireless listening experience for the first time. Yes, there are some minor issue to be aware of, and yes, you can find better options at a higher price. However, if you are looking for a fairly decent option that won’t cost too much, when all things are considered, these earphones perform better than a number of competing options at the same price, as well as some that are more expensive, including the company's own BE Free8. In short, the BE Free5 offer complete freedom from wires, a decent sound overall, the option to keep the battery topped up when away from home, and a comfortable in-ear fit. All for under $100. 

Optoma NuForce BE Free5 Check It Out On Amazon

The Relaible Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless Earbuds Review | Mobile Accessories

Pros - True Wireless, TOTL sound quality

Cons - Battery(maybe),Charging case bulk

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 

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 Momentum True Wireless (MTW)

Sennheiser MTW- Sennheiser Direct link

Check It Out On Amazon

A Little Technical Stuff:

• Dimensions 78.6 x 45 x 35 mm (charging case)
• Microphone MEMS
• Bluetooth Version Bluetooth 5.0 compliant, class 1
• Supported Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, HSP, HFP
• THD, total harmonic distortion <0,08% (1kHz / 94dB)
• Ear coupling Ear Canal
• Weight 69.8 g (earbuds and charging case), 13.2 g (both earbuds), 56.6 g (charging case)
• Charging time Approx. 1.5 hrs
• Microphone sensitivity 94 dB SPL at 1 kHz
• Operating temperature 0 to +40°C
• Power supply 5 V, 650 mA: USB charging via USB-C socket at charging case
• Battery Specification Built-in Lithium rechargeable battery
• Frequency range 5 Hz to 21 kHz (earbuds)
• 100 Hz to 10 kHz (microphone)
• Sensitivity 107 dB SPL (1 kHz / 1 mW)
• Speaker type Dynamic
• Operating relative humidity 10 to 80%, non-condensing
• Battery time Up to 4 hrs (A2DP) with rechargeable batteries of the earbuds, Up to 12 hrs with rechargeable battery of the charging case
• Water Protection Code IPX4, splash resistant (earbuds)
• Type of Codec SBC, aptX™, aptX™ Low Latency, AAC

-MRSP: Universal fit/BT Wireless USD 288

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 The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless, henceforth dubbed MTW, hit my doorstep around a month ago. I have dabbled in the wireless arena with V-Moda and the Forza Metallo and the Crossfade 2 Wireless and the Senn Momentum 2 Wireless. The Metallo is a neckband type earphone, and the Crossfade 2 and Momentum 2 Wireless are over-ear headphones. It is my first foray into a True Wireless solution. I have read about a few True Wireless offerings in the market, and many other options give the listener the same features as the MTW, but an array of different results in connectivity and battery life. The one recurring theme with the MTW was that it had the best sound quality available in the True Wireless market when listening to your music. I wasted zero time in going straight to the top of the True Wireless royalty. Thus, I am reviewing the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless.

I have owned quite a few Sennheiser products over the years. I enjoy their products from the stylistic design to the sound quality they offer. Sennheiser has been able to cross between the audiophile market and general consumer market successfully. I have recommended the Momentum 2 Wireless headphones to many people looking for a full over-ear wireless solution. The M2W was my go-to wireless headphone for quite a while. Since the MTW and the M2W have the name Momentum in common, I was interested to know if there were any other parallels.

One other point is that these are currently the TOTL in the True Wireless realm at USD 288. I know that many of my readers are just starting down the rabbit hole and have tried neckband wireless monitors or AirPods and that at the $288 asking price these constitute a significant investment. In the end, you have to decide what direction you want to go with your gear. In my time with the MTW, they have endured many dog walks and much time at the gym. I found them to be a superb on the go option. One difference between you and I may be the fact that most of my listening is in short sessions. My career does not allow me to listen at a desk, nor do I have a long commute that doesn’t involve me driving my car, in which I can’t use earphones while operating a motor vehicle. The reason I point this out is that I always have the luxury of a charger nearby. The MTW would quickly become my standard hit the road gear, along with my keys, eyeglasses, and wallet, if my lifestyle were more commute oriented. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any vacation or air travel planned during my time with the MTW, but I can undoubtedly say these would be a must-have travel companion. On the go, top tier wireless sound quality, what’s not to like.

A Little Marketing Hype:

MOMENTUM True Wireless

A new dimension in wearable sound
Uncompromised sound performance, state-of-the-art technology, and refined design all come together in Sennheiser’s True Wireless premium earbuds.

Discover a new way of listening

Make the music you love sound even better, whenever you want, wherever you are. These attractive earbuds, with Sennheiser’s audiophile driver technology, guarantee superior stereo sound performance at all times. Thanks to advanced Qualcomm apt-X Low Latency compatibility, you can experience media with perfectly lip-synced audio, whilst 2-mic noise cancellation beamforming technology and Transparent Hearing allows you to always be aware of your surroundings, with or without your music playing.

Experience long lasting comfort

Comfortably carry your music with you all day. These lightweight, splash resistant ear adapter come in 4 different ear tip sizes, ergonomically designed for the perfect fit. Just connect them and use the intuitive touch interface to control your music, answer phone calls or access your voice assistant with a single tap or swipe.

Appreciate timeless elegance

Enjoy excellent craftsmanship. Attention to detail and a strong sense of aesthetic make these small, shiny, lightweight earbuds one part listening instrument, one-part ready-to-wear accessory. With premium black housing, polished metallic spin ring and gold-plated charging pins, function meets fashion in iconic design. A handy and compact charging case allows you to extend 4 hours of battery life to 12, so you can enjoy all day use, for years to come.

Personalize your experience

Listen to your music the way you want with Sennheiser Smart Control, the next generation companion app. This free dedicated app for iOS and Android provides an effortless way to control, personalize, update and configure your headphone, headset or soundbar.

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WHAT’S IN THE BOX:

• MOMENTUM True Wireless earbuds
• Silicone ear adapter sets (in size (XS/S/M/L)
• Charging case
• USB-C charging cable 20 cm
• Manuals (Safety Guide & Quick Guide)

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 Unboxing and Accessories: 

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 The MTW comes in a small box with only a top and a bottom. No fancy sleeves, no 21-gun salute. The box top has the Sennheiser name and logo in black font, with the logo in the upper left corner and the brand name in the upper right corner. Immediately below that is the word Momentum (in silver), and the words True Wireless below that in a light blue. There is a photo of the charging case and the earbuds below the wording. At the bottom of the front, there are four icons, representing music and calls, touch control, voice assistant access, and battery life and charging case. On the right side of the box, top shows the Sennheiser original label and QPR, to verify they are genuine, as well as the words Bluetooth, AAC, Qualcomm apt X, and Qualcomm apt-X low latency. The left side of the box top shows you where you can download the Sennheiser Smart Control App. The bottom box shows the four previous icons, plus displays that they are Bluetooth 5.0 compliant.

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Upon removing the box top, you are staring at the charging case and both the L and R earbuds cradled in a foam cutout. There is also a tiny information sheet that explains you need to plug in the USB-C cable to wake up and charge the earbuds. Under the foam cutout is a white box which includes all of the accessories and paperwork that comes as a pack-in with your purchase. I will include some photos of what you receive as a pack-in since my description of the box top was exhausting.

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Build and Design:

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 The design is top notch, as I have grown to expect from Sennheiser. There is nothing flashy about the design itself, but if you are familiar with Sennheiser, I would say it falls in line with the brand in general. The shells of the monitors are all black plastic with a silver faceplate emblazoned with the Sennheiser logo.

With regards to the build quality, the earbuds are plastic, and while they do not feel fragile nor does the plastic feel low-grade, I was cautious with the $300 earbud. In my mind, you cannot be sure how many drops the plastic shell could withstand. I am super careful with all of my stuff, but as we all know accidents do happen.

 

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The stem(nozzle) of the earbud is very short and has a tiny catch lip for the ear tips to stay in place. I was fortunate that the large stock ear tips fit me perfectly, so I didn’t try any of my usual go-to tips. The fact that the tips seem proprietary is an issue that Sennheiser should overcome. I have many ear tips in my collection and some that I swear by when using my IEM’s. I would have liked to use my go-to tips, but I could imagine that the shallow nozzle would be a challenge. It does appear that Comply tips would work as they can grip a nozzle, but I wouldn't say I like using foam ear tips, not to mention that the overall signature of the MTW is warm and foam tips exacerbate the warmth and can detract from some of the treble extension.

It is nice to have only the earbud in your ear and nothing more around your neck, thus True Wireless. After using a neckband type of wireless headset, I was pleased with the design of the MTW. They are super lightweight and just a quick insertion in your ear and a little twist, locks them in place reasonably well. Again, your ear shape and finding the correct seal will have everything to do with the level of comfort that you achieve and how well they stay put once inserted.

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Sennheiser has added sweat and water resistance, IPX 4, to protect the buds from your workout sessions at the gym or any water you may come in contact. They are not waterproof; they are merely resistant, but I found that they stood up to the test at workouts at the gym. I would say swimming and showering, no, but for the gym they are excellent.

The charging case also has a beautiful design, and I like the aesthetics of the cloth covering on the case, reminiscent of some cellphone cases I have used in the past. I think it is a fresh design. The case is not substantial, in size, when sitting on a desk or tabletop, but I felt its bulk when it is in my shorts or pant pockets. It would be fine in a backpack or a jacket pocket, but it was a bit too much in my pant pockets. Size has to be a consideration since you will need and want to carry the charging case with you. There is a small LED light on the rear of the charging case that indicates the level of charge in the case, green for over 50 percent, yellow for less than 50 percent and red for empty. It is a nice touch to let you know where you stand with your charge at a glance of the case.

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The MTW has a quoted battery life of 12 hours (including case charges), and as previously stated I am never that far from a charging cable. I ran them out of charge one time, and it appeared to be around 3:30-3:45 hours of use, but I always find myself almost maxing out the volume when listening to the MTW, so I am confident that has an impact on how much battery life I received. You can use your charging case to give you two extra charges so I would assume you would have 10-11 hours of total charge at your disposal.

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One design key is the fact the there is no on/off switch on the earbuds and waking them up is achieved by removing them from the charging case, then they are ready to function. Powering down is accomplished by cradling them in the charger. I am not sure there is a need for a formal on/off switch, but it could be an added feature on future models. Once you remove one, or both, from your ear, the music stops automatically, but I always immediately trickle charged them in the case, upon removal from my ear, because I was never quite sure if pulling them out of my ears and setting them on a table would slowly discharge them.

Connection

The MTW utilizes Bluetooth 5.0, which works for me fortunately since every handset I have is Bluetooth 5.0 compliant. I had zero issues pairing and connecting with any of the handsets I own. The connections were quick and stable. I also found that using the Sennheiser Smart Control app helped with the pairing and as well you could verify the remaining battery in the app. The app also updates the firmware of the MTW. I received a firmware update during my review time and am now on 1.25.0; I like the changes it brought. More on the app later.

I found the wireless range to be exceptional. I could leave my phone charging on my desk in the office and walk anywhere around my apartment without a cutout or hitch. I cannot complain about this at all, as in the past with my wireless gear would start to fade from my office to the kitchen, and how inconvenient that is when you need to refresh your adult beverage. These easily allowed for 30 feet, which was the Bluetooth 4.2 standard, and then some.

The call quality is outstanding. On my calls I never once had the person on the receiving end ask if I was using a headset. The sound of the calls is full and not tinny or robotic sounding in the least. The microphones did an excellent job of cutting noise, including wind. I don’t recall ever using them in a strong wind, which can challenge even the most adept wireless mics, but in breezy conditions, no problem.

The MTW supports apt-X, and if I am not mistaken, they are the first to support low-latency apt-X as well. Low-latency reduces delay and improves the end-to-end speed of the audio transmission, resulting in high quality, synchronized user experience. This enhancement is incredibly useful for watching movies and sporting events without lag or synchronization issues in the audio. Bear in mind, that the apt-X and apt-X low-latency are codecs found in Android not iPhone and you iPhone users will have to utilize AAC or SBC.

Controls

One area I am just lukewarm with on the MTW is the touch controls. It took me quite a while to master the controls as I felt they are really sensitive to the touch. Sometimes I thought I was doing the right thing and would end up pausing the music or performing some other unwanted function. The good news is, with time, I became proficient in controlling the MTW.

The MTW operates as the Left side Master and the Right-side Slave. The left side will perform most of the controls for your music. One tap on the Left side will play and or pause. Two taps move forward to the next track, and three taps move backward in the tracks.

Touching the Left and the Right together for 5 seconds will enter pairing mode although I found it easier to use the Smart Control App for pairing.

The Right side controls your phone calls. The Right side will also allow you to access Siri or Google if you want to access your Digital Assistant. If a call is incoming one tap will answer, and if you're going to end the call, one tap will do that as well. If you would like to reject an incoming call, two taps will complete that task.

Volume control is another area that I had a difficult time mastering out of the box. Again, with time, I had zero issues. The Left earbud lowers the volume with a long press, and the Right earbud raises the volume with a long press. I would have to make a conscious effort to think about what function I wished to perform. One tap, two taps, long press, Left side, and Right side can be difficult for someone that struggles with walking and chewing gum at the same time.

There are a few voice prompts that you may hear such as when you hold the Left and Right for 5 seconds to enter pairing mode, you will listen to a soft female voice state “Pairing,” and when you remove your buds and put them in your ear you will hear “Power On-Connected.”

Sennheiser Smart Control App

Sennheiser Smart Control App Image 1

 I chose to pair the MTW through the Smart Control App. I also utilized it for the firmware update and to check battery status. Before the 1.25.0 firmware update, you could see the battery remaining for the Left and Right buds independently. After the update, it only shows one battery remaining notification. The new display makes more sense to me; I was never sure why it would show both sides independently because you are going to charge both when they need a charge.

 
 

Sennheiser Smart Control App Image 2

Sennheiser Smart Control App Image 3

Sennheiser Smart Control App Image 4

Sennheiser Smart Control App Image 5

If you are a person that likes to EQ their music, EQ’ing is completed through the app. There are not any presets to choose, and there is no ten channel EQ. Instead, Sennheiser decided to have a “dot” that you can touch and slide anywhere you would like to adjust the sound. I preferred the flat sound, in the dead center of the EQ.

Sennheiser Smart Control App Image 6

Sennheiser Smart Control App Image 7

From the app, you can also control the Transparency Mode which allows you to hear ambient sounds without interfering with the sound quality that you are enjoying. I found the feature to work very well, but it is not a feature I needed for my daily usage. The isolation for me is very good so I could understand that the practical use of the Transparency Mode in many commuter situations and I am confident the majority of folks will leave it on.

Review Setup:

My review was written utilizing the Samsung S10 +, streaming Tidal Hi-Fi and Masters as well as Qobuz Hi-Rez.

Moving on to the sound section….

I have to preface the sound section by saying that this is a really good sound for a wireless earbud. Those of you that follow my reviews know that I review many mid-tier and TOTL IEM wired offerings. I am not comparing the MTW to any level of wired IEM’s at the $300 price point or otherwise; I am strictly reviewing these on their sound merit. One other point as mentioned above is that I am listening to these with a flat EQ. That would enable me to evaluate these without any lift in treble or drop in the bass.

To my ears, it is pretty amazing that the MTW has a similar house wireless sound, as I recall, from my extended time with the Momentum 2 Wireless. The smoothness of the Senn mids and bass is ever present in the MTW. It is Deja vu for me, and I feel right at home with the Sennheiser MTW and its sound. I have, for the most part, always loved the silky tone of the Sennheiser offerings, I have tried, wired or wireless.

The bass is solid and deep with a proper seal. Powering the bass are 7mm drivers which are tuned to assist in creating isolation from the outside. The bass isn’t the most transparent and detailed that I have heard, but it is awe-inspiring for a wireless earbud. The depth is impressive, and to my ears, the bass and lower mids create a full rich and deep signature. It is not bloomy and muffled but does not have transient bass layers; it is more the type of bass that is warm, inviting and mood setting and provides a thump to the bass frequencies. Impressive for a wireless earbud and very reminiscent in the bass of the full sized M2W headphones from Sennheiser.

The mids are smooth and flowing and again are set on flat EQ. With the EQ you could easily create a “U” shape, or you could push the mids front and center. The lower mids support the bass frequencies to round out the fullness of the signature. On some of the vocal tracks, I found the vocals to be a bit far back for my taste, but again you may be able to adjust this to your liking. The upper register of the mids has clarity and detail but in that creamy Sennheiser way of reproducing mid-range. Many times, I have found that on graphs the Senns will have a dip in the upper mids, and while I hear a slight pullback, it is what creates that smooth, silky Sennheiser mid-range tone. I am not bothered by anything I hear in the bass or the mids, but of course YMMV.

The treble has an average extension. There is never a time that I have felt that the treble was harsh or abusive. The lower treble shows detail, but the upper treble is what creates the hint of liveliness. I will say that in my brief exposure to wireless headsets I have been impressed at both ends of the spectrum with the MTW. If the treble had just a touch more sparkle in the mid to upper ranges, it would probably allow for more details to shine through and thus minimizing the overall bassy feel that can be apparent. All in all the treble has enough air to almost create balance in the MTW. I think it is important to note that warm, bassier signatures generate a level of isolation that works so well for a daily commute or for environments that you are more than likely going to use a True Wireless earbud.

The soundstage is average and rectangular with there being more width than depth. In some of my music, I was impressed with the level of stereo separation.

Sennheiser Momentum Earbuds Image 16

You might want to own this IEM if:

+ You want a true wireless solution

+ You prefer a smooth, balanced, non-offensive signature

+ Top tier sound amongst other wireless options

+ You crave a comfortable fit and the best on the go sound available

+ Price is not a consideration

In Closing

The $300 price tag can be a bit imposing. One must put this into perspective. I have a feeling in the true wireless realm the consumer could buy and return many items before finding the proper blend of features and sound quality. I went straight to the top of the food chain in True Wireless with the MTW.

It is a sound quality that is reminiscent of the Sennheiser Momentum 2 Wireless full-sized headphones I owned and adored for many years. Impressive indeed! The call quality is reliable as is the connectivity to the Bluetooth 5.0.

The Smart Control app assists in pairing the earbuds as well as allowing you to turn off/on the Transparency mode. Transparency Mode works incredibly well and will enable you to enjoy your tunes and still hear the ambient noises of your world.

For my use, the battery was sufficient, but you will need to asses your daily use and your individual needs. I am always close to a charging cable.

With apt-X Low latency, I observed zero issues with synchronization. iPhone users will need to use AAC and SBC. It is enjoyable not to be plagued with lag and synchronization issues. Watch your events and not be reminded of the Godzilla movies in days gone by, where lips and words don’t sync.

I do wish the controls were more straightforward and designed more for folks, such as myself, who would rather tap and not think about how many taps or which side I am tapping.

Without hesitation, these are at the top of a very short list of True Wireless gear in which I have an interest. Personally, If it required me to save my money a bit longer, for top-tier sound quality I would make that sacrifice for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless.

Grado GW100 Review: Wireless Headphone My Dream | Mobile Accessories

After years of speculation about whether it would ever happen, Grado Labs’ first wireless headphone, the GW100, is finally here. Even if they’re using the same Bluetooth tech used by big box brands you might be more familiar with, they’re unlike any other wireless headphone I’ve ever used.

HEADPHONE  GRADO

Grado Labs GW100

What is it?

The first wireless headphones from a cult favorite.

Price

$250

Like

Great Grado sound, now wireless

No Like

Build-quality feels flimsy

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For a certain brand of nerd, Brooklyn-based Grado Labs inspires devotional loyalty. The 65-year-old family company has cultivated a following thanks to its distinctive aesthetics, stubborn commitment to its homegrown roots, and its uncompromising commitment to audio quality. And they’ve got a headphone everyone can afford: The audiophile brand offers great-sounding products as cheap as $80 and ranging all the way up to the thousands. Grado’s slow-moving style suggested to me that maybe the company would never go wireless.

But lo, after 18 months of development, the GW100 ($250) are real! John Grado, the company’s head honcho talks about making headphones in such deceptively simple terms, it sounds like almost anyone could design them. (“There’s a wire, a speaker, and a housing for the speaker.”) To me, that betrays why a full five years (at least) into the mainstream Bluetooth era, we’re only just getting our first Grado wireless cans. Grado has mastered the art of tuning simple headphones just right—why would you throw a wall of digital technology between the music source and the human?

In developing the wireless product, Grado and his team had to go through several rounds of tuning the digital technology to get precisely the sound he wanted—not too bassy, with the midrange the company is known for.

I’ve owned a pair of only the very cheapest Grados for a few years. They sound exceptionally good—better than many headphones that cost two or three times as much. You don’t put the headphones on so much as you are absorbed into them. They reproduce remarkably clear and detailed sound owing in part to their open-back design. By not sealing off the earcup, the driver moves more freely.

In using the GW100s over the last week, I’m reminded of that feeling of being fully immersed in music. One day I plowed through a stack of new records I wanted to listen to in a variety of genres. Cat Power’s delicate vocals on Wanderer were clear and humanly rendered. Meanwhile, the headphones dutifully handled High on Fire’s punishing thrash metal without flinching. My go-to song for checking out bass is “Auntie’s Lock/ Infinitum” by Flying Lotus; its oozy low-end synthesizer lines are devilish for audio products of all kinds. And though Grado prides himself at not having followed the crowds to products with exaggerated bass, the headphones push air down there and capture the nuance of the song’s bulbous tones.

I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that yes! The headphones sound good! Super good! To my decent ears as good as anything I’ve ever heard that doesn’t drive the price north of $400. Given the company’s pedigree, that’s not super surprising.

There are drawbacks, of course. In case it hasn’t come through yet, the GW100s are an incredibly barebones product and don’t provide any of the perks or conveniences of our very favorite wireless Bluetooth headphones like the Bose QuietComfort-35 II the Sony WH-1000XM3. There’s no noise reduction technology, no EQ modes, or companion app. Heck, you can’t even connect them to more than one source device at a time. If you want to switch from listening from your computer to your phone, you have to disconnect the headphones from your computer, turn off its Bluetooth, or go out of range to get the headphones to go into pairing mode again.

While the Bose and Sony headphones are clearly designed with the comfort and durability needs of frequent travelers in mind, the GW100s seem better suited for your desk or easy chair. The headphone’s design looks very similar to Grado’s affordable Prestige series headphones. (According to Grado, the GW100 isn’t based on any specific wired product. It’s a fresh design.) While it’s nice that the headphones have that iconic look, and they’re quite lightweight, the plastic and thin metal construction leaves me feeling nervous when I cram it in my backpack. Notably, the headphones did survive a five-foot fall from a gym locker with only a little scrape to the finish on the bolts attaching the earcups.

Another sticking point is the foam earpads that ship with the headphones. It’s cheap stuff that feels scratchy on your ears, and don’t stay attached. If you throw the headphones in your bag, be prepared to root around to fish out the earpad that’s fallen off. They are very lightweight, so I was able to wear them for a long time, and I didn’t mind the scratchiness too much.

One of the main downsides of open-back headphones is noise—you hear a lot of the outside world, and the sound of the headphones likewise leaks out. (Amusingly, Grado himself sees this as a feature, not a bug: “You make ice cream—ice cream melts.”) On this model, the company has done some clever engineering to reduce leakage without sacrificing the benefits of the open-back design. And it works. My old Grados would annoy my coworkers, and they can’t hear the GW100s.

The problem of sound from without hasn’t been fully resolved. I could still hear the idle rumble of an ice cream truck over heavy metal and the roar of a subway train rolling into Union Station made it hard to hear Nirvana.

The headphones did well walking around the city and though there were drop outs in big wide open spaces, as there usually are with Bluetooth headphones, it wasn’t so annoying I couldn’t use them.

Grado says that depending on how these headphones do (“We’re on pins and needles”) the company plans to add more products to its wireless line, including potentially some higher-end models. As of right now, the only plan he’ll disclose is for an in-ear model with noise reduction to be released next year.

So where does that leave us? If you’re the type of Grado consumer who is really into the company’s more affordable products, you’ll love these too. They hit every note, both in terms of sound and aesthetics, that fans have come to appreciate from the brand. That said, like all Grado products, they’re not for everyone: They’re finicky, uncomfortable, and don’t block outside sound well. But as someone who wondered whether the venerable Brooklyn audio brand would ever go without wires, I’m stoked they finally have.

README

• Sound delightful.
• Noise leakage has been significantly reduced compared to other Grados.
• Very lightweight, but also potentially not very durable.
• Earpads are scratchy and constantly pop off.

 Blog Author 

Director Of  Mobile Accessories Blog.

Review AKG N700NC wireless headphones | Mobile Accessories

ake a closer look at one of AKG’s latest wireless noise-cancelling headphones for music lovers on the go…
 
AKG is a company with a long and illustrious past, building some of the world’s best sounding equipment. The company made their roots in 1947 and released their first headphones in 1949. From there, the company went from strength to strength producing some legendary recording equipment and with a history spanning over 70 years, it’s not surprise that AKG have produced another pair of headphones that are sure to please.

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We are of course talking of the brand new AKG N700NC headphones. The headphones themselves come in high-quality, tactile packaging that hints at what lies beneath and sure enough, when you open the box for the first time you are greeted with a seriously premium looking set of headphones. Full aluminium headband sliders, smart aluminium details and extra comfy memory foam ear pads with leatherette coverings. There is a fair amount of plastic that finishes off the build. 

AKG have given the N700NC’s some pretty handy features when it comes to making them stand out in a very crowded market. The most notable is a “pass-through” feature for the noise cancellation which comes in very handy if you need to hear the outside world, such as hearing announcements or wanting to have a quick conversation with someone. Two further very useful additions called ‘Perfect calls feature’ and ‘TalkThru’ enable you to hear yourself much more clearly during phone calls, as well as your surroundings. This is done by providing an optimal balance between noise-cancelling and ambient awareness. Another nifty feature is the dedicated AKG headphones app, giving you total control over the headphones.

 Now onto the real reason you are reading this review… “How do they sound?!”, I hear you cry. The good news is they will satisfy your craving for extremely effective noise cancelling, blocking out a very large amount of the world around to you nicely isolate you in your own little bubble of music. Virtually spinning some tunes via Tidal first up is Ariana Grande’s smash hit “God is a woman”; this is a very demanding track and the N700NC’s on the whole handle the track well.

Most notable about the AKG’s sound is how tightly controlled the bass is, with the leading edges being well-timed and controlled. The only thing you are left wanting is the depth to really suck you into the track. The mid-range is prominent to say the least, coming across harshly at times during this track which is odd given AKG’s usual habit of having a refined balanced sound. The top end is a bit lacking, with the overriding feeling that there simply just isn’t enough of it! It’s almost as if it’s been rolled off purposefully as today’s music can often be overly bright and harsh to make up for the often poor listening devices used. However, this is easily remedied with some gentle EQ work.

All of this shouldn’t put you off however, as switching to a track that is completely pared down in the form of Demi Lovato’s “Sober” and suddenly some of the N700NC’s talents shine through. That boosted mid-range brings Demi’s voice front and centre in what is a very emotional track, you really feel and hear every word.

To summarise, N700NC have lots of likeable traits and their slick design, solid performance and portability certainly will please a lot of listeners so you should pop by your local Richer Sounds for a listen and find out for yourself!