Review Beoplay E8 2.0 true wireless buds from Bang & Olufsen have a feature that Apple Airpods still lacks

Hopefully wireless charging, true wireless buds will also be less buggy than before, as well as even more premium

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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 2.0 True Wireless Earphones Qi Charging, Black - 1646100

It's in our list of the best true wireless earbuds but Bang & Olufsen's Beoplay E8 was quite annoying to use due to various software and connectivity 'quirks'. I was so enraged that my head nearly exploded, but then I'm an irritable guy. On the other hand, they sounded notably better than Apple AirPods 

Bang & Olufsen Wireless Earbuds Image 1

However, now there is a BeoPlay E8 2.0 with wireless charging case. Hopefully as well as adding wireless charging, these will keep the sonic classiness of the E8 1.0 and terminate with extreme prejudice the connectivity issues and deeply annoying software upgrade process that dogged version 1. Technological progress is marvellous, isn't it?

IMPORTANT UPDATE Yes, that wireless charging case does appear to be made of human flesh but that's okay; it isn't really. You can also get these buds in Black, Indigo Blue and Limestone, in addition to the colour above, which B&O is calling 'It Puts The Lotion On Its Skin'.

• Best AirPod alternatives
• Best Bluetooth headphones
• Best running headphones

The big news here, apart from the use of skin, is that Beoplay E8 2.0 are not just true wireless headphones but true wirelessly-charging true wireless headphones. They keep the total convenience and great sound of the original but allow you to charge on any wireless (Qi) charging pad. 
Although there isn't a wireless charging pad provided with the E8 2.0, you can use any one you have lying around already, or you can buy Bang & Olufsen's official pad, at a 'retail price yet to be disclosed' (!)  
If you don't want to recharge wirelessly, don't worry; there's also a USB-C input.
Responding to other complaints from their punters, B&O has also upgraded the E8's leather charging case 'with a new, more exclusive form factor' (!)

Bang & Olufsen Wireless Earbuds Image 2

 BeoPlay E8 gives you 4 hours of music, then the case can charge it for a further 12 hours

The E8's battery life is 4 hours, and the wireless charging case holds 'three full charges' so you can go through 16 hours of play time before you need to recharge the case (the original could only muster 12 hours). LED lights indicate both how well charged the buds are, and how many more times the case can juice them up.

Another highly important improvement is that on the inside of the charging case, 'the earphones are now surrounded by a beautiful inlay of brushed single or double anodised aluminium depending on colour.'

The charging pad, whose retail price cannot yet be revealed, is lavishly hand-tooled by artisans in brushed aluminium and leather, 'designed to last and to age beautifully' and supports both regular (5 Watt) charging and fast charging (10 Watts).

 If you bought version 1 of the E8 you'll be glad to know that you can upgrade to wireless charging, simply by giving Bang & Olufsen £200 (!) for the official wireless charging case.

Bang & Olufsen Wireless Earbuds Image 3

If you don't want to charge wirelessly you can USB-C

Here's what B&O has to say about the sound: 

'Just like the original Beoplay E8, the new earphones come tuned by Bang & Olufsen’s acclaimed sound engineers for a rich, full-bodied and precise soundstage that will leave your ears wanting more. Each earpiece has a 5.7mm dynamic speaker, a small electromagnetic transducer, NFMI technology (Near Field Magnetic Induction) and a Bluetooth 4.2 chip with Digital Sound Processing that allows for dynamic sound tuning and sound without interruption. Users will also be able to tune the sound themselves in the Bang & Olufsen app for Android and iPhone.'

I can definitely confirm the original E8 sounded very good. 

Finally, and rather brilliantly, you can buy individual left or right buds. Why? Two reasons: so you can use one as a more stylish Bluetooth earpiece for phone calls, and so you can replace buds when they fall out and get lost.

• BeoPlay E8 2.0 will be available from February 14 (Valentine's Day) for £350. 

• The Wireless Charging Pad, in matching colours, has a retail price that is yet to be disclosed. 

• Separate Beoplay E8 2.0 left and right buds retail for £125 and the wireless charging case (not pad) will be £200, from April 2019. 

Review B&O Play E8 Wireless Earphones | Mobile Accessories

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Bang & Olufsen Beoplay E8 Premium Truly Wireless Bluetooth Earphones - Black [Discontinued by Manufacturer], One Size

With a Bang & Olufsen label slapped onto a product, you’re not wrong to have high expectations

B&O Play E8 Image 1

Bang & Olufsen has indeed established themselves as renown audio device makers, and to own their product in your home or studio is often considered a luxury.

Their Beoplay E8 are part of their wireless earphone series that caters to casual on-the-go audio listening and hands-free calling.

Design

 

B&O Play E8 Image 2

It’s hard to deny that the E8 looks ravishingly premium with its design and finishings crafted from aluminium, rubber, and plastic. Ergonomically, the earphones fits nicely and rests comfortably to your ears. There’s no official IPX rating but B&O has claimed that the earphones are sweat-proof, although just be wary of getting them drenched. The E8 are available in two colours: gray with gold accents, and black with silver accents. Both look equally fancy.

Features

B&O Play E8 Image 3

Both sides of the E8 features capacitive buttons with easy commands for Bluetooth pairing, switching songs, and volume control. Noise cancellation on the earphones are pretty decent, and can be bypassed by tapping the left side button. There were no issues for connectivity thanks to the Bluetooth 4.2 support. As a hands free device, its voice delivery is surprisingly clear despite its microphone is located on the earphones itself. The E8 has a playback time of 4 hours, and can be charged in its case for extended use.

Audio Performance

B&O Play E8 Image 4

B&O Play E8 Image 5

While its functions as wireless earphones are impressive, its audio performance were average at best. The E8’s audio clarity is crisp, but they can be a tad too sharp on the mids and trebles, while the bass came out surprisingly weak. When set at the recommended listening levels, the volume output weren’t loud enough to appreciate most songs. Turning up the volume would only make the audio sharpness too apparent.

Conclusion

B&O’s E8 stands out with its sleek design that could make any AirPods user blush, but its audio performance and price could hardly make it a worthwhile contender against other wireless earphones that are already out in the market.

Stuff says... 

B&O Play E8 Wireless Earphones review

The E8 excels at being wireless earphones, but that’s as far as it can go.

B&O Play E8 Image 6

Good Stuff 

Premium design

Straight forward controls

Quite comfy

Bad Stuff 

Average audio quality

Very expensive

Weak volume

Review : Sony WF-1000X True Wireless Earbuds Excellent But Flawed Noise Cancelling | Mobile Accessories

The Sony WF-1000x are noise cancelling truly wireless in-ears with a high-end build quality and cool metal accents that give them a premium look and feel. They come with an excellent, if slightly bulky, metallic charging case. Unfortunately, their defining noise cancelling feature is not as good in loud environments. They do not block noise as well as some of the purely passive truly wireless designs, which is a little disappointing. They also have a few issues with their wireless connection, have no volume controls and a lot of latency when watching videos.

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 Sony WF-1000X Bluetooth Wireless Noise-Canceling in-Ear Earphones w Mic and NFC (Renewed)

Pros

+ Good audio reproduction

+ Lightweight with decent durability

+ Efficient, easy-to-use controls


Cons

- Mediocre noise cancelling

- A bit bright on treble-heavy tracks

Design

Type: Truly Wireless In-Ear

Enclosure: Closed-Back


The Sony WF-1000X have a high-end, premium look and feel that sets them apart from other truly wireless in-ears. They have a well-made and decently durable build quality and come with a great metal charging case. The case is a bit bulky but flat, so it will still easily fit into most pockets. Unfortunately, the buds do not look as great once in your ears. They protrude quite a bit, which makes them more noticeable than similar designs like the Samsung Gear IconX. They also have an inconvenient control scheme and no dedicated volume buttons, so you have to reach for your phone or Bluetooth source to increase the volume and even skip tracks. On the upside, they’re decently comfortable and come with a bunch of tip options and sizes to help you find the right fit. 

Sound

The Sony WF-1000X have an above-average but sharp sound quality. They have a punchy bass and a good mid-range, although the slight bump in the lower frequencies makes them a tad boomy and cluttered. However, the sharp spike in their treble range will be more immediately noticeable than the boomy mid/bass-range. It makes these earphones piercing on S and T sounds, which will get fatiguing on longer listening sessions or on particularly bright instrument or vocal heavy tracks. They won’t have the soundstage and ambiance of big, open-back over-ear headphones, so they’re not the ideal choice for more critical listeners. But on the upside, they have a preset Equalizer with their companion app, so you can somewhat tweak their sounds to better match your listening preference.

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Isolation

Noise cancelling: Yes


The Sony WF-1000X isolate decently well against ambient noise but their noise cancelling feature doesn’t add much. They are one of the first active noise cancelling truly wireless in-ears and they block and cancel enough noise to be decently suitable for commute and travel. They also barely leak so you can play your music at higher volumes to mask even more ambient noise without distracting the people around you. Unfortunately, their A.N.C does not cancel that much noise and barely makes a difference to the passive isolation that the in-ear fit provides. This makes the WF-1000x as good at blocking noise as typical truly wireless in-ears, which is a bit disappointing considering A.N.C is their defining feature.

 

Mic type: Integrated

Like most Bluetooth headphones, and especially truly wireless designs, the mic on the Sony WF-1000x is below-average and would not be the best for making calls. Your voice will sound thin, muffled and will be difficult to understand. They also struggle to separate ambient noise from speech, so the person on the other end of the line will have a tough time to hear what your saying in a busy and noisy environment. They should be somewhat okay in quieter conditions but you may have to switch to your phone’s handset mic if you’re making a call while commuting or walking down a bustling street.

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Active Features 
 
Earbud Battery Life: 2.7 Hrs

Charge time: 1.5 Hrs

Case battery life: 6 Hrs

App support: Yes
 
Passive Playback: No

The Sony WF-1000x have a mediocre-at-best battery life but a good app with decent customization options. The earbuds only last about 3 hours on a single charge and a bit less if you're using the active noise cancellation feature. But on the upside, they have an additional 6 hours in their charging case for a total of 9 hours of playback. They won't be the ideal option if you have long uninterrupted listening sessions but should have enough juice to last you throughout your day if you take breaks. They also support the Sony Headphones Connect app which gives them a preset EQ and noise cancelling options. You can also choose different sound quality codecs if your phone supports it.

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Connectivity
 
Bluetooth: Yes

Wired: No

Wireless range: 31 ft

Latency: 400 ms

The Sony WF-1000X are Bluetooth 4.1 headphones with NFC pairing. They have an NFC tag on the bottom of their case, which is pretty cool and makes pairing with phones and NFC-ready devices quite easy. Unfortunately, their regular hold-to-pair procedure can be frustratingly difficult at times since you have to pair the right earbud first which doesn’t always seamlessly connect to the left. They have an average wireless range but one of the worse latency performance we’ve measured. The right earbud also cuts out often regardless of the wireless range. These issues have been somewhat reduced with the firmware 2.0 update but may still be a deal breaker flaw for some.

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Who should buy them?

If you want a high-end and premium looking truly wireless design for your commutes, then the Sony WF-1000X are a suitable option. They have a decent isolation performance and are one of the only truly wireless headphones with active noise cancellation. They also barely leak which makes them a good choice for noise sensitive environments like being at the office. Unfortunately, their noise cancellation feature doesn’t isolate better than some passive in-ear designs, they struggle to maintain a good and stable wireless connection and they have a terrible latency performance. They won’t be great for watching videos and they have no volume controls on the earbuds which is bit disappointing. They won’t be as good as some of the other truly wireless designs we’ve reviewed recently but if you really like the look of the Sonys, they’re a decently versatile option for most use cases.

 

Review The Best Sony WF-SP700N Noise-Cancelling Earbuds Affordable | Mobile Accessories

Sony WF-SP700N Image 1

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Sony Wireless Bluetooth In Ear Headphones: Noise Cancelling Sports Workout Ear Buds for Exercise and Running - Cordless, Sweatproof Sport Earphones, Built-In Microphone, EXTRA BASS – Black WF-SP700N/B

Specifications: Bluetooth 4.1, digital noise cancelling with ambient sound mode, 6mm dome type drivers, NFC (in charging case), IPX4 rated, app for iOS + Android, 3hr battery life (with continuous music playback – extends to 9 hours with full charged case)

Pros: Effective active noise cancellation (with on/off + ambient sound modes), IPX4 certification, great audio, secure fit, app-based control, NFC, stable wireless connection, supports Google Assist ..

While wonderful for workouts, Sony’s new wireless headphones stumble on sound quality.

Bluetooth buds

Sony's new truly wireless earbuds are aimed at fitness fanatics, and while they're perfectly suited to a vigorous, sweaty workout the WF-SP700Ns are unlikely to become the day-to-day headphones for audio enthusiasts.

Looking for the perfect pair of headphones? Our headphone reviews can help.

The Sony WF-SP700N are easy to fit and comfortable to use, and though battery life is brief, it's long enough for all but marathon workout sessions. But unless you're all about dat bass, you may find the dynamics a little limited.

The WF-SP700Ns sit firmly and comfortably in your ear, and IPX4 protection means you don't have to worry about splash damage. Controls are easy to access as well – you use the side buttons to pause, skip, rewind and answer calls – and there's also a simple setting that activates noise cancellation or environmental ambience. These features make it easy to interact with the earbuds without interrupting your workout flow.

Bluetooth connectivity is almost flawless as well. Audio rarely drops out, even in crowded environments such as peak hour public transport, and it quickly recovers on the rare occasion that something else interferes.

Sony WF-SP700N Image 2

Unfortunately, battery life and sound quality leave a bit to be desired. You're not going to get much more than three hours of playtime out of the SP700Ns, though the included carry case/charge station, holds two additional charges which is a plus. Whether it's plugged into the wall or out-and-about, the case takes up to 90 minutes to refill the earbud batteries.

The question of good quality audio is a subjective topic of course, but if you're looking for a more neutral response you may find the low-end dominates the mids and highs at times. That said, if you enjoy Sony's bias for big bass then you will probably like these buds.

Dance music, beats, pop and even spoken word content like podcasts sound fine, but other genres with plenty of mids and highs can get muddy, hollow and flat. There's a general lack of clarity and at times the bass even feels pretty muffled. There are a few pre-set equalisers in the accompanying app that allow some adjustments, but even then the imbalances are still noticeable.

Sony WF-SP700N Image 3

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In fact, the user manual in the box mentions the following: “Due to the characteristic of wireless technology, the sound played on this unit is delayed from the sound and music played on the sending device. Therefore, the image and sound may be misaligned when viewing a movie or playing a game”.

Bluetooth wireless earphones are increasing in popularity. For one, no one likes messy cables and second, headphone jacks in phones are becoming a rarit ..

Review Panasonic ErgoFit Earbuds: The Best Affordable Headphones? | Mobile Accessories

I had a pair of headphones die yesterday. Generally, that isn’t great grounds for writing a post about it’s quality. However, the Panasonic EgroFit Headphones (RP-HJE120) might be the best cheap headphone. You Can Find It On Amazon

Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120-KA (Matte Black) Dynamic Crystal-Clear Sound, Ergonomic Comfort-Fit

Durability

These headphones were purchased back in 2014. They’ve been used heavily—almost every day since I purchased them. I’ve mostly listen to them while walking or taking the train to work. They don’t have a case, they get wrapped up and smushed in my pocket when they are done.

Simplicity

If you’ve followed any of my other reviews here, you’ll notice I am a huge fan of simplicity. I often rave about the features that aren’t added. One of the things that makes these headphones so reliable is how simple they are. There’s no power button or volume control. Just an audio jack.
If you make a lot of phone calls, Panasonic does make EgroFit headphones with a mic 2 for a couple of bucks more. I’ve always purchased the version with out the microphone though.

Comfort

Perhaps the most important thing that the EgroFit headphones gets right is comfort. In-ear headphones that are not comfortable will not last long. The headphones are light and include three pairs of silicone inserts (small, medium and large) This ensures that the earbuds are soft, snug and conform to your ears.
My main use case for these earbuds is listening to books and podcasts while walking to get groceries or heading to work. They are usually connected to my Moto G. Not once have I had an issue with them falling out—maybe except for when I’m clumsy and get caught on the cord.

Design

I don’t think this pair of headphones is going to win any design awards. However, I’m not sure how noticeable they are. It does come in about 8 different color options—although I stick to white and black.

Sound Quality

Just like design, I don’t think this line of headphones is going to win any awards. The selling points are comfort, durability and price. They sound fine, but aren’t Bose or Sennheiser headphones.

Value

Four years. These headphone I bought for under $10 lasted four years of daily use. They are durable, simple and comfortable. It’s difficult to ask for much more than that. If you’re looking for a pair of daily drivers, the Panasonic EgroFits are the best cheap headphones you can find.

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Panasonic,ErgoFit,Earbuds,Headphones

A Running RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear headphones review | Mobile Accessories

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 1

REVIEW – Last September, I reviewed the RHA (Reid Heath Ltd.) wireless MA750 in-ear headphones (earphones). I said, “… if you’re a fan of accuracy, wireless and durability, the MA750s may be what you’re looking for. While that’s still true, RHA has since come out with the RHA TrueConnect earbuds, a truly wireless earbud that rivals and bests the MA750s and even Apple’s own AirPods in some areas.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 2

What is it?

The RHA TrueConnect true wireless earbuds are just that—earbuds that are wireless—as in, no wires. It’s interesting that the difference between any brand’s truly wireless earphones vs regular wireless earphones is that the latter are connected to each other by—a wire. Go figure.

Even though they are officially called earbuds on the RHA website, the retail box states that the TrueConnect are in-ear headphones. Actually, the box is more accurate as the TrueConnect are an in-your-ear design, as opposed to a bud that rests just outside the ear—like Apple’s AirPods. Confused yet? That’s what I thought—so for the remainder of this review, I am using the term earphones.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 3

Specs

• Sweat/splash resistance: IPX5
• Driver: 6mm dynamic
• Frequency range: 20-20,000 Hz
• Range (unobstructed): 30+ ft.
• Weight (earbuds): 13g
• Charging: 1.6 hours to 100%
• Manufacturer’s Warranty: 3 years

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 4

What’s in the box

• TrueConnect true wireless earphones
• Charging case
• USB C charging cable
• Silicone ear tips: S (2), M (3), 2XL (2)
• Comply Foam ear tips: S, M, L
• Stainless steel ear tip holder

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 5

Design and features

Even though this is a review of the TrueConnect earphones only, it’s hard not to compare them to Apple’s AirPods, so I will try to keep comparisons to a minimum (I may not succeed).

TrueConnect earphones are a bit unusual because while they mimic the design idea of the AirPods with their dangling mic, the similarity stops there. Two years ago, these elongated mics were considered weird and ugly, but the look is now accepted and an extended mic has a better chance at producing clearer sound when talking on the phone.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 6

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 7

TrueConnect earphones come in a “soft-touch” black exterior with a matching soft-touch and aluminum charging case. They are more subtle looking than white and stay in the ear quite well. They’re thicker and heavier than AirPods but more comfortable over longer listening periods. Since they are in-ear, they offer good passive isolation. Plus, the added sweat-proof IPX5 moisture rating makes them perfect for using with noisy mowers and other tools for hot and sweaty summer yard work.

There are buttons on both the left and right earphone that perform both similar and different functions depending on how they are pressed or tapped and whether you are taking a call or listening to music. Here’s an example: If you press the right ear button twice while music is playing, the volume goes up. Press it twice while talking on the phone and it disconnects the call. It can get fairly confusing, but it becomes easier to remember once you get past the learning curve.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 8

TrueConnect earphones come with a great selection of differently-sized silicone and foam ear tips—typical for RHA. The largest silicone ear tip works best for me. Foam isolates best, but requires more effort to insert and remove, so I generally ignore them.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 9

Pairing TrueConnect earphones is easy. Once paired, smart devices remember the connection for almost instant re-pairing. Note that I said almost. It doesn’t always re-pair as quickly as I wish—especially when taking a call.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 10

Placing and receiving phone calls worked well on my iPhone. I like to use only one earphone when making calls , but only the right earphone can be used solo. Using the left earphone (my preferred and stronger ear) did not work. By contrast, Apple’s AirPods are left/right agnostic, so either one works the same for calls.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 11

One of the strengths of the TrueConnect earphones is how they sound. Granted, they are no match for quality wired earphones or headphones, but then again, no wireless earphones will sonically match wired. One day they will, but not yet. However, convenience more than makes up for any minor audio quality difference. 

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 12

Audio leans a bit towards a warmer, more forgiving sound, vs an analytical approach. Warmer and forgiving simply means that music is easy to listen to, whether it’s from a lower resolution MP3 or higher resolution file. More detailed earphones can and do sound better—unless the file is lower resolution. 

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 13

It doesn’t seem to matter what genre of music I play on the TrueConnect earphones. I recently fell in love with the soundtrack to the new Apollo 11 documentary. The soundtrack musician insisted on using only 50+ year-old analog electronic instruments that had to be available in 1969—the year Apollo 11 went to the moon. The result is an amazing piece of music. The TrueConnect earphones handled this soundtrack admirably—but again, when compared directly to a pair of good wired earphones, the TrueConnect earphones come up short.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 14

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 15

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 16

The TrueConnect case is a handsome, well-made case. It will charge the earphones 4 times with a battery life of 5 hours per charge. That’s 25 hours—not bad at all! The case has the prerequisite lights to signal how much life is left in the case’s battery. The earphones can be brought to 50% charge in only 15 minutes. The design of the case is flat on the bottom for easy access. However, it’s kinda upside down. When the case is opened towards you, the right earphone is in the left space and vice versa. Plus, the printed logo on the top of the case is upside down. Only when the case faces away from you is everything in the right place. Weird. The case is charged via a USB-C to USB cord—a welcome change from the inferior and much slower mini USB.

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 17

What I like

 TrueConnect earphones are comfortable for longer periods—not as common as you might think. They sound better than most wireless earphones available—especially when listening to less-than-perfect music files. TrueConnect earphones have RHA’s now well-known quality built into their DNA and are backed by a three-year warranty. 

What needs to be improved

TrueConnect earphones could pair a bit quicker when taking a call. They sound better and offer improved isolation over Apple’s AirPods, but is it enough to justify its high price—$11 higher than the overpriced AirPods?

RHA TrueConnect true wireless in-ear Image 18

Final Thoughts

It’s becoming a cliche, but RHA has hit it out of the park with the TrueConnect earphones. They sound good for music listening, are comfortable, well made, have great battery life and don’t look dorky. You can’t ask much more than that if you have the budget.
Price: $169.00 US
Where to buy:  and Amazon

Source: The sample for this product was provided by RHA.




 

A Relaible Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Review | Mobile Accessories

Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Image 1

Earlier this week, we kicked off our Jabra coverage with a review of their flagship Evolve 65T True Wireless Earbuds. Today, we’re taking a look at their little brother, the Jabra Elite Active 65T. They’re extremely versatile for wherever you need great audio, customizable, and have sensors to double as a fitness tracker. Is it worth $189? Join us as we find out.

Specifications

• Current Price: $189.99
• Key Features: True Wireless, HearThrough, EarGels™ Silicon rubber ear gels (3 sizes), Auto turn-On When headsets out of charging case, Auto pause Auto pause when one headset out of ear, Integrated motion sensor to track exercise
• Headphone Form Factor: True Wireless
• Speaker bandwidth: Music mode 20Hz to 20kHz
• Speaker bandwidth: Conference mode 100Hz to 10kHz
• Noise Cancellation: Passive
• Microphone concept: A four-microphone ambient noise cancellation technology
• Microphone frequency range: 100Hz to 10kHz
• Microphone bandwidth: 100Hz to 8kHz
• Onboard Controls: Calls, Media, Voice Assistant
• Voice guidance: Double press to access “Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant
• Battery:
  • Talk time: Up to 15 hours (with 2x recharging in charging case)
  • Charging power & time: Around 2 hours, full charge with dedicated USB wall charger (500mA)
• Wireless:
  • Bluetooth standard: Bluetooth 5.0
  • Wireless range: Up to 10 meters (33 feet)
  • Bluetooth pairing list: Up to 8 devices
  • Simultaneous Bluetooth connections: 2
• Box contents: Charging case, micro USB cable, 3 sets of silicon EarGels,
• Headset weight: 6.5g right headset 5,8g left headset, charging case 67g
• Warranty: 2 year

Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Image 2

Here at MMORPG, we cover lots of different tech and computer hardware. True Wireless (TWS) earbuds are an interesting development in the headphone world. At the moment, many seem targeted specifically for exercise; it’s a perfect fit with the lack of wires but hardly the only reason you may want a pair. Instead, I’d say that the name of the game for these headphones is versatility.

What I love about headphones like the Jabra Elite Active 65T is that they’re up just about any challenge you could throw at them. Since they’re Bluetooth, you can easily connect them to your phone one minute and your PC the next (if your motherboard supports it). The snug fit makes them the perfect choice for going for a run or hitting the gym and the custom EarGels keep them comfortable even over multiple hours of wear.

They’re also more resilient against the elements, so you really can wear them on the go. The Elite Actives are IP56 rated, which makes them dust and water resistant, even against strong sprays, so you can wear them in the shower (just don’t submerge them).

Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Image 3

In many ways, these are made to be your “everyday” headphone no matter where you may go. Unlike some true wireless headphones, they’re more recessed into your ear so they won’t get strange looks like some larger headphones do. They’re also shaped to fit naturally into the grooves of your ear so they won’t fall out. It is important you choose the right size EarGel to get a secure fit. If they do fall out, Jabra has also built in a “Find My Jabra” feature that notes the location every time they disconnect, allowing you to easily track where they became lost.

I also like how intuitive the controls are. The right earbud is dedicated to calls and activating your voice assistant with a single button. The left side has two buttons that default to controlling volume but also act as track controls. I use Google Assistant more than anything and found that it worked perfectly and I was understood clearly in all but the noisiest situations (or if a fan is blowing into the mic - hello summer). It also features Amazon Alexa integration, which is a great addition we still don’t see often in TWS earbuds.

Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Image 4

One of the more unique features of the Elite Active 65Ts is the built-in motion sensor. It’s not quite as fully featured as the original Elite 65Ts, but does include an accelerometer to track your steps and give you some statistics on your run. This pairs very well with Jabra’s HearThrough feature that activates the 65Ts microphone array to allow you to hear the outside world. This can be turned on by entering Active Mode or double tapping the right earbud, which is great if you need to hear for a moment and don’t want to worry about taking out the whole earbud.

I’m also a big fan of the Sound+ app, available on the Google Play Store or iTunes. Inside the app, you can choose from a good number of EQ presets or create your own, as well as enable features like motion tracking or “Where’s My Jabra?” It’s a fully featured app that offers a lot of utility and really allows you to dial in exactly the sound you enjoy.

Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Image 5

Out of the box, the Elite Active have a flatter sound profile with slightly touched up bass and mids to provide a full sound with elevated vocals. This is also a solid tuning for picking up competitive cues in games, though I’d recommend tweaking the middle-highs and treble up a bit more for that. Going with a more neutral tuning makes a lot of sense, however, because the intention is clearly to craft your own sound.

Using the Sound+ app, choosing a preset is as easy as tapping your choice. You could easily swap song to song or put on a custom playlist and tune your own EQ exactly how you like it on a 5-band equalizer. I wish Jabra included the ability to share these EQs like JayBird does, but I like that your settings are saved to the buds themselves, so you don’t have to keep the app open after you’ve made your changes.

And man, these earbuds are really open to EQ. You can tune them to be bass heavy hitters or to pull out tiny details hidden in the treble. Some buds start to distort when you play with them too much but the Elite Active 65Ts are wide open to make them exactly what you’d like. That means, you can have one profile for listening to music and another custom tuned for competitive gaming at your PC and yet another dedicated just for movie watching.

Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Image 6

When it comes to battery life, you can expect about 3.5 hours at 80% volume or around 5 hours at 50%. The charging case is good for another two charges, giving you a maximum of 15 hours of playback before needing to recharge the case. Charging times are good, with 15 minutes giving you 90-120 minutes of playback and two hours to get back to 100%. Throughout the day, I often put the earbuds back in the case for safekeeping which keeps them perpetually charged and ready to go. Even using them regularly, I only need to recharge about once a week.

You’ll also be pleased to hear that the microphone is perfectly fine for Discord and VOIP chat. It’s a bit compressed and, because it’s positioned way back in your ear, has enough gain to pick up other things in your room, but you’ll be clearly understood and won’t sound muffled. It’s a no-go for streaming and broadcast but playing games with your buddies is perfectly fine.

Final Thoughts

At $189, the Jabra Elite Active 65Ts aren’t cheap but genuinely offer a great set of features for the money. They look good, give you full media and call controls, access to voice assistants and Amazon Alexa, and even track your motion for exercise statistics. The biggest feature, though, is just how tunable they are. The Jabra Elite Active 65Ts are ready for whatever you throw at them and definitely earn their asking price.

 Jabra Elite Active 65T True Wireless Earbuds Check On Amazon

Pros

• Wonderfully resilient to EQ
• Intuitive controls for media and calls
• Stylish - they don’t make you look silly while wearing them
• Good battery life
• Motion tracker
• Full-featured app

Cons

• Battery life still falls short of some of the competition

The product discussed in this article was provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of review.

A Relaible review of the Beats Powerbeats Pro | Mobile Accessories

Wave goodbye to wires, with the new Powerbeats Pro

Beats Powerbeats Pro Image 1

First glance: Easily some of the best running headphones we’ve worn in a while, if you’re already running in the Powerbeats, you’ll be astounded by the improvements.

Pros:

• A lightweight and comfortable fit
• The fast charging is impressive and comes in handy
• They instantly connect to your phone when you put them in your ears, making getting out the door even faster.

Cons:

• They are a pretty expensive piece of kit 

 Powerbeats Pro Buy Here

If, like me, you’re the kind of runner that has a mad rush to charge all your gadgets ten minutes before running out the door, you’ll be impressed by the Powerbeats Pro. They charge in their case, you get 90 minutes of playback after just a five minute charge and even the most techno-phobe runner will be impressed at how seamlessly they connect to your phone.

The little details that matter

When you get them out the box, you’ll notice that the Powerbeats look more like the Apple Airpods than previous versions of the Powerbeats. Stored inside a magnetic case, that also charges the headphones when they’re inside, you can forget wires getting tangled in your bag, or having to unknot headphones, instead, the pods connect to your phone seamlessly and start playing music upon being put in your ears.

On the run, they were lightweight and didn’t move. Little details like the music stopping if you removed one earpod were impressive and it was easy to pause and skip songs without having to dig your phone out. When not running, the headphones worked well during phone calls and, unlike previous versions of Powerbeats headphones, they didn’t dig in uncomfortably when you were wearing glasses. 

Beats Powerbeats Pro Image 2

 

Charging and battery life

As I mentioned above, remembering to charge my headphones, my Garmin and my iPhone in time for a race is a first-world problem I often struggle with. The Powerbeats Pro charge in their case in your bag and even a small amount of charge gives you enough playback to power your run commute. The charger cable is the same as the Apple iPhone charger, which comes in handy when travelling (Android users, don’t let this put you off, there’s a charging cord in the box).

On the tech side of things, Beats write, “Each earbud has up to 9 hours of listening time and more than 24 hours of combined playback with the magnetic closure case. With Fast Fuel, you get 1.5 hours of playback after just 5 minutes of charging and up to 4.5 hours after 15 minutes of charging.”

How are they compared to previous versions of the Powerbeats?

As someone who listens to Podcasts more than music, sound wise, I didn’t notice much difference to previous versions of the Powerbeats. They blocked out enough noise to let me enjoy my podcast, but not too much so I couldn’t hear the traffic. That said, the techy experts Beats were quick to add, “Sound was the highest priority in the development of Powerbeats Pro. Completely re-engineered from the inside out, the earphones boast an upgraded linear piston driver that leverages an efficient, pressurised airflow to create a powerful acoustic response in a small package. Enhanced sound quality means incredibly low distortion and great dynamic range across the entire frequency curve.”

Practicality-wise, however, the lack of wires is game changing, especially when running. I’ve pulled headphones out three miles into a marathon because I just couldn’t bear the wire hitting the back of my neck and I’ve had to stop on the track when the wires get tangled in my necklace. A cliche as it sounds, being completely wireless, these headphones allow you to forget about fiddling and just get on with your run.

The downsides?

Of course, spending more than £200 on a pair of headphones is a big ask, but in my opinion, if you’re going to invest in a pair of running headphones for training for a marathon, or just using on the move, these are worth the price tag. 

Available in black, ivory, navy and moss.