I thought it might be interesting to start a thread for wireless IEMs. Especially since this tech is really starting to mature and these are likely to keep getting better and better.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus. I continue to be impressed by these on multiple levels. First of all they are the most convenient audio solution I’ve ever used. The battery lasts forever, and they just work. Paired with my Galaxy phone using the Samsung wireless codec I enjoy these for music way more than I ever thought I would. They have authoritative bass, with a perfectly acceptable level of detail, separation, and dynamics. They are also very comfortable and fit so well I swear I could never shake them out if I tried. I use them for yardwork, running errands, phone calls, audiobooks, podcasts, video conference calls, and they handle it all with ease. Sure, they may fit the bill as more of a “utility” audio tool than an enthusiast piece of gear, but that doesn’t stop me from bobbing my head up and down to the music while I’m listening to them.
Final recently released a set of true wireless earbuds (Final ZE3000) that I just picked up, they’ll get here in a few days and I’ll post some thoughts on em here in this thread after I’ve had a bit of time with them!
Eyy welcome to the forum seen u just joined and seemed to have brough up a topic ill hopefully be able to talk about in a bit once my moondrop sparks arrive
I’ve been listening for a little while with them so far, and I’d like to share some early thoughts.
Soundstage is acceptable in the sense that, I’m not left feeling super boxed in. With a track like Refraction Point by SIXIS I feel it’s plenty wide but there’s still a level of intimacy that reminds me I’m wearing earbuds. I did catch myself getting lost in the song in somewhat of the same way that I enjoy getting lost in this song while listening through my wired headphones, so that’s a definite plus.
Mids and Highs are the weakness of these buds. They can be a bit distracting and lean into thinness and sibilance, but if the source track is well made the songs will still inevitably be enjoyable. An example of this would be Dreamland by Glass Animals. The whole album is so well made and well mixed that I would have no problems listening through the whole album on let’s say a walk for example with the ZE3000’s even given the “blanket of thinness” that I feel like everything is kinda wrapped inside of. Lowering the volume slightly does help make the overall experience of these buds a bit more enjoyable however.
I was originally kinda shocked by how well I could feel kicks and extension into the subbass with the ZE3000’s and I was feeling a little impressed. However, after having spent a couple hours with them so far my brain has definitely indentified a pervasive sense of thinness. The bass, while thumpy and with enough body to have initially impressed me, can’t escape from the blanket I described above.
Of course it goes without saying almost that these are super early thoughts on my part. If I end up discovering any noticeable changes over the coming days and weeks of me using these I’ll be sure to report back about them.
At the end of the day I bought these more for their convenience and to be able to be away from my PC and still be able to talk with my friends if I wanted to, but given how much I enjoy the bass performance of Final’s D8000 (obviously in a completely different realm to these, don’t get me wrong) I’m still not shocked however that it’s the bass on the ZE3000’s that ended up leaving the best impression on me overall so far.
Also did some searching around and apparently these are Crin’s top rated TWS… Some people over on HF also consider them to be very good with some claiming better sound quality than the Sony WF-1000XM4.
might be something cool to check out especially with the deep discount right now.
I actually bought a pair of those for my father for Christmas when they initially went on sale. They are the best sounding TWS that I’ve listened to, but have issues in maintaining a connection with the paired device on occasion. They are also somewhat bulky, so I probably wouldn’t jog with them, but leisurely or in-office are perfect use-cases for them.
Also, I find the ANC to be pretty good as well. Granted, the last noise-cancelling “thing” I’ve listened to were a pair of old Bose headphones.
I just bought a set of the N400NC on recommendation from @j.fopps and I can confirm they are very, very solid. They sound significantly better than the Galaxy Buds+ in pretty much every respect (and I am a fan of the Samsung’s). They are the most natural, detailed, nicely tuned set of wireless I have heard. I would probably choose them over any sub $100 wired IEM that I have heard as well. Also the whole package feels stupid premium especially if you pay sub $50.
I have not had any connectivity issues with my Galaxy S9 phone, YMMV. The battery doesn’t last as long as the Galaxy Buds+ and the case is significantly larger. For those two reasons they probably won’t ride around in my pocket constantly like the Buds+. So here is my plan, I’m going to use the Buds+ for my EDC handling phone calls, meetings, and audiobook listening. The AKG’s will live in my backpack when I’m on the go and they will serve for any music listening.
and seemed to have brough up a topic ill hopefully be able to talk about in a bit once my moondrop sparks arrive 
