Took me about 2 hours to write the original post and in that time i’m really enjoying listening to them.
My concerns on the fit are fading – they aren’t moving – they’re just smaller and therefore not contacting with the ear so much and just with the fin so they don’t feel as present as the 2’s do. When you take them off they just easily pop out and that was giving me this false sense that they weren’t in so well.
I think for the same asking price as the 2’s (£15 cheaper for me) they’re a real no brainer. The HearID ANC is perfect for casual listening – it’s not as strong as some brands’ is but it similarly almost disappears and in my office the computer noise and other minor sounds are just knocked back that bit further without feeling like you’re in that heavy ANC territory.
Haven’t yet tried them in a noisy environment with full/heavy ANC enabled yet
The comment that i wasn’t blown away is true initially but changing rapidly – they feel more refined and the sound feels tighter. The bass is there and can be in spades but it’s not as boomy … feels more controlled and the BA driver feels nice.
Fit for me is interesting … definitely different feel to these … they feel like they’re going to fall out … the fins are a lot gentler and i’m kinda paranoid they gonna fall but i’ve given them a good mosh/headbang and they’re “in there”.
App — The Android app has been updated recently with these so they’re picked up straight away — however for me it’s not allowing me to pick LDAC as it says the buds need a firmware update but when i click the button it tells me I already got the latest (03.36)
The HeadID worked the same … the ANC test crashed a couple of times and didn’t compelte … so bugs are present in the app/firmware
EQ is worse than Lib2Pro+ – i cannot use the HearID as a base and EQ from there … i just have the option of HearID (no further tuning allowed), 3D surround (no further tuning allowed), Default (preset EQ’s but no longer include the DJ’s - just music styles), then Custom (which is a single set of 8 sliders with no left/right option)
So this is a step-back in my opinion… actually … found it just now … it’s kinda burried
Click HearID Test > HearID Sound Test then you can personalise (on) then click Advanced > Custom HearID
Wow… that’s well hidden
The buttons are all configurable including turning off individually – so you could turn off single-tap to prevent accidents
The ear tips “snap” onto the steps rather than just slide on … they have a firmer plastic core which is secure
The ear seal tests work and says they’re ok.
The sound quality is generally better … bass is less by default than it was before and a step up i think
Case is smaller than previous by a bit … very sleek … has white lights under them so you can find them in the dark
Package is great … 4 sets of tips and fins
Fit and finish is top notch … case is smoother and more slippery in the hand
Sound stage feels wider and a little more easy … ANC on adaptive mode is subtle and absolutely does not give you that locked in pressure. But i feel it isn’t quite fully stable yet (feels like it comes in and out – that could be the adaptive nature but i “feel” something every now and then)
Listening to (all via Spotify) - as you can see – a various mix of genres
Gorillaz - Dare (for bass)
Marian Herzog - No Sanctuary Here (hearing the background noise and piano keys / seat creaking)
Joep Beving - Sleeping Lotus (lots of ambiance)
Terje Lsungset - Ung (bass/sub-bass)
Dominic Miller - Shape of my Heart
The Prodigy - Climbatize
Trifonic - Ninth Wave (feels nice and open with lots of positional sound and a great amount of bass which doesn’t muddy the track)
Sizzle Bird - Elixir
Ella Mai - Everything
Pantera - Far Beyond Driven (mids tight metal)
Alanis Morissette - Princes Familiar Unplugged
Rage Against the Machine - Take The Power Back (tight drums / bass but feels more airy than many iems until the beat drops)
Ursine Vulpine - Wicked Game
They definitely need a firmware update to unlock LDAC if nothing else … and the fit is going to take me a little adjusting to just to feel happy with the fit as they feel looser than the 2Pro’s design as they’re a smaller shell.
On balance they’re a keeper i think … about 90% sure i’ll be sending the 2Pro+ back and keeping the 3’s and awaiting a firmware release
