Best Wireless Earbuds of 2024 — Early 2025 by sound quality: Sound Review, Tests and Comparison of Top TWS on the Market

Related links

Russian version: Лучшие беспроводные наушники (TWS) 2024 — начала 2025. Сравнение звука топовых HIFI труваров / Хабр

What This Article Is About

Hello, friends

I decided to start this year with an article in the field of Hi-Fi sound / audiophilia and it’s about sharing the results of my tests of wireless in-ear headphones (commonly referred to as “earbuds”), which I’ve conducted for several years after TWS emerged on the market.

Sound testing is my hobby that can be useful to others, because vivid and pleasant emotions are important in everyone’s life, as ell as , relaxation and mental comfort, which is sometimes scarce in the turbulent flow of life. Music is just the thing to bring it all in, if only for moments, or even for hours, therefore, choosing the right headphones is crucial to getting the right effect.

By the end of 2024, I completed testing of the best items. “Best” doesn’t necessarily mean the most expensive here. It refers to the top performers in terms of sound quality. We’ve all encountered situations where lower-priced items turned out to be just as good, if not better than their costly counterparts. That’s why my sound quality ranking includes headphones from various price categories  —  from ultra-premium TWS models to more frugal options.

The aforementioned TWS tests have spanned over several years, from 2017 to this day (early 2025). Now, with the journey coming to its end, I would llike to share my insights with those who appreciate true Hi-Fi  —  not the one built on marketing hype, but the one that genuinely delivers exceptional sound. This article is for anyone seeking High-End quality, the elusive “End-Game”, or simply the best portable audio experience available today.

So let’s get started now.

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The Person Behind the Tests

I’ve always loved music for its ability to evoke emotions and tell stories even without words.

A Few Words About Myself and Why I Do This. My name is Alexey, and I sometimes use the nickname PolarMan in remembrance of my participation in scientific Polar expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica. My career has since remained in the IT field, where I currently lead QA processes (software quality assurance and testing).

Interestingly, this professional experience also translates well into testing audio equipment  —  so let’s dive into that.

A Passion for Music

One of the hobbies that truly lights a fire in my soul is my love for music which has always been a source of inspiration to me.

For me, music is more than just sound. It is an art form that touches and nourishes the soul, changes moods, and inspires. However, its ability to do so heavily depends on the quality of the sound. Perhaps that’s why testing different types of headphones, including in-ear monitors (IEMs), has become one of my favorite hobbies.

On one hand, headphones are a utilitarian tool for me. Time is our most valuable resource, and if you dedicate it to listening to music, it makes sense to ensure the sound is a truly high-quality one. This allows you to catch every nuance the creators intended to embed in their works.

For me, experiencing music is like looking at a picture. By paying attention to subtle details, you can grasp the technique, feel the mood, and sometimes even decode the meanings the artist intended to convey.

Now, imagine looking at a beautiful painting through scratched, dirty glasses that distort focus and sharpness. Would you be able to see and feel all the details, everything the artwork aims to communicate? And what if your vision were clear and unobstructed? The same applies to sound: if the recording, source, or headphones fail to deliver exceptionally high-quality audio and introduce distortions, much of the musical piece will remain hidden or misinterpreted. And on the contrary, a high-quality audio chain paired with your favorite tracks offers crystal-clear perception and an unforgettable experience.

Musical Genres

I listen to a variety of genres: from rock and alternative to jazz and classical music. I listen to electronic music and rap less often, but in every genre, there are compositions that I want to hear and that trigger emotions when presented correctly. Regardless of the genre, certain sound requirements remain universal: naturalness and detail, including clear instrument separation in complex soundscapes, are essential.

Curiosity

On the other hand , as a tester at heart, I find it incredibly fascinating to test headphones, explore their sound nuances, including the tiniest details they can convey  — the  details that might not be immediately apparent but become genuinely beautiful if you pay close attention. Of course, this is also a highly engaging process: searching for the best sound across different categories, including IEMs, is a journey in itself.

For me, a love of music extends beyond just listening. It’s a journey full of exploration and discovery.

Shifting Focus to TWS

Recently, with the growing popularity and convenience of TWS earbuds  —  and since I now spend a lot of time traveling  —  I began searching for a way to enjoy high-quality sound in the most compact form possible. This shift moved my focus from wired setups to wireless headphones. Given my testing experience, I decided to apply it to the true wireless segment, aiming to find the best sound possible, even accounting for the limitations of wireless transmission.

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Evaluation Criteria

«The ideal sound is the one that disappears, leaving only the music.» — Nelson Pass

To make it clear: the comparison was based on sound quality. My main criterion for assessing quality is the naturalness of reproducing real instruments, whether it’s a guitar, violin, drums, wind instruments, or something else.

Additionally, it’s preferable for compositions to sound melodically rather than dry; the sound should not just be detailed and technical, but also engaging, without being overly colored, so that naturalness is preserved.

«Harmony between detail and warmth of sound is the key to true musical enjoyment.»— George Cardas

Now that the comparison is complete and the winners are defined, I have a lot to share. I want to do this through a detailed review of one of the leaders in my ranking, which will later serve as a benchmark. Currently, my reference is the Technics AZ80. You can treat this article both as a review of these headphones and as an overview of other top TWS models, as competitors are frequently mentioned throughout the text. At the end of the article, there will be an almost comprehensive list of the headphones I’ve listened to (I tried not to forget the ones worth mentioning), along with my comments on how their sound differs from the benchmark.

Looking ahead, there are several leaders, and they will be at the top of the list in Part 2 of the article. Each has its own characteristics, and choosing among them depends largely on personal sound preferences.

«Put on your headphones — and let the show take you over.»— Dan Clark

Press Play 😉

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Disclaimer

• This article reflects my personal opinions and impressions based on my experience testing various TWS earbuds. The evaluations provided are subjective and may not align with the preferences of all users. Any comparisons and statements are intended solely for informative purposes and should not be interpreted as definitive judgments on any brand or product.

• The quotes included in this article were found in various places on the internet and are attributed to the respective individuals. However, I cannot guarantee their accuracy or authenticity.

• The presented frequency response measurements were made by others and may not fully align with the actual listening experience.

• Some of the images used in this article are sourced from various online platforms and are included for illustrative and educational purposes only. All rights are reserved to their respective copyright holders. If any copyright owner has concerns about unauthorized use of their images, please contact me, and I will address the matter promptly. I also plan to replace these images with original or properly licensed content as soon as reasonably possible.

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Part 1: Technics EAH-AZ80 Review in comparison with TWS leaders

«Headphones are not just devices; they are personal portals to the world of music.»— Dan Clark

Wireless Setup

• Sources: Vivo X100 Ultra / Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro / Samsung S 24.

• Codec: for Technics — LDAC. For the rest of the headphones, the comparison always took place on the highest supported codec.

• Audio format: FLAC (mostly).

• Genres: Rock, Jazz, Rap, Classical music, Pop, Electronic, some other genres and test samples.

As of now, the AZ80 are my favorite headphones, as they were chosen after a long and thorough selection process. While they may not have completely outclassed all competitors in terms of sound quality (and the list of contenders was extensive), they confidently stand on the podium, sharing the top spot with several other worthy models. Moreover, the AZ80 (same as AZ60, btw) remain practical and convenient across many important parameters beyond sound, making them not only the ultimate TWS for music but also an excellent ‘workhorse’ for everyday use  —  a combination that, in practice, is quite difficult to achieve.

As I mentioned, in terms of sound, there are other headphones that can be put on par with the AZ80, but none manage to pull ahead. They may excel in one frequency range but inevitably fall short in another.

As a backup, I also have the Technics AZ60, which will be mentioned below. I’ve had the AZ60 for a long time, and aside from sound quality, their only drawbacks compared to the AZ80 are the lack of wireless charging and an auto-pause feature when removing them from your ear. Otherwise, almost everything said about the AZ80 applies to the AZ60.

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General Functionality

Sound is great, but having everything together is even better.

Microphones:

The microphones provide decent call quality on both Android and Windows at least.

I use the headphones for phone calls (Android) and work calls via messengers (Windows 10/11 on my laptops) and most often, I use just one earbud, no matter left or right, while the other rests in the case. There are problems only in very windy conditions or in extremely noisy environments. In other respects, the noise-cancellation algorithms applied to mic sound do perform well.

Noise Cancellation (ANC):

It’s good, I assume that it’s one of the leader here, but not the best  —  Bose still leads in this area. However, the ANC is effective enough for daily use. It won’t provide complete silence during pauses (as with most ANC systems), but it’s sufficient in the subway, bus, or airplane to listen comfortably without needing to crank up the volume. Importantly, it has no impact on sound quality.

Transparency Mode:

Useless: ambient sounds interfere and speech is hearable just the way when the mode is switched off. Thankfully, I don’t rely on this feature and rarely use it.

Auto-Pause:

This feature automatically stops playback when you remove an earbud and resumes it when you put it back. It’s convenient and missing in the AZ60.

Application:

The Technics Audio Connect app is excellent.

If the worst App in the TWS world belongs to the B&W Pi7 (at least, that was the case during the time of their first revisions), then this App is among the best. It allows you to adjust everything you need, from sensor behavior to ANC and transparency mode intensity. It also supports codec switching and connection modes, including multipoint.

Drawbacks: The EQ could be better — it’s only five-band. For fine-tuning, I recommend a third-party app like the PowerAmp EquilizerEqualizer which may be applied to all Apps in your device.

Multipoint:

Yes, it supports connecting to multiple devices simultaneously (2 devices in LDAC mode and 3 in AAC mode). Btw, AAC codec is compatible with Apple devices.

Wireless Charging:

Available. That’s all I can say since it’s not a crucial feature for me. I tried this few times and it works.

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Overall Ease of Use

The best design is the one that disappears, leaving only comfort and pleasure.»— Frank Chimero

Touch Controls:

The touch panels work flawlessly: they’re convenient, don’t misfire, sensors do not have false alarms (from temperature / wind / hair like some other TWS) and you can always hold the earbud without accidentally activating the sensor.

Connectivity:

Stability is rock-solid.

Unlike the frequent connectivity issues I read about in chats and forums regarding other TWS models, both the AZ60 and AZ880 are free of these problems. They never stutter, even in challenging conditions like winter, when the phone is in a jeans pocket under layers of clothing and a winter jacket.

The AZ80 performs so well here that I’ve completely forgotten about hissing or micro-stutters. Their connection stability is comparable to wired headphones but without the hassle of cables.

You can walk around a room, talk on the phone, or even move to the next room without losing the connection. This stability is consistent even with the LDAC codec, which many other headphones, based on my experience and user reviews, implement poorly. Whether it’s due to software or hardware, Technics nails LDAC implementation across its models, including the AZ40, AZ60, and AZ80.

The same cannot be said for models like the HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless and certain other TWS headphones with LDAC, regardless of their price.

Fit of AZ80 vs AZ60:

The earbuds aren’t too heavy (about 7 grams) and fit well in my ears. They generally have a comfortable fit, though they might not be suitable for people with smaller ears. That said, the AZ60 fits even better. Both models come with plenty of ear tip sizes, and the ‘M’ tips fit me perfectly. In fact, I’ve even used them for testing other earbuds, as the sound quality is often better with these tips than with those supplied with the earbuds.

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Design/Appearance:

«Good design is like good music: it speaks for itself, even if you don’t notice it.»— Dieter Rams

The headphones, in my opinion, look good  —  mature and refined.

I’ve also heard them described as having a «premium» design. While I’m not sure what exactly that means, I can confidently say their case doesn’t resemble a 90s plastic soapbox like many TWS cases do now.

The metal finish on the top surface gives the case a distinctive style, making it look solid and elegant.

What’s equally important is that the case is practical: it’s not too large, the earbuds are easy to remove, snap back into place with a pleasant magnetic click, and always charge reliably. There’s no creaking or looseness unless you press hard on the case, and the lid makes a satisfying sound when closed. The AZ60 lid, however, clicks more sharply, which sounds less pleasant  —  especially at night when everyone is sleeping at home, and I am working.

«Great design unites form and function in perfect harmony.»— Frank Lloyd Wright

As for the earbuds themselves, I like the design choice to texture the outer surface with concentric circles that create a dynamic band of light reflection, resembling a vinyl record.

This effect is not only visually engaging but also underscores the musicality of the design through an association with vinyl and audiophilia. It might sound whimsical, but it looks impressive. You can see this effect in one of my photos.

Cons: the LED indicators could be more intuitive, it’s not always clear what each signal means and I have seen a more conveniently implemented indicator, although it was less minimalistic, it used not one light bulb, but three.

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Sound

«The perfect sound is the one that disappears, leaving only the music.»— Nelson Pass

Describing sound is always a challenging task, as it involves both objective factors  —  non-linear distortion coefficient, maximum volume, tonality, and balance, what the frequency response (FR) can show, and subjective perception. Some people prefer a “bright” sound, others prefer a “dark” one, while some only care about a thumping bass, with everything else being irrelevant.

Phrases like “This is the best sound” are impossible to evaluate unless the criteria and comparisons are clearly defined.

For this reason, I’ll try to substantiate my opinion by adding comparisons and sensory-obvious information, including references to tracks where certain characteristics can be heard (I’ll include a couple of examples to avoid overflowing the text). My goal is to describe the sound in detail using generally accepted terminology, leaving it up to you to decide whether you prefer “tight and fast” bass or “soft and enveloping” tones  —  and what suits you best.

Let’s divide the description into four obvious categories at least:

•High Frequencies (Treble)

•Mid Frequencies (Mids)

•Low Frequencies (Bass)

•Soundstage

•Max volume

High Frequencies (Treble)

High Frequencies (Treble)

«High frequencies are the air that brings music to life.»— Bob Ludwig

High frequencies are the strongest aspect of the AZ80, with the AZ60 not far behind. For those unwilling to dive into nuances: the treble is excellent. Period. But for those seeking detail, I was impressed by the treble quality in the AZ60 and didn’t think it could be improved further  —  but it turns out perfection has no limits. I was genuinely surprised by this improvement.

My second revelation came when I started comparing top TWS models with the AZ80 and discovered that their treble had no competitors. None. Even the best of the best couldn’t match the natural presentation of high frequencies.

While this might not be as noticeable when listening to electronic music, the sound of cymbals in rock tracks makes everything clear  —  it’s as if the real instrument is just a couple of meters away from you.

Recently, I stayed at a music-themed hotel that had a drum kit with drums and cymbals. I had a great opportunity to further compare the sound of headphones with the sound of a real instrument, and I was amazed to learn how closely the cymbals in the AZ80 resemble the real thing.

For instance, cymbals in the AZ80 don’t just go “Tss-Tss” like in the Sony XM4, where treble quite often sounds electronic or synthetic. Instead, they’re natural and textured  —  you can almost hear the vibration spreading across the cymbal’s surface after the strike. Jazz tracks paired with these headphones offer a particular joy, bringing out the delicacy of the cymbals.

It’s very important that in AZ80 and even in AZ60, the cymbal’s treble doesn’t have the slightest hint of graininess (which is still present, for example, in the flagship Svanar model and the B&W Pi8, despite their novelty and price). In the AZ80, as I said the cymbals sound as if they’re right in front of you, with someone either striking them hard or gently tapping them, depending on the composition. Even quiet treble sounds, like the brushes in Sam McClain’s “Got to Have Your Love,” are clear, articulate, and delicate  —  some of these details often lost in many premium TWS models.

«Listening to great treble lets you hear even the singer’s breath.»

And that’s exactly what happens with the AZ80.

Female vocals also sound phenomenal, regardless of the track or volume level. As for the upper range of high frequencies, sounds that are meant to be bright and crisp  —  such as the chime at the beginning of Sean Paul’s “Give It Up to Me”  —  are indeed bright, crystal clear, and perfectly transparent. In complex soundscapes, the treble retains its detail and clarity.

For example, in the guitar intro of Rammstein’s “Du Hast,” amidst the heavy guitar riffs, you can distinctly pick out the sound of a second instrument. Similarly, in Andrea Banica’s “Samba,” the maracas are clearly audible, whereas in many other headphones  —  especially TWS models  —  they tend to blend into the mix. Tambourines in ethnic tracks and other high-frequency instruments also sound precise, natural, and well-separated.

In the Svanar Wireless, even in their flagship model, some sounds tend to blend together, being «overwhelmed» by a more prominent foreground (e.g. mentioned «Du Hast» from the 17th second, or in «Samba,» where the maracas play in the background). They’re still audible, but in the Svanars, they seem somewhat masked by the instruments in the foreground, which makes them almost disappear when they should be accentuating the main sound).

This leads to the conclusion that despite the R2R DAC and the genuinely high overall sound quality, the treble in the Svanars is less transparent compared to the AZ80, which is very noticeable across a range of tracks. Violins, female vocals, drums, and brushes sound not only natural in AZ80, but also incredibly detailed! And this is true detail  —  the treble here isn’t artificially boosted like in the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 for instance. Unlike those, the treble doesn’t “cut” but simply sounds pleasing, making for an enjoyable listening experience.

«Poor treble tires the ear, while good treble fills music with lightness.»— Thomas Lund

In summary, the treble invites close listening, revealing details you hadn’t noticed before, even in well known recordings. It never fatigues, even after hours of listening.

«Balanced treble doesn’t pierce the ear but highlights the beauty of the melody.»— Paul Barton

And it’s more than true.

Mid Frequencies (Mids)

“Mid frequencies are the heart of music, where emotions and melody are born.»— Paul Barton

«Mid frequencies create the body of sound, without which it loses its foundation.»— Nelson Pass

I’ve noticed that in many TWS models, the mids are recessed or pushed back. As a result, vocals sound dull, leaving you wanting to increase the volume  —  which doesn’t help, as it only increases treble fatigue and bass overload (hello, B&W Pi7 again). I dislike such a pronounced “V-shape” tuning, and the AZ80 avoids this entirely

The mids sound expressive and clean. They are perfectly positioned  —  not recessed, not overemphasized, but right where they should be, balanced in quantity and quality.

«Sound balance is an art, not just a science.»— Andrew Jones

Listening to the AZ80 makes me want to shake the hand of the Japanese engineer who tuned them. The achieved balance not only enhances details and texture but also preserves the timbral characteristics of vocals and instruments, making them sound natural and expressive.

«The soul of the voice and instruments lies in the mid frequencies.»— Bob Ludwig

Acoustic guitars, pianos, and wind instruments are rendered with natural timbre and volume. However, I must admit the Svanar Wireless surpasses the AZ80 slightly here. I’ve never heard a more expressive piano or saxophone in TWS headphones than in the Svanar — it feels as if John Coltrane is playing right there in the room with you.

«When mids are balanced, music sounds as if it’s being performed in front of you.»— Andrew Jones

To be objective, I agree to this, but I must also state that the difference in mids is not dramatic. At the same time, the treble in the Svanar is noticeably inferior to the AZ80. After listening to the Technics (even the AZ60), returning to the Svanar feels less pleasant and definitely less detailed.

Low Frequencies (Bass)

«Well-crafted bass adds volume and space to music.»— Andrew Jones

«Bass is not just loudness; it’s the texture and depth that brings music to life.»— Thomas Lund

!!! Tip: it is very important, to to choose the right ear pads to hear good bass (and not only bass).

In the AZ80, the bass is moderate, and let me now clarify: bassheads will find it lacking.

Initially, coming from the AZ60, I also felt the bass was slightly lacking and even adjusted it using EQ. However, over time, I decided to listen without EQ, as everything else felt perfectly tuned. Surprisingly, I quickly adapted to the bass presentation and now realize it’s exactly what I need.

Yes, headphones like the B&W Pi7 have more bass, but it often overwhelms other frequencies. In the AZ80, the bass is faster, more energetic, and well-controlled. While it doesn’t delve too deeply, it’s perfectly balanced with the rest of the sound spectrum.

«True bass doesn’t rumble but touches the soul.»— Nelson Pass

In the AZ80, the bass is fast, energetic, and features a well-defined attack. While it doesn’t go particularly deep, the low frequencies are excellently balanced in relation to the overall sound profile. This made me reflect on whether I’ve ever heard more bass in live instruments, and I realized that I haven’t. Everything sounds exactly as it should—not less, but not more either.

For those still feeling the bass is insufficient, I recommend listening to the AZ80 for a week or two without additional adjustments  —  you might find your musical taste evolving for the better probably. But if not, you always welcome to make your own EQ preset. But if not, you’re always welcome to create your own EQ preset either in ‘PowerAmp Equilizer’ App or another one.

Frequency Response (FR)

Soundstage

«The perfect soundstage gives a sense of three-dimensional space, where every instrument has its place.»— Andrew Jones

«The soundstage is magic that transforms listening into a journey.»— Paul Barton

Let me keep it brief: the soundstage in the AZ80 is wide and immersive.

Why is the soundstage considered “imaginary”? Read more here:

Explanation of Audio Terms (Glossary) | by Alexey Spirin | Dec, 2024 | Medium

The soundstage seemed wider only in the Svanar Wireless, likely due to its even more expressive mids. However, the difference is subtle and noticeable only in direct comparisons.

In the AZ80, there is a strong sense of space and volume, with distinct distance between instruments. It even feels as though you can pinpoint the direction of each instrument by sound. This is likely due to the detailed sound reproduction in the mids and especially the highs, as well as excellent instrument separation.

«The purity of high frequencies is like a gentle breeze that unveils the soundstage.»— Andrew Jones

«The purity of high frequencies is like a gentle breeze that unveils the soundstage.»— Andrew Jones

Volume

In terms of maximum volume, both the AZ60 and AZ80 are not exceptionally loud but are sufficient for comfortable listening without wanting to increase the volume, even in public transport (with ANC enabled, of course). However, for those who enjoy listening at ear-splitting volumes, these might not be enough.

Both the Devialet Gemini 2 and B&W Pi8 (I’ll say couple of words about them down the line), and especially the Svanar Wireless, are louder than the Technics. If volume is crucial for you, consider these alternatives.

Tip here will be same: you can use the PowerAmp Equalizer which applies adjustments across all apps. It includes a preamp function that can significantly increase the Technics volume without crossing the threshold where sound quality begins to noticeably degrade.

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Conclusion

The Technics AZ80 delivers a highly balanced sound. When I think about their tuning, I imagine a tightrope walker confidently striding along the rope, without a single muscle twitching, but how beautifully and mesmerizingly it draws your attention…

Clean, highly detailed highs and mids, combined with punchy bass, make the sound not just pleasant but also highly natural  —  almost “alive.” With well-recorded tracks, it creates an effect as if the musicians are right there in the room with you.

The bass is just as natural as the rest of the frequency spectrum. It’s well-controlled, never intruding on the overall sound palette, but rather complementing it perfectly.

The soundstage is also quite wide, thanks to the detailed sound and excellent instrument separation, allowing you to hear the smallest nuances. This makes it enjoyable to revisit even old tracks, discovering something new each time. After using the AZ80, many people will likely uncover entire new worlds of sounds and tones in their favorite compositions.

This technical excellence is often referred to as “technicality,” which is amusing considering the brand name itself. The AZ80 exemplifies this technicality perfectly (though let’s not forget about the AZ40, which is much simpler than the 60/80 models).

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In Summary, the AZ80 is currently among the best  —  or perhaps the best of all the TWS I’ve tested (see the brief list below). With a grain of salt: bassheads might find the low frequencies insufficient. In such cases, I’d recommend alternatives like the B&W Pi8 or Devialet Gemini 2. Both models still deliver detailed sound, despite some flaws in the highs. Their bass maybe not so natural, but is “juicier” than that of the AZ80.

However, for those looking for perfectly balanced overall sound and exceptional detail in the highs, which are both enjoyable and engaging to explore, the AZ80 might be the best option available right now.

That said, I intend to continue testing new headphones and may share updates on my experiences in the comments section or via updating this post.

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Part 2. Brief (but not complete) List of Tested TWS by late 2024 — early 2025

This section briefly outlines the main sound characteristics of other TWS headphones compared to the AZ80.

The higher on the list, the more decent the sound.

RANKING:

«When comparing headphones, listen not only to the details but also to how they convey emotions.»— Bob Ludwig

«Headphones are a personal choice, and the best option is the one that sounds right to you.»— Thomas Lund

Technics EAH-AZ80:

The item reviewed here shares the podium with the following three wireless headphones, with all key details pictured above.

HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless:

Excellent bass and just phenomenal mids. The mids are exceptional, making these headphones some of the best in terms of sound. Classical and jazz music sound truly fantastic on them. However, the highs are far from ideal  —  drums lack naturalness, and even the R2R DAC didn’t save them. It’s a pity because otherwise, this could have been the best TWS sound ever, but now the treble in the Technics AZ80 is on a level that remains unattainable for the Svanar.

Returning to the Svanar, they have one more advantage and a couple of drawbacks.

Pros: They have the best volume reserve among the competition. They genuinely feel like they have «wired» power.

Cons: There are some questionable aspects of convenience: their connection with LDAC isn’t always stable, and the case is enormous. Putting it in your pocket makes it look like you’re carrying a large potato, so carrying them in your bag is the only option. That said, for the sound they provide, these compromises might be worth it.

Bowers & Wilkins Pi5, Pi7, and Pi8:

Skip immediately the first two. For example, in the Pi7 (I actually listened the first version), the treble is overly emphasized, leading to sibilance in many tracks. The bass is also overdone, while the mids are recessed, making listening wearisome, and vocals unimpressive.

The Pi8, however, is much better than its predecessors. The mids are quite good, and the bass provides more volume than in the AZ80, resulting in a pleasantly warm sound that doesn’t significantly affect detail or instrument separation. However, the highs remain a weak point  —  better than the earlier models but still lacking. Despite this flaw, the sound is lively, engaging, fairly detailed, albeit somewhat colored, and I believe it will find its fans.

Devialet Gemini 2:

The bass is arguably more interesting here, than in Technics and the mids are good. However, once again, the highs lack naturalness. It would be interesting to directly compare the Devialet with the Pi8 to determine which delivers better highs.

In other ways, I really liked these headphones. The bass, mids, and vocals all sound good and fairly detailed.

Astell & Kern UW 100 MKII:

Good performance overall, but no ANC. For me, that’s an instant dealbreaker since, like many others, I primarily listen to music on TWS on the go or while traveling.

Technics AZ60:

Slightly less detailed highs compared to the AZ80, but still better than the competitors mentioned above.

The mids are adequate, but the bass has slightly less control than in the AZ80. Overall, it’s still a great sound, and some might even prefer the more enveloping bass  —  it’s something I used to enjoy myself before I developed a preference for the AZ80’s bass.

Onkyo D 800 BT:

Fantastic bass  —  it throbs in your ears, with tangible sound pressure. No other TWS has achieved this effect. The mids and highs are still decent, despite outdated codecs, but the outdated implementation of everything else, coupled with the lack of ANC, makes them more suitable for collectors. That said, they sound great and will appeal to many despite their shortcomings.

Bang & Olufsen EX and Beoplay EQ:

The EX less interesting, but EQ has decent bass but significantly worse highs. The mids are slightly above average.

Noble (Falcon 2, Falcon Pro, and Focus Pro):

Overall, less natural sound. The Focus Pro is the best among the three.

Aviot 21 J:

Everything is good, but the bass is severely lacking.

Denon Perl Pro:

The bass is over-pumped  —  it «creeps» into other frequencies and interferes with the sound. If toned down, they can sound decent but only after auto-calibration to your hearing via the App which is fine. Without this calibration, they sounded awful, especially in the high frequency range, and I can’t guarantee they’ll calibrate as well for you as they did for me.

Creative Aurvana Ace 2:

Pleasant sound but leans towards a more «mainstream» tuning, closer to the AirPods Pro 2. Another downside is the controls  —  the touch sensor is so frustrating you might feel like smashing them with a hammer.

AirPods Pro 2:

Similarly mainstream sound  —  nothing particularly bad, but something always feels lacking. However, they offer great functionality with iPhones and decent ANC.

All TWS BOSE (as of late 2024):

I appreciate the ANC in these, but unfortunately, not the sound quality. At least for me, it’s not at a HiFi level yet. I’ve had some decent wired Bose headphones in the past, but with the high competition in the TWS segment, I can’t particularly single them out at the moment.

Audio-Technica ATH-TWX9:

Uninspiring sound. They didn’t trigger any strong emotions.

They may be interesting if you’re a fan of battling microbes with ultraviolet light  —  a quirky feature that undoubtedly terrifies the microbes, but unfortunately, the sound might leave the survivors bored.

All TWS Sony (except XM5, which I haven’t tried yet):

The sound is not very natural, with synthetic elements noticeable in models like the XM4. I used to have the highly expressive wired IEMs from Sony (XBA-N1 AP), which stood out significantly in sound quality compared to many other IEMs from the brand and gave me countless hours of enjoyable listening. However, their TWS offerings are still not on that level.

All TWS Sennheiser:

In the Momentum 4, the bass is fine, the mids are okay, but the highs, for me, are a disaster  —  just like in the previous models. This seems to be a signature of Sennheiser TWS  —  they don’t sound natural to me, which outweighs all their pros.

Philips Fidelio T1:

Too bright and lacking depth including low frequency.

Technics AZ40:

The entry-level model from Technics, with very little bass and no ANC. On the bright side, they are more compact, which might be appealing to some users, especially ladies.

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro:

I can’t recall exactly why, but they left no impression on me  —  so much so that I didn’t even bother taking notes. That said, I’m curious to revisit them, as they’ve been praised by many, but as far as I remember they had terrible treble.

Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC:

Lacking in bass, too bright, and not too detailed treble.

Epos GTW 270:

Dry sound with too few details.

Various KEF models:

I remember them being quite bright but lacking exceptional detail. The sound delivery didn’t make me emotional at all.

Various Over-Ear Headphones:

For example, the expensive B&O Beoplay HX, which I recently tried on and  didn’t like at all compared to the AZ80

While there are over-ears that sound better than the AZ80, it takes some effort to find them. Additionally, I’m not currently interested in this segment or wired IEMs for street and traveling, as my focus is on portability and convenience combined with high sound quality. I don’t want to deal with wires or carry around bulky headphones anymore. The sound would have to be out of this world to make me return to such setups I am considering them for home use only.

Mifo O7 Gen2 and O5 Pro:

I had the chance to listen to these, but the sound didn’t impress me, especially in the O5 Pro. They’ve been praised a lot, so perhaps the units I tested were flawed  —  they were used models, as finding new ones to try wasn’t possible.

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Part 3: Plans

The following headphones haven’t been tested yet, but I hope to try them in 2025:

• Technics AZ100. Considering the sound of the previous models and the apparent trend of improving sound quality and adding new features in the AZ40 -> AZ60 -> AZ80 series, we can expect that the next model will surprise us again.

• Aviot TE-ZX1 PNK. Highly promising based on reviews of many users, although opinions are split, some have the best sound ever heard of TWS, others lack power, you have to listen to it.

• FiiO FW5. Purely out of curiosity, as the sound is praised, though there’s no ANC.

• Noble Fokus Rex 5. Fresh model, reportedly well-balanced.

• Noble Fokus Prestige. Said to have strong lows and mids with relaxed highs.

• Noble Fokus Triumph. Reported to have emphasized highs, clear mids, but lacking bass.

• JVC FX550T. Awaiting reviews from owners and plan to listen them by myself.

• Geekfly 5 and 6. Said to be good.

• OnePlus 3 Pro. Highly lauded, though I’m skeptical they’re on the same level as the best TWS options.

• Edifier S10. Limited information so far.

• Moondrop Robin. Interesting, though I’m not a fan of such design.

• Vivo, Samsung, and similar earbuds. I don’t have high expectations for sound quality but will try them if given the chance.

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Final Thoughts

This is my conclusion on TWS as of late 2024, and with just few days until 2025, it’s unlikely anything will change at the beginning of the new year.

One tip: when choosing headphones, try to also consider the codecs supported by the device you plan to use with them, because if the best codec in the headphones is LDAC / LHDC / AptX, but your smartphone does not have it, then the sound will be transmitted using a less advanced codec, for example AAC (which is not so critical), or even SBC (which is worse). On the other hand, this is a rare case, the bottleneck is most often not the codec or file format, but the design of the headphone drivers, their settings and even the configuration of the acoustic chamber and other nuances, all this has a much greater effect on the final sound quality.

Thank you for reading. Those who made it to the end without skimming  —  you’re my heroes! Please subscribe, rate, commen.

I’m eager to hear feedback, especially from those who’ve thoroughly listened to the Technics or thoughtfully compared them with other TWS models  —  or have tried something from the list mentioned here. It’s fascinating to see how many people hear the same as I do  —  or perhaps disagree.

Feel free to subscribe, leave comments and suggest promising options for future testing. This is always an interesting pursuit.

Wishing everyone peace, kindness, and excellent sound in 2025!

Best regards,

PolarMan