Sony’s release of its new WF-1000XM5 buds (The Verge) has reminded me that probably my most consistently carried pieces of tech, after my phone, is my earbuds. They live in the coin pocket of my jeans — nowadays no more dedicated to coins than a glove compartment is to gloves. 😂
At the moment, I ride for the Beats Fit Pro, which is a bit pathetic in some ways because I’m now onto my second pair after the first developed crackles and reduced output in the left ear bud. The best part? My current pair has started doing the same, just four months in. Yet, I love the fit so damn much that I keep putting up with it… (I’ll be taking these ones to an Apple store on the weekend to see if they’ll replace them like they did with my first-gen AirPods Pro a couple of years ago.)
Photo: TheStreet.com
Photo: ScreenRant.com
I’ve been on the ‘true wireless’ train for a very long time now, as my ADHD and related touch hypersensitivity always saw me get easily irritated by the cables of wires buds, especially if I had them running down the inside of my shirt. Wireless buds have been a godsend for me, even if I do constantly fiddle with their position in my ears!
The Beats Fit Pro are probably the best fit I’ve ever had, and the sound is good enough for me. As much as I live for music, I’m not an audiophile, so while I do demand good sound, I don’t seek out the absolute very best.
My only real demands are good sound, excellent fit, and a very coin-pocketable design.
I’ve had the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds, but they were a bit uncomfortable and cumbersome, and so I ultimately returned them for the Beats Fit Pro. I think I’m addicted to the winglets now, but even still, I’m bloody tempted by the XM5s…
So, what are your favourite buds? What are you biggest priorities?
Wired or wireless, hit me.
Main photo: Sony WF-1000XM5 buds next to XM4 buds. Chris Welch, The Verge.
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I’ve been using the Sony Link buds since a bit after their release. They’re enjoyable, I don’t have any references for other Bluetooth earbuds as these were made to be my first.
I was a little dismayed when the Linkbuds S came out later lol, I thought they were a significant upgrade for basically the same price but then I learned that they were noise cancelling which put me at ease, as I’d gotten the regular Linkbuds for being able to hear other sounds.
I wouldn’t say I have very many cons, but definitely some noticeable elements. Regarding what I just mentioned is that places like on the bus or by the highway with no shielding you need to volume up mostly all the way. Unlike noise cancelling of course, the regular Linkbuds just let all sound pass through so they can get drowned out.
They stay in my ear for extended periods of time but I have noticed that chewing or sometimes talking can seem to loosen them from my ear? I’ve had them drop out a couple times, thankfully not at inopportune times. The different band sizes are nice, although they do maintain the shape they take over time. Obviously too small falls out more often, but too large and they can be uncomfortable to wear, so you either have to hope it fits you or that a larger one will shape to your ear. Probably the biggest downside of the Linkbuds, just that they need more fitting ring sizes.
However, I think other than those two pretty minor things? I’m happy with them - walking my dog in the mornings I get all the ambiance of the morning with my music. If I want more or less of either, volume just goes up or down. It’s full feature wise, DSEE, options for high quality audio or stable connection, a number of tap to control methods for either ear and voice control and passive audio adjustment. Battery life is pretty good, I get about 3-3.5 charges from the case and a good 4 hours I’d say at least.
