Edifier NeoBuds S review

Earbuds with energetic noise cancellation (ANC) have gotten extra commonplace nowadays. The brand new Edifier NeoBuds S is the latest title to enter this area, armed with the brand new Snapdragon Sound platform (therefore the S) and a cool design.

So, is that this a reputation you have to be listening to? And what precisely is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound?

Design & Construct

• Pretty packaging
• Futuristic clamshell-case
• IP54 waterproof ranking

My first impressions of the NeoBuds are excellent. The presentation field is stable, nicely padded and includes a flip-top design that’s aesthetically pleasing.

Beneath the charging case, there’s additionally one other stage that homes the charging cable, a smooth case, plus a variety of various sized ideas for the earbuds, all of that are color coded which is a pleasant contact. If the primary chew is with the attention, then Edifier units a superb desk for the feast.

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Eradicating the charging case reveals a barely chunky design that’s a mix of plastic and metallic. A matt end covers nearly all of the plastic chassis, with a metallic plate on the lid that bears the Edifier emblem.

Not like nearly all of wi-fi earbuds I’ve examined lately, this case has a clam-shell lid that enables you quick access to the earbuds, versus the flip-top lids which could be a little trickier with regards to eradicating buds.

Beneath the housing for the earbuds, there’s a small button which you utilize to enter the pairing mode. That is indicated by the skinny LED strip which is illuminated everytime you open the case, plug it in to cost or press the pairing button. In case you obtain the accompanying Edifier Join app, you’ll find a way not solely to entry further modes for the earbuds but additionally assign as much as seven completely different colors for the LED strip.

On the rear of the case you’ll discover a USB-C connector for charging the NeoBuds through the included cable.

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The buds themselves are fairly customary fare, sporting an in-ear design with quick outer stems. Edifier packs three microphones into every bud to facilitate not solely the power to make and obtain hands-free telephone calls, but additionally to seize ambient sounds for the energetic noise cancellation system. 

Faucet controls are located on the skin of the stems, and might take a little bit of getting used to. On a number of events, I discovered that I used to be touching the unsuitable space when attempting to pause playback, swap sound modes or reply incoming calls. That is usually the case when shifting between completely different earbuds, however I’ve to say that the NeoBuds took much more getting used to than I’ve discovered with earlier fashions.

As soon as my focusing on system was absolutely operational although, I used to be in a position to confidently use the buds with out too many missed instructions, but it surely nonetheless wasn’t constant sufficient for buds at this value level. This modified although once I put in the app, as there’s a sensitivity management that lets you alter how the contact space responds. Bumping this up a bit made an prompt enchancment, with controls changing into much more dependable and responsive. 

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One factor that shouldn’t be an issue for anybody utilizing these earbuds is being caught within the rain and worrying about any potential harm, because the NeoBuds S boast an IP54 ranking. This implies they need to be superb should you’re caught in a downpour or utilizing them in a very sweaty fitness center session. 

Sound High quality

• A number of ANC modes
• Good audio total
• Devoted app required to entry all audio options

Sound is delivered via a hybrid-designed Knowles balanced armature driver plus 10mm dynamic drivers in every bud.

Out of the field, the Edifier NeoBuds S affords two sound modes: Ambient and Excessive Noise Cancellation. These are accessed by double tapping on the left earbud, with a voice interface then saying which mode you’re in.  

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When in Ambient mode, the buds use the microphones to introduce a refined quantity of the background noise in your surroundings. This lets you nonetheless hear station bulletins, your title being known as in a physician’s surgical procedure or when somebody begins speaking to you within the workplace. It’s a really open sound that blends your environment and the music to which you’re listening in a balanced approach. 

Switching to the Excessive Noise Cancellation mode introduces a much more remoted and intimate expertise due to its -42dB capabilities. There’s a right away firming up of the decrease frequencies, with the treble being decreased due to the omission of the background noise used within the ambient mode. This doesn’t imply you lose all of the excessive finish, because the frequency spectrum provided by the ANC is wealthy and consultant of the unique recorded content material.

Mainly, the NeoBuds S sound excellent in both mode however if you wish to block out your environment then the ANC does an honest job. You’ll nonetheless be capable to hear shut noises, however total it ought to assist dampen any distractions round you. 

Pairing the NeoBuds with my laptop computer resulted in video content material that synced up properly with the audio, aided by the Bluetooth 5.2 connection, which isn’t all the time the case with wi-fi earbuds. So, if you wish to take pleasure in Netflix or YouTube with out annoying these round you, utilizing the NeoBuds S means you received’t should put up with the mind-wrecking sight of lips shifting and phrases showing so time afterwards.

There’s additionally a Gaming mode obtainable, which syncs the audio to the fast-moving motion in your telephone. 

Edifier Join App

If you wish to avail your self of the complete suite of audio choices, then the Edifier Join app is required. As soon as that is downloaded and put in on both your Android or Apple system, you’ll immediately discover a vary of latest modes and instruments that may enable you personalise the sounds you get from the NeoBuds S.

Alongside the 2 default sound modes, there are additionally three extra ANC choices.  These are Regular mode (ANC off), Low Noise Cancellation and Wind Discount. I’m assuming that these are restricted to the app in order to not overwhelm the listener with too many modes to faucet via on the buds themselves.

All of them work fairly nicely, though with all the great climate we’ve had lately, I didn’t get to check the Wind Discount mode as completely as I’d have preferred. 

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There are additionally three sound profiles obtainable within the Edifier Join app, that are primarily EQ settings. Two are preset (Basic and Dynamic), whereas a 3rd lets you customise the settings to your choice. I discovered the Basic mode a bit of darkish, with the upper-mids not too distinguished, this was addressed in Dynamic which opened up the sound extra.

There’s a good quantity of management obtainable within the Custom-made mode, with 4 sliders permitting you to spice up sure areas of the sound, then fine-tune them by deciding on the central frequency bands. Fortunately, all outcomes are performed reside as you tweak them, so that you don’t want a sound engineering diploma to work all of it out. 

While you discover a setting you’re pleased with, it can save you it below a particular title. This may be repeated with a number of configurations, that means you’ll be able to tailor your preferences for types of music or spoken phrase audio, then entry them with a few faucets at a later date. 

The app additionally lets you assign sure instructions to the faucets on the earbuds. So, should you favor a quantity management relatively than skipping a observe if you triple faucet the suitable bud, you’ll be able to set it up via the app. The identical is true of the ANC modes, all of which might be added or eliminated so you find yourself with those you need to entry by tapping relatively than utilizing the app each time. 

Clearly, one of many foremost promoting factors of the Edifier NeoBuds is assist for the Snapdragon Sound audio platform. This combines Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive, Aqstic and different applied sciences to supply as much as lossless 24-bit, 96kHz audio with low latency.

Qualcomm goals to make wi-fi connections nearly as good as wired ones with this method, however to make use of it you’ll additionally want an authorized smartphone with a appropriate Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. In the mean time, there usually are not many round, with Xiaomi, Motorola and iQOO flagships being probably the most prevalent. The corporate supplies an inventory of appropriate gadgets so you’ll be able to see if yours will be capable to entry the complete capabilities of Snapdragon Sound.

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As I didn’t have entry to any of those gadgets throughout my take a look at interval, I wasn’t in a position to expertise Snapdragon Sound, and that shall be true for you too except you’ve got an authorized handset. So, you’ll want to verify the compatibility record if this explicit function is one that you just’re fascinated by – search for the Snapdragon Sound emblem when shopping for a telephone.

Battery Life & Charging 

• 55mAh battery (earbuds)
• Lengthy battery life
• Fast 10 minutes recharge for 1.5 hours listening time

The NeoBuds S final a wholesome period of time when faraway from the case. Utilizing numerous ANC settings I managed to get round 5 hours of listening time from a single cost. Edifier says that it will enhance to six hours should you select the Regular (non-ANC) mode as a substitute. Both of those figures is respectable and means it is best to be capable to end your morning commute or fitness center session with no need to plug them again in once more. 

In case you want to take action, then 10-minutes within the case will grant you round an hour and a half’s listening time, whereas the most effective a part of an hour will return them to full power. The case itself supplies round three full recharges and takes about two hours to utterly replenish its cells.

Worth & Availability

Coming in at £179.99/$179.99, the Edifier NeoBuds S are up towards some stiff competitors. For across the identical value you’ll be able to decide up the excellent Xiaomi Buds 3T Professional or the even cheaper Samsung Galaxy Buds 2, each of which additionally function ANC.

Whereas these are worthy opponents, the NeoBuds S provide a superb mix of sound high quality, ANC, and customisation controls, which provides them the sting for my part. 

The Edifier NeoBuds S can be found straight on-line from the corporate itself, or from retailers corresponding to Amazon UK or Amazon US.

Take a look at our chart of the most effective wi-fi earbuds for extra choices.

Verdict

The Edifier NeoBuds S provide a terrific mix of design, consolation and efficiency. The robust ANC modes make them among the finest I’ve tried at this value level, whereas the general sound is superb.

You’ll have to ensure you set up the accompanying app although, as I discovered the contact controls to be very hit-and-miss till I boosted the sensitivity, plus nearly all of audio options are additionally unlocked through the software program.

Snapdragon Sound is a pleasant addition however is presently restricted to a handful of gadgets, so you’ll want to take that under consideration if contemplating a purchase order. 

Specs

• Knowles Balanced Armature Driver + 10mm Dynamic Driver 
• ANC (as much as -42db)
• Snapdragon Sound, aptX, aptX adaptive, AAC, SBC
• Bluetooth 5.2 (A2DP, AVRCP, HFP)
• Sound Stress Stage 92±3dB SPL (A)
• Frequency Response 20Hz-40KHz
• 6 Microphones (3 on every earbud)
• Microphone Sensitivity -36dB±3dB
• IP Score IP54
• 55mAh battery (buds)
• 500mAh battery (case)
• USB-C charging