REVIEW – So here we go again. One of the most exciting testing series for me has been the earbud challenge and that battlefield where I enlist all earbuds to try out for the top spot. It is the battle to see which pair can be the best of the best for me and my personal taste. While individually subjective, it continues to be a great way to compare the various brands and what they offer. Now the Phiaton Bolt BT 700 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds have entered the competition. Let’s see how they perform.

What is it?

The Phiaton Bolt BT 700 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds are like most earbuds that handle audio listening as well as phone call functions. These earbuds feature Balanced Armature Drivers and a charging case that includes a built-in speaker.

What’s in the box

1 x Pair of Phiaton Earbuds
1 x Charging Case
1 x Micro USB Cable
4 x Pairs of Ear Tips
1 x Instruction Manual
1 x Warranty Leaflet

Design and features

The Phiaton earbuds are not tiny but not large either. They come in a charging case that is approximately 3 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ x 1 1/.2″. The left side of the case is longer than the right because there is a  speaker that is housed in the left side.

On the right side, there is a Bluetooth button, 4 blue led lights for charging status and remaining charge, and the micro USB charging port.

On the other side of the charging case, there is a built-in speaker.

Performance

Specifications:
Communication Network: Bluetooth 5.0
Driver unit: Balanced Armature
Impedance: 40 Ohm
Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
Driver Unit Frequency Response: 20 Hz ~ 20 KHz
Max. Input Power: 40 mW
Operating Range: Within 10 m / 33 ft.
Call Time: 5 hrs Max.
Music Play Time: 5 hrs Max.
Standby Time: 94 hrs Max.
Full Charge Time: 2 hrs (2.5 hrs including Charging Speaker Case)
Fast Charging: Support 10 min. Charging= 1 hr Playing
Audio Codec: SBC, AAC
Operating Frequency: 2.4 GHz(2.402 GHz – 2.480 GHz)
Earbud Weight: 6.5 g
Charging Speaker Case: Input Power: DC 5 V / over 1 A
Battery: Lithium Ion, DC 3.7 / 750 mAh
Full Charging Time including Earphones: 2.5 Hrs
Number of charges with the case: 3 times (4 X 5 Hrs + 20 hrs with fully charged earbuds)
Speaker Output: 3W Max.
Music Play Time via earbuds & Speaker: 8 Hrs Max.
Standby Time: 220 Hrs Max
IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistant

In terms of music, these earbuds fit comfortably in my ears, and they function quite well. They have a nice volume range that works for me for all of my favorite genres, with a maximum volume that does not overwhelm and will not cause any damage to my hearing. The lows, mids, and highs are good and without distortion, but if you want to experience the lows in their full capability, it is very important to use the correct size and properly fitting ear tips.

For phone calls, these earbuds work ok even for someone like me that has had issues with all of the earbuds that I have tested except for one set. These are decently clear for both parties as long as I raise the volume of my voice just a bit for the other party to hear me clearly.

The earbuds automatically pair with the Bluetooth connection when removed from the charging case, and the connection is consistently solid and did not once disconnect involuntarily. These earbuds like most others have voice commands that confirm the connectivity. You should keep in mind that because there is a speaker built into the case and because it also operates via Bluetooth, the earbuds do not automatically disconnect when returned to their respective place in the charging case. A standard function of earbuds is to disconnect when placed in the case and the charging contacts are engaged. With these earbuds, I can place them in the case, close the case and they will not disconnect until you press the Bluetooth button on the side of the case to disconnect them, or you disconnect via your phone settings. Otherwise, and as I experienced, when you receive a phone call, you are unable to hear the other party on the line until you realize that the earbuds you put away a while ago are still connected.

In terms of the built-in speaker, it sounds surprisingly pleasant albeit closer to a full range sound as opposed to the earbud sound that provides the easily recognizable separation of lows, mids, and highs.

What I like

• The build quality
• The sound
• The comfortable fit

What can be improved

• The ability to disconnect the Bluetooth connection when the earbuds are placed in the case without having to press the case button to power off/disconnect.
• The manual is in such fine print that it is almost impossible to read

Final thoughts

The Phiaton earbuds do a great job with sound for all of the genres I tested including, jazz, R&B, Easy Listening, Reggae, Gospel. etc. They are well built and quite comfortable. They stay securely in my ears irrespective of any vigorous head movements, The only issue that bothers me is that they do not disconnect the Bluetooth connection when placed into the charging case. I quite understand the intended logic behind this design, but I would prefer them to automatically disconnect and I would re-engage them should I want to use the speaker that is built into the case. Since this is a challenge for the best of the best for me (my taste), this feature takes them out of the race for first place. It this issue does not bother you,  these would be a great buy and they still get two thumbs up!!

Price: $139
Where to buy: Currently available on Kickstarter with shipping in December.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Phiaton.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth earbuds

Phiaton Bolt BT 700 wireless Bluetooth earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 25, 2018 at 9:43 am.

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REVIEW – Julian Perry and I have been on a quest to find a great pair of Bluetooth earbuds and I’m not sure which one of us will finish our quest first or even there’s even an end in sight since new earbuds are coming out every day and it’s too tempting to try yet another pair. The latest pair that I’ve been testing is the Ascent Micro true wireless headphones from Rowkin. Let’s check them out.

What is it?

The Rowkin Ascent Micro is the latest Bluetooth headphones from Rowkin and the 4th pair of wireless headphones that I’ve tested from this particular company. From their Bit Charge earbuds that I reviewed back in 2016, I have been interested in this form factor but wasn’t impressed with the way they performed. Then more recently I reviewed their Micro Touch earbuds and again, I wasn’t impressed… But now I have their latest Ascent Micros and… well… you’ll see as you read on.

What’s in the box?

Rowkin Ascent Micro charging case with 2 Bluetooth earbuds inside
USB-C charging cable
USB-C to USB adapter
2 extra sets of eartips

Hardware specs

Charging time:
• Earbud: ≤70 minutes
• Portable charging case: ≤120 minutes
Number of recharges: 4
Standby time (power on): Up to 70 hours, (power off): about 120 days
Music / Talk time: up to 3.5+ hours
Frequency response: 20Hz-20kHz
Bluetooth version: 5.0
Bluetooth profiles: HFP, HSP, AVRCP, A2DP and SPP
Audio enhancements: Noise reduction and echo cancellation

Design and features

The Rowkin Ascent Bluetooth earbuds are available in 2 versions. There is the Micro version that was sent to me and shown above, and the Charge version. What’s the difference? The style of the storage container. The Ascent Charge has a long storage case that doubles as a power bank and charges wireless on a Qi wireless charger. The Ascent Micro which I have has a storage case with a built-in battery that charges the earbuds using a USB-C cable.

Available in black, slate, or cobalt blue, the Ascent case has 2 slots that the earbuds snap into via a magnet that holds them in place.

The earbuds have a bullet shape like previous Rowkin earbuds that I’ve reviewed, but the eartip is angled to better fit in your ear canal.

Compared to the other three Rowkin buds that I’ve tested over the years, I think the Ascent earbuds have a more premium feel.

The Ascent buds also have a silicone ring which Rowkin has named the Retention Wheel. This wheel is supposed to provide a more ergonomic fit and to aid in keeping the earbuds in your ears.

The Retention Wheel can be removed if desired. I haven’t noticed much of a difference with the fit and the wheel installed or removed. The earbuds fit me fine either way. But of course, everyone’s ears have a unique shape.

I will say that the Rowkin Ascent earbuds are the most comfortable truly wireless earbuds that I’ve tested so far. I have no problem leaving them in my ears for an hour or two at a time and have experienced zero discomfort with them. The fit for me isn’t perfect though. I’ve had the earbuds fall out of my ears during workouts where I was moving around a lot. But wearing them while sitting at a desk has been perfect.

The Ascent earbuds charge in the included flip-top case. There’s a pin in each slot that plugs into the earbud when they are seated in the slot.

You will know that charging has begun when you see the two tiny LEDs on the earbuds throb red. When the LEDs turn off, that means the earbuds are fully charged.

On the bottom of the charging case are two LEDs on either side of the USB-C port. These LEDs provide a battery capacity status for the case. The instructions tell you to gently shake the case so the LEDs will light up but that didn’t work for me. To see the status, I would set the case on a flat surface and lift the end up slightly and let it fall back down.

I love the charging case because the buds are always charged and ready for me to use, which makes the battery life feel like it’s infinite. It’s actually pretty close at about 17+ hours per recharge of the case itself. The earbuds can be used for about 3.5hrs for music, but recharging them only takes about an hour.

How do they sound for music and video?

I used my Pixel 2 XL to do my testing of the Rowkin Ascent Micro earbuds along with streaming music services like Pandora, Spotify, and Amazon music. Music sounded good. I won’t say that these buds are fantastic and that autophiles should run out and buy a pair asap, but I enjoyed using them to listen to my favorite tunes.

I also tested them while watching video on Netflix and noticed no problems with the audio syncing with the video. Again, audio sounded good.

I’m very happy to report that I’ve yet to experience the issue I’ve had with other Rowkin earbuds in the past where the audio in one earbud will cut out for a second. This was always an annoying issue that would happen a couple times an hour, but after testing these earbuds over several days for hours at time, it hasn’t happened even once so it appears that using Bluetooth 5.0 and an LDS antenna has solved the problem.

Touch controls

Touch controls appear to be a popular feature for earbuds these days and I have to say that I’m not loving the trend so far. I much prefer physical buttons over capacitive buttons as 9 times out of 10, I’ll have to repeat the command before the earbuds decide to pay attention to my taps which I find annoying.

How do the sound for calls?

For calls, my side (the Rowkin) side of the conversations sounded great. But on more than one occasion as soon as I would answer a call and start talking, the person on the other end would ask me where I was why I sounded so bad. Apparently, I sounded like I’d fallen down a well, or as Jeanne so eloquently put it, I sounded like crap.

What I like

• Comfortable
• Good sound
• Charging case provides up to 17hrs total playback time

What needs to be improved

• Mediocre call audio quality on the side opposite the Rowkin side

Final thoughts

I’m happy to report that as of today, the Rowkin Ascent Micro earbuds are my favorite truly wireless earbuds. They power on almost instantly, pair quickly, sound good, fit comfortably, and conveniently charge in their storage case. The only slight knock that I’ll give them is that they are a bit on the pricey side compared to the 100’s of other wireless earbuds that are flooding the market but with that said, I’ve tried a few of them and so far the Rowkin Ascents are beating the others in all other aspects.

Price: $99.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Rowkin.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth earbuds

Rowkin Ascent Micro Bluetooth headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 22, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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REVIEW – As my quest for the best earbuds for me continues, there seems to be a constant battle among the earbuds that I test, with all challenging for supremacy and the number one position. The Soul Emotion Wireless Earbuds from Soul Electronics are the next to take on the challenge. So, here we go!!

What is it?

The Soul Emotion earbuds are wireless Bluetooth earbuds that provide the functionality for audio listening and phone functions. Their functions are similar to the standard earbuds.

What’s in the box?

1 x Soul Emotion Earbuds
1 x Charging Case
3 x Pairs of Ear Tips
1 x Micro USB Cable
1 x Quick Start Guide
1 x Communication card

Design and features

Specifications
Bluetooth Version: V4.2
Profile: A2DP, AVRCP, and HFP.
Range: 10 meters (33 feet)
Charging time (Full charge): Approx. 1 hour
Playtime: Up to 6 hours
Standby time: up to 40 hours
Charging Box: 300mAh
Recharge Earphones: 2 Times for each fully charged charging box
Weight: 27g Charging Box, 5g Each Earphone

Music Functions:
On either the left or right earbud:
1 press – play/pause
2 presses – track forward
3 presses – track backward

Call Functions:
On left earbud:
1 press – answer call
1 press – end call
1 long press – reject call

The charging case is small measuring just 2″ x 1″ x 1″, and the earbuds are also small and lightweight. They are offered in both white and black.

Inside of the charging case is a simple layout with a place for each small earbud and with charging pins on each side. In the center of the case between the two earbuds, there is a small circular LED that flashes during charging. (Check out the video below)

Performance

These earbuds are very lightweight and very comfortable in the ears, I was able to find a set of the included ear tips that fit me perfectly. When you first use them, you have to look carefully at the contacts, and remove the thin plastic film that covers them. The thin film is almost invisible to the naked eye, and I have to be honest and say that I only figured it out after I could not get the earbuds to charge even after plugging them in overnight. Pairing the earbuds is very easy and straightforward, and after the initial pairing, they automatically power on and pair with that device each time you remove them from the case. Their function includes the standard voice commands that confirm power status and connectivity. They also properly disconnect the Bluetooth connection when placed into the case. They produce a well-balanced sound, but for my taste, they do fall short a bit in the lower frequency.  I tested them with Jazz, Reggae, Gospel, Easy Listening, R&B, Soul and the Classics, and overall they performed quite well. The Bluetooth connection remained solid throughout testing with no disruptions even when in the high interference areas that I usually travel through each workday. It is important to note that they do employ a volume limiter, so they never get really, really loud. They fit well in your ears and do not attempt to fall out even during vigorous movements. When I tested them for phone calls, I could hear the other party clearly, but the other party kept saying that I sounded like I was in a basement and I did have to raise my voice quite a bit for them to hear me. Since I am convinced that somehow this is an issue that is specific to me regardless of the earbuds, these earbuds might handle phone calls better for others. One downside is that since the charging case battery is only 300mAh, so you only get just about 2 charges from the case per case charge.

On a sided note, they provide quite a nice light show when charging. (I shot the following video in my dark truck while it was raining heavily outside)

What I like

• The compact size of the case and earbuds including how lightweight they are
• The instant connection and disconnection when placed into or taken out of the charging case
• The solid Bluetooth connection

What can be improved

• The overall frequency range to provide deeper bass
• A bit more volume range

Final thoughts

The Soul Emotion earbuds are a great balance of sound, size, weight, and functionality. They work very well in each category and are very pleasing to use. In this challenging battle to “wow” me and to reign supreme as the best earbuds for me, they do not earn the top spot, but they certainly earn a Good Performance rating. However, if rated in a class of earbuds in a similar price range, they could possibly earn top honors. They get a job well done and a thumbs up!!

Price: $49.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Soul Electronics.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth earbuds

SOUL Emotion Wireless Earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 19, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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REVIEW – After several earbuds reviews, the battle for supremacy is really heating up. The more I test and review these samples, the more I am beginning to realize that price is becoming much less of a factor in determining build quality and quality of sound and function. These earbuds are a new addition to my ongoing search for the best earbuds my individual taste, wants and needs. Here we go!!

What is it?

The Aimus Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds are a pair of lightweight earbuds that are designed for listening to music and conducting phone calls with the utmost ease and comfort. They also work with Apple’s Siri and should be compatible with most Bluetooth equipped mobile devices.

What’s in the box

1 x Aimus Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
1 x Charging Case
1 x Micro USB Cable
3 x Additional Pair of Ear Tips
1 x Instruction Booklet

Design and features

Specifications:

Version: Bluetooth 5.0
Working Voltage: 3.7 V
Impedance ohms: 32Ω
Bluetooth range: 66 ft / 20 m
Earbuds Battery Capacity: 40 mAh
Charging Case Battery Capacity: 400 mAh
Speaker Unit: ɸ10mm*2 Hi-Fi Stereo
Music Play Time: 3-4 hrs
Charging time for Bluetooth earbuds: 0.5-1 hr
Charging time for charger case: 2 hours

The Aimus Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds are super lightweight and boast a host of features including Bluetooth 5.0, automatic pairing/connection, dual stereo HD mics that allow use of both earbuds for phone calls, touch surface for all functions, IPX5 sweatproof protection, approximately 4 hours of playback time on one charge as well as up to 4 charges from the charging case before the case needs to be recharged. The cylindrical case is smooth and sleek and very sexy looking. It slides open easily to reveal the pair of earbuds. The magnetic force between the earbuds and the case it strong which ensures that they stay in place. There are 2 connection pins in each earbud socket in the case that make the connection for charging.

On the side of the shorter half of the charging case, there is the micro USB port for charging, and a LED that lights blue when the case is being charged.

Performance

When you take the earbuds case out of the box, if you get them in red, you will love the appearance. I am sure that the black case is nice as well. Regardless, we all know that appearance while pleasing means nothing if the performance is not up to par. These earbuds arrived already charged and ready to go. Once I opened the cylindrical charging case, the first and only real issue I encountered was that since I do not have skinny hands/fingers, it was a pain in the neck to get the earbuds out of the case. The magnetic grip between the earbuds and the case is strong, which is great because they will never fall out on their own. This ensures that you will never lose them as a result of them falling out of the case. Once I got them out of the case, a simple touch on the touch surface of each one turned their power on. They immediately appeared as a choice in my list of available Bluetooth devices on my phone and paired very easily. Once I paired them the first time, they automatically connect to each other and pair with my phone whenever I remove them from the charging case. When I replace them in the charging case, they automatically disconnect from the Bluetooth connection. All of the pairing and connection functions are confirmed by voice commands, which seems to be the standard for most earbuds these days. These earbuds are very light, and they are very comfortable in my ears. They have enough volume for listening to any type of music, and the frequency range is quite good. The mids and highs are smooth and clear with no distortion. The lows are good, but could be better and could go a bit lower to provide a deeper bass that would positively affect any listening experience. I tested these earbuds, with Reggae, Gospel, Jazz, R&B, Soul, and Easy Listening, and their performance has been outstanding. What makes them “king of the castle” is that so far I have never experienced a break in the Bluetooth connection, even when in the high interference areas where all of the other earbuds that I have tested have experienced some level of trouble and disconnections. The second amazing accomplishment of these earbuds is their flawless and easy performance when I use them for phone calls. The call quality is clear for both parties and unlike all of the others I tested, I can speak at a normal volume. While this may not sound like a big deal, those that read my reviews would know that it is a first for me to use earbuds that I truly praise when describing my phone call experience.

Controls:
Music:
Touch once: Play/Pause
Touch twice (Right Earbud): Volume Down
Touch twice (Left Earbud): Volume Up
Touch for 3 Seconds (Right Earbud): Last Track
Touch for 3 Seconds (Left earbud): Next track

Phone Calls:
Touch once: Answer
Touch Again: Hang Up
Touch either Earbud for 3 Seconds: Reject call

Siri:
Quick Touch L or R 3 times

As you can see in the picture below there is a LED light ring on the earbuds that blinks bluish/greenish when they are in use. They are very comfortable and fit securely in your ears.

What I like

• The build quality
• That they are really lightweight
• The sound
• The long-lasting battery both in the earbuds and the case
• The phone call quality (A first for my earbud reviews)

What can be improved

• The case design so that the earbuds are still secure but easier to remove

Final thoughts

I have to be honest in saying that I had no clue what to expect from these earbuds. After being so happy with the previous set that I reviewed, I was not expecting these to come close. However, when I consider all of the categories and dynamics that I pay attention to when pursuing the best earbuds for me, these have without a doubt, taken over sole possession of the pole position, and sit on the throne as better than the rest that I have tested. By now, everyone that reads my reviews knows of my disclaimer, that sound and the perception of sound are individually subjective characteristics. However, and without a doubt, I feel quite confident when giving these kudos, and two thumbs up!!

Price: $75.99 (Amazon) $59.99 Aimus Website
Where to buy: Aimus Website (Use coupon code AIMUS20 to save 20%) Amazon (Use coupon code AIMUSBTH to save 48%)
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Aimus.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth earbuds

Aimus i11 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 10, 2018 at 9:00 am.

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