REVIEW – Though I get pleasure from reviewing varied merchandise, my coronary heart has all the time warmed in relation to audio. I can’t fairly pinpoint the rationale behind this however let me inform you, I’m not musical. I can’t learn music, or play an instrument, and if I dare to sing in the home, my spouse (who’s a musician) promptly leaves the room. However that doesn’t cease me from being an avid music listener. I can’t resist the attract of music, whether or not by means of audio system, headphones, or some other audio machine that comes my manner.

With the quite a few critiques I’ve written over time, I’ve grown to understand the wide selection of audio merchandise provided by Edifier. This firm has a knack for creating a various array of earbuds, virtually to the purpose of overwhelming selection. Should you discover their earbuds web site web page complicated, you’re not alone. So what did Edifier do to “repair” this? They made one other pair of earbuds! Introducing the Edifier NeoDots True Wi-fi Earbuds with Energetic Noise Cancellation. Are these mouthful-to-say earbuds totally different sufficient from the opposite Edifier earbuds to warrant consideration?

What’s it?

The Edifier NeoDots True Wi-fi Earbuds with Energetic Noise Cancellation are a premium pair of wi-fi hybrid earphones out there in both black or white. These earbuds provide three ranges of noise cancellation, wind discount, and ambient sound, permitting all exterior noises to be let in for added security in city settings.

Six microphones guarantee clear cellphone calls, each indoors and outside, even in windy circumstances. The earbuds are waterproof to an IP55 ranking, permitting them to be uncovered to water from any angle, together with rain. Nevertheless, submersion shouldn’t be permitted.

The NeoDots include three pairs of ear suggestions and a USB-C to USB-A charging cable. Wi-fi charging can also be built-in. The case is comparable in measurement and weight to the Apple AirPods Professional earphones. 

Charging time for the earbuds is 1.5 hours, and the case takes 1.5 hours to completely cost. The NeoDots present as much as 12-17 hours of battery life, whereas the case provides as much as 28-39 hours. Battery life is determined by quantity and noise cancellation. A small mild on the entrance of the case signifies the remaining battery life.

The newest Bluetooth 5.4 is used, and the earbuds help varied codecs, together with LDAC, AAC, and SBC. Nevertheless, the AptX codec shouldn’t be included.

Edifier makes use of its ConneX app to regulate the NeoDots—in addition to different Edifier audio system and headphones/earphones. The app is pretty complete with a 4-band graphic equalizer together with Edifier audio EQ presets. Noise-canceling is managed by button settings that can be utilized for quantity, skipping tracks, ANC, or voice assistant (Google Assistant, Apple Siri). Every earbud has a small haptic button on the high of the outer shell that may settle for single, double or triple clicks. Even the strain of pushing the button is programmable. The haptic engine feels so actual, I initially thought the buttons have been bodily.

What’s included?

• NewDots Earbuds
• Wi-fi charging case
• 3 pairs ear suggestions
• USB-C to USB-A charging cable
• Guide
• App

Tech specs

Design and options

If a pair of Edifier earbuds have the phrase “Neo” of their title, they’re premium and dearer than Edifier’s different fashions—even those with “Professional” within the title. The NeoDots are well worth the larger price ticket for distinctive consolation and the hybrid speaker setup. 

Let’s delve into consolation. The NeoDots are remarkably light-weight, making certain a safe match within the ear with out the chance of falling out. Furthermore, their match—a minimum of in my ears—stays snug even after prolonged use. In any case, what good is a 17-hour battery life in the event that they don’t really feel snug within the ear? Whereas the NeoDots do protrude barely from the ear, it’s not as a lot as a few of Edifier’s different earbuds.

Edifier provides solely three ear tip sizes—small, medium, and huge. Sadly, none of those sizes match me correctly. I resorted to utilizing ear suggestions from one other earbud, which supplied a passable match. Nevertheless, it’s essential to notice that my ears are distinctive, so your mileage might differ. To realize a correct match, it is advisable to push and twist the buds counterclockwise a bit.

The NeoDots are geared up with programmable features that may be accessed by means of the haptic button situated on every earbud. Initially, it might appear that the sleek outer shell of the NeoDot has a touch-sensitive space for these features however no, it’s all haptic managed. Personally, I favor bodily (or haptic) buttons over touch-sensitive surfaces that lack suggestions. However, in the course of the becoming course of, it’s simple to by chance press the haptic “Press Space” on both bud, which may inadvertently activate a operate.

The NeoDots make use of hybrid audio system, comprising two audio system in every earbud. The 10mm dynamic speaker resembles a typical cone speaker present in bookshelf audio system, usually tuned to bass frequencies. The second speaker seems nothing like a standard speaker. It’s known as an armature speaker—derived from the hearing-aid business. It’s normally tuned to play the mid to larger frequencies. Be aware that these two speaker designs might be fine-tuned to cowl a large frequency vary, however when mixed, they’re particularly tuned to reinforce their respective strengths.

The hybrid setup works nicely within the NeoDots. Be aware that the NeoDots lean extra towards larger frequencies, giving the earbuds a extra thrilling and brighter sound—good for classical, jazz, or rock. Bass might be boosted to compensate, however the NeoDots aren’t for bass heads.

The NeoDots sport lively noise canceling (ANC). No shock since virtually all earbuds now have ANC. Edifier states that ANC on the NeoDots cuts noise by 48 dB. It really works nicely for decrease frequencies, comparable to crowd noise and engine drone, however larger frequencies nonetheless slip by means of. Apple AirPods Professional earphones do ANC higher.

I’ve primarily used the NeoDots for music, however additionally they excel in spoken voice functions, comparable to podcasts and my favourite—audiobooks. The reader’s vocals are all the time clear and straightforward to grasp, which might be difficult if the earbuds are extra tuned to bass. I favor the NeoDots for spoken voice-over dearer earphones that excel in music.

Regardless of their distinctive efficiency in audiobooks, the NeoDots additionally deal with music nicely. Should you’re not a bass fanatic, you’ll admire the readability the NeoDots exhibit when reproducing music. Khatia Buniatishvili’s breathtaking piano rendition of Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” will evoke goosebumps. The music options extraordinarily quiet sections adopted by highly effective and forceful enjoying that the NeoDots seize exceptionally nicely.

Röyksopp’s “So Simple” remembers the basic Bobby Vinton music, “Blue on Blue” with a contemporary digital overlay giving the music an edge the unique by no means had. The NeoDots deal with this brighter-sounding edge with out veering into any harshness. 

Edifier claims that the NeoDots are HiRes licensed, though it’s essential to notice that this time period is primarily a advertising and marketing ploy relatively than any concrete scientific measurement. This idea originated with Sony years in the past. The NeoDots do help LDAC which is a higher-resolution Bluetooth codec that Android gadgets help (sorry, Apple followers). I say massive deal. Apple’s AAC sounds simply superb. No, the NeoDots can’t examine with a pair of wired headphones, nevertheless it doesn’t matter. They sound good.  

One good characteristic of the NeoDots is their means to pause music when faraway from the ears and resume when reinserted. Moreover, they are often paired with two separate gadgets, routinely switching between them as one is clicked on. I discover this characteristic significantly handy, because it permits me to seamlessly swap between my iPad and iPhone with none problem.

What I like in regards to the Edifier NeoDots True Wi-fi Earbuds

• Nicely made
• Cheap for the standard
• Snug
• Fune music listening
• Nice for spoken-word
• Programmable haptic button

What must be improved?

• Not for bass-heads
• The haptic button might be too-easily touched

Last ideas

The Edifier NeoDots True Wi-fi Earbuds with Energetic Noise Cancellation might not be the best-sounding earbuds I’ve reviewed, however they standout as top-tier choices within the under-150-dollar vary. They are often loved for hours of steady listening for each audio high quality and consolation. That’s saying—and enjoying—lots.

Worth: $119.99
The place to purchase: Amazon
Supply: The pattern of this product was supplied totally free by Edifier. Edifier didn’t have a closing say on the evaluation and didn’t preview the evaluation earlier than it was printed.