Many earbud manufacturers are now targeting the gamer fan which means you get a two in one product and most likely a better price and they are doing this by offering a lower latency take on their earbuds QYC is a new brand here to us and after reviewing their last earbuds the QCY T18 earbuds which are super impressive for the price their G1 model attempts to attract gamers as we do have an option to use solely as a gaming earbud or a gaming earbud but the thing is when you offer both you give people more for their money and attract new custom.
Their app is great which we went over in the QCY T18 but below is a what is different this time around and all the smarts that were there in the T18 are still present so you are getting that but more and at an affordable price point which is great for the consumer.
As you can see the app has all you need you have got battery level control sound control for both gaming and music and feature controls you can even control the LED and you have a sleeping mode option.
As for the sound again it is good however I found these a bit on the brighter side compared to the previous pair we checkout but that is just my thoughts and again can be customised with the app but overall good sound across the board and no lag latency when using with Netflix etc and whilst gaming and so on and for anyone on a budget who requires new earbuds and wants them for music and gaming you should look at these, they are light comfortable and the controls work well and all in all a well rounded product at an affordable price offer both gamers and music listeners value for money again.
Amazon Prime day is here and Jabra have some deals that you should take note of, tried and test ourselves Jabra is an easy recommend so lets see what the offers are.
Jabra Elite 3 (grey, navy, lilac, beige) – the all-round earbuds that just got even more affordable – Was £79.99, NOW £49.99
The earbuds are engineered to bring music to life with 6mm speakers and deliver crystal clear calls with 4-microphone call technology, a class-leading music equaliser, inclusion of Qualcomm aptXTM HD audio and seven hours of battery life (28 hours including the charging case). The earbuds offer outstanding noise isolation and with HearThrough awareness, users can tap into the sounds of their surroundings.
Jabra Elite 85t (Black, Titanium Black, Copper Black, Grey, Gold Beige) – Engineered for calls and music like never before – Was £219.99, NOW £119.99
The Jabra Elite 85t, comes with Jabra Advanced ANC which delivers a level of noise-cancelling that goes one step further than Jabra’s standard ANC offerings. Dual chipset in the earbuds deliver strong ANC capability as well as optimal sound processing. These are some of the smallest earbuds that offer premium ANC to create your private, quite space and delivers HearThrough to let you hear your surroundings – both features fully adjustable and with extra focus on natural sound performance and limited occlusion (blockage/closure), achieved via the semi-open design and multiple ANC microphones.
GravaStar, creators of one-of-a-kind sci-fi inspired hi-fi audio products, has announced the launch of Sirius P5, earbuds and cases that combine hyper-modern creativity, functionality and customization with mecha-inspired designs. The lightweight open ear Sirius P5 features 12mm dynamic drivers and Qualcomm aptX high-definition to deliver powerful bass and clear, industry-leading stereo sound quality. The first to offer interchangeable cases, Sirius P5 will have three unique, sci-fi inspired industrial designs available at launch: Defense Armor, Defense Mecha and Defense Crystal, with more styles on the way.
Sirius P5 and its custom cases give a nod to nostalgic, classic sci-fi culture while also being inspired by modern industrial design. Made from either zinc alloy or Lego-like material prized for strength and rigidity, each interchangeable case protects Sirius P5 from drops and scratches, while also standing out for its unique, futuristic design. Users are able to purchase different cases and switch them up for style variation, without needing to purchase a new set of earbuds. Four RGB lights on the left side of Sirius P5 can be customized with changing colors for additional personalization. Each charging case holds four extra charges, combining with an eight hour battery life on the earbuds to deliver 40 hours of total playtime.
“Our audio products take inspiration from sci-fi and cyberpunk characteristics, each one having a collectible element to it,” said Yong Huang, GravaStar founder and industrial designer. “Sirius P5 is unique in that we took inspiration from the iconic retro lighters that allow users to collect and change their cases while adding protection. We’ll continue to release new designs so people can have fun expressing their style while vibing to their music.”
Built with the latest Qualcomm 3046 chip and featuring Bluetooth 5.2, Sirius P5 boasts a fast and stable connection. The 12mm drivers are able to cover a wide range of frequencies while delivering powerful, deep bass at a high volume using less power. Qualcomm aptX high definition delivers high resolution audio over Bluetooth with clear, industry-leading stereo sound and no interference.
Just as a mecha robot is controlled easily by the person who operates it in the sci-fi world, Sirius P5 combines futuristic design with easy to use features like smart touch controls to switch between calls and music, control volume, change tracks, pause / play, activate Siri, and more. Each earbud weighs only five grams and fits snugly inside the ear with Environment Noise Canceling to block out any external noise for a superior, stable audio experience in any situation. Sound is tailored to activity, with 48ms low latency for Gaming Mode to pinpoint movements and clear, natural vocals with concert acoustics in Music Mode. An IPX4 water-resistant rating makes Sirius P5 ideal for outdoor and athletic pursuits, while an included necklace can be attached to the earbuds to ensure they are never lost in any activity.
Sirius P5 earbuds will be available in black or white, and come with one charging case. Different Sirius P5 sets are available at http://www.GravaStar.com. At time of launch three variations will be available with more being released quarterly. MSRP for the earbuds is $79.95 – $99.95. From October 6 to November 1, a special pre-order price of $89.95 includes one set of black earbuds and all three cases, normally offered for $139.95.
Additional Tech Specs
Battery Type: Polymer lithium-ion battery
Earbuds Charging Time: 1.5 hours
Single Earbuds Battery Capacity: 45 mAh
Single Earbuds Weight: 5g
Charging Case Battery Capacity: 500 mAh
Charging Case Charging Time: 2 hours
Input: 5V–350mA
Output: 5V–150mA
Playtime: Up to 8 hours of listening time with full charge (50% volume) ● Standby time: Around 80 hours
Bluetooth: V5.2
Bluetooth Protocol: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP
Decoding Format: SBC/AAC/APTX
Bluetooth Distance: >10m
Sensitivity: 99dB+/- 3dB
Frequency response range: 20Hz – 20KHz
About GravaStar
GravaStar was founded in 2018, born from the founder Yong’s vision to create a futuristic, cyberpunk world fusing sci-fi with hi-fi. The GravaStar team is composed of designers, craftsmen, cartoonists, engineers, gamers, music fans, explorers, and other visionaries working together to make cool things and merge mecha, metal, and technology with everyday products. With 18 years of industrial design experience, Yong uses his personal passion to produce design-driven, hyper-modern playable collectibles that don’t compromise on sound quality, creating elegant products for users who want to be different.
With a myriad of earbuds out there today there is certainly good choice for those who want some more when they set out for new earbuds or upgrade and the options are getting better day by day and those who need more in certain instances JBL are providing such. As our readers know we have a multiple earbuds in from JBL and are testing them as we speak but our focus will be more detailed in the video as we have lots to get through and of course with a look at the app which has many new features and different set-ups as you would have seen in recent JBL reviews and more to come. Search here for the latest reviews from JBL and keep an eye out for more hands on reviews with context. See the unboxing here of the Quantum TWS the Tour One headphones and the Tune Flex earbuds. As mentioned before at their Dublin launch event they showcased their latest products and you can see that here.
The Quantum TWS are after throwing a bit of a spanner in the works for me anyway with how they sound and what they offer and for those who want more as mentioned these have an extra piece thrown into the party being a dongle which allows you to connect to external devices like your consoles and so on to have better latency which also works well from my testing. This can be used on your phone too but I feel there is no need for it been honest but this also worked on my TV with an adapter which makes them even better again for home use. You can buy third party dongles but I find these often do not pair up well with other products but this being a JBL standalone product of course it works perfectly well.
JBL Dongle in my TV techbuzzireland
JBL Dongle in Nintendo Switch – techbuzzireland
The case is a familiar shape with LED lights up front and sadly missing wireless charging this time around, not a huge deal for me but the case is pocketable and has a Glossy/Matt finish. The earbuds have stems which is fine by me and fit well and stay put. The controls are touch controls this time but work well with a large enough area covered by the JBL logo to get the job done accurately.
Of course we have the JBL app to avail of which again enhances the user experience giving you control, we have gone through this several times in our reviews but here is some idea of what to expect and see more in the video review.
When it comes to the sound I am not going to go through the usual terms used all you need to know but they are great with great bass and very punchy with 10mm drivers and with the EQ in the app you are in control for gaming movies and music these are better than expected and at the price point and with the gamer element thrown in both gamers and those who want audio have a complete package here and will no be disappointed at all. The ANC worked really well on these too and for me one of the better offerings out there at this price again.
In short if you are a gamer and like audio these should be on your list of earbuds and are affordable and with the Google extras on them makes it even more sweet. See the video for more below.
Today, Jabra, leaders in personal sound and office solutions, announces the Jabra Connect 5t as the third product in Jabra’s Connect series, joining the Connect 4h, a flexible headset, and the Jabra Connect 4s, a portable speakerphone, in a range of products created for those who want to choose their flexible, remote working solutions at retail. The Jabra Connect 5t brings the benefits of true wireless earbuds to the series and promises to be a sound remote-working companion.
In an age where working from home is standard, having the right tools and technology is a top priority for most. According to Jabra’s Hybrid Ways of Working 2022 Global Report, 57% of employees are opting for a flexible work model while 28% are fully remote. With that in mind, the Jabra Connect 5t is engineered for those working from home looking for earbuds for both home working and leisure use.
Work from anywhere, anytime
Working remotely should be just as efficient as working from the office, and Jabra’s Connect 5t ensures that with its Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation and wind noise suppression. The earbuds have a combination of inward-facing and outward-facing microphones, cancelling noise from inside and outside of the ear and enabling hybrid working professionals to focus on calls without distraction. The 6-mic call technology also mean high-quality and crisp audio on calls and 6mm speakers can power up your work playlist with rich sound. The earbuds also have SBC, AAC and Qualcomm® aptX™ codecs to enhance the sound even further.
The Connect 5t, based on the recently announced Elite 5 earbuds, lets you stay connected to two devices at once, like a laptop and a smartphone, with its Bluetooth Multipoint feature. For Android or Windows users, the Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair will connect the earbuds in seconds, allowing effortless switching and manoeuvring. With Spotify Tap playback, all the music the user could ever wish for is accessible on tap.
Users can get up to 7 hours in the buds, with up to a total of 28 hours with the included Qi-certified wireless charging case and pad. The fast charge feature gives users an hour of power in ten minutes – perfect for all-day calls.
“We all know the pains of having poor audio quality on calls or from being in a noisy environment. Our vision for the Jabra Connect line is guided by our desire for people to look and sound professional no matter where they are at home. Everyone should have the freedom and ability to work on the go, so the Connect 5t is a perfect addition to empower people,” says Calum MacDougall, SVP at Jabra.
The Jabra Connect line consists of the new Connect 5t, alongside the over-the-head Connect 4h which delivers a different call experience from the PC, as well as the Connect 4s which gives you a professional-grade speakerphone in your home for conference conversations.
Key features of the Connect 5t:
6-mic technology – Clear calls for virtual meetings
Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation – Blocks out surrounding noise for better concentration
Smart connectivity options – Connect to two devices at one time with the Bluetooth Multipoint connection and enjoy Google Fast Pair and/or Microsoft Swift Pair to be connected in seconds. Spotify Tap gives easy on tap access to music
Up to 7 hours battery, 28 hours with the case – All-day work calls. Wireless charging pad included
6mm speakers – Ensures rich, satisfying sounds in and out of office hours
Hands-free voice assistants – Google Assistant* and Alexa built-in for hands-free assistance on-the-go
Wireless charging pad included
*Android only
Connect 5t pricing and availability
The Jabra Connect 5t will be available for MSRP £169.99 from select consumer electronics retailers, as well as via jabra.co.uk and Amazon.
The latest from Jabra has landed and it is their all new Jabra Elite 5 earbuds which came to us in the Gold Beige colour which is really nice and a change, the wireless charging case, buds and the tips all match and the whole presentation is really nice as usual from Jabra. Packed with features like ANC 6 mics aptX and more we are looking forward to testing the latest out from the company which is always nice and a pleasure.
As per usual if you need any questions answered feel free to ask on our social media handles and of course YouTube where we hang out mostly these days and we will have our full hands on review soon here and on YouTube where we delve more into the products and give you a real look at what to expect and what there is you need to know.
Read more about the Elite 5 here and watch the full unboxing below.
Jabra Elite 5 key features and specifications:
Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) blocks more background noise, powered by the Qualcomm QCC3050 Bluetooth SoC
6-microphone call technology with wind noise suppression
Powerful 6mm speakers for goosebump-inducing, heart-racing, soaring sound
Customizable EQ and Spotify Tap Playback
Up to 7 hours play time with ANC on (up to 28 hours with wireless charging case)
Qualcomm® aptX™ Audio
Google Assistant and Alexa Built In for hands-free assistance on-the-go
Easy pairing with Google Fast Pair* and Microsoft Swift Pair*
Bluetooth Multipoint keeps you connected to two devices at once
With a new style at hand here from Edifier these piston inspired designed earbuds as they have called them drew some attention and not only this it is nice to see a new design of earbuds as overall the design element like mobile phones is getting boring now so it was good to see something that looks different and coming in a cool case with an LED light up front was also a good move so how did these fair out after testing them?
The design and looks are good as mentioned and they fit really well they do stand out and have a nice silver accent on the tips which is plastic like the whole earbud but this does not make them uncomfortable either they fit well in the ears and stay put and of course you should ensure you have the right tips so do check them all out for your best fit.
Edifier W240TN – techbuzzireland
The case has borrowed a nice LED effect up front like the Neo Buds Pro we reviewed which again is an excellent pair of earbuds so do check out that review too and see how they done, On the tips you have buttons which is an arguable debate of which is best and I prefer these bit no problem using touch sensitive earbuds and for controlling these they worked really well and have been responsive at all times.
There is app access folks yes that’s right Edifier Connect and great to see and works well and has improved with an update during my test period check out more on that in the video review below. Below is an idea of what you will see in the app and how the UI looks. Battery life is decent here too and good all round and realistic to their claims from my testing.
When it comes to sound these do well again and only expected from Edifier overall without going into the usual definitions these for me passed the test and again at the price point you can’t complain decent volume nice bass and of course the app can help you along and has a gaming mode for those want something more.. Check the video for more and let us know if you have these and what you think.
The W240TN also includes a range of ergonomic features. For those who lead a busier life, listening to music in the gym or whilst they’re out for a run, the buds are IP55 certified – meaning they are water resistant and sweat proof – and feature Edifier’s impressive AI call noise cancellation technology, which allows users to enjoy clear and life-like call audio without external noise interfering. To ensure your safety whilst listening to your favourite artists or calling an old friend, the W240TN also comes with an optional ‘Ambient Mode’ designed to allow environmental sounds (like car engines, tannoy callouts or dogs barking) to seep through into your listening.
Main features:
Dual Dynamic Drivers (Φ6mm+Φ10mm)
Bluetooth 5.3
8.5-hour playback + 17 hours with charging case
Eye-catching metallic design inspired by a piston-head
I am becoming a huge fan of Gravastar having tested some of their products and we have tested several bluetooth speakers and a pair of earbuds before which where the Sirius Pro Gaming Earbuds and they were great with a unique design and super cool case and excellent packaging to boot. Do check out that review here.
So when these arrived at the price they are I said to myself this is where they must fall at this price point and much to my surprise no they didn’t in fact the exceeded my expectations coming in under 100 euro and with what you get with the package.
Once again presented in a case with a pouch and chain we are off to a good start but then the case that hold the earbuds is not made with plastic it is again zinc alloy and really cool looking earbuds to go with it and you just have to wonder how they could deliver such a cool product for the price they are, there is no app and no wireless charging but the rest is there and if you want looks and great sound on a budget well these are for you.
So the sound it is then we go on to talk about, having no app made me think for this price they would sound woeful but no, there is three modes to pick from which changes the game here and they work really well and if you are into your gaming you will like these, no matter which audio profile you pick you will not be disappointed by how they sound overall, you have three modes which are gaming mode , movie mode and music mode and there is a notable difference between them which is a good thing unlike others that offer the same profiles. There is no ANC here but ENC but overall once the volume is turned up forget about what is around you. You have 7.2mm dynamic drivers and no lag latency noted during my time testing and calls are fine both ends.
Gaming Mode Pinpoint the direction of your enemy’s footsteps with 5.1 virtual surround sound.
Movie Mode Get a full cinematic experience with HD surround sound and be right in the middle of the action.
Music Mode Feel like you’re at the front row at a concert with clear, natural vocals and a deep bass you can feel through your entire body.
So as seen above this is what to expect and not just a statement to make them look good they are good and no matter which setting you choose you will find out for yourself the audio quality is excellent, as said in the video review below the cost to performance has come along way now with earbuds and in this case with the quality materials used you are onto a winner with these.
Earbuds and headphones are my thing here and it is a rare occasion when I get impressed with earbuds under a certain price and as I have been saying for a while now the cost to performance ratio has come along way when it comes to both and with a pair of earbuds that have an app which is actually great and aptX for well under a 100 quid is a rare thing, yes there is other caveats here like mobile phones cutting corners to get the price down but here these are not key features left out and everyone has their own features they desire, as someone who reviews the most earbuds in Ireland I can relate to all sides here so even for me I have my own personal preferences but again can let those go if the product as whole delivers so what is missing here before we move in is auto play and pause wireless charging and that is probably the only downsides here which is not much to talk about but you get the full story here from us on what you get for your money..
As those who know we do not give a stock image review with no context or two paragraphs and the press release attached we give you the video we look at the features and the app and there is plenty here to talk about at this price point. So what features for me here that stands out at the price here is aptX dual point connectivity and app and single use (AKA mono mode) meaning you can use one earbud at a time while the other is still charging, this believe it or not is a feature left out on earbuds three or four times the cost of these but again different strokes for different folks and all that everyone has their needs and preferences.
Ok so there is an app here which is cool and works well and allows you to customise your earbuds, yes we go through this in the video review and what you have at your disposal with the EQ player not only that you have find your earbuds and lots more which makes these appealing and lots on offer. And… you even get the pop up window on the app set-up.
Set up begins with pop up window
Pop Up window
Battery life
EQ settings
Control settings
Other settings
General
As for comfort and fit these are also fine, stems are not for all and come in different lengths and thicknesses nor are in ears again a personal choice I am fine with both and use to having the opportunity to see all sides of the options here myself, the controls work well and as seen above can be customised to your needs which is great and not an out of the box default set-up which you can avail of if you wish.
When it comes to the sound it is good as a whole with the EQ settings in the app you can figure out what suits you or choose the default modes and edit from there for me these where good and well balanced overall and of course the bass for me was my choice but it is worth messing around with the settings, one thing to note if you pick game mode all these options become obsolete but you can use the device you are connected to to change that and no lag latency noted from me, calls are also fine too both ends on my testing.
Conclusion – On a budget and want a pair of earbuds that sound good offer more than others at this price there are one to put down on your list and so far one the best pair of earbuds in this price range this year.
Features
【Qualcomm QCC3050 & Bluetooth 5.2】T18 MeloBuds built-in the latest Qualcomm QCC3050 and Bluetooth 5.2 technology create an all-round upgrade with optimized Bluetooth transmission, flawless connection (90% more stable than the last generation) and enhanced sound to bring you unprecedented experience
【Studio-level Sound & aptX Adaptive】With 10 mm Graphene dynamic driver and aptX Adaptive technology aims to provide 24-bit/96kHz studio-level sound. To bring you a unparalleled audio feast, QCY T18 wireless earbuds adopt low frequency enhancement technology and latest aptx-adaptive audio decoding technology to deliver fantastic immersive sound with powerful bass. Support Qualcomm aptX Lossless – New addition to the proven aptX Adaptive technology and Snapdragon Sound
【aptX Voice & Clear Call】Built-in 4 Mics & cVc 8.0 and aptX Voice technology offers 32kHz super wideband voice calls. Higher-order noise cancellation arithmetic and cVc 8.0 ensures clear calls without any disruption along with dual mic in each earbud, one for capturing your voice in the best way and the other for reducing the ambient noise around, making the QCY T18 wireless earphones perfect for conference calls, online courses and video/voice chat
【Multipoint Connection & Comfortable Fit】Connect to 2 devices, QCY T18 wireless earphones allows you to watch movies on tablet and auto switch to phone to answer incoming call by touching earbud. In-ear ergonomic design and three different sizes of eartips brings you most comfortable wearing
【30 Hrs Playtime & USB-C Charge】Taking with QCY T18 bluetooth earbuds, you can enjoy music wherever you go as it offers up to 7 hours playtime on a single full charge and pocket sized charging case extends playtime up to 30 hours
