Build quality and features

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 sports a new look compared to its predecessor. The new shape features a more uniform, oval shell, which gives a more refined look compared to the Pi7 S2, with a microphone grille spanning the width of each earbud to conceal components that were previously visible. The earbuds come in a number of colours, and the unit I have is a new colour called ‘Pale Mauve’, which is a rather delightful pastel shade of light purple. Ladies will definitely fancy this color as it looks posh and elegant.

When it comes to build quality, in hand the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 feel genuinely premium as they use a smooth, matte-plastic surface rather than the glossy plastic. The earbuds and charging case are also well-constructed. The case hinge snaps back satisfyingly and there is no rattling heard even when shaking the case.

The charging case is decently compact, not as pocketable as an AirPods Pro’s case, but still rather slim. As the case also has a matte finish, just be aware that this type of surface tend to show any scuffs or scratches more easily than a glossy one. The earbuds have an IP54 water and dust resistance rating, which makes them usable at the gym.

As for battery life, when ANC is turned on, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 delivers around 6.5 hours per charge with a total of 20 hours including the case. ANC off extends that to 8 hours per charge, with 28 hours total. A 15-minute quick charge gains you an additional two hours of listening time, which is handy if you’re rushing out the door.

Controls and App

The Bowers & Wilkins Music app is unlike other earbuds app as it is designed for all their audio products, similar to Sonos. The Pi8 appears on the app as one of a connected audio product.

The features are pretty lean. You can use the app for firmware updates, EQ adjustments, and control customisation. There are five bands of EQ available, though the app doesn’t show the exact frequency each band affects. There are also no EQ presets, so everything needs to be dialled in according to your preferences, or you could just stick with the default sound.

Touch control remapping is rather limited too as you can only change what a tap-and-hold does, not the other gestures. It’s functional but lags behind what rivals like Technics and Bose offer in terms of depth and flexibility.

Fit and comfort

Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 weighs in at 7g per earbud which is slightly on the heavier side given its size. The included four sizes of silicone ear tips is wide enough to find one that fits you. In my experience, the fit is secure and comfortable for extended listening sessions. That said, if your ears are on the smaller side you might find them a little on the bulky side.

But in general, the fit of the earbuds is secure and work well for my main use of case of listening to music during my daily commute. I’m not entertaining the thought of using them for exercise at all.

Sound quality

This is where the Pi8 earns its price tag. Long story short, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 brings about a detailed sound with punchy bass that has a level of refinement to it. Each earbud features a 12mm carbon cone driver, the same driver material used in the Px8 over-ear headphones and B&W’s 700 Series loudspeaker tweeter.

The overall sound signature of the Pi8 leans towards a slightly warm but largely neutral sound with slight emphasis on bass. Speaking of bass, the low end is powerful, punchy, but not overpowering. It adds to the overall body of the sound and makes drums and synths more engaging. Midrange is rich, layered, and detailed, with vocals coming across clear and wider than usual, giving an immersive listening experience. Treble is clean and well presented, not sibilant with just the right amount of brightness to balance out the overall sound.

Imaging is brilliant and you are able to listen to the many intricate layers on complex tracks. Soundstage is wider than the average true wireless earbuds, creating an immersive sound. On a separate note, if you see a 3.5mm to USB-C cable in the box and not sure what it does, it is actually the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 audio retransmission technology. This lets you plug the case into any analogue or digital source (eg. an in-flight entertainment system) and retransmit audio wirelessly to the earbuds in aptX Adaptive at up to 24-bit/96kHz quality. This is genuinely useful for long-haul flights, and it’s something you won’t find in most competing earbuds.

ANC performance

The ANC on the Pi8 is competent, but at not exactly S$699 good. You’re largely paying the premium for the sound quality. Having said that, the ANC is better than average and handles the constant hum of MRT trains and the drone of air-conditioning reasonably well, but it is not the most effective with mid-to-high frequency noise (such as chatter in a hawker centre).

Microphone quality

Microphone quality on the Pi8 is slightly above average, and not as good as alternatives like the AirPods Pro 3. It would still suffice for taking calls as long as you are in a decently controlled environment without much noise. If you’re taking a lot of calls during your commute, that’s something worth considering.

Conclusion

At S$699, the Bowers & Wilkins Pi8 is not for everyone. But if you’re someone who takes music listening seriously, then these earbuds are designed for you. The sound quality is in a class of its own among wireless earbuds at this price point. It is a really an audio-first pair of true wireless earbuds.

Build quality and features

The earbuds themselves have ditched the stem design of the Liberty 4 Pro. The Liberty 5 Pro Max adopts a curved oval shape, closer in profile to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, with an ear fin at the top that tucks into the grooves of your ear for stability. If fins don’t work for your ear shape, Anker includes two flush plastic pieces you can swap in instead which is a thoughtful touch.

Build quality is generally good. The earbuds are made out of plastic that is of good quality, and uses a mix of both matte and glossy finishes for a two-tone finish. The earbuds come in Champagne and Midnight, and the unit I have here is the Champagne colorway. The charging case of the Liberty 5 Pro Max is one of the product’s key highlight as it features a built-in 1.78-inch AMOLED smart display that runs a simple and intuitive OS. The touch panel is bright, responsive, and lets you access quick setting via swiping through widgets to toggle ANC, adjust EQ presets, check battery, and control playback without ever pulling out your phone. You can even change the wallpaper of the screen, This is not the first time we see a company put a interactive touchscreen on the charging case. While the features can be useful, the charging case is more than often kept in my bag so I’m not sure how useful this will be for other people.

As for battery life, the Liberty 5 Pro Max is rated for up to 12 hours per charge with ANC off, or 6.5 hours with ANC on. Combined with the case, that extends to 50 hours total without ANC, or 28 hours with ANC enabled. A five-minute charge gives you up to four hours of playtime. One thing to flag: with ANC, Dolby Audio, and Smart Voice Control all running simultaneously, battery life drops to around 4 hours per charge and 17 hours total from the case. Another feature to callout is the ability to do a 3-point multipoint connection.

Controls and App

The Soundcore app is well-designed and feature-packed. There is an “Easy Chat” feature, linked to bone conduction sensors, that can automatically lower your music and switch to transparency mode when it detects you’re speaking. It can be handy when you need to respond to someone trying to talk to you.

There is also a Smart Voice Control with 20 built-in commands to control the earbuds. There is an option to “Say Anka” to activate the voice control, but you can turn that option off to have an instant voice control. For example, say “stop music”, “increase volume”, or “answer call” and the earbuds does exactly what you say in under a second – it’s pretty cool.

Otherwise, you can use the typical touch-based controls which are largely responsive. And if you’re not a fan of the default touch options, you can easily customise them with the Soundcore app. Other features of the app are the custom 8-band equaliser or you can simply choose from some of the curated sound effects.

AI Note Taker

This is what separates the Liberty 5 Pro Max from other earbuds on the market, and largely the reason for the S$60 premium over the regular Liberty 5 Pro. You can use the AI Note Taker feature just from the case itself, without needing to connect to your phone first – making this a convenient tool if note taking is something you do quite often.

Like a typical voice recorder app, press the big red button on the case to start recording. While recording the screen stays lit and there doesn’t seem to be a way to let the screen go into standby mode, so you probably can’t be recording without anyone knowing. The recording will be stored locally on the case first, and will only be available on the Soundcore app once it is connected to your phone. Once the recording is available on your phone, you can then request for a transcript and an intelligent summary which uses AI to identify the different speakers in the recording. These summaries are processed entirely on-device, without internet required. The case stores up to 12 hours of audio. You can also press the pairing button mid-recording to flag anything important, which highlights that portion of the transcript for easy reference later.

In testing, the feature performed well. I tested it with podcasts from different speakers – one from USA, one locally in Singapore. It correctly identified the number of speakers, and I’m impressed at how it can understand the Singapore english accent well. The Intelligent Summary was also accurate and accurately reflected the context of the conversations.

The on-device processing can take quite some time especially if the recording is long.You get up to 120 mins of free transcription monthly, but you can get more if you subscribe to the paid plans.

Fit and comfort

Soundcore offers up to four sizes of ear tip to choose from, so you should be able to find one that offers a good seal and fit. The Liberty 5 Pro Max delivers a comfortable and personalised fit that is good for extended listening. The oval-shaped ear tips help to holds the earbuds position well and distributes weight across nicely,

Having said that, the earbuds are still considered a little sizable compared to stem-style design so those with smaller ears may find the earbuds touching parts of your ear. For me, it was ok and the ergonomic shape of the earbuds does help with the overall fit in my ear.

Sound quality

The Liberty 5 Pro Max utilises a 9.2mm Wool-Paper Diaphragm Drivers and out of the box, the tuning leans towards V-shaped where bass and treble are boosted. Bass lovers will enjoy it immediately, with the low-end offering punch with depth for that satisfying rumble. Midrange is a implemented well enough with vocals and most instruments staying present in the overall mix with good clarity. without being overwhelmed by the bass. Treble is slightly extended but not sparkling by any means. Soundstage is decent, not the widest I’ve heard on a pair of true wireless earbuds, but separation and placement is still good enough. There is also Dolby Audio feature available, but I found that music don’t sound as good with it turned on, but it’ll probably work better for video content.

There is also this AI Sound Enhancement feature which claims to restore up to 65% of quality lost to Bluetooth compression, and it’s actually quite useful on lower-quality sources of music. The overall sound feels cleaner and more refined, which is noticeable on tracks that are low-quality to begin with.

ANC performance

The Liberty 5 Pro Max has five levels of ANC strength on its Manual mode, or you opt for its Adaptive ANC 4.0 which us its 8 sensors and the new Thus AI chip to process noise signals. In practice, the ANC is strong and effectivee, and perhaps for comparison the Apple AirPods Pro 3 is just slightly better. On buses, it handles the engine rumble and ambient chatter well enough though sudden sharp sounds will still seep through. But the general background hiss of commuting gets cut down considerably. For daily commuting or working in a noisy office, this will more than do the job.

Microphone quality

This is where the Thus AI Chip gives the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max an edge, and it really does deliver on it. In real-world testing, the microphone performance is solid with voices coming through clear and with depth. Even at a noisy hawker centre, the onboard 10 sensors in the microphone system does an effective job at isolating my voice and completely wiping out all background noise. In very noisy environments, my voice can sound a tad processed but the overall clarity and forwardness is still present.

Conclusion

At S$299, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max is asking you to decide whether you actually need what the Pro Max case adds over the S$239 Liberty 5 Pro. If not, the regular Liberty 5 Pro is actually offering a great value at this mid-tier price point. Sound quality is great and customisable, ANC is effective, and the microphones are one of the best in the market. If you regularly attend meetings, sit in on lectures, or conduct interviews, the AI Note-Taker alone could justify the extra money.

Build quality and battery life

I don’t own the Momentum 4, but doing a simple comparison, it does seem that the Sennheiser Momentum 5 doesn’t completely reinvent the look, and if any it does look a little cleaner. The most visible change is the removal of the separate cap on the outside of the ear cups, making each cup a single, cleaner piece. The Sennheiser logos on the headband now sit on textured silver discs which gives it a more premium overall feel. The headphones come in three colorways: Black, White, and Denim. The unit I have is the White colorway.

Build wise, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is largely made out of matte plastic with fabric and metallic accents to break up the plastic monotony. The fabric headband has a nice texture to it. The overall build quality is good as well – no noticeable creaking of the plastic was heard. The ear cups fold flat for travel but don’t fold into the headband, which might be a minor inconvenience if you’re tight on bag space. Having said that, the included carry case is 20% smaller than before, and is just 6cm thin making it slim enough to keep in most bags. Furthermore, the carry case also has slots for both the USB-C charging cable and the 3.5mm analogue audio cable, making it a tidy experience. You also get a 3.5mm to 2.5mm TRS cable for wired listening, which is a thoughtful inclusion.

As for battery life, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is rated at up to 57 hours with ANC enabled, which is exceptional by any measure, even though it’s actually a slight step down from the Momentum 4’s 60 hours. Fast charging is included for top-up moments on the go.

What’s really cool about the 700mAh battery is that it is user-replaceable. You can swap it yourself with a standard Phillips-head screwdriver in minutes, with no need to send the headphones in for servicing. In a category where most headphones quietly become landfill once the battery degrades, this is a meaningful commitment to longevity that no rival currently matches at this price.

Fit and comfort

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 is largely a comfortable wear. The 290g weight is light enough for extended listening. The headband is decently padded to reduce any top-of-head pressure, and the ear pads use a plush protein leather that feels comfortable against the ear. The overall clamping force is also on the gentle side which adds to the overall comfort. Having said that, I find the earcup depth is decent but on the shallower side. They work fine for me as my ears are not that large. But if you have larger ears, the inner fabric may touch your ears – just something to note.

Sound quality

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 has a rich and full-bodied without becoming heavy-handed. It has a relatively neutral sound with a slight emphasis on bass. Bass is full sounding and brings some weight to it but doesn’t muddy the midrange. The Sennheiser Momentum 5 excels at its midrange being clean and well balanced, allowing vocals and instruments to shine through cleanly. For those who enjoy a bright and sparkly treble, you might find the highs of the Momentum 5 to be slightly toned down and less airy. But the treble remains smooth and well-rounded. And you can just simply bring up the highs in the EQ for a more sparkling listen.

There is also Immersive Audio mode which you can turn on to get the Dolby Atmos spatial audio with head-tracking. That said, I found that the standard tuning actually sounds better than the Atmos mode for most music as the vocals come through more prominently without it. But it’s worth experimenting based on what you’re listening to as movies or shows may sound better which this mode turned on.

Active Noice Cancellation

This is where Sennheiser sought to improve and the Momentum 5 does have effective and reliable ANC. Sennheiser has doubled the microphone array to eight mics (four per side), and the result is an ANC that reliably cancels out all low-end engine hum on planes and most chatter noises in crowded environment. While the ANC of the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is good, it still isn’t as strong as the likes of Sony and Apple, particularly for filtering out mid-range voice chatter.

Having said that, Sennheiser Momentum 5 remains a strong alternative and is honestly good enough for everyday use cases such MRT commutes and working from a co-working space.

App & Controls

When it comes to controls, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 employs touch-based controls on the right earcup. The touch panel registers swipes, taps, and two finger pinch/spread (which can take some time to get used to). You also have a single tactile power button. You can’t customise the controls though, so if you’re not a fan of the touch controls you can only disable it completely.

The companion app is the Smart Control Plus. You can customise the EQ with an eight-band equalizer, giving you more granular control over the sound signature. There’s also a Sound Personalisation engine that helps tailor playback to individual preferences, plus custom presets and adaptive listening settings. You also can enable Dolby Atmos with head-tracking. Multipoint Bluetooth is supported, letting you stay connected to two devices at once which makes it handy for switching between your work laptop and phone during the day.

Conclusion

At S$599, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is in the price range that competes directly against the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QC Ultra 2. What Sennheiser wins is clearly on battery life and also the ability to change out the battery. Sound quality can be largely a personal preference, but I do find the tuning of the Sennheiser Momentum 5 to be an enjoyable listen and well-tuned to begin with so you can easily EQ it one that you like. You can purchase the Momentum 5 from Sennheiser directly, Lazada, or Shopee.

Unboxing

In the box, you’ll find the following:

• Yari Pro Wireless Gaming Mouse
• StrikeSpeed Pro 8000Hz Polling Rate Charging Dock
• USB-C Data Cable
• 1 Set Grip Tape
• Quick Start Guide
• Warranty Card

Tech specs

Build quality and weight

Fantech Yari Pro comes in two colours (black and white), and the design is clean and understated. I like the red accents that peek through the scroll wheel and logo. The charging dock glows with a full RGB strip along the base. There’s a small LED indicator between the scroll wheel and the main buttons for battery/DPI status. It’s a clean look that won’t feel out of place on a desk setup for specifically designed for gaming, so it can also double as a work mice.

At 58 grams, it sits comfortably in the lightweight category. The shell feels solid as I encountered almost no flexing, creaking, or rattling when handling it. The surface has a decent coating that holds up just ok when your hands are slightly sweaty. Fantech also includes grip tape in the box, which is a nice touch and gives you an extra layer of grip security if you need it. The weight balance is also well done, nicely distributed in the middle.

Main buttons and scroll wheel

The main buttons uses Huano Transparent Green Shell White Dot switches, which are rated for 100 million clicks. They’re quite clicky and tactile, and feel a little heavier than the Aria II mouse that I’m currently using. Having said that they are still goof to spam in fast-paced games. The scroll wheel has a red-accented ribbed rubber texture that gives good grip and defined scroll notches. The two side buttons sit at a comfortable height and have a generous size, making them easy to reach with a thumb roll without having to shift your grip mid-game.

8KHz Ultrapolling Dock

Being the ‘Pro’ version, the Fantech Yari Pro comes with the StrikeSpeed Pro 8KHz wireless dongle that also charges the mice. Yari Pro is rated at up to 75 hours of playtime on a single charge. That’s among the best figures in Fantech’s current lineup though I’m think these numbers aren’t when using it at 8K polling.

It’s a pretty neat implementation: since the dock is both the charging station and the wireless receiver, you don’t have to worry about losing a USB dongle. Having the charging dock nearby makes charging very convenient as I simply set the mouse down on it when I’m done gaming. The pins latch on pretty well when trying to dock the mouse too. The magnets on the dock is super strong so you can remove the mouse with one hand, but this also means you have to make a conscious thought to align the mouse with charging pins when charging.

Shape and fit

Fantech Yari Pro is an ergonomic right-handed mouse. The overall size of the mice is slightly larger than what I’m used to for my 18 cm sized hand, where I usually deploy a relaxed claw grip felt. The shape has a prominent hump due to the ergonomic shape as it slopes quite steeply towards the rear. The left side of the mice also offers a sculpted thumb groove for your thumb to rest against.

I feel this mice might be more suited towards palm grip users or claw grip users who want a little more support. If you tried the Logitech G Pro Superlight 2 DEX mouse before, then you’ll find that the shape of the Fantech Yari Pro is very similar. In fact, I think the Yari Pro is modelled after the Superlight 2 DEX to provide an affordable option for those who like this shape.

The PTFE skates provide smooth, consistent glide across the cloth mouse pads which I usually use. Nothing exotic, but they do the job well and lean in more of the control category. Some might find the skates a tad thin, especially if you tend to press down hard on your mouse pad. If you want smooth skates for speed, you would likely need to get aftermarket skates.

Performance

Fantech Yari Pro is built around the PixArt PAW3950 Strike sensor, which Fantech markets as their top-tier sensor choice for this mouse. DPI adjusts up to 42,000, with five default steps of 400, 800, 1200, 1600, and 3200. In practice, the sensor tracks precisely and consistently. I didn’t encounter any jitter, drift, or spin-out during testing in FPS titles like Valorant.

As aforementioned, the 8K polling rate is delivered via the RGB wireless dongle. That said, like with other Fantech mice I’ve tested at 8K, the real-world feel between 2K and 8K is subtle for most players. I’d run it at 2K or 4K as a good middle ground between responsiveness and battery life.

As for software, Fantech has finally ditched their “one-app-for-one-mice” approach and went ahead to develop a web-based software. Simply type “qmk.top” in your Chrome browser, and the website should ask for permission to connect to the Yari Pro. The web app does look a little unpolished here and there, but the UI is simple and clean enough. In the web-app, you can customise buttons, DPI or macros, report rate, and more. I’m not sure if this will be single software that works across all Fantech mice, and only time will tell but I’m glad this is something that has been developed.

Conclusion

If you already like the shape of the Logitech Superlight 2 DEX, then Fantech Yari Pro could potentially an affordable option to consider. My experience has generally been positive and the PAW3950 Strike sensor, 8K wireless polling, 75-hour battery, and RGB charging dock in one package makes it a strong proposition.

Build quality and battery life

Right out of the box the TOZO Open EarRing has a pretty decent construction. Each earpiece weighs just over 5 grams and uses a two-part design: a rounded inner section that houses the 12mm dynamic driver, and an outer module that contains the battery and electronics. These are connected via a flexible loop that allows the EarRing to wrap securely around different ear shapes without requiring any piercing or in-ear insertion.

Materials are largely polycarbonate, but they feel sturdy when handling them. The flexibility of the connecting loop allows for repeated bending and adjustment without feeling fragile, and once clipped on, the EarRing maintains its shape well. The charging case is compact and solid, with a built-in LED display that shows remaining battery levels which is a nice touch at this price point. Charging is handled via USB-C.

Battery life is rated at up to 10 hours at moderate volume, which is pretty competitive for the category.

Fit and comfort

Comfort and fit is where the TOZO Open EarRing truly stands out. Because the earbuds do not enter the ear canal at all, there is none of the pressure, fatigue, or “plugged ear” sensation commonly associated with in-ear earbuds. They are really lightweight in your ears as well.

The flexible loop allows the EarRing to accommodate both small and large ears. There is some tension to the loop so once you dial in the fit, it really kind of just stays there. During my testing, the fit remained stable even with head movement, and they managed to stay quite steady even when taking them out for my runs. TOZO could in future versions, line the inner part of the earbuds will rubber or silicon so that it can stay more secure during workouts.

Sound quality

The sound quality of the TOZO Open EarRing is pretty decent for a pair of open-ear earbuds. It’s not the best I’ve heard but is good enough for the average user. The 12mm dynamic driver sits close to the ear canal and is angled in a way that directs sound more effectively into my ears. Volume output as a result is also stronger than average for open-ear earbuds, making them usable even in moderately noisy environments.

The overall tuning leans balanced with a slight brightness. Bass is present but understandably lacks the sub-bass depth of traditional earbuds. The midrange is clear enough, allowing vocals and instruments to come through cleanly without sounding too thin. I did find more complex musical can impact clarity and separation. Treble is airy, giving an open presentation, the high-hats aren’t too well defined. Overall, the TOZO Open EarRing still has above average sound as doesn’t sound thin like some other open-earbuds. Of course, manage your expectation accordingly if you have not used a pair of open-ear earbuds before.

App Support

TOZO offers a companion app for both iOS and Android, adding useful customization to the Open EarRing. Within the app, users can choose from a variety of EQ presets or create and save custom EQ profiles to better suit personal preferences.

The app experience is largely straightforward and also offers touch control customisation. There is even a setting to do some sort of water drainage which could be handy after every workout done with the Open EarRing.

Conclusion

The TOZO Open EarRing is a product that prioritises comfort and awareness that still offers decent sound quality to the extent as other open designs do. At ~S$63, it is a good entry price for one to test out the ear-ring concept of earbuds and explore the usability and comfort that comes with it.

Build quality and features

The Soundpeats C30 features a familiar stem-style design. The earbuds are rated IP54 for water and dust resistance, making them suitable for workouts and daily commuting. I have the black colour variant, and I quite like the combination of the grey and gloss-black combination. They are made from plastic and feel pretty nice in hand. Build quality also feels sturdy enough for regular use and consistent with expectations at this price point.

The charging case has an oval shape and has a unique faux-leather textured plastic finish, which does a good job of hiding fingerprints and minor scratches. Visually, it looks quite refined for a budget product. Charging is handled via USB-C, with no wireless charging support, which is expected at this level.

Overall, the Soundpeats C30 has a simple yet practical design style that prioritises practicality over flair. It’s not flashy, but it feels purpose-built for everyday use.

Controls and App

Touch controls are located on the outer surface of each stem and respond reliably. Playback, volume, and track navigation are all supported, and one of the highlights here is how flexible the controls are. Through the Soundpeats app, you can fully customise gestures, assigning different actions to single, double, triple taps, or long presses.

Feature-wise, it is quite comprehensive for a budget pair of earbuds. You can switch ANC modes, toggle multipoint connectivity, enable low-latency game mode or movie mode, run fit tests, customise EQ settings, update firmware, and even drain water from the earbuds if needed.

There’s also an Adaptive EQ feature that creates a personalised sound profile based on a hearing test. While results vary, it’s a nice option to have, especially if you don’t want to manually tweak EQ settings. Or you could simple choose from one of the many presets.

Fit and comfort

The Soundpeats C30 offers a comfortable and secure fit, thanks to its lightweight design and slim silicone ear tips. Once you’ve found the right tip size, the earbuds sit snugly in the ears and remain stable during walking or daily commuting.

The stem length is moderate and doesn’t feel intrusive, and the rounded shape of the earpiece allows for extended listening without pressure buildup. Comfort remains consistent even during longer sessions, making the Soundpeats C30 suitable for workdays, travel, or casual exercise.

Sound quality

The Soundpeats C30 has a distinctly warm and slightly dark sound signature. The low end is prominent, with boosted lower mids and mid-bass that give music a full, weighty presentation. Bass notes hit with enough impact to feel satisfying, while sub-bass extension is controlled rather than overwhelming. Midrange performance leans warm, with guitars and pianos sitting slightly recessed. Vocals though sounding full, don’t always sit front and centre. Treble is restrained, focusing mainly on vocal clarity rather than sparkle, which offers less excitement but keeps the overall presentation fatigue-free.

Despite the subdued top end, the sound doesn’t feel too dull. There’s a decent amount of separation at moderate volumes. That said, the soundstage can occasionally feel enclosed. I found that with ANC turned on, the sound is tad darker with less punchiness. It’s not that obvious unless you really cycle through both modes. But given most people will likely listen with ANC turned on, it is worth mentioning.

ANC & Transparency performance

Active noise cancellation on the Soundpeats C30 is solid for its price. With Adaptive ANC enabled, constant low-frequency sounds like air conditioning, engine hum, and electronic noise are reduced effectively, making a noticeable difference during commutes or indoor use. Traffic noise reduction is decent rather than class-leading. Lower-frequency sounds are handled well, while higher-pitched noises such as car horns or clattering cutlery still come through to some extent. There are ANC modes such as Indoor and Outdoor, but I found the Adaptive mode delivers the best balance and is the most reliable option.

Transparency mode is actually offers solid performance for its price. Use it to allow surrounding sounds like traffic to come through when needed. And it is actually quite natural sounding so you don’t get those overly processed inputs where certain are overly-emphasised.

Battery life

Battery performance is a strong point for the Soundpeats C30. With ANC enabled, the earbuds deliver around 7.5 hours of playback on a single charge, extending to about 10 hours with ANC turned off. And with the charging case, the total listening time extends to 52 hours which would comfortably last you a full work week. Fast charging is supported, with a quick 10-minute top-up providing roughly 3 hours of playback.

Pairing, connectivity, and latency

The Soundpeats C30 uses Bluetooth 6.0 and connectivity has been very stable during my time of testing. Multipoint pairing is supported, allowing you to stay connected to two devices simultaneously, though enabling certain features like LDAC disables multipoint and low-latency modes. Video playback is well-synchronised on my iPhone 16 Pro when testing it on the YouTube app. Game Mode reduces latency further, making it suitable for casual gaming.

Conclusion

The Soundpeats C30 delivers a well-rounded experience that focuses on comfort, battery life, and practical ANC performance. Its warm, smooth sound tuning won’t appeal to those chasing sparkle and punchy treble, but it works well for long listening sessions and everyday use. If you’re looking for a simple set of earbuds that offers ANC and has solid battery life, Soundpeats C30 is a good shout.

Build quality and design

The TOZO PA2 features a compact, pill-shaped design that’s noticeably smaller and lighter than the PA1. Its body is wrapped in a textured mesh fabric that improves grip and helps prevent it from slipping off smooth surfaces, while the rubberised ends provide a degree of shock absorption when placing it down or carrying it around.

All the controls: power, Bluetooth pairing, volume, play/pause, and EQ are integrated cleanly into the rubber housing and are easy to locate by feel. The buttons are responsive without being overly stiff, making them practical to use outdoors. A detachable strap is included in the box and is genuinely useful for hanging the speaker on a bag or carrying it around by hand.

The PA2 carries an IPX8 water-resistance rating, allowing it to withstand submersion in water, making it a solid option for poolside use or outdoor trips where weather can be unpredictable. Overall build quality feels reassuring for a speaker at this price, with no obvious weak points in daily handling.

Battery life and connectivity

TOZO rates the PA2’s battery for up to 25 hours of playback at 50% volume, which is achievable under moderate listening conditions. I’ve used it for about a week daily and found that I only needed to charge this at the end of the week. It also has an auto power off feature to save battery when idle.

Charging is handled via USB-C and takes around two to three hours from empty. The speaker can also be used while charging, which adds to its practicality. There is no 3.5mm input, so Bluetooth is the only playback option. Bluetooth 5.3 provides a stable connection, and pairing is quick and painless. Once connected, the PA2 reliably reconnects to the last paired device and maintains a solid signal within typical indoor and outdoor ranges.

Sound quality

For its size, the TOZO PA2 delivers impressively loud output from its 16W (2 × 8W) speaker setup. It has no trouble filling small rooms or outdoor spaces, but like many compact speakers, it sounds best when kept below maximum volume.

At moderate levels, the sound is clear and well-balanced. Bass presence is respectable for a speaker of this size, offering enough weight for casual music listening without overwhelming the mids. Vocals and instruments come through cleanly, making the PA2 suitable for podcasts and vocal-heavy tracks as well.

At higher volumes, the sound remains mostly composed, though clarity and bass control are best maintained below roughly 70% volume. This is also where the speaker feels most natural and less strained. The ability to tweak the sound using EQ settings helps fine-tune the balance depending on the genre or listening environment.

App and other features

The TOZO companion app adds useful functionality without feeling bloated. Its main purpose is sound tuning, allowing you to select from preset EQ modes or create your own custom profile. Battery level information is also visible within the app, which is helpful during longer listening sessions.

Stereo pairing is supported, allowing two PA2 speakers to be linked for true left-right separation, though this only works with another PA2. The built-in microphone enables hands-free calling, and call quality is acceptable for casual use.

Conclusion

At ~S$63, the TOZO PA2 represents strong value for a compact Bluetooth speaker. It’s portable, water-resistant, loud for its size, and offers sound customisation through its app. Compared within TOZO’s own lineup, the PA2 trades some power against the PA1 for a smaller, more portable form factor and improved water resistance. If portability and ease of use matter more than outright volume, the PA2 is the more practical option. Overall, the TOZO PA2 is a well-rounded budget speaker that performs best when expectations are set realistically. It’s not aimed at audiophiles, but for everyday listening, travel, and outdoor use, it delivers a balanced and dependable experience at its price point.

Build quality and battery life

The GROOVE OWS FT21 features an open wearable design with over-the-ear hooks that keep the earbuds securely in place. The earbuds are decently lightweight, and the case that holds the earbuds are incredibly unique as there is no cover to keep them enclosed. Instead, they are held on strongly by the magnets which does the job well. Eye-catching for sure, but not sure if will give that much protection for the earbuds especially you tend to just chuck your earbuds in a bag.

Finecoustic claims the Finecoustic GROOVE OWS FT21 are sweat and splash resistance, but there aren’t any official IP rating for it. Got caught in some light rain while using them and so far they are still working fine. Controls are touch-based, located on the outer surface of each earbud. Personally, I’m not a fan of touch controls as accidental inputs like pausing music or skipping tracks are hard to avoid. Physical buttons would have been a more reliable choice especially if fitness was part of the product’s intended use case.

Battery life stands at around 8 hours of playback on a single charge, with the charging case extending total listening time to roughly 45 hours. It charges via USB-C.

Fit and comfort

In terms of fit, Finecoustic GROOVE OWS FT21 feels secure and really does stay in-place due to the firm shape of the ear hooks. That said, the fit is not particularly flexible or malleable. The ear hooks don’t offer much adjustability, so while they fit my ears well enough, they may not be as versatile across different ear shapes and sizes.

Comfort is generally good due to the lightweight construction, but the lack of adjustability means the earbuds rely heavily on whether their default shape suits your ears. If it does, they’re comfortable for long sessions. If not, there’s limited room to fine-tune the fit. For me, it works well.

Sound quality

I would say sound quality isn’t GROOVE OWS FT21 strongest suit. As with most open-ear designs, bass performance is lacking due to the lack of a seal. While the earbuds offer decent clarity at higher volumes, the overall presentation sounds thin and somewhat distant. There’s a noticeable lack of bass weight and depth, which makes music feel less engaging, especially during high-energy workouts.

Midrange performance is acceptable for podcasts and casual listening, but music lacks body and fullness. The sound doesn’t feel particularly immersive, and compared to some competing open-ear models, it comes across as less refined. These earbuds prioritise awareness and comfort over audio performance, and it shows.

Conclusion

The Finecoustic GROOVE OWS FT21 is a straightforward open-ear option built with workouts in mind. It is a decent first foray into the open-earbuds space with a secure fit and good battery life. If situational awareness and stability matter more to you than audio depth or punch, the GROOVE OWS FT21 can get the job done.

Build quality

The XTAR L8 is made primarily of plastic, but it feels solid and well assembled. The vertical charging design allows the batteries to be hidden beneath a magnetic lid, giving the charger a clean and minimal appearance that fits well on a desk or shelf.

The magnetic lid aligns easily and stays firmly in place, while still being easy to remove when accessing the batteries. Overall, the build quality is good, and the design clearly prioritises neatness and everyday usability over a purely utilitarian look.

Features & Usage

Most battery chargers place batteries horizontally and are often limited to four slots. The XTAR L8 takes a different approach by charging batteries in a vertical orientation and offering eight charging slots in a single case. By default, it supports AA rechargeable batteries, including both 1.5V lithium-ion and 1.2V Ni-MH types. AAA batteries are also supported using the four included adapters, allowing you to mix AA and AAA batteries during the same charging session.

Each of the eight slots has its own LED status indicators on the lid, showing the charging progress of individual batteries. This makes it easy to monitor charging at a glance without removing the lid. The XTAR L8 is powered via USB-C, which adds to its convenience, as it can be powered by a wall charger, computer, or power bank. This makes it suitable not only for desktop use but also for travel.

As with other XTAR chargers, the L8 includes intelligent charging features such as multi-stage charging and protection against overheating. There is no display or detailed charging data, but the charger is clearly designed to be simple and reliable rather than feature-heavy.

XTAR 1.5V AA 3960 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery

The XTAR L8 was tested with XTAR 1.5V AA 3960 rechargeable Li-ion battery. At first glance, the XTAR 1.5V AA 3960 looks like a normal AA battery, but the positive terminal has a small LED indicator that lights up when tapped. It’s a simple idea, but also one that immediately makes sense. Instead of guessing whether a battery is half-full or nearly dead, a quick tap gives a visual indication of the remaining charge. In practice, this feels far more useful than I initially expected.

With a rated capacity of 2500mAh, these batteries are clearly aimed at medium- to high-drain devices, and they have been in my Aqara smart door lock so far no issues. XTAR rates the 1.5V AA 3960 for over 1,500 charge cycles, which, if even close to accurate, makes these batteries a long-term investment.

Charging speed is another area where XTAR 1.5V AA 3960 stands out. A full recharge takes around 2.5 hours, which is noticeably quicker than many traditional rechargeables. While I did not need to charge it yet, this makes it easier to top up batteries between uses rather than planning charging cycles far in advance. Especially for my use case of smart door lock, the faster charging reduces friction and makes rechargeables more practical overall.

Conclusion

Overall, the XTAR L8 is a practical and thoughtfully designed charging solution. The combination of charging and storage works extremely well, and its clean design means it doesn’t need to be hidden away in a drawer when not in use. The only limitation is that it can only charge up to eight batteries at a time, which may not be enough for users with heavy battery usage. That said, at around US$30, the XTAR L8 offers good value for money for anyone looking for a tidy, easy-to-use AA and AAA battery charger that looks good on a desk.

Unboxing

Here’s what you’ll find in the box:

• TOZO OpenReal headphones
• Charging cable
• User manual

Tech specs

Build quality and features

The whole of TOZO OpenReal headphones is covered in a soft silicon material in a matte black colour. Only the area where the speakers drivers are located are made from plastic. The design is very simple as well, with just the TOZO logo located at the speaker area.

The overall headphone has a dense feel which translate well to its build quality. I couldn’t really find any info on the water resistance rating, but seeing after seeing advertised images of it being soaked in water, I’m assuming it can handle water and sweat well. I’ve worn the TOZO OpenReal for a few running sessions and they are still working fine so far.

Controls

TOZO OpenReal uses a combination of touch and button controls. The touch controls are located on the right side headphones. It is easy to reach (if I have my thumb to find the end), reactive to touch, and not accidentally triggered when adjusting fit. The button controls are located further back (when wearing it), and they are okay to use. There are slight nubs on the button to give you an indication of its existence,

The combination of controls grant you the ability handle media controls (such as volume, and track skipping). You can find a summary of the button controls in the image below:

Like on the TOZO Golden X1, the TOZO OpenReal also has support from the TOZO app, but the customisations are limited to the EQ settings. There are many stock presets available to choose from, or you can always create your own. The EQ presets does create a noticeable change in sound signature compared to the stock.

Fit and comfort

The fit of the TOZO OpenReal is very similar to most bone conduction headphones out there. The fit relies heavily on the curves along the speaker drivers to hook on to your ear. I got a good fit with the TOZO OpenReal even with spectacles on. Comfort is pretty good as well as the 30 grams weight of the TOZO OpenReal doesn’t create much pressure on my ears. I like using the TOZO OpenReal for runs as it doesn’t have the thumping sound that you get when listening to music with earbuds.

Having said that, I can definitely feel that there is something being hooked on my ears, just that it isn’t uncomfortable. One thing to note is that the neckband just hangs freely and there is no way to adjust it. As such, I cannot recommend using this if the back of your head is going to be resting against something (eg. gym bench), as it will cause the headphones to dislodge from its fit. I used the TOZO OpenReal for casual runs and the fit remained intact and secure without any hint of moving out of position.

Sound quality

Looking at how the TOZO OpenReal is an open-ear type of headphone, I had expectations that the sound was likely going to be on the thinner side without much bass impact. However, I was pleasantly surprised that the over sound signature is actually rather balanced, without any frequency feeling noticeably lacking.

Bass is clear and present, with a good amount of punch and depth to it to give the song warmth and liveliness. Having said that, don’t expect too much sub-bass rumble. Midrange is natural sounding with any body to it to not sound thin. Vocals and instruments manages to stay fairly forward in the mix despite the speakers drivers not directly pushed into my ear canal. Treble is slightly veiled but remains clear and fun to listen to.

It’s actually quite impressive that the TOZO OpenReal is able to produce a sound signature that does fall prey to usual open-ear limitations of airy thin sound. The overall sound is quite immersive and full.

Microphone quality

Microphone on the TOZO OpenReal is surprisingly good. Voice production is clear, a tad distant, but retains a good amount of natural warmth to it. In noisy conditions, TOZO OpenReal is able to remove a large chunk of the noise whilst keeping my voice forward and clear.

Battery life

TOZO OpenReal is rated to last up to 14 hours of play time on a single charge, which was rather sufficient for my use case – about 20 to 25 running sessions. The only drawback of the TOZO OpenReal is the use of its proprietary charging port via magnets, due to its need to keep it as water resistant as possible.

If you need to juice up the TOZO OpenReal quickly, you’d be glad to know that there is fast charging available. And charging it for an hour will bring it back fully to 100%. The TOZO app will give you an accurate percentage of the remaining battery life.

Pairing, connectivity, and latency

TOZO OpenReal is equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 and pairs to my iPhone very quickly as one unit. During my time of testing, I did not encounter any connection issues or dropouts. There was also no audio-video lag experienced as well when watching YouTube on my iPhone 11. There isn’t multi-point pairing, but I’d say is ok for this price point.

Conclusion

If you’re not a fan of how bone conduction headphones sound, the TOZO OpenReal is a rather compelling option as it offers an open-fit earbuds type of sound in a fit that works best for sporting usage. The TOZO OpenReal is solid option when it comes to active use cases of running or cycling and don’t want to sacrifice audio quality.