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 pre-order the Sennheiser Momentum 5 on Lazada on when it is available mid-June.

Marshall Stockwell III

The headline upgrade here is battery life – the Stockwell III now runs for over 40 hours on a single charge, which is double what the Stockwell II offered. That’s enough to run through about 800 songs without stopping to top up. When you do need a charge, 20 minutes with a 30W USB-C PD charger gives you 8 hours of play.

Sound-wise, it uses three drivers: a 3-inch woofer and two 1.75-inch wide-band drivers – arranged for 360° stereo coverage. Marshall calls this True Stereophonic, which means there’s no “dead side” wherever you’re standing. A Dynamic Loudness feature automatically adjusts bass and treble balance at lower volumes so things don’t sound thin when you’re playing it quietly.

It also doubles as a power bank via USB-C, handy if your phone is dying mid-session. The IP55 rating (up from IPX4 on the Stockwell II) means it handles both dust and water jets from any direction – suitable for outdoor use beyond just accidental splashes. Design-wise, it keeps the classic Marshall look: leather carry strap, top-mounted control dials, metal grille with the Marshall logo. Available in Black and Brass or Cream.

Emberton III Gets New Colours

At the same time, the Emberton III (S$299) is getting two new colourways – Vintage Black and Black & Silver if you want something more compact at a lower price point.

Where to Buy

The Marshall Stockwell III is now available in Singapore for S$379 at TC Acoustic. Both the Stockwell III and the updated Emberton III colourways are available now at tcacoustic.asia and the TC Acoustic Store at The Adelphi.

Price: S$329 | Available at: tcacoustic.asia and TC Acoustic Store @ The Adelphi

Key features

The headline number here is the battery – 80 hours with ANC off, or 50+ hours with it on. That’s enough to get you through a full work week of commuting without reaching for a charger. The ANC itself is adaptive, meaning it reads your surroundings in real time and adjusts the noise cancellation level automatically which is useful when you’re jumping between the MRT, a hawker centre, and an air-conditioned office.

The Milton A.N.C. also packs LDAC support alongside Bluetooth 6.0 with LE-Audio, so if you’re streaming from a compatible Android device, you’re getting noticeably better audio quality wirelessly. And if you want the best possible quality, there’s wired USB-C playback too. A 5-band EQ and Soundstage spatial audio are available through the Marshall app, and the M button on the ear cup is customisable to your liking.

Design-wise, it’s unmistakably Marshall: square TPU ear cups with textured leather finish, brass logo hardware, powder-coated metal arms. The ear cushions have been upgraded with softer memory foam and are a bit bigger than on the Major V which is good news for those of us doing longer listening sessions. The whole thing folds flat for bag-friendly portability, and the battery is user-replaceable, which is a genuinely rare feature at this price point.

Where to Buy

The Marshall Milton A.N.C. is available from 27 May 2026 at S$329 via TC Acoustic’s webstore at tcacoustic.asia and in person at TC Acoustic Store @ The Adelphi. Currently available in Black; Brown and Cream colourways are coming later in the year.

The THUS Chip – What It Actually Does

The THUS chip uses a “compute-in-memory” design, which means the AI model and the processor live in the same place. That’s a departure from how most chips work. Normally data has to shuttle back and forth between memory and the processor on every cycle. By removing that back-and-forth, the chip uses far less power and takes up far less physical space, which matters a lot when you’re fitting it inside an earbud.

Anker claims the THUS chip delivers 150 times more AI computing power compared to earlier Soundcore models. In April 2026, the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro received a Guinness World Records title for achieving the highest G-MOS speech-quality rating ever recorded for true wireless earbuds during objective evaluation tests. We can expect the result in real life to have cleaner voice isolation in loud environments like MRT stations, hawker centres, and busy offices.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro & Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max

Both the Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 Pro Max use a 10-sensor array made up of eight MEMS microphones and two bone-conduction sensors, all powered by a large neural network running locally on the THUS chip. The MEMS microphones capture the surrounding soundscape, while the bone-conduction sensors pick up vibrations from the speaker’s skull that are directly linked to the user’s voice and unaffected by ambient airborne noise. By analyzing both inputs together in real time, the THUS™ chip delivers significantly more accurate voice isolation than systems that rely solely on microphones.

Adaptive ANC 4.0 continuously analyzes surrounding and in-ear noise in real time, automatically adjusting its cancellation strength to suit different environments and sound frequencies. By dynamically balancing noise reduction and ear pressure, it provides a more comfortable long-listening experience while delivering up to twice the ANC performance of the Liberty 4 Pro.

HearID 5.0 creates a customized EQ based on the user’s hearing profile through an in-app assessment, while AI Sound Enhancement helps recover audio detail commonly lost during Bluetooth compression, restoring up to 65% of degraded sound information.Both models support multipoint pairing for up to three devices, along with Apple Find My, Google Fast Pair, Bluetooth 6.1, and IP55-rated dust and water protection. Battery life is estimated at 6.5 hours with ANC enabled, extending to 28 hours with the charging case.

The Liberty Pro Max carries all of the above and adds a neat AI feature that makes it genuinely different. The charging case doubles as a standalone voice recorder with eight built-in microphones – useful for students, journalists, or anyone who regularly captures meetings or lectures. But it is not just a regular voice recorder, it is an AI note taker. It can record sessions without a connected phone, then generates transcripts, speaker identification, and action items via the Soundcore app. If you used Granola before, it’s probably something similar.

Where to Buy

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Series is expected to launch on 6 June 2026 in Singapore. Keep an eye on Shopee, Lazada, and soundcore.com for local pricing and any launch promotions.

Pick up an activity card at the redemption booth when you arrive. Collect stamps from any three zones and you’ll unlock an exclusive JBL gift bundle – including JBL merchandise worth up to S$288 and a 20% off voucher for the JBL Online Store.

Five Zones, One Atrium

The pop-up is divided into five themed zones, each tied to a different lifestyle and a different set of JBL products:

Zone 1 – Beats Unleashed features the new JBL BandBox Solo & Trio, AI-powered amplifiers built for musicians. You can switch between solo practice mode and group jamming – a neat setup for anyone curious about what these look and sound like in a live environment.

Gift with Purchase: Receive a limited edition JBL Music Stand for every JBL Bandbox Solo or Trio purchase. Limited availability daily, while stock lasts.

Zone 2 – Sound Is Survival puts you in a first-person shooter with JBL’s Quantum 250, 650, and 950 gaming headsets. Gameplay is projected live so spectators can follow the action, and one JBL Quantum 650 (worth S$299) is given away per day to the top scorer.

Gift with Purchase: A S$30 Steam gift card with any purchase of the JBL Quantum 650 or 950 headset. Limited availability daily, while stock lasts. 

Zone 3 – Hustle Loud transforms Sinpopo Café into a co-working space where you can test the just-launched JBL Live 680NC and 780NC headphones in actual work-like conditions. It’s the Singapore debut of the new Live Series – so this is your first chance to hear them in person.

Gift with Purchase: A Sinpopo Cake Set (worth S$12) with every purchase of a JBL Live headphone. Limited availability daily, while stock lasts. 

Zone 4 – Adventure Unmuted is an outdoor camping-themed setup where you can get hands-on with the PartyBox lineup and portable speakers like the Flip 7, Charge 6, and BoomBox 4. There’s also a short quiz to help you figure out which speaker suits your lifestyle.

Gift with Purchase: Get a limited-edition speaker strap and customise it at the D.I.Y Echo Charms Bar with any purchase of the JBL Grip, JBL Flip 7 or JBL Charge 6 portable speakers. Limited availability daily, while stock lasts.

Zone 5 – Style Amplified is about the open-ear lineup – the Sense Lite, Sense Pro, and Soundgear Clips. It doubles as a styling bar with a colour analysis activity, matching earwear to outfits. A fun angle for anyone who cares as much about how something looks as how it sounds.

Gift with Purchase: Redeem a limited-edition clip-on charm accessory with every JBL Soundgear Clips purchase at the D.I.Y Echo Charms Bar. Or, grab a TEC Roti pouch, a JBL collab piece with local lifestyle brand The Everyday Club, with the purchase of the JBL Sense Pro, JBL Sense Lite or JBL Endurance Zone. Limited availability daily, while stock lasts.

DIY Charms Bar & Live Music on the Weekend

There’s also a D.I.Y Echo Charms Bar where buyers of the JBL Grip, Flip 7, or Charge 6 can personalise a limited-edition speaker strap with charms. JBL Soundgear Clips buyers get a clip-on charm accessory too.

On 18 and 19 April (Saturday and Sunday), local indie musicians will perform 30-minute live sets at the pop-up. No ticketing required — just show up.

Where and When

‘JBL: Live Your Sound’ Pop-Up is held at Funan, Level 1 Atrium

• 15 – 19 April 2026
• Free admission

Gifts-with-purchase apply to purchases made at Funan retailers (Best Denki, Courts, Challenger, Gain City, T K Foto) or the JBL Online Store during the same period.

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.

Sonos Play

Price: S$549 | Available at: TCAcoustic.asia, Sonos Flagship Store @ Wheelock Place, Lazada, Shopee, and authorised retailers

The Sonos Play is a hybrid – it works as a home speaker on Wi-Fi and doubles as a portable Bluetooth speaker when you head out. It has a 24-hour battery, IP67 water resistance, and comes with a wireless charging base so it stays docked at home when you’re not on the move. There’s also a built-in power bank to top up your phone on the go, plus a removable fabric loop for easy carrying.

One genuinely useful new trick: you can group up to four Sonos Play or Move 2 speakers over Bluetooth when you’re away from home. Just connect to your phone via Bluetooth, hold the Play/Pause button on the other speakers, and they sync up – no Wi-Fi needed. Automatic Trueplay tuning adjusts the sound based on where you are, indoors or out. Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and voice control are all supported. The battery is also user-replaceable, which is a nice sustainability move.

Sonos Era 100 SL

Price: S$349 | Available at: TCAcoustic.asia, Sonos Flagship Store @ Wheelock Place, Lazada, Shopee, and authorised retailers

The Era 100 SL is essentially the Era 100 minus the microphones, making it Sonos’ most affordable non-portable speaker. It still has the same two angled tweeters and single mid-woofer setup for stereo-like sound, plus Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2, and a USB-C port for line-in audio (adapter sold separately). No voice assistant means it’s a good pick for anyone who doesn’t want a mic sitting in their living room. It can also function as rear surround speakers in a Sonos home theatre setup.

Where to Buy

Both speakers are available for pre-order now at TCAcoustic.asia, the Sonos Flagship Store @ Wheelock Place, and Sonos stores on Lazada and Shopee, as well as authorised retailers. General availability starts 7 April 2026. If you want to hear them in person before then, head to the Sonos pop-up at Wheelock Place (until 22 March) or catch them at IT Show 2026 at Suntec (12–15 March).

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.