Rankings
Contents
About the rankings…
You may not agree with any of them, and that’s fine.
My preference is for not for boring neutrality or hyper-transparency – but a sound with proper timbre. So I tend to prefer a darker sound over a brighter sound. And the only way to evaluate timbre is by listening to real voices, instruments, and acoustic spaces in the REAL WORLD. Otherwise, your reference point (and opinion) will be unreliable. And unless you’re a feral child, you’ll have an idea of what “natural” sounds like.
The beauty of listening to all this gear (at the same time) is that you start to hear where everything falls. The value of an opinion is only relative to what one has heard. By indulging in mass comparisons, you’ll get a better idea of tradeoffs and limitations. Once you’ve heard familiar recordings in its different flavors – you start to get an intuition on what was intended. The drawback, of course, is that it takes a lot of time (and a little bit of insanity).
Higher rank doesn’t mean it’s better – for YOU
Again, this is just a list of my personal best. None of these headphones were perfect. The top five do certain things exceptionally well and so depends on what qualities you value. I’m keeping those are a reference for various qualities. The bottom five are either ones that problematic, require a lot of EQ, or are “novel.” These are the ones I’ve found to stray away from intent – but may appeal to some.
Also, if the earphones or ranked next to each other, they probably perform similarly. Please read the impressions to get an idea of which is a better fit for you.
Audio Bacon's Best True Wireless Earbuds
| Rank | Brand | Model | IPX | Battery (buds/total) | Codec | # of Drivers | Driver Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Soundcore | Liberty 2 Pro | IPX4 | 8 & 28 hours | aptX | 2 | 11 mm Dynamic, Custom Knowles BA, | $110.99 |
| 2 | Sennheiser | Momentum True Wireless 2 | IPX4 | 7 & 28 hours | aptX | 1 | 7mm Dynamic | $249.00 |
| 3 | Master & Dynamic | MW07 GO | IPX6 | 10 & 22 hours | aptX | 1 | 10 mm Beryllium | $199.00 |
| 4 | Beats | Powerbeats Pro | N/A | 9 & 24 hours | AAC | 1 | 12 mm rigid aluminum linear piston driver | $249.95 |
| 5 | Jabra | 75t | IP55 | 7.5 & 28 hours | AAC | 1 | 6 mm Dynamic | $179.99 |
| 6 | Soundcore | Liberty 2 Air | IPX5 | 7 & 28 hours | aptX | 2 | 6 mm Diamond-coated Drivers | $99.99 |
| 7 | Soundcore | Liberty Neo (Original) | IPX7 | 5 & 15 hours | AAC | 1 | 6 mm Graphene | $35.99 |
| 8 | Soundcore | Liberty Neo (Upgraded) | IPX7 | 5 & 15 hours | AAC | 1 | 6 mm Graphene | $39.99 |
| 9 | Jaybird | Vista | IPX7 | 6 & 16 hours | SBC | 1 | 6 mm Dynamic | $179.99 |
| 10 | Sony | WF-1000XM3 | N/A | 6 & 24 hours | AAC | 1 | 6 mm Dynamic | $229.99 |
| 11 | Bose | SoundSport Free | IPX4 | 5 & 15 hours | AAC | ? | ? | $199.00 |
| 12 | 1More | True Wireless ANC | IPX5 | 6 & 22 hours | aptX | 2 | 10 mm Dynamic, BA | $199.99 |
| 13 | Jabra | 65t | IP55 | 5 & 15 hours | aptX | 1 | 6 mm Dynamic | $149.99 |
| 14 | 1More | Stylish True Wireless | N/A | 6.5 & 24 hours | aptX | 1 | 7 mm Dynamic | $99.99 |
| 15 | Samsung | Galaxy Buds | N/A | 6 & 13 hours | AAC | 1 | 5.8 mm Dynamic | $114.00 |
| 16 | Samsung | Galaxy Buds+ | IPX2 | 11 & 22 hours | AAC | 2 | ? | $149.99 |
| 17 | Sennheiser | Momentum True Wireless | IPX4 | 4 & 12 hours | aptX | 1 | 7 mm Dynamic | $299.95 |
| 18 | Edifier | TWS NB | IPX4 | 11 & 22 hours | aptX | 1 | 13 mm Graphene | $119.99 |
| 19 | HiFiMAN | TWS600 | IPX4 | 5 & 35 hours | AAC | 1 | 8.5 mm Dynamic | $99.00 |
| 20 | Aukey | Key Series T10 | IPX5 | 7 & 24 hours | AAC | 1 | ? Graphene | $109.99 |
| 21 | Apple | Airpods Pro | IPX4 | 4.5 & & 24 hours | AAC | 1 | ? | $249.00 |
| 22 | Enacfire | E20 | IPX5 | 4 & 88 hours | SBC | 1 | ? | $49.99 |
Active Noise Canceling (ANC)
There are only three ANC earphones on this list that I know of. The Sony WF-1000XM3, Apple Airpods Pro, and Edifier TWS NB. Depending on whether you have ANC on or off determines sound quality.
About equalizers...
Nearly all of these true wireless earphones required some kind of EQ for optimal sound quality. And all of them don't come with parametric ones. Some of the best sounding headphones are bright out the gate but are easily mitigated through EQ. On the other hand, some headphones simply don't EQ well no matter what you do. It really depends on software and hardware thresholds. An equalizer isn't a silver bullet.
Foam tips
To keep things simple, I only used stock tips for this review (with the exception of the Sony WF-1000XM3). I do plan to re-evaluate with Comply tips in the future. It may be enough to tip the rankings a bit - since many of these earphones could benefit from foam tips.
Updates
I'll update this list as firmware and other discoveries are made. If you'd like me to add something to the list, let me know in the comments. If there are any inconsistencies, let me know and I'll reevaluate (it happens).
Sound Profiles
For those looking for a specific type of sound, here’s a rough guide. I’ll refine and organize when I find the time. In no particular order:
Bass
- Soundcore Liberty Neo (Upgraded)
- Jabra Elite 75t
- Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro
- Bose Soundsport Free Wireless
- Beats Powerbeats Pro
- 1More Stylish True Wireless
- Edifier TWS NB
Neutral
- Master & Dynamic MW07 GO
- Bose Soundsport Free Wireless
- Sony WF-1000XM3
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless
Resolution & Transparency
- Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro
- Soundcore Liberty 2 Air
- Jabra Elite 75t
- Galaxy Buds+
- Master & Dynamic MW07 GO
- 1More ANC True Wireless (normal mode)
Warmth & Timbre
- Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro
- Beats Powerbeats Pro
- 1More Stylish True Wireless
- Soundcore Liberty Neo (Original)
- Soundcore Liberty Neo (Upgraded)
- Aukey Key Series T10
Easy Listening – For those who are more sensitive to brightness.
- Sony WF-1000XM3
- Master & Dynamic MW03 GO
- Beats Powerbeats Pro
- Bose Soundsport Free True Wireless
- Soundcore Liberty Neo (original)
- Soundcore Liberty Neo (upgraded)
- Jabra Elite 75t
- Galaxy Buds+
- 1More Stylish True Wireless
- Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless
- Aukey Key Series T10
Very nice article and I tend to agree with most if not all your assessments. I own most of these headphones and am a headphone addict. Clearly sound and headphones reviews are very subjective. I appreciate all your efforts here! Well done!
Thank you for your support, David. Gonna keep pushin’ forward!
Try huawei freebuds 3, they could be the best, they shock me how good r they.
I think this is probably the best audio review comparison for a buyer that I’ve ever read. No. Not probably. Actually it is the best. That’s because you’ve written the good AND the bad about every product. Never said one item is better absolutely. Explained what you liked and why, which is VERY important as I might like something that you don’t. Though most importantly, you compared the items at the end with both the good and bad points in a comparative way. This grouping of descriptions and comparisons actually makes your ranking list not very useful and confusing, BUT! makes the whole review useful and informative and can help a person decide which product THEY would like. I still like my old Wf-1000x buds but was looking for something, probably by now, better. By reading your reviews I might actually rank the new Sony buds as number one (though I’d have to hear them of course). The beauty of your reviews is that I can actually get some idea of what I WOULD actually like and what to try first. Awesome writing and well thought out.
Thank you, Mark. It’s interesting because some days, I don’t mind having something further down the ranking list for the “unique” qualities it presents. It’s sometimes about the mood or about the appreciation of a certain type of sound. Although I prefer a more natural sound, I sometimes still enjoy the “fantasy” that some of these headphones provide. It amazes me how much information is capture by the microphone – which I don’t think even the performers or engineers knew about. I did perform this experiment for my own record keeping. Figured it’ll give me a good reference point for things I hear in the future. Everyone enjoys music differently and I’m glad I was able to help.
I’m going to doubt this product is better than the Sony it was compared to.
Great review. I have settled on 3 sets of earbuds for my everyday use.
1. Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro – For home use. I agree wholeheartedly about your remarks regarding these earbuds, and now Soundcore has added a 7 band EQ allowing you to custom eq them, so that’s fantastic. Their relatively weak IPX rating and substandard call performance keeps them from being my “go to” phones, but when I am at home, these are the ones I pick up.
2. Sony WF-1000XM3 – Although not as good sounding as the L2P, The sublime ANC of these buds makes these my default travel gear, edging out my Bose QC35ii over the ear cans. The sound isolation on these is actually better than my Bose. And the portability of them is self evident. No IPX rating makes them strictly for plane trips and similar use cases. Definitely a niche product, but once you travel with ANC, there’s no going back.
3. Soundcre Liberty Air 2 – These are my default “out and about” phones. The slight trade off in sound quality is more than offset by the smaller case, stronger water resistance and call quality. The soundcore app allows you to EQ them quite a bit, so I can get good sound even in environments that are not conducive to it.
Have you tried the lypertek tevi?
I’ve bought a pair before. I don’t think it’s worth comparing to the ones up here. Not super great in my opinion
I have been looking for exactly such an analysis. I have been looking for a TWS for exactly the same purpose as yours except that call quality is a semi-important factor. I mostly use iFi xDSD for Bluetooth receiver with JVC FD0X or Sony MD855. Anyway, it would be interesting if you could rate Galaxy bud live that has an open design with a bass duct and 12mm driver. My interest in it for its call quality and I heard it is better than galaxy bud+. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your review man!!!! I tried many earbuds and the M&D MW07 GO is a clear win on sound quality in my opinion! So detailed, precise, layered, immersive and just beautiful sound in all genres. I can hear many new sounds in the same old songs and music that I listen over and over again. I have been a Bose fan for so long but M&D will be my new faith on sound quality. Thank you for such a professional and honest review!!! Appreciate it!!!
My pleasure 🙂
This is has become my go to reference source – the care and attention to detail that went into this is amazing; so, Thank You! I have always struggled with pure ranking lists and have been skeptical of kickback bias. I have been on a quest to find the highest call/mic quality without sacrificing my music preferences. This has served as a good cross-reference. I was generally happy with the Momentum TW’s call-wise; however, was never a big fan of how music sounded through them (although I really wanted them to be good). That combined with the flaws (“volume min / volume min / volume min”) drove me away. I am on the phone all day for work and like to listen to music in between. I’m currently using Jabra 75t’s and they seem pretty good for both purposes – the extra bass doesn’t bother me too much but heavier music tends to sound a little muddled to my liking.
Has anyone else had good experiences with TWS with the right call quality / musicality balance? Always open to opinions and suggestions.
Thanks!
You had me with how you arranged and photographed the boxes.
I was wondering if you had an earbud recommendation for heavier music? I was leaning towards the Liberty 2 Pro or MW07 GO’s based on your reviews but I figured I’d check to see if there was something I was missing. Thanks!
Not sure what you mean by heavier music? Bass?
More on the metal and punk spectrum of genres. I know EQ’s on these genres are tuned higher on the high and low ends but leave the mids largely unchanged.
Thank you for sharing this very fine review.
Have a wonderful new year!
Good job. I look forward to more of your interesting observations.
Wow, this review is fantastic. I still have of course some questions, as it’s difficult to understand what do you mean by “colour”, “gray”, “darker”. Do you have a link to know more about these sound terms ?
I am looking right now a pair of wireless earbuds for walking in the street and make sports mainly. I really don’t care about the outside noise, and some others functionnality. I just whant to listen to music 🙂
This is what I really liked in your review. This is crazy how it is difficult to find a such audio quality based review.
I like the warm and open feeling of the sound. I was a fan of the senheiser X100. which is light, simple, semi-opened (I think this is the key of this “warm” – I an not sure about the term – sound I like. I am a definitely analog guy 🙂
So I am hesitating right now with the MW07GO, the powerbeats PRO, bose sound sport free (for which you were positively surprised. There are also the newer sport earbuds).
I am listening the music for enjoying it. I make music myself. I have a good hear, I hear a lot of details. But I am afraid of a too precise earbuds that could be annoying after a while or could hurt ears specially if the high are to crispy. So let’s say I want to enjoy the music more than I want to analyse music, I like the idea of smoothness. I like 90s rock. Foo flighters. I like mediation music. I like rap. Soundtracks music, definitely. An important point is that my source are not specially super quality records. Could be important. Warm, Space and Detailled, Opened (I would like to avoid a feeling of chlostrophoby) could be the most important adjectives I guess in what I am looking for.
With this description could you recommand me one or two ? (in my list or not of course)
I take you a coffee right now 🙂 thanks you so much for this work
An amateur of anaolog music and photography.
warm to me is that brown, fireplace, golden color to the sound. Grey is a darker sound outside of neutral (colorless). Basically just shades of gray to black. A colder tone is icy and blue.
the Liberty 2 Pro might be fatiguing but has the best tone. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 in High-end tuning mode might be what you’re looking for. It’s not very warm but strikes a good balance.
Great review. I modified Piano EQ as Jay suggested and added Comply tips (and removed both rubber bands). I am so much enjoying the Liberty 2 pro. Thanks Jay!!
Paul
”Unfortunately, I can’t customize the “Piano” EQ and save it as my own. I would take the highs down a tad and boost the 200-300 Hz region. Reason being that these earphones have this ever-present coarseness in the mids. It’s kind of edgy, hissy, screechy, and resembles static at times. These adjustments would hopefully close the micro-caps and hopefully smooth over the grain”.
EQ: piano
Hz / Gain
100Hz / 0
200Hz / 3
400Hz / 3
800Hz / 2
1.6kHz / 4
3.2kHz / 5
6.4kHz / 3
12.8kHz / 4
EQ: piano (slightly modified)
Hz / Gain
100Hz / -1
200Hz / 2
400Hz / 2
800Hz / 2
1.6kHz / 4
3.2kHz / 5
6.4kHz / 3
12.8kHz / 4
Thank you for sharing this useful information about Wireless earbuds. Great article. I’m looking forward to reading your next essay. Thank you once more!