STACK #201 Jul 2021

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

EARBUDS

The word that immediately springs to mind when we open the TW2s is classy. Right down to the fabric charging case, these second-generation earbuds are stylish and score points right across the board. Complete with four interchangeable tip sizes to compensate for all ear sizes, the intuitive touch controls are among the most responsive we’ve tested. They sat comfortably in ear for over six hours without any issues, and the call quality is excellent. The sound doesn’t disappoint either – clean, clear, and detailed, the

Bose Sports True Wireless Earbuds Designed specifically (but not exclusively) for sports, these snug-fitting earbuds would survive a Metallica mosh pit and not fall out. Extremely comfortable to wear, even over long periods of time, all the controls here are on the touch panel, including smart assist should you need to know the weather report before going on a run. Talking of which, these are rated IPX4, so you’re good for sweat and rain. Most sports earbuds lean heavily into the bass, but that’s not the case here – these balance, including the bass, is exceptional. Rounded out with good ANC functionality, the TW2s belong right at the top of the shelf. WHAT WE LOVE: The sound quality is flawless. AT A GLANCE: Colour: Triple Black, Glacier White and Baltic Blue Type: True Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 Style: In-Ear Sports Battery life: Seven hours (less with ANC on) and an additional 21 hours with the case Noise-Cancelling: ANC IPX Rating: 4 Charging: In Case – USB-C

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro Another entry in the illustrious camp of in-ear ANC earbuds, there’s a lot to love about the sterling Galaxy Buds Pro beginning with a comfortable fit. We ran with these in and the earbuds remained firmly in place throughout. Intuitive touch controls are on point with accurate response and Samsung’s proprietary voice assistant, Bixby, is on hand to take care of any requests with a simple, “Hey Bixby”. Prepare yourself for rich, detailed, studio-quality sound with a goosebump-inducing bass tone – you certainly know you’re in premium territory. Finally, intelligent noise cancellation is designed to switch between full music immersion and ambient sound by monitoring internal and external noise without having to adjust the volume. They also feature voice detect technology and will automatically switch from full ANC to ambient noise when triggered by voice. WHAT WE LOVE: Amplified ambient sound is such a blessing, but the best part about these earbuds is how vivid, warm and bright the sound quality truly is. AT A GLANCE: Colour: Black, Violet and Silver Type: True Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 Style: In-Ear Battery life: Five hours with ANC on with an additional 2.6 charges from the case Noise-Cancelling: ANC IPX Rating: 7 Charging: In Case – USB-C Sony WF-1000 XM4 Whoa! If excellent noise cancellation is at the top of your list of must-haves (we’re looking at you, working from home parents), then you simply won’t find a better pair of ANC earbuds currently on the market – they even make a barking dog all but disappear! Touch-controls on the side will activate ambient noise, so you’re aware of what’s going on around you. And a neat feature, Speak-to-Chat, when activated, will automatically cut out music when it detects your voice. An exceptional fit will endure the most intense workouts, and protection with an IPX4 rating means you’re good for both sweat and inclement weather – and voice assist is included. When it comes to audio quality, these earbuds are superb, rivalling over-ear headphones, with the default balance right on the money. While they’re at the high-end of the price range, they stand peerless in class. WHAT WE LOVE: Everything. AT A GLANCE: Colour: Black and silver Type: True Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 Style: In-ear Battery life: Eight hours plus two full charges in the case Noise-Cancelling: ANC IPX Rating: 4 Charging: In Case – USB-C

deliver a well-balanced performance that kick just as well with The Strokes as they do with Dua Lipa. The Bose Sports are an ideal fitness companion that will safely see you through any workout. WHAT WE LOVE: A perfect fit for active folk, with great sound to boot. AT A GLANCE: Colour: Triple Black, Glacier White and Baltic Blue Type: True Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 Style: In-Ear Sports Battery life: Five hours – a 15-minute charge from the case will restore two hours of play IPX Rating: 4 Charging: In Case – USB-C

Jabra Elite 85T Light in weight, the 85T in-ears feature an easy-to-use slider in the Jabra app, offering several levels of noise cancellation. To achieve this, there are two dedicated ANC mics in each bud: one to catch outside noise (traffic, loud voices, other people's music), and one to catch the noise from inside your ear (the sound of you chewing pistachios, or your own breath as you sprint up a hill). Calls are a cinch, with three mics guarded by excellent wind protection, and they're sweat- and rain-proof too. Thanks to a pair of 12mm speakers, the 85Ts offer a rich, well-defined sound with finely balanced bass that won’t rattle your eardrums like its predecessor did. Overall, the 85Ts are outstanding earbuds that will compete with the big hitters at the top of the tree. WHAT WE LOVE: Tiny but mighty, there's so much going on in this compact design – and the dedicated ANC chip means noise-cancellation power doesn't suffer for size. AT A GLANCE: Colour: Titanium Black, Dark Grey and Gold Beige Type: True Wireless Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1 Style: In-Ear Battery life: 5.5 hours with an additional 25 hours in the case Noise-Cancelling: ANC IPX Rating: 4 Charging: In Case – USB-C

58 JULY 2021

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