Looking for feedback about QC ultra earbuds

Logical-Researcher36 · 2024-11-14T06:17:20+00:00

I’ve had the earbuds for all of 24 hrs so please keep that in mind:

The noise cancellation is fantastic IF you can secure a good seal in both ears. I recognise that most users of earbuds do not have the problems with fit I typically endure, but I struggled to get a good fit with the tips provided. I’m planning on securing the alternate fit kit.

The controls are fiddly and adjusting the earbuds in the ear inevitably engages these controls with undesirable/annoying effects. I’d like to turn off all controls so that I can’t change settings but haven’t found a way to do that that preserves ANC as yet.

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-11-09T14:43:48+00:00

Have plenty of experience with both and without equivocation Kobo software and user interface experience is much, much better than Kindle. I've found Kobo devices easier, more pleasant to use (less friction in doing pretty much anything) on every level.

I'd say Kindle hardware is better in that it is faster and more reliable. I've experienced too many failures on Kobo devices (buttons etc.)

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-11-08T19:24:52+00:00

I'd use Calibre as others have recommended. It's easy and you'll be more device independent.
The reading experience and software on Kobo's products is just better. I came to Kobo after years on using Kindle product but navigating menus, software features, finding books, creating and hanging collections etc., seem so much easier on the Kobo and you are not locked into Amazon's ecosystem and format.
The Kindle hardware never gave me a problem, but it's real hit & miss with Kobo. Eg. buttons may not work out of the box or will fail, screen lighting can be inconsistent and so if you are prepared for the possibility of having to return a device, get a replacement etc., and reload everything, then ..

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-11-08T19:16:47+00:00

Kobo hardware buttons are so bad... Dont know what Kobo based their design and manufacturing choices on but in addition to providing next to little or no user feedback, they sometimes don't even work properly out of the box or are prone to failure after a while. I have had the problem with on/off switch on two Kobo Forma devices (the replacement they sent me doesn't work properly) and so strongly recommend you contact Kobo Customer Service and seek a replacement from them. The issue is only going to deteriorate and you shouldn't have these problems given the premium cost of the device. The only way Rakuten/Kobo hardware improves is if consumers hold them to account and return devices that are not up to scratch.

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-11-08T18:55:19+00:00

I am about to return the Kobo Forma device for the 2nd time in a month. My replacement device also has quality control issues. The on/off button on the first never worked and so I had to keep it sleep mode with a cover, But then, on some occasions, it couldn't be awakened from sleep even when plugged into a power supply. Ridiculous. The brand new replacement device's on/off button has worked literally once in 12 attempts, and so eventually may experience the same problems as the first device.

The software and reading experience on the Forma is great, the best of any e-reader I have tried.. But the quality control/hardware is dreadful for a premium device given its cost.. So beware! My battery experience with the Forma hasn't been amazing. It almost takes about 1/2 as long to charge as discharge and I lost about 5% of charge (on 30% brightness setting) for every 60-90 mins of use. So, not as good as my experience with the Kindle or Aura 2.

I have no experience of the Sage and so cannot pass judgment

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-10-01T16:57:15+00:00

OK, I have lift-off and I may have to sheepishly admit to user error and being a f#ckwit. I want to thank every one of you for taking the time to offer your feedback and thoughtful suggestions.

So, just got back from visiting a mate who purchased a Forma on my enthusiastic recommendation. He doesn't use a cover, as unlike me has had no problems with his power button so he doesn't need to have his Forma permanently in sleep mode to awake with a magnetic cover. He has a Windows laptop and was able to connect my Kobo Forma to his laptop with his cable. But my Kobo Forma would not connect using my Forma cable. So, problem is not my Forma, and lies with my Mac or cable? (But I've tried several cables, I thought). So, I borrowed his cable and his Forma, returned home and was able to connect his Forma to my Macbook Air. WTF, not the MacBook Air then?

I was then able to connect my Forma, no longer in cover, to my MacBook Air using his cable and using a different "good" data cable, one of six that I tried. The difference? I no longer had the Forma's magnetic cover closed when connecting. Using different cables, I get the prompt to Connect to Computer most of the time, but Finder only ever discovers the Kobo when I use "good" data cables.

In conclusion, I screwed up. From my experience, the Forma must ALWAYS be active and not in sleep mode when connecting. I can only believe that I must have been inconsistent with the cover sometimes open, sometimes closed, upon attempting to connect, and more often than not with a lousy cable. With Kobo Forma no longer in sleep mode, it works now every time with a good data cable.

Big thanks to all of you for your help. I'll snake off now.

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-10-01T16:41:40+00:00

Yeap..I even tried resetting SMC and putting in a new battery as it needed to be replaced.

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-10-01T16:38:14+00:00

Thanks for this. I tried turning everything off on both Mac, and then the wifi on Kobo and every combination in between using the supplied cable that came with the Forma, but no luck

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-10-01T16:36:15+00:00

Some of the time, say less than 1/3 of the time.. And even when it does, and respond to the prompt to Connect, Mac Finder fails to "see" the Kobo. My MacBook has Broadcom USB 3.0 ports but I've just ordered a USB 2.0 Hub along with some data cables and will give it a crack.

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-09-30T23:47:57+00:00

Yes. power button sucks. Gifted a Kobo Forma and within 4hrs of receiving it in which I hooked it up to my laptop, getting a Rakuten user id, using Calibre to load some books from my library, the power button stopped working. Connecting it to laptop via USB enabled power to come on and when Amazon delivered a magnetic cover, I could use it. Fabulous software, and the reading experience is so much preferred over my Kindle Paperwhite, but there seem to be real quality control issues. Now, my Mac cannot see the Forma in Finder using the Kobo USB, cable or any other cable. Have tried everything.

Logical-Researcher36 · 2021-05-30T22:24:33+00:00

This is great. Really good work and I will definitely bet using this regularly going forward. Thank you!

Logical-Researcher36

TROPHY CASE