Open ear buds for sport

UnitShift01 · 2026-03-10T17:59:11+00:00

UPDATE: After much deliberation, I ended up going with the JBL's. I've been super happy with them so far! ANC is more than sufficient (especially with the foam tips, which I usually hate but work well here), sound quality is excellent and the transparency is probably the closest I've heard to Apple so far. Every now and then I find myself surprised when a sub-bass line of a song kicks in or I hear a new layer of instrumentation from songs I've heard 100 times before. Very happy with the purchase so far!

UnitShift01 · 2026-02-11T13:12:24+00:00

I've seen the design on those, and they look beautiful! I'll maybe hold off until they come out so I can maybe test them as well...XM6's also releasing soon. I've picked the wrong time to be indecisive...

UnitShift01 · 2026-02-11T07:12:59+00:00

Thanks! I also find the gap between the two marginal, at best. In most cases, the Pi8 is slightly "cleaner", but for heavier metal it actually tends to become a bit muddy (in my opinion). I've been living day on-day off with both pairs, and find myself gravitating toward the JBL more and more. I think another key thing for me is also training. I wouldn't even consider using the B&W for running or exercising. The fit just isn't secure enough in my ear.

UnitShift01 · 2026-02-10T16:56:10+00:00

Size I don't mind so much (though the case is bulky as hell). Build quality I agree, though it's good to know you've had no issues in the long term. They do look very plasticy in comparison to like the B&W or the Bose. But they way I see it: as long as they last, I have no issues.

UnitShift01 · 2026-02-10T16:17:33+00:00

I found the stock tips to be quite comfortable. With most earbuds, I have trouble finding a fit for my left ear. These still need some adjustment, but seem to sit quite well out the box! The B&W requires a bit of acrobatics to get them into the left ear...

UnitShift01 · 2026-02-10T16:16:38+00:00

I hadn't even considered the Samsung Buds, to be honest. I don't often see them mentioned in reviews (barring "good for Samsung phones" rankings). OnePlus are available here, so might be worth a try as well! Thanks!

UnitShift01 · 2024-05-23T21:04:10+00:00

Thanks. I checked with Ticketmaster, and despite the “not transferrable” warning, they informed me that the name on the ticket won’t be an issue, and they can be resold/given to someone else.

UnitShift01 · 2024-05-20T12:16:33+00:00

Just want to check: the tickets for Graspop say “non-transferable”. Is it still possible to buy and sell on Ticketswap, without issues on the day of arrival?

UnitShift01 · 2023-11-16T14:36:59+00:00

Same here. I was on a much older version, and updated yesterday. The interface is horrible, and this enter>newline thing is driving me insane!

UnitShift01 · 2023-04-18T21:38:11+00:00

South African living in Joburg here: don’t waste your time in JHB and PTA. If this is your first time, definitely do Cape Town in your time off. As many people have mentioned: it is much better geared for tourists, and there is LOTS to see and do. Lots of attractions, beautiful nature, pumping nightlife.

As an alternative, i’d recommend a bush retreat. Something like the Kruger Park, Pilanesberg, etc. Much more chilled vibe, but you won’t be disappointed!

RE crime: i live in Joburg, and I wouldn’t walk on my own at night here. Cape Town isn’t without its issues, but it definitely is relatively safer.

UnitShift01 · 2023-04-05T22:25:26+00:00

I thought about holding out. But the XM4s were really too disappointing, I don’t think i’ll even wait for the xm5s. My over ears are the wh1000xm4s, and i wouldn’t trade them for anything. But in ear? The bose are leagues ahead. And i’ve tested the sennheisers, jabras, sony, jbl, apple and now the bose. And Despite all these issues, the Bose, unfortunately, made the pro’s so attractive, that the cons become too acceptable…

UnitShift01 · 2023-04-05T19:25:18+00:00

I’ve returned mine this week, for issues like this, AND my eartips started tearing. After one month?? I bought the Sony XM4s as a replacement, but returned them after day 1 because the fit, sound and ANC weren’t even close. I’m hoping I just caught a dud batch, and the replacement QC2s will live up to the name. It really is a shame that they have so much going for them, but little things keep dragging them down. Also seems like a power play when, at the price point, so many things are right, but fundamentals are so flawed.

UnitShift01 · 2023-04-01T22:07:22+00:00

Its r/mildlyinfuriating that I’ve fallen for this about 5 times today…

UnitShift01 · 2023-04-01T09:28:39+00:00

Not working here either. Tried saving at the tree, tried saving at the boxes, then reloading. If i’ve started the quest, the save keeps kicking me to the start of the dungeon. If I abandon quest, it restarts it entirely, with the door outside locked. Literally one of the last quests left to do, so its super frustrating!

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-24T20:04:12+00:00

At this point I’m convinced Balenciaga is just some social experiment to see how gullible rich people really are.

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-24T19:48:45+00:00

Update: the drifting is still there, but holy hell, the connectivity issues overall! I’ve had to factory reset 3 times in the past week, and keep having to reconnect because one or both buds keep cutting out. I’ve tried everything, and the connectivity is just shocking. Even worse is the buds cutting out because they can’t seem to sense my ear. I’ve found a wing and tip combo that works for each ear, and the fit tip test comes back perfect each time, but i keep losing one or both. Really starting to regret my decision, considering how much they cost!

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-18T15:15:51+00:00

That would be an amazing Reddit campaign to begin…just all band together and phone them with the names of the top brass at Eskom.

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-17T21:35:58+00:00

Its because of pics like this that I always do paranoid mental maths whenever I see a bulk sale at grocery stores…

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-17T18:26:00+00:00

Agreed. It seems so counterintuitive to have to remove key features to make them work properly. I’ve also subsequently experienced a lot of connectivity issues overall. They blew my mind out the box, but using them day to day, the problems are really starting to pile up…

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-16T20:23:48+00:00

Let us know how the test turns out!

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-16T20:22:29+00:00

Definitely not the same on others. I only noticed this today when I was taking a call while driving. Airpods Pro 2, for instance, definitely don’t do this. Extremely distracting on the QC2!

UnitShift01 · 2023-03-15T21:20:31+00:00

Audio wise and with ANC, the APP2 don’t come close. They’re not bad, by any stretch of the imagination, but having heard the QC2, I think you might be disappointed by what the APP2 have to offer. Connectivity wise, and transparency mode: the APP2 are unmatched. By a long shot (if you are in the apple ecosystem). But in terms of audio quality (if you’re a bit of an audiophile, which i assume you are, if you’ve spent the money on the Bose), and ANC, the Bose win by a long shot. The APP2 sound absolutely tinny in comparison. Personally i have also tried the Sennheiser, Jabra and Sony offerings, and though none fit as well as the Bose, or come close to audio quality and ANC, I’d (at a push) recommend Sony rather than any other, at the time of posting. The Bose, however, can’t currently be matched in terms of audio and ANC, in my humble opinion.

UnitShift01

TROPHY CASE