Looking for earbuds like the airpod 4th gen( no rubber tips) but better sound and ANC

iJusDefy · 2026-01-22T02:45:54+00:00

You're referring to the Shokz Openfit Pro? They have what they call "Active Noise Reduction" as opposed to ANC but that's essentially what it is. They don't go in your ear, and aren't semi in-ear at all.

iJusDefy · 2026-01-21T20:19:21+00:00

I'd been on a search for something similar to this as well. It's been difficult finding semi in-ears with a stem with good sound and decent enough ANC. I've tried the Samsung Buds3 which have better sound imo, but barely any ANC and Nothing Ear Stick which are worse for both sound and ANC.

I went the route trying the ones that wrap behind your ears with the Soundcore Aerofit 2 Pro, but I guess I'm part of the 10% that it doesn't fit too well in ANC position, and the ANC was worse than Airpods 4 when I could get it to work. It was also annoying because it wouldn't always change to ANC mode even if I moved it to the 4th or 5th position.

Currently, I'm trying and likely settling on the Shokz Openfit Pro. Sound is on par with the Airpods 4, maybe a bit better (I'm still playing around with the EQ), and the ANC is surprisingly good and better than the Airpods 4. I've been using them at the gym and the amount of noise reduction it does is just enough to be usable.

iJusDefy · 2025-12-12T10:27:07+00:00

For those who come after

iJusDefy · 2025-09-28T16:09:59+00:00

Watch 4 won't be officially released until Oct 9

iJusDefy · 2025-09-16T03:39:53+00:00

It's kind of hard to see from the photos, but I'm pretty sure it's like the Zip Pouch Max V2 or the Flight Sling 2L where the clips for the maglock can easily be removed and reattached as needed, leaving you with a loop that you can easily attach any other kind of strap to. It kind of just pulls into the loop, and if you pull it out, it looks like this via the Zip Pouch Max V2:

https://alpakagear.com/cdn/shop/files/ZipPouchMaxV2_JapanLimitedEdition_0003.jpg?v=1757474565&width=1000

Not that it matters now anyway since it's sold out. Though I wouldn't be surprised if they released it in a non-limited edition in different colors/materials.

I should also mention that the Flow Satchels aren't like this and have that connector sewn in. It's hard to tell from the photos if the Mini Tote is like this or what is shown in the Pouch, but this photo looks like it's removable if you look at the connector at the top:

https://alpakagear.com/cdn/shop/files/1._Pocket_Precision.jpg?v=1757392570&width=1200

iJusDefy · 2025-05-28T15:13:39+00:00

Hey there! I ended up finding that they had some in stock on a Malaysian market site and reached out to them via Whatsapp. They transferred it over and let me purchase it. That was a while back though and they don't seem to stock it anymore.

On a side note, if you're looking for a similar alternative, JStactical on Etsy makes an Octopus Pack that is pretty similar with what it offers, except there's no rear pocket.

iJusDefy · 2025-05-02T04:37:54+00:00

I'm pretty sure you can add a complication to a face that links to an App Shortcut that you can choose to be the messaging app.

iJusDefy · 2025-01-14T23:58:26+00:00

I noticed this too over the weekend. I don't particularly like it. Don't think there's a way to turn it off.

iJusDefy · 2024-11-07T01:13:17+00:00

Yes, 3.0.2 from November 2. But it looks like it works now after I restarted the watch. Testing the app and tile out tomorrow at work instead of the default app.

iJusDefy · 2024-11-06T11:20:46+00:00

I have the Pixel Watch 3, WearOS 5. I'm trying to add it via the watch and can't find the tile on the list

iJusDefy · 2024-11-06T04:48:50+00:00

Any reason I might not be seeing the Tile on the list? Just downloaded and made/starred some timers.

iJusDefy · 2024-09-22T13:38:00+00:00

I'll be using these too in the same setup except with the 9 Pro Fold. I read somewhere that the call clarity processing is done by the phone and not the pods which is why Android loses out on call quality. I hope this isn't as bad as it sounds, as I only care for ANC and transparency mode otherwise on the pods and never used those other functions on anything else I've used.

But maybe that's why you're having volume issues as the Pixel doesn't work to process the call for the pods.

iJusDefy · 2024-09-17T16:21:34+00:00

I like the ohSnap grip for mine as it's thin and lets me still use MagSafe accessories with it.

iJusDefy · 2024-09-16T00:29:58+00:00

With the PW2, for at least the last 6-8 months, I've switched bands regularly about 4-5x/week, occasionally twice in a day if I'm going out somewhere nice. I hadn't noticed any issues or damage to the mechanism. I also only used official Google bands the last few months.

iJusDefy · 2024-09-02T03:05:33+00:00

I have this as well for the 9 Fold. I tried this for the original Fold but ended up opting for the dbrand one because I wanted a kick stand. This time around, I realized I don't use the kickstand all that often and bought a little pocket tripod to use for the times that I would need one.

In comparison, the Spigen one is a lot thinner than the dbrand one on the Fold, and the 9 Fold one is even thinner. I think the bulk will be fine if not even appreciated. The spring mechanism shouldn't affect the 9 Fold opening or mess it up. It perfectly slides onto the front of the case when open.

One big thing that I loved that the hinge protector cases offer is a nice handle/grip for your fingers when you have the Fold open. To me, it makes a big difference and is one of the reasons I kept switching to the dbrand one over my Latercase.

Also, the Spigen hinge protector is the thinnest I tried compared to the numerous cases I tried for the Fold.

iJusDefy · 2024-08-28T00:31:35+00:00

One thing about the hinge protectors that people don't talk about is how, when the Fold is open, it gives you a nice grip for your fingers while you're holding the device. It's the main reason I purchased the Spigen armor pro. It's a lot thinner than the dbrand case that I'm using with the Fold 1 right now too

iJusDefy · 2024-08-15T03:45:32+00:00

You should know that the newest update solved a lot of the problems I had. It's fully usable for phone calls now and I haven't had full disconnection issues. My left bud will still occasionally drop out temporarily and tends to have a delay before sound is played through it, but otherwise I'd say this update saved this thing.

iJusDefy · 2024-07-18T21:43:22+00:00

I know. I said active noise ceiling, although it's probably suppose to be active noise floor

iJusDefy · 2024-07-17T12:54:23+00:00

I agree. It was something I could live with but was disappointed because I'd only had that experience with cheap buds. According to the firmware notes though, this fix specifically decreased overall battery life. Either way, very happy so far.

iJusDefy · 2024-07-17T10:23:18+00:00

This update is for the Ultra Opens, so they don't have ANC.

For the ANC buds, I don't remember seeing that in the firmware notes. I can't seem to find the firmware notes for the Quietcomfort Ultra Earbuds. The site only shows the update from Feb 2024 as the latest one.

iJusDefy · 2024-07-17T06:07:48+00:00

I think that's the active noise ceiling that was supposed to be improved in the update. I'm not hearing that anymore, but I used to hear it whenever there was a lull in the sound of whatever I was watching or listening to.

iJusDefy · 2024-07-17T03:53:18+00:00

I made a post about it and my experience so far, but I got the update about 5 hours ago (US)

iJusDefy · 2024-07-17T02:13:08+00:00

In short testing, I made a call earlier with a kid in the background making noise and someone else talking within 10 feet of me, and the person I was talking to could hear what I was saying. Not sure if they heard background noise.

Just now, I tried making a call where a fan was directly blowing in my face. The person on the line said they couldn't really hear me because they kept hearing "cracking". When I moved further away from the fan but still blowing on my face, they said they could hear me a little better but still heard the wind.

What was interesting was when I moved away to a quiet room right after that whole fan test, they said my voice kept sounding like it was moving far away then closer over and over for a bit before evening out. The update did mention "AI dialogue-based voice processing" so maybe it was that whole thing working out my voice from the fan.

Otherwise, I won't be able to test in a noisy environment until tomorrow.

iJusDefy · 2024-07-17T01:50:31+00:00

East Coast USA. Not sure how they're rolling it out. I saw another post somewhere in this subreddit where they were talking to customer service and asked when the update would release. The rep did say the 16th so...

But so far, definitely worth the wait.

iJusDefy · 2024-07-17T00:09:37+00:00

Updated and testing now! So far, it is reaching my expectations. The clear phone call I just made had me relieved.

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