Intro:
Edifier is known for producing affordable, high-quality items, ranging from Bluetooth speakers to wireless headphones and TWS earbuds, like the ones we have here. Some of their products are among my favorites across all price categories, such as the outstanding Stax Spirit S5, which can compete favorably overall.
Having recently reviewed the excellent Stax S10 TWS earbuds, I was asked if I would like to review the TWS buds here, along with the NeoBuds Planar, which fall within the same price range as the S10. The more affordable LolliClips have a 13mm dynamic driver and a unique fit, like TWS buds of old.
This review stipulates that I also assess the NeoBuds Planar TWS “buds.” Not only will they be compared here, but they will also receive their review, as they differ significantly and likely cater to distinct clientele.
I gladly accepted both pairs, and I thank Edifier for their continued support. The unit is mine to keep, but may be asked back for at any time. And as per all of my reviews, regardless of category, the unit(s) were burned in for 75 hours, minimum. It is a long-standing tradition I have that people are also interested in how the unit sounds down the road (if there are changes), as well as brand new out of the packaging.
Specs:
Bluetooth® Version: V5.4
Effective Range: about 10m
Supported Audio Codecs: aptX™, aptX™ Adaptive, aptX™ Lossless, Snapdragon Sound™, LHDC 5.0, LDAC, AAC, SBC
Battery:
Playback Time: ANC OFF: 7.5+22.5hrs, ANC ON: 5+15hrs
Input: 5V ⎓ 200mA (earbuds), 5V ⎓ 1A (charging case)
General Features:
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 40kHz
Output Sound Pressure Level: 92 ± 3dB (A)
Driver: 13mm dynamic driver
In The Box:
LolliClip
Case
USB-C charging cable
Owner’s manual
Gear Compared/Used:
Edifier Stax S10 ($299)
Edifier NeoBuds Planar ($299)
Unique Melody U-Free ($349)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
MBP
FiiO x Jade Audio JM21
Unboxing:
The LolliClip comes in a square box, laden with a white sleeve, that carries all of the necessary information. The front shows battery usage time along with an image likeness of the buds.
The back shows the case, along with talking points such as ANC technology, microphone placement, and connectivity. Also listed in a long rectangular box are the contents of the box.
Removing the sleeve and lifting the lid, you see the black case of the dynamic driver buds set like an egg in a well-protected nest. Lifting both the buds and “nest” out, a slender rectangular box lies below. Included in that box are the short USB-C charging cable, a quick start guide, and case.
A very efficient Edifier-like unboxing, indeed.
Design/Tech details:
An open-ear TWS noise-cancelling earbud with Bluetooth 5.4, and multipoint connection, gives a 39-hour battery life to the LolliClip. Featuring adaptive noise cancellation, a secure multicurve ear hook, and immersive spatial audio with head-tracking.
The LolliClip is certified for Hi-Res Wireless Audio through the 13mm dynamic driver which has a titanium-coated diaphragm. Equipped with 3+3 microphones and an AI algorithm for clear calls, the buds are IP56-rated for durability. Multipoint connection enables seamless device switching, while the EDIFIER ConneX App offers extra features like heart rate detection and personalized controls (once logged into an account). Adaptive Noise-Cancelling and Secure Fit
Advanced adaptive active noise cancellation customizes sound based on your fit and surroundings, while maintaining comfort. The innovative multi-curvature ear hook, wrapped in silicone to ensure a secure, comfortable fit for daily use.
With LDAC support, up to a 96kHz sampling rate, and Hi-Res Wireless certification, lossless audio provides for a TWS experience much like “mainstream” designs. These earbuds also
feature 360° Spatial Audio with real-time head-tracking, powered by sensors on both sides, creating an immersive, dynamic sound that adapts and moves with you.
Seamless switching between two Bluetooth devices allows for a smooth, convenient experience. Hands-free calls use each earbud’s three high-sensitivity microphones and an AI algorithm, helping to provide clear hands-free calls.
Build/Fit/Design:
The LolliClips are a wrap-around design, with two parts. The first is the battery, which sits behind your ear. A thin bend connects this to the driver chamber, which mimics a jellybean. The business end does not sit inside the ear canal, but rather into the canal, only slightly. When music is not playing, there is a definite leak of outside noise, but with ANC engaged, only louder sounds intrude.
In the past, some excellent sonically sound TWS buds have been let down by their design, with downright torturous ergonomics. The wrap-around design will not be for everyone, but I never felt pained while wearing the pair. I appreciated the larger curvature of the bar that navigates the ear, and never felt any pressure, with a better fit than larger bulbous TWS buds, specifically mentioned in the comparison part.
Quality has never been an issue with Edifier products, and that carries forth, too. The build carries no mismatched seams or areas of concern.
Fit, on the other hand, can be a mixed bag for some. The sound chamber, while small, feels like it should be inserted deeper into the canal for better isolation. Some will find that the fit will only be good, instead of excellent, due to the unique shape of the LolliClip.
When properly mounted, though, the fit and isolation were good. I ended up wearing the pair almost horizontally, which provided a better seal for my ear shape.
The egg-shaped case is quite slippery, ergonomically speaking, with just enough tactility for a good handholding experience (it did slip out of my hand a couple of times, though). The USB-C port is on the back, so the case does make accessing the buds while charging a bit more difficult.
Controls/App:
The Edifier ConneX app is fairly basic, with excellent instructions for operating the pair. You can also access the manual on the company website. Pressing each bud on the connecting bar area from 1-3 times controls various functions, which become intuitive after a bit of time.
You can change functions within the app, but I was never able to consistently achieve functionality, so I used my phone for control.
Within the app, you can change adaptive noise cancellation in four modes: adaptive, noise cancellation, ambient sound, wind reduction (which I used while on the phone with my wife), or off. There is no delay in changing to any of the modes, with a female background voice telling you which mode you are in.
There are four sound “effects” ranging from classic, vocal, bass boost, and treble boost. I will say that each change takes about two seconds, so there is a pause in the music while the firmware works its magic.
Classic provides the original source music. Bass boost presents a push in the low end while also adding vibrancy to the overall tonality. The Vocal setting adds a more holographic effect to the music, with the midrange pushed forward. The Treble boost setting allows for a push in the top end.
Sound Mode provides three different setting from straight music, to gaming and spatial audio, which takes head movement into account. Spatial audio adds holography to the whole frequency range, but makes is a bit more intimate.
Battery Charging:
With up to 9 hours of playback on a single charge, and a total of 39 hours of use from the charging case. A quick 15-minute charge provides 3 hours of listening time when needed.
I verified the 9 hours of playback repeatedly after proper burn-in procedures. I also verified the 15-minute charge aspect, coming very close to the 3 hours, after letting the LolliClip run to 0%.
Connectivity:
Qualcomm’s BT5.4, which supports aptX™, aptX™ Adaptive, aptX™ Lossless, Snapdragon Sound™, LHDC 5.0, LDAC, AAC, and SBC CODECS provides the latest connections and source codes. Connectivity was seamless and immediate across multiple devices.
Repairing was instantaneous upon opening the case. I do think that we can pretty much ignore this aspect on most of today’s devices, but the NeoBuds rank right up at the top in terms of connection ease and ability.
Sound Impressions:
The following impressions were made using an iPhone 16 Pro Max, my MBP, and the FiiO x Jade Audio JM21 after 75 hours of burn-in. Comparisons were made to the TWS buds listed above.
Summary:
Dynamic driver units tend to be pulled in many directions. While they can quite successfully pass along top-quality sound across the spectrum, more often than not, one range may sacrifice itself for the greater good.
Not so with the LolliClip. Tight control of the bass, with a decently low reach (fit dependent), the bass never impeded the midrange, unless you used bass boost. And even then, the result was more complimentary than not.
The full-reaching spectrum moves into the treble region with aplomb. Not too strident or sparkly, even on vocal, the LolliClip presents itself as a bass-oriented “near” neutral signature, with a warmer tendency. Let that sink in…
Bass:
The lower reach is somewhat deep with a good thump, enhanced with bass boost. A slightly deeper insertion gives more grunt down low, with better presence, too. I had to rotate the LolliClip to achieve that more guttural bass response. I did like that aspect, but fit was not the best in this situation.
Even without the grunt, the visceral feeling was one of a high-quality offering with excellent sonics. The right amount of attack and decay (longer decay) allowed for excellent qualities across the lower regions, giving a foundational response that was additive. Songs such as Wreckagefrom Pearl Jam are an excellent song for gauging that lower-end presence. To me, a sheer lack of deep guttural reach can be more than made up for with a good presence.
Midrange:
The midrange does not suffer, even with the slight bleed using bass boost. The transient response is swift and firm without becoming brittle or thin, with a thickness that many planar drivers are still trying to achieve.
Vocals (especially using the vocal sound mode) are sumptuous and full, with excellent definition. Going back to Wreckage, the sound of Eddie Vedder’s voice is full and melancholic. This is a case where the dynamic driver shines in the vocal aspect. There is a slight hint of supporting music thinness as a backdrop to the vocals, which may be song or genre-specific.
I found the L/R aspect to be quite good and defined, as well as the fore/aft a bit. Depth was good, but not as good as height or width, which may affect the supporting issue mentioned in the previous paragraph. We are talking about a TWS earbud, but with the customizations that can be had from the App, this can be accounted for by a change. The Vocal sound effect played especially well across the midrange, enhancing any “missteps” mentioned above. There was a bit of bleed from the low end into the mids when using bass boost, but this gave a good presence to the lower mids that might have been otherwise missing.
Treble:
The upper reaches hit my sweet spot, just like the NeoBuds Planar, with enough sparkle to drive the space efficiently and spread out a good deal, but not so much as to become too thin or grating. My treble intolerance was very appreciative of this treatment. That said, there is a lack of true definition from the top end that shows through in a thinning of the upper reaches.
Again, a dynamic driver TWS unit is trying to balance all to provide a pleasant listen. And in that regard, the LolliClip comes across well, with good reach that never becomes intolerant.
Staging & Dynamics:
The sound stage of the LolliClip is neither too large nor constricting. This would be a case where, taken individually in dimension, there could be faults, but taken as a whole, it is just about right. Again, changing the Sound Effect can alter that to your tastes. You may notice this is what I wrote about the NeoBuds Planar, but that is because of the similarity in this aspect. But…
The height reaches higher than the width and depth. This does allow instruments and vocals to reach up without becoming too thin (except up top). The width is not an out-of-head experience, while the depth is a bit lacking. There is a bit of holography at work when using the Vocal Setting, and it can be heard in acoustic work such as Tommy Emmanuel’s Endless Road.
I appreciate the ability to quickly change settings to meet the genres I played. I will also say that this is another of those times when I kept changing the sound effects to match what was being played. I changed settings like I did on the NeoBuds.
Pairings:
The majority of my time was spent with the iPhone 16 Pro Max, as this would be my main listening option for travel and use on the go.
Streaming Tidal or Qobuz was easy, providing excellent sonic characteristics. The pairing was easy and provided me with a quality of listening experience I would expect at this level.
The FiiO JM21 paired just as easily as the iPhone. The multipoint connection worked seamlessly across the iPhone and JM21 when called upon.
The sound was quite a bit more analytical than the iPhone’s, but still quite good. The upper reaches had a better definition than on the iPhone due to the tuning. There was less definition down low, though. The Edifier ConneX App cannot be loaded onto the JM21, so I was unable to customize the sound in the same manner as I could on my iPhone.
My MBP was next, providing much more low-end grunt than the JM21 (similar to the iPhone). On some tracks, that extra grunt was too much (especially when using bass boost), but I still appreciated it. Again, on Pearl Jam’s Wreckage, the quality was excellent, matching the iPhone in depth and the JM21 in quality.
Select Comparisons:
Edifier STAX Spirit S10 ($299)
Technical:
Running the same 12mm modular planar magnetic driverand Qualcomm QCC5181 Bluetooth SoC BT 5.4, as the NeoBuds, the S10 driver is slightly smaller than the LolliClip.
The 12mm planar driver was the first of its kind with ANC at the time. This is now standard with Edifier products, showing again they try to lead the way, instead of following.
Its ultra-thin diaphragm, a 2μm polymer substrate, is engineered for fast and accurate transient responses, which planar’s are known for. The push/pull magnet ensures equal forces across all movements, further stabilizing sound reproduction.
With a total thickness of 10μm, the S10 driver system presents itself as highly musical.
Each pair is calibrated together to ensure musical accuracy across both sides, something they also do on the S5 headphones.
Design:
This could essentially be the same as the NeoBuds, but with a slightly smaller bulbous feel to me:
The S10 carries the shape of older BT devices before they were turned into earbuds. I was not a fan of the shape until I put this particular set in my ear. Knowing the fit is one direction, the fit is very good. The fit is very different from the LolliClip’s over-ear design, with an insertion into the ear canal.
A bulbous chamber backs the shorter nozzles, making for a good fit without pressure on the ear canal. The long flange does not have any controls on the faceplate, which can hopefully be addressed in the next iteration. To me, that surface is begging for slide volume controls, much like the current crop of wireless headphones has. The LolliClip is just as easy to manipulate.
The actual control center lies on the flange’s top side (without a dedicated push button like the NeoBuds). A press of the control area activates the necessary functions. This to me could be better thought out, with the incorporation of that fabulous face plate, in my opinion. The LolliClip could benefit from this as well.
Performance:
The Edifier Stax S10 comes across with a near-neutral sound with a punchy albeit not deep-reaching bass. Using the ConneX app, you can tailor the sound to your delight. The familiar planar sound in the upper mids takes to the forefront, presenting succinct “S” sounds without too much tizziness or sibilance. Mids sit slightly above the middle but could be mistaken for dead-center on many recordings. As such, it pulls the ends together, melding the sound signature into a cohesive mass of sound. The LolliClip has deep-reaching bass and sumptuous midrange, definitive of dynamic driver technology, and shows a smooth signature, with more punctuating mids.
Tight bass lines almost hide the lack of true sub-bass reach, but if you listen, you can quickly discern that the true depth isn’t there like a dynamic driver. That said, when called upon, such as with hard-hitting bass drums, the presence you feel replicates the missing deep reach. The LolliClip does reach a bit lower, with excellent control, but a bit of bleed into the mids when using the bass boost sound mode.
The differences are subtle between the two, but noticeable. The LolliClip shows a bit more presence down low and with tighter control. Not that the S10 is loose, but rather less prevalent in their presentation. The midrange is excellent with less of a forward push than the LolliClip.
Edifier NeoBud Planar ($299)
Technical:
The 5-layer planar magnetic driver (12mm modularized planar magnetic drivers, equipped with dual-layer magnet arrays) is the heart and soul of the NeoBuds Planar, showing just how far this technology has come. The drivers feature an ultra-thin diaphragm with a base thickness of just 2μm and a total thickness of under 10μm.
Qualcomm® Snapdragon Sound™ Technology provides an immersive, crystal-clear audio experience for music, calls, and gaming (when used with a Snapdragon-equipped device). Capable of multiple HD Codecs, the NeoBuds support LHDC 5.0, LDAC, and AAC for versatile audio playback. It is also Hi-Res Wireless Certified, ensuring lossless high-resolution audio transmission.
Qualcomm® Adaptive Noise Cancelling (2nd gen) adapts to the environment for a quiet listening experience. Also, 3+3 Microphones with AI algorithms guarantee clear and reliable calls even in noisy surroundings. I verified this on a call with my wife as I was outside exposed to 35mph north winds right off of Lake Superior. I froze, but call quality was minimally disrupted.
The NeoBuds also support wireless charging, which simplifies recharging with a hassle-free, cable-free solution and multi-point connection (more than one device at a time).
The technicalities of the NeoBud are very similar to the S10, and show the same difference to the LolliClip as mentioned above.
The duo complements each other nicely.
Design:
The NeoBuds carry that traditional “winged design” of old. It used to be BT devices that carried that wing, which acted as the microphone placement and controls. The technology has come quite far, but that design in this case represents a best-case scenario.
In the past, some excellent sonically sound TWS buds have been let down by their design (see comparisons below), with downright torturous ergonomics. This wing design allows functionality to come forth with ease of use, which is greatly appreciated. The NeoBuds Planar are larger than the Stax S10.
Fit, on the other hand, can be a mixed bag for some. I found that the earbuds are a bit larger than I would like, and felt pressure after about 2-3 hours of use on my right ear (only) to the point where I had to take a break. Tip choice helped alleviate this a bit, but just know that the buds are a bit bulbous.
When properly mounted, though, the fit and isolation were very good. I ended up using the large silicon tips over the installed medium tips, which provided a better seal for my ear shape.
Very similar to the S10 (except for the sound chamber size), the major differences from the LolliClip are obvious. Over-ear, running flat on the ear, as opposed to in-ear of the NeoBuds.
Performance:
Planar drivers take on their own signature, no matter the build. Planar headphones are among my favorite listening due to the deep-reaching bass and sumptuous midrange. It can also be said that they may not produce the whole spectrum as easily as a combination of drivers, such as mixing BA’s and DD’s. I would disagree and state that a single planar driver can work equally as well when properly tuned and driven.
The bass is flat-out deep-reaching and thunderous. On par with the LolliClip, but with longer attack and decay, it reaches deeper than the LolliClip, even with the bass boost activated. The bass is fantastic. Especially when you consider that this is a planar magnetic driver.
The NeoBuds Planar TWS earbuds cross that spectrum, providing a full-reaching signature with deep-reaching bass (with proper fit), excellent midrange vocal characteristics, and enough reach up top for a somewhat sparkly sound without becoming too grating. There is more bass bleed into the mids than with the LolliClip, but that emotive sound brings you in…
The larger 13mm dynamic driver of the LolliClip goes lower, with very good control, which the NeoBuds match in sheer weight and the mentioned attack and decay. But the tighter midrange of the NeoBuds shows that it competes well, simply in different ranges.
The treble region promotes a rounded signature with good punctuation of notes when called upon, which does come together as a whole quite well.
UM U-Free ($349)
Technical:
“Qualcomm® QCC5144 24bit/96kHz high-resolution audio, aptX™ adaptive codec lets you hear extreme detail.” From the UM Free page linked above.
For some reason, 10mm dynamic drivers are the norm. The difference is how those drivers are treated by the individual manufacturers. Some use coatings, some use special diaphragms for a quick, speedy response, while others use sound tubes to generate their chosen flavors. UM went the coating route, with carbon nano-coating along with a neat trick: Bone Conduction in Silver Palladium. My first encounter with bone conduction bass tuning was in the Fir Audio “Element” series. I fell for them and still consider the three among my top IEMs reviewed ever. Intoxicating bass was the result, with a detailed clarity to boot.
UM does use bone conduction along with the single dynamic driver, but the piezoelectric bone conduction unit is as much about clarity and detail as head-thumping bass. To me, they have succeeded. Giving the Free an almost holographic VR sound environment is the result, and with bass, which is not too overpowering. While technologically advanced, the Free will not set the curve for technology, but it is not meant to either.
This is a much more complicated approach than the LolliClip, and it mostly works.
Design:
Built in a rather bulbous fashion (we are talking quite large), the Free reminds me of Sony’s WF-1000XM4, shape-wise, at least. A somewhat large faceplate, laden with a gold “swoosh,” gives that face the look of having a yin-yang effect. The large face also allows for the touch controls to be easily accessed. While sensitive, the large face makes it easier than not. The in-ear side is where the resemblance goes further. All of the electronics and tubing need to be somewhere, and that bulbous shape helps here.
I found the UM U-Free to be too large for a comfortable fit, and the LolliClip, once mounted properly, fit much better. I could wear the LolliClip for much longer periods than the U-Free.
Qualcomm’s clear voice capture (cVc) was good when I used it. Isolation from unwanted distractions was very good as well, especially with the four modes of operation the Free has. This is very different than normal ANC, and can be toggled through to modify what is heard. The LolliClip does not falter where voices and ANC are concerned. The ANC control is much better than the U-Free, in my opinion.
The nozzle is quite short, I think too short. Even with a different tip choice, I experienced a slipping effect to the bud. Overall, I would say the Free is in the “too large” size for many to find a comfortable medium, which is a shame since the sound can be quite good. That said, with a proper tip, you can get good isolation.
The fit of the LolliClip was better than the U-Free to me, which was surprising.
Performance:
The Free comes with high hopes and is somewhat of an exploratory model for UM, and for the most part, succeeds. I found the bass was somewhat taut and reached fairly deep with the right tip. Using the 6-hole increased clarity and detail for me, but at the cost of thickness in the note. Mids and treble excelled with the 6-hole, and vocal treatment (whether male or female) came across as clear and crisp, placed well within the song, and not too forward. Soundstage comes across like a single dynamic driver, but one with decent space between instruments and notes. This is a fine first attempt, and I hope that UM continues to test and update this model.
Compared to the LolliClip, it is obvious that the newer technology of the Edifier works more coherently. While I like the Free, I never could get it properly tuned for my tastes. The LolliClip simply works when asked, presenting more bass with better control, and a very good midrange. The LolliClip gets it right to me, and even with the different fit aspect, I preferred them to the U-Free.
finale:
The LolliClip is a different TWS. The wrap-around fit will not be for everyone, but the longer I used it, the more I appreciated its subtleties. Very little pressure was had from the wrap-around tube, with both the battery and sound chamber sitting lightly on my ear as opposed to in my ear.
The difference may not be much, but for longer sessions, having a TWS that fits may be the second biggest factor (or first for many) over sound quality. If it does not fit, then the best sound on the planet won’t mean a thing.
And that sound comes across as warm, like a dynamic driver should, without becoming slow or drippy. Tight control, even with longer attack and decay, makes the bass hit just right. Where the NeoBuds Planar goes for quantity (and quality), the LolliClip goes for a tidy setup.
The only thing lacking for me is more functionality on the earbuds themselves. Sliding controls would be grand. That aside, the LolliClip presents a thoroughly competent TWS BT bud that should appeal to many who may not want to spend the kind of money we normally do on our gear. For that, the LolliClip is worth it.
I came to appreciate the LolliClip not for what it might lack over its more expensive brethren, but for its merits: good fit, good sound, and the ability to not be bothered by something in my ear for endless hours.
I thank Edifier for the review unit and the continued support.