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, which fall within the same price range. Featuring a planar driver instead of the dynamic driver found in the S10, the NeoBuds Planar performs well in comparison. There are of course differences, which will come out below.
A stipulation of this review is that I also assess the LolliClip TWS “buds.” Not only will they be compared here, but they will also receive their own 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 50 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® Specification:
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)
In The Box:
NeoBuds Planar
Case
Eartips-4 sets (s, m, l, xl)
USB-C charging cable
Velour carrying pouch
Owner’s manual
Gear Compared/Used:
Edifier Stax S10 ($299)
Edifier LolliClips ($129)
Unique Melody U-Free ($349)
Ultimate Ears Drops Custom ($449)
iPhone 16 Pro Max
MBP
FiiO x Jade Audio JM21
Unboxing:
The NeoBuds come in a square box, laden with a white sleeve, that carries all of the necessary information. The front shows battery usage time along with the “EqualMass) planar diaphragm drawing and image likeness of the buds.
The back carries an exploded view of the driver technology (more below) 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 clamshell lid (different than LolliClip), you see the sheath-protected gray case of the planar 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 extra tips (4 sets total from XS to S, M, and L), the short USB-C charging cable, a quick start guide, and a nice velour pouch to carry it all together. That last bit is quite handy since you can carry the extra tips (set on their own board) and charging cord along with the case together. Yes, we all have a zillion USB cables, but this is still a nice touch.
A very efficient Edifier-like unboxing, indeed.
Build/Fit/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 placing 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.
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. 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.
The case has excellent ergonomics, with just enough grip for a good handholding experience (e.g., it didn’t slip out of my hand). A plus is that the case can take wireless charging as well as USB-C. The USB-C port is thankfully on the back so the case can lay in a position for accessing the buds while charging the case.
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 top control area from 1-3 times controls various functions, which become intuitive after a bit of time.
Changing the volume up or down requires long presses on the left (down) or right (up) bud. Pushing twice on the left activates the music mode while pressing twice on the right activates game mode with a lower latency.
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 original, dynamic, electrostatic, and customized. I will say that each change takes about two seconds so there is a pause in the music while the firmware works its magic.
Original provides the straight source music. Dynamic presents a push in the midrange while also adding vibrancy to the overall tonality. The Electrostatic setting adds a smaller soundstage but a more holographic effect to the music. The Customized setting allows for +/-3dB’s at four customizable frequencies (baseline of 100Hz, 1000Hz, 3000Hz, and 50000Hz) while changing the Q Factor (change in center frequency relative to bandwidth imposed) anywhere from the baseline of 0.7 to 2.0 at those four respective frequencies.
Q-factor provides a more “bulbous” response at the center of each frequency listed on your custom E chart, which will provide more or less emphasis at those four points. I did not use the custom setting other than to experience the noticeable changes.
You can also change the color emitted from the case in the charging phase. I changed mine to purple.
Design/Tech details:
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.
The patented EqualMass™ wiring technology connects varying numbers of identical-width wires to achieve uniform weight distribution across the diaphragm. In its 2nd generation, symmetric supporting wiring enhances stability, ensuring a more controlled and precise diaphragm movement. This optimization delivers a consistent driving force across the diaphragm, significantly reducing distortion and improving overall performance. When all moves in unison, reduced rotational vibration occurs, ensuring a uniform signal across the diaphragm in other words.
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 supports wireless charging support, which simplifies recharging with a hassle-free, cable-free solution, and multi-point connection (more than one device at a time).
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:
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 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.
Bass:
The lower reach is not especially deep or thumping, even with proper tip choice. A slightly deeper insertion using the medium tips did afford more grunt down low, with better presence, too. Even though the larger tips provided a better seal, I utilized the medium tips a good bit for that bass response.
Even without the grunt, the visceral feeling was one of a high-quality offering with excellent sonics. The right amount of attack and decay allowed for excellent qualities across the lower regions, giving a foundational response that was additive. Songs such as Wreckagefrom Pearl Jam is 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. The NeoBuds surely pass this test as a result.
Midrange:
The midrange is where planar drivers typically excel, and the NeoBuds are no exception. Spatially, the sound radiates throughout the stage while maintaining good resolution. The transient response is swift and firm without becoming brittle or thin.
I found the L/R aspect to be quite good and defined, as well as the fore/aft a bit. A lack of depth hurt the overall character here, but there is still enough definition of quality to not hurt the overall signature. 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 Dynamic 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 Dynamic, but this gave a good presence to the lower mids that might have been otherwise missing.
Treble:
The upper reaches hit my sweet spot, with enough sparkle to drive the space efficiently and spread out a good deal, but not so much as to become 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 as many of the instruments are carried together in unison as opposed to being allowed separation to shine their character.
We are, of course, talking about a small planar driver, but also one that can be customized through the App quite nicely. I was never left wanting more reach but rather definition. I can certainly tolerate this treatment but wish for a bit better definition separating the individual notes.
The reach, though, played well for my tastes and never became tiresome as some early electrostatic models did. Combined together, and I can very easily live with this tuning.
Staging & Dynamics:
The sound stage of the NeoBuds is neither enormous 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.
The height is vaulting in nature, allowing the instruments and vocals to spread out without becoming too thin. The width is right at ear level, while the depth complements both by meeting in the middle. There is a bit of holography at work when using the Dynamic Sound Setting, and 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 one of the rare times I kept changing the sound effects to match what was being played. I do not often change settings once instituted, but with the NeoBuds, I did.
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 was another source used, and just as easy to pair. The multipoint connection worked seamlessly across the iPhone and JM21 when called upon.
The sound coming forth was slightly more analytical than the iPhone but still quite good. The upper reaches had a better definition than on the iPhone. 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. On some tracks, that extra grunt was too much but still appreciated. Again on Pearl Jam’s Wreckage, the quality was excellent matching the iPhone in depth and the JM21 in quality.
The NeoBuds can work across many different sources and the multipoint pairing is one of the best I have encountered.
Select Comparisons:
Edifier STAX Spirit S10 ($299)
Technical:
Running the same 12mm modular planar magnetic driverand Qualcomm QCC5181 Bluetooth SoC BT 5.4, the S10 compares favorably to the NeoBuds.
The 12mm planar driver was the first of its kind with ANC at the time. Its ultra-thin diaphragm 2μm polymer substrate is engineered for fast and accurate transient responses, which planars are known for. The push/pull magnet ensures equal forces across all movements, further stabilizing sound reproduction.
Using the company’s patented 2nd generation EqualMass™ wiring technology for steady piston-motion planar driver performance also aids in the speed of sound reproduction. This symmetric supporting wire stabilizes the diaphragm for a more uniform response.
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.
Smooth, glossy, black plastic abound on the earbuds, and they do draw fingerprints, unfortunately. The “face plate” does carry a sparkly black tint to it, which is subdued and classy to me. There is also a microphone hole on that face plate.
The bulbous chamber backs the shorter nozzles, making for that good fit of which I spoke. The long flange does not carry any controls on the face plate, which hopefully can be fixed in the next iteration. To me, that surface is begging for slide volume controls much like the current crop of wireless headphones have.
The actual control center lies on the flange’s top side (without a dedication 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.
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.
Tight bass lines almost hide the lack of true sub-bass reach, but if you listen, you can quickly discern 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 differences are subtle between the two, but noticeable. The NeoBuds carry a bit more presence down low and tighter control. Not that the S10 are loose, but rather less prevalent in their presentation. The midrange is excellent with a higher push than the NeoBuds and the top end is just about the same.
Edifier LolliClips ($129)
Technical:
The LolliClips carry a 13mm dynamic driver and spatial audio capability up their sleeves. Within the App, the differences are noticeable, with different customization options available.
Adaptive Noise Cancellation is also had for the LolliClips, but with fewer options. The Sound Effects are different as well.
Design:
There is no mistaking the differences. The LolliClip curves around your ear, with the business end inserted into your ear canal a bit. This is a TWS unit you wear more like jewelry than a true TWS earbud. While the music was playing, the outside noise was fairly unobtrusive, but when paused, outside noise could be easily heard, as expected.
This is not an earbud you wear for isolation but for interaction capabilities. As for the shape, I feel that I could not get the earbud inserted deep enough for my tastes (even though you aren’t supposed to), but for its purposes sufficed.
The curves are easily grasped for ingress and egress and act as the touch point for the controls. This is an easy-to-use TWS with a different purpose.
Performance:
The bass, especially when Bass Boost is activated, hits much harder than the NeoBuds as it should. When using the Classic setting, the tonality was much more neutral, with outside interference becoming a nuisance.
Kick on the spatial audio and everything pretty much changes. The holography of sound fills the space in and out of my head in a spherical manner as it should. But there is still the central focus of neutrality based at the very center.
The bass becomes less prevalent, and the midrange qualities shine. Treble reach is enhanced with this option, without becoming strident or thin.
This is a very different beast and should be treated as such.
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 NeoBuds, 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 Ying-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.
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. Those can be toggled through in the app or touch-basis, and include HiFi (for best audio quality), Dynamic ANC on (best ANC, which can be adjusted by a slider in the app), ambient sound mode (allows partial background noise to come through, and voice assistant mode (for use with listening and communication). The cVc does isolate out background and unwanted noises, focusing on the vocal presentation of your call; which is now pretty much a non-discussion point since most TWS buds’ function quite well with calls.
The nozzle is quite short, I think too short. Even with 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.
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 to me but at the cost of thickness in 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 NeoBuds, it is obvious the newer technology of the Edifier works in a more coherent manner. While I like the Free, I never could get it properly tuned for my tastes. The NeoBuds simply work when asked, presenting more bass with better control, and a midrange that is very good.
UE Drop Custom ($449)
Technical:
With a smaller9.2mm dynamic driver, the size is kept to a minimum, but the sound is cavernous. There is a reason UE provides many of the world’s top performers with custom IEMs to use on stage: they know how to design and implement excellent sonics through technology.
Custom sound tubes are incorporated into the Drop, but the whole design is interchangeable with many of their current units, affording uniformity across different uses. This is akin to using the same engine in a Toyota across a few models but treating each end product differently.
This uniformity allows Ultimate Ears to fine-tune the signature across different devices without losing their style.
Design:
Since this is a custom-fit unit, I expected it to be very good. And it is. While the Drop does not use ANC technology, the custom fit helps. And once the music starts, all is forgiven. The Rose Quartz color looks stunning and functions well.
The faceplates act as the activation buttons for play/pause/call, too.
The clear aspect of the shells allows the user to see the insides, which I like, complementing the face plates nicely. These are large TWS bud though, even with the custom fit, but thankfully look the part and do not stick out too much.
Performance:
The UE Drops have a slightly thicker presentation in the bass range than the NeoBuds but it never feels too loose or wooly; listening to some of my favorite Big Head Todd & The Monsters tracks revealed that the Drops strike the right balance between impact, texture, and clarity in the range.
With a single dynamic driver, the tuning needs to be very balanced or one part of the range can overwhelm the rest of the music — UE have done a remarkable job in that regard because the Drops really retain that clarity and impact from the sub bass up into the upper bass.
The midrange is clean sounding, but there is a slight dip that came across as sounding somewhat hollow with some recordings. The NeoBuds did not have this dip. I think the midrange dip is stripping away some texture and body that will rob vocals of a degree of warmth that some might really want to hear. That won’t be the case with every recording, but it was certainly noticeable to us. The NeoBuds compensate for this by having a fuller midrange.
The UE Drops are not entirely linear with their tonal balance and presentation; the low end has some added richness and the top end has some additional energy and airiness that makes them just lively enough to keep your attention.
The treble strikes the right balance and that extra degree of presence helps create a more spacious sounding soundstage. Stereo separation is excellent and the imaging was surprisingly accurate allowing one to place each performer on the stage in the correct place.
Conversely, the NeoBuds come across as more neutral, but with an authoritative stance that carries across the spectrum quite well.
finale:
The NeoBuds Planar may not seem all that different from the Edifier STAX Spirit S10, but there is enough variation allowing for both to successfully reside within the Edifier TWS lineup.
The NeoBuds Planar comes across with very good control down low and a midrange that carries just enough note-weight to give good girth to the music. I appreciate not-to-piercing sound emanating from the top end, but enough to present a nice expansion for the soundstage to fill. The placing of notes is accurate and detailed, too, presenting a very good representation of the music across multiple genres.
To this day, many TWS buds function quite well and for a less substantial price. But, the Edifier NeoBuds Planar brings to the table excellent sonic capabilities, excellent phone quality, and functionality I found to be equal to or better than many within the same range. I would consider it better than most simply because you don’t have to press the TWS to attain functionality. Not having to press on your ear to activate volume or play/pause is worth quite a bit to me (less ear pressure) and makes the NeoBuds Planar a top candidate for your consideration.
I thank Edifier for the review unit and the continued support.