The Edifier NeoBuds Planar offer a compelling audio experience, but do they justify their premium price tag? This in-depth review delves into the nuances of their sound profile, noise-cancellation capabilities, and transparency mode, providing a detailed analysis to help you decide if these earbuds are the right fit for your listening needs. We explore the impact of ear tip selection on sound quality, examining the bass response, treble clarity, and overall soundstage.Beyond the audio, we assess the effectiveness of the active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency modes, evaluating their performance in various environments and comparing them to competing earbuds. Furthermore, we examine the microphone quality and discuss the overall user experience, including the limited EQ customization and feature set relative to the price. Ultimately, this review aims to provide a balanced perspective, weighing the exceptional sound quality against the limitations, to help discerning listeners determine whether the Edifier NeoBuds Planar are worth the investment.
Pros And Cons
- High-res certified
- Supports high-res codecs like LDAC and LHDC
- Snapdragon Sound capable (aptX Adaptive supported)
- Fast transient response
- Precise and tight sound
- Great reproduction of fine details in instruments, vocals, and sound stage
- Clean track separation with little to no muddiness
- Clean high treble with much headroom
- Good sound stage airiness
- Effective noise cancellation for public transport and general silence
- Bass is not as full as some users would like
- Initially sounds thin and tinny without proper seal
- Requires larger ear tips for optimal bass response
- Highs can lean a little brighter
- Limited bass response
- Parametric EQ in app only allows tweaking up to 6kHz, making it difficult to adjust brightness above 10kHz
- Not very responsive to EQ
- Spotty background noise reduction in noisy/windy conditions
- Active noise cancelling intensity can't be adjusted
- Noise cancelling not effective on low constant rumbling noises (like on a plane)
- Transparency mode can't be fine-tuned
- Toggling between modes is sluggish (takes ~2 seconds)
- Relatively expensive ($300)
Read more: EPZ P50 In-Ear Monitor Review: A Breakout Performer?
Sound Quality: A Balancing Act
The Edifier NeoBuds Planar initially presented a thin, somewhat underwhelming sound profile. However, this perception dramatically improved after switching to the larger ear tips, achieving a proper seal. The bass, while not as full as some competitors, became noticeably richer and less tinny, showcasing the characteristic speed and precision of planar magnetic drivers.
Despite the improvement, the highs remain brighter than a neutral profile. This is common in planar magnetic designs; they excel in detail and transient response, producing a tight, precise sound. The soundstage is also impressively clean and spacious, with excellent instrument and vocal separation, minimal muddiness, and noticeable airiness in the treble.
Microphone Performance and Active Noise Cancellation
Microphone quality is decent in quiet conditions but struggles in noisy environments; it captures voice intelligibly, but background noise reduction is inconsistent. In my tests, wind and loud cafe noise significantly affected clarity. The ANC is fairly effective in general, but not as effective against low-frequency noises like airplane rumbles; performance is better in environments like cafes or on public transportation.
The adaptive mode dynamically adjusts intensity, but in practice, the overall ANC effectiveness doesn't drastically change based on surrounding noise levels. The microphone performance is comparable to other earbuds like Denon Pro and Sony WF-1000XM5.
Transparency Mode and Overall Impressions
Transparency mode offers different settings including balanced, voice enhance, background sound, and adaptive. Background sound mode provides the most natural and useful transparency for general awareness; it amplifies lower frequencies and upper mids while slightly muffling the higher frequencies. The overall transparency, although better than other modes, is not perfectly natural, akin to not wearing earbuds at all.
The Edifier NeoBuds Planar are not for everyone; they cater to discerning listeners who value precision, detail, clean separation, and a wide range of high-res codecs. They excel in these aspects and provide a complete sonic experience that many audiophiles would highly appreciate. However, the higher price and basic features should be considered before purchasing.
Conclusion: Are they worth the price?
The Edifier NeoBuds Planar offers a highly detailed and precise listening experience, thanks to its planar magnetic drivers and support for high-resolution codecs. The sound quality, after addressing the ear tip issue, is exceptional, with speed, precision, and a clean soundstage. However, the bright treble might not appeal to all listeners, and the EQ customization is limited.
At a price point of $300, they compete with established brands like Technics, Sony, and Sennheiser. While the sound quality excels, the features are somewhat basic for the price, and the user experience could use improvement. Consider your priorities: if exceptional sound quality is paramount, these are a strong contender; if you seek a feature-rich package, other options might be more suitable.