Edifier W320TN Earbuds Review – Affordable Apple AirPod Alternatives

Edifier launched the brand new W320TN open-fit ANC earbuds in the beginning of September, which look like the successor to the W220T which was launched final 12 months.

These have a semi-open match design which lacks the silicon eartips most earbuds have, and this provides them an identical design to Apple Airpods.

This model of earbud tends to have combined opinions, however in case you favor the open-fit design, these are a wonderful, extra reasonably priced various in comparison with Apple AirPods or Huawei FreeBuds.

Edifier W320TN vs W220T Specification

The Edifier W320TN Earbuds are filled with some glorious options. They boast of Bluetooth 5.3 protocol, LDAC for high-quality audio, and IP54 environmental safety. The earbuds have a playtime of as much as 5.5 hours, which may be prolonged to 22 hours with the charging case when ANC (Energetic Noise Cancellation) is off. A full cost takes about an hour for the buds and one and a half hours for the case.

The primary variations between the W320TN and the W220T are:

• The W220T use a Qualcomm Snapdragon QCC3056 chipset, which permits them to make use of the aptX and aptX Adaptive codecs, which give superior high quality audio and decrease latency vs the SBC codec.
• The W320TN makes use of a unique chipset that utilises the Sony LDAC codec, which is a better decision codec than aptX however with a better latency.
• The W220T lacks energetic noise cancelling, whereas the W320TN has adaptive energetic noise cancellation, and Edifier claims they’ve AI adaptive environmental noise cancellation.
• The W220T has 6 hours battery life, whereas the W220T has 5.5 hours with the ANC off and simply 3.5 hours with ANC on.
• Each earbuds have the identical 13mm dynamic drivers, frequency response, and output sound strain, so I’d guess the audio parts are the identical.  

Open Match Design and Consolation

The W320TN earbuds open-fit design is the defining function of those earbuds. From my expertise, you both love or hate this design.      

I’m personally not a fan as a result of I’ve by no means had a pair of earbuds with this design that I discover matches securely in my ears. Then again, my associate prefers this design and has at all times been loyal to Apple Airpods as she finds them match comfortably in her ears.

For me, with these earbuds, they match OK when I’m sitting round or strolling, and I do admire the consolation this design affords. There isn’t the identical sense of strain, and they’re undoubtedly extra snug to put on for prolonged intervals.

For something extra vigorous than strolling, I’m much less assured sporting them. They keep moderately properly in my ear for many actions. It’s simply that sense of looseness that I discover fairly distracting when doing health, as I’m paranoid they are going to fall out.

Edifier Join App

The Edifier Join App is a helpful software that lets you customise your listening expertise with all current Edifier earbuds being suitable with it.

It lets you tailor your audio with some primary pre-set EQ choices, you may customise the contact controls, and allow the high-resolution LDAC codec and plenty of different settings.

Sound High quality

The open-fit design is of course at an obstacle in sound high quality in comparison with conventional earbuds with silicon ear suggestions. The seal that’s created with the ideas improves passive noise cancellation and improves the bass response. Subsequently, open-fit earbuds sometimes don’t have the identical wealthy, deep lows.

Firms like Edifier attempt to counter this by utilizing massive drivers. These have an enormous 13mm dynamic driver, whereas earbuds just like the Edifier TWS1 Professional 2 have only a 10mm driver (even that is massive in comparison with many manufacturers).

The top result’s that the sound high quality of the W320TN Earbuds is usually glorious. Some could even favor the sound signature of those earbuds as they don’t have the overwhelming bass ranges many earbuds have these days.

I’d say the sound signature has far more concentrate on the mids, and I discover this offers an satisfying listening expertise. Fortunately, there may be not an excessive amount of uplift with the highs, so I don’t discover them too sharp. The top result’s virtually the alternative of the ever present V-shaped sound signature. I’d say these are nearer to being balanced; they could even verge onto analytical, simply with out the elevated highs.

The LDAC audio codec must be enabled throughout the settings of the Edifier Join app. You could have a selection of

Energetic Noise Cancellation

One of many standout options of the W320TN earbuds compared to the older W220T is the Adaptive Energetic Noise Cancellation (ANC).

As soon as once more, the open match design doesn’t actually praise ANC very properly, as these don’t profit from any passive noise cancellation.

Utilizing my commonplace artificial take a look at of taking part in airplane cabin white noise on my Edifier S3000 Professional audio system with the amount set to 80%, the earbuds did a greater job than anticipated at lowering the noise.

I did discover that I wanted to verify the earbuds had been as snugly match inside my ears as attainable, however switching the adaptive ANC on offers a major discount within the noise. Possible because of the adaptive nature, I discovered that the ANC takes a second or two to kick in correctly, however it does a surprisingly good job of eradicating probably the most intrusive low-end frequencies.

It does go away a lot of the high-end hiss, which is usually blocked out with the passive seal of regular earbuds. With no music taking part in, this does go away a really audible hiss, however with music taking part in, it virtually utterly drowned out.

The primary factor with the ANC is that it does job of lowering the noise stage sufficient in order that I can get pleasure from listening to the earbuds with out cranking up the amount too excessive.

Battery

I not too long ago criticised the Edifier TWS1 Professional 2 for his or her comparatively poor battery life when utilizing them with ANC on.

Sadly, the W320TN are even worse. The official specification states:

• ANC On: 3.5 hours
• ANC Off: 5.5 hours

I personally don’t assume a 3.5-hour battery life is suitable. I’d guess that Edifier has chosen to sacrifice battery life in favour of larger-than-standard drivers and the power-hungry LDAC codec.

In defence of the W320TN, the AirPods (third era), which lack ANC, solely have a battery lifetime of 6 hours, or 5 hours with Personalised Spatial Audio enabled. The not too long ago launched Huawei FreeBuds 4 can solely do 3.5 hours with the ANC enabled.

Just like the TWS1 Professional 2 evaluate, these appear to attain the rated battery life, whereas I’ve discovered some LDAC-equipped earbuds fall properly in need of the quoted figures with LDAC on.

Microphone

The microphone efficiency of the W320TN Earbuds is noteworthy. They arrive with 3+3 microphones with AI Adaptive Environmental Noise Cancellation, guaranteeing that your voice comes throughout as clear as a bell in calls, even in noisy environments.

Worth and Different Choices

The Edifier W320TN have an RRP of £99.99

The AirPods (third era) are priced at £170. They lack ANC however function spatial audio.

Yow will discover the older Edifier W220T in Blue for round £70.

The brand new Huawei FreeBuds 5, that are additionally open match with ANC and LDAC, are £139, or the older Huawei FreeBuds 4 can be found for round £128.

I’m James, a UK-based tech fanatic and the inventive thoughts behind Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Keen about all issues know-how, my experience spans from computer systems and networking, to cell, wearables, and good dwelling units.

As a health fanatic who loves working and biking, I even have a eager curiosity in fitness-related know-how, and I take each alternative to cowl this area of interest on my weblog. My various pursuits permit me to carry a singular perspective to tech running a blog, merging way of life, health, and the newest tech traits.

In my tutorial pursuits, I earned a BSc in Info Methods Design from UCLAN, earlier than advancing my studying with a Grasp’s Diploma in Computing. This superior research additionally included Cisco CCNA accreditation, additional demonstrating my dedication to understanding and staying forward of the know-how curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has constantly ranked Mighty Gadget as one of many prime know-how blogs within the UK. With my dedication to know-how and drive to share my insights, I goal to proceed offering my readers with participating and informative content material.

Final replace on 2023-09-23 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API