ProBlogger
Well-Known Member
As I was re-processing our music library on Fort Dodge Radio this spring, I wanted to use a pair of wireless earbuds as another reference. My thinking was that many in our audience would be using these devices as well, and I wanted to hear how our new processing scheme sounded using wireless earbuds.
My reference cans for processing our music library was a pair of AKG K280 Parabolic. My reference cans for online listening include Sennheiser HD-580, AKG Q701, and Koss Porta Pro. Sources include an iPad, iPod, Ocean Digital WR-26 portable Internet radio, and Ocean Digital WR-10 receiver connected to my main system.
Comparing wireless earbuds to the larger Sennheisers or AKG's is not a fair comparison. However, comparing them to the Koss Porta Pro is at least in the ballpark, as both are geared toward portable audio and they all come in at around the same price point of $50.
Here's my journey:
1) Mpow M30. These were my first wireless earbuds. I thought they were great, and because of this they started my journey down the road of wireless earbuds. The M30's were the first time I ever heard sub-bass rumble from any headphone or earbud. One problem with the M30's...after 3 weeks the left earbud completely died. Back to Amazon they went. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the M30's sounded as good with better bass response.
2) Mpow M20. Loved these as they were a different sound signature. Fuller, but no sub-bass, and a touch more on the volume level. The stock eartips were not comfortable, so I bought a pair of SpinFit C360 tips which made the earbuds more comfortable and a bit smoother. The problem with the M20's is that after 3 weeks the left earbud would not pair up. Back to Amazon they went and sensing a problem with Mpows these were my last ones by that brand. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the M20's sounded as good with better bass response.
3) Enacfire E60: Reminded me of the sound signature of the Sennheiser HD-580. Great midrange, not too much high, not too much low, and the loudest of the bunch. Goldilocks, if you will. I tried the SpinFits with the E60's, and while they were comfortable, it just made them fit weird and you had to constantly adjust them. Besides, with the SpinFit tips you could barely get a battery connection while in the charging case. I'm using the stock silicone tips and they work and sound the best overall. No problems after 6 weeks of usage. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the Enacfire E60 sound better with better bass response.
4) Tozo T12: Reminds me of the AKG Q701 with sub-bass. Good mids, more high end than the E60's, and some good bass kick, and plenty of volume. Larger than any of the buds. Like the E60's, I'm using the stock eartips as the SpinFits made these too sibilant. Break in time seemed to be 20 hours. These are just fun to listen to. Where the the E60's are smooth, the T12's have a definite "V" sound signature. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the Tozo T12 sound different because of the sub-bass, and for my listening, I enjoy them more than the Porta Pros.
I'm surprised on how good these $50 earbuds sound, and they're now my "go-to" for portable listening. The wired Koss Porta Pro's (I've had them for 30 years) are now in back-up mode if either of these fail. Time will tell how long the batteries last, hopefully at least a couple of years.
Enacfire E60 (left) Tozo T12 (right)
My reference cans for processing our music library was a pair of AKG K280 Parabolic. My reference cans for online listening include Sennheiser HD-580, AKG Q701, and Koss Porta Pro. Sources include an iPad, iPod, Ocean Digital WR-26 portable Internet radio, and Ocean Digital WR-10 receiver connected to my main system.
Comparing wireless earbuds to the larger Sennheisers or AKG's is not a fair comparison. However, comparing them to the Koss Porta Pro is at least in the ballpark, as both are geared toward portable audio and they all come in at around the same price point of $50.
Here's my journey:
1) Mpow M30. These were my first wireless earbuds. I thought they were great, and because of this they started my journey down the road of wireless earbuds. The M30's were the first time I ever heard sub-bass rumble from any headphone or earbud. One problem with the M30's...after 3 weeks the left earbud completely died. Back to Amazon they went. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the M30's sounded as good with better bass response.
2) Mpow M20. Loved these as they were a different sound signature. Fuller, but no sub-bass, and a touch more on the volume level. The stock eartips were not comfortable, so I bought a pair of SpinFit C360 tips which made the earbuds more comfortable and a bit smoother. The problem with the M20's is that after 3 weeks the left earbud would not pair up. Back to Amazon they went and sensing a problem with Mpows these were my last ones by that brand. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the M20's sounded as good with better bass response.
3) Enacfire E60: Reminded me of the sound signature of the Sennheiser HD-580. Great midrange, not too much high, not too much low, and the loudest of the bunch. Goldilocks, if you will. I tried the SpinFits with the E60's, and while they were comfortable, it just made them fit weird and you had to constantly adjust them. Besides, with the SpinFit tips you could barely get a battery connection while in the charging case. I'm using the stock silicone tips and they work and sound the best overall. No problems after 6 weeks of usage. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the Enacfire E60 sound better with better bass response.
4) Tozo T12: Reminds me of the AKG Q701 with sub-bass. Good mids, more high end than the E60's, and some good bass kick, and plenty of volume. Larger than any of the buds. Like the E60's, I'm using the stock eartips as the SpinFits made these too sibilant. Break in time seemed to be 20 hours. These are just fun to listen to. Where the the E60's are smooth, the T12's have a definite "V" sound signature. Compared to the Koss Porta Pro, the Tozo T12 sound different because of the sub-bass, and for my listening, I enjoy them more than the Porta Pros.
I'm surprised on how good these $50 earbuds sound, and they're now my "go-to" for portable listening. The wired Koss Porta Pro's (I've had them for 30 years) are now in back-up mode if either of these fail. Time will tell how long the batteries last, hopefully at least a couple of years.
Enacfire E60 (left) Tozo T12 (right)
