Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds Review: Great Sound for $249

Beyerdynamic could also be late to the sport, but it surely’s lastly launched its first true-wireless earbuds, they usually include a reputation which may remind a number of people of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature track. Obtainable now in two colours for $249 (£199 or roughly AU$350), the Free Byrd earbuds have energetic noise canceling, as much as 11 hours of battery life and spectacular sound high quality. 

As is the case with lots of higher-end earbuds that prioritize sound high quality, the Free Byrd buds are on the bigger aspect, weighing in at 7 grams every (by comparability, Sony’s WF-1000XM4 buds weigh 7.3 grams every). Their wi-fi charging case additionally has some heft to it and feels fairly strong. It isn’t tremendous compact however is not cumbersome. It is related in measurement to the WF-1000XM4’s charging case.

Getting a decent seal is essential for optimum sound high quality and noise-canceling efficiency. Beyerdynamic presents an assortment of silicone and foam ear suggestions that can assist you get that seal. I personally desire silicone suggestions. Whereas I obtained a fairly tight seal with the biggest silicone ear tip, the buds would not keep in my ears securely, so I opted for the biggest foam tip, which has extra grip to it and gave me the most effective and most snug match. (I may run with the earbuds utilizing the froth suggestions — they’re IPX4 splash-proof.)

It is best to be capable to get a superb match with one of many included ear suggestions, however I can not assure that these buds will likely be a superb match for everyone’s ears. Their design is not as simple as, say, Apple’s AirPods Professional, so I believe some folks would possibly really feel some discomfort relying on the form of their ears. However I ended up being fairly happy with the match, although I most well-liked the match of Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wi-fi 3 earbuds. 

The earbuds have contact controls they usually labored properly sufficient for me after some trial and error and after consulting the handbook within the Miy companion app for iOS and Android. It was initially difficult to regulate the quantity (double-tap and maintain on the second faucet) and you must triple-tap to advance tracks. But it surely turns into extra intuitive with time.

You double-tap to toggle between noise-canceling mode and a transparency mode. The noise cancellation is efficient, although it is a clear step beneath what Bose and Sony provide on their flagship earbuds. The transparency mode sounds pure, which is nice, however I would not count on stellar noise-canceling efficiency from these.

Extra options embody ear-detection sensors, which pause your music whenever you take a bud out of your ears. Your music resumes whenever you put it again in. You too can use a single earbud independently (left or proper). There’s additionally a low-latency gaming mode in the event you like to make use of your earbuds for gaming on a cellular system.

Beyerdynamic’s different large characteristic is sound personalization, which it presents by the Miy app. There’s additionally one thing known as “Mosayc — Consideration to Element with Mimi Sound Personalization.” From a advertising standpoint, that each one sounds fairly convoluted and I am undecided who thought naming the app “Miy” was a good suggestion. However this is the way it works in a nutshell: You do a 2-minute listening to take a look at within the app and also you get a customized sound profile on your ears. In my case, it did appear to barely enhance the sound. Nevertheless, the default sound profile additionally appealed to me. There is a slider within the app that lets you transfer between the “authentic” sound profile and your personalised sound profile. Moreover, you get some preset equalizer settings to mess around with.

The earbuds labored properly for making voice calls — they’ve two microphones on every bud — with respectable although not distinctive discount of background noise. In the end, nonetheless, the place the earbuds actually shine is relating to sound high quality. 

Audiophile-grade sound

Geared up with 10mm drivers, the buds help the AAC and AptX Adaptive audio codecs. I examined them with an iPhone 13 Professional and a Motorola Edge Plus Android cellphone. My cellphone helps AptX adaptive Bluetooth streaming and playback of high-resolution music information by companies equivalent to Qobuz and Tidal.  

Beyerdynamic is thought for its over-ear wired studio headphones, together with the newish DT 700 Professional X ($259). The Free Byrd buds exhibit lots of that mannequin’s sonic traits, together with clear, correct sound and an ethereal open high quality (extensive soundstage).

The Free Byrd are articulate and revealing, but additionally have extra thrilling sound than your prototypical studio headphone, which are inclined to restrain the bass and hew towards a impartial sound profile. The Free Byrd’s bass is tight and punchy with ample kick. That mentioned, you could be extra impressed with how pure and clear the mids sound (that is the place vocals stay) and the way the treble brings out the high-quality particulars in well-recorded tracks. These earbuds are definitely enjoyable to hearken to.

Beyerdynamic Free Byrd: Closing ideas

If you will get the right match and a decent seal, these are excellent-sounding earbuds which are proper on the prime of their worth class when it comes to sound high quality. Whereas the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds could have extra bass, they are not as articulate or correct as these. The Free Byrd are additionally a small step forward of the Momentum True Wi-fi 3 for sound providing barely higher readability and stereo separation. 

Apart from the spectacular battery life — as much as 11 hours at average quantity ranges with noise canceling off and as much as 8 with it on — the Free Byrd are nearer to the center of the street in different areas, significantly their noise-canceling efficiency. However Beyerdyanic has mentioned it made sound high quality its highest precedence and that undoubtedly reveals.  

Beyerdynamic Free Byrd key specs

• Bluetooth 5.2
• Energetic noise-canceling with transparency mode
• 10mm drivers
• IPX4 splash-proof
• Two microphones on every bud for voice calls
• Low-latency mode
• Ear-detection sensors
• USB-C and wi-fi Qi charging
• As much as 11 hours of battery life with ANC off), 8 hours with ANC on 
• Fast-charge characteristic offers you 70 minutes of energy with a 10-minute cost
• Sound personalization by way of the Miy app and Mosayc
• Google Quick Pair
• Amazon Alexa help
• AAC and AptX Adaptive audio codecs
• Value: $249 (£199 or roughly AU$350)