4 of the best premium earbuds that are not from Samsung or Apple

If you have money and dislike being like everybody else, this list is for you. Money talks and wealth whispers, so here is a list of earbuds that will not only whisper but sing to you.


Sony WF-1000XM5

Undisputedly one of the best wireless earbuds you can buy that is not from Samsung or Apple is the Sony WF-1000XM5. With a juicy RRP of RM1,399, this contender from Sony offers class leading noise-cancelling and provides excellent call quality. 

There is a clear distinction when using the Sony WF-1000XM5 when you’re looking for deep and detailed audio quality.

In terms of design, it retains a discreet bean design which is smaller and more discreet than the previous version. This is a refreshing alternative to stemmed earbud designs that even Samsung is going for.



Google Pixel Buds Pro

Beautifully designed and the brainchild of another tech giant, the Google Pixel Buds Pro offers premium sound that caters to the masses. It is, however, a little dated, having been released around the 4th quarter of 2022.

When it comes to sound quality, the Pixel Buds Pro seems to emphasise on bass to the point where audio subtleties are blunt or lost altogether. This lack of clarity is also evident during calls. 

While it is one of the most comfortable earbuds in this line-up, audio quality is not the best. 


Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Any tech brand that has the audacity to claim “ultra” should be placed under a microscope; and in this case, behind a microphone. The audio quality of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra however, lives up to the hype. Not only does it provide outstanding noise cancellation, it really is quite comfortable.

Sound quality wise, it is on-par if not better than the Sony WF-1000XM5. It is also one of the earbuds offering a worthy spatial audio experience, making it a choice for true audiophiles. 

What we don’t like about it is, it looks a little cheesy when compared to the others in this line-up. It fits and feels very comfortable, but like a pair of Louis Vuitton monogram sweatpants, it’s comfortable and loud, looks-wise.  


JVC HA-FW1000T

If you’re really looking for something different, the JVC HA-FW1000T is probably the one to go for. There are hints of wood in its design and also a wood diaphragm, making it aesthetically pleasing and unique. It looks good and also feels comfortable in the ears.

Unfortunately, JVC has a reputation of low volume in a number of its earbuds and this one is no exception. This makes the audio quality a little harder to appreciate. With a price tag of RM1,499, it is a hard one to recommend. 

You probably wouldn’t enjoy making calls on these earbuds either as we found the mic very muddled. There are better offerings at this price range but hey, at least you can tell people your earbuds have bits of wood in them.


Conclusion

Now that you have splurged on earbuds, you’d want to save on your phone. CompAsia offers excellent second-hand devices at prices you’ll love. See what amazing deals await you today. 

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published