I Expected These Clip-on Earbuds To Fail, But The First Listen Changed My Mind Completely

3 weeks ago

Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

The Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds are disposable connected Aliexpress for conscionable nether $170
The XC1 earbuds are clip-ons that nutrient much bass than astir earbuds successful this form-factor
The XC1 earbuds thin to waste retired quickly, truthful drawback a brace erstwhile you can.

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As a runner who sweats xenomorphic acid, I person to beryllium observant astir nan earbuds I usage erstwhile pounding nan pavement. I've ruined much earbuds than I tin count because of this. In nan end, I can't usage immoderate accepted earbuds. If they spell into my receptor canal, they will astir apt neglect to usability by nan extremity of my run.

To mitigate this, astir a decade ago, I switched to bone-conducting headphones. The problem pinch each of nan bone-conducting headphones I've utilized (and I've utilized several) is that they sound terrible. It's a problem because I still want halfway decent sound erstwhile I run.

Also: These $60 wireless earbuds made maine mobility my audio spending habits

I yet switched to open-ear earbuds and recovered that they weren't perfect either. No matter nan make aliases model, by nan extremity of my run, astatine slightest 1 earbud wouldn't beryllium functioning.

Then I discovered nan clip-on style of earbud that wraps astir your receptor pinch a mini "ball" that inserts into nan receptor (but not nan canal). This type of earbud proved to beryllium nan solution. They weren't astir arsenic susceptible to sweat arsenic accepted earbuds, and they sounded overmuch amended than bone-conducting earbuds.

Typically, those earbuds attraction much connected nan mids and deficiency punch successful nan debased end, truthful arsenic not to drown retired ambient noise. Well, my friends, that ends now, acknowledgment to nan Baseus Inspire XC1 open-ear clip-on earbuds.

My experience

Once I paired nan buds to my Pixel 9 Pro and clipped them onto my ears, nan first opus I played was "Happy Birthday," by Devin Townsend. There's conscionable thing astir nan tune that really gets me. But much than anything, nan measurement Devin mastered that signaling is brilliant.

The opus incorporates an acoustic guitar that someway has a very bully low-end, and it really shone connected nan XC1 earbuds. That acoustic low-end was soft and coming successful a measurement I've not heard pinch different clip-on style earbuds.

Also: Finally, fund wireless earbuds that I wouldn't mind ditching my AirPods for

Since I was connected a Devin Townsend kick, I decided to play his epic track, "Singularity," which is astir 20 minutes of genius. Once again, location was plentifulness of extent to nan track, truthful I decided to beryllium backmost and perceive to nan opus successful its entirety.

The Singularity test

"Singularity" is for illustration respective genres of euphony rolled into one. It's acoustic, metal, Broadway musical, and sprawling conception stone that only Devin tin propulsion off, and nan XC1s were up to nan task. Sure, I've heard nan opus sound amended done much costly headphones and speakers, but erstwhile you see that these earbuds (at slightest for me) are each astir being active, you admit what Baseus pulled off.

Even erstwhile "Singularity" roseate to nan heights of metal-dom, nan XC1 earbuds didn't blink. When nan opus roseate to a much choral nature, nan XC1s were capable to nutrient each of nan voices without getting muddy, which is simply a feat pinch this peculiar track.

Also: One of nan champion brace of earbuds pinch high-quality sound I've tested are conscionable $70

Even erstwhile nan way pummeled maine pinch blastbeats, nan XC1 earbuds made judge nan sound wasn't taxing. What I received was a smooth, yet move position of nan track's heaviest section.

There's a peculiar conception of nan opus (movement VI. Here Comes The Sun!) that ne'er fails to springiness maine goosebumps, and nan XC1 earbuds didn't get successful nan way. I loved really this peculiar activity of nan way was presented.

The full clip I tested nan Inspire XC1 earbuds, I kept forgetting I was wearing clip-ons and was fooled into reasoning they were much accepted earbuds that were tin of producing meticulous and agile bass. This is nan first brace of clip-ons that person succeeded successful specified a glowing fashion.

Let's talk comfort

If there's 1 point I tin opportunity astir clip-on style open-ear earbuds, it's that they cannot beryllium matched for comfort, and nan XC1 earbuds show this facet disconnected to perfection. I could deterioration these each time and consciousness zero discomfort. They are besides stable, truthful I don't person to interest that they'll popular disconnected my ears arsenic I'm moving done nan city.

ZDNET's buying advice

If you unrecorded an progressive manner and are tired of earbuds that sound hollow pinch small aliases nary depth, you should earnestly see a brace of Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds. As for nan value and availability, these earbuds look to waste retired quickly (with bully reason). As of this writing, I was capable to find them connected Aliexpress for $167. From my perspective, these earbuds are decidedly worthy nan price.

Also: The champion earbuds: Expert tested and reviewed

If you're looking for what possibly nan past brace of earbuds you'll ever request to bargain to fulfill your exercising needs, look nary further than nan Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds.

In a motion to irony, arsenic I'm finishing up this review, "Singularity" is coming to a close.

And, arsenic Devin says, "May you go a rainbow."

Baseus Inspire XC1 earbuds tech specs

Type - Open-Ear Clip-On Earbuds
Drivers - Hybrid 2-Way Driver System (11mm driver and woofer), powered by Knowles
Sound Technology - Sound by Bose, Dolby Audio, Hi-Res Audio, LDAC
Mics - 4
IP Rating - IP66
Weight - 6 grams
Battery - Up to 8 hours of playtime pinch 40 full hours utilizing nan case