| TOZO X1 Wireless Earbuds | |
| PROS | CONS |
| Hi-res wireless with LDAC support | Sound is too clear |
| Clean, crisp sound | Average battery life |
| Solid power vs price ratio | Tap control very sensitive |
Sound Quality
The TOZO X1 earbuds sure do earn their hi-res certification. You know the saying you could hear a pin drop? That’s the TOZO X1 in a nutshell. No sound is left behind. From the opening clash of a cymbal to the first twang of a guitar riff, the TOZO X1 literally does not miss a beat.
I’ll admit, I prefer the closed nature of headphones over earbuds, but the TOZO X1 has done the impossible and made me question that decision. With sound this clear, it’s hard to go back to anything else.
There is, however, one glaring issue. As companies race to recreate sound in the most authentic way possible, that comes with a heavy price. ‘S’ and ‘CK’ sounds are overly pronounced, resulting in a level of distortion unique to the TOZO X1.
That’s because ‘S’ and ‘CK’ sounds are harder. It’s not something you’ll normally pick up on unless the sound quality is this clear, but it’s there. At lower volumes, it’s less noticeable, but the moment you crank the volume up to slightly loud, you’ll hear every pronounced fault. As a rap listener, anytime a rapper says ‘F**k’, that split-second distortion kicks in.
It’s a small gripe, and it’s a gripe caused by how crisp the TOZO X1 is, but if you like to focus on individual sounds, it’s likely to grate after a while.
Sound Capabilities
The TOZO X1 boasts hi-res audio and offers LDAC support. For those who don’t know those terms, hi-res is the highest quality of sound available, though there is a discussion to be had about whether people can tell the difference between a high-quality rip and hi-res certified tracks. Do you have better hearing than a dog? You’ll probably like hi-res music then.
In reality, hi-res is best viewed as a way of getting the cleanest available rip of a song or album, then it’s up to the headphones or earbuds to make the most of it.
LDAC, meanwhile, is Sony’s fancy tech that lets users stream audio over a wireless connection at up to 990 kbps at 24 bit/96 kHz. It’s killer tech, but be sure to check if your device supports it beforehand.
Setup and Ease of Use
Companies have the setup process down to a T now. Open the case, take the buds out, and they’ll start searching for a connection. Pick a device, hit Bluetooth, then sync the TOZO X1. It’s simple stuff.
What I am impressed with is how easy it is to resync the TOZO X1 to other devices. Normally it’s the wild west when it comes to syncing a set of cans or earbuds to another device, but TOZO went big brain mode and included a sync button in the case itself. Just poke it down for a few seconds and the X1 earbuds will start searching for a new host.
It’s the best way to do things and made my life much easier as I didn’t need to go into the device’s settings and remove the X1 manually.
As for controlling the TOZO X1, that’s a mixed bag. You know the score by now: Tap the right earbud to play and pause, tap multiple times to perform other functions. It’s the best way to do things, but I wonder if the X1 is perhaps too sensitive.
It’s great having a device that actually registers taps with ease, but when you take them out, expect to accidentally restart the music or podcast you’re listening to multiple times. This can be solved by closing the app before taking them out, though, so it’s not the end of the world.
Price and Alternatives
I’d argue at $149.99/£149.99, the TOZO X1 is firmly in the Apple AirPods territory. The main difference being, the Apple AirPods are grossly overhyped for what they are. With Apple, you’re buying a brand name with serviceable tech. With the TOZO X1, you’re buying a brand you’re less familiar with but one that knows tech and how to utilize it.
A better comparison, then, would be the Beats Powerbeats Pro at $199.99, although you need to balance how much bass you want. The Tozo X1 isn’t anywhere near as bass-heavy by comparison.
Verdict
If you can get past the distortion of certain sounds, the TOZO X1 offers up a balanced sound profile with pinpoint accuracy. How TOZO has created something this clean at this price point is, frankly, astounding.
Yeah, sure, it’s in the same ballpark as most of the popular earbuds, but the level of audio clarity offered by the X1 puts the earbuds in a league of their own.
A glaring problem with unrivaled clarity, the TOZO X1 wireless earbuds aren’t perfect, but they’re impressive in their own way.
All photos captured by RetroResolve. | Review unit provided by TOZO.
