Edifier Neobuds Planar review: In-ear headphones with a difference

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£199.99

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Planar magnetic drivers are otherwise only found in high-end headphones, such as the Edifier Stax Spirit S5, or in speakers, for example from Piega. Put simply, the driver does not consist of a classic conical membrane, but of a 12-millimeter, 2-micrometer-thin surface that is driven evenly by a very strong magnetic field.

Planar drivers are known for having less resonance and lower inertia effects than dynamic drivers. This results in faster and more precise reproduction, especially with dynamic music or fine details.

State of the art

Edifier relies on Bluetooth 5.4 and a dual-device connection, i.e. parallel connection with two devices. Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound technology provides extensive codec support, including high-resolution Bluetooth codecs such as LHDC (up to 96 kHz/24 bit) and LDAC, as well as aptX Adaptive and AAC.

Unfortunately, only AAC is relevant for Apple users, as Apple does not yet support high-resolution codecs. Qualcomm Snapdragon Sound technology also serves as the basis for sound processing.

Qualcomm Adaptive Noise Cancelling is integrated as intelligent active noise cancellation that adapts to the environment. Six microphones with an AI algorithm for voice enhancement enable clear and reliable calls even in noisy environments.

As is usual with in-ear headphones, the Neobuds Planar are IP55 certified and therefore protected against dust and water. However, this only applies to the in-ear headphones themselves, not to the charging station, which should be protected from water, for example.

Edifier specifies a battery life of up to 7.5 hours without and up to 5 hours with ANC. We almost achieved these values in practice. The charging case can extend the runtime of the earbuds to up to 30 hours. Practical: the charging case can be charged both wirelessly and via USB-C.

Comfort and operation

The elongated case design allows easy access to the side touch buttons. Each operation is confirmed with a sound, which is very advantageous in practice.

This is also because the buttons do not stand out very clearly from the housing. Five pairs of ear tips in different sizes are included to adjust the fit. A USB-C charging cable is also included in the scope of delivery.

The Neobuds Planar fit very well in the ear canal, so you can also wear them while exercising. In addition to the buttons, you can also adjust the equaliser using the Edifier Connex app. There are four audio profiles available: “Original”, “Dynamic”, “Electrostatic” and “Customised” for individual settings.

The practical test

First, let’s talk about active noise cancellation: in addition to excellent adaptive noise cancellation, you can also select the Standard ANC, Ambient Sound and Wind Reduction settings. While the ANC delivers impressive results, the wind reduction is not always optimal and sometimes sounds artificial.

We carried out the sound test using the “Original” audio profile. We were very excited to hear how the planar magnetic drivers would perform, but started cautiously with pop and rock. The wide stereo image literally jumped out at us and provided a pleasant sound. This was a perfect match for Yello, Depeche Mode and Blank & Jones.

The bass is deep enough without dominating the sound. Especially with electronic music, the detailed sound is a welcome experience compared to competitors’ headphones, which are often tailored to a specific, mostly youthful music habit.

The super-thin and lightweight diaphragm shows off all its advantages here, including a very fast response. This is particularly noticeable in the fast and accurate reproduction of electronic beats.

This becomes particularly clear when switching to jazz with acoustic instruments. Voices and instruments are reproduced in a very differentiated manner, and the low distortion, which enables natural sound reproduction, is clearly audible.

Of course, the sound can be adjusted to your own preferences using the four-band equaliser.

If you are looking for analytical and detailed reproduction, this is the right choice for you. For us, this is a highlight among in-ear headphones and something for connoisseurs.

Price

The Edifier Neobuds Planar are priced at $199.99 or £199.99.

Should you buy the Edifier Neobuds Planar?

The planar driver gives the Neobuds Planar a clarity of sound that clearly sets them apart from the usual mainstream in-ear headphones. This may be irritating at first for listeners who are not used to it. However, the analytical and detailed reproduction is a welcome alternative to the mostly artificial-sounding competitors.

The latter are primarily designed for the listening habits and music style of young listeners. It’s important to know this beforehand so you won’t be disappointed later. One example is the bass: depending on the piece of music, it is always present and precise, but never dominant or intrusive.

Music lovers of acoustic music from the classical and jazz genres in particular will enjoy the Neobuds Planar. These are headphones for connoisseurs. The price of $199/£199 is also reflected in the more sophisticated planar driver technology.

But even aside from the sound experience, the Neobuds Planar have a lot to offer. Long battery life, good noise cancellation and automatic pause/play control when putting them on and taking them off are testament to the developers’ many years of experience. Only the buttons could be easier to find.