What ENC microphone technology actually does on calls

ENC stands for Environmental Noise Cancellation — a microphone processing technique that is distinct from the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) used to reduce ambient sound during music playback. ENC applies to the outgoing microphone signal: two microphones in each earbud capture audio simultaneously, and digital signal processing compares the two feeds to identify sounds that are coming from all directions (background noise) versus sounds coming from a single direction (your voice). The background signals are subtracted from the microphone output before transmission, leaving only your voice. The practical result is that call recipients hear you clearly on a windy street or in a loud café — without needing to repeat yourself or hold a hand over the mic.

IPX7 waterproof rating — what you can and cannot do

IPX7 is a specific IEC standard rating meaning the earbuds have been tested to withstand submersion in up to 1 metre of fresh water for 30 minutes without water damage to internal components. In practical terms this covers: all sweat and rain exposure, splashing at a sink or pool edge, and brief accidental submersion. It does not cover: high-pressure water jets, salt water submersion (ocean), chlorinated water submersion (swimming pool), or extended submersion beyond 30 minutes. The charging case is not rated to the same standard — do not submerge the case. After any water exposure, dry the earbud charging contacts before placing them in the case to avoid corrosion on the charging pins.

Bluetooth 5.3 — what changed from 5.0 and 5.2

Each Bluetooth revision builds on the previous standard. Bluetooth 5.3 introduced three improvements relevant to earbuds: enhanced attribute protocol (EATT) for faster multi-service data exchange, periodic advertising enhancement for more efficient audio synchronisation between left and right earbuds, and connection subrating for significantly lower power consumption during idle periods. For users, these improvements translate to slightly faster initial pairing, more consistent stereo synchronisation (fewer instances of one earbud dropping out), and longer battery life between charges at the same audio volume compared to Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds.

Ear tip fit — why it matters for sound quality and call clarity

The silicone ear tips that seal the earbud to the ear canal are the single biggest factor in bass performance and call microphone accuracy. A loose seal allows low frequencies to escape, dramatically reducing perceived bass depth — the same earbud can sound thin or full depending entirely on tip fit. Three sizes are included (S, M, L). To find the right size, insert the medium tip first. If you hear significant bass drop-off when moving your jaw, the tip is too small and creating an incomplete seal. If the earbud feels uncomfortable after a few minutes, the tip is too large. A correct fit creates a gentle but complete seal that you can test by gently pressing the earbud further in — bass should increase noticeably with a better seal.

Multipoint pairing — how to connect to two devices at once

Multipoint pairing allows the earbuds to maintain an active Bluetooth connection to two devices simultaneously — for example, a laptop and a phone — and switch audio output between them without manual reconnection. To set up: pair with the first device normally, then put the earbuds back in the case, press the case button for 3 seconds to re-enter pairing mode, and connect the second device. Both devices will now be remembered. Audio plays from whichever device is currently streaming — incoming calls on the phone will interrupt laptop audio automatically.

Frequently asked questions

Do these work with iPhone without the Apple app? Yes. These earbuds pair with iPhone via standard Bluetooth — no app, no account, no proprietary setup. They appear as a Bluetooth audio device in iPhone Settings and connect in under 3 seconds after initial pairing.

Can I use just one earbud at a time? Yes. Either earbud works independently in mono mode — remove one and leave it in the case while using the other. The remaining earbud automatically switches to mono output with both left and right audio channels mixed.

Are they suitable for gym use and running? Yes. IPX7 covers full sweat exposure without any damage risk. The in-ear design with silicone tips creates a secure fit that stays in place during high-movement activities. The touch control surface does not activate from sweat or light incidental contact.

What is the latency in gaming mode? In gaming mode (activated by holding both earbud touch surfaces simultaneously), latency reduces to under 60ms — low enough to avoid perceptible audio-video sync issues in mobile gaming and casual video watching. Standard music mode operates at higher latency (~120ms) which is optimised for audio quality rather than sync.

Does the LED display drain the case battery faster? The LED display is activated only when the case lid is opened or the case button is pressed — it is not a continuous display. Battery drain from the display is negligible and does not meaningfully affect the 40-hour case capacity rating.