Pixels Buds: Google's New 100% Wireless Headphones Face Their Rivals - 20 Minutes
- Since Apple launched its AirPods, 100% wireless headphones (also known as "True Wireless") have blossomed in the ear.
- While countless models have entered the shelves, Google formalizes the launch on the French market of its Pixel Buds at 199 euros.
- For the summer of 2020, "20 Minutes" has tested the Pixel Buds and puts its new competitors on the grill.
Announced in October 2019, they finally arrive in France: Pixels Buds, the new 100% wireless (or "True Wireless") headphones from Google are launched at 199 euros. Good news: 20 Minutes has already tested them… and they look promising! Bad news for Google: its Pixel Buds are not alone in place. Numerous competitors are already strutting under the summer sun of 2020 that we have also put on the grill.
Google Pixel Buds: optimized for Android smartphones
Announced many months ago, Google’s new Pixel Buds headphones arrive in France for the summer. For the first time without any wires, they are protected by their pebble-shaped charger case and pleasant to the touch.
Pixel Buds are distinguished by the presence, on each of them, of a small fin on the back which helps them to better maintain in the ear. Each earpiece has touch controls that are very easy to memorize. Logically, their use is optimized for Android smartphones. They have a dedicated application there (but without equalizer). That said, we also made them work perfectly with an iPhone 11.
Very comfortable to wear, with good physical insulation, they remain discreet with their Mentos candy look. Without displaying any particular standard, they are, according to Google, resistant to water and perspiration. One of their assets is also to integrate the Google assistant directly accessible by saying the formula "OK Google". The audio quality reveals a suave, sensual sound, with deep and marked bass but without excess. The whole is of a beautiful warmth, with a real ease for the clear and fine restitution of the voices.
Autonomy announced: up to 5 hours / 24 hours with case.
199 euros.
Jabra Elite Active 75 t: top athletes
The Danish firm declines its True Wireless headphones, now available in four versions, from 119 euros to 199 euros. The new Elite Active 75t model joins the siblings for the summer. Dedicated to sports use, these headphones resist dust, water and perspiration (standard IP57). In the test, the Elite Active 75t are as pleasant to wear as their predecessors, premium discretion in the hollow of the ear where you hardly see them. However, we can hear them!
Jabra knows music and offers naturally dynamic listening that can be balanced as desired through the Sound + application and its equalizer. The HearThrough function , which can be dosed, is extremely useful for staying aware of the outside environment, and running in the city, for example.
Autonomy announced: up to 7:30 am per charge / 28 hours with case.
199 euros.
Panasonic RZ-S300W: a convincing first prize
The Japanese manufacturer is launching (finally!) On the market of 100% wireless headphones with two references. To appeal to small budgets, the RZ-S300W are quite basic models. If their carrying and charging case gives them good autonomy (up to 30 hours), this case does not include a magnet allowing to perfectly hold the earphones in place. Of a pleasant use, they are not however dedicated to a sporting use, although Panasonic assures that they resist splashing.
Musically, their quality is very honorable. Through the dedicated “Audio Connect” application, the user benefits from an equalizer, a “Bass amplifier” setting and can activate the “Ambient sound” function in order to keep one ear, or even two, on his world. outside. We particularly appreciate the good restitution of the voices, worked with an almost crystalline clarity. On arrival, the price / quality ratio is attractive. More expensive, with drivers (speakers) of 9 mm and no longer 6 mm, the RZ-S500W model incorporates a noise reduction system.
Autonomy announced: up to 7.5 hours per charge / 30 hours with case.
119 euros.
JBL Endurance Peak: powerful but without the possibility of adjustments
Like us, you will be able to fidget your head to try to take them off your ears and make them fall, but you will not succeed. First designed for sports, the JBL Endurance Peaks follow the anatomy of their user with their silicone earhook. Mission maintains: impeccable! Please note: this appendix can be annoying after several hours of wearing ... and sometimes delicate if you wear glasses.
With the IPX7 standard (they are resistant to perspiration), the Endurance Peaks incorporate 10 mm drivers . The sound produced can easily go up in towers to the listening volume and thus perfectly rhythm and boost some physical efforts, even if care is taken not to abuse the decibels. Although pleasant, the audio reproduction is a little too acute for our taste. Too bad these headphones are not supported by the in-house application "JBL Headphones" which could have made it possible to get around this pitfall.
Autonomy announced: up to 4 hours per charge / 28 hours with case.
99 euros.
Samsung, Buds +: a sound that lacks richness and warmth
Without a doubt the most elegant of our selection with their case and their black varnished finish, the Buds + headphones are advanced. They are compatible with Android, but also - a first for Samsung - iOS. Supplied with three tips, but also three fins to adapt to the morphology of each, they are IPX2 standard, a simple protection against humidity. Seriously, Samsung?
Special feature: each earpiece incorporates two speakers: one for the bass; a second for mid / treble. Despite the on-board technique, it must be admitted that listening disappoints. Buds + deliver a sound which, in our opinion, lacks warmth and richness, with sometimes embarrassing high frequencies. The application "Galaxy Buds +" and its presets (Normal; Light; Dynamic; Clear; Treble amp; Bass amp) unfortunately does not manage to sufficiently adjust the levels as one might expect. And the headphones don't have - and that's a shame - an active noise reduction system.
Good point, however: the “Transparency” mode of Buds +, which amplifies the perception of outside noise, is a good contribution in urban use. And their record autonomy of 11 hours on a charge is a point to take into account for intensive use, like at work. Finally, note that the Buds + recharging box can fill up on energy via USB-C, via an induction charger with QI technology, or a smartphone offering this functionality like the Samsung Galaxy S20 .
Autonomy announced: up to 11 hours per charge / 22 hours with case.
169 euros.
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