It could not appear possible however OnePlus is likely one of the greatest producers of (consumer-level) wi-fi headphones. The OnePlus Buds Professional 3 confirmed this. For $179.99 a pop, you get a pair of wi-fi earbuds with an ultra-premium design and leather-based end, superb Hello-Res-certified audio high quality with LHDC codec, and plenty of options. On this OnePlus Buds Professional 3 evaluate, you will note varied the reason why anybody needs to be enthusiastic about OnePlus in the event that they’re on the lookout for a superb pair of wi-fi earbuds with Energetic Noise Cancellation.
Good
- Very premium design
- Wonderful audio high quality
- Efficient Energetic Noise Cancellation
- Wi-fi charging
- Loads of options
Unhealthy
- Common battery life
- LHDC codec is much less frequent than LDAC and it drains battery life
- Unintuitive quantity controls
OnePlus Buds Professional 3: All offers
OnePlus Buds Professional 3: Design
| Design | |
|---|---|
| Format | |
| Dimensions and weight |
|
| IP score |
|
| Colours |
|
In my view, the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 options one of the vital premium designs in the marketplace. I like the uniquely formed case with its matte, metallic edges, and faux-leather coating in entrance and on the again. This is identical coating as discovered on the again of the OnePlus 13 (evaluate). The case has a sure heft to it and its hinge appeared very strong to me, with the opening and shutting mechanism exhibiting no freeplay by any means.
The earbuds have a reasonably basic in-ear design, with matte, coloured buds contrasting shiny, metallic stems. The case is IPX4 licensed for mud and water resistance whereas the earbuds themselves are IP55 licensed, making them splendid for sports activities.
The OnePlus Buds Professional 3 match snugly within the ear. With the default eartip dimension, M, I had no issues sporting them in any respect (sizes XS, S, and L are additionally obtainable). The truth is, it is one of many uncommon fashions I’ve reviewed that did not come out of my ears whereas consuming/chewing. Solely the quantity controls, which I will speak about later on this evaluate, irritated me a bit.
View this extremely scientific video on how properly the earbuds match when worn:
OnePlus Buds Professional 3: Audio and microphone high quality
| Audio and microphones | |
|---|---|
| Drivers |
|
| Frequency response | |
| Bluetooth codecs |
|
| Microphones | |
I discovered the audio high quality of the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 to be superb., with a very broad soundstage. Usually, in-ear displays have a tendency to provide a moderately slim soundstage, as if the sound had been a bit muffled. That is inherent to their format and the obstruction in your ear canal. Fortunately, OnePlus mitigated this impact very properly.
I additionally found the sound reproduced by the earbuds to be very wealthy and detailed. Nevertheless, because of the LHDC format and listening over lengthy classes, the excessive frequencies have a tendency to make my eardrums creak. I needed to attenuate them a bit by way of the very complete equalizer. Bass frequencies are additionally very a lot current, however I did not discover any overflow to the remainder of the musical message.
Nor did I contact the BassWave mode, which dynamically amplifies the depth and impression of the bass. I although it was redundant given the essential sound signature of the wi-fi earbuds.
I will go into better element about this within the software program part beneath, however the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 supply superb equalization choices. You’ll be able to actually adapt the rendering to your private preferences.
I would similar to to level out that selecting the LHDC codec over LDAC would not appear to be the wisest alternative (but) to me. Sony’s LDAC codec is far more prevalent. Nevertheless, it is true that LHDC gives higher bit charges in case you are listening to Hello-Res audio.
The microphone high quality of the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 when indoors:
The mic high quality of the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 when outside:
Shocking Energetic Noise Cancellation Efficiency
| Energetic Noise Cancellation | |
|---|---|
| Adjustable ANC? |
|
| Transparency mode? | |
The Energetic Noise Cancellation of the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 proved to be superb in most conditions. You’ll be able to set it to 3 depth ranges, or depart it to the algorithm in automated mode.
Personally, I’ve all the time used the handbook mode within the highest setting. I used to be shocked by the effectiveness of OnePlus’ ANC when it got here to voices. In my Berlin workplace, the place everybody speaks moderately loudly–and in German at that–I used to be completely zen, protected in my bubble of silence. Usually, it is this type of noise that wi-fi earbuds discover hardest to successfully attenuate.
As for the remainder, the ANC was superb for fixed, solid-borne noise (footsteps, laptop keyboards, automobiles, and so forth.). Nevertheless, I didn’t discover them to be drastically simpler than different fashions in this worth vary.
The transparency mode of the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 appeared moderately pure to me. The earbuds haven’t got a “Converse to talk” perform that switches to transparency mode robotically as quickly as you communicate. I additionally found my voice sounded a bit muffled at instances. This was a downside I did not come throughout with the voices of others round me.
OnePlus Buds Professional 3: Software and options
| Software and options | |
|---|---|
| Compatibility |
|
| Key options |
|
To regulate the OnePlus Buds Professional 3, you’ll first want to put in the HeyMelody app. It is obtainable on Android and iOS. You probably have a OnePlus smartphone, there is no want for this app–you may entry the settings immediately by way of the Bluetooth menu.
OnePlus is moderately beneficiant relating to performance. The necessities are there. Multi-band equalizer, put on detection, twin pairing, and spatial audio are all supported.
I actually just like the Golden Sound perform. It lets you analyze how properly or poorly you understand every frequency. You’ll be able to then visualize by way of a graph, and above all, hear by way of audio extracts, the distinction when the earbuds modify the equalization based mostly in your listening to.
What I discovered good is how one can mix this perform with a customized equalization profile by way of the app. Mainly, you need to use Golden Sound as a foundation for understanding what you have to amplify or attenuate later within the equalizer.
Lastly, let’s speak about controls. They’re haptic on the OnePlus Buds Professional 3. It is a good factor, because it’s extra responsive and dependable than contact controls, and you may activate them with gloves or by means of a luscious lock of hair when you have lengthy hair. Controls are kind of customizable.
It’s not all sunshine, although. There’s a draw back to the quantity management. OnePlus added a tiny grooved floor to the entrance of every earbud stem. By swiping up or down on this floor, you may management the quantity. That is nice in idea however in actuality, I discovered the positioning of this floor moderately awkward.
Use is subsequently moderately counterintuitive at first, as you actually have to the touch the entrance a part of the stem. It isn’t as simple to achieve for my chubby little fingers and, above all, it tends to dislodge the earphones from my ears barely.
OnePlus Buds Professional 3: Battery and charging
| Battery and charging | |
|---|---|
| Working time |
|
| Charging |
|
The values introduced by OnePlus for the battery lifetime of the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. For eventualities the place ANC is activated, the producer specified that is adaptive ANC, i.e. set robotically. In fact, it is not possible to have a dependable studying, because the ANC will kind of rely on the variation in ambient noise, which can have an effect on how a lot (or much less) power is consumed.
Personally, I used the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 in line with these parameters:
- 100% cost
- Put on detection deactivated
- No charging throughout my evaluate length
- Energetic Noise Cancellation is all the time enabled and manually set to the utmost (“Excessive”) setting
- 50% listening quantity
- Paired with an Android smartphone (OnePlus 13)
- AAC codec
The earbuds lasted for 6h17 in these circumstances. Ultimately, that is fairly common battery life, respectable by all means however not more than that. I did not perform a full battery life check with the LHDC codec continuously activated. Nevertheless, I found that the 4 quick hours of battery life introduced when utilizing the LHDC codec + ANC made the previous much less related.
One last item. OnePlus is not the one one doing this, however you have to cease offering us with 2.5 cm lengthy USB-C cables, it is pointless, thanks. Oh sure, yet another factor, the wi-fi charging on the case solely works on one aspect. Whereas there may be nothing actually unsuitable with that, the floor the place you place it in your wi-fi charger is the entrance of the case. Is not this moderately counter-intuitive because you usually cost it wirelessly by way of the again?
Ought to I purchase the OnePlus Buds Professional 3?
Would I like to recommend you the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 for $179.99? Sure.
I feel OnePlus, as soon as once more, gives superb worth for cash because the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 are Hello-Res licensed, assist a kind of HD Bluetooth codec with LHDC, boasts superb Energetic Noise Cancellation, sports activities a really premium design. It additionally comes with a well-stocked vary of options.
There’s actually not a lot lacking from the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 to make them a reputable various, and even a better option, than wi-fi earbuds from Sony or Bose. A extra versatile ANC, a barely extra managed default audio signature, and some consolation options like a “Converse to talk” mode, for example.
However for round $160, I feel the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 are a wonderful alternative, particularly since Jabra’s disappearance from the patron audio market.
What do you consider the OnePlus Buds Professional 3 after this complete evaluate? Do you assume OnePlus is a reputable participant within the wi-fi earbuds market?
The place to Purchase the OnePlus Buds Professional 3
The OnePlus Buds Professional 3 had been launched final 12 months, with a launch worth of $179.99. At present, they’re obtainable for $159.99 on the official OnePlus retailer or roughly $145 from e-tailers corresponding to Amazon.
