Edifier NeoBuds Planar review: New benchmark ANC earbuds for $300

Edifier recently launched the ANC earbuds equipped with 3Gen planar drivers – Edifier NeoBuds Planar. The planar driver is smaller than the previous generation, and combined with the 2Gen patented EqualMass™ wiring technology, deliver a high-fidelity audio experience.

Edifier NeoBuds Planar specs and features:

Bluetooth 5.4 with AAC/LHDC/LDAC/aptX Adaptive codec
5 – 7.5 hours playback of single charge (AAC+ANC on/off)
Charging case can charge earbuds 3 times
IP55 water resistance rating (sweat and dust proof)
Multipoint Connection & Wireless Charging & Wear Detection
Comes with 5 sets of eartips, USB-C cable, pouch, user manual
$300 – Check latest price on Amazon US, Amazon Germany or other Amazon countries

Design, Comfort, and Battery Life

The charging case resembles the Edifier NeoBuds Pro 2, featuring a matte finish that resists fingerprints. The front of the case has an RGB light strip, customizable with 8 lighting effects via the Edifier Connect App.

Despite housing larger planar magnetic drivers, the earbuds maintain a comfortable fit thanks to their ergonomic design. The angled in-ear structure ensures a natural fit, while the five-pair included silicone eartips cater to various ear sizes, ensuring long-wearing comfort without pressure.

The wearing stability of Edifier NeoBuds Planar is satisfactory. Whether it is daily commuting or sports and fitness, the earbuds can be staying in the ears without worrying about the falling off. Plus, with an IP55 waterproof rating, they’re also resistant to sweat and dust.

In terms of smart functions, the NeoBuds Planar also performs well. It has a built-in smart sensor that can monitor the wearing status in real time and automatically play/pause music. When you take off the earbuds , the music will automatically pause; when put on again, the music will resume playing.

The battery life is impressive, offering up to 7.5 hours per charge (AAC, 50% volume). With ANC enabled, this drops to 5 hours, and the case provides an additional 3 charges. Enabling LDAC or LHDC further reduces battery life. The case charges using USB-C or wireless charging.

Connectivity, App Support and Controls

The Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity of the Edifier NeoBuds Planar is strong, offering a reliable connection more than ten meters from your device, without any connection or sound hiccups.

Also, the NeoBuds Planar supports multipoint connection, meaning you can connect it to two devices at the same time and switch between them when you receive a call, or when you pause on one device, and play on the other.

The earbuds uses pressure-sensitive controls. By touching or long pressing the control area for play/pause, track skipping, adjust the volume, noise cancellation mode switching, game mode on/off, answer/hang up calls, and other operations. The actual experience of control sensitivity is just right, and there will be no accidental touches.

Edifier NeoBuds Planar supports the Edifier Connect App for Android and iOS. The app includes firmware updates for the earbuds, show the battery status of the earbuds, and activate the low-latency gaming mode. The app also lets you choose ANC settings and sound presets – it looks and operates simple.

The NeoBuds Planar supports four sound modes: Original, Dynamic, Electrostatic, and Audiophile. Among them, the Audiophile mode allows custom adjustments of gain, Q factor, and frequency – offering high playability.

Games and Video Playback

The Edifier NeoBuds Planar plays videos without issues on both Android and iPhone. There’s lipsync performance in video apps like TikTok, Netflix, YouTube and Apple TV.

The NeoBuds Planar also has a 80ms low-latency gaming mode you can activate from the app or earbuds directly. This helps to synchronize the sound effects with the action on your screen. In the demanding “Call of Duty Mobile”, the sound effects are on par with the action on your screen.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Calls

Edifier NeoBuds Planar uses the 3GEN Qualcomm adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology, and with three high-sensitivity microphones on the earbuds, it can monitor the surrounding noise in real time and dynamically adjust the noise reduction algorithm – the noise filtering range is wider and more accurate.

Additionally, it also retains the usual multiple noise cancellation modes, which can be activated via the earbuds or the app.

In most cases, I will choose the “Adaptive Noise Cancellation” mode. For example, when taking the subway, NeoBuds Planar can not only cancel out most of the low-frequency noise, but also retain the broadcast sound.

When go out for a riding, I will choose the Ambient mode (transparency mode), which can block out most of the noise, highlight the vocals, and retain some important ambient sounds.

It is worth mentioning that Edifier NeoBuds Planar also performs well in wind noise processing. They can also maintain clear calls while riding. At the same time, they also support 25km/h wind noise calls and 32kHz ultra-wideband calls – improving the sound details in calls, and the actual sound will be more real and natural.

Acoustic Configuration and Sound Quality

Edifier NeoBuds Planar features newly designed 12mm planar magnetic drivers, which are smaller than the previous generation and more comfortable to wear. The ultra-thin diaphragm (base thickness of 2μm, total under 10μm) ensures excellent transient response and treble detail.

Also, the patented EqualMass™ wiring technology is used to make the coil distribution on the diaphragm surface more even, offset vibration interference, reduce vibration distortion, and make the sound of each frequency balanced and natural.

Powered by Qualcomm’s flagship chip and Snapdragon Sound™ technology, making them supports aptX, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless codecs. It also supports LHDC 5.0, LDAD, AAC, and SBC codecs.

By default, the tri-frequency of Edifier NeoBuds Planar are relatively balanced without obvious bias.

When it comes to the pop music, the treble is bright and transparency, and the airiness of strings and female vocal is more prominent. The midrange vocals are slightly forward, the emotional expression is delicate, and the sibilance is properly controlled. The bass extension is solid, and the rebound speed is moderate, which is very suitable for listening to pop and rock music.

In terms of vocal interpretation, the control of sibilance is quite good, avoiding sharp and harsh hearing. However, due to the characteristics of the planar diaphragm, the imaging is relatively thin, which affects the three-dimensional sense and fullness of the sound.

The midrange is positioned forward, while the treble and bass are slightly backward, creating a unique sound distribution. The vertical soundstage is very wide with distinct layering. Whether it is pop, classical or rock music, it can be perfectly adapted, showing strong music adaptability.

Conclusion:

The Edifier NeoBuds Planar stands out with its planar diaphragm technology, offering an exceptional listening experience. Enhanced by Edifier’s proprietary tech and tuning, they excel across all frequencies, delivering superb audio for pop, classical, and rock music.