The Galaxy Buds Live have a bean-shaped style that sticks out from other earbuds.
Taken as an entire bundle, the Galaxy Buds Live exceeded what I can be found in expecting based on the leaks and the uncertainty I had about what the bean shape would imply for convenience and sound quality. Neither injury up being an issue after actually utilizing them. Theres a lot to like if youre all right living with a healthy dose of outside noise when listening to the Galaxy Buds Live.
AirPods Pro or Sony 1000XM3s these are not. Youre still going to hear a lot of the world around you. Some people will like that they will not need to worry about missing travel statements or someone attempting to speak to them nearby, but Im more of a tune-out-everything-else individual when I listen to music. If thats you, the Galaxy Buds Plus might be a better option because they seal in your ears and develop more seclusion, even with no active noise cancellation. Youll be sorely underwhelmed and dissatisfied if you purchase the Galaxy Buds Live because of the marketed noise canceling.
My friend Megan has really little ears and had a tough time getting the Galaxy Buds Live to fit. I had no such problem, and I are among those individuals whose ears dislike regular AirPods; the fit here is different and entirely special. I found that the very best sound quality and bass performance came when I shoved them as far into my ears as they d comfortably go.
Good Stuff
The AKG-tuned Buds Live have 12-millimeter drivers– larger than whats inside the Galaxy Buds Plus– and a “bass duct” to assist ramp up the low end. Ive been pleasantly shocked by simply how great the Galaxy Buds Live sound.
Samsungs Galaxy Buds Plus have a more conventional style with silicone ear ideas.
The tap controls work similar to those on the Galaxy Buds Plus: single tap to pause, double to avoid, 3 to go back, and you can customize what a long press does. The Galaxy Buds Live carrying case, which has a USB-C port and cordless charging support, is incredibly compact, though the earbuds will definitely go flying out if you drop it since they do not have an extremely deep cradle.
Its compact and easily pocketable.
Theres a lot of excellent, however the Galaxy Buds Live arent without faults. And like many other real cordless earbuds besides those from Jabra, the Buds Live can just link to a single device at a time.
Samsung shouldve called these things the Galaxy Beans. With that out of the way, lets talk about the new Galaxy Buds Live. How do you accomplish sound cancellation with earbuds that do not seal in your ears?
Bad Stuff
Bluetooth stability on the Buds Live doesnt seem rather as robust as with the Galaxy Buds Plus. Nor do I have any gripes with battery life; Samsung says the Buds Live can last for up to 6 hours of continuous listening with ANC made it possible for (21 hours amount to with case recharges) or eight with it off (29 hours with the case). Those numbers are rather good and beat out the AirPods Pro, but they fall short of the shocking 11 straight hours the Galaxy Buds Plus can last on a charge.
The $169.99 Buds Live have a design all their own. Theyre extremely reflective in the bronze color, which can look more increased gold in some lighting. I usually like the appearance and the fact that Samsung is exploring. Youve never used earbuds quite like these, which indicates putting them in the first few times feels a bit foreign, and you may overthink it. Turns out, they slot into the concha of my ears quite naturally– the bean style works! When there,– and are both comfortable and stable. There are no silicone pointers; the speaker points straight into your ear canal. The Buds Live have some silicone stabilizers near the top, and theres a somewhat larger set included in package if those help the buds better being in your ears contours.
The mirror-like finish on the Galaxy Buds Live is really reflective.
The bring case supports cordless charging.
Each bud has a 12-millimeter motorist and a bass duct for more effective audio.
The active noise cancellation can eliminate some low frequencies but isnt all that effective.
With three total beamforming mics– two on the exterior and one inside– the Galaxy Buds Live have carried out simply fine during my Zoom conferences and voice calls. Samsung says they also have a “voice pickup unit” in the hardware for enhanced speech detection. You can utilize either bud separately while the other is charging in the case.
The noise cancellation aspect of the Galaxy Buds Live is being oversold a bit. To be extremely clear, these earbuds allow a substantial quantity of outdoors noise at all times. Thats intentional and where I believe the “Live” part of the name originates from. These arent going to drown out your colleagues when we get back to the workplace someday, nor are they going to be your preferred aircraft buddies. Samsung says it developed the Buds Live to remove extremely low frequencies– believe the consistent hum of an air conditioning system or the rumbling of an Amtrak– and you can hear some of that ambient sound get trimmed when you switch on active noise cancellation.
Samsung gambled on style, however it brought out a winner.
Bold, unconventional design
Lengthy battery life
Powerful, well balanced sound
Similarly, Jack Antonoffs production on the brand-new album Gaslighter by The Chicks has lots of space to breathe, and the harmonies never feel mushed together. Hurdling various playlists and categories, I left extremely pleased by the warmth and balance of the Buds Live. Dont be if youre stressed about bass. So long as theyre in your ears right, the Buds Live can toss out plenty of oomph on the bottom end. These sound excellent and simply what I d expected considering the $170 rate.
Sound cancellation isnt great for much
Might not fit the tiniest ears
Occasional signal disturbance
Photography by Chris Welch/ The Verge
Bluetooth stability on the Buds Live does not appear rather as robust as with the Galaxy Buds Plus. Taken as a whole package, the Galaxy Buds Live surpassed what I came in expecting based on the leaks and the uncertainty I had about what the bean shape would suggest for comfort and sound quality.
My pal Megan has really little ears and had a challenging time getting the Galaxy Buds Live to fit. The sound cancellation element of the Galaxy Buds Live is being oversold a bit. If you purchase the Galaxy Buds Live because of the advertised noise canceling, youll be sorely underwhelmed and disappointed.
