The X-mini has launched their newest and best true wireless earbuds. It’s called the LIBERTY+, retailing in Singapore for S$119.90. During this launch campaign, enjoy up to $20 off if you upload a video or photo of yoruself cutting your wired earphones and upload it on Instagram with the hashtag #LiveWireleXX. Visit https://livewirelexx.x-mini.com/ for full details.
Here’s why the new LIBERTY+ is better than the X-mini predecessors:
Longer Battery Life
The Liberty+ lasts 9 hours and its case can charge 5 more times, giving you a total of 54 hrs. It also supports fast charging, adding 2 hours playtime with 15 minutes quick charge.
Qualcomm TWS+ chipset and apt-X audio codec
The latest Qualcomm chipset delivers better audio quality via apt-X and uses the latest TWS+ which allows either earbuds to be the master at any time. So you can actually use any earbud for your conversations or listening to music.
IPX7 Rated
You can wear the Liberty+ for your workouts or in the rain. In fact, the earbuds could theoretically survive submerging underwater for 30 minutes.
Unboxing and Design
The X-mini Liberty+ comes with 3 sizes of earbuds, micro USB charging cable, and instructions.
It looks identical to AVIOT TE-D01b, and seems to be using the same manufacturing mould. But the materials used are completely different. The Liberty+ uses less dense material and the finishing is slightly less refined compared to the Aviot, but the charging case on the Liberty+ opens easier: it slides out effortlessly and is held in the compartment with magnet. The Aviot, on the other hand, requires much force to slide out.
In terms of operation, the Libery+ is much easier. To change track, tap the right earbud twice (next track) or 3 times (previous). To adjust volume, tap the left earbud twice (increase) or 3 times (decrease).
To pair the earbuds on another device, just turn off the existing Bluetooth device before removing the earbuds from the cradle. After about 10 seconds, the earbuds will go into pairing mode. By default, the left earbud will be the master. Once one side of the earbud is paired, the device will auto-request to pair the other side of the earbud. This is to allow seamless switching of the master earbud.
The other convenient feature is that 4-LED indicator, which clearly shows the remaining battery life. It will help you decide when you need to charge the casing. For the infrequent users, you would probably be charging maybe once a month.
Sound Quality
Although the Liberty+ uses the exact design mould as the Aviot TE-D01b, the sound profile is completely different. The Liberty+ delivers a gratifying bass response that helps emphasize the lows without punishing the highs. On balance-mixed reference tracks, the Liberty+ elevates the bass lines for a more satisfying listen, while on already-heavy EDM, the Liberty+ further accentuates them. It may not sound as smooth and clean when pumping the sub-bass levels, but the boom level should suit the consumers on the target price segment.
The treble remains clear enough, not as bright and transparent as AVIOT or Creative Outlier Air/Gold, which also means I do not experience fatigue at loud volumes, which is a good thing. The sound staging helps to spread the highs in a wide space, offering some details and clarity. On occasional tracks, you might get a hint of veil, but if you listen to the modern genres where the mix is already elevated, then the Libery+ will do fine.
Audio sync with video is generally good, depends on your smartphones. I tested on Samsung Galaxy Note10+ and YouTube videos are synced. For gaming, true wireless are still not achieving accurate sync, so you are better off sticking to wired earphones.
Verdict
X-mini has been selling mini speakers since 2007, and has only started their new earphones line in 2018. But they are aggressively marketing their XOUNDBUDS wired earphones and XOUNDPODS wireless earphones with affordable prices that appeal to the practical consumers looking for a reliable pair of earphones to keep them company.
The Liberty+ is the latest offering to further extend the concept of living wireless, and I think it is a great campaign to promote their product line. As my daughter has experienced, wired earphones are not reliable due to the abuse during use and the inconvenience of untangling the wires while on-the-go. I made a video with her sharing her thoughts on this as part of the X-mini #LiveWireleXX campaign.
True wireless earbuds will be the way forward for most consumers. They are more convenient to use, they have improved connectivity, and have long battery life. The X-mini LIBERTY+ retails at $119.90, available from Lazada, Qoo10, Shopee, Popular Bookstores, and x-mini.com .
