Firstly I would like to thank Mark at HiFiMAN for this sample.
*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings
Gear Used:
Google Pixel 3a / iBasson DX200 > TWS600
Tech Specs:
Frequency Response – 20Hz-20kHz
Weight – 5.9g
Playtime – 5.5hrs per charge + 33 from case
Bluetooth Version – 5.0
https://hifiman.com/products/detail/299
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The TWS600 come in a pretty small box which is great, there is a picture of them on the front with key features listed. The sides of the box are red and stand out, there are more specs and info on the back of the box. Lift the top section off and you’ll find the TWS600 held in a foam insert, with the charging case below. Overall very sleek and attractive packaging for the TWS600.
Build quality feels good but not great, the charging case is really nice but a little shallow (more on this later). The earphones themselves do feel a little plasticy, and not quite as polished as some other TW models out there. The buttons have a positive click which is nice, and they are IPX4 rated. If you look after these they should last without any issues.
Accessory wise you get the charging case, charging cable (USB-C) and a lot of tips. You get S, M and L regular single flange tips, M wide bore tips, M short bi-flange tips, M long bi-flange tips, triple flange tips, L bi-flange tips and a set of clear long medium wide bore tips. Most should be able to get a good fit with this selection of tips.
Comfort, Isolation and Features:
The TWS600 are extremely comfortable when you find the right tips, the shape is a bit off but they have clearly thought about how they fit in your ear and have nailed it. They don’t stick out too far, but like most TW models they are noticeable when in your ears.
Isolation is good on the TWS600, I find them to block out an above average amount of outside noise and they would be excellent for daily use and commuting. I am actually really impressed by the isolation of the TWS600 compared to some IEM’s I’ve been using recently.
Feature wise the TWS600 are pretty simple and easy to use. They pair easily, the buttons have the same functions like most, double tap on one side for volume up, the other for volume down. Triple tap to skip track forward or back, single tap to answer a call or pause the music. I have found that when taking calls on the TWS600 it only comes out of the left earpiece, this is quite common in TW models apparently. You can also long press on the button to bring up Siri/Google assistant.
The case sadly is quite small and the TWS600 don’t fit in with certain tips on, luckily I have small ears and have been using some foam tips that seem to fit perfectly.
The TWS600 use bluetooth 5.0 and have pretty good battery life (5.5hrs per charge plus another 6 charges from the case). They don’t however support any of the high quality bluetooth codecs sadly. Connection stability is excellent and HiFiMAN tested them to 150m in an open field. When music is playing there is a little bit of background noise from the amp circuitry, this is minimal and only audible in silent passages of tracks.
Sound:
Tips: Firstly I would like to state that tips make a big difference with these, and a couple of brands have now brought out TW foam tips that are shorter than normal foam tips. I have been using some of these with the TWS600 and find that they greatly improve the sound quality.
Lows: HiFiMAN have steered away from making a more consumer friendly TW model, and have instead tried to cater to the audiophile market with a more balanced and neutral sound signature. The lows on the TWS600 are not boosted, but they are not missing either. Kicks do come across a little flat, lacking a little body but there is still some lower bass presence. I do find the lows to be quick in terms of transient response but I would like a little more body. They do handle EQ very well so you can dial in a little extra low end if you wish. These are tuned with a more neutral and reserved bass response and would not be my first pick if you want a more engaging sound signature.
Mids: The midrange is quite forward on the TWS600 with a slight upper-midrange lift. Depending on the tips used, this peak can translate into a little harshness but I have found that with the foam tips they sound quite a bit more linear. Tonality is a little cool in the midrange and the lower midrange is not masked by any kind of bass lift. These do have a mid-forward tuning, and due to the slight peaks in the lower and upper midrange they don’t always sound the most natural, but they do have a healthy dose of separation and clarity.
Highs: There is good energy in the lower midrange, but they don’t overdo it and become strident or brash. They have fairly good extension with enough detail to satisfy most. Dynamics are a little muted due to the bluetooth limitations with AAC/SBC. There is a good amount of presence in the treble region, yet it is relatively smooth and inoffensive which prevents the TWS600 from tipping over to being a bright sounding earphone. There isn’t too much detail I can go into in terms of the treble presentation as it just does its job without doing too much wrong.
Soundstaging is very good for a TW earphone, the slightly leaner sound of these definitely helps when it comes to separation and placement within the slightly wider than normal stage.
Conclusion:
The TWS600 are hit and miss, with the foam tips I personally really enjoy their more neutral sound signature. However the midrange is not that linear and the lows are lacking a bit of body. The overall sound is enjoyable to me, but I know a few people won’t enjoy this tuning. Transmission stability is superb, as is comfort, isolation and usability.
Sound Perfection Rating: 7/10 (More neutral tuning however the mids are a little peaky, and they lack a little body)