Firslty I would like to thank HiFiMAN for sending me the new TWS800 for review.
*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:
Pixel 3a > TWS800 (Silicone Tips)
Tech Specs:
https://store.hifiman.com/index.php/tws800.html
Packaging, Build Quality and Accessories:
The TWS800 come in a fairly basic box with the model pictured on the front and information about the IEM’s on the back. Open the box and you’ll find the metal charging case in a foam insert, with the earphones above them. Underneath this foam you will find the included accessories, the box isn’t big or flashy but does the right job at looking attractive whilst minimising waste.
The charging case feels really good, it’s metal which means it will scratch but it’s deep enough to house the earphones with most tips attached which is a bonus. The earphones themselves have a metal faceplate and nozzle, whilst the main body is plastic. They feel very well put together and I don’t see any build quality issues.
Accessory wise you get a soft carry pouch to prevent the metal case from getting scratched, a USB-C charging cable and quite an impressive assortment of tips (8 pairs, including single flange, bi-flange and triple flange tips). I really like how many tips are included as it ensures most users will easily find a tip style and size that fits them.
Comfort and Features:
The TWS800 are big, the housings are exactly discreet and due to my narrow canals they stick out and look a bit silly in use. Not a problem for those gifted with normal size ears, but for us small eared folk I don’t find the design do work very well in terms of looks. Fit wise though they are secure and feel comfortable once inserted.
The TWS800 give roughly 4.5hrs of music playback, this is not very impressive against the competition but then again these house a driver with an impedance of 150Ohms. This means HiFiMAN are also using a separate amp circuit after the bluetooth receiver to improve sound quality, at the cost of battery life. They use Bluetooth 5.0, but only support SBC and AAC, lacking Aptx and LDAC which is a real shame when these are designed for high quality audio playback. The touch controls work well once you get used to them, they are IPX4 rated against water/dust and the case provides another 6 complete charges.
Sound:
Bass: Smooth, soft and controlled is how I would describe the bass of the TWS800, it doesn’t hit hard or in huge quantities but it has a very effortless low end that brings a sense of warmth to the overall sound. There is great extension down in to the sub-bass and good articulation in the mid-bass (well recorded bass guitars sound great), but it is always controlled and never becomes too much. One thing I do think is that they do sound a bit flat down low, whilst there is good body, there’s not a lot of energy and kicks can come across a bit muted at times. These definitely handle calmer/softer genres better than fast rock or more upbeat pop. It’s not that they don’t sound good with those genres, but they just sound a bit boring.
Midrange: The midrange on the other hand has quite a nice balance to it, well separate from the bass but with a hint of sweetness to them. Layering is a strong point for the midrange, different vocal tracks can be easily distinguished, and guitars occupy a very different space within the soundstage which is great. There’s also a good amount of detail on show, and the midrange doesn’t seem to favour upper or lower mids, being fairly linear across the board. There isn’t any added energy in the upper midrange, which leads to a fatigue free sound without sibilance. Bluesy acoustic kind of tracks sound wonderful on the TWS800, with great depth and detail with a natural tonality to them too.
Treble: The TWS800 is very smooth up top, devoid of any nasty treble peaks there is good presence and extension but all in a moderate quantity which means you don’t always notice it’s there. They almost sound dark at times with a lack of upper frequencies, but then you just realise that due to the wide soundstage they are placed differently to most earphones and have a far less aggressive delivery. It’s really hard to fault the delivery, I normally prefer a more upfront delivery in the treble region but with the right music the TWS800 really do nail it, snares are snappy, and the extension really is impressive with a very slight and smooth roll off.
Soundstaging is excellent, it’s open and airy and each instrument occupies it’s own little space in it. Layering is also great, you can easily pick apart recordings yet they are delivered in a coherent way.
Conclusion:
HiFiMAN stepped into the TWS world with the TWS600 which had it’s pro’s and con’s, but the TWS800 is a huge improvement overall. They are a very refined and natural sounding earphone, and paired with the right music are an absolute pleasure to listen to. They are not boosted in any frequency range, and lack a certain wow factor. They are also not the most engaging listen due to this, but calmer acoustic / blues / jazz and the likes just sounds effortless. However the lack of aggression in the sound signature does mean they can sound a little flat with more energetic genres (Metal etc…).
This kind of sound quality from something true wireless is very impressive, it does come at a cost though ($299) and lower battery life compared to the competition. Don’t let this put you off though, as these sound as good as many wired counterparts, and if you want a smooth and refined sound signature these definitely deliver it.
Sound Perfection Rating: 8/10 (ergonomics could be better)