Xiaomi Mi True Wireless headphones - advantages and disadvantages

Last fall, Xiaomi made the decision to slightly supplant Apple in the wireless headset segment and announced the exclusive Xiaomi Air Dots TWS headset. Despite the very high-quality sound, this headset had a number of disadvantages, the key ones of which were the features of their functioning.

The company made competent conclusions on this matter and presented to the market a new version of the device, which it called Xiaomi Mi True Wireless.

Specifications

Appearance and comfort

In a compact box, the user is greeted by headphones with a charging case, a set of spare ear pads and a practical USB Type-C charging cord. The first thing to highlight is the size of the model. The case has an angular form factor, which makes it possible to comfortably place it on different planes, but this also makes it difficult to put it in a pocket of light clothes. If we compare the case of this device with the exemplary case of comfort, the case of Apple Air Pods, then the dimensions of Mi True Wireless are almost 2 times larger than it.

The lid of the case is attached with magnets, but if the user put it in the pocket with the lid to the bottom, then it can open when it is taken out.

The quality of materials and workmanship is at the highest level. The case is made of durable matte plastic materials. There is an LED type charging indicator on the front. On the right is a button that allows you to put the gadget in sync mode and reset it to factory settings. The USB Type-C port for charging the device is located on the bottom. So for some reason, the Chinese corporation made the case so oversized? It would be reasonable to think that the company sacrificed appearance and ergonomics in favor of functionality, placing, for example, a powerful battery and a wireless charging coil in the inside of the case, however, alas, this is not the case. There is no wireless charging here, and the integrated battery capacity is 410 mAh.

After the case, it will be advisable to talk about the appearance of the headphones directly. This is a vacuum-type headset that is similar in appearance to Apple's Air Pods. Each earbud is equipped with a touch-type panel, a charging indicator light, two microphones and a proximity sensor.

There are no complaints about materials and build reliability. The model is made of the same matte plastic materials as the case. There is a moisture protection that meets the IPX4 standard. In other words, Mi True Wireless is not afraid of light rain or sweating, but it is strictly forbidden to go to the shower or take the gadget with you to the pool. Touch-type panels look very attractive; they serve as a key component of the model's appearance. The headphones are much larger when compared with the same Air Pods from Apple, in particular, this refers to the "sticks" of the device.

And if the "apple" developers installed batteries in the "sticks" of their device, then there is nothing in Mi True Wireless, except for the microphone and the board. All key components (speaker, battery, sensors) are inside the gadget itself. Mi True Wireless are attached to the case by means of magnets, and if they fit there with incredible ease, then getting them out of there is very uncomfortable - there is literally nothing to take - Mi True Wireless slip away from your fingers.

The gadget comes with 4 pairs of spare ear pads. If the user has a desire to change the "native" ear pads for their own, then it is worth remembering their diameter inside, which is 4 mm. The nets that protect the sound guide of the device are not made of metal materials, which means they can wear out after some time. In general, the design and quality of the new model is significantly better when compared to its predecessor.

The only problem with the appearance is the size of the case and directly in the headphones.

Sound quality

Talking about sound quality with an open mind is almost unrealistic, since the perception of sound lies in the physical qualities of any person, and when it comes to the sound of vacuum-type headphones, the task becomes as complicated as possible, since in such a situation, comfortable placement in the auricle and properly selected ear pads are very important ... In reviews, and indeed on the Internet, there are completely opposite comments regarding the sound quality of the device. In this regard, it is necessary to study this issue in as much detail as possible.

Low frequencies (LF) are present in Mi True Wireless, and there are more than enough of them. For some reason, then, some users say in reviews that there is no bass? It is in this issue that the placement of the gadget in the auricle and ear pads decide, as they say, everything.

If the ear cushions fit loosely in the ears and do not properly isolate the ear canal, then problems with bass are provided. While checking various ear pads (not just factory ones), one noteworthy side of the Mi True Wireless came to light. Perhaps this is due to their form factor or the length of the sound guide, but from time to time there was a feeling that the device was superficially placed in the ear canal. This greatly affected the quality and volume of the bass. Properly selected ear pads, for example, one size larger, solved the problem dramatically.

For this reason, there is no need to rush to a conclusion until the user is sure that he did everything correctly. In particular, this problem occurs among the majority of users on YouTube, doing unpacking on camera and talking about their first impressions. For some people, Mi True Wireless will fit right "out of the box" as it should, while others need to choose ear pads and make sure that they fit correctly. In general, the sound is pretty smooth.

MF and HF detail is good. In sound, they are quite similar to Air Pods from Apple, I especially want to highlight the presence of a "scene". The sound is quite rich and there is no “inside the head” effect. We tested Mi True Wireless in sync with Sony Xperia 1 phone. The volume level is excellent, physiological discomfort begins to make itself felt already at 80% volume. In addition, it is worth highlighting the support for the AAC codec, however, on specific phone models, the headphones function exclusively via SBC and cannot install another codec.

Active and passive noise suppression system

The headphones, as mentioned above, are vacuum-type, which means that they have a system of passive noise cancellation. The ear cushions isolate the ear canal, thereby creating a vacuum effect. The sound insulation quality is average. If you listen to the tracks not quite loudly, then it is possible to hear extraneous sounds. If you increase the volume to about 70% or more, then extraneous noise will be almost completely isolated.

In addition to passive noise cancellation, this model has active noise cancellation.If you hold down and hold the touch panel of one of the headphones for three seconds, ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) will turn on. Microphones, which are integrated into the device, catch extraneous noises, after which the speakers broadcast this signal in antiphase. In other words, a "mirror wave" is formed that suppresses extraneous noise.

If the user has ever heard how this technology functions in full-size headphones from Sony or Bose, then the model in question will upset him very much. There is nothing similar here. When the active noise cancellation system is activated, all extraneous noise seems to lose bass. For example, the hum of a truck engine becomes less intense and more like a hum. In addition, the concentration of the sound is slightly lost.

If noise cancellation is turned off, the user will identify the source of the noise with increased accuracy, but it is worth activating the active noise cancellation system and this feeling becomes "blurred" - it can be difficult to understand where the noise is coming from.

In general, the function is there and it works, but absolutely not so well when compared to full-size headphones from leading manufacturers. If you disable this feature, then the average user will hardly feel a significant difference. In other words, there is clearly no point in rushing to the store for these headphones solely because they have active noise cancellation.

Functionality

All control over music is carried out through touch-type panels. It should be emphasized that it is the sensors that are used here, and not the accelerograph, as in other headphones, which essentially respond to tapping. The following functions are supported:

• Double touch on any of the headphones - answer a call;
• Double touch to the right earphone - play / stop;
• Double tap to the left earphone - call the voice assistant;
• Touching any of the headphones and delaying a few seconds - activates / deactivates the active noise cancellation system.

Alas, it is not possible to adjust the volume level or flip through songs using the device. Alternatively, you can use a voice assistant for this purpose. In other words, double-tap the left earbud and say "next track". In addition, each earphone is equipped with an infrared sensor. The track automatically stops playing when you remove the earbud from your ear. As for the distance of action, the manufacturer claims that it is 10 m.

The smartphone can be put in the same room and the gadget will continue to work without any problems even through the wall. There is no official program for this model on the phone. Therefore, it is not possible to update the firmware or adjust the gestures on its own. There is also a "modest" limit in the process of using only one earphone.

If you use only the right earphone, then by double-touching it is possible to pause tracks, and calling the voice assistant is not available at the same time. It would be reasonable to think that, using exclusively the left earphone, a double tap would bring up the voice assistant, and the "stop / start playing" function would be limited, but this is not the case.

The left earphone will also stop playback, and you cannot call the voice assistant at all.

Headset

Of course, Xiaomi headphones can also be used as a headset. Each headphone is equipped with two microphones - main and auxiliary in order to isolate noise, but it is impossible to highlight any exceptional voice quality.

In addition, the interlocutor often notices the background and slight interference in the voice. The quality of communication through a smartphone is noticeably higher when compared with headphones. On the other hand, the user will hear the interlocutor perfectly.As in all other gadgets of this type, it is possible to use one earpiece (the one that the user took out of the case first and will function as a headset).

Simultaneous synchronization with two devices

Headphones also have the exclusive ability to synchronize each headphone with its own phone. To this end, you need to put only one earphone in the case, hold the end button of the case for a couple of seconds and connect this earphone to the first phone.

After that, you should remove this earphone from the case and put the second one there, again hold the button for a couple of seconds and connect it to another phone. After that, they can be used synchronously with two devices. If the headphones are not connected or are malfunctioning, it is possible to perform a factory reset. For this purpose, you need to put them in the case and hold the end button for 10-15 seconds.

Out of sync sound

When watching movies, the sound is slightly separated from the picture. The difference is only a few hundredths of a second and, in general, does not cause any uncomfortable sensations in the process of viewing, however, enjoying the games is unrealistic, since the delays are too large.

Battery life

From a 100% charge, the gadget operates for about 3 hours at a volume of about 70%. They sit separately and it often happens that one earpiece is already discharged, while the other still continues to work for 10-20 minutes. The battery capacity of the case is enough to recharge the device 3 times, thereby increasing the total amount of operating time of the gadget to 10 hours.

The duration of the charge recovery of the case is 1 hour.

It is not possible to find out the specific charge level of the case. If you touch the end button, the indicator on the case either glows continuously for several seconds, or blinks. In the first situation, there is enough charging, in the other - no.

The headphone charge is recognized in the same way. If you open the lid of the case, then the indicators on the headphones either light up continuously for 5 seconds, or flicker. If we compare it with the battery of the case, then the exact charge level of the headphones can be found using the phone.

How much and where can you buy it?

It is possible to purchase Mi True Wireless in Russia and in online stores in China (for example, on AliExpress). Users give the latter more preference, since the cost there is much more affordable when compared with Russian retail.

The cost of the model changes all the time and ranges from 3,950 to 4,900 rubles from various sellers.

• High quality sound;
• Active noise suppression system;
• Moisture protection.

• Overall;
• Oversized case;
• Not the best battery life.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the model under consideration has only one significant drawback, which is its size. They are significantly larger than identical products from Samsung, Honor, Huawei, Xiaomi and Apple.

The bottom line is that such large dimensions are not associated with this or that auxiliary functionality. The Chinese corporation either failed or did not want to implement a practical corps that could stand out from the rivals.

If the user does not care about size, and he knows what vacuum-type headphones are, then this model will be a good buy at such a price. A close rival of this model is Freebuds Lite from Huawei.