Libratone Track+

Unpacking

The carton in which the Track+ and its accessories are encased makes it clear that we have something top-tier when it comes to the wood class of in-ears. It looks all but perfect in terms of its form, with a distinct trace of eccentricity adding to the overall character. This of course comes courtesy of a higher price point, but who’s complaining?!

The long cable with the two earpiece elements nestles around you much like a conventional neckband headphone model, without any uncomfortable rubbing or troublesome slipping to worry about. Two long loops lead to the ears, concluding with the drivers themselves. These then disappear rather elegantly into the ear canal thanks to the assorted earmold pieces and ear hooks. Adjustable noise cancellation can be readily selected to block out unwanted external sounds, with automatic operation an option.

There are no unpleasant plastic odours to endure with the packaging or product housing itself, and no ill-fitting plastic sheaths or covering. In fact, it’s top marks for materials in general, with the manufacturer guaranteeing sweat and splashproof performance in accordance to IPX4 standard. Accessories are presented neatly, with a selection of earpieces (S, M, L) and a single pair of ear hooks. A charging cable and documentation can also be found within the packaging. In addition to all of this, when the Track+ is paired with the iPhone 8 for the first time, an app installation alert is triggered. With this, the true capabilities of the Track+ can be enjoyed. A user-friendly and minimalist interface makes controlling functions easy. The device can be used without an app as well, although it’s nowhere near as fun that way.

Sound and Noise

Once out of the box and turned on, the Track+ delivers a nice sound, which can be adjusted with the app thanks to three equaliser settings. These presets are discreet, rather than brutish and overpowering. All in all, the Track+ is nicely balanced, with no troublesome bass issues or screeching highs prone to exaggeration. However, there’s the feeling that things are somewhat held back as well. Sound is good enough, but it lacks real radiance. Something like Shaun Mendes’ “In My Blood”, with its dynamic key changes between verse and chorus, is decent enough, but it lacks nuance and dramatic detail. Clean Bandit’s “Solo” instantly makes itself known with a hard edge, but there’s not enough depth to enjoy here. The bass isn’t clearly differentiated from the mids, and trebles don’t reach high enough above them. These are little things that are lacking, of course, but they’re lacking all the same.

Noise Cancelling

External noise cancellation, which offers for distinct levels of operation, performs very well here. At the highest performance level, I don’t notice the outside noise from the road through the window when it’s open, but some electrical noise from nearby devices does manage to find its way through. I don’t find this a particular drawback as I don’t appreciate total isolation from the outside. I prefer to adjust noise suppression a little at a time to ensure some awareness of the outside world, particularly when looking to stay aware of traffic when on-the-go. A control within the app allows the technology to dynamically regulate noise cancellation, with the tech in question called “Citymix Smart”. It works surprisingly well, depending on individual movements. For example, it performs a little differently when you’re running as to when you’re sitting still.

Operation and Handling

The two metal housings on the left and right of the device encase the electronics and battery, while three control buttons can be found on the right cable. These are sufficiently large enough, with the generously sized icons making everything user-friendly and easy to get to grips with. On the left side however, you’ll find only a single button that serves as a main switch and control for the four different noise cancellation modes. A nice detail is the different click signal in the ear which makes it clear which mode you’re activating, with no need to refer visually to the app.

Call Functionality

The integrated microphone of the Track+ should, according to Libratone, produce positive results in the field of speech clarity and intelligibility when making calls. Noise-cancelling capabilities are again highlighted in regards to this. This proved to be accurate to a point, although I did notice a distinct sharpness of the voice, probably due to the straining electronics at work. If an external noise is minimised quickly, expect similar results. In any case, all works well and you won’t struggle to be understood, even in noisy environments.