Edifier NeoDots

Battery life

At high volume, the True Wireless in-ear headphones deliver an impressive 15 hours and 30 minutes in standard mode using the AAC format. With noise cancelling active, you can expect eleven and a half hours. In addition, a fifteen-minute quick charge provides a good five hours of power (without ANC), while the headphones are fully charged in just 50 minutes.

In the case, the in-ear headphones can be fully recharged twice with a remaining capacity of just under five hours (without ANC), giving a total running time of over 51 hours in basic mode and over 38 hours in ANC mode. In addition, the case’s battery reserve can be restored in 90 minutes using the included USB-C to USB-A charging cable. Alternatively, the case can be charged wirelessly via Qi.

Bluetooth specifications

In addition to the Bluetooth 5.4 standard, the Edifier NeoDots support multipoint connections and Google Fast Pair for fast pairing with Android devices. The audio codecs available are SBC, AAC and the premium version LDAC. The headphones also feature a latency-reduced gaming mode for computer or mobile games and movies.

Handling

On the plus side, the pressure-sensitive stem control is easy and comfortable to use thanks to the wider design. The sensitivity of the control can be fine-tuned in 15 levels via the app. The range of functions and assignments can also be customised to suit your needs. By default, a single press is used to control playback and to answer and end phone calls. Double and triple press and hold can be configured for each page.

Forward and backward skip for track selection and switching between basic, ANC and ambient modes are included out of the box, and can be extended via the app to include volume control, voice assistant and gaming mode.

However, the headphones cannot be switched on and off manually via the stem controls, although single-sided use in single mode is supported. There is also a wearer detection function that responds reliably and can be switched on or off as required.

Edifier ConneX app

The ambient noise control of the ConneX app (Android and iOS) is divided into three ANC modes with ‘High’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Low’, wind noise cancellation for outdoor activities and an adjustable transparency mode with seven intensity levels. Another key element of the sound control is the choice of three sound modes: ‘Classic’, ‘Heavy Bass’, which corresponds to the basic sound, and ‘Vocal’. The ‘Customised’ option also includes a 4-band EQ for your own settings, which can be saved as presets and shared using the Share function.

In addition to grip control, a timer can be configured, the volume can be adjusted and Gaming Mode can be (de-)activated. Firmware updates can also be performed via the app, while the beep search function can help you find your handset. On Android devices, you can also set up the LDAC codec.

Speech intelligibility during calls

According to the manufacturer, the Edifier NeoDots use three AI-assisted beamforming microphones with ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) on each side to enable communication in windy or noisy conditions. In fact, wind noise is largely cancelled out by the microphone technology, which is a distinct advantage outdoors. However, this does not apply to strong gusts of wind, which affect the quality of voice transmission by making the sound noticeably thinner and more monotonous.

Loud ambient noise, on the other hand, is attenuated slightly, which means that your voice comes through a little more clearly and you can still communicate even if the other person finds the conversation situation a little tiring and strenuous.

Noise cancelling (ANC) and ambient mode

Considering the price range, the hybrid noise cancelling is surprisingly broadband and low-noise. The reduction is particularly effective in the low-frequency range, and this applies to all three levels, although there is a slight increase. However, there are greater differences in the attenuation of background voices, which tend to be slightly attenuated in low mode. This improves steadily up to the maximum setting, where good results can be achieved and the perceived presence of other people in conversation is noticeably reduced. Noise reduction is also effective with complex sources and in the upper frequency range, with smaller gradations between modes.

However, it is a little strange that the three ANC modes have different effects on the sound. In low mode, the bass is noticeably fuller than in the basic sound, but the gain flattens out as you move up to high mode.

In Ambient (transparency) mode, there is a slight background noise at medium levels, which increases to medium levels. Otherwise, the ambient sound is intensively amplified, which means that even at low settings, you can still hear announcements and carry on conversations when playback is paused. On the other hand, when playing music, the higher levels can significantly improve your awareness of the surroundings.

Sound quality

The hybrid design of the Edifier NeoDots combines a dynamic 10mm driver with a BA (Balanced Armature) driver, working in perfect harmony. In heavy bass mode (basic sound), as the name suggests, the NeoDots deliver a rich reproduction with a full-bodied bass foundation for modern music styles. Even when the low bass is quite powerful, the fun tuning works perfectly as the bass is not too soft and sounds nice and powerful.

Despite the richness of the sound, the mid-range is remarkably clear, allowing lead instruments and vocals to be clearly distinguished. While the mids are a little more subdued, the tops are more present. The treble is quite energetic and provides an adequate counterpoint to the bass, but without being obtrusive.

In vocal mode, the sound is very warm and well balanced. In contrast to the basic sound, the treble is a little shy, while the bass is noticeably tighter, but still powerful. The mid-range is also more pronounced, bringing voices to the fore and making podcasts, audiobooks and dialogue-heavy films and series sound extremely smooth, rounded and pleasant. Sibilants are rendered very defensively.

The third option, Classic mode, offers a more balanced and expansive sound. Although the lower frequencies seem thinner than in the other two modes, the bass is not weak either. There is also energy in the mid-range, although voices are more indirect and less physical than in the Vocal mode, meaning that they are not at the centre of attention, but are more integrated into the overall structure. The treble is also noticeably more energetic, but a little more moderate than the bass.

Conclusion

The Edifier NeoDots offer a coherent overall package with powerful sound reproduction, long-lasting batteries and convincing noise cancellation. The weatherproof true wireless in-ears are also very convenient to use, with both the assignment and sensitivity of the stalk controls individually adjustable via the app.