Xiaomi Buds 4 TWS headphones review

As part of the presentation of Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro smartphones, the company introduced the Buds 4 and Buds 4 Pro wireless headphones.

Bye

I managed to find Xiaomi Buds 4 in the Beijing Close telegram channel (https://t.me/pekinblizko). As you understand, it is expensive to order from China, and stores are reluctant to give such equipment for a test.

Headphones are notable for beingearbuds, that is, they are inserted into the auricle, but do not fit snugly against the eardrum. Such devices are convenient in that, as a rule, they sit more comfortably in the ears and do not create pressure on the eardrum.

Of the minuses of this design, it is worth noting the loose fit - the sound around, one way or another, gets into your ear, bypassing the headphones.

However, Xiaomi still decided to use active noise cancellation in the Buds 4. In my memory there were only a few models of this kind. These are Huawei FreeBuds 3 and 4.

"Noise cancellation" in such gadgets is more of a nice addition than a really working technology. All because of the design features (again, loose fit).

Xiaomi Buds 4 headphones are equipped with a Lossless LHDC codec. The chip is cool, you can listen to high-quality music.

Buds 4 also have an unusual case: it opens vertically, and the headphones can be easily removed. Oppo had something similar in Enco Air 3.

The cost of Xiaomi Buds 4 is about 8,500 rubles.

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Specifications
Set
case
Headphones
Landing
Working hours
Sound
In headset mode
Impression

Specifications

Emitter diameter: 11 mm
Size: 18.62mm x 30.68mm x 19.70mm
Charging case size: 50.90mm x 58.09mm x 26.98mm
Headphone weight: 4.4 g (± 0.2 g)
Charging case weight: 37.65 g
Battery: 35mAh, charging case: 480mAh
Charger Port: Type C cable
Music playback time (AAC 50% volume): without ANC30 hours (headphones + charging case); ANC ON: 20 hours (headphones + charging case)
Bluetooth version: BT 5.3
Codec: AAC/SBC/LHDC
Range: 10 m
Waterproof: IP54 waterproof (headphones); charging case - IPX4

Set

case
Headphones
User's manual
USB-C cable
Warranty card

case

Available in three colors: black, white and green.I had the green version on hand. In real life it is more of a gray color with a slight greenish tint. It's hard to say what to choose, but I would look towards the white version. The point here is aesthetics after a long interaction with the device: black will be as easily soiled as possible, traces are also noticeable on green, but white is optimal.

Xiaomi decided to make a convenient case for quick access to the headphones. Usually they are obtained by "picking" or in some other way. In the case of the Buds 4, removing them is quite easy and simple.

In the OPPO Enco Air 3 material, I talked aboutergonomics of such a case. The only difference is that the Air 3 has a transparent top cover, while the Buds 4 have a glossy and opaque one. Frankly, it is difficult to say who peeped at whom.

It seems to me that making earphone cases out ofglossy materials are wrong: in just a couple of days, the case turns into a mess of scratches and scuffs. Each time, manufacturers focus on a one-time wow effect.

The bottom of the case of the Buds 4 case is painted green, the material is glossy. The upper part is metallic with a hint of green - like glass with distortions.

The main disadvantage of this model is the crunch and creak of the case body. You don't even need to press, just pick it up.

In the central area of the case there is a small indicator of the gadget's operation.

The USB-C connector is at the bottom, and next to it is a mechanical pairing button for headphones with smartphones.

Total: it looks cool, it’s convenient to get the headphones, but the crunch of the case could still be eliminated.

Headphones

If you get used to it, then open the lid with one handCan. The problem is that the top panel has too much travel: it is difficult to hold the smooth flat body of the case - you have to lift your thumb very high to open the case.

The lid is fixed in the extreme position and does not close itself. It's comfortable.

The earbuds are positioned so that they can be easily removed from the case. No need to pull or try to grab their upper parts.

Type of headphones - earbuds.They no longer hang on the auricle, but they are not pushed deep (to the eardrum). Usually I call this type of “ears” lifestyle: it’s easy and quick to take it out of the case, put it in the ear – it’s a profit. Nothing interferes, does not press on the eardrum.

The design of the headphones is quite original. The "stalk" is chrome-plated on the outside, slightly curved upwards.

The mesh protecting the speaker has the letters R and L inthe form of holes. The speaker zone is equipped with a round hole with a mesh. Apparently, there is a proximity sensor: they took the earpiece out of the ear - and the music is paused (including YouTube videos).

Each earpiece has three microphones:above, below and on the stem. They are needed for voice transmission and active noise reduction. The manufacturer claims that the noise reduction technology allows you to cope with the wind that blows on the microphones (by the way, sometimes at speeds up to 32 km / h).

Headphones are protected by IP54 degree:

5 - dust partially penetrates the case without affecting the functionality of the device;
4 - the shell does not allow falling splashes - for example, raindrops on the street.

At the end of the "stalks" of the headphones there are touchzones that respond to compression for music, effects and calls control: short squeeze - play / pause, long - ANC ON / OFF, three squeezes - volume down (right earpiece); two compressions - the volume is higher (right); two compressions - next composition (left); three compressions - previous composition (left).

Such a system is much more convenient than the oneused in other headphones where you need to touch the touch areas. Similarly, Xiaomi works Huawei FreeBuds 2 Pro. During compression, a soft "click" sound is heard.

Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2 and Xiaomi Buds 4

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Landing

More than once in this material I mentioned the typeheadphones and what are the pros / cons associated with it. In this case, the Buds 4 fit quite snugly against the auricle, they are confidently held. Even if you actively move, the headphones do not fall out of your ears.

How long can Buds 4 be worn? It's hard to say, it all depends on the individual. But just a little longer than the in-channel ones.

The wife tried on Buds 4, and her headphones stick out a little from her ears. And everything is fine with me - the gadget “sat down” like a glove.

Working hours

Each earbud has a 35 mAh battery. This suggests that the operating time will not be too long. The case contains a 480 mAh battery. Pretty sure capacity.

In short and to the point, then without ANC headphoneswork up to 6 hours, with ANC - up to 4.5 hours. The case can charge the earbuds about 6 times. Apparently, the calculation is that you will listen to music in small sessions - but there is a capacious battery in stock for subsequent charging. That is, you will rarely charge the case itself.

The case does not have wireless charging. Very strange: for 8,500 rubles they could be built in.

Sound

The manufacturer says that the driver has a diameter of 11 mm. The usual size for these headphones. However, FreeBuds 4 from Huawei (they are also earbuds) have a 14.3 mm emitter.

Of the features:a graphene diaphragm is installed inside the gadget. It is lightweight, durable, perfectly dampens air - unwanted vibrations are eliminated. In theory, high frequencies become more accurate. There are also two magnetic blocks to increase the bass.

Usually in this section, manufacturers "throw" a ton of marketing husks: all sorts of double pseudo-drivers, planar diaphragms and other improvements on paper.

The main emphasis in this model is on the bass.Why exactly? The point is in the design of the headphones: earbuds, which most often do not fit snugly against the auricle. Actually, they do not transmit low frequencies well. Therefore, in Buds 4, the “bottoms” are strengthened.

The test was carried out on Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, 13 Lite.

In some reviews, I heard phrases, they say, lowthe frequencies are too highlighted, they play like a barrel. I do not support these statements. There are no barrels here, the basses are powerful and deep. Without them, the headphones could be sent to the scrap.

The only time you can hearoverload, - this is if you press the headphones hard to your ears. Most likely, such a sound will be heard by those who have a large ear canal and the gadget simply “falls” into it, delivering sound to the eardrum. In my case, everything was great.

In terms of bass, this is Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2.

The voice is transmitted confidently, quite clearly, without an emphasis on the mids. High frequencies do not protrude, they are pleasant, clear, sonorous.

The virtual scene is not the largest: there is almost no height and depth, the width is about a couple of meters.

The volume is high without a margin, but without overload.

As for me, the sound of Xiaomi Buds 4 is decent, it resembles FreeBuds Pro and Pro 2. But a lot depends on the fit of the headphones to the ear.

Headphones Buds 4 do an excellent job with heavy music, play classical music well, 4 out of 5 - popular music, it's nice to listen to jazz.

Uriah Heep - "Rainbow demon" Wide stereo base, deep low frequencies, excellent voice transmission. As if the headphones were made specifically for this composition.
Lusya Chebotina - Aeroexpress. Very clear dedicated voice, too much high frequencies, but without overload. Nice bass. The sound is at its limit: a little more - and distortion will begin.
Paganini - Violin concerto N2 in B minor. Amazing detail, you can hear how the bell sounds in the background.

As for noise reduction, it is delicate here. Not worth comparing even with Huawei FreeBuds 5i. Some noise Buds 4 removes, but for the subway, of course, is not suitable.

The surround sound effect does not work well - wilddistortion. I do not advise. To adjust the equalizer in Xiaomi devices, you can go to the sound and effects settings. For other gadgets, there is the Xiaomi Earbuds program.

An interesting note: neither on Xiaomi MI 11 Ultra nor on Xiaomi 13 Lite, when headphones are connected, an animation with a case does not appear. It is definitely on Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro devices.

In headset mode

Below is a call recording with an LTE connection (MTS,one tariff plan). The quality is average, mainly complaints about the clarity of the sound, it is a little mumbling. Moreover, the sound on the recording is also slightly better than when listening at the other end of the tube.

Headphones strongly remove noise, which is why the voicemay not be too picky. The situation is similar to Huawei FreeBuds Pro 2. In general, a good headset comes out of Xiaomi Buds 4. It will appeal to those who often communicate on the street or in noisy environments.

Impression

It seems to me that Xiaomi managed to doexcellent sound quality in-ear headphones. There are few such models - and this is the value of the Buds 4. I enjoyed listening to music on this gadget. As a headset Buds 4 also fit.

Noise cancellation is weak, but in a taxi, on the street, in the office, it does a pretty good job.

Operating time is typical: 4.5 - 6 hours depending on the volume and ANC ON / OFF.

I forgot to add that Buds 4 is easy to connect to two devices at the same time.

The disadvantages include a easily soiled and crispy case.But it opens comfortably. I would like the cost in the region of 5,000 - 6,000 rubles. Still, for Xiaomi, 8,500 rubles is a bit much: there is no aptX, there is no wireless charging, the materials are simple.

Nevertheless, I recommend taking a closer look at Xiaomi Buds 4: comfortable, play music well, fast.

Competitors:

Huawei FreeBuds 4. You can find in the Russian Federation from 7,000 rubles. Great earbuds with good sound.
Apple AirPods 3. They cost about 14,000 rubles. The best offer for those who use Apple technology.
Oppo Enco Air 3. They cost about 5,000 rubles. Good sound, but no noise reduction and Lossless codecs.