Got mine today as well! (actually a day ahead of schedule). First impressions:
MISC
- Outer packaging could be more luxurious
- Product packaging is nice. How ever there is still a bit left to reach the feeling of unboxing (any) apple products
- The case is quite a bit bigger than the airpods pro. I think it can be slimmed, but I think nothing made the right decision to get the product out to the market rather than obsessing (?) over a few % on the case. I dont think the size-difference is bothering me. That being said I havent really carrying them with me yot so Ill save this one for later.
- The wight is another big diffrence, the case with earbuds is approx 10grams heavier than the airpods pro. The wight and size difference in the case actually plays quite a bit in favor of airpods. But then again they are >2x price, but I just felt that so far I havent really appreciated the round edges of the airpod case - and this makes a difference!
PRODUCT
- Theres a nice feel when opening the case, this feels quality. Also I like the clean look when the case is open. The earbuds are easy to take in and out - but Im gonna need some time to get used to how to put them back in the case. I love the little red dot which make it easy to put the right bud in the right slot, but Im not used to the angle I need to put them back in. It will come with time - for sure.
- Grabbing the earbud: WOW. This is what Im talking about. So far I think the airpod pro is ahead but now the ear (1) fights back. Even though its semi-transparent this is not something that makes it looks/feel cheap, rather the opposite. I honestly feel the ear (1) gives me a more quality-feel than the airpod pro bud. And this is big for me. Also I can feel and notice the ligther weight (4,8 ear (1) vs 5,6 (airpod pro) on my scale). Beforehand I was a bit concerned that the lighter weight would make it feel cheap but it doesnt. I love it!
- The pre-fitted M earplug was a bit small for me, and the L was easily fitted. Without really understanding why, I havent loved the “fit” of the airpod pro in my ear before (this is why Ive almost always use my regular airpods - changed like a week ago for a better comparison with the ear (1)). Now I understand that this awkward feeling is the “weight” the airpod pro puts in my ear. The ear (1) gives me nothing (haha) of this and I dont think its only due to ,8 of a gram lighter but rather the whole design of the earbud.
- Its a “silky” feeling in my ear wearing the ear (1) and I cant really feel it in my ear, its like I only have a piece of cotton in there and this is a huge difference from the airpod pro. It almost feel as if they are going to fall out but no matter how much I shake my head they arent going anywhere.
SOUND
- I havent really had a chance to listen to them yet and Im not that familiar with ANC in general. Mostly I listen to audiobooks and podcast if Im not working out and so far I think the sound is really crisp and the bass is there - even in low volumes
This being said Im really impressed with @changename so far. I think they have made the effort where its most important - feel, quality and sound, not chasing the last millimeter or gram in the case and maximizing the packaging. I can live with a big(ger)/bulky(ier) case because if anybody gave me an ultimatum right now that i could only chose one of the above for the rest of the year; I can honestly say I would chose the ear (1), and thats pretty cool!
Thanks @Carl for making it a possibility for me to be a little part of this exiting new project!
