Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions remain my own. You can learn more about our editorial policies here.
When it comes to earbuds, sound quality is a major factor. And with so many earbud options on the market, it can be hard to decide which pair to buy. That’s why we’re here to help! In this Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds review, we’ll be going over the specs of these earbuds and providing a comparison against the much more popular Benchmark Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds.
We’ll also be discussing which ear tips are compatible with these earbuds, and give you a full review of how they sound. So what are you waiting for? Grab a pair of Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds today and start listening to your favorite music in style!
Specifications of Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds
Free Byrd earbuds from Beyerdynamic are no slouch when it comes to noise-cancelling true wireless headphones. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your Bluetooth needs, look no further.
beyerdynamic Free BYRDTrue Wireless Bluetooth in-Ear Headphone
We tested the latest beta version of the companion app, and it only includes equalizer presets, not a fully adjustable EQ. ANC is also decent, but they don’t compete with the best options in this price range. Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earphones offer superior noise cancellation, a better app, and equally impressive audio quality.
Weight: 7g per earbud, 74g case with earbuds
Dimensions (charging case): 1.7 x 2.68 x 1.18in (43 x 68 x 30mm)
Bluetooth version: 5.2
Water and dust protection: IPX4
Charging: USB-C and Qi wireless charging
Battery life: 11 hours without ANC, 8 hours with ANC, charging case provides 19 additional hours
Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds Review
Are you looking for a stylish and affordable pair of earbuds? If so, the Beyerdynamic Free Byrd earbuds are a great choice! They come in a variety of colors and are comfortable to wear, even for long periods of time. The earbuds come with an in-ear monitor that helps you to hear your music clearly, even when on the go. If you’re looking for a good earbud that sounds great, the Beyerdynamic Free Byrd earbuds are a great option!
beyerdynamic Free BYRDTrue Wireless Bluetooth in-Ear Headphone
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, nothing beats Beyerdynamic headphones. From critical listening with the DT 990 to studio recording with the DT 770, there are few brands that can match the quality that Beyerdynamic offers. With the Free Byrd earbuds, this tradition of quality sound continues. The earbuds offer a well-balanced sound that is perfect for any type of music. Whether you’re listening to rock, pop, or classical music, the Free Byrd earbuds will provide you with a great
Equipped with 10mm drivers, the buds support the AAC and AptX Adaptive audio codecs. I tested them with an iPhone 13 Pro and a Motorola Edge Plus Android phone. The Motorola supports AptX adaptive Bluetooth streaming and playback of high-resolution music files through services such as Qobuz and Tidal.
The 10mm drivers produce a frequency response of 20Hz to 20,000Hz. The sound quality is quite good, with well-balanced audio that doesn’t favor any one type of music. I enjoyed listening to a variety of genres, including hip-hop, pop, rock, and classical. The earbuds handled each genre well, although I did notice that the bass was a bit lacking in some of the tracks.
The mids and highs are where the Free Byrds shine. Vocals and instruments sound clear and present, without sounding harsh or tinny. The soundstage is also impressive, creating a spacious and airy listening experience.
Listening to Apple Music, watching your favorite Apple TV+ series, playing Apple Arcade, or taking a call from your boss is a breeze with the beyerdynamic Free BYRD headphones. Qualcomm’s dual 2-mic cVC for intelligent speech is included in the earbuds, which support the latest audio codecs, including aptX Adaptive and AAC. Furthermore, the transition from ANC to transparency (and vice versa) is smooth, unlike some alternative earbuds that produce abrupt movements. As a result, it may take a few tries to notice the difference between the two options.
The beyerdynamic is a good choice Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, or taking a call from your boss will all sound better with BYRD earbuds.
The Free BYRD earbuds are well-balanced in terms of sound quality. To try something new, check out MIY’s app for Android and iOS to see its six EQ options.
Using a MEMS mic array is a breeze! A recording made on our iPhone was crystal clear, and we were able to follow along with every word. No garbled Bluetooth audio artifacts or headphone static were detected, and the microphone array provides excellent clarity, although Beyerdynamic filters and EQs the signal here noticeably.
Build
The Free Byrd earphones, which come in black or gray, are a little chunky, but they stay in place without the aid of any fins or stabilizers. Foam tips are better for passive noise reduction, tend to ensure a more secure fit and often lead to a slightly stronger bass response than the included three pairs of silicone eartips (XS, S, M, L, XL). There are five pairs of silicone eartips included in the box (XS, S, M, L, XL).
The frequency response of 10mm dynamic drivers is 10Hz–20kHz. In addition to Bluetooth 5.2, the earphones are capable of using AAC, AptX Adaptive, and SBC codecs.
beyerdynamic Free BYRDTrue Wireless Bluetooth in-Ear Headphone
A black capacitive touch strip with the Beyerdynamic logo and a status LED adorns the outer panel of each earpiece. You can play or pause audio by tapping once on either earpiece’s outer panel. Switch between ANC On and Transparent modes by tapping twice. To go back one track, press the left earpiece three times, and to go forward one track, press the right earpiece three times. Last but not least, hold down either earbud for a few seconds to activate the voice assistant on your device. Although the capacitive buttons are sufficiently sensitive to register touches, the lag between the tap and the action can lead to misfires if you ever try to press the button again during that delay.
Comfort and Design
In addition to the foam tips (in orange), you’ll receive five sets of silicone ear tips ranging in size from X-Small to X-Large. The inclusion of foam tips in the kit excited me because I adore foam tips, but none of the three sizes worked for me. Though foam tips deform to naturally create a tighter seal, I was surprised to find that medium and large silicone tips did a better job of creating a tighter seal.
The thicker build of these earbuds necessitates a tighter seal, making it even more critical. There is a noticeable difference in size between the Sony WF-1000XM4 and these earbuds, but the earbuds are not significantly larger than Sony’s WF-1000XM4.
Sony WF-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Truly Wireless Earbuds
This is especially true if you’re planning on moving around with them, whether it’s on a daily commute or for an occasional workout. The Free Byrd is a great tool for finding the best tips for you, because passive isolation is so crucial to getting the best sound.
However, the Beyerdynamic Free Byrd earbuds aren’t the most eye-catching, but they aren’t ugly either. Black and gray are the primary colors, with a teardrop shape that taper towards the ear tips. The shape is reminiscent of the teardrop.
The ear tips are one of my favorite parts of these headphones. In addition to four silicone tips and three memory foam tips, the headphones come with a plethora of attachments. That ensures that you get the right fit for your ear shape.
There are touch surfaces on the earbuds’ faces that can be used to control the earbuds’ functions. In part, this is due to the fact that the faces are relatively large, making it possible to tap them even if your accuracy is less than perfect.
The charging case is slim and lightweight. Although it isn’t as small as the AirPods or AirPods Pro, its slim design should allow it to fit in the pockets of the majority of people. There is a USB-C port on the back of the case, but you can also charge your devices wirelessly if you prefer. I’m pleased to see it included in this model of premium earbuds.
Noise Cancelling
The active noise cancelation (ANC) does a good job of blocking out background noise, making the sound even better. However, it will not be able to compete with noise-canceling earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Noise Canceling Earbuds or Jabra Elite 7 Pro, much less studs like Sony WF-1000XM4 and AirPods Pro. While listening to the track with it turned on, I noticed a small but noticeable improvement in the sound’s quality.
The Free BYRD earbuds’ ANC (anti-noise cancellation) is a common gripe. To begin, bear in mind that the feature does an excellent job of removing distracting noises from the outside, such as traffic, lawnmowers, blocking yardwork noise, and barking dogs. However, I’ve discovered that in tighter quarters, especially indoors, some sounds like voices can creep in. I’m open to the possibility that a different pair of ear tips could solve this problem in the long run. Even so, I’ve found that the AirPods Pro have slightly better noise cancellation (ANC) than beyerdynamic’s earbuds.
Connectivity True Wireless Earbuds
The earbuds have Bluetooth 5.0 and support the SBC, AAC, and aptX codecs. They also feature Qualcomm’s cVc 8.0 noise cancelling technology to reduce background noise during phone calls. I experienced no issues with the earbuds’ connectivity during my time with them.
Connectivity was solid with no disconnects or headphone echos during my time with them. Despite being one of the thicker models, the earbuds still fit snugly and didn’t feel loose during my workout. If you have a smaller ear, you may want to try out the memory foam tips, which will create a better seal.
I was able to use the earbuds for zoom calls, and the other person said that they could hear me just fine. I didn’t experience any issues with the call quality, but your mileage may vary depending on your phone and service.
Battery Life
The Free Byrds’ battery life is a pleasant surprise, lasting up to eight hours with ANC on and up to 11 hours without it. If you don’t need the noise cancellation, the battery life can be increased to 30 hours with the charging case (which disables ANC for an additional 19 hours of use). Overall the Bluetooth earbuds offer excellent battery life for hours of wear.
The earbuds feature a wireless charging that works with a USB C charging case. They can be charged with a Qi-certified wireless charger, which is great news for people who are looking to ditch the cords. The earbuds will give you up to eight hours of playtime on a single charge, and the charging case will provide an additional 19 hours of playback.
Connection & Codecs
Beyerdynamic covers a wide range of compatibility with the AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs. In keeping with German audio tradition we seen earlier this year in our Byerdynamic MMX 100 review, the goal was to present a well-balanced soundstage suitable for a wide range of musical styles. Likeable, clear, and easy to understand.
One caveat, however, is that you won’t be able to take advantage of the Free Byrds’ full potential until you use the company’s MIY Beyerdynamic app. Among the options is a hearing test, which will allow you to tailor the sound to your specific needs. After that, I noticed a slight improvement, and what I liked even more was that I could use that with any of the seven EQ presets.
Beyerdynamic-Free-Byrd: App control
The latest beta version of the Beyerdynamic companion app was tested by our team (available for Android and iOS). As if that wasn’t confusing enough, the app’s logo looks a lot like the word “My.” We were able to confirm that the app can be found by searching for “Beyerdynamic” in the App Store.
With a fader, you can mix a custom sound profile with the original signal in the app to create a personalized listening experience. However, as is often the case, full EQ controls are sacrificed for the sake of such a feature, as can be seen here. Though you can choose from several pre-programmed EQ settings (such as bass boost, warm treble and smooth highs), you cannot customize any of them.
The ANC and Transparent modes (or both off) are selectable, as are the low-latency gaming settings, in addition to the presets and the sound profile feature. The Alexa app must be installed before you can use Alexa as your default voice assistant. In addition to the EQ blunders, we’re also disappointed by the lack of on-ear setting customization.
Touch Controls
When it comes to using the touch controls on these earbuds, it’s easier to get them right because of the larger surface area outside. When putting them on or taking them off, I never had to worry about accidentally tapping a command.
I’m not a fan of touch buttons unless they make sense and work consistently, at which point I’ll accept tap gestures. The basic Free Byrd commands are fine: The procedure for changing the song is as follows: -> When you tap once to play or pause, twice to switch between ANC and transparency mode, or three times to skip tracks or go back. The volume is another hiccup in the process, requiring two taps and a wait after the second one to modify loudness. It’s fine once you’ve memorized the order, but it’s not as simple as it could be.
Compared to Benchmark Sony WF-1000XM4
Beyerdynamic’s Free Byrd Earbuds have a great sound quality, and are very adjustable to ensure a perfect fit. They work well for those looking for a great earbud for glasses wearers. They also come with a great noise isolation feature, making them a great choice for people who need to be focused in noisy environments. Additionally, they’re sweat-proof and shock-resistant, making them ideal for busy individuals on the go. We think these headphones are a great choice for anyone in need of high-quality noise isolation without breaking the bank!
In comparison to the top rated SonyWF-1000XM4, which is one of the favorite earbuds with a great mic, we found the Active noise cancellation to not be up to par. Beyerdynamic’s earbuds do have a Transparency mode, however, it is not as user-friendly. The Sony’s have a quick Attention Sensor that allows the music to be lowered with a double tap, so you can hear what’s going on around you without having to remove the earbuds.
Lastly, we found the battery life to be shorter on the Beyerdynamic earbuds, only lasting around 5 hours. The Sony’s, on the other hand, can last up to 8 hours with ANC turned on, and a whopping 18 hours with it off!
Which ear tips are compatible with Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds?
The ear tips that come with the Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds are compatible with all of the company’s earbuds. Additionally, the company offers a variety of other ear tips that are compatible with the earbuds, including silicone, foam ear tips, and Comply tips.
Verdict
Free BYRD earbuds from beyerdynamic have the same price as AirPods Pro, but they’re better looking, more durable, and more comfortable to wear than the AirPods. In addition, they have a great sound and are available in black and gray (but not white). Although ANC isn’t perfect, it’s easy to switch between it and transparency.
Some true wireless earbuds’ companion apps can be problematic, but not this one. The MIY music app is well-designed and allows users to customize their audio experience by adding EQ or other sound-enhancing features. Overall a worthy consideration if you are looking for the best earbuds under $500.
You should buy if
You want long battery life and excellent sound
Don’t need or necessarily want an Apple product
The Sony WF-1000XM4 is outside your budget
You should not buy if
Need better ANC
Want something cheaper
Waiting on the newest version of AirPods Pro
beyerdynamic Free BYRDTrue Wireless Bluetooth in-Ear Headphone
Conclusion
If you’re in the market for a great pair of earbuds that sound great and are comfortable to wear, the Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds should be at the top of your list. The ear tips are compatible with a variety of earbuds, so you’re able to find a pair that fits your ear perfectly. Furthermore, the sound quality is great, and the earbuds are able to stay in your ear even when you’re running or exercising. So if you’re looking for a great pair of earbuds that will make your audio experience enjoyable, be sure to check out the Beyerdynamic Free Byrd Earbuds!
