The Ultimate Samsung Buds Pro Test - BudsPro1 vs Buds2Pro vs Buds3Pro + Wired USB DAC

[Obsydian]

Hello all a long-winded post, but don't worry a simple conclusion, it is an update of sorts to a long-gone post when I compared the Buds2 Pro and numerous earbuds from Sennheiser, Sony, Jabra and Shure including USB DACs, so one extreme to another, bottom line the Buds2 Pro won, I sold all the other headphones, earphones and IEMS

SETUP & TESTING

ZFOLD4/ZFLIP6 - Buds Pro1, Buds Pro2, Buds Pro3 and Seinheiser HD569, Audioquest Cobalt USB DAC and USB AudioPlayer Pro App, single tracks from Qobuz and ripped 24/176 quality. Only listening in a quiet living room, so ANC was not tested, but used.

OBJECTIVE

Decide IF the Buds3 Pro have unseated the Buds2 Pro as my single goto buds

CONCLUSION

With the ZFLIP6 - hands down the Buds3 Pro

With any other device, older flips and folds, the Buds2 Pro, has better ANC and Ear fit

The difference versus a higher-end wired setup it is better, but on balance with ANC, and portability, sound leakage, don't waste your money on anything more than the Buds2 Pro or Buds3 Pro

DETAILED THOUGHTS

£200 = Buds1 Pro - Not bad, but bloated bass, note these also had the DioFit foam tips fitted, but very enjoyable, but don't like the old bulky size, plus little to no noise leakage.

£200 = Buds2 Pro Too heavy on bass but detailer and articulate, great ANC, soundstage crammed all in my head, high-frequency roll off and dull. Timing slow lack of PRaT. No ear fatigue. Little to no noise leakage.

£220 = Buds3 Pro, more natural and flowing, a bit too much high frequency shrill, soundstage allow wider as if around my face. The timing is better, but the bass lacks the depth and detail of Buds2Pro. More midrange detail, and better rise and decay detail, but even short bursts result in ear fatigue. Little to no noise leakage.

£45 = Creative Labs BT Transmitter - bypasses my mobile Audio codecs for full lossless, but blooper after setting up and realising my Samsung Buds only support SBS or SSC.

£409 = Seinheiser HD569, Audioquest Cobalt USB DAC and USB AudioPlayer Pro App, more natural, but soundstage within the ear cans, the bass is sweet, but the Buds2Pro give them a good run, midrange is sublime, PRaT is bang on, a very balanced buy somewhat polite sound, more transient detail, again i would say not something i could chuck on and listen for hours with listening fatigue. Rise and decay of details, add so much to the track, more enjoyable. Noise leakage is bad.

SETUP RELATED SCREENSHOTS

[JAMES4578]

Interesting to see  your  comparisons with various Devices😁

[Obsydian]

As an Audiophile (I call it AudioFool or others do, waste a lot of money for that last 10%) I can see that Samsung has kept a certain sound signature, which is pretty cool, normally one for Hifi brands always has a master reference to compare to what their signature is.

I just wish Samsung would ditch SBC/SSC and go AptX with proper lossless music (not compressed) as they have good ears in the R&D lab.

I know 95% of users couldn't care, but that's a bit like saying Primark vs Louis Vuitton, as in there is a place, niche, demand and market.

Sony dropped out of the mobile HiRes segment (kept their stand-alone audio players), Aside from Moondrop who make some cool IEMs offering a very niche phone, the Moondrop MIAD01, surely there is a market for crazy golden eared fools like me 😎

MOONDROP MIAD01 5G Mobile Smartphone HiFi Audio Device | MOONDROP Official Website (moondroplab.com)

[JAMES4578]

For Flagship Devices I think you should have the best possible standards, ideally loveless would be supported but I guess Samsung do not feel they need to cater for true Audiophiles.

[Obsydian]

I wonder if their ears were burning, when I said they have a sound signature 🤔

https://news.samsung.com/global/interview-behind-the-scenes-of-galaxy-buds3-series-product-planning-...

[Obsydian]

UPDATE: We have a new SQ but not an ANC winner.

Soundpeats Air Pro4 - the full bifta Snapdragon Lossless with the Creative USB BT

You need an app like USB Audio Player Pro, but the SQ in terms of detail resolution is close to my HIFI, the bass is ok, ANC is totally pants.

So a bit torn, as Soundpeats is brash and unrefined and has poor ANC, do I look to the Bose TWS which offers full Snapdragon Sound with APTX Lossless ... 😎

[Obsydian]

UPDATE: Been using the Bose Ultras with the Creative USB BT

Stunning, ANC is great, allot more low end bass, but sadly struggling to get an issue fixed, whenever i skip to the next track or back, a get a split second cut out from the right, then left earbud !!!.

So for now the Buds2 Pro stay for daily use.

[Obsydian]

UPDATE: Need a bit more time for this one.

Creative Labs Aurvana Ace 2 with full Snapdragon Lossless with the Creative USB BT

Again you need an app like USB Audio Player Pro, to bypass Android/Samsung codec.

The result, is the best detail resolution, but bloated bass and a lack of Pace Rythm and Timing, might need a bit of run-in or jump a simple equaliser tweak to lower the bass.

ANC with the biggest tips are solid, but the lack of audio pause on remove from ear is annoying.

[Obsydian]

FINAL UPDATE - The Aurvana Ace2 with BT-W6 are staying, if you want the best SQ, but it comes with allot of sacrifices in functionality.

This has been a pain, as the Samsung Buds offer all the features, but the Creative Labs when used with the BT-W6 loose ALL functionality, aside from basic touch stuff using the earbuds, but even that is poor.