Design and features:This Bluetooth wireless portable ear-insert model provides very good sound. Although it lacks active noise reduction, the ear plug-like design helps to reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The PistonBuds has an integrated microphone and player function controls. Additional features include Either earpiece can be used alone for one ear monitoring of Bluetooth streamed audio and telephone communications, but only right earphone offers music player play/pause and call connect/disconnect control. Charging/carrying case has built-in rechargeable battery that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries up to almost 4-3/4 times (to add 16.5 hrs. of playtime for a total of 20 hrs.). Manufacturer claims water resistance (IPX4). Has touch controls for music player play/pause, call connect/disconnect, and digital voice assistant activation. Has Bluetooth connection, low battery, and power off alert tones. Supports digital voice assistants when used with Bluetooth connected devices that have those features. Bluetooth connected Apple mobile devices using iOS Version 5 and above will show the battery level. This model comes with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, USB-A to USB-C connector charging cable, charging cradle/recharger and battery/carrying case.
Sound quality: We found the PistonBuds delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks. The bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is prominent and boomy, and depending on the program material, can somewhat overwhelm the midrange. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even, but is somewhat grainy, and a bit hazy and congested (think sonic traffic jam), and a touch edgy. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but is a a bit smeared (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred) and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying). The sound also has a decent sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears and does a good job of recovering room ambience. Mixed character - warm bass with neutral midrange and coolish treble. The overall sound can be summarized as bassy, and somewhat grainy and a bit hazy.
Comfort: We found that these earphones as typical of in-ear models produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some. Users will probably find that this model stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they are stable during fairly vigorous head movement. Hitting the stem that hangs out of the ear can knock an earphone lose and cause it to fall out of the ear. Some users might find tapping the earphone controls drives the earphones farther into the ear canal and may cause ear discomfort.
