Soundcore LIFE Dot 3i

Design and features:

This Bluetooth wireless noise canceling portable ear-insert model provides good sound. Its ear plug-like design and electronic noise canceling feature reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The headphones work with or without the noise canceling feature being turned on. You can use the noise-canceling feature without listening to music. The LIFE Dot 3i has a volume control plus 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. Charging/carrying case has built-in rechargeable battery that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries for an additional 27 hrs. of playtime for a total of 36 hrs. Manufacturer claims water resistance (IPX5). The headphone noise cancellation control default setting switches between noise cancellation on and off, but can be customized using the Soundcore app to switch between any two of three settings (noise cancellation on, noise cancellation off, and ambient monitoring). Any of the noise cancelling or ambient monitoring settings can also be selected using the app. Has button controls; default settings are play/pause/call answer/end, next track, and noise cancellation on/off. Bluetooth connected Apple mobile devices using iOS Version 5 and above will show the battery level. Has quick charge feature: 10 min of charging will provide 2 hrs. of playtime. Soundcore app download for Apple and Android mobile devices can be used to adjust the tonal balance of the earphones using tonal presets, custom EQ, switch between noise canceling on/off and ambient monitoring, customize the headphone touch control functions, enable support of Apple Siri voice commands when used with mobile devices that have those features, check battery levels, and update firmware. This model comes with Portable Bluetooth wireless noise canceling isolating ear-insert earphones that come with 3 pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, USB-A to USB-C connector charging cable, charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case and Quick start guide.

Sound quality:

We found the LIFE Dot 3i delivers sound quality that falls in the good range - it reproduces music and voice reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. With the noise cancelling mode engaged and the Soundcore app equalizer set to Soundcore Signature (default) the bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) goes deep but has excessive impact and is very prominent and boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even but is grainy, somewhat hazy, a bit constricted, and is overwhelmed by the bass. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but is prominent and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying) and a bit smeared. While the sound has a good sense of liveliness, it is somewhat closed (sound-wise it's fairly obvious you have something plugging your ears) and does a decent job of recovering room ambience. Mixed character - warm bass with neutral midrange and cool treble. The overall sound can be summarized as grainy, sizzly, and very bassy.

Comfort and Fit:
As typical of in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some. Users with small ear bowls might find that the earphone body feels a bit bulky in their ear bowl and that they stick out too far and feel like they may lever out of place, but that they will stay in place during casual use and are stable during fairly vigorous head movement. Users with medium and larger sized ear bowls will probably find that this model stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they are very stable even during vigorous head movement.

The Anker SoundCore LIFE Dot 3i portable Bluetooth wireless noise canceling earphones have a isolating ear-insert design. These iPod/cellphone-centric earphones can be used with the noise canceling feature turned on or off, and are intended for use with iPods, iPads, some other cell phones, as well as standard audio devices. The earphones have an inline microphone and inline remote with and integrated volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls. Additional features include a either earpiece can be used alone for one ear monitoring of Bluetooth streamed audio and telephone communications. Charging/carrying case has built-in rechargeable battery that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries for an additional 27 hrs. of playtime for a total of 36 hrs. Manufacturer claims water resistance (IPX5). The headphone noise cancellation control default setting switches between noise cancellation on and off, but can be customized using the Soundcore app to switch between any two of three settings (noise cancellation on, noise cancellation off, and ambient monitoring). Any of the noise cancelling or ambient monitoring settings can also be selected using the app. Has button controls; default settings are play/pause/call answer/end, next track, and noise cancellation on/off. Bluetooth connected Apple mobile devices using iOS Version 5 and above will show the battery level. Has quick charge feature: 10 min of charging will provide 2 hrs. of playtime. Soundcore app download for Apple and Android mobile devices can be used to adjust the tonal balance of the earphones using tonal presets, custom EQ, switch between noise canceling on/off and ambient monitoring, customize the headphone touch control functions, enable support of Apple Siri voice commands when used with mobile devices that have those features, check battery levels, and update firmware. The LIFE Dot 3i comes with Three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, USB-A to USB-C connector charging cable, charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case.