Design and features:The earphones have integrated microphones and touch sensitive music player and call connect/disconnect controls for paired Bluetooth devices. They support Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and Samsung Bixby digital voice assistants when they are used with Bluetooth capable devices that have those features, and the touch controls can be set to control volume and an ambient sound monitor function when the earphones are used with Android smartphones with the Samsung Galaxy Wear app installed. Additional features include an automatic pause feature that pauses audio when both earphones are taken out of ears, wireless recharging when used with optional accessories, and manufacturer claimed water resistance. The Galaxy Buds comes with three pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, three pairs of ear bowl supports in various sizes, a USB charging cable, and a charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case that the manufacturer claims can be used to recharge the earphone batteries once between its own charges. The free Samsung Galaxy Wear app download for Android mobile phones can be used to change the tonal balance of the headphones, turn on and off and add voice enhancement to the monitor function, change the function of the earphone touch controls, update the earphone firmware, and help locate the earphones if they are lost or misplaced.
Sound quality: We found the Galaxy Buds delivers sound quality that falls in the excellent range; while no headphone is perfect, the shortcomings of this model are minor. The overall sound can be summarized as fairly even and a bit grainy. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is a touch prominent. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is even, but is slightly grainy, a touch hazy, and is slightly etched (a bit more sharply outlined then it should be). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is fairly extended but is a slightly prominent and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying). This model does a decent job of recovering the room ambience of a recording (the sense of the acoustic space in which the audio program that's being listened to was recorded). The sound also has a good sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears. The tone settings (only available when the earphones are used with Android smart phones with the Samsung Galaxy Wear app) do have a noticeable effect on the sound of these earphones.
Comfort: As typical of in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening might be uncomfortable for some. Most users will find that this model fits and stays in place with no problems for casual use and feels very stable even during vigorous head movement. Incidental contact with the touch controls can cause unintentional track pause, playback, skipping, digital voice assistant activation, or engagement/disengagement of other features.
