HAYLOU X1 2023 – Super CHEAP but damn VALID
When we purchase any low-cost product and discover that it works well, we overlook any small construction and/or functioning defects. Well, with the new Haylou X1 2023 TWS headphones we shouldn't have to make any compromises and the decidedly small expense incurred will be properly rewarded. I'll tell you everything in this review.
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HAYLOU X1 2023 TWS Bluetooth Earphone BT5.3 Wireless Earphone Metal Case 12mm Dynamic Driver 24H Battery Life Sports Earbuds
15,28€ available
UNBOXING AND COLORS AVAILABLE
The earphones of the Asian brand arrive in a package completely made of cardboard, with the image of the product in the first place and some key specifications on the back. We don't find much inside, namely the charging case containing the earphones, which will have to be removed from the adhesive from the charging contacts and then the instruction manual in English and Chinese. Finally we find a small USB-A/USB-C cable for charging the box. The classic rubber tips are therefore absent as the Haylou X1 2023 offer a semi in-ear design. Before starting with the actual review, I bring to your attention the colors offered: blue, gray and silver, the latter being the color I received in the test, while the earphones themselves are white.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
I can define the first impact with the Haylou X1 2023 as damn premium. Despite the economic nature of the product, the sensation to the touch is very pleasant, as the charging case is made of opaque aeronautical-derived aluminum, which makes the case resistant to scratches but above all to annoying fingerprints and dirt in general. The structure is interrupted by a white plastic band that runs around the center of the charging case, which separates the lid from the base, where we find Haylou written in bold capital letters in a light gray color. Another surprise was to find the charging LED positioned around the charging port, in order to keep the design clean by making the charging container look like a pebble smoothed by a flowing river. The LED has a circular shape and offers 3 colors depending on the charging status of the case (green, orange, red).
The lid or rather the hinge that allows it to be opened is definitely of excellent workmanship, as even with very strong jolts the lid remains in its position. Unfortunately this lacks the hall sensor, so the earphones will only pair with the device when they are removed from their seat. In the center of the earphones there is a button to reset the connections and then pair them again with the phone/PC/tablet etc..
The Haylou X1 2023 have a rounded design with a 60° angled shape, to better adapt to the shape of the ear canal, while the stem is rather small in size, thus offering a certain discretion when wearing them. At the bottom of the stem there are 2 contact points for charging and a microphone in the center. In the upper part there is also another microphone for noise cancellation on calls, via ENC technology.
Removing the earphones from their housing is quite simple and putting them back in their place is very simple. The locking occurs magnetically with high resistance, so the headphones will not fall even if turned upside down. The headphones are IPX4 certified, resistant to sweat and splashes of water, therefore also ideal for sports although I do not recommend them in this area, mostly due to the shape of the drivers, semi in-ear which appear poco stable in the face of strong head shakes. The comfort when worn, however, is sublime, proving light as a feather and not at all invasive, also leaving the ear partly alert to the surrounding environment.
CONTROLS AND COMPANION APPS
The Haylou X1 2023 have no physical buttons and the command controls take place by means of a touch surface located on the back of the stem, whose reactivity is rather rapid and precise. However, we can only give double / triple touches or long press and therefore single touches are not supported, perhaps a good thing, in order to avoid involuntary touches that would start the associated command.
Basically we have set the play/pause commands via double tap while with the triple tap we can skip the music track. With a long press we will enable the low latency mode, but of course with the touches we can also manage calls, accepting them, hanging up or rejecting incoming calls. The commands can be changed via the companion app and the choice of command can be changed on a single headset, for example also choosing to deactivate the command or control the volume, but the only command that is not present is the one relating to the recall of the voice assistant installed on the smartphone.
In this regard, the application, Haylou Sound available for both Android and iOS, also allows you to change the audio profiles by choosing from six predefined presets (Default, Pop, Bass, Rock, Soft and Classical) but we do not have the possibility of creating a curve of custom equalization. We can then update the firmware if the company releases a new version, but also enable sleep mode, which will disable the touch controls, ideal for example in gaming or if we fall asleep with headphones on. Touch controls will be re-enabled once we place the earbuds inside the charging case.
SOUND QUALITY AND BATTERY LIFE
Pairing the earphones to a device is very simple and Bluetooth 5.3 guarantees a 10 meter connection in an open field without obstacles, but personally at home, leaving the smartphone in a room and going to the other end of the house, with doors and walls to act as an obstacle, I was able to handle calls without any problems, such as drop in connection or sound distortion. Unfortunately the Haylou X1 2023 does not support multipoint connectivity and can only be paired with 1 device at a time.
I was surprised by the sound quality. Of course we are not talking about a sound profile up to the level of expert audiophiles but overall the earphones offer great clarity and an excellent listening experience. Good presence of bass and balance of medium/high tones that do not overpower the low ones. The listening volume is decidedly generous but at maximum volume I noticed that the balance mentioned above is lost, i.e. the voices are enhanced to the detriment of the other sounds. The supported codec is the classic SBC/AAC.
The integrated microphone, however, is astonishing, which in the Haylou X1 2023 uses ENC noise reduction technology. During my tests, the interlocutor never had problems listening to my voice even in particular conditions, such as in a car with an open window and a headwind. The voice is definitely cleaned of external contamination with excellent call performance.
The autonomy of the Haylou X1 2023 is entrusted to a 300 mAh battery for the case and 35 mAh for the earphones. With a full charge you get an autonomy of approximately 5,5 hours, which can reach up to 24 hours via case recharges, while full energy takes place in approximately 1,5 hours. Autonomy not record-breaking but still capable of covering a week of standard use.
HAYLOU X1 2023 TWS Bluetooth Earphone BT5.3 Wireless Earphone Metal Case 12mm Dynamic Driver 24H Battery Life Sports Earbuds
15,28€ available
PROJECTED IMPACT
In the sub-20 euro price range, the Haylou X1 2023 are an excellent choice to seriously consider, even if only as a spare earphone. Premium design and build quality, exceptional clarity and audio quality especially during calls and autonomy that does not disappoint. The brand's earphones obviously don't compete with more expensive or premium brands, but considering their price it's difficult not to recommend them net of what was said in the review.
