Looking for TWS earbuds with ANC & customizable audio look no further
When we were asked to review the Tozo Golden X1 I had to do some homework as I had not heard of the brand before. Turns out they are rather popular on Amazon with over 300,000 ratings.
Looking at the range that Tozo has the Tozo Golden X1 is clearly the premium option but with a budget-friendly price tag of £149. The key features of the X1 include:
- Full Audio customization
- Deep bass
- Multipoint connectivity
- ANC/ENC
- Wide frequency range (12 Hz to 44.1 kHz)
- Digital battery-level indicator
Unboxing
When you unbox them you will find you are provided with a USB-C cable and 6 pairs of ear tips to choose from ranging from XS to XXL meaning there should be a perfect fit for most users. In addition to the USB-C cable and eartips, you are also provided with the buds themselves in the wireless charging case and are also provided with a quick user guide and a more detailed user manual.
Design
The Tozo Golden X1 earbuds come with a unique design, unlike anything I have seen on the market. They look like earbuds but come with a slight stem this is to house the microphone and position it closer to your mouth which creates an elegant pair of buds.
Inside the earbuds, they use a hybrid dynamic driver that includes a 12mm dynamic driver, a balanced armature driver, a moving coil and moving iron. This could be why the stem is needed as these buds are packed with technology. The result in doing gives the output a lot more drive, plenty of headroom to spare and a good amount of volume compared to other buds on the market at a similar price point.
The buds also come IPX6 meaning they are water resistant so ideal for the gym or if you got caught in the rain they would not get damaged just don’t go swimming in them.
Moving to the case might look fairly standard with that USB-C port and that matt finish but open up the case and it has a LED display that shows you the level of battery life you have remaining which is a pretty useful feature.
In terms of battery life, the Tozo Golden X1 can offer you up to 8 hours on a single charge and with the charging case that takes you to 32 hours in total without the use of ANC. Switch on ANC and expect 6 hours in a single charge and 24 hours in the case. If you decide to use the multipoint feature this will drain the battery even more.
When it’s time to charge these you are provided with a USB-C charge cable but the X1’s are also Qi compatible meaning they can be charged wirelessly. You can also monitor the level of battery life via the LED display inside the charging case to show you the overall battery level and this can also be viewed via the Tozp app.
The only downside when it comes to charging is the lack of fast charging but with the USB-C & wireless charging options the lack of fast charging is not a deal breaker.
Controls
The Tozo X1 earbuds come with smart touch controls that are easy to use and also also you to customise the controls via the app. To activate different controls you need to press the earbuds a number of times or hold or press for a couple of seconds.
Below is a more detailed view of the controls:
You will notice for controls like play/pause & call management can be done via either bud but there are certain functions that are only accessed by an individual bud such as:
- Left bud to skip to the previous track, lower volume and activate ANC/transparency mode
- Right Bud- Skip track, Increase volume or activate voice assistant
Connectivity
The Tozo Golden X1 can be connected using the most current version of Bluetooth at the time of writing Bluetooth 5.3 and in testing you will find a stable connection even at some of the dreaded overground stations. You will also be able to listen to your music through LDAC HD audio decoding if your phone supports it.
Features
The Tozo Golden X1 offers multipoint connectivity which basically allows you to connect to two different devices meaning you could switch from your iPhone to your iPad instantly.
The Tozo Golden X1 also comes with its very own app and first up when you download the app you can take an auditory test otherwise known as earprint technology. This test is designed to tailor your audio experience based on your hearing needs. Now it works by providing a series of low to high-frequency beeps and indicating whether you hear them.
The results will then adjust your listening experience to compensate for any hearing deficiencies picked up via the test. I have seen this test on the likes of Skullcandy buds so it’s a nice feature to have.
The app also comes with 16 EQ presets such as:
Standard, Bass +, Bass -, Classical, Dance, Deep, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Orignal, Piano, Pop, R&B, Rock, Vocal, Treble + & Treble –
The app also allows you to create your own sound profile and there are also six noise reduction modes such as:
- ANC
- Transparency mode
- Reduce Wind Noise
- Leisure Mode
- Normal Mode
- Custom Pattern
The app also comes with environment noise cancellation microphones (ENC) that help filter out any unwanted noise and work when you are using these when on a call. In addition to this, the X1’a have a few different levels of ANC that are actually very effective and reduce up to 42 dB of ambient noise.
The X1s also come with a reduced wind noise feature which is useful when out having a walk or when cycling and having strong winds blowing around you. The transparency mode as you might expect lets in more of the outside noise but at the same time won’t impact your music too much ideal if you want to hear your surroundings like walking to work.
The app also comes with an explore button that offers a range of relaxation music which has come in handy considering my wife is going to be going into Labour soon.
Audio Quality
The most important aspect when buying a pair of earbuds is how they sound. The buds are built using a combination of carbon Nanotube diaphragm dynamic and armature drivers that deliver a broad frequency range (12Hz to 44.1KHz). This delivers a deep and rich bass paired with a well-balanced treble and a wide soundstage that keeps imaging organized.
The individual sound elements stay out of the middle so no need to worry about imaging getting messy. Spatial positioning is maintained in a traditional stereo display. You get a flat plain of sound on the X1 and it works for communicating the essential scope of the track you are listening to.
Let’s take a closer look at the lows, mids and highs from the X1s.
Low End
When listening to the X1 in its normal state the lows offer surface-level clarity. The lows can be heard in a well-balanced manner but some listeners might feel a slight lack of punch. The mid-bass also feels like it’s lacking but this is where the app comes into play allowing you to adjust the EQ to a more favourable level which will make it feel more full but I cant help I just wanted a little more bass.
Mids
The mids offer an acceptable presence when listening to a wide range of music I never felt like anything got lost. Their timbre is clean and offers enough room for busier tracks. Unfortunately, at times instruments end up lacking and come out a little thin. Using the EQ can help boost but it won’t sound very natural. When listening to something with a vocalist you will notice they have a more dominant position and have a command to them throughout the track.
Highs
The highs are where the X1 is the star of the show they exhibit crisp qualities with an underlining texture to the upper mids that equals some enjoyable vocals. You will notice the tone can feel a little thin but that can be a good thing as it makes a more engrossing sound. The upper highs have a noticeable roll-off but still offer a complete sound.
Call Quality
The Tozo Golden X1 earbuds also allow you to take phone calls with a simple press of a button and the results are pleasing. Your voice sounded warm and even when taking a call in a noisy environment they also performed well. There is room for improvement to make my voice sound clearer but you won’t struggle to be heard when on a call.
Verdict
This is our first time with Tozo and I have to say the Golden X1 earbuds tick a lot of boxes especially if you’re looking for a strong bass, ANC/ENC feature and broad frequency range these have to be considered as your next purchase.
They are comfortable in the ear for long periods of time and that unique design makes them stand out in a crowd. I was impressed with the app in terms of earprint technology and well-developed EQ with 16 presets and when in custom mode you can really make a difference to the sound quality.
There is still room for improvement as the X1 model does not offer Apple Handoff, In-ear detection or fast charging. However, if you can look past the few negatives and have £150 to spend on a new pair of buds these are an excellent Option.
Product Rating
Design: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Controls: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Battery Life: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Features: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Connectivity: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Sound Quality: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Value for Money: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Overall ranking: 4.2 out of 5.0 stars – 4.2 stars
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