Xiaomi Buds 5 Review
The Xiaomi Buds 5 brings a fresh perspective to the competitive true wireless earbuds market, promising flagship sound quality and comfort at a reasonable price point. In this review, we’ll do a deep dive of its features, strengths and weaknesses.
Build and Design
The Xiaomi Buds 5 packs an elegant and modern design that it favors comfort over function. Available in Titan Gray, Ceramic White, and Graphite Black, these earbuds cater to various aesthetic preferences. The semi-in-ear design strikes a balance between comfort and stability, making them suitable for extended wear.
The charging case, weighing a mere 45g, is compact and easily pocketable. What Xiaomi sent is the Ceramic White variant of the Buds 5. The Type-C charging port is conveniently placed, ensuring easy access for quick charging sessions.
One minor drawback is that despite the noise cancellation feature, there might be some sound leakage due to the earbuds’ design. This could be a concern in quiet environments where discretion is necessary.
Sound Quality
At the heart of the Xiaomi Buds 5 lies an 11mm dual-magnet driver with a black polymer coating, designed to produce crisp highs and rich, deep bass. The implementation of Qualcomm aptX Lossless and Hi-Res Audio certification promises CD-quality audio, allowing users to experience music as the artist intended.
In practice, the standard sound setting delivers a balanced audio profile with a noticeable emphasis on highs. Lower frequencies are somewhat subdued, even when switching between different presets. However, the Xiaomi Earbuds app comes to the rescue with its Custom Audio balance feature, allowing users to manually adjust the equalizer settings.
By increasing the lower frequencies through the app, I was able to bring out the bass and fully appreciate the intricate details in tracks like “APT” by Rose and Bruno Mars. The Buds 5 responds well to equalization, making it easy to tailor the sound to personal preferences.
The Harman AudioEFX tuning further refines the sound output, offering clear and immersive audio across all ranges. This tuning particularly shines in the mid-range, bringing vocals and instruments to the forefront with remarkable clarity.
It’s worth noting that for this review, due to the lack of pinna on our IEC711, I was unable to measure and provide a Frequency Response Graph to show empirical proof consistent with our auditory observations. However, the subjective listening experience remains positive overall.
Hardware and Specs
The Xiaomi Buds 5 is powered by the Snapdragon Sound platform, which works in tandem with Qualcomm aptX Lossless Audio certification to deliver high-quality audio. The earbuds support various audio codecs including SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless, and aptX Adaptive, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Connectivity is handled by Bluetooth 5.4, offering a stable connection within a 10-meter range. The dual-device connectivity feature is a welcome addition, allowing seamless switching between, say, a smartphone and a laptop. I was able to connect this to my Xiaomi 14T and MacBook Air M2 at the same time.
The triple-mic system with AI noise reduction is a standout feature, ensuring crystal-clear calls even in windy conditions up to 12 m/s. This makes the Buds 5 an excellent choice for outdoor use or in noisy environments.
Software and Other Features
The Xiaomi Earbuds app is the command center for the Buds 5, offering a plethora of customization options. The app allows users to adjust EQ settings, toggle between noise cancellation modes, and even capture photos remotely.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) comes with two customizable modes – Deep and Balanced – along with an AI adaptive option for dynamic environments. While effective in blocking out mid to high-frequency noise, the semi-in-ear design may allow some ambient sound to seep in.
The built-in dimensional audio feature aims to provide a lifelike 360° experience in Music and Video modes. However, this feature yields mixed results. While the track head movement works well, the audio tends to produce an artificial echo, which can be off-putting. It’s a feature that, while innovative, may not appeal to all users.
Smart touch controls make it easy to manage playback, calls, volume, and noise cancellation with simple gestures. The ability to capture photos and selfies remotely using the Xiaomi Earbuds app adds a unique touch to the functionality of these earbuds.
Battery
Battery life is a strong suit for the Xiaomi Buds 5. The earbuds offer up to 6.5 hours of use on a single charge, which extends to an impressive 39 hours with the charging case. This longevity ensures that users can enjoy their music or podcasts throughout the day without frequent charging interruptions.
A standout feature is the quick charging capability. A mere 10-minute charge provides 2 hours of music playback, perfect for those moments when you’re short on time but need a quick audio fix.
The Type-C charging port on the case ensures compatibility with most modern chargers, adding to the overall convenience. The lack of wireless charging is quite a bummer but understandable given its “reachable” price. The battery life and charging speed of the Xiaomi Buds 5 are certainly competitive within its price range, making it a reliable companion for daily use and travel alike.
Verdict
The Xiaomi Buds 5 presents a compelling package in the crowded true wireless earbuds market. With its elegant design, impressive sound quality (especially after some EQ tweaking), and robust feature set, it offers excellent value for its price point of Php 4,699.
The earbuds excel in areas like call quality, battery life, and customization options through the companion app. The implementation of high-quality audio codecs and Harman AudioEFX tuning demonstrates Xiaomi’s commitment to delivering a premium audio experience.
However, it’s not without its quirks. The dimensional audio feature, while innovative, may not appeal to all users due to its artificial echo. The semi-in-ear design, while comfortable, may lead to some sound leakage despite the active noise cancellation.
For those seeking a versatile pair of earbuds that offer a good balance of sound quality, features, and battery life, the Xiaomi Buds 5 is certainly worth considering. It’s particularly well-suited for content creators, music enthusiasts, and professionals who are always on the go and need reliable, high-quality audio.
The Xiaomi Buds 5 lives up to its tagline of “Pure Sound, Pure Comfort” in many ways, offering a refined listening experience that can be tailored to individual preferences. While it may not be perfect, it represents a strong contender in its price range and a testament to Xiaomi’s growing prowess in the audio market.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
