Drop + NuForce MOVE Wireless IEM Review

I hope they are better than the Be Force 8 which were not very good imo. Sound quality was really sub par, which seems to have been properly tune this time around, and despite some problematic BT connection every now and then, one thing that worries me is the battery longevity. That particular model after the first 6-8 months seem not to hold the same charge. Is the battery the same?

 

Any comparison with the OnePlus Wireless Bullets which are my go to wireless IEMs?

I'm doing a lot more long runs and am concerned that there are no accessory ear hooks to help secure the MOVE buds on the ears.

 

For this reason alone Im looking at the Beats Wireless X for long distanced running.

 

Joined the drop. I use bt iems for my almost daily long walks with the dog. The cord connecting my current pair can be annoying, so decided to give these a try. The little charger looks very nice and well thought out.

Playing MP3's from my fitbit versa, so sound quality is not as much of a concern. I don't get cell reception where I walk, and I don't like to carry a dap so I use my fitbit.

Plus I can't resist a bargain, so I wanted to get in on the introductory price.

 

I don't think it does, unfortunately. Maybe there's a tweak app that can make permanent changes.

 

Interesting. At the price I plan to pick this up and compare it to the Senn true wireless I'm using at the moment, since the MOVE's shape seems a lot friendlier on the ears. Will report back asap.

 

Since no one has posted this yet, email yesterday from Drop, US customers, IEMs are in NJ and will be shipping next week.

 

Mines were shipped out today. Will be interesting to try them out.

 

Thanks for keeping us informed of this very important development

 

For $90 it better work, that's all I'm saying. I need to lose some fat rolls at Planet Fitness and I hope this beats using wired IEM to my phone.

 

Great news for those who purchased the Move on pre-sale...95% of the orders have shipped!

That means you will be connecting your Move for the first time and listening soon.


Inside the box there is a very small printed insert with some diagrams.

We’ve created a couple of helper documents. For set-up and understanding how the Move behave.

I recommend downloading them now so you’ve got them if you need them...

SET-UP:
https://docs.drop.com/NuForce_Move-First_Time_Using_Move.pdf

USING MOVE:
https://docs.drop.com/NuForce_Move-Troubleshooting_Guide.pdf

 

I'd have to check about battery but the driver is a more efficient single Knowles balanced armature and not used in the NuForce versions. Yes, tuned by us.

 

I'm using large JVC Spiral Dot ear tips, but they stay in even when I am doing the bench press test (they slightly break seal but don't fall out). No problem on treadmill.

 

Thank you but the battery would be good to know, just because it was really not good. I don't think that being more efficient driver would solve a problem of longevity but more of autonomy.

 

My NuForce x Drop Move arrived today in the mail. Going to let them charge up first then try them on later. Can't believe how small the actual package is from the shipping box.

 

Hoping mine arrives today too, if not Monday they will be here for sure.

 

First Impressions:

* Going to take time to get used to the buttons on both IEMs plus the pairing process was slightly confusing (put them back in case and take them out and pairing mode?).
* At least the buttons you can do stuff with them like Pause/Play, skip tracks.
* Volume control is too slow for my taste, might be good enough to use the buttons for slightly adjustments.
* ZX2 to Move is SBC, not bad for what it is.
* AAC is more than enough for youtube, light listening, and more. However, SBC is supported and at least when playing via SBC it sounds slightly better than AAC. If you have android, adjust your codec settings.
* Mostly a neutral turning, not even close to be a mainstream bass cannon.
* Enjoy to listen once everything is up and running.
* The included tips are alright, maybe get better ones if you prefer.
* Don't get rid of your Andros, your other Drop stuff, your overpriced IEMs. If you were using a cheaper IEM for basic stuff, maybe this will replace it.
* Great case, might be able to take a beating. Also love how the IEMs drop into the case. Amazing here.

I don't get the semi negative reviews on Drop.com on the sound part. What were people thinking on a $90 promo price Wireless IEM? Honestly, I do see this as being a competent to your other IEMs. When the tech improves, I can really see more IEMs going more into the wireless route with hopefully pure lossless codecs. Then again, LDAC while it is great cost money for people like Drop to have on their device.

Really liking it. Good all rounder without any serious flaws unless you want da bass give me da bass.

 

@CEE TEE was so kind as to send me an evaluation unit of the MOVE TWS, so here are my 2c:

For starters, these remind me most of the Earin M-2 (also single BA IEMs), just that the armature in the Earin is tuned a tad darker / more laid-back in treble, which makes it also appear a little bassier. But both have an overall balanced and pleasant tonality without major nasties. The Earin M-2 was one of the best TWS I've tried (only returned it because of a firmware bug), so this comparison is quite a compliment for the MOVE.

There's also some similarity between the MOVE and the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1, which is easy to spot if we compare measurements:

(green = MOVE, blue = Melomania 1)


Both have an easy-going, slightly down-sloping response from bass through lower mids. The MOVE's bump at 3kHz makes upper mids more forward and aggressive, but both sound similarly inoffensive higher up in the sibilance range. The Cambridge Audio's DD driver offers more air and openness on top, where the bandwidth limit of the MOVE's BA leads to a a slightly more closed-in and intimate presentation.

I took the liberty to quote @shotgunshane's Pros and Cons list, because I agree by and large with all his points:

There are just three additions on my part:

1. The supplied tips do not only suck, but there's virtually no L-sized pair included (the largest one is about ML sized).

2. Instead of covering the entire faceplate, the physical button should be recessed to prevent inadvertent operation (e.g. when resting against a pillow; or when wearing a beanie over the ears).

3. While I think their slight bass lift is sufficient to compensate for moderately noisy environment, it left me wanting when I tried the MOVE on my subway commute. There's also not much leeway to boost bass via EQ, since it introduces distortion:

(green: stock; orange: EQ with slight sub-bass boost)


(distortion: stock)


(distortion: equalized)


In case someone needs more bass for commuting with these, I'd rather recommend covering 90% of the nozzle with a strip of micropore tape instead. This will bring down and smooth out treble a bit more, although it has next to no effect on the 3kHz bump. But overall, the sound signature will become more similar to the Earin M-2, which I'd prefer over the MOVE for commuting on public transport.

Bottom line, a really decent pair of true wireless IEMs. Should please most listeners, although I personally will remain loyal to my modded JBL Free X.

Speaking of which, if someone else woulld be interested in trying these and posting impressions in the thread, I'd be happy to forward my evaluation pair. EU friends preferred.