J99 TWS bluetooth "somethings"

So I was buying cheap class D amps from aliexpress for my projects, and this thing pops up.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004617237302.html (I have no affiliation with aliexpress or with tws or j99 or whatever)




It looked interesting, reasonably well built, magnets snap them into box, costs nothing, blocks no outside noise (for outside use and traffic safety), so it peaked my interest.
I can't wear in ears (including ciems) due to some autistic traits I have (I'm not joking - I'm not autistic, but I do have some of such traits - I can't wear watches, if I could I'd be naked all the time, I can't wear any jewelry of any sorts either, just my wedding ring - I hate it but I love my wife more, socks and underwear irritates me, all skin contact with materials does). This doesn't go in ear, it just rests on it, exactly like glasses would. I tried using adidas/sennheiser running earbuds and earphones, those hurt me too and have a wire etc. Bone conduction sound like shit and there's no stereo.



I expected these to sound like shit, and they did. And here is why.



So with a little bit of eq in my samsung





It now sounds... actually quite solid :O
The difference eq does here is enormous. They are completely unusable without it, but with it, for 10-15 usd you pay for that..
They sound like smaller logitech bookshelves. Give or take. Probably a bit better imo.

Well, I have no idea if something of higher quality and similar price point exists (I had no interest in such things).
This is definatelly NOT audiophile grade. No way. But it's quite solid (with EQ), it will serve it's purpose.
And I mean SOLID. It's not a distortion fuckfest. It's really good.

Hope this info helps someone.
(Edit - redone the eq and updated it, if you raise the 250 and 500 bars a bit it will start clipping, this works just fine)

 

This looks like a cheap JVC Nearphones knockoff. Technically different, with 14mm drivers vs. 16mm ones on the JVCs. Haven't heard the JVCs, so I can only speculate that they might sound better out of the box.

 

That's probably what it is then.
Are those little ports? Sure look like little ports
I would expect that JVC did proper eq and testing too. But these cheap knockoffs look and feel really nice, solid. They don't feel cheap, and are in general well made. If they could pull something like that off, why not implement a proper eq outb too? makes no sense

 

If you dislike IEMs then I recommend Samsung Galaxy Buds Live!

Spoiler: Samsung Galaxy Buds Live

I dislike iem feel too due to some autistic traits I have. Ive been using Samsung Galaxy Buds Live for awhile now due to their ear canal non-insertion. They wear like an earbud but their hearing aid shape achieves a seal so they can produce bass (plus ANC).

I mentioned them in Golden Schlong nomination thread 2021. @Zerodefex mentioned them in GS 2020.

They are not hifi but they have a good frequency response and are convenient and comfortable and cheap (when on sale). Ive purchased a few for family and friends who were still using airpods so they could learn about bass.

 

Thanks!
As this is just an experiment anyway, I bought a buds live clone from the same company for 15 usd shipped. I expect similar results like this. The outside seems to be an identical copy dimensions wise. I'll report on it once it arrives.
I don't care much for anc. The iems I got work great, take them out of the box, instant pairing, etc, I expect these clones will be simmilar, good in every aspect, botched fr. We'll see. I was cheap to give 60 usd for originals, but I don't care burning 15 for nothing if it's shit.

 

If you're referring to these, I tried them some time ago and they actually sounded quite decent:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002312039610.html

Anyway, for a budget pair of great sounding open TWS, I recommend the Soundpeats Air 3 these days. For about $40-50, you get a capable biocellulose diaphragm driver and an app with custom in-device EQ. Stellar bang for the buck, imho.

 

I think I got those, yep. We'll see what it ends up to be

I've googled best budget iems just to see what "mainstream" suggests as good. Soundpeats come up often. Thing is, they go in ear, so automatically a no go for me. But with what you said, for 40 usd, it's a steal. For normal people, not special snowflakes like me.

 

It may depend on the size / shape of your ear, but for me the Soundpeats Air 3 don't go any more in ear than those Galaxy Buds Live clones. Their nozzle is short and they rest just outside my ear canal entrance, leaving an open gap and not touching anything inside the canal. Jm2c, but if you find yourself tolerating those clones, you might as well give the Soundpeats a try.

 

Does that mean I have to buy a clone of Soundpeats now too