Apple made a bold but risky move to take away that 3.5mm audio jackfrom the latest iPhone 7.
You can use the bundled EarPods, which use the proprietary Lightning port, or plug in an extra adaptor to use your existing headphones.
There is a third alternative – making use of wireless Bluetooth earphones.
Here are three to consider.
JBL REFLECT MINI BT (S$169)
Built for night runners and cyclists, the JBL Reflect Mini BT has a reflective wire that lights up when light shines on it, keeping you safe on your nightly runs.
The comfortable earwings and silicone tips help to create a secure fit, so strenuous activity will not cause the earbuds to fall out.
The Reflect Mini BT does well for itself in the higher frequencies, giving off crisp and clear trebles and mids.
Acoustic music with plenty of guitar strumming and piano jamming come off very soothingly.
The bass is strong and punchy, which is good for EDM, but it does not quite have the resonance associated with orchestral bass music, so this pair may not give you quite the right experience if you are listening to Hans Zimmer soundtracks.
Battery life is pretty good.
With around eight hours of audio playback, the Reflect Mini BT trumps the industry average of five hours, but that can be accredited to its larger than ideal earbud size.
Who should get it:
The JBL Reflect Mini BT is for those who want premium on a budget. With a long battery life and great audio fidelity, it is one of the best midrange audio devices I have tried.
MEE AUDIO M9B (S$59)
Nothing beats the Mee Audio M9B when it comes to price.
For an audio device under S$60, the M9B performs remarkably well in the audio department.
It is well balanced across all frequencies and gives clear highs and mids and a decent bass.
The bass is not as punchy as devices above S$100, but they are sufficient as everyday earphones to be used on your daily commutes.
The earbuds fit comfortably in your ears, although they do not provide the best noise isolation. The remote control is useful but a tad heavy, which may cause it to tug at your earbuds and fall off at times.
Who should get it:
If cost is a concern, the M9B is your top choice for a budget wireless earphone. If you intend to use it for regular pop songs, it should do just fine. But, if you are a heavy electronic dance music (EDM) listener, the M9B might disappoint.
JABRA SPORTS PULSE SPECIAL EDITION (S$258)
If you are in the market for wireless earphones, Jabra is without a doubt one of the first few brands you should be looking at.
The Sports Pulse earphones give a near perfect fit for your ears, thanks to the addition of memory foam tips.
They sit comfortably in your ears, blocking out nearly all ambient noise to give you unrivalled noise isolation and superb audio quality.
The punchy bass and haunting vocals are amazing.
The earwings also ensure that the Sports Pulse sticks in your ears during the most intense workouts.
The in-built biometric heart-rate sensor adds value to these earphones as the top choice for athletes who wish to stay within their training zone and get constant updates on their workout metrics.
I only wish the five-hour battery life was better, given the pair’s higher price tag.
Who should get it:
If you can afford it, the Jabra Sports Pulse Special Edition is a device you need to consider. As an athlete, it is the closest you will get to an ideal wireless audio device.
