Recommendations or help for in Ear Buds

AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 10:49

Hello fellow Cheapies

I have a set of EarFun Free Pro buds that I got a couple of years back when they landed on here with a reasonable price, but I have found the mic doesn't work over voice calls (for some reason). They are fine for virtual calls (eg Google Meet etc), just not actual phone calls. This is the same across two pairs I have purchased and is consistent across 2 different android phones (Nokia 6.1 and a Samsung A54), so am starting to think it is more me than the buds.

So 2 things:

1) Does anyone have any ideas on why the mics are not working on normal phone calls and is there anything I could try/do to get that working?
2) Failing the above working, does anyone have any recommendations (in true cheapies style) for something reasonable that fits into that less than $100 price band which are going to be good for both music and calls?

Thanks in advance

General Discussion

Comments

  • CheapAzChips on 14/04/2023 - 11:17

    1) Is there an app from the manufacturer that you can download? Perhaps there's some internal setting that you can modify with their app that determines the mic behaviour.

    2) I bought a couple of pairs of Soundpeats ear buds for my wife and daughter from Amazon, they both love them. They have a lot of models, they mostly have good reviews, so just buy the best pair within your budget, or that otherwise meets your needs.

    • AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 11:23

      Nah no app.
      Thanks for the recommendation on the Soundpeats. Have you just grabbed them from AmazonAU or do you have a recommendation for other sites?

      • CheapAzChips on 14/04/2023 - 11:35
        +1

        I actually grabbed them from AmazonUS, as some family was coming back here for a visit. I've also read good reviews around here before, but I know they can be hard to source locally. AmazonAU might have some but the range is not as big as US, so you might have to look around a bit. Can't help much more than that, sorry.

      • sleep-cheapies on 14/04/2023 - 14:29

        i recommend soundpeats free2. you can grab em on amazon au. i think i paid around $30nzd for them (used a coupon they had for a % off)

  • Alan6984 on 14/04/2023 - 11:19

    Are they USB or jacks?

    If USB, then I seem to recall that Android has some security settings determining what access a USB connection has - I don't use earphones or mics with my phone, so not certain though.

    How to find those settings and / or change them on your specific phone(s) I am not sure. Maybe someone else will know / recall more then me and be able to point you in a more precise direction!

    Also possible that this is a complete red herring, and nothing to do with the issue, in which case ignore me like most people :-)

    • AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 11:22

      haha thanks - yeah I was searching the phone for config options along the lines you talk to but found nothing (so far). fwiw they are bluetooth :)

      • Alan6984 on 14/04/2023 - 11:51

        In that case, ignore everything I posted above :-)

  • ace310 on 14/04/2023 - 11:26

    I have QCY t13 and happy with it. Works for me with music & phone calls. Easy to switch between paired devices as well. Plus point either of the bud works on it's own so sometimes I just use 1 earbud for the phone call doesn't matter left or right. I am not an audiophile so can't comment on quality of music but it's pretty good for the price range. I think paid under $40 from Amazon

    Here is the OzBargain recommended list https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/755625

    • AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 11:27

      Nice; thanks for the recommendation and the link.

  • spam on 14/04/2023 - 11:48

    I have the redmi buds 3 Pro that was on sale before for $89 : https://www.mi-store.co.nz/product/BHR5310GL/Redmi-Buds-3-Pr…

    I'm quite impressed with it and worked both for android and iphone. My wife actually prefers this to her airpods which triple the price lol.

    • AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 13:57

      Thanks for the recommendation

  • lfreak on 14/04/2023 - 13:59

    My son uses the Lenovo True Wireless Earbuds that we got for under $30 from a deal on this site https://www.cheapies.nz/node/39668. He says the sound and mic are okay but he isn't very fussy when it comes to the quality of the sound.

    • AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 14:03

      haha that is a good honest response :D Thank you!

  • AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 14:19

    Thanks everyone for the input; I have gone and grabbed a set of SoundPEATS Air 3's from Amazon and will see how they go.

    • ace310 on 14/04/2023 - 14:39

      Do share your feedback later on. I need an extra pair and Air3 has been on my top of the list.

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/soundpeats-air3 —> They have been cheaper so will keep an eye.

      • AleBeerenhoff on 14/04/2023 - 15:01
        +2

        Will do. Yeah I just needed to grab something as currently dead in the water as new phone has no jack so need bluetooth ones, and felt the $57AUD was "okay" enough to just pull the trigger.

    • cutcutcut on 10/02/2024 - 13:15

      I'd love to hear what you think of them. I'm in the market too, I am a earfun user and have had a good run with mine, thinking about trying the new free 3 models they have, via Amazon au for $88 aud with free shipping currently. But I'll have to check out the soindoear options first.

      • AleBeerenhoff on 10/02/2024 - 14:29
        +1

        Well they work (which is more I can say for the Ear Funs haha), they sit in my ear, rather than (like the Earfun's) sitting in the ear canal, so if you were running/jumping etc, they would likely fall out. I just use them for very light stuff so not too concerned about the sound quality /etc. Would I buy them again? No reason why not, but also I wouldn't be running to them specifically to purchase.

      • ace310 on 10/02/2024 - 15:36
        +1

        After using qcy t13 for a while and love them. They seat perfectly in ear, not too in or out. Have used it for running without having any issues.

        Bought the newer qcy t13 anc couple of months back as needed another pair for work and can say they are great as well. Fit is pretty good and tight. Kind of giving passive anc effect which helps when you rurn on anc.

        Both of them are great. I tend to like older one bit more just cause I like to hear outside noise. Just personal preference.

  • Drcspy on 15/04/2023 - 07:32
    +1

    This app might help. SoundAbout.

    I've used it some years ago when I had an issue with an audio jack on a phone . Yeah I know you're using a bluetooth headset but you might find this app has good functionality as to directing output to devices . Try it anyway it'll only take a short time and cost nothing.

  • NovaAlpha on 12/02/2024 - 19:58

    I think Wyze makes some decent earbuds around your price range OP.

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