With a few quirky items in their roster, Xiaomi is no stranger to the audio game, and they’re back in action with the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo. Their newest wireless earbuds sport an intriguing design that prioritizes comfort and durability while aiming to keep that high-quality audio fidelity.
Taking a quick look at its case, you’d think they’re you’re typical run-of-the-mill audio earbuds. But there’s definitely more than meets the eye with these new mini cans. We can say this for sure, as we’ve spent quite some time with them as daily drivers in the past month.
Now, the question would be, how do the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo measure up to its counterparts? More importantly, what sets them apart in a sea of audio gear in a variety of price ranges? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out.
Geek-sthetic
Now, going back to its nondescript case, there’s not much to write home about. It does have a very nice texture to it, though. With a matte, textured finish wrapped around its flat capsule shape, it’s quite handy. That being said, the magic starts once you swing it open.
The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo sports an innovative open-ear design that promises day comfort and a secure fit. As for the buds themselves, you’re getting soft and skin-friendly liquid silicone complemented by a nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy. We’re not too sure just how the shape-memory alloy works, or if it will actually adjust to your ears in time, but right out of the box, it fits rather nicely.
It’s worth noting, though, that users who wear glasses may find the fit slightly challenging due to the earbud looping behind your ears. Unlike the usual “hooks” that some sports buds come with, these are slightly chunky, given the technology within. This is especially apparent if you rock those thick-rimmed, Weezer-esque spectacles made of hard plastic. It’ll make for a tighter fit, in that case. Otherwise, it fits rather snugly.
We also get some added protection, courtesy of IP54 dust and water resistance. So, if you’re worried about perspiration ruining your sound trip, don’t sweat it.
Sound to Binge To
Now, here’s where things get interesting. Personally, I’ve only ever used headphones, typical earbuds, and IEMs. This is the very first time I’ve tried this kind of design, and it was definitely daunting at first (see: Weezer-esque spectacles). However, after slapping on some contact lenses–as I usually do anyway, I was able to enjoy the Xiaomi OpenWeat Stereo buds to the fullest.
After pairing, I was off to the races. The buds feature a 12x17mm elliptical dynamic driver and LHDC codec support. After going through aespa and Chappell Roan’s discography, this fact was made clear–just about as clear as the audio produced. You’re supposedly getting some optimized bass, which was definitely audible, but not offensive in the slightest. You’re getting a flatter, clearer soundstage with just the right balance of treble and bass.
It also helps that the buds simply hover over your earholes, so even if you crank up the volume to the maximum, there’s less risk of blowing out your eardrums. This also means less cleanup since you won’t be sticking it into your aural orifices. I’d say this is a very important factor–especially if two people share earbuds to watch a movie, or something along those lines. It’s a nice feature to have.
Your Sound, Your Way
So, you have the convenience of comfort, and crystal clear audio that won’t reach dangerous levels of volume. What else do we have in the bag? Well, what you do get is full use of Xiaomi’s proprietary app that has a variety of features that add some customizability to your overall experience.
Aside from swappable gesture control, you can also modify your audio effects. This means you can add more bass or treble, and utilize adaptive volume. The latter ensures that your audio will adjust to the ambient noise in your environment. It’s not exactly noise cancellation, but it’s interesting to experience the audio slightly ducking whenever someone walks up to me and has a conversation. Usually, I’d switch off my buds altogether, so this small feature is pretty convenient to have.
Other features include dual connection–allowing you to connect the buds to two different devices. I tried this on my smartphone and laptop simultaneously, and it worked just fine. Aside from the expected “find your earphones,” the beta features aren’t up and running just yet. Since I’ll be holding on to these for now, I’ll make sure to give updates on that aspect. It’s also worth noting that you need a Xiaomi account to update the firmware.
It’s also worth noting that I was able to experience all these features without draining the battery. We’re supposedly getting around 39 hours of standby time and 8 hours of continuous playback. That’s definitely a lot to work with.
Final Geek Lifestyle Verdict
Given its aesthetic and design, the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo looks to be geared towards a certain demographic, like more active users on the go who want less of a hassle when it comes to slapping their earbuds on and off. That being said, these sweet buds will absolutely work for anyone–and given the audio quality, I can say that for a fact. As someone who visits the gym about as often as I celebrate my birthday, I was able to enjoy these buds on the daily. Going back to the issue for those who wear glasses, I had no problems when I wore thinner frames.
So, if you’re in search of some premium-feeling earbuds that provide quality audio, can last a week without charging, and allow a bit of customizability with quality of life features, then you might want to check these stylish bad boys out.
The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo earbuds are now available via Xiaomi’s official Lazada and Shopee stores for P6,199. If you wish to learn more, you can visit the official Xiaomi website.