HIFIMAN TWS 600: VISUAL PREVIEW (NOW WITH IMPRESSIONS)

$100-299, BLUETOOTH, EARPHONE, HIFIMAN, UPDATE by B9SCRAMBLERJULY 10, 2019

Now that I’ve had a couple days with the TWS 600, I’m ready to drop some comments. First off, visual appeal. This earphone certainly has a unique look thanks to the spiraling tendrils emanating from the centre function button. Even cooler is those spirals are transparent and light up thanks to a bright LED beneath. The shells are a little bulbous and on me look odd, but that’s often the case since nearly everything ends up being shallow fit for me. I suspect the vast majority of buyers will look cooler than myself when rocking the TWS 600 out in public.

In terms of build, they feel pretty solid. Yes, there are visible molding lines and creases, but the TWS 600 is free of sharp edges and all component parts fit together snugly. That’s good because the TWS 600 is sweat and dirt resistant thanks to it’s IPX4 rating. I highly doubt they would perform as advertised if sloppily put together.

Connection quality has so far been good. I haven’t tested the claimed 150m of range, but HIFIMAN put that on video so I have no reason to doubt it. That said, once you start introducing obstacles the TWS 600’s average connection strength is visible. I can’t leave my device in my office and go to the kitchen without experiencing stuttering. The kitchen is three rooms and two walls away. Still, this performance is respectable and in line with most other TWS products I have on hand. In terms of the earpieces connecting, I’ve only had them disconnect once and they reconnected automatically after a brief moment. Again, in line with my experiences with other, similar products.

Now, how does the TWS 600 sound? It’s certainly unlike any other TWS product I’ve heard. Where almost all have been v-shaped, the TWS 600 has a very neutral bass response with elevated mids and treble. This results in a light and airy presentation, and probably the best sound stage I’ve heard in the segment. As shown on measurements, the TWS 600 has a large boost around 2k which has been bothering some users. In my listening sessions it has not cropped up as an issue and I don’t find the mids shouty or harsh, though EQing that region down by about 4-5dB has helped naturalize the presentation. Without EQ, I still found the stock tuning to be suitable at the low volumes I typically listen. If I’m going to levy any issues at the TWS 600’s tuning, it is that they are slightly hollow and lack the vocal clarity I would expect from something so mid-forward. Odd because detail and texturing elsewhere is excellent. I also found the low end satisfying despite it’s reserved presence thanks to it’s speed and accuracy, and it can dish out some decent thump on EDM tracks when you raise the volume a bit.

Keeping in mind my feelings could change as I spend more time with the TWS 600, so far I’m finding it to be an enjoyable product. It’s greatest strength, or biggest weakness if looking at it from a more skeptical angle, is the tuning. I have yet to hear a truly wireless product that has attempted to cater so strongly to the neutral-favoring crowd so if that’s what you’re after in a TWS earphone, this is hands down your best option, especially if you’re not opposed to tweaking things more to your liking with an EQ.

Thanks for stopping by. Be on the lookout for a full review in the coming weeks.

– B9Scrambler