Disclaimer
The Rose Technics CERAMICS X earbuds were provided to me by Rose Technics in exchange for making this review. I must note that they have not reviewed or dictated the content of this review and they did not influence or dictate when I should publish it! All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are all based on my personal experience with the product!
I would like to thank Rose Technics for providing the sample and thank you, the reader, for taking the time to read my review.
Introduction
When Rose Technics announced their new Ceramics X, I was excited to check them out, and if all of what they promised is actually attainable for only 50$…
These earbuds promise wireless convenience, portability, and HiFi sound with LDAC decoding, and with features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), IPX5 water resistance, and an app to make controls much easier.
With all that, I was eager to dive in and see how they perform. So let’s get into the review and see what the Ceramics X has to offer.
Unboxing
The Ceramics X came in a sleek, small box with a picture of the earbuds and the name “CERAMICS X” on the front.
Ripping the box open, I immediately saw the IEMs case inside a plastic bag. Underneath, there was a Type-C charging cable and four sets of eartips in sizes XS, S, M, and L. I noticed that each size felt bigger than usual—XS felt like S, S like M, and so on. Additionally, there was a manual inside, explaining how to operate them.
What could have made it much nicer is if there was an included cover for the charging chase for more convenient use and carry without a fear of damaging the case…
But overall the unboxing is pretty simple yet still nice, especially for the asking price.
Technical Specifications and Features
Specs
Audio Format: LDAC/ AAC/ mSBC/ SBC
Playtime: 50H
Charging Time: Approximately 40 minutes
Interface Type: USB-C
Bluetooth Version: 5.3
Driver Unit Diameter: 10mm
Impedance: 32Ω
Frequency Response Range: 20 – 20000Hz
Features
54ms Low Latency:
The Ceramics X offers a low latency with a response time of just 54ms, making it pretty suitable for gaming or watching videos without any noticeable delay between audio and visuals.
Noise Cancellation Modes:
Normal Mode: Disables all noise cancellation features to let you hear the earbuds’ natural sound quality.
Active Noise Cancellation: Effectively blocks out noises and it makes it good for use in busy streets, buses, or trains. Switching between modes is easy with a long 3 second press on any earbud or through the Rose Technics App.
Wind Noise Cancellation: Reduces wind noise whistle which is very useful when walking outside on a windy day or riding a bicycle.
Transparency Mode: this mode allows external sounds to come through so you can stay aware of your surroundings. This one is great when you need to hear what’s going on around you while you listen to your music.
IPX5 Water Resistance:
The Ceramics X is rated IPX5 for water resistance which means it can withstand sweat and light rain. This makes them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities, but still make sure to not swim with them haha…
Led Battery indicator:
green light when 70% and above, white light when in between 30% and 70%, and red light when 30% or below.
Battery Life:
The battery life on the CERAMICS X is actually impressive! Throughout all my testing, the battery never died on me during use. As long as I could sit and listen those earbuds kept going! I found that I only needed to charge the case after 4 to 5 days of regular use, which is very convenient for everyday use!
Touch Controls:
- Previous Track: 3 taps on the left earbud
- Next Track: 3 taps on the right earbud
- Volume Up: Single tap on the right earbud
- Volume Down: Single tap on the left earbud
- Play/Pause: Double tap on either earbud (also used for answering or ending calls)
- Activate Game Mode: 4 taps on the left earbud
- Voice Assist: 4 taps on the right earbud
- Control Noise Cancellation Modes: Long 3-second press on either earbud
Sound Performance
Overall Timbre
The Ceramics X brings a fun, V shaped sound signature that’s more engaging and lively. It has a focus on the bass and treble while keeping the mids slightly recessed, which is typical for this type of tuning. But overall the timbre is energetic and acually fun and nice to have, making it enjoyable for casual listening, as I, for example, am not likely to be listening critically when I’m on the go, whether it’s in buses or a train. So this tuning is actually nice and even great for genres like electronic music.
Bass
The bass performance of the Ceramics X is punchy and well controlled. The sub bass extends pretty deep and provides a satisfying rumble that adds depth to the music without too much overpowering the other frequencies. The mid bass is boosted enough to give impact to percussion and bassy instruments, making the sound feel full and lively. Despite the V shaped bass, the bass doesn’t usually bleed into the mids and is actually maintaining a pretty clear separation.
Mids
The mids are somewhat recessed due to the V shaped tuning and can cause vocals, especially male vocals, to sound veiled. However, the upper mids are more present and allow instruments and high pitched vocals to shine through with good enough clarity and detail. This tuning makes the upper mids smooth, although the mids could benefit from a little boost to balance the overall sound…
Highs
The treble on the Ceramics X is sparkly and detailed, adding a sense of airiness to the music. It handles cymbals and high frequency sounds with good shimmer. However, the treble can become harsh at higher volumes, so keeping the volume at a low to mid level is recommended for a better experience.
The combination of these elements creates a sound profile that’s both fun and engaging, with enough detail and clarity to satisfy most listeners.
EQ Presets
POP
This preset pushes the vocals and mids forward, making them more prominent in the mix. This setting pulls the bass and treble back, and I would say maybe even too much… and this creates a more vocal centric experience. While this can make the vocals stand out, it can also make the sound feel less balanced, as the bass and treble lose too much of their impact…
HiFi
Now the HiFi preset aims for a more neutral and balanced sound, though it still keeps the V shaped tuning… To my taste, this one provides the best overall balance among the three presets. The HiFi preset is my favorite for everyday listening as it offers a more natural and detailed sound compared to the other modes, although I still need to EQ the mids a bit.
Rock
The Rock preset pushes the bass and treble even more, pushing the mids further back. This creates a powerful and more energetic sound that is great for bass heavy tracks. The bass becomes more prominent and impactful and the treble gains even more sparkle. However, keep in mind that the mids can feel quite recessed, making vocals and midrange instruments much less on stage and maybe even pushed back to the background…
Technicalities
Soundstage
The soundstage is average in width and height for its price point. It gives a decent sense of space but doesn’t offer an expansive experience. It’s what you’d expect for a $50 pair of TWS earbuds.
Imaging
I was quite disappointed by the imaging… It was hard for me to pinpoint where the instruments were placed in the mix… The separation between different elements wasn’t as clear as I’d hoped, making it harder to enjoy more complex tracks.
Layering
Layering is adequate. Instruments and vocals don’t get muddled together, but they also don’t stand out distinctly… It’s acceptable for casual, everyday listening, but it doesn’t quite have the precision needed for truly HiFi sound.
Separation
The separation is fine but not exceptional…. In busy tracks, instruments are somewhat distinguishable, but they don’t stand out as clearly as I’d like…
but higher pitched instruments and vocals do stand out and get their space in the stage!
Overall, I’d say that the technical performance of the CERAMICS X is in line with what I would personally expect from a $50 TWS with active noise cancellation and a handy app with plenty of features. It’s good enough for everyday use but might leave audiophiles wanting more…
Conclusions
The Rose Technics CERAMICS X earbuds offer an overall nice package for their $50 price tag. With features like LDAC, ANC, and a fun V-shaped sound signature. When considering all this, the CERAMICS X actually bring a lot of value to the table. The lightweight build, small form factor and comfortable fit make them great for long listening sessions, and the touch controls are easy to use and are very responsive!
While the treble can be harsh and the mids, particularly male vocals, can sound veiled, the overall sound quality is enjoyable. I feel that the bass is punchy and deep, though not overly powerful. Additionally, the various EQ presets provide some flexibility, and to my experience, the HiFi mode is offering the best balance of them.
With all this considered, I really think that the CERAMICS X earbuds deliver great performance and a very nice set of features for their price range, including an app, and all of this makes them a very solid choice, which I can easily recommend if you are looking for a budget and quality TWS earbuds!
Pros:
- Small and light
- LDAC
- Great and easy control
- IPX5 rating
- Great battery life
- Quick and responsive
- Active noise canceling
- App
Cons:
- V shaped sound signature may not be for everyone.
- No protective case included
- Technicalities are not the best
