Geekfly GF3 Review 

Intro 

Hello, this review and feature covers the latest true wireless iem from Geekfly Audio named the Geekfly GF3 ($299). I was more than thrilled to learn I’d have the opportunity to spend quality time with the brand new GF3 as it is certainly a high end set of true wireless iems. Now, the GF3 has a three-driver hybrid configuration consisting of one 10mm Graphene dynamic driver, along with two piezoelectric drivers all being fed from a very powerful amplifier (more on that later). Truly a special setup for a true wireless set of earphones. I will outline all of the Internals later in this review, but I promise it is not something we are used to seeing and the difficulty in crafting a set like the GF3 is vast. Truly it takes a high level of expertise and no doubt it… Geekfly has that in abundance. 

Geekfly 

One thing I learned during this review process was that Geekfly has actually been around for much longer than I had anticipated. Founded back in 2018 Geekfly has proven to have plenty of staying power. However, after going through Geekfly’s website and reading other relevant information about the brand, I can see that there is more to this company than simply making money. I can say without the shadow of a doubt that the people of Geekfly truly have a passion for this hobby and they do so rooted in a solid value system which is a rarity in this day and age. Here’s a small excerpt from their “About Us” section at their website:

“Our values are the foundation upon which Geekfly is built. They’re not just words on a page; they’re the principles that drive our everyday actions and decisions. We are dedicated to upholding these values and ensuring that they shine through in every aspect of your experience with us. Thank you for choosing GEEKFLY, where our values meet your expectations.”

Geeklfy

Geekfly cont… 

I can tell you from the moment I spoke with certain members of the Geekfly team that I was impressed. These are the types of brands that I truly enjoy propping up and giving a platform to. Anyone who has the presence of mind to write the words “They’re not just words on a page” obviously has some heart behind those words. At any rate, Geekfly has crafted and created quite a few products in their time. I cannot find the product list since their inception, but there’s a decent amount and each one appears to be very elaborately modeled, sculpted, outfitted, and designed. Each set with a very complex driver arrangement, and each set is truly a work of art. Their products range from $99 to +$1k and each look as though a lot of care, ingenuity, and flat-out expertise went into the process of crafting them. I realize this almost sounds like a Geekfly commercial, but I can assure you my words are as genuine as they can be. 

At $299 the Geekfly GF3 sits amongst many highly qualified tws sets. I hope to try to figure out if the GF3 can hang with those other sets. Granted, I think I already know the answer to that. However, I also want to know who the GF3 is for, and I am happy to report my thoughts. With that, I’m ready to get this one going. So, without further ado… the Geekfly GF3 everyone… 

Non-Affiliated Purchasing Links:

–Geekfly

GF3 Pros

-Build is wonderful

-A very nice and classy design 

-Great unboxing for a tws

-Bluetooth 5.4

-Snapdragon Sound / LE Audio / Lossless Audio

-Best audio codecs (Aptx-Loss Less, Adaptive, LC3 among others) 

-Top of the line Qualcomm chip

-125 mW of power is unheard of for a true wireless iem

-3-driver hybrid design is not the norm for a tws

-Fun, guilty pleasure style of sound

-Very cohesive sound across the mix 

-Very musical sound and an emotionally charged sound 

-Deep, textured, full bodied, and bulbous bass region

-Rich, thick and melodic midrange

-Sparkly, smooth, yet non-offensive treble region

-Very articulate and clean across the mix while remaining rich and warm

-Imaging

-Dynamics are nice for a true wireless iem

-Deep soundstage

GF3 Cons

-Analytical lovers may want to pass 

-Not the most detailed set

-No app for a $299 set

-Bass will be too much for some

Packaging / Accessories 

Unboxing 

The box that the GF3 comes packaged in is a very neat and simple box. No box art, no crazy effects, none of the pizzaz that we usually see. I’m all for it. I love originality and if you aren’t original then I love to see something simple. Act like you’ve been there. Be classy. Well, apparently Geekfly is a class act because the box which arrived at my door is just a simple medium sized (what’s medium Chris?) black box with a golden colored “Geekfly” imprinted in the center. That’s it, no complex and ornate graphics or crazy designs. Just… simple. Good for you Geekfly. Don’t waste money on making sure your box art is appealing. We open these boxes and toss them. It’s simple and elegant enough to provide a nice look. 

What’s inside? 

So, the outside may be a bit less enthused, but it’s what’s inside which counts. Lift off the box lid and you’ll quickly see the gorgeous GF3 earbuds sitting pretty inside of foam cut-outs. Next to the GF3 you’ll notice a few pairs of eartips sitting upside down in foam cut-outs. Next to the eartips you’ll see a decent sized box. Open the box and you’ll uncover one of the nicest carrying cases. Now, pull out the GF3 and you’ll then uncover even more eartips sitting in foam. Truthfully, I never expect good unboxing experiences with any set of true wireless. There are a couple brands which try to give a nice experience, but they are few and far in between. Most certainly, the Geekfly GF3 comes nicely equipped. 

Eartips

I was very surprised to see that Geekfly provides up to ten pairs of eartips over four different types of tips. Each and every tip actually works nicely with the GF3, and each style changes the sound signature a touch. Which is what we all should expect. We should expect these brands to provide eartips which make sense for the earphones they are selling. However, 9 times out of 10 these brands will simply toss in any random eartips. So, what do we do? We tip roll. Which means more money. That said, Geekfly actually cares about what they put to market and the eartips which come inside of the packaging really are solid sets of good quality. The first type of tips is one pair of large sized slow-rise foam tips. Obviously of solid quality. Next, Geekfly added in three pairs (S, M, L) of white silicone tips with different colored stems according to size. These tips are almost identical to KBear 07 tips. They have a very firm flange, very rigid stem, and they have a semi-wide bore. Very nice tips. The next set of three (S, M, L) are black silicone tips with a narrow bore, firm flange, and also a rigid stem. These tips are definitely designed for true wireless iems because they are extremely shallow fit, which is weird because of that narrow bore. However, the flange, or hood, is very long. I get a phenomenal seal with them. Again, nice eartips. Lastly, Geekfly provides another set (S, M L) of white silicone eartips with different colored stems, wide bore, shallow fit, a very rigid flange as well. Out of the four styles I used the semi-wide bores a little, but predominantly I used the shallow fit wide bore tips. I love how firm the flange is, and I do believe the GF3 reacts very well to a wider bore. Again, very nice. 

Carrying Case 

One huge surprise came when I opened the little black box next to the GF3 and discovered a beautiful carrying case. Basically, it’s a case to put your case in. It’s a leather clad gorgeous black case with a golden zipper. It’s the perfect size to put the charging case inside so that it doesn’t get scratched or nicked up. Inside of the case is a felt covering along with an elastic band across the center. On the lid inside of the case is a mesh netted pouch to hold extra tips, or a cloth etc. I never would’ve thought a true wireless set of earphones would need a case such as this. Why would you need or want an extra carrying case. Well, I learned really quickly after carrying the leather case around with me that it really is nice to have. Friends, I love good inclusions, and I live it even more when they are thoughtful and pertinent accessories. It was a nice surprise, good job Geekfly. 

Charging Case

This brings us to the equally gorgeous charging case. Friends, I cannot begin to tell you how much I love a well-designed and well-built charging case. I quite literally go nowhere on earth without a set of tws earphones tightly hidden in the front right (tiny) watch pocket of my blue jeans. You know the pocket; all jeans have them. Well, a good case should fit that pocket. Anything larger and the case will protrude too far out and look ridiculous. So, it isn’t a large case at all. However, it is a very nice looking and very nice feeling case. The entire case is made of CNC carved aluminum, except the housing inside where the GF3 sits to charge. The case is a very nice deep blue color with the Geekfly logo as well as the name “Geekfly” imposed in the center of the lid. The charging case also provides 40 hours of battery life with the earphones as well. There is one last awesome thing which is a monumental pet peeve for me regarding most charging cases. Usually, brands will give you charging cases which do not allow larger 3rd party eartips. Thankfully, Geekfly are a group of true audiophiles and people who enjoy audio, and they know that we may want to tip roll. So, they provided plenty of room for any tips that you’d like. This is a big deal for me. I cannot tell you how often I am annoyed that I have to stick with the horrible tips that these brands give out just because you can’t fit any either tips in the case. Also, the magnets are awesome as the earbuds lock on very well which also isn’t always the case with other tws. So, job well done Geekfly. Very nice. 

One small nitpick

The only truly minor gripe would be that there’s no place to get your fingernail in to open the case. Please understand that this is very minor to me, but the case does make it a little bit harder to open. If only there was a small notch at the edge of the lid it would be a bit easier, that’s it. 

Build / Design / Internals / Fit / Misc. Info

Build Quality 

The GF3 is unquestionably well built, in all aspects. In fact, the entire package is made up of quality and well-built components. From the beautiful leather carrying case, to the CNC carved aluminum charging case, to the earphones themselves; Geekfly sought to craft and create a very peerless and refined set which oozes quality. However, as far as the actual build is concerned, there’s a certain quality in the way it feels when in hand and in the ear. Also, in the perceived density of the GF3’s resin, the appearance, the ergonomics. Now, the GF3 aren’t as enormous as I figured they’d be, which is somewhat odd as Geekfly was able to fit all three drivers, the battery, the SOC chip, the amplifier and every other internal component into a medium sized shell. That said, the GF3 certainly isn’t small either. The nozzles are roughly about 6mm in width, and they aren’t too invasive as they are about medium length. I see one small backside vent as well. Really, the GF3 is built like a solidly built iem. The only other thing to mention is that the touch surface covers the entirety of the faceplate, but I’ll cover that more in a bit. Truly the GF3 is a well-built tws iem. 

Design 

This brings us to the design and aesthetic of the Geekfly GF3. Like I said, the design itself appears very much like a traditional iem. As far as its shape is concerned. However, the actual look is very appealing. Without question the design aspect of Geekfly tws iems is through the roof. Just take a gander at some of their earlier sets. I want them all, they’re beautiful. Well, the GF3 is no different at all. Truly a gorgeous iem every way you turn them. So far as I know the GF3 comes in two colorways. Those are “Black” and “3D Metal (Blue)”. I have the “black” model and in my opinion, it should really be called “Stone Gray” because it is most certainly a darker gray color with a very well-done marble design. Absolutely striking in appearance. I give so much credit to the artisans involved with the design. I haven’t seen the blue model yet except in pictures, but it too looks undoubtedly beautiful. Okay, back to my black model. Folks, just look at the pictures! This is a tws set friends! It looks like a high end iem to me. It has an “almost” metallic sheen across the faceplates with a beautiful, marbled pattern of light grays, dark grays, and black colors perfectly resembling an actual piece of marble. Just gorgeous. I love a well-designed set of earphones. Such a nice job! You’ll also notice that the shell is a pitch-black color which obviously pairs perfectly with the faceplates. Also, whenever you take the GF3 out of the case there are these nice looking red and blue lights which blink (momentarily) to indicate pairing. I simply can’t say enough about the design. Call me easily amused, easily excited or whatever, that’s fine with me, but you cannot deny the good work that Geekfly put into the GF3’s design language. Very well done. 

Internals

Now we get to the fun part. I say that because I was blown away at the driver configuration for this set. Well, all of Geekfly’s tws iems fo that matter. However, the GF3 carries one 10mm Graphene dynamic driver with dual magnets. I’m assuming the DD covers the bass and mids. They also fitted in two 3-layer piezoelectric drivers which I also assume covers the highs and ultra highs. To separate these frequencies Geekfly used an internal electronic crossover as well as passive acoustic principles. Really, this driver configuration is very unusual for a true wireless earphone. Rarely do we see anything other than a single dynamic driver. Every now and again a brand will throw in a balanced armature driver or two. There’s a few brands who have tried their hand at crafting sets which feature planar drivers as well, but I’ve never been impressed. The tech involved is simply very difficult to implement in a successful way. No doubt Geekfly is trying their hardest to create a wired sound in a wireless earphone. How did they do that? Well, they added in one of the best SOC chips that the wireless world has to offer in the Qualcomm QCC3091 chip (more on that later). They also knew that they’d need some massive power and so Geekfly actually installed a 125mw amplifier. Folks, this is pretty much unheard of. To have that much power under the hood is quite awesome for a set of true wireless. Geekfly also added in a fairly huge 85mah battery as well. So, as you can see, Geekfly did a marvelous job of fitting all of these components into a relatively smaller housing. I’d love to see the inside of the GF3, but I am not willing to take them apart to find out. Anyways, it’s commendable. 

Chipset

One of the most beneficial components of a solid wireless product is the SOC Chipset. Without question it is something which can completely change the complexion of a set of tws. So, few brands understand this. Usually, you’ll see no name chipsets thrown into the fray and usually the performance across the board is sub-par. So, I am happy to report that Geekfly saw to it to add in one of thee best chipsets that portable wireless gear has to offer. That is the Qualcomm QCC3091 chip. I’ll explain all that this chipset does in the “Features” section. 

Fit / Comfort 

As far as the fit is concerned, I have absolutely no idea if the GF3 is going to fit your ears or not. However, I can tell you that they fit my ears very well. I have to assume that most people won’t have issues either. As I said, the shape and size is similar to most any iem. It has a very ergonomic shape which really does form to my ears very well. Also, the GF3 is not a very heavy set and so you really don’t feel any weight making things fatiguing. So, both fit and comfort are very nice. 

Controls & Functionality 

One thing I was pleasantly surprised to read was that the Geekfly GF3 allows the user to perform every command right from the touch surface. The GF3 allows the user to play/pause, answer & end calls, skip forward or backward tracks, call on your personal assistant, and thankfully Geekfly made sure to add in a volume up & volume down command from the touch surface. Geekfly has every command covered folks. So often these brands will leave out stuff like volume controls and oddly enough many leave out skip back controls. So that is good to know. 

Touch Surface

All controls are enabled by simply tapping on either the right or left side earbuds. I definitely noted that the GF3’s touch surface is one of the most sensitive that I have ever used. Just trust me. Even doing tasks such as changing eartips I was causing the GF3 to play music, or even turn off the earbuds unknowingly, skip tracks… LOL. They are extremely sensitive. On one hand this is awesome because when you are out and about you know it’ll register your finger taps every time without fail. The issue comes when you are doing menial tasks like changing tips or simply taking them out of your ears. Even the slightest graze will register as a finger tap. I honestly don’t feel this is an issue at all but more so it’s just something to pay attention too. That’s it. Certainly not a “con”. However, I did want to at least speak on it as anyone with larger fingers may have a few unwittingly slight finger taps. That all said, I adore how sensitive the GF3 are for the very purpose of my finger taps getting registered right away. I definitely don’t have to guess if they get registered or not. 

Specifications

Core Specifications 

–Bluetooth:   Bluetooth 5.4 

–Brand:   Geekfly 

–Product Name:   Geekfly GF3 

–Total Drivers:   #1 10mm DD / #2 Piezoelectric

–Crossover:   Electronic Crossover & Acoustic Structure

–Profiles:   A2DP/AVRCP/HFP/HSP

–Chipset:   Qualcomm QCC3091 (Snapdragon Sound)

–Sensitivity:   112 +- 2 dB 

–Distortion:   0.00035%

–Frequency Range:   20 – 40000Hz

–Running Memory:   64M

–Bluetooth Codec:   LC3 / AptX Lossless / Aptx-Adaptive / Aptx / AAC / SBC

–ANC:   Not supported 

–Call Noise Reduction:   Yes, (CVC) ENC

–Amplifier:   Yes, 125 mW in total output

–Mics:   #2 in total

–Touch Controls:   Yes

–Touch Controls Support:   Yes (Siri & Google) 

Battery

-Battery Capacity:   85mAH x 2 (Earbuds) 600mAH (Case) 

-Hours per Charge:   11-13 hrs. (Earbuds)  38-40 hrs. (Case)

-Charging Port:   Type-C 

-Total Playtime:   40 Hours

What’s in the Box

-Geekfly GF3 Wireless Earbuds

-Type-C Charging Cable

-Charging Case

-Leather Storage Case

-Eartips x10 

Features 

Battery Life

One of the best features that the GF3 has is in its battery capacity of 85 maH per charge on the earbuds. It is sensational and I once again commend Geekfly on this. What 85 maH equates to is around 11-13 hours in total hours per charge. Friends, I don’t know how many tws sets you’ve owned but usually if I get 6-8 hours, I’m happy. 11-13 is bonkers good! Of course, this amount of time has much to do with what codecs you use as well as the volume you listen at. My Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold 5 tells me the battery percentage and I can tell you that I’ve never dipped under 60% in a single session. I also listen for extremely long sessions. Please trust that. Or just ask my wife and kids. Dad always has some sort of earphones, earbuds, or something in my ears, within reason of course. Also, to answer your probing question; No, I don’t neglect my children, they are my pride and joy… Lol. At any rate, not only do you get a monumental amount in the earbuds themselves, but you also get 40 hours in total using the charging case. This is more than enough time to make it through many days of listening before you have to charge, for an average listener that is. The point is… battery life is really great. 

Chipset features

As I said, the GF3 comes with the very competent Qualcomm QCC3091 SOC Chipset. The QCC3091 has actually been optimized specifically for true wireless earbuds to provide the latest Bluetooth 5.4 which comes with a host of features that we previously only wished for. First off, the computing power of this chip is unrivaled for portable gear like tws sets with 64M of running memory and a clock speed of up to 80 mhz CPU and a DSP clock speed of 2×240 mhz. Next, the QCC3091 chip provides Snapdragon Sound which also comes with LE Audio. Snapdragon Sound supports a bit depth of 24bits and a sample rate of 48khz lossless music. Yes, I said lossless. This chip offers LE Audio which operates with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) using less processing power and longer battery life. It also provides a much-improved battery life among many other notable features. Truly a nice thing to see from the GF3. 

Output Power 

One thing which bothers me to no end with many true wireless earphones is that the volume level and amping are always way too low. So often these off market chipsets will do the amping and usually it leaves the volume almost attenuated. Geekfly solves this by adding in a 125 mW separate amplifier section. Friends, the GF3 can get extremely loud. However, it isn’t just about how loud the GF3 can get. It’s about how the seperate amp boosts the audio signal adding much increased dynamics, dynamic range, clarity, detail, an improved bass response and the overall depth to the sound. Extra amping can take a decent set with a nice tuning to an amazing set with a nice tuning. Folks, 125 mW is nothing to sneeze at. I see many dongle dac’s 3.5 single ended side maxes out at less than 125mw, and some even on the balanced side. I’m telling you; it’s a rarity to see this level of commitment provided by any brand simply to bring the sound quality up to a higher standard. Truly a powerful set of tws earphones. 

Audio Codecs

If you’ve read any of my reviews covering any true wireless, then you probably have read about me speaking on the efficacy of certain “hi-res” codecs. Basically, I think they are blown way out of proportion. I mean, the differences in codec sound quality are negligible most of the time. Truth be told, one of the best sounding true wireless I’ve ever heard has only an AAC codec. However, there are a couple codecs which actually do increase dynamics, come across cleaner, clearer, with better note definition. The wonderful thing is that the Geekfly GF3 actually has some of those wonderful audio codecs. Those being, Aptx Lossless, Aptx-Adaptive, and LC3 (LE Audio standard codec) codecs. I would take those three over LDAC every day of the week. Without question. However, the GF3 also offers Aptx, AAC, and the standard SBC codecs. I won’t get into bitrates, bit depths, or the sample rates, of each codec either because they are somewhat deceiving. I think it’s a cool thing that the GF3 comes equipped with so many ways to provide solid audio and no doubt the codecs on hand help tremendously with that. 

Call Quality

I feel that the call quality of the GF3 is pretty nice. Obviously, it won’t be to the level of tws which are made to be amazing for calls, online meetings, etc. Some sets come with four to six noise reduction mics per side and call quality is their selling point. I don’t think Geekfly ever intended for the GF3 to be a master of phone calls. That said, it also isn’t bad at all either. I can say this because I always use my tws for phone calls and online TEAMS meetings as well, especially when I’m in the middle of a review period. The feedback I got was that my voice sounded fairly natural. One feature that the GF3 has is CVC call noise reduction with two mics in total. Again, is it the best on planet earth? Well, no it isn’t. Is it bad, absolutely not. I’d give the GF3 a thumbs up here. 

Sound Impressions 

*Note: prior to the sound portion of this review, I should point out a few things just for full disclosure. First off, I use only flac or better files which are stored on my devices. I also used the shallow fit wide bore tips while listening as well as KBear 07 tips at times too. The Android music players that I used are UAPP (USB Audio Player Pro), and Poweramp. During this review period I did not EQ at all but instead I am reviewing the out of the box sound. 

What’s it sound like? 

In my opinion the Geekfly GF3 achieves what many tws iems cannot. That is, it has the overall dynamics, the depth, the clarity, and even the textures of a wired set. The GF3 has a very warm, rich, and engaging presentation with a high level of dynamics and a warmer tonal contrast while providing a mostly holographic sound field and better layering then I would’ve thought a true wireless set could conger up. Now, If I were to categorize the out-of-the-box sound as anything, I’d say it’s a warmer V-shaped to U-shaped sound with an elevated low-end, semi-forward and syrupy midrange, along with a somewhat sparkly, extended, but also non-offensive treble region. However, folks, this is a fun sounding set. A guilty pleasure style sound. Now, the sound comes across closer to organic than anything, yet with a large low-end coloration which adds body to notes along with plenty of warmth. Beyond that, the GF3 also does a nice job with uncovering some of the finer details in my music (there’s some caveats to that). In the same breath, I wouldn’t refer to the GF3 as a “detail-oriented” set. It’s simply a very capable sounding set of earphones. Certainly not even close to clinical or analytical to my ears. Actually, for me the GF3 has a very musically inclined sound signature which does wonders for bringing out the emotion within my music. I’m telling you, once you hear that warmth cascading throughout the mix being bolstered by the euphonic semi-forward leaning midrange and the vocals are almost right in front of you… well… you may say the same thing. 

Condensed Sound Between the 20’s 

The low-end is heavily weighted while also coming across relatively clean sounding. The bass presents a warm climate to hear my tunes. For the amount of low-end emphasis (13-15 db’s bass shelf), the bass is actually pretty tight, robust, and it’s nicely textured. However, there is one defining characteristic about the low-end that’s undeniable, that is… It hits hard! Now the midrange comes across with a smooth demeanor, it’s warm with nice note weight along with adequate layers of crispness when a track calls for it. Very melodic sounding, very musical and I never hear anything shouty, grainy, glaring or sibilant. Really a pleasant-sounding midrange with very nice timbral qualities. Wonderful for vocalists. The treble region is one of solid control and a moderate level of brilliance. Just enough levity to add some shimmer to the top end but never is the treble fatiguing. This is a very easy treble to get used to. I hear very nice bite and crispness for the piezoelectric drivers and some nice extension into the upper treble. However, this is not a treble for those treble-bois amongst us. Technically, the GF3 is as good as it should be for having such a tuneful and fun expression. Nice detail retrieval (with caveats, I’ll explain later), natural transients, great stage depth, and really just a clean sound. Again, in the most condensed way I can say it; the Geekfly GF3 is truly a competitor which replays my music in a very musical, very fun, and even mature way for a tws earphone. However, let’s dive deeper into each 3rd of the mix… 

Quick note:

*Note: Real quick, I should mention that there is a clear difference in sound quality from LE Audio compared to Aptx, AAC, or SBC. This is not usually the case but for whatever reason I get much better clarity with the LE Audio (LC3) codec. It isn’t world changing, but the difference is noticeable. Also, play around with your eartips. Find the tips which fit your ears folks. Lastly, do not judge this set until it’s had at least 15 hours of listening. No doubt there is most certainly some run-in needed. In fact, 15 hours is probably too low. I wish I would’ve noted when the bass began to tighten up but there are certainly some very nice changes which take effect over time and use. 

Bass Region 

The low-end on the Geekfly GF3 is certainly the focus of this set, it’s very robust, it’s bulbous, it’s heavy, it’s meaty, and it’s a full-bodied bass which comes across in a relatively tidy package. Well, in terms of the size of the low-end that is. No doubt about it, Geekfly used a very high-quality driver which can take on even more complex and more nuanced bass passages fairly well. Obviously, the bass won’t equal those which are tuned in a more snappy, punchy, and more lean style as far as speed is concerned. However, for those who love a larger bass presence which doesn’t drown out the mix, the GF3 may be for you. Being that the GF3 I’ve been pleasantly surprised that it doesn’t sound compressed, or the stage doesn’t feel constricted. There are a handful of other tws sets which pull this off, but it certainly isn’t common. Again, the GF3 comes across with plenty of low-end muscle to provide fullness in your favorite bass guitar track, and it has enough satisfying & weighted boom to usher in a proper bass drop. Beyond the emphasis, I find the bass region to have a very dense sound, it’s swift enough in its attack through sustain to add some definition to low-end notes. To add to that, the bass region does bleed into the midrange in a very measured way. This is only a benefit, however. I don’t hear any loss in resolution and the bleed over is done in such a way that notes gain body yet without a hazy veil. It just adds warmth. Also, I wouldn’t necessarily say that the GF3 is a basshead set. Not completely anyways. I’d say it’s very close. About as close as a set can get. The bass shelf maximizes at about 13-14 db’s which is right under that basshead threshold for me. I’d say the GF3 has a high quality low-end for a true wireless iem. 

Polarizing? 

Geekfly did a nice job here folks. However, you have to enjoy this type of sound to appreciate it. I suppose that stipulation is true for any earphone or audio product that I review. However, with a bass this dominant it is certainly going to be polarizing for some hobbyists. Having said that, the GF3 responds well to EQ. This is not true for every true wireless. In fact, I find that the more quality a set is, the better they seem to respond in a quality way. At any rate, not everyone is going to love the emphasis that Geekfly added into the lower regions. The bass region, actually the GF3 in general will certainly appeal to those folks who adore a fun sound. It’s for anyone who loves a sound which will move your feet and move your heart with a very emotionally tilted and musical expression and a very gratifyingly authoritative and foundational bass region. It’s fun folks. But it is slightly polarizing. Moving on… 

Sub-Bass 

I find the sub-bass almost has a vibrance to it. It sounds somewhat forward in the mix and almost energetic with a guttural vibrational feedback. This is a tight, well defined and very hard-edged sub-bass juxtaposed to the larger size of the sub-bass. Everything that I say has to be put into the context of a larger bass presence. When I say it’s “tight”. What I mean is that it’s “tight for the amount”. No doubt the GF3 manages a well-controlled sub-bass that reaches very deep and adds all the haptic and palpable vibratory muscle of a quality sub-bass. Of course, with a larger sub-level emphasis you also have some one-noted moments between the sub & mid-bass. I don’t think you can get around that. Despite that, the sub-bass usually maintains a very clean image with better note definition than I ever would’ve suspected of a true wireless. I get all the “feels” in the track “Heavy is the Ocean” by Bush. This track begins with a gravelly and sonorous rumble which serves as the cornerstone of the track until the main verse. The GF3 truly does a wonderful job of sounding meaty, guttural, and very authoritative while also never masking over the rest of the song’s melody. Very deep, very textured, as its convex sub-bass almost protrudes forward against the mix without sounding overly bloated. In my opinion, even with the larger presence the GF3 remains controlled, and its notes have solid contour. Nothing fuzzy, nothing hazy and I don’t hear a smearing of bass like so many sets. The sub-levels are nice folks. 

Mid-Bass 

The mid-bass flat out bangs folks. I realize that isn’t the most professional way to describe it, but it can slam. Also, I find that it’s a nicely rendered slam too. I don’t hear anything that I would call overtly pillowy or soft either. This is a mid-bass with some density, some mass, some tactility with a very rigid weight. Of course, every track is different but for the most part the GF3 keeps fairly tight reins on the excess harmonics and resonances so that you don’t have so much presence mucking up the mix. Be that as it may, with an emphasis like the GF3’s mid-bass carries you’ll at times have some masking happening on tracks which feature a larger bass presence. . This should be a given. What separates the GF3 from other tws sets out there is how concise each bulbous note can be. It’s a hard boom and fairly quick decay. I’d say “semi-atmospheric” or “semi-taut”, however you want to look at it. The point is, it’s clean for its size and doesn’t add so much bloom that everything else is attenuated or less discernible. Even faster and more complex bass passages are nicely handled. Still, like I said earlier, of course the GF3 cannot compete technically with a set tuned with a leaner, tighter, snappier, and more resolute sounding bass region. You have to put the GF3 in the right box folks. Really for what it is… I’m impressed. 

Mid-Bass cont… 

Take the track “Lone Star Lake” by Waxahatchee. It comes right out of the gate with a heavy bass guitar. The GF3 sounds taut, very visceral and commanding with a definite fullness to the sound. Kick drums also sound very full. Tracks like “Billie Jean” by Weezer (Michael Jackson cover) have many successive kick-drum beats followed closely by the hard “pap” of a snare drum. The GF3 has that wonderfully tacky and acute sounding initial hit followed by a quick decaying hollow boom. This is repeated many times over and each one sounds as nice as the last. Also, each snare drumbeat comes across with a nice and bodied snap to the sound. I know I keep repeating myself, but it is very satisfying. After the kick drums and snares finish up, that heavy bass guitar groove that we all know kicks in, and my word does it come across nice on the GF3. Very meaty, nothing flabby, loose, or soft. Just authoritative bass guitar fullness. 

Fun and mature

Folks, I will say it again, the GF3 won’t sit well with everyone, but for those who enjoy such a sound, you’ll love this set. The bass clarity is really very nice. So often a larger bass section usually comes across too wide in presence, clogging up the sound field, and usually sounds less precise at the edges of every note and it’s usually much harder to hear the differentiation of the mid-bass and the sub-bass levels. While some tracks on the GF3 can sound this way (one-noted), it isn’t the norm. Obviously, the bass region is more emphasized compared to the rest of the mix and so heavier bass tracks will at times hamper your ability to hear some details within a track. Still, these issues are few and far in between. Geekfly really did a solid job of creating a fun yet also mature sound. 

Downsides to the Bass Region

The largest downside is the most obvious downside. Obviously, those people who simply cannot stand a larger bass will not enjoy the GF3. Maybe on some tracks without a ton of bass presence, I suppose. However, if a track has any semblance of bass activity, you’ll know it on the GF3. I know many folks who desire a snappy low-end which hits-and-gets. Basically, they want a bass which is just punchy enough, doesn’t color the mix, and doesn’t influence the midrange as much. Those who yearn for a more analytical sound will likely not enjoy the richness of the GF3. It’s just the truth; we are all very different friends. Each one of us. This fact is the exact reason why this hobby is so special. It isn’t a “one size fits all” hobby. So, of course there will be plenty of folks who would rather not have the amount of emphasis that the GF3 has. Totally understandable. I too enjoy something snappy and quick from time to time. I’d also say that the GF3 does come across somewhat one-noted from time to time. Like I said earlier, this is not the usual for the GF3, but it does occur. Truth is, Geekfly did a solid job tuning the GF3 to the target they were after. Like I said, for “what it is” … the Geekfly GF3’s bass is pretty nice. 

Midrange

This brings us to the midrange. I’d say that while the mids aren’t the “focus” of the tuning, Geekfly did a great job of making it an area that we all should focus on. I hope that makes sense. I say that because it has this very rich and very full-bodied presentation that serves up an almost syrupy sound throughout. The GF3 really does provide one of the most rhythmically satisfying and completely aqueous true wireless midranges that I’ve heard, in quite some time. Most certainly there’s a huge helping of bass bleed which adds some authentic density to this true wireless set. I wouldn’t call the midrange the most detailed that I’ve ever heard, and it certainly isn’t a clinical sound. There’s a definite “musical flare” to every note in every track and it does so in a truly emotionally gratifying way. This is a set which will draw out the emotion. It isn’t interested in illuminating every last nuance and detail. The GF3 doesn’t have that lean, ultra separated, ultra-airy and precise sound. It’s smooth, velvet, entirely fluid in every last inflection to every note. That said, it actually isn’t bad at all at drawing details to the surface either. The GF3 simply doesn’t specialize in such things. In my opinion the GF3 midrange specializes in its organic approach which it conducts in an analog and wholly mellifluous manner. Now, while the GF3’s midrange isn’t the picture of illuminated vibrance, the midrange isn’t without vibrant energy either. In fact, I’d say the mids on the GF3 have plenty of vivacious energy, but it just comes in a warm and lush form. Perhaps macro-dynamics aren’t as sprightly and electric as some sets. Yet the midrange makes up for it with that poignant and fluid sound. 

Lower-Midrange 

The lower midrange takes quite a bit of energy from the bass region and turns that energy into a semi-organic, colorful, and authoritative display of a man’s voice as well as instrumentation. In my opinion, I enjoy a certain amount of bleed from the low-end. While too much can make the sound veiled, dull, and blunted. As far as the GF3’s depiction of male vocalists are concerned, it’s hard to find many faults. I suppose those folks who only enjoy perfectly crisp and clean low-mids (there are alot of those people) with no hints of warmth or color added to the sound, those folks may not enjoy this milkier presentation. Nevertheless, Geekfly made sure to tune the GF3 in such a way that the lower midrange never sounds muffled, or veiled. It’s warm, yes. It’s rich, yes. Yet the sound has a distinct clarity which must be some kind of DSP trickery because males do sound very clear and present in the midst of the huge waterfall of bass that meanders through the midrange. Males like Alex Warren in his latest track “Ordinary” is a true testament to the GF3’s ability to center vocals and seemingly highlight them against the canopy of music which surrounds those vocals. His voice has some weight to it and a well-rounded body to his vocals. Instruments follow the same trajectory and come across fairly clean, weighted, more natural than they aren’t and all have great placement within the sound field. 

Upper-Midrange 

One of my favorite aspects of the GF3 is the upper mids. The pinna rise is roughly about 10 dB’s and it’s not what I’d call abrupt in its incline. It’s more gradual. Couple that with the larger bass shelf and what you get is a warmer take on the midrange. Now, the upper mids do come across a bit more energized and vibrant but they still have great weight to them. They aren’t anywhere near thin, dry, or papery. Instead, the upper-mids have a very moistened and tuneful sound which has just enough liveliness to sound enthralling to my ears. Females are sublime folks. Their voices are still very flowery and sweet while at the same time their voices generally have a certain density which sounds very nice. Females like Olivia Rodrigo in the track “Deja Vu” starts out sounding so delicate, so very painfully passionate and each feeling seems to be at home on the GF3. That hurt teenage heartache is ever present with this set, lol. I suppose that is its superpower. Well, for a true wireless that is. Another track is Sia in “I Forgive You”. Friends, the GF3 takes her raspy, edgy, and completely exhilarating vocals and does perfect justice to them. She sounds powerful and harmonious even in her less intense moments and resounding when she belts her heart out. None of the edginess of her voice is exaggerated by the GF3. Actually, the GF3 seems to smoothen those more knife-edged inflections. Truly a great job here. 

Technical Beast? 

I should note that the Geekfly GF3 is certainly not a “technical beast”. If you are looking at the GF3 for its amazing instrument separation or ultra transparent sound, then I’d definitely turn your head to some other sets. Not that the GF3 struggles in this area within the midrange, but it simply doesn’t specialize in drawing the subtleties to the surface. It’s definitely good in this area but there are other sets which are much more capable in this regard. I wouldn’t have it any other way too. I’d hate to mess up this rhythmic and musical sound just to add in a few more details. The GF3 instead specializes in its musicality and its near organic timbre and that delightfully warm/forward replay. This is a smooth midrange folks. Sure, it has some crispness which will show up when a track calls for it. But there are also plenty of moments where the tonal color and bass emphasis may color the sound more than some may prefer. I happen to really enjoy this midrange for what it is but these are some things to keep in mind.  

Downsides to the Midrange 

The only real downsides within the midrange come from preferential and subjective gripes that some hobbyists will likely have. Not that there’s anything inherently wrong with the midrange at all. Again, put the GF3 in the right box. It is exactly what Geekfly targeted it to be, and it will perfectly suit those with whom it was tuned for. However, there will be those who do not like the sound. As with any set. The GF3 has a semi-rich, warm, weighted, and musically lush sound. I have so many friends who only seek out crystal clear, clean-lined, detailed, and open sounding midranges in their prospective iems. Also, while the GF3 has nice details in respect to that richer sound, it will never be considered a “detail monster”. For what it is, the GF3’s detail retrieval certainly isn’t bad, just not tailored and tuned to uncover the subtleties. Though, I should add that many less complicated tracks will show off very nice micro-dynamics leading to nice micro-detail retrieval. I also actually hear decent air to the sound too. However, there’s no way the GF3 competes in this area with sets tuned for the purpose of technicalities. Of course, those sets also won’t have that engaging musicality that the GF3 has. In truth, I wouldn’t change a thing, and I find the midrange to be very charming to my ears. 

Treble Region 

The treble region is one which was somewhat of a surprise to me. I suppose I thought it would be more rolled off and less sprightly. It has just enough measured brilliance to illuminate certain parts of the midrange providing some subtle shimmer as well as some sparkle to the treble region. Really, I found myself enjoying the way instruments come across with the GF3 in my ears. The treble has some nice and edgy bite to it and even some punch to it. This isn’t some dry and lean treble either. Just like every other area of the mix, the treble has some weight to its notes. No doubt we should temper our expectations a bit, but honestly the treble does a nice job of countering the bass region while doing its best to balance the sound. Obviously, the low-end steals the focus a bit, but the treble definitely carries enough resplendent energy to bring some life to the upper half of the mix. Having said that, the GF3’s treble is not a bright sounding treble. I hear zero forced resolution at all. In my opinion, all the GF3’s resolve comes from the quality drivers that Geekfly chose along with some very crafty tuning. I think the choice of piezoelectric drivers really does help the treble to stand out nicely. Be that as it may, those who enjoy a very intense and highly energetic treble will not find that here.

Some examples 

Another nice quality of the tuning up top is how cohesive the sound is, especially for a tws set. I think that has to do with the frequency-wide richness that it has. Most certainly the piezo drivers offer a bit more speed than the DD down low, but tonally this is a very cohesive sounding set. Beyond that, the timbre up top is much better than many other piezoelectric drivers that I’ve heard. So often they can come across slightly edgy, even metallic at times. With the GF3 they are anything but that. Very nice timbre up top for my taste and for a true wireless earphone. However, what I enjoy best is the semi-dynamic nature of this moderately emphasized treble. There’s some slight pizzaz, there’s some exuberance with solid note control. I can hear this in just about every track in my treble testing playlist. Tracks like “Eye of the Untold Her” by Lindsey Stirling. I love how the GF3 never gets out of control, never gets too sharp or shrill and always keeps its composure. To add to that, the GF3 keeps up with every up & down volume shift and every abrupt dynamic swing. I also hear this in “Magnetic Fields, Pt. 1” by Jean Michel Jarre. This is a track with loads of treble activity and the GF3 faithfully reproduces every intonation with a very vivid replay. 

In a nutshell… 

This is a quality tuning guys and gals. Geekfly did a great job. Like I said the treble region is moderately lifted, it has some sparkle and a nice capped-off intensity which only shows its face when absolutely necessary. Furthermore, the treble never comes across as harsh to my ears. This is a very non-offensive region, yet it’s also a satisfying region for those of us who want just a touch of shimmer. Geekfly tuners decided to basically gut the frequency from about 4-9k which is the very area where those piezo drivers may begin to provide a bit too much coarseness. However, they also boosted everything past that adding an element of air to the sound as well as some much-needed glitter to the sound. This upper treble lift also gives stuff like the secondary harmonics of a cymbal strike a nice platform to stand on without sounding splashy, at all. I’m telling you folks; the treble has some nice control to it I’m keeping with solid timbre. All in all, the treble may not steal the focus or shine with effulgent luminance. But the treble does add some much-needed levity across the mix while also bringing some clarity and vividness to the sound. 

Downsides to the Treble Region 

I’d say the treble is most definitely not for treble heads. Those treble-bois amongst us are not going to come out of the woodwork to get the GF3 in their ears. It just isn’t tuned in such a way. If anything, I’d also say that the GF3 could use a hair more emphasis within the presence region. However, I also wasn’t the person tuning this set and so I wasn’t there to hear what this set sounded like with lower to mid treble rise. In all actuality, the sound is very nice as it is. I hear some nice detail retrieval up top along with good instrument separation and even some decent treble bite. The only other folks who may not dig the treble output are those people who greatly desire a more rolled off and dark treble. Beyond the treble heads and dark beads, I have to think he great majority of hobbyists will appreciate the GF3 for what it is. 

Technicalities 

Soundstage 

The soundstage is not one that is going to blow your mind with its massive width. I’d probably call the width about average. That said, the height is fantastic, offering a very full sound field. Now, what takes the soundstage from average to clearly above average comes from the perceived depth of the stage. The GF3 has some nice front to back recognition giving it a very deep sound. This gives the GF3 better than average layering abilities and an almost 3D style sound. Having said that, the stage is a bit more intimate. Not in its overall size, but in its placement. I say that because certain areas of the mix are drawn a hair more forward which brings the stage closer to the listener. So, while it is certainly a full soundstage, it’s also a closer stage. Really a nice stage folks. . 

Separation / Imaging 

Instrument separation is somewhat of a mixed bag. The sound of the GF3 is certainly on the richer side of the aisle with slightly weightier notes. This is not the type of sound which comes across lean or ultra-airy, and it doesn’t have ultra-fast transients. The GF3 is not some overly analytical set which by nature separates the sound field well. This is a musicality first tws iem which benefits off its lush sound. It is the GF3’s superpower. However, that lush sound does tighten the gaps between elements within the stage. To a degree anyways. Obviously, some tracks are better than others. Very bass heavy tracks will be the worst culprit in this regard. Or overly complicated tracks may also congest the mix a hair too. Also, you have to contend with the slight compression from the Bluetooth connection. I’d still say that separation is about average. Certainly not below average. That said, imaging of the sound field is very well laid out. Yes, the bass can get in the way in some heavier bass tracks but for the most part the GF3 does a great job of partitioning off the stage and placing those elements within that stage. Again, layering is also quite good too giving the GF3 very nice front to back separation. I found that vocals are always dead center, very well aligned (unless a track is recorded differently) and instruments are always in their place and never floating around my head. Usually, separation and imaging go hand in hand, but this is one time that I’d say the imaging exceeds its ability to cleanly separate instruments and vocals within the stage. 

Detail Retrieval 

Detail retrieval is another area where the GF3 is either going to be easily identified and easy to hear, while at other times details may not be as discernable. It’ll all come down to what genres and the type of music that you listen to. You always have to consider that 13-14 dB bass shelf masking over some of the subtleties in your music with the GF3. Now, this is something that I’m more than willing to live with. In fact, it doesn’t bother me at all. In truth, music that most people actually care about detail retrieval is usually less intense music. Basically, nobody is listening for the minutiae within a bass heavy track. Who’s listening for details in hip-hop, EDM, etc.? I’ll answer that for you… nobody. However, note control and note definition are solid across the frequency which helps tremendously in the details department. Sure, the GF3 is a slightly smoother sounding iem and you don’t have as much crisp and precise clinical sounds as you would with a more analytically inclined tws iem. Be that as it may, there have been many occasions that I was very happy with the detail retrieval. So, I’d say that to properly judge the ability of the GF3 you’d have to look at it in a situational way. Still, at the end of the day I’d say that detail retrieval on the Geekfly GF3 is about average. One more thing… average is good. 

Is it worth the asking price? 

No doubt about it, the Geekfly GF3 is worth every penny. Friends, I’ve owned a number of supposed “High-End” true wireless iems over the years. Many of the Noble Audio sets which many regard as the pinnacle of true wireless audio. Side note: I still feel the Noble Audio FokusPro (FokusPro Review) Is still the best Noble Audio tws under $350 (just my opinion). I’ve had most of the Bowers & Wilkins sets which are also highly regarded. The Grado GT220, Master & Dynamic sets, almost all of the Technics tws sets, just about every Sony tws, most of the Sennheiser Momentum series sets, some of the Final Audio sets, among many others. I don’t say that to brag either (what a pompous jerk that would make me). No way, I say that to hopefully instill some kind of trust in my perspective here. Granted, all things are relative, and all things are ridiculously subjective. However, most of those tws sets I sent back (some I wish I still had), some I chose not to review (various reasons), and most of them I simply wasn’t impressed with the sound quality for such prices. Let’s be honest, for someone to spend upwards of $200-$400 for a true wireless earphone, it better be awesome. Batteries do have a shelf life and are easily the largest achilles’ heel of the technology. I have so many opinions about it. At any rate, I haven’t heard them all and in no way am I proposing to be the “authority” on true wireless. I know many people who live and die with true wireless gear and eat, sleep, and breathe true wireless. So, take my opinion and then seek out some others. At any rate, I have been entirely impressed with the GF3. So much so, that I couldn’t in good faith say that it isn’t worth the $299 that Geekfly is asking for to own it. 

Stipulations 

There are some stipulations, or some caveats to that proclamation though. First, you have to be okay with spending $299 for a true wireless. No doubt that is a lot of money for most of the people on planet earth. Next, the Geekfly GF3 is certainly a more bassy set. Granted, EQ works well with the GF3, but its stock sound is definitely on the bassy side. So, do keep that in mind. Lastly, I have nothing else… Lol. Those are the stipulations to consider, the price and the tuning. If both of those caveats fit your life and your preferences, then I’d say without question the Geekfly GF3 is worth every penny. Why do I say that? 

The Why… 

Because the Geekfly GF3 is one of the most strikingly gorgeous true wireless sets that I’ve seen. The design looks more like a high-end iem folks. The marbled faceplates, the ergonomics, the comfort, the substantial feeling build, all screams high-end, elegance, and tws luxury. This set is also a 3-driver hybrid with a wonderfully cohesive and well implemented DD and dual piezo setup. Not the easiest driver combinations to properly tune. The unboxing is wheel done too. Also, the SOC Chipset is a very well qualified Qualcomm QCC3091 chip which offers a litany of impressive features. Features like Snapdragon Sound, LE Audio, some of the best audio codecs on planet earth (LC3, Aptx Lossless, Aptx-Adaptive), BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), some very impressive bit depths, sample rates, as well as low battery consumption. The GF3 has the best amplifier that I’ve ever seen in any true wireless set with its enormous 125mw output power but also very low distortion values. Yes, they get loud, but they also stay controlled in the process! But also, the dynamics provided with this amp are just awesome. Call quality is nice as well. And one of the more impressive features of the Geekfly GF3 is without question its battery life. Folks, this set will provide you 11-13 hours on a single charge! Maybe I need to say that again… “11 to 13 hours on one charge”! But wait, there’s more, the GF3’s charging case can afford you up to 40 hours in total. Basically, if you are worried about the battery failing over time, just remember that 11-13 hours is a wonderful starting point. However, these are just the intangibles, and while they are all very impressive… it always comes down to the sound…

That sound… 

The one thing that the GF3 specializes in is its great sound quality. The GF3 is a ferociously dense and bass focused sound which surprisingly doesn’t leave out any area of the mix. The bass hits hard, runs deep, and is very clean for its weight and size. Next, the midrange is nice for instruments and vocalists with a very organic, very forward, and very melodically musical sound which lets me melt into my music with its fluid and rhythmic presentation. It’s absolutely engaging. The treble is also non-offensive, non-fatiguing, very well extended, sparkly, and just brilliant enough to offer a nice counter to the bass. To add to that, the GF3 is nicely detailed for the tuning, with very solid imaging and layering abilities. Also, the stage is very immersive, very deep, almost holographic too. I really cannot say enough good things about the sound. Once more, you have to be aligned and enjoy this type of tuning, but really friends… the GF3 is a very nice sounding set. Guys & gals, if you can afford the $299 that it takes to own the GF3 then I’d say 100% it is worth every penny. Nice work Geekfly!

Conclusion 

Thank you

To conclude my full review and feature of the Geekfly GF3 I have to thank the wonderful people of Geekfly and especially the wonderful contact (you know who you are) who has helped me along the way. Just wonderfully sweet and down-to-earth people who aren’t into hype pieces and only want my exact thoughts and feelings. I have had such a great experience with these folks throughout the process of this featured review. So, thank you Geekfly. I am so interested in their past and future products after spending time with the GF3. It’s been a very nice experience. Also, I need to thank you, the reader, for spending your personal time reading my words. Everytime you click that link is special to us and means the world to myself and my partners at Mobileaudiophile.com. So, thank you very much. 

Other Perspectives 

Now that you’ve read my words and my thoughts about the Geekfly GF3, I do hope you would now go and read, watch, or listen to other opinions about the GF3. Remember, we are all very different. Each and every one of us carry our own subjective preferences. What is good to one person may not be good to another. So, I really hope you’ll spend the time and gain other perspectives about the GF3. I feel it is very important. Beyond that, I think I am done folks. So, please take good care, stay as safe as possible and always… God Bless!