Disclaimer:
Hifiman provided me with a review sample of the HIFIMAN TWS 800, for which I am grateful!
I’m going to be as objective as possible, and being a common audio enthusiast, I will use simple words in this review.
I will highlight what I liked and what I didn’t, without any fear.
This is another extremely expensive TWS, and for anyone interested in purchasing it, I hope my review will help them with their choice.
So I’m not going to use super-technical words to review it, but I will do my best to describe it.
My review won’t be the most technical you will find online, but I hope you like it.
Tech Specs:
- Driver: Topology diaphragm
- Case Battery: 31.5hrs
- TWS Battery: 4.5hrs
- Bluetooth Version : Bluetooth 5.0
- Frequency Response : 20Hz-20kHz
- Music Playback Time : 4.5 Hours + 27 Hours
- Earphones charging time : 1 Hour
- Charging Case charging time : 2 Hours
- Weight of charging case : 74.4g
- Weight of one earphone : 6.9g
- Standby time : 140
- Waterproof: IPX4
- Transmission Distance: up to 15m (barrier-free transmission)
Packaging:
I will be very honest! For a similar product, I would have expected a more luxurious (and useless) box. We find the charging case and the HIFIMAN TWS 800; under them are the tips and the charging cable. I have to admit that the cable is not premium but standard, and the tips, unfortunately, apart from the quantity, aren’t that good. One of them is defective, as you can see from the photos. I don’t want to be too rigid in my evaluation, but considering the price, I’m expecting good tips to be included in the packaging. However, I found the ones that I like and that fit like a glove.
Accessories included:
- 7 pairs of tips
- Charging cable
- Carrying bag
- Manual + warranty online
Design/Build Quality:
As we have already seen on the Svanar Wireless HIFIMAN adopts extreme designs The HIFIMAN TWS 800 charging case is quite minimal; the exterior is made of metal (it’s cold to the touch) with a matte or satin finish. The choice is stylish but I have seen in use that it is easily damaged if it takes small knocks. Behind us we find the type C for charging and below the specifications. Inside the case, we can see the charge indicator with 4 orange LEDs.
Opening the charging case, we again see two unidentified objects: alien shapes, difficult to describe but intriguing. The faceplate is boomerang-shaped, while the TWS extends almost like a deep-insertion IEM. The Svanar Wireless, in comparison, is an IEM, while the TWS 800 is a hybrid, like a fusion of two concepts. The faceplate is not made of metal, as it would seem at first glance but is made of plastic. Underneath, we find the chip with the DAC and the status LEDs. The other part with a metallic finish, however, seems to be really metal, as does the nozzle.
I can’t tell you how they managed to develop such a shell design but I’ll tell you about comfort later.
Built-in Technology:
There is a driver with a topology diagram and 150 ohm impedance! I don’t know if it’s the quality of the DD or the different tuning but it doesn’t sound like the Svanar Wireless. Obviously, to move the driver with such high impedance, there are two DACs but nothing else is specified. It has Bluetooth 5.0 but does not have the highest-performing codecs and is limited to AAC and SBC.
Fit & Comfort:
But, if we’re honest, the shape of the shell isn’t that intuitive. The first time I picked them up, I didn’t know exactly what to do. I was totally confused by the shape. Fortunately, among the many tips, I found the right ones. With a little training, I understood that you need to screw them into your ear until you reach the correct position. Despite their shape, they are comfortable and stable too! Incredible!
The length of the nozzle this time does not create problems with the choice of tips, but you still need to choose something that is halfway between a deep insertion and a light one.
Tips Rolling:
This time, I didn’t have to search for the perfect tips But as for the HIFIMAN Svanar Wireless, the most suitable here too is the Divinus Velvet. However, they are not strictly necessary here, as there is an almost similar model included.
Functionality & Features:
The HIFIMAN TWS800 has few features compared to the price. On the market, we find $30 TWS with apps, ANC, and more, while here we have none of this. Furthermore, the best codecs are missing.
Fortunately, the faceplates are touch-sensitive and allow you to perform all tasks easily.
The integrated microphone is absolutely not at the level of the AirPods but it is very sensitive to external noises and especially to the wind.
Gestures for Calls & Music:
- Answer call: press once, either earbud twice
- End call: While in a call, press once the left or right earbud
- Reject call: Press and hold either earbud for 2 seconds
- Voice assistant: Long press the right earbud (R) for 3 seconds
- To Play/Pause: Touch the right or left earbud to pause the track, and touch it again to continue playing.
- Increase volume: double press the right earbud
- Reduce Volume: Double press the left earbud
- To rewind to the previous track With earbuds in operation, triple-click the right earbud
- To Skip to the Next Track With earbuds in operation, triple-click the left earbud.
Audio Codecs:
The HIFIMAN TWS 800 is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, but they do not have many codecs available; in fact, we have just AAC and SBC available. Unfortunately, there is no APTX or LDAC support. The range is remarkable; if there are no obstacles, there is great stability.
I think it is appropriate to say that for the asking price you would at least want to have APTX support.
Equipment used for testing above
Device:
- Poco M4 Pro
Software:
- Amazon music UHD 24bit 96kHz
Sound impressions:
I start by saying that they are quite natural and balanced. The low frequencies have a very good extension without being intrusive. The mids sound a little bit too warm for my personal taste, but the treble extension is smoothed up.
According to some other reviewers, the tuning is better than that of the TWS 600. I would define it as typical Hifiman, very balanced and natural, with a touch of warmth along the entire spectrum. Regarding the perceived resolution, in my opinion, it is not up to the asking price. But I think the reason is to keep the trebles very relaxed
We only have one mode instead of several, as on the Svanar. The performance is amazing and the volume is moderately high without being overpowering, considering that 150 ohms is not exactly a walk in the park.
Treble
They sound natural but the high frequencies remain very safe. They are never sibilant or harsh, even at high volumes. I would have liked something more to help the mids and the whole image quality perception. The final result, although different from expectations, is still pleasant.
Mids
The mids, in my opinion, are decidedly warm compared to neutrality. At times, I notice a certain nasality in the tone. They are pleasant and not forwarded but they lack a touch of extra sparkle that would make the voices and musical instruments more alive. However, they stand out in the foreground compared to the rest and the warm timbre helps some instruments have greater depth. I like them but maybe it’s missing a bit of upper-mids.
Bass
The bass has more impact or perhaps it is better to say that the mid-bass does the bulk of the work. I think when it comes to the sub-bass, there is a defined roll-off. . For TWS, they’re not bad at all but pretty natural.
Soundstage & Imaging:
The soundstage is quite wide and deep! It’s not unnatural, but it’s truly remarkable! While the image is very defined, everything is in its place, but the very safe sound timbre makes them less resolute than expected.
Fast Comparison:
I do not have many TWS, and the ones I do have are not up to par with these, so comparing them to the Hifiman Svanar Wireless is pointless.
Despite the problems that you can read in my full review, the Svanar Wireless has a different tuning, much brighter but not annoying and the resolution seems to be of a completely different level. It goes without saying that I prefer them but we are talking about really high prices for many people’s pockets.
But currently, there are new variants of the Svanar that cost the same as these and if they used the same driver and maintained the same tuning as their older sister, then they could be an excellent alternative.
The soundstage is very similar but everything sounds more vivid and resolute. There is also more energy and the perception of high resolution is tangible. You struggle to imagine having a wireless device in your ears.
Conclusion:
I’ll start by telling you that I haven’t become a big TWS fan yet. I usually listen to music at home so I don’t really need wireless devices. I usually stay on the sofa, at the PC, or in bed. Let’s say that I find Bluetooth DACs like the Muse M4 HiFi more sensible as they allow me more versatility. The Hifiman TWS 800 is a very expensive TWS. Speaking of wired IEMs, we find for example, the Hidizs MP145 planar ones, which are truly amazing. After all, the TWS 800 is now an outdated model with an improved successor already. They have a shape that is not necessarily liked or comfortable for everyone. The autonomy of a single charge is not very high and considering the possible battery deterioration, it could be reduced quickly. If you are well aware of what you have just read, then you know that it has a warm natural timbre, a wide soundstage, an extremely precise separation, but a below-average definition due to the choice to keep the treble area very relaxing.
7/10
Pros:
- Good build quality
- Sturdy charging case
- Warm natural signature (not too natural)
- Built-in DAC
- Safe treble area
- High-impedance Topology Driver
- Excellent separation and imaging
- Interesting soundstage
- Stable connection
Cons:
- Tips quality instead of quantity
- Mic quality
- Definition, sparkle
- Battery life
- Fit can be tricky (due to the alien shape)
- No App
- Basic codes supported
- No ANC
- Price (not for all)
