MyKronoz ZeBuds tested: True wireless headphones for little money
11.9.2019
Translation: machine translated
The MyKronoz ZeBuds cannot deny their visual similarities to the AirPods, but are significantly cheaper than the true wireless headphones from Apple and are also available in black.
I can test them at the IFA, was my idea for the MyKronoz ZeBuds. The setup and pairing was done immediately after boarding the train from Hamburg to Berlin without any problems. My smartphone found them straight away via Bluetooth 5.0.
Rigid earbuds with short battery life
When I unpacked the headphones, I was confused by the fact that the housing is matt but has a shiny cover. I don't think that's nice. But more important than the visual impression is the fact that the hinge of the lid looks flimsy and not particularly stable when you open it. I'm not sure if it will last forever. Neither the beautiful sound when it snaps shut nor the harmonious and flawless sliding in of the earbuds can compensate for this. Magnets hold the plugs securely in the housing. They won't fall out if you hold it open upside down.
The ZeBuds ear studs are only one size and cannot be customised with soft attachments in different variations. With my small ears, this means that they pinch from the very first minute. They fit tightly, but not comfortably. I lasted just over an hour with them on, then they had to come out of my ears urgently - before the train reached Berlin.
Plus points for the USB-C port on the housing. I don't have to take an extra micro USB cable with me for charging. However, the plug doesn't disappear completely into the casing. Although this doesn't interfere with the charging process, it looks cheap and poorly planned. The earbuds are supposed to run for up to three hours on a single charge and can be recharged up to three times with the charging case. I couldn't do this to my ears until the end. Compared to other models, this is a rather short runtime.
Sound and touch control
MyKronoz praises the ZeBuds' "intuitive touch control". This allows you to stop and restart playback on the left earbud and skip to the next song on the right earbud. You can use both to activate voice control or accept, reject or end a call. It took me a while to find exactly the right point at the right strength.
The good thing is that when the ZeBuds are in my ear, I quickly forget that I have electric toothbrush heads in my ears. In other words: the shape doesn't get in the way when wearing them, but you have to decide for yourself how they look. The ear studs are also splash-proof (IPX4) and can therefore be worn in the rain and during sport. However, I find that the ZeBuds are difficult to grip and it doesn't get any better with sweaty hands. I regularly feared that they would fall off when I put them in my ears on the way to the underground in the morning.
In terms of sound, the MyKronoz ZeBuds are in the lower mid-range. The bass is only subtle. The highs and mids, on the other hand, come out well. However, the overall sound doesn't sound like a full club with a lot of pressure on the system, but rather like a single slightly rattling speaker in a large dance hall. On the other hand, I can hear the person I'm talking to well when I'm on the phone on my way through the exhibition halls. The design with a microphone at the lower end of the earbud proves to be an advantage here.
There is no active noise cancellation and the ZeBuds sit in the ear in such a way that you can hear most of your surroundings - unless you turn up the volume to unbearable levels. It's not always easy to follow a podcast when the train is squeaking or the person sitting next to you is talking.
Conclusion: cheap alone is not enough
Even if I assume that the MyKronoz ZeBuds sit better on other people and don't cause pain, they are not my first choice among true wireless headphones. In addition to the more comfortable fit, I'm ready for the
Bose SoundSport Free or the Samsung Galaxy Buds in favour of a better grip, a higher-quality finish and a better sound.
When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
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