My experience with the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 has been mixed. While I greatly admire their design, audio performance, and features, I’ve struggled with the fit, which has never felt quite right for me.
Though I’ve tried various ways to make them comfortable, it always feels like a compromise. Recently, I gave the OPPO Enco X4 true wireless earbuds a try, and I believe I’ve finally discovered the right fit I’ve been searching for.
Finding the Right Ear Tips
The Pixel Buds Pro 2’s ear tips have always posed a challenge for me. They don’t sit securely in my ears, making it difficult for the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to be effective. I often find myself adjusting them, seeking a balance between comfort and seal.
Although changing to different ear tips has helped, it shouldn’t be necessary to buy third-party replacements for a proper fit. It’s clear that everyone’s ears are unique. Still, I’ve tried many earbuds, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 have presented the biggest fitting hurdle for me.
Despite their fit issues, I’ve accepted the Pixel Buds Pro 2 because I really value their compact design and sound quality. They also offer a unique feature that allows for real-time conversations with Gemini, which I find particularly useful for brainstorming purposes.
Introducing the OPPO Enco X4
OPPO has a solid reputation in audio, and their Enco X4 earbuds launched alongside the OPPO Find X10 Pro Max smartphone. Featuring an impressive dual-driver system with an 11mm woofer and a 6mm tweeter, they also incorporate a dedicated DAC to optimize sound quality. Collaboration with Dynaudio has refined their audio performance.
The Enco X4 supports various features including hi-res audio, AI-enhanced ANC, and Bluetooth 6.1. They also include low-strain noise-canceling ear tips for enhanced comfort.
Excitingly, they work with Gemini Live technology. By simply saying, “Hey Google, let’s talk live,” users can activate this feature. On paper, the Enco X4 appears to combine all the aspects I loved about the Pixel Buds Pro 2, but in a more comfortable design. I was eager to see how they performed.
Fit and Comfort
The OPPO Enco X4 has a classic earbud design with a curved body and a short stem. Weighing just six grams, they fit securely in my ears with minor adjustments. The soft silicone tips include a wax guard, ensuring they stay put without discomfort.
Even if third-party ear tips may be hard to find due to the unique nozzle shape, the fit is genuinely satisfying. Unlike the Pixel Buds Pro 2, the Enco X4 remains stable in my ears without causing fatigue, and I have experienced no discomfort so far.
They come in a slim oval charging case, with OPPO claiming a battery life of 13 hours without ANC and a total of 53 hours with the case. Switching between devices like the Find X10 Pro Max and iPhone has been seamless, aided by the Hey Melody app for customizable settings available on both platforms.
Audio Performance of the OPPO Enco X4
The launch of the Enco X4 coincided with the release of NMIXX’s and IVE’s mini-albums, and their performance varied significantly depending on the device used. They sounded solid with the iPhone but were exceptional when paired with the Find X10 Pro Max, providing a fuller, punchier audio experience.
Tracks like NMIXX’s “Birthday Wish” showcased the earbuds’ ability to deliver the vocal power and dynamism of the music. However, careful tuning in the Hey Melody app is necessary to achieve optimal sound. I found the High Vocal mode worked best, needing the BassWave mode set to a low level to balance the sound.
Though there’s a chance of overpowering the Enco X4 in terms of bass, a sensible equalizer setting makes a difference, ensuring they sound good overall.
Live Conversations with Gemini
Using the Gemini Live feature with the Find X10 Pro Max, I experienced a slight delay in responses, which wasn’t present with the Pixel Buds Pro 2. While this might be due to settings, I haven’t pinpointed a solution yet. Beyond that, the experience is similar to what I enjoyed with Google’s earbuds.
The comfort and secure fit of the OPPO Enco X4 is a significant improvement for me compared to the Pixel Buds Pro 2, making them much easier to use. With a bit of audio adjustment, they performed similarly in sound quality, particularly with the Find X10 Pro Max, and their ANC is impressive. The intuitive swipe controls on the earbud stems are another user-friendly aspect.
If you find the OPPO Enco X4 available in your area, I highly recommend them. In the US, they require importing, but they retail for £219 in the UK, the same price as the Pixel Buds Pro 2, which often see discounts that lower their price. I’ll be using the Enco X4 for a while but will miss the design of the Pixel Buds Pro 2.
