When portable audio reaches new heights, it’s usually because a brand dares to innovate—and that’s precisely what Edifier has achieved with the NeoBuds Planar. These earbuds take planar magnetic technology, once reserved for full-sized audiophile headphones, and condense it into a compact, true wireless form. It’s an ambitious move that delivers an unexpectedly rich and detailed sound experience that’s hard to forget once heard.
The NeoBuds Planar stand out in Edifier’s growing lineup of true wireless models by combining advanced engineering with premium build quality and practical everyday features. They draw inspiration from Edifier’s previous models but elevate the experience through the use of planar drivers and Snapdragon Sound support. The end result is a product that bridges the gap between professional audio equipment and casual listening convenience.
From the moment they’re paired, these earbuds impress with their sonic depth, noise-cancelling ability, and seamless connectivity. They feel more refined than most of their rivals, both in construction and performance. For anyone who appreciates precision sound wrapped in a futuristic design, the NeoBuds Planar present a strong case for being one of Edifier’s most accomplished releases yet.
Design and Functionality
The Edifier NeoBuds Planar embrace a futuristic design that balances elegance with practicality. Each earbud features a slim stem and a contoured body that fits comfortably in the ear without excessive bulk. Their glossy yet subdued finish creates a premium look, while the streamlined silhouette ensures they remain secure during long listening sessions.
The case follows a modern design language with a dark matte surface that effectively resists fingerprints. Its shape is compact and rounded, making it easy to carry in a pocket or bag. The magnetic docking system holds the earbuds firmly in place, ensuring they won’t dislodge when the case is opened or closed. A subtle LED indicator keeps users informed of battery status and connection readiness.
Edifier’s attention to detail is apparent in how tactile the experience feels. The haptic buttons on each stem respond precisely to every tap or press, allowing users to confidently control music, calls, or voice assistants without needing to look at their device. The audible and physical feedback creates an intuitive interface that doesn’t rely solely on touch sensors.
Comfort is a key strength of the NeoBuds Planar. The earbuds ship with five sizes of silicone ear tips, allowing users to achieve a personalised fit. Once seated correctly, they form an effective acoustic seal that enhances both passive isolation and sound quality. Their lightweight construction makes them comfortable for extended wear, even during long commutes or flights.
Durability is another aspect that sets these earbuds apart. With an IP55 rating, they’re resistant to dust and light moisture, making them suitable for workouts or outdoor use. This rating doesn’t make them waterproof, but it’s enough protection to handle sweat or unexpected rain without worry.
Charging is handled elegantly, whether through the included USB-C cable or a wireless charging pad. The case supports both options seamlessly, offering flexibility to suit different user preferences. The charging process is quick and efficient, ensuring minimal downtime between listening sessions.
Battery life is competitive within its class. With active noise cancellation off, the earbuds deliver around 7.5 hours of playback, with the charging case extending total use to over 20 hours. Even with ANC activated, playback time remains impressive, easily supporting a full day of regular use before needing a recharge.
The NeoBuds Planar also shine in their connectivity. Powered by Bluetooth 5.4, the earbuds maintain a reliable and stable connection with minimal latency. Multipoint support enables simultaneous pairing with multiple devices, making it convenient for users who regularly switch between a phone, tablet, or laptop.
Although multipoint performance occasionally requires manual switching, it remains a valuable inclusion for multitasking. The transition between devices is generally smooth, and when it works seamlessly, it eliminates the need to constantly re-pair the earbuds.
Edifier’s choice of materials contributes to both aesthetics and functionality. The smooth exterior transitions cleanly into the matte finish of the stem, giving the earbuds a professional look that complements their high-end sound. Every element feels purposefully engineered, from the precision-cut speaker grilles to the gentle curves that improve in-ear stability.
Even small design touches enhance the overall experience. The magnetic closure of the case snaps shut with a satisfying click, reinforcing its build quality. LED accents along the lid lend a touch of sophistication without feeling flashy or distracting.
These design and functional elements highlight Edifier’s thoughtful engineering. The NeoBuds Planar are not only visually appealing but also built to deliver long-term comfort, reliable connectivity, and a sense of refinement that matches their exceptional sound performance.
Key Features
At the core of the NeoBuds Planar lies a planar magnetic driver system, a technology rarely seen in true wireless earbuds. This advanced design utilises a thin, ultra-responsive diaphragm suspended between magnetic arrays, allowing for exceptionally fast and accurate sound reproduction. The result is audio that feels spacious, detailed, and remarkably natural across all frequencies.
Edifier has integrated its second-generation EqualMass wiring technology to complement the planar drivers. This refined wiring system ensures balanced energy distribution across the diaphragm, minimising distortion and improving transient response. In practice, this means that intricate musical details, such as string vibrations and subtle percussive elements, are rendered with lifelike clarity.
Supporting the sonic foundation is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Sound platform, which optimises wireless transmission for both music and calls. With codecs including LHDC 5, LDAC, AAC, and various aptX options, users can experience high-resolution streaming with minimal compression. This range of codec support also ensures compatibility with a wide variety of devices.
Hi-Res Audio certification from the Japan Audio Society further reinforces the NeoBuds Planar’s credentials. This certification signifies that the earbuds meet stringent standards for audio reproduction, capable of delivering extended frequency response and fidelity typically reserved for wired setups.
Adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) technology takes listening quality even further. By automatically adjusting its strength according to environmental noise levels, the system effectively reduces distractions without altering tonal balance. Whether in a busy street or a quiet café, the ANC adapts seamlessly to maintain consistent performance.
Three microphones per earbud work together for clearer calls and improved noise isolation. This multi-mic array uses beamforming and environmental noise reduction to ensure speech remains crisp, even in windy or crowded surroundings. The setup makes the NeoBuds Planar a reliable option for video meetings and hands-free calls.
Wireless convenience is another standout feature. The inclusion of wireless charging adds flexibility for users who prefer a clutter-free charging setup. Combined with fast wired charging via USB-C, it ensures the earbuds are always ready for use with minimal downtime.
Edifier’s ConneX mobile app enhances the overall experience by giving users access to customisation options. Within the app, users can adjust equaliser settings, switch between ANC and ambient modes, and reassign haptic control functions. It also provides battery status indicators for both earbuds and the case.
The ambient mode is particularly useful when users need to remain aware of their surroundings. It allows external sounds to pass through naturally, which is ideal for conversations or commuting in busy areas. The transition between ANC and ambient modes is smooth and can be toggled instantly through the app or earbud controls.
Edifier’s focus on convenience extends to multipoint connectivity, allowing the earbuds to connect to two devices simultaneously. This makes switching between media and calls effortless, adding another layer of practicality to their already impressive feature set. The combination of high-end audio engineering, adaptive noise control, and thoughtful software integration defines the NeoBuds Planar as a premium contender in the wireless audio space.
Experience Using the Product and Performance
Listening to the Edifier NeoBuds Planar for the first time reveals just how much detail these small drivers can deliver. The planar magnetic design produces an exceptionally clear and balanced sound that feels open and natural. Instruments occupy distinct spaces, giving each note a sense of separation that is rare in true wireless earbuds. It’s an immersive presentation that appeals to both casual listeners and dedicated audiophiles.
The treble performance is one of the first things that stands out. High frequencies are bright and well-extended, providing plenty of sparkle without becoming harsh or fatiguing. Cymbals, strings, and vocal overtones are reproduced with impressive finesse, offering a level of clarity that’s often lost in smaller drivers. Even at higher volumes, the treble remains composed and distortion-free.
In the midrange, the NeoBuds Planar shine with a warmth and richness that complement their technical precision. Vocals sit comfortably at the centre of the mix, neither recessed nor overly forward. Guitars, pianos, and wind instruments sound authentic and full-bodied, giving the overall presentation a natural tone that makes long listening sessions highly enjoyable.
Bass is delivered with authority but never overwhelms the rest of the frequency range. It’s tight, punchy, and controlled, avoiding the bloated resonance that plagues many wireless earbuds. The planar driver’s rapid response ensures that low-end notes start and stop cleanly, making kick drums and electronic beats feel sharp and dynamic without muddying the midrange.
Soundstage depth and width are exceptional for a pair of in-ear monitors. The NeoBuds Planar create a convincing sense of spatial awareness, positioning instruments with precision in a three-dimensional field. This helps live recordings, orchestral pieces, and even movie soundtracks feel more expansive, as though the sound extends well beyond the physical size of the earbuds.
Imaging is equally impressive, with clear placement of instruments across the stereo field. Subtle cues like the movement of a hi-hat or the reverb of a distant guitar are easily discernible, adding realism to every track. This spatial accuracy enhances the enjoyment of both music and gaming, where directional cues can be crucial.
The adaptive noise cancellation complements the sonic performance perfectly. It works efficiently to reduce background noise without introducing the dull, hollow sound that some ANC systems cause. Whether commuting on a bus or sitting in a busy café, environmental noise fades into the background, leaving only clean, uninterrupted audio.
Switching to Ambient mode is seamless and particularly useful when awareness of surroundings is needed. Voices and ambient sounds come through clearly, making it easy to have conversations or hear announcements without removing the earbuds. The transition between modes is fast and doesn’t affect the overall tonal balance.
Call performance is another strong point. The three-microphone array per earbud isolates the user’s voice effectively, even in windy or noisy conditions. Speech sounds crisp and well-defined, and callers on the other end reported clear audio with minimal background interference. It’s a practical benefit that enhances the earbuds’ usability beyond just music playback.
Latency performance, especially for video streaming and mobile gaming, is impressively low. Thanks to Snapdragon Sound support, lip-sync issues are virtually non-existent, and game sound effects align accurately with on-screen actions. This makes them a strong choice for users who value responsiveness.
The ConneX app proves invaluable in tailoring the experience further. Custom EQ settings allow users to fine-tune the sound signature to personal taste. While the default Dynamic mode delivers a well-balanced response, tweaking the EQ can bring out additional brightness or warmth depending on musical preference.
Battery life meets expectations for daily use. With ANC off, users can enjoy up to 7.5 hours of continuous playback, while the charging case provides multiple top-ups. Even with ANC engaged, five hours per charge is respectable, and the ability to quickly recharge via USB-C or wirelessly keeps downtime minimal.
Comfort remains consistent even during extended sessions. The lightweight construction and wide selection of ear tips ensure a secure fit that doesn’t create pressure. Whether used for work, travel, or leisure, the earbuds remain comfortable and stable, even during movement or exercise.
Wireless stability is solid across devices. The Bluetooth 5.4 connection remains steady, and dropouts are rare even in areas with heavy signal interference. Pairing is fast, and multipoint connectivity, while occasionally requiring manual intervention, is still a useful feature for multitasking between devices.
In daily use, the NeoBuds Planar prove versatile across genres. They handle acoustic and classical music with refinement, delivering nuanced textures, while also excelling with electronic and rock tracks that demand dynamic impact. This adaptability is a testament to the precision of the planar magnetic driver.
Volume scaling is smooth, with no noticeable imbalance between channels at low listening levels. Even when pushed to higher volumes, distortion remains minimal, reflecting Edifier’s meticulous tuning and driver control. The earbuds deliver a confident performance that invites extended listening without fatigue.
Gamers and content creators will appreciate how the wide soundstage and imaging enhance positional awareness. Dialogue in films sounds natural and centred, while environmental effects such as footsteps or ambient reverb in games are rendered accurately, creating a cinematic experience in a small package.
The IP55 rating adds peace of mind when using the earbuds outdoors. They handle sweat and light rain with ease, maintaining performance regardless of the environment. This resilience makes them ideal companions for both travel and daily commuting.
Charging options are flexible and efficient. The case supports both wireless and wired charging, allowing users to choose what’s most convenient. The magnetic closure and LED indicators provide a reassuring sense of quality and functionality.
Using the Edifier NeoBuds Planar feels like stepping into a higher class of true wireless technology. From the clarity of the treble to the richness of the mids and the precision of the bass, every detail is rendered with exceptional control. Combined with solid ANC performance, app customisation, and refined comfort, these earbuds stand out as one of the most accomplished models in Edifier’s portfolio.
Conclusion
Edifier’s NeoBuds Planar show just how far wireless earphones have come, blending high-end planar magnetic technology with the everyday convenience of a compact true wireless design. They manage to deliver a sound signature that’s not only technically impressive but also genuinely enjoyable to listen to across a wide range of genres. Their combination of clean treble, rich mids, and tight bass makes them equally suited for both critical listening and casual use.
Beyond their audio capabilities, the build quality and comfort set them apart. The thoughtful ergonomics, robust IP55 protection, and premium finish give them a sense of refinement that extends to every interaction. Features like wireless charging, intuitive haptic controls, and app-based tuning add everyday practicality to their already premium appeal.
The adaptive noise cancellation and crystal-clear call quality further enhance their versatility, allowing them to transition seamlessly from entertainment to work. Whether commuting, gaming, or relaxing at home, they deliver consistent, high-fidelity sound without compromise.
For anyone seeking a pair of wireless earbuds that merge advanced audio engineering with smart functionality, the Edifier NeoBuds Planar make a strong case. They encapsulate what modern portable listening should be—comfortable, connected, and capable of producing sound that rivals full-sized headphones.
