I made a decision two years in the past so as to add a little bit of RGB lighting to my gaming rig, and in attribute trend, I went overboard. I now have RGB lighting on nearly each product on my desk, together with my keyboard, gaming mouse, the mouse floor, and gaming rig (Corsair’s towering 5000T chassis). Even the DAC that I take advantage of — Fiio’s K9 Pro — has an RGB mild ring that adjustments primarily based on the audio supply materials, and I’ve Corsair’s mild stands and Govee’s desk lights that add vibrant RGB lighting throughout the entrance floor of my desk.
The one space the place I have been missing RGB is wi-fi audio, and fortunately, HHOGene is catering to that exact area of interest. The Chinese language model was established simply two years in the past, and its first product is the GPods, a $125 pair of wi-fi earbuds which have an RGB mild bar working throughout the size of every stalk.
I used to be clearly intrigued when requested to try the GPods, so here is what you’ll want to learn about these distinctive wi-fi earbuds.
HHOGene GPods: Pricing and availability
HHOGene launched the GPods on the finish of 2022, they usually’re now available on Amazon for $125 (opens in new tab) (with a $15 coupon). You may discover a limited-time deal on HHOGene’s website that lowers the associated fee to $112. The earbuds can be found in white and black, and there is additionally a premium set that features 4 add-on shells, retailing for $140.
HHOGene GPods: Design
On condition that the GPods are marketed because the world’s first earbuds with RGB lighting, I figured that may be pretty much as good a spot to begin as any. The lighting extends throughout the stalk, and it’s vibrant and extremely customizable — these earbuds are positive to show heads while you’re out in public.
The stalk itself is large and tall, making the RGB lighting that rather more distinguished. You get full management over the colours, with the model noting that there are 300,000 mixtures that you need to use. You possibly can modify the brightness of the sunshine bar on every stalk, and HHOGene gives 4 lighting results out of the field: Ripple sees the sunshine transferring from the middle to each ends, and it adjusts dynamically to music. Equally, the Pulse mode is a dynamic possibility that strikes the sunshine from the underside to the highest.
If you wish to exhibit the earbuds, Shiny is the mode that is supreme. This delivers a continuing mild throughout the floor of the stalks, and it is not dynamic. Lastly, there is a Breath mode that pulses the lights on or off. Even with the brightness set to medium, the lighting is vivid sufficient that it’s seen in daylight, and the vivid lighting is unquestionably the largest differentiator right here.
There’s quite a bit to love concerning the GPods in case you’re into customization; you may discover 46 shade choices accessible as normal, and you’ll arrange your personal colours by way of a palette, launch the digital camera to take a photograph and match the colours of the topic, or use an current picture.
The bundled colours are lots of enjoyable to discover, and you’ll simply swap between themes. However if you wish to arrange your personal sample, you may need to flip to the colour palette — there are six distinct LEDs on every stalk, and you’ll change the person shade of every LED.
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A singular characteristic on the GPods is the power to customise the outer design by add-on shells; the outer casing is removable, and HHOGene sells all kinds of equipment that change the look of the earbuds. This offers the earbuds a degree of customization that you simply simply do not discover wherever else, and you’ll even add custom engraving to the shells. The shells value a further $20, and HHOGene also sells a bundle for $139 that features the earbuds together with 4 customized shells.
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The remainder of the design is not fairly as thrilling, with the GPods that includes a plastic interior shell with the sound nozzle extending at an angle. The match that you simply get with these is much like that of the Nothing Ear (2), and whereas there’s nothing improper with the construct high quality, the shiny end makes these really feel extra like finances wi-fi earbuds.
Similarly, the design of the case is strictly utilitarian, and it does not look premium. That is forgivable while you take a look at the design of the earbuds, however it could have been good to see a extra cohesive aesthetic.
HHOGene GPods: Options and battery life
As for the {hardware} on provide, the GPods pair over Bluetooth 5.2, and I had these linked to the Xiaomi 13 Pro, Galaxy S23 Ultra, and the Pixel 7a, and did not have any points with connectivity. You get simply the fundamental SBC and AAC codecs right here — there isn’t any AptX or LHDC.
Fortunately, there’s ANC right here, and it’s efficient with sounds of as much as 25dB. It does an honest job tuning out the hum of an air conditioner or site visitors noises, nevertheless it is not fairly as highly effective as what you may discover on most wi-fi earbuds as of late.
You may additionally discover IPX4 ingress safety, making these an acceptable alternative for exercises, and there is in-ear detection, with music mechanically pausing while you take the GPods out of your ear. They weigh simply 5.4g, so you do not essentially really feel any fatigue whereas carrying the earbuds, and the sound tube nuzzles into the interior ear and does not exert any strain on the ear canal.
Now, there are a number of annoyances with these earbuds, and key amongst them is that the HHOGene app asks for location entry. I have never seen this on different utilities designed to work with wi-fi earbuds, and what’s bothersome is that the Ask each time setting that is been current in Android beginning Android 12 does not do the trick; you may want to decide on Enable solely whereas utilizing the app possibility, and it is best to choose exact location — approximate will not work. I am undecided why this permission is required in any respect, and it’s worrisome.
One other bugbear is gesture management. As a result of the outer shell has a sequence of LEDs, it will possibly’t be used for controlling music playback. As an alternative, there is a small zone simply tucked beneath the stalk that has a gesture zone, and you’ll take calls, swap between songs, flip off lighting results, and extra. The scale of the zone and its location — subsequent to the ridge of the outer ear — makes utilizing gesture controls an train in futility, they usually’re simply not well worth the problem.
As for battery life, every earbud homes a 50mAh battery, and the case has a 500mAh battery. HHOGene claims 5 hours of battery life between fees, however with the lighting results turned as much as excessive, I obtained simply over 4 hours of music playback earlier than I needed to cost the buds. Clearly, the lighting takes a toll on battery life, and these aren’t the earbuds to get if you’d like nice battery life. On the plus aspect, there’s quick charging, with a 10-minute cost delivering simply over 75 minutes of music playback.
HHOGene GPods: Sound high quality
Persevering with the pattern of battery life, the sound high quality is strictly common. The GPods use a 11mm driver, they usually aren’t tuned significantly nicely, so you aren’t getting the identical tonal constancy as different wi-fi earbuds on this class, just like the Galaxy Buds 2 or Nothing Ear (2).
The low-end has lots of power and vigor, so that you get a superb rumble in bass-focused songs. The mid-range is respectable as nicely, nevertheless it tends to get a bit muddled at occasions, and the treble lacks extension, so that you miss out on a number of the extra intricate particulars.
There’s an equalizer of types that allows you to increase the bass, treble, or mids, and doing so makes a slight distinction. Look, these earbuds sound respectable sufficient in their very own proper, however they do not fairly measure as much as established audio manufacturers.
HHOGene GPods: The competitors
Nothing Ear (2) additionally has a novel design due to its see-through stalk, and whereas there isn’t any RGB lighting (take be aware, Nothing), the earbuds look refined they usually have a cushty match. Nothing did an excellent job with the sound tuning this technology, and the Ear (2) ship a superb sound that is on par with the best wireless earbuds.
You probably have a Samsung telephone, it is laborious to not counsel the Galaxy Buds 2. They’ve nice battery life, a enjoyable design that is accessible in thrilling colours, they usually sound nice. You can even swap between varied Samsung units seamlessly, and they’re an excellent worth proper now.
HHOGene GPods: Do you have to purchase it?
You should purchase these if:
- You need wi-fi earbuds that may flip heads
- You want earbuds with customizable outer shells
- You need ANC and IPX4 water resistance for exercises
- You’ve got been ready for earbuds with RGB lighting
You should not purchase these if:
- You want one of the best sound high quality on this class
- You need nice battery life
- You want high-res wi-fi audio codecs
- You need dependable gesture controls
General, the GPods are an attention-grabbing product that cater to a distinct segment, and I like that. HHOGene nailed the design of the outer shell, and the RGB lighting actually does make these earbuds stand out. The customizability is a big differentiator as nicely, and the truth that you’ll be able to change out the outer shells and add engraving can be an attractive possibility for a lot of.
It additionally has lots of desk stakes options for earbuds on this class, and the sound high quality itself is respectable sufficient. That mentioned, the earbuds lack total polish in the case of issues like gesture controls, and the sound tuning is not as refined as different manufacturers. If you would like wi-fi earbuds that may seize consideration in public, I’ve no hesitation in recommending the GPods.
On a private be aware, the truth that these have RGB lighting offsets a number of the limitations for my very own use case, and I fairly like the concept of add-on shells to alter the look of the earbuds. However if you’d like a refined sound, high-res codecs, and higher battery life, there are many options accessible.
With a particular design and flashy RGB lighting, the GPods are positive to show heads wherever you go. The excessive diploma of customizability means you’ll be able to tailor these earbuds to your liking, and it does not miss out on a lot. Whereas the general refinement is not on par with different earbuds on this class, the distinctiveness of the design mixed with the RGB lighting makes these earbuds worthy of your consideration.