Sound Impressions
Summary
I attempted to run the EarPrint feature but every preset it created had too much emphasized bass as if my hearing had a bass deficiency when I’m certain that I could hear notes down to 6Hz, so this feature stayed in the off position and I ran the Golden X1 on factory stock sound and with no ANC, on normal mode.
The TOZO GoldenX1 has two drivers that produce the overall end product and to me, it seems the BA sounds the best overall because vocal presentation beats the bass response as far as accurate tone. It’s also a positive aspect that it’s also responsible for most of the output.
The bass has a small amount of midbass bloom. But the lowest tones quantity-wise sit level with the rest of the spectrum including the top octaves so it gives off a balanced character. The bass is effective up to around 25hz where it takes a steep dive below that.
The midrange has a long hot area above 2kHz that carries on up to around 6.5kHz. Then the spectrum dips into the lower treble area. These peaks were noted in a tone sweep test but not so much in listening sessions.
The treble can get hot at times depending on the source or can come across with excessive sizzle although behind that colorization there’s plenty of sparkle and airiness. I have to admit, for a TWS, the highs are up there with some of the best TWS sets out there as long as you don’t push them too hard, especially on bright recordings.
Bass
The Golden X1 bass response carries most of the color. It seems the dynamic driver has been tuned for a neutral response, however, the midbass undeniably rises considerably over the bottom octave.
What the tuning did not seem to implement was a feeling of impactfulness and punch and the bass carries itself very similar to a BA bass driver. I only sense that small amount of bloom around the midbass area but no kick in the groin.
Note distinction is done well but I got a far better definition by detuning the bass at the 77Hz band on Foobar 2000 which tightened up the bass in general. It was a quick solution but it seemed to work on this set well.
In the bottom octave, a tone generator revealed that the Golden X1 has a reach capability below 20Hz but when you’re listening to music, that bottom octave doesn’t reveal itself much and becomes a second not to that 60Hz to 100Hz elevated region.
Midrange
The star of the show here is the smooth midrange response presentation produced by the Golden X1 custom Knowles drivers.
The pitch is close to spot on and note definition is, um, well defined as far as presenting every element in the mix. There’s good coherence in this set surprisingly which is only on occasion tainted somewhat by the midbass bloat.
The Golden X1 midrange production here rivals some wired IEMs at similar or slightly higher price brackets when running an LDAC source. But as a full spectrum set, it cannot compete with a weird set as far as high-frequency production plus the bass veers the set above neutral, sonically speaking.
Treble
It seems the Golden X1 treble response is highly dependent on the source because some tracks produce great highs, and then you get smear and excessive sizzle on other tracks. When well fed the Golden X1 can produce very good highs compared to most other TWS models.
I’m uncertain where the above inconsistency lies. For example, I can drop the 60Hz to 100Hz area a few decibels and that tightens up the bass response but the frequencies where the shrill treble response anomalies happen were not found.
I have a feeling it lies in the complexity of the recording itself. On Jazz riffs, the highs seem near exquisite in reproduction but on some more complex multitrack recordings, the high-frequency translation loses cohesion.
One positive and obvious aspect is that the Golden X1 high frequencies are free from hiss and upper-frequency region noise which I commonly find on budget TWS models.
It also seems they do well with budget or streaming quality sources since they seem enjoyable particularly watching YouTube music videos or similar coded services for some reason.
Staging and Dynamics
To my ears, it seems like the TOZO Golden X1 is tuned to sound similar to a decent all-BA IEM that can produce low bass but with not much visceral impact. It seems to portray an audible experience and not much of a punchy one.
One aspect I did feel needed a raise was the amount of maximum volume level this set can produce. An extra 5 decibels wouldn’t hurt anyone in this case but would have satisfied volume-hungry listeners like myself.
The Golden X1 staging was on the average side and always remained contained with an absence of width beyond arm’s reach. Vocals are wide but instruments are contained. Imaging and panning were accurately done but the overall panorama lacked drama and was what I would describe as softly ornamented.
Select Comparisons
1MORE EVO
Technical
The 1MORE EVO is one of my favorite TWS models in this price bracket performance-wise and in the looks department simultaneously. They strike a nice balance by incorporating performance-oriented modern-day electronic implementations with jewelry-like visual cues.
Like the Golden X1, the 1MORE EVO also handles LDAC sources and uses a similar driver configuration consisting of a 10mm dynamic driver along with a balanced armature. If we keep describing the two, at times it would seem we’re talking about the same model.
But there are small intricacies that differentiate these two but one would need a microscopic view to point them out.
There are some obvious ones like the difference in microphone system implementation. In the case of the EVO it incorporated a DNN algorithm system to quell noise instead of an ENC implementation.
Plus the EVO seems to be the only set with sensors that shut off an earbud if it’s removed from inside the earlobe.
Design
The 1MORE EVO earbuds do protrude out of the ear more so than the Golden X1 earbuds and they might not be the preferred set for physical activity. But on a positive note, their comfort level is on the high side.
The earbud shell design overall is more in line with a conventional IEM in that it has no stem. It displays a gorgeous gold ring around a backplate surface that looks similar to a precious gem and the surface is where the touchpad resides.
Earbuds aside, the best cradle award goes to the EVO because of its metal outer shell but the downside of that is that it’s also the heaviest of the bunch but not by much.
Both sets have ANC but I will give the win to the Golden X1 because it just presents the listener, or user in this case a closer experience to total silence plus it offers more flexibility in this case.
Performance
Off the bat, you get a warmer presentation, especially in vocal production. On the high frequencies, there’s more restraint. However, you do get a better definition perspective on top with the Golden X1 plus a sense of more midrange presence.
The aforementioned is probably due to the long stretch of frequency elevation within the midrange bands on the Golden X1 compared to the EVO’s single 7k peak in that region.
The bass response seems similarly textured in that both have some coloration but the punchiness comes through and is more prominent on the EVO set but only by a small margin.
Staging is similar in that the vocalization remains centric while instrumentation occupies a larger space. Just the same, the high frequencies take up most of the width on both sets.
So to summarize, the EVO will please those who want a smoother experience, warmth, and relaxed highs. The Golden X1 has a brighter presentation but offers less paunchiness in the bass department.
Edifier NeoBuds Pro
Technical
When Edifier released the NeoBuds Pro they were celebrating a 25th anniversary. It was a successful launch and that can be attributed to the fact that the NeoBuds Pro was one of the first TWS models to include LDAC capability.
It’s presently the least costly model within this comparison and although it’s the older model it still offers similar features and performance. It offers a full-featured app, ANC implementation, and touch control launch pads to name a few.
Design
The best product presentation belongs to Edifier along with the best set of accessories that are included inside the box. Again, you get physical items but you also can download Edifier’s app that lets you play around with the NeoBuds stock settings.
The cradle design went another route and instead of designing it conventionally, Edifier gave it a low profile style and gave it some UFO lights which act similar to the breathing LEDs in front of the Golden X1 cradle.
That’s all well and good but the the NeoBuds Pro has a sensitivity issue as far as the touch controls or at least they act like that for me. At times, I have to repeat the touch command and sometimes they work but on occasion, nothing happens.
Considering that it offers so much for less than the two other sets as far as monetary commitment, I would let that slide but it does distract from the aspect of going entirely wireless which is the main objective here.
Performance
This set brings to the table a full-bodied sound profile that brings everything forward more so compared to the other sets in this comparison. The general sound profile is presented with more presence overall.
The bass has just as much punchiness and is equal to the EVO but the high frequencies can get rough around the edges. But the midrange presents itself with a wider aspect and expands outward more than the other sets stage-wise to compensate.
As far as ANC performance, I would also give the win to the Golden X1 because of the adjustability and the flexibility it offers plus the inclusion of several modes to choose from. Add to that the ability to create your own ANC curve and it highlights the Golden X1 even further.
Our Verdict
The TOZO Golden X1 TWS set has a lot going for it as far as, features, sound quality, and function. They sport a full-fledged app that the user can use to access many of its built-in features plus a hybrid ANC set that lets the user create custom noise-cancelling curves to suit one’s needs.
They offer a lot for a moderate investment. They offer a stable platform to go hands-free and completely wireless. They offer up a decent plate of audio that can be molded and tinkered with plus it offers an ability to store sound curve profiles.
The bass does veer from flat, especially with ANC engaged but I’ll just consider it part of the fun because the sound profile is flexible and is malleable from within the app.
With recent developments over the horizon, I have a feeling we’re going to see more from TOZO Inc. and I’m looking forward to it. Hopefully, they’ll push the bar further next time and aim for the top spot. As it stands, the Golden X1 is certainly a top-ten contender.
TOZO Golden X1 specifications
- Type: In-ear true wireless
- Driver: 12mm dynamic + Knowles balanced armature
- Frequency response: 12Hz to 44.1kHz
- Audio codec: LDAC, AAC, SBC
- Noise control: Noise cancellation, Leisure mode, Custom pattern, Reduced wind noise, Transparency mode, noise cancellation off
- Call noise cancelation: Tripple microphone with ENC call noise reduction
- Battery capacity: 55mAh (earphones) 500mAh (cradle)
- Charging input: 5V 500mA USB-C + 5V 400mA QI wireless charging
- Waterproof rating: IPX6
- Effective Bluetooth range: 10m
- Weight: Earbuds 5.8g, Charging case 43g, total weight 54.6
- Cradle dimensions: 69.9 x 34.2 x 38.2 mm
