1More Evo Earbuds Review: A Sound Investment or a Missed Beat?

1More Evo Earbuds Review

The 1More Evos start with a high-style unboxing experience—a little too high-style, in my opinion. I’d like to see the packaging engineers challenge themselves to deliver just as good an experience with fewer boxes and plastic.

But then the sound kicks in, and the part of the box that can be recycled has been. I can’t vouch for the LDAC streams, as I don’t have anything to test them with. But I don’t need LDAC to recognize the quality of the drivers and the electronics that deliver very good audio over my ACC iPhone streams.

The outstanding case design is solid, though taking the earbuds out of the case requires more effort than it should, as strong magnets and slick earbud sides attempt to resist the pull of pinched fingers.

But I keep coming back to the audio, which is excellent, save a bit of high-pitch leaking on the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

What we like

Pros

• High-quality audio
• LDAC support
• Dynamic drivers
• Secure fit
• IPX4 rating
• Very nice wireless charging case

The 1More Evo earbuds deliver outstanding audio with a balanced and detailed sound signature that will serve casual listeners and those who live on video calls. They will also please audiophiles who seek subtle, immersive audio reproduction. At $170, they are overpriced, but discounts at 1More and on Amazon at the time of this review put them at under $90, which is a good deal, especially for those seeking LDAC audio in an earbud.

The earbud’s LDAC support (a Sony-centric choice) allows for high-resolution audio streaming, but like any Codec-dependent audio experience, listening to LDAC quality music will require a streaming service and device capable of delivering LDAC (not ALAC, which is the highest quality on Apple devices). Unlike many current true wireless earbuds that support high-resolution audio, the 1More Evos do not include Qualcomm’s aptX or aptX HD. In addition to LDAC, the buds also support SBC and ACC.

Regardless of the Codecs available, the 10mm dynamic driver and balanced armature deliver a rich and nuanced sound profile that brings music to life.

• High-Quality Audio: The 1More Evo earbuds offer a balanced and detailed sound signature, making them a treat for audiophiles.
• LDAC Support: With LDAC support, these earbuds allow for high-resolution audio streaming, providing an immersive listening experience when paired with compatible devices and streaming services.
• Dynamic Driver: The combination of a 10mm dynamic driver and a balanced armature driver results in a rich and nuanced sound profile.
• Secure Fit: The earbuds are designed to stay securely in the ear, making them suitable for workouts and walks.
• IPX4 Rating: Sweat and splash resistance ensure durability during workouts and outdoor activities.
• Wireless Charging Case: The Qi wireless charging case adds convenience and flexibility to charging options.

Listening to music on the 1More Evo earbuds is a treat. They offer a balanced and nuanced sound profile across various genres. For instance, when playing tracks with intense sub-bass content like Gun’s and Rose’s “Welcome to the Jungle,” the earbuds deliver a strong and controlled low-frequency response without distortion, even at higher volumes.

On acoustic tracks, such as The Piano Guys’ “A Thousand Miles,” the earbuds showcase their ability to reproduce natural and lifelike sound. The strings render with warm and rich tones, while the piano comes across with clarity and detail, providing a layered and textured listening experience.

Classic pop tracks like Michael Jacksoon’s “Beat It” benefit from the earbuds’ mid-high presence, retaining the excitement and energy of the mix.

On softer Broadway numbers like Hamilton’s ’”It’s Quiet Uptown,” the earbuds excel in capturing the higher-register clarity and detail. The piano and solo vocals come through with precision, while the lower-register strings support the narrative, creating a balanced and dynamic soundstage.

The 1More Evo earbuds provide a versatile and enjoyable listening experience across a wide range of musical genres, making them a solid choice for music enthusiasts.

In practice, Evo’s secure fit ensures good sound isolation (make sure to choose the right eartips), which also means they stay in place during workouts. The IPX4 rating offers sweat and splash resistance.

The inclusion of Qi wireless charging adds convenience and flexibility to power options. The 1More Evo’s run about 8 hours on a charge, with the case topping them off for another 21.

Beyond the Qi features, I have to give 1More credit for making a very nice case. It’s compact and solid—almost like metal. Many earbud cases can feel flimsy, with thin lids and weak hinges. The 1More Evo case is about as good as one can expect from an earbud case.

For calls and video conferencing, the 1More Evo earbuds feature a six-microphone array designed to deliver clear and crisp voice calls. In testing, the earbuds performed well, with users reporting minimal Bluetooth audio artifacts. The microphones effectively pick up the speaker’s voice while reducing background noise, ensuring clear calls on both ends.

A recently updated and intuitive app brings ANC control, preset and custom EQs, smart loudness, firmware updates and 1More’s signature soothing sounds feature.

The 1More Evo earbuds present a sleek and modern aesthetic. The 3D ceramic faceplates add a touch of elegance, while the metallic accents provide a subtle contrast, enhancing their visual appeal. They don’t look like other earbuds, and that’s a good thing. Overall, their stylish look aligns well with the premium features.

The 1More Evos are available in black and white.

What could be improved

Cons

• Limited ANC performance
• Restricted on-ear controls
• Challenging earbud extraction from the case

The active noise cancellation of the 1More Evo earbuds falls short compared to some competitors. It struggles with high-frequency noises and introduces a noticeable hiss, limiting its effectiveness in noisy environments.

The on-ear controls offer only double and triple tap gestures for control. While gestures can be customized, the choices are limited to volume, playback control, and voice assistant activation. ANC, for instance, cannot be controlled by the earbuds, which is a serious deficiency as that feature requires in-the-moment control when talking to people. This lack of customization does make it easy to remember what the taps do, unlike some earbuds that offer too many choices. But the point here, is even with the tap limitations, the range of options should be more open to allow the owners to pick features important to them.

The strong magnets and slippery edges make it difficult to remove the earbuds from the case easily, adding a layer of inconvenience to the user experience.

1More has done a great job of creating a cool unboxing experience, complete with Disney-like sketches of the earbud designs. Unfortuantley, between magnets and plastic and just too much box, 1More chose experience over sustainability despite the various eco-friendly logos.

1More Evo Earbuds: The bottom line

The 1More Evo earbuds offer a commendable audio experience with their balanced sound signature, LDAC support, and dynamic drivers. They excel in delivering high-quality LDAC audio that audiophiles with the right equipment will appreciate–and perfectly listenable audio for those using SBC and ACC. The limited ANC performance, some ergonomic quirks and lack of on-device control options might leave some users wanting more. For those who prioritize sound quality and LDAC support, though, the 1More Evo earbuds offer a compelling choice.

1More provided the Evo Earbuds for review. Images courtesy of 1More unless otherwise noted.

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