I struggled to find earbuds that stayed in place, but this pair seals the deal

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I can’t tell you how many earbuds I’ve used that didn’t fit properly. Even though I know the trick to getting a good seal on earbuds (grab the top of your ear, pull them up, place the earbuds in, twist and release), it seems like most earbuds still never feel like they fit completely.

And yes, even with the right tips.

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It matters because if you don’t get a good seal, you won’t get the best sound (especially on the low end). The difference between getting a good seal or not can be quite dramatic; Once you get them properly in place, they sound so much better.

I’ve reviewed many Baseus earbuds and found them to be consistently good and, in some cases, surprisingly good. When I got the Inspire XP1 earbudsI assumed they would sound as good as most Baseus earbuds, and that would be the end of it.

Only, it wasn’t. Let me explain.

My experience

When I took the XP1 earbuds out of their case, I immediately noticed something different. These earbuds have a rather odd shape – which I didn’t really think about – until I put them in. I didn’t have to work that hard to close them properly.

That strange shape gave the earbuds an extra seal: at the tip and then at the bottom. You see, the bottom of the earbuds compensates when the earbuds don’t seal properly. That one-two combination gives the XP1 earbuds the best seal I’ve ever experienced, and it really shows in the sound.

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When I properly seal a pair of earbuds, they can usually be a bit of a strain on my ears. After about thirty minutes I have to remove them, give my ears a break, then put them back in and start all over again.

However, this is not a problem with the XP1 earbuds. You get a complete seal without feeling like the earbuds are tight. These babies are comfortable. Okay, let’s get to the sound. After all, that’s what you’re there for, right?

For starters, the XP1’s packaging clearly states: “Sound by Bose.” I’m not the biggest fan of Bose audio (there was a saying in the audio industry: “No highs, no lows, it has to be Bose”), but I have experienced some high-quality Bose speakers that were absolutely delightful.

Here, however, I can’t argue with the audio quality, as I could even hear elements in songs that I hadn’t heard before. In some cases it was subtle, but in the case of Purity Ring’s “Oh, The Long Night” I heard a lot of nuances that I hadn’t heard before. That song is already heartbreakingly beautiful, but when you hear all the subtleties you might have missed on other earbuds, it takes your breath away.

You have to understand that when I listen to music, I’m completely into it. I pay attention because I don’t want to miss a note. I’m not a regular listener, so it’s important to have a pair of earbuds that can deliver on these subtleties, and the Baseus Inspire XP1 earbuds don’t disappoint.

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Thanks to that generous seal, the lows are beautiful. You get rich sound that you might not expect from a pair of earbuds that cost less than $105. The treble is also quite nice and not the least bit taxing. They are bright without being too sizzling or splashy. They’re exactly right about the mids.

The more I listen to the XP1 earbuds, the harder it is to find a fault with them. No, they are not high-end, audiophile earbuds that sell for almost a grand. Instead, these are well-tuned, brilliantly designed, cost-effective earbuds that will leave you feeling like you’ve spent three times as much.

Buying advice from ZDNET

This one is a no-brainer. If you’re tired of using earplugs that don’t seal properly, just spend the coin for the Baseus Inspire XP1 earplugs. Unless you prefer insanely booming bass, these earbuds will not only satisfy your hearing but remain comfortable even after hours of use.

Technical specifications of Baseus Inspire XP1 earbuds

• Noise control: adaptive active noise cancellation (up to -50 dB)
• Audio: sound by Bose tuning, Dolby Audio, double-layer diaphragms (PU+PEEK)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1 with low latency
• Battery life: 8 hours with ANC turned off; Total 45 hours with charging case
• Charging: USB-C port on the charging case
• Microphones: 6 microphones for clear conversations and ENC
• Driver Type: Hybrid (Double Layer Diaphragm)
• Water resistance: waterproof
• Fit: Ergonomic in-ear design with multiple eartips