Edifier NeoDots

Introduction

Let’s say you are an Android user but slightly envious of your partner’s Apple Airpods. And/or let’s say you’re an Audiophile with a Chord MoJo 2 who swears by the Meze Audio ADVAR IEMs on the move. Or let’s say you’re currently reviewing the new A&K SP3000M with the same ADVARs. At £119, can these Edifier NeoDots compete with such a high-flying company?

Design

The Edifier NeoDots are Bluetooth v5.4 wireless hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) earbuds. They feature hybrid driver units, one a balanced armature for the midrange/treble and a 10mm dynamic driver for the bass. They are combined with digital signal processing and an active crossover. The ANC is managed with six microphones on the buds.

These NeoDots support LDAC, the 990kbps ‘HiRes’ Android-only codec that supports 96kHz recordings if your phone supports it. They also have AAC and SBC codecs available.

The Edifier Connect App is used to manage NeoDots’ functionality.

The NeoDots claim a battery life of 56 hours with the case and 17 hours on a single charge. These hours are for ANC off; with ANC on, the battery life with the case is claimed to be 40 hours. A fast charge facility offers 5 hours of playback on a 15-minute top-up. The case can be charged wirelessly or directly by USB C.

The NeoDots are IP55 sweat, dust-proof, and splash-resistant.

On the first pairing, the NeoDots are compatible with Google Fast Pair, which is an excellent feature. There is also a multi-point connection for many devices, though you’ll need to turn the LDAC off.

The NeoDots claim a battery life of 56 hours with the case and 17 hours on a single charge. These hours are for ANC off; with ANC on, the battery life with the case is claimed to be 40 hours. A fast charge facility offers 5 hours of playback on a 15-minute top-up. The case can be charged wirelessly or directly by USB C.

Quality

The NeoDots are of nice, solid quality. They are larger than the Neobuds 2 Pro, and the case is much bigger. The trade-off, I believe, is the improved battery life and the wireless charging option. The case itself has a soft touch and a matte black finish. The NeoDots stay in place, with a magnet holding them in place.

There is a physical control button on each bud’s side rather than the touch controls on the outside of many buds. This is neat and prevents accidental skipping. The app can program these controls.

Specification and Price

Performance

Review Equipment

I’m listening with a Pixel 8 Pro running Android 15. I’m selecting Developer Mode for ‘HiRes’ LDAC transfer with Qobuz.

Physically

These Edifier NeoDots are incredibly immersive and have excellent resolution.

These Edifier NeoDots are incredibly immersive and have excellent resolution. In general usage, I’ve had no problems securing them in my ears, though they are a fraction bigger than many. I’ve just done my daily (!?) 5k row without any problem regarding fit or noise interrupting the YouTube video I was following, with the ANC working nicely.

The wearing detection feature is excellent for walking, especially if you bump into someone. It allows you to pause music or podcasts when you take them off and resume them immediately when you return. Single-bud listening is fine.

The programmable double-click buttons on each bud are excellent; I’ve programmed the ambient sound control on one and the next track on the other. I’ve had no accidental skipping with these physical buttons. Call reception is slick with the side button. ANC is excellent, as heard below, and the EQ is easy to manage in the app.

The case is comfortable in the pocket, with rounded corners. It snaps closed nicely. The buds on the left and right are clearly labelled, with red on the right.

Sound Quality

The bass response is nice, clean, and just about as good as it gets, … at this price.

These NeoDots have good resolution. Perennial favourite Ryan Adams’ Gold is lively and detailed in a full 24-bit, 96kHz Qobuz run-through with LDAC activated on the Pixel. The production is also heard in livelier tracks like New York or quieter tracks like Sylvia Plath. Switching LDAC on and off in the App offers a subtle change, but I wouldn’t want to put my mortgage on discerning the better codec (I think I’d have a good shout, though, these days!).

The bass response is nice, clean, and just about as good as it gets, particularly at this price. The EQ can enhance the bass if you need it; there is a pre-set called “Heavy Bass” if you want it. The midrange has enough clarity to keep you interested; it is not bright or fatiguing, and the EQ is there if needed.

Edifier ConneX

The Edifier ConneX App is functional and good enough for its purpose. I now have several Edifier Apps, which can be confusing as this is not the same App as the one for the excellent wireless STAX headphones. However, this App shows the battery life of the left and right buds and the case.

Either of the buds can be controlled in the App with different functions, including the next track and the usual controls you can think of. ANC can be programmed in there, too. Speaking of which, the ANC is very good as someone who walks over the motorway daily with the dog. My podcasts remain interrupted and at a moderate volume, which is always good. The programmable press sensitivity seems like a good idea, but I’ve not used it. Similarly, there is a Game Mode latency option that has remained untested.

Connectivity

Connectivity has been flawless.

Connectivity has been flawless, with a decent Bluetooth range of around 10 meters. The wearing detection is the ace in the pack, and your music or podcast pauses and resumes when you re-insert it (this is an option in the App).

Battery

Charging the case overnight every few days means I have had no issues with the battery.

Overall

I have to say that these Neodots are a pretty easy recommendation

The higher-quality connection with LDAC is an Android thing, so Apple users are a little short-changed. Nevertheless, at over half the price of Apple AirPods Pro 2s and similarly half the price of the equivalent Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, these Neodots are competitive offerings. The ANC is excellent and a key selling point. I am also unclear if the Pixel Buds support LDAC, and when I find out, I’ll post a comment below. I have to say that these Neodots are a pretty easy recommendation.