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 vogue, 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 exploit — Fiio’s K9 Pro — has an RGB gentle ring that adjustments primarily based on the audio supply materials, and I’ve Corsair’s gentle stands and Govee’s desk lights that add vibrant RGB lighting throughout the entrance floor of my desk.The one space the place I’ve been missing RGB is wi-fi audio, and fortunately, HHOGene is catering to that specific area of interest. The Chinese 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 gentle bar operating throughout the size of every stalk.I used to be clearly intrigued when requested to check out the GPods, so this is what it is advisable to find out about these distinctive wi-fi earbuds.HHOGene GPods: Pricing and availability(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)HHOGene launched the GPods on the finish of 2022, and so they’re now obtainable on Amazon for $125 (opens in new tab) (with a $15 coupon). You’ll discover a limited-time deal on HHOGene’s web site that lowers the 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(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Given 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 certain to show heads if you’re out in public.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The stalk itself is broad and tall, making the RGB lighting that rather more outstanding. You get full management over the colours, with the model noting that there are 300,000 mixtures that you should use. You can alter the brightness of the sunshine bar on every stalk, and HHOGene affords 4 lighting results out of the field: Ripple sees the sunshine transferring from the middle to each ends, and it adjusts dynamically to music. Similarly, the Pulse mode is a dynamic choice that strikes the sunshine from the underside to the highest.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)If you wish to exhibit the earbuds, Bright is the mode that is superb. This delivers a relentless gentle throughout the floor of the stalks, and it is not dynamic. Finally, 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 most important differentiator right here.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)There’s rather a lot to love concerning the GPods should you’re into customization; you may discover 46 shade choices obtainable as normal, and you’ll arrange your personal colours by way of a palette, launch the digicam to take a photograph and match the colours of the topic, or use an current picture. (Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The bundled colours are plenty of enjoyable to discover, and you’ll simply swap between themes. But if you wish to arrange your personal sample, you may wish to flip to the colour palette — there are six distinct LEDs on every stalk, and you’ll change the person shade of every LED.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)A novel 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 provides the earbuds a degree of customization that you simply simply do not discover anyplace else, and you’ll even add customized engraving to the shells. The shells price a further $20, and HHOGene additionally sells a bundle for $139 that features the earbuds together with 4 customized shells.Image 1 of 4(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The remainder of the design is not fairly as thrilling, with the GPods that includes a plastic inside 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 fallacious with the construct high quality, the shiny end makes these really feel extra like funds wi-fi earbuds.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)In an identical vogue, the design of the case is strictly utilitarian, and it does not look premium. That’s forgivable if you have a look at the design of the earbuds, however it will have been good to see a extra cohesive aesthetic.HHOGene GPods: Features and battery life(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)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 essential SBC and AAC codecs right here — there is no AptX or LHDC.Thankfully, there’s ANC right here, and it’s efficient with sounds of as much as 25dB. It does a good job tuning out the hum of an air conditioner or site visitors noises, but it surely is not fairly as highly effective as what you may discover on most wi-fi earbuds today.You’ll additionally discover IPX4 ingress safety, making these an appropriate selection for exercises, and there is in-ear detection, with music mechanically pausing if you take the GPods out of your ear. They weigh simply 5.4g, so you do not essentially really feel any fatigue whereas sporting the earbuds, and the sound tube nuzzles into the inside ear and does not exert any strain on the ear canal.Now, there are a couple 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 Allow solely whereas utilizing the app choice, and you must choose exact location — approximate will not work. I’m undecided why this permission is required in any respect, and it’s worrisome.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Another bugbear is gesture management. Because the outer shell has a collection of LEDs, it may possibly’t be used for controlling music playback. Instead, 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 dimension of the zone and its location — subsequent to the ridge of the outer ear — makes utilizing gesture controls an train in futility, and so they’re simply not well worth the trouble.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 bought simply over 4 hours of music playback earlier than I needed to cost the buds. Obviously, 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 facet, there’s quick charging, with a 10-minute cost delivering simply over 75 minutes of music playback.HHOGene GPods: Sound high quality(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Continuing the development of battery life, the sound high quality is strictly common. The GPods use a 11mm driver, and so they aren’t tuned notably effectively, so you do not get 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 plenty of power and vigor, so that you get an excellent rumble in bass-focused songs. The mid-range is first rate as effectively, but it surely 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 is an equalizer of kinds that allows you to enhance the bass, treble, or mids, and doing so makes a slight distinction. Look, these earbuds sound first rate sufficient in their very own proper, however they do not fairly measure as much as established audio manufacturers.HHOGene GPods: The competitors(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Nothing Ear (2) additionally has a singular design because of its see-through stalk, and whereas there is no RGB lighting (take be aware, Nothing), the earbuds look refined and so they have a snug match. Nothing did an awesome job with the sound tuning this technology, and the Ear (2) ship a wonderful sound that is on par with the perfect wi-fi earbuds.If you might have a Samsung telephone, it is onerous to not counsel the Galaxy Buds 2. They have nice battery life, a enjoyable design that is obtainable in thrilling colours, and so they sound nice. You may also swap between numerous Samsung gadgets seamlessly, and they’re an awesome worth proper now.HHOGene GPods: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)You can purchase these if:You need wi-fi earbuds that may flip headsYou want earbuds with customizable outer shellsYou need ANC and IPX4 water resistance for exercisesYou’ve been ready for earbuds with RGB lightingYou should not purchase these if:You want the perfect sound high quality on this classYou need nice battery lifeYou want high-res wi-fi audio codecsYou need dependable gesture controlsOverall, the GPods are an fascinating 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 large differentiator as effectively, and the truth that you may change out the outer shells and add engraving might be an attractive choice for a lot of.It additionally has plenty of desk stakes options for earbuds on this class, and the sound high quality itself is first rate sufficient. That mentioned, the earbuds lack total polish with regards to issues like gesture controls, and the sound tuning is not as refined as different manufacturers. If you need 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 thought of add-on shells to alter the look of the earbuds. But if you’d like a cultured sound, high-res codecs, and higher battery life, there are many options obtainable.
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With a particular design and flashy RGB lighting, the GPods are certain to show heads wherever you go. The excessive diploma of customizability means you may tailor these earbuds to your liking, and it does not miss out on a lot. While 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.