Huawei Freebuds 5 Review

The Huawei FreeBuds 5 is an intriguing egg-shaped design that focuses on the mid-range market. It aims to captivate users with its unique design and Huawei’s premium sound quality. But does it live up to the hype? In this review, we will look into its sound quality in multiple crucial segments: treble, bass, and mid-range performance. We will also delve into its noise cancellation capabilities, evaluating its effectiveness in blocking out external sounds.

Join us as we provide an analysis of the Huawei FreeBuds 5, covering its strengths, weaknesses, and real-world usage experiences. Let’s dive in and uncover the key details that matter to audio enthusiasts and everyday users.

Exterior

This egg-shaped contraption is the Huawei FreeBud 5, Huawei’s latest entry of TWS earbuds positioned for the mid-range market. The cover comes with a sandblast matte finish that is soft and smooth to the touch. The FreeBuds 5 comes in two color options: ceramic white and silver frost. Unlike the unit we have here, the ceramic white actually comes with a high-gloss finish. Both the color and design look really subtle, appealing to users who prefer a more sophisticated and understated look. However, in China, there is also a high-gloss orange variant that looks amazingly energetic and youthful. Perhaps it would work better in that market, but not here.

The earbuds are shaped like cashew nuts with a highly glossy finish. Personally, I am not a fan of glossy gadgets because they attract dirt and oil, but I feel differently about the FreeBuds 5 due to its open-fit design. With half of the earbud dangling out, the FreeBuds become part of your aesthetic outlook, and with their glossy appearance, they will definitely make the wearer stand out.

Comfort

Being an open-fit design, the FreeBuds 5 offers a non-invasive fit. Users don’t have to push the bud into their ears to enjoy music. We found that it is significantly more comfortable than common earbuds, as the earbuds simply sit outside of our ear canal. Over time, as my ears adapted to them, it felt like I wasn’t wearing anything at all.

However, being an open-fit design also means that it is not as secure as normal earbuds, as the earbuds did slip off a few times during our test. Nonetheless, once we fitted them with the silicone fittings, they provided the traction needed to stay secure in my ears.

Huawei FreeBuds 5 Specification

Huawei FreeBuds 5Sound Quality

• Tests is conducted with LDAC codec in 24 bits 96 kHz, bess effort playback quality (Adaptive bit rate), with Huawei Mate 50 Pro.
• We are unable to use 990kbps/909kbps as that introduce latency during playback.

Treble

When it comes to sound signature, the Huawei FreeBuds 5 is a bit of a mixed bag. The treble is on the higher side, sometimes resulting in a harsher sound. When listening to EDM, it can produce sharper sound when hitting higher notes. This also makes the vocals very prominent and sometimes overly emphasized. I would recommend using an equalizer to bring down the higher frequencies between 4kHz and 8kHz to remedy the dryness.

Bass

Here’s where the Huawei FreeBud 5 excels. There’s no overly powerful bass here, so bass heads, please look away. However, what it offers is an accurate and detailed bass experience. When listening to AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” I can hear the strings of the bass vibrate when hitting lower notes. It is well-defined, distinguishable between layers of deeper frequencies, and placed harmoniously among other notes. This ultimately makes classical or symphony-style music highly enjoyable. When all the instruments come together to create a gorgeous piece of music, the FreeBuds 5 will place you front and center of this experience.

Mid-range

Clear vocals, detailed notes, transparent beats that radiate out, and a prominent presence as if the vocalist is singing right in front of me. Where do I even start? The mid-range is one area where the FreeBuds 5 does not lack, and it presents it splendidly to its listeners. When listening to the FreeBud 5, I can hear the singer’s vocal cords vibrate, the crackle at the end of notes, and the impact when delivering heavier notes. It’s all there. Listeners will experience the effort of the vocalists when they sing their hearts out, which is something I personally seek in the mid-range.

Sound stage

Like most earbuds, the Huawei FreeBuds 5 does not offer a wide soundstage. However, what it does offer is a well-defined soundstage where the placement of instruments is clearly delineated. The imaging experience faithfully reproduces how drums are positioned at the back of the stage and impact forward, while the bass is placed at the side where its notes radiate out. The Huawei FreeBud 5 provides a soundstage experience similar to being in a recording studio rather than in a concert hall. This may not be for everyone’s liking, but for people like that prefer chill and relaxing listening after a long day this earbud really hit the spot.

Noise Cancellation

The noise cancellation on the FreeBuds 5, in my opinion, is the weakest link of these earbuds. When switched on, I can feel pressure towards my eardrum, but I can still hear noticeable background noise in my vicinity. I believe this is due to the open-fit design not working well with the shape of my outer ear canal, which results in noise leaking in. As a result, I am unable to draw a proper conclusion about the noise cancellation performance.

Huawei FreeBuds 5 Conclusion

In conclusion, the Huawei FreeBuds 5 delivers a distinctive audio experience that showcases both strengths and weaknesses. The earbuds excel in providing accurate and detailed bass, immersing listeners in the depths of music genres like classical or symphony. The mid-range performance impresses with clear vocals and precise instrument separation, offering a genuine appreciation for the intricacies of vocal performances.

On the design front, the FreeBuds 5’s sleek egg-shaped form and glossy finish make for a visually appealing aesthetic. While generally comfortable, the open-fit design may pose a challenge in terms of earbud stability, potentially leading to occasional slippage. However, it is the same open-fit design that hampers its noise cancellation capabilities. Due to the gap between the ear and the earbuds, noise can still intrude despite the noise cancellation being activated.

In summary, the Huawei FreeBuds 5 offers a unique blend of strengths and weaknesses. Its prowess in delivering accurate bass and clear vocals, coupled with its stylish design, appeals to those seeking an elevated audio experience. However, the treble performance and noise cancellation may leave some wanting more. Ultimately, personal preferences and priorities will dictate whether the FreeBuds 5 aligns with an individual’s specific needs in the realm of wireless earbuds.