TWS true wireless earphones - more than $150
4.5 STARS - Active Noise Cancelling earbuds with outstanding sound quality that doesn't resolve around the bass: we've been waiting for a while, but here they are. Happily, the 1more Evo doesn't stop there.
1more Evo specs and features:
Bluetooth 5.2 with AAC (iPhone) and SBC/LDAC codec (Android)
IPX4 waterproof (splash proof)
5,5 - 8 hours battery life on single charge (ANC on/ off)
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3,5 times
Comes with 5 different ear tips, USB-C cable, English manual
$170 - Check latest price on Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon Germany or other Amazon countries
Below this 1more Evo review, you will find comparisons of the 1more Evo vs Edifier NeoBuds Pro, Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro, Sony WF-1000XM3, and 1more ComfoBuds Pro.
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Design, comfort and battery life
The Evo is the new flagship of the now well-known Chinese audio brand 1more, and it looks the part. Available in white or black, both variants have rose-gold accents in the logo on top of the case, rings on the outside of the earbuds, and on a little microphone grille underneath the buds. While the biggest part of the earphones is plastic, the metallic touch panel and build quality do make them feel like premium products.
1more has a tendency to make comfortable earbuds, and the Evo is no exception. Their compact oval insides make these about the smallest premium-segment ANC earbuds. They fit snugly, are light and comfortable to wear for hours. Wearing them in bed is also possible, although they are more comfortable when also putting an arm under your head. Sadly, the IPX4 waterproof rating doesn't make them withstand heavy rain or showers. Be careful when you take them out for running.
The charging case feels sturdy and hefty without being too heavy, and has a sweet metallic finish - that unfortunately is a bit of a dust magnet. It can be charged via USB-C or wirelessly, and a single LED-light on the front shows the remaining battery life by shifting colors from green to red. You'll see the red signal after recharging the earbuds fully 3,5 times.
Maxed out, the earbuds deliver up to 5,5 playtime on a single charge with ANC turned on. You can stretch it out to 8 hours if you leave it off. Those are the iPhone scores with the used AAC codec; Android owners should expect (only) a little less because of the standard SBC codec - but much less so when switching on the LDAC codec. It can manually reduce the ANC on playing time to around 4 hours.
So far, these scores are not bad, but they're nothing special either. The 1more Evo has rapid charging to solve your problems: a 15 minute quick recharge in the case gives the earbuds up to 2 hours of new playtime with ANC on - neat. Take a little break after four hours of work, and your earbuds are good to go again. Impressive.
Controls and connectivity
Like other models from 1more, Evo's controls are logical, but limited:
Double-tap L or R to play/ pause music
Triple-tap L or R to activate the voice assistant
Hold L or R to switch between ANC on, Transparency, and ANC off
You can't change the tracks or volume on the 1more Evo. Unless you change the controls from the app, that is. The app won't let you add more control options, but at least it lets you ditch the voice assistant to skip or return a song, for instance. A firmware update with the option to add single-tap controls, would be very welcome.
The Bluetooth connection on the Evo is rock solid. The earbuds pair and connect immediately when you take them out of the case, and the Bluetooth 5.2 signal keeps stable up to ten meters away from your device. If you choose the LDAC codec option on Android, the stability decreases, however - performing steadily only up to around 5-6 meters away from your phone.
With the app, you can also opt for multipoint connection. 1more calls it an experimental feature and it is. It doesn't work flawlessly. The earbuds are likely to lose connection to the app, so you can't change the sound or controls anymore, until you re-pair them.
It's still worth trying out, however, despite the app being able to drop the connection. When it works, it let's you switch between two connected devices. You can listen to music on your phone, then pause it, start a video on your laptop, and listen to that via the same earbuds. Even calls on the device you're not currently listening to, seem to come through straight to your earbuds - the biggest win of the entire feature.
Calls, movies and Games
Calling with the 1more Evo is wonderful in some circumstances, but tricky in the other. When you're indoors in a quiet area taking a phone call or video call like Microsoft Teams or Zoom meeting, your voice is full and natural. It has enough volume and sounds clearer than most wireless earbuds.
Outside or in busy indoor areas, nearby chatter, accelerating scooters and other challenging sounds are filtered perfectly out of calls. When you're not talking, these sounds are near inaudible. When you are, they're still almost unnoticeable. However, these sounds are countered by a lot of processing. When wind joins the circumstances, your voice can become dark and hollow, and it can fluctuate up to the point it becomes wonky. The person(s) you're talking to may need to concentrate on what you're saying.
Watching videos is a breeze, with flawless synchronization between audio and video. It also performs solid for games, although some delay in sound effects still occurs. There's no dedicated low-latency or gaming mode to improve this further.
1more Evo app review
The 1more Evo supports the 1more Music app for iPhone and Android. It doesn't ask for too many permissions on your phone, and adds several useful features:
Check battery life on L and R earbuds and case
Switch between ANC, Transparency and ANC off
Choose between ANC modes: Strong, Mild, Wind noise reduction, Adaptive
Choose between Transparency modes: Pass-through or Voice enhancement
Choose if the earbuds automatically pause/play when taking them out and putting them back in
Change control options for double and triple-tap
SoundID: setup your preferred sound by listening to music samples, choose which one you prefer; 1more generates a profile for you, which you can switch on or off
Select from 12 preset equalizers
Create and save multiple own equalizers
Update the firmware
Read the manual
Soothing sounds: a rubbish function that lets you listen listen to 5 second samples of rain or thunder
The main menu is easy to understand, and gives quick access to ANC modes
Choose if the earbuds pause and/or play automatically when putting them in or out of your ears
The SoundID test lets you hear different variations on the same song - which do you like better?
It's nice to see that 1more makes sure the app is easy to understand. Creating a custom equalizer may be heaven to some, but it's hard or completely illogical to others. The principle of SoundID is easier - but it's limited too, as you can only choose one custom sound profile next to te standard setting.
After a firmware update, choose from 12 EQ presets!
You can make and save multiple own equalizers
Hit this switch and the Evo can connect to two devices
As of an update mid-July 2022, you can also create and save your own custom equalizers and choose from twelve equalizer presets, of which some are useful additions - like the Bass Booster, the vivid Acoustic EQ that increases center-mids, or Deep - for a lower-mid boost, giving a nightly electronic vibe.
The app also hides two of its most promising options, under the 1more logo in the right top. Here you can find:
Activate multipoint connection, so the Evo can connect up to two devices
Android phones only: choose for higher sound quality instead of stable sound quality - i.e. the LDAC codec instead of SBC codec
Both these functions require the earbuds to restart and reconnect, and beware: switching between codecs can make you lose the connection with the app until you remove all current Bluetooth connections and reset the earbuds in the case. No wonder then that 1more muffles these options away. Still, the multipoint connection is a no-brainer.
All in all, the app adds a ton of welcome functionality to the 1more Evo.
ANC Noise cancelling test of 1more Evo
ANC quality: Active Noise Cancelling on the 1more Evo lives up to its price. It does a solid job of reducing sounds around you. While you can still hear some some irregular and higher-pitched sounds, darker and constant sounds are immediately pushed to the background. Electronic humming from fridges and distant traffic are likely to disappear. The function brings rest to your head, and does so in natural way. Unless there's no sound around you to begin with, there's barely any white noise to cover up your surroundings.
If you desire, you can switch to a mild ANC variant from the app, or a special wind noise reduction (WNR) mode that may give in on ANC strength a bit, but leaves out wind noise better. Finally, an Adaptive variant switches between these when the Evo so desires. It's hard to put a finger on it when it switches to what setting - but happily, Strong may suit you easily.
Transparency mode quality: The Transparency mode which lets you hear your surroundings through your earphones, has two settings from the app: Pass-through mode focuses on traffic noise; Voice enhancement exegerrates the effect to also let in chatter. You need the latter to notice any effect when you're listening to music, but the best way to hear conversations around you, really is to pause the music. Transparency on the Evo is underwhelming.
Wind noise reduction: Some wind noise is audible when you use the ANC on the 1more Evo, but as the earbuds give both a special wind noise reduction mode and the option to turn ANC off from the earbuds itself, wind noise isn't a problem.
Also read: The best wireless ANC earbuds
Sound quality of 1more Evo: Outstanding
Whereas highly praised competition like the Edifier NeoBuds Pro, Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro and Sony's offerings throw in a lot of bass in the music, the 1more Evo takes a more balanced approach.
Courtesy of the brand, not the bass, the mids have the main role on 1more's new flagship. It directly shows in center-mid instruments, like guitars and piano play: they sound natural and textured, and are easy to pick up even in crowded songs. Apart from maybe a hint of cymbal hiss, mid tonality is excellent: instruments sound like they should, instead of taken over by dominant sound signature.
The colorisation in the music the Evo does have, comes from the lower mids. They are slightly pushed, sound full but not overpowered, and give the music warmth and even some occasional darkness. Lower electronic tones can set the mood in dance and electronic songs, and drums have proper impact. It works wonders for vocals as well: both female and male voices touch the lower tones as easily as the higher ones.
When they do reach the higher frequencies, there's nothing to be afraid of. Highs are cut off before they become harsh or peaky, but are extended well enough to offer plenty of room for vocals and instruments, like Björks' extreme outbursts and explosive trumpets in It's Oh So Quiet. Unlike the Edifier and Soundcore, the Evo refrains from the metallic effect on higher vocals - helping it to give its natural feeling.
More so, the amount of detail is impressive. The 1more Evo presents music in an above-average soundstage, with a good sense of space and good instrumental positioning. Vocals are not excessively forward, but are often in the center front - where they should be - and surrounded by instruments that come from your left and right.
Moving onto the lows, the mid-bass is all but underpowered, but it's not the most punchy or quick offering. The true power lies in the sub-bass here. It's as if the Evo donates some of its mid-bass slam to the subs, which only adds up to incredibly fullness, depth, and rumble it can deliver. The Evo may just surprise you with it - not just by quantity, but by quality as well.
From the highs to the lows, the 1more Evo has a balanced sound with a warm undertone, that shines in the mids and with its dynamics - even in crowded songs.
Sound variation 1: LDAC
If you're an Android user, you can switch to the LDAC codec from the app by tapping the 1more logo and then choosing 'Experimental features'. That may seem a weird place and name for the option to choose for higher quality sound, but it seems justified. Just like on the Edifier NeoBuds Pro and Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro, choosing LDAC makes the sound more immersive - more around you, with a bigger soundstage and more precise instrument placement and mid-detail. But just like on those models, it also reveals an annoying crackle on some songs - that can be heard clearly in even easier-going songs like Matteo's Myderwyk's The Young Weaver. LDAC is a tradeoff, not always an improvement.
Sound variation 2: EQ presets and Sound ID
By taking 1more's SoundID test in the app and selecting from samples that show you less or more bass, less or more lower-mids, more forward or more laidback vocals, more or less treble, the 1more Evo creates an adjust sound profile for you. You won't feel very in control of this profile, but it can surely have a big effect.
Especially bass lovers should welcome SoundID, the custom EQ option and the twelve preset equalizers from the app: it's mostly the thickness and strength of the bass that can easily be tweaked via these functions. SoundID still takes the crown: it can truly let you unlock a ton of bass in the Evo. Not just a blatant, fat thumping bass either - no; a massively deep and layered mid- and sub-bass with plenty of texture.
You can't go wrong with the sound the 1more Evo presents. Behold - these are the most balanced sounding ANC earbuds under $200, with a ton of equalizing options to tweak things to your liking.
1more Evo comparisons
1more Evo vs 1more ComfoBuds Pro
The 1more ComfoBuds Pro has been a Scarbir.com recommendation for both phone and video calls and ANC under $100. Should you pay up to twice the price for the Evo? Well, the regular microphone output on the Evo is clearer and fuller than the ComfoBuds Pro, but things take a turn with a bit of noise around you. The ComfoBuds Pro focuses better on your voice, while your voice becomes shaky on the Evo. ANC is convincing on both, but the Evo reduces the highest noises just a bit better. Battery life? Better on the Evo, but not by much.
The sound quality is the biggest difference. The Evo tames the treble of the ComfoBuds Pro somewhat, balancing out instruments and vocals in middle to higher frequencies better, and it also tightens up the bass a bit. Lower-mids are more detailed as well. The ComfoBuds Pro has more air in the sound, but the Evo positions instruments better and offers better dynamics.
Both these 1more offerings show just how competitive the wireless earbuds market is, and how hard it is to recommend a good over-$100 earbud over an under-$100 model. They're both excellent, one just more finetuned than the other. The question is: how much do you want to spend?
1more Evo vs Sony WF-1000XM3
Compared to Sony's WF-1000XM3, a king of dynamic sound, the 1more Evo sounds more natural, with less blown-up lower-mids and less thickness in the upper-mids. 1more's mid-tones appear more realistic, there's more space in the sound and a bigger dynamic range. The Sony has a stronger mid-bass and warmer undertone, and its app gives you more options to alter the sound (well, bass amount) to your liking. It has a more energetic approach to music, compared to 1more's love for more balance. Other aspects? Sony's ANC is stronger; battery life and call quality are comparable; 1more has an actual waterproof rating opposed to the Sony, the 1more connects and pairs much quicker, and most importantly in the long run: the Evo is lighter and more comfortable to wear.
No seperate Sony WF-1000XM3 review; initial price too high - check out its description in the best sounding TWS guide instead ($130)
1more Evo vs Edifier NeoBuds Pro
The much-praised Edifier NeoBuds Pro has slightly stronger ANC and a more usable Transparency mode than the 1more Evo, and it reduces background noise better in calls - without attacking your voice, like the 1more can. It has weaker battery life - especially if you're trying out the higher LDAC codec settings to get the most out of the sound on Android devices.
Even though the Edifier app lets you choose between a Dynamic and less-outspoken but very well-tuned Classic mode, the Edifier always sounds more energetic than the 1more Evo - with a harder-hitting mid-bass and deeper sub-bass that provide plenty of power to even easier-going songs. The 1more puts more effort in the mid-tones. Lower mid-tones have more nuances, and higher up, individual instruments like guitars and piano play are brought out a tad better - this is where the dynamics shine. The NeoBuds Pro can be more metallic in the upper-mids, yet at the same time, it can sound pleasantly fuller due to the strong bass section and warmer tone. The 1more Evo is more balanced.
Edifier NeoBuds review ($130)
1more Evo vs Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro
The 1more Evo has the same price as the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro, and it seems as if almost all functions were matched to Soundcore's brilliant offering. Both have extensive app support with different ANC and Transparency settings. Soundcore executions is better, however. While ANC and Transparency modes are about as effective, the Liberty 3 Pro has better clarity in both phone and video calls. More so, the app offers a vast amount of sound equalizers with which you can truly change the sound.
That said, the Soundcore is always more geared towards the bass than the 1more. Even when you dial it down, the Liberty 3 Pro has this ever-pulsating strong bass thump that entertains, but does take the balance out of the music. The 1more (again) sounds more natural, also because higher vocals on the Soundcore have a metallic edge the 1more avoids. Both sound fantastic - the Liberty 3 Pro is more energetic, the Evo is more versatile.
Verdict
Outstanding sounding ANC earbuds that don't resolve around bass: we've been waiting for a while, but here they are. The 1more Evo sounds more balanced and detailed than its best competitors, and throws in solid active noise cancelling, comfort, and quick charging on top. Only inconsistency in call quality stands in the way of a perfect score.
4.5 stars - Great
Buy 1more Evo/ check price:
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I received the 1more Evo ANC TWS from the manufacturer to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
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