By Graham K. Rogers

I had been looking forward to the arrival of the BeatsX ear buds especially as they share some of the Apple Air Pods technology in the W1 chip. A couple of weeks ago I ordered a set in blue - because this is different - and they were in my hands this morning.

BeatsX in and out of the box - so much wire

I waited until I arrived home before setting them up which was only slightly less easy than the Air Pods. As with the Apple device, other devices recognised these almost instantly with no further need of pairing.

That wonderfully simple pairing - the W1 chip

My initial impressions were not positive. After the comfort of the Air Pods, which are almost unnoticeable in use, the BeatsX felt less secure in my ears, I could feel the cord drag as I moved my head, and the linking cable was uncomfortable on the top of my back. For a wireless device, there is so much wire.

Keep to the essence of things

The sound with the Apple Radio, Alternative station was acceptable, but when I switched to the Opera station, there was a reediness to the output. I am not a fan of Hip-Hop, so this device may not be tuned to my tastes. The Air Pods handled any music I tried with no problem.

BeatsX Lightning port (left) and carrying case with short USB cable

While I have yet to check for fit with the optional ear-pieces provided, the very act of having to fiddle about with extras like this does not endear the device to me: the Air Pods went in the ear first time and fitted perfectly. I will be writing a full review when I have checked the BeatsX out completely and this should be in the Bangkok Post next week (8 March).

BeatsX Carrying Case

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. He is now continuing that in the Bangkok Post supplement, Life. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th)