OnePlus Buds 3 (at ~4.5k) vs Buds 4 (at 6k) or look elsewhere? Need advice on bass/ANC!
Hey everyone, I'm looking for a last reality check before I buy. I’m currently looking for the OnePlus Buds 3, which I can grab them for ₹4,099. They look premium AF, but I'm completely stuck on whether I should just buy them or stretch my budget by another ₹1.5k – ₹2k for the OnePlus Buds 4 or Oppo Enco Air 5.
Here are my specific concerns and what I'm looking for:
1. My Audio Preferences
The Sound: I’m looking for the absolute best sound quality at this price. I love a slightly bass-heavy sound signature, but the overall music quality and clarity shouldn't be compromised (I don't want muddy vocals).
The ANC: I need decent to good Active Noise Cancellation. This will be my first time owning earbuds with ANC, so I don't have any past experiences to judge or compare against.
2. Is it worth stretching the budget?
For those who have tested both the Buds 3 and the higher-tier options (like Buds 4 / Oppo Enco Air 5):
Does the extra ₹1,500 – ₹2,000 price jump actually justify itself in terms of noticeable real-world sound quality and ANC improvements?
Or do you hit diminishing returns for someone with my music taste?
3. Benchmarking (How much better do they sound?)
To help me understand the actual audio jump, I want to know how the OnePlus Buds 3 compare to what I know. If you have owned or transitioned from any of these, how much better do the Buds 3 sound compared to:
boAt Nirvana Ion
OnePlus Z2 Neckband
CMF Buds 2A
Should I pull the trigger right now on the Buds 3 for ₹4,099, or should I wait/spend more? I would appreciate any help!