Am I the only one who hates how Cinema HQ shows links that are simply dead and don't work? I wish they would clean out all the dead links and show ones that actually work. Currently, I'm on 7.7. Does the new update solve this problem, or is it the same nonsense?
I also compare them to my huaweis
* Comfort (8/10): Extremely comfortable for long sessions, though finding the perfect seal can be tricky.
* Security (10/10): Rock-solid fit. They will not fall out no matter how hard you shake your head.
* Battery (8.5/10): Decent runtime with ANC on, but the ultra-fast charging capability carries the entire battery experience.
* App Experience (9/10): Does everything you need, but it caps out at an 8-band EQ instead of a 10-band and lacks extra tuning options.
* ANC (9.5/10): Mind-blowing performance on par with Bose, Sony, and Apple. Noticeably stronger and more consistent than my Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5.
* Transparency (9.3/10): Extremely clear ambient audio, though my Huaweis amplify my own voice slightly better.
* Controls (8/10): Instant touch response and awesome voice commands, but the smooth body makes stem swiping inconsistent and prone to accidental taps.
* Sound Quality (7.5/10 Stock | 8.3/10 EQ'd): The weakest link. The stock sound feels pretty "mid" out of the box, though custom EQ tuning rescues it somewhat.
* Call Quality (9/10): Incredible noise cutoff in loud spaces, but heavy AI processing sacrifices natural voice detail compared to Huawei.
* IP Rating (7/10): IP55 on the earbuds is decent, but having no IP rating on the charging case is a letdown.
Verdict: These are officially my daily drivers because the ANC and value are virtually unmatched. Save your money and buy the standard Pros instead of the Pro Max—the actual earbuds are identical in hardware, ANC, and audio performance.
Edit: Build quality is a 7.5/10. The case feels pretty cheap and flimsy, and the Huaweis are a 10/10, but to be fair, they are more expensive.