Created to celebrate Cowboy Bebop’s 25th anniversary, these Anime-themed earphones, named TE-ZX1 from AVIOT, boast the groundbreaking “Tribrid 5-Driver System.” This design, inspired by home theaters, utilizes multiple drivers to cover various frequencies, resulting in an immersive soundscape across low, mid, and high-range audio. Priced at $218, these earphones promise premium sound quality, distinguishing themselves from the common $99 TWS earbuds found online. Additionally, the TE-ZX1 offers hybrid noise canceling, providing a compact yet powerful audio experience.
Earphones’ size is both a strength and a weakness. Their small design makes them convenient but limits their capabilities due to small drivers. To overcome this, earphones often rely on digital signal processing (DSP) for better sound quality. The TE-ZX1 stands out by using multiple drivers, with 5 in each ear. This enables a broader frequency range and more accurate reproduction, reducing the reliance on DSP and ensuring a faithful reflection of the audio signal.
The TE-ZX1’s Tribrid 5-Driver System combines a planar magnetic driver, a dynamic driver, and three balanced armature drivers to deliver a wide range of crystal-clear sounds. AVIOT emphasizes the complementing characteristics of these drivers, refining them to provide rich and detailed sound across all frequencies. The earphones feature LDAC tech for high-quality Bluetooth audio transmission, supporting various codecs. They also incorporate hybrid noise canceling to preserve audio quality by blocking external sounds. With high-quality microphones, the TE-ZX1 excels not only as audio-listening devices but also in delivering clear phone calls.
The TE-ZX1 boasts cutting-edge technology encased in a stylish design inspired by the Cowboy Bebop anime. Designed by Kimitoshi Yamane and Toshiaki Uesugi, the earphones draw inspiration from the series’ ‘Swordfish II’ combat ship. The eye-catching look is ergonomic, utilizing additive manufacturing for precision and intricate acoustic design, accommodating the 5 drivers inside. A metal nozzle efficiently directs audio into the ear, and the TE-ZX1 includes 8 silicone tips for a comfortable fit for all ear types.
The earphones and their sleek metallic red charging case, accented with black details, are eye-catching. With an IPx4 waterproof rating, they’re suitable for exercise and light rain. The earphones offer 8 hours of battery life, extendable by 20 hours with the charging case. A quick 10-minute charge provides a full hour of listening. Priced at $218, the TE-ZX1 falls into the mid-range for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones, delivering sound quality comparable to more expensive options.
