There are also the Sony LinkBuds S that we’ve looked at, although the Denons are much better. They sound better, the noise canceling is much better, and I think they look better too. Considering they’re both pretty much the same price, just go for these. Denon AH-C830NCW: Should you buy them?

Most of my streaming was done through Apple Music and Spotify, and to get this type of sound quality over Bluetooth 5.0 via AAC is impressive. SBC is the other supported codec, while aptX, aptX HD, and LDAC are unsupported for enabling the best audio quality over Bluetooth. The AH-C830NCW greatest strength is the way it delivers music. Respectable ANC and call quality also make it a serviceable pair of wireless earbuds for brand enthusiasts, or anyone seeking relatively affordable AirPods alternatives. The active noise cancellation is facilitated by a couple of mics in each earbud, while call quality is handled by another three. Wireless connectivity is via Bluetooth 5 and codec support extends to SBC and AAC - that means there’s no hi-res audio support. Audio is delivered to your ears by a couple of oval (11mm x 10mm) full-range dynamic drivers.There’s a very pleasant effortlessness, a sort of inherent correctness, to the way these earbuds present music of all kinds. From Animal Collective’s My Girls to Warren Zevon’s Piano Fighter via The Rite of Spring by Stravinsky/New York Philharmonic/Zubin Mehta, the Denon earbuds are never less than believable and properly listenable. Music can be played via Bluetooth 5.0. Besides the standard SBC, Denon just offers AAC as a high-quality codec alternative. A choice appreciated by iPhone users, while Android fans who want to use one of the latest aptX variants might feel a bit of a disappointment. This is a strange, rather user-unfriendly omission, given how much it constrains the ability to edit the controls, the EQ, and the noise cancellation levels. I’ve reached out about whether they are going to release one and once they reply, I’ll update this review. This performance is typical of similarly priced competitors, but to Denon's credit, we didn't notice obvious changes to the sound signature when we turned on any of the ANC modes, which is a plus. In any case, it's easy to switch between the three ANC modes, and the transparent listening mode works reliably when you need to hear your surroundings. Controlled, Detailed Audio However, every pro is negated by a con: superb audio quality vs. poor comfort levels. Useful Bluetooth support vs. mediocre battery life. Reliable touch controls vs. poorly integrated digital assistant support. You get the picture.

Mid-bass is nice and fat, while the mids are perfectly balanced. You couldn’t want for more, in all honesty, and I think that’s high praise indeed.The sound quality is the biggest thing that I love about these little buds. It’s perfectly balanced, so there’ll be no need to use any kind of equalizer. It’s not earth-shattering, let’s get that out of the way, but it is very surprising when you first play something through them. Sub bass is more punchy and present than with other in-ear buds, without drowning out the crisp, tingly highs. Mid-bass is nice and fat, while the mids are perfectly balanced. You couldn’t want for more, in all honesty, and I think that’s high praise indeed. No EQ adjustment means dealing with the sound Denon has dealt, which may not seem ideal to any number of prospective owners. Those who hear the AT-C830NCW in action, though, will realise it’s not the deal-breaker it might have been. Denon has voiced these earbuds expertly.