LGTONE Free True Wireless Bluetooth FP9 - Active Noise Cancelling Earbuds with UVnano Charging Case, Black

I haven't had the pleasure of using many earbuds apart from Sony Earbuds. The LG Tone stuck out to me, from the battery case to the earbuds themselves they were very well done and the fact that is has UV to clean the earbuds when charging is a very nifty addition. The earbuds themselves are comfortable, and as always the noise cancellation depends on which ear tip your using, if it doesn't sound like the noise is getting cancelled out then most likely the ear tips are not the right ones for you. Overall the noise cancellation is a 10/10 for me, it was super quiet in the plane. Comfort is a 9/10, I have some pretty small earholes so after hours of use it gets uncomfortable for me. Microphone is a 10/10, clear and crisp are the complements that I've heard from my friends getting my phone calls while using these earbuds. Battery is a solid 10/10 this won't die on you during a 20 hour plane ride. Sound Quality, 8/10 (normal sound) 10/10 (3D sound) I found the 3D sound to be the best setting on the app's Eq, it sounded the best and it really allows the earbuds to perform at its best, the bass surprised me, it was really damn good.Update after a year: the adhesive holding the earbuds together stopped holding the earbuds together. I don't know how that's possible but one day I just put it on and the whole thing fell apart. Maybe some quality control issues? The other one is still good and works but without the right earbud it leaves a lot to be desired. It was good while it lasted.

Personally I think they're absolutely stunning aesthetically. The lustrous gold stems, on the matte gold buds. The blue lights in the case, while pointless, are still a nice touch to that aesthetics aspect. Gives it a bit of a futuristic/"the future is now" kind of feel.I'm coming from the Samsung peanut buds, and I like these LG ones more since there's a stem that's easier to grab onto. With the Samsungs there was always the fear of dropping them. In a city with sidewalk grates everywhere, my buds falling down one of those was always a main concern. Not so much anymore. They also fit better, and feel more secure in my ears than the Samsungs. The magnets in the stems to help keep them together, added with the "alarm tracking" system for lost buds is another nice touch for sense of security.While the sound quality is definitely on par with the Samsungs, the noise cancelling with these LGs was noticeably better from the first time I put them on. Also the button actions are customizable. So because of that, the transition from whatever headphone setup you're coming from should be an easy one once you set it up.The LG case has a less premium feel than the Samsung one however. I'm sure that was done as a cost saving measure since this case has the UV Nano and blue light tech in it. I almost forgot the headphone jack & switch that allows you to connect your wireless headphones to plane entertainment. Makes sense that quality would have to be sacrificed, but the lid of the case does feel uncomfortably flimsy though. As if it may get clumsily snapped off. All of my fellow clumsies know what I'm talking about.All that considered... They're a great purchase for the price range and tier of headphone.

So I am writing this while still listening to these (have about 5 hours in them so far) and let me just say I am really impressed. I'm kind of a headphone junkie (not an audiophile, there is a difference). I have the Airpods Pro, Galaxy Buds Pro, Surface Earbuds, Powerbeats Pro, Studio Buds, Sony Linkbuds, had WF-1000xm3 (returned them because the mics were HORRIBLE and I have to have good mics on all my buds because I use them for calling constantly). But for these FP9s the $137 I paid is just incredible and there is so much to like but with a few kind of big issues. Let's break it down:PROs:- Comfort: Love the fit!! I use the large eartips and they are just great. Lightweight, low profile, and even the case is just a wonderful feel in the hand. Nice seal in the ear as well.- ANC: This one shocked me. For $137 the ANC is fantastic. Coming from someone who owns Bose 700s, WH-10000XM5s, XM4s, and Surface Headphones for over-ears, these do a GREAT job of isolation and cancelation for in-ears and in my opinion punch quite a bit above their price class!- Color: Obviously this is subjective but gold is tough to pull off without looking tacky and honestly if they hadn't done it so well, I would not have bought these, but wanted gold in my collection so here I am.- Features: the analog dongle for the case and UV sanitation are just so cool. I mean come on, it may be a bit gimmicky but it worked, I love those features and the corded option is actually super useful. This next week I'm gonna try it with TEAMs and see if it makes for a good virtual calling solution ovr BT.- Audio/Call Quality: This is a mixed bag and gonna be in the Pros and Cons so hang in there. 95% of the audio is great. Mids, highs, clarity are great. Trade blows with good headphones! There are better but there are also MUCH MUCH wworse.CONS:- Updating: Let me get the star killer out of the way first!!! This is the thing that MADE me HAVE to give 4 stars when literally EVERYTHING else deserves 5. UPDATES ARE ATROCIOUS!!!!!!!! Out of the box mine needed an update. It took 9 TRIES TO COMPLETE. It kept failing! In my ears, on the table, in the case, close to the phone, on top of the phone, app on top, app minimized, ANC on/off. I even left my house since it has a TON of wireless interference with my wifi and all my smart devices. Still failed. SO WHAT DID IT!!!? The last thing I could think of, I had to disconnect my Galaxy Watch 4 from my S22 Ultra's Bluetooth. Then it passed first time.... Come on LG, seriously this kind of buggy crap is ridiculous in 2022! I started thinking "I knew it, I shouldn't have given LG a chance!" But lucky for you LG I wanted to like these SOO bad due to the innovative features, I fought through it. At one point I even had to reset the headphones to factory because one earbud was completely unresponsive and couldn't be found by the case. This lost the star which hurts but for anyone else experiencing this they would have probably done worse. Very disappointing but let's move on.- No "Speak to Talk": This 2nd one is another big one for me! Having been daily driving the Galaxy Buds Pro and WH-1000XM5 lately (got XM5s launch day and spent 6-10 hours in them daily since) I was disappointed to see these don't have a "speak to talk" mode. What I mean is you can't start talking and have "Transparency" mode kick in automagically, you have to toggle it with touch gesture or in app. This was a feature I just assumed these had given how innovative they are, and one I use/rely on daily. It's nice to have ANC on, then walk up to someone and speak, it flip to Transparency, then 10 seconds later auto enable ANC again. But nope. Sad Day.- Sound: Here is the CON counterpart to sound. Even with "Bass Boost" these don't have fantastic bass, it can sound a smidge "tinny". I know these are small earbuds but my Galaxy Buds Pro blow these away on base so I was a tad underwhelmed and I'm not a bass heavy guy.- Ear Tips: lastly (and this is gonna be nit picky so skip if you just want the conclusion) the eartips are sticky which make for a great seal, but the problem is they are so thin they turn inside out every time I take them out of my ears and I have to correct them before they go back in the case. Just a little thicker at the fold point and problem solved. Not big, just an annoyance.That's it folks. I love these earbuds! So portable, light, affordable, and just full of innovation and surprises. I think LG is on their way to some great earbuds if they keep improving.Quick Tip: Another suggestion LG is please make your EQ levels viewable and an option to edit 1 part and save as a "Custom" EQ. Sony has this and I use the crap out of it.Back to the conclusion, if you are looking for a great pair of unique headphones from a company I never expected to get it right, buy these. They far exceeded my expectations (and yet nailed others with that poor update issue). I would not spend $200 for these. At that prive get the Galaxy Buds Pro as those are my favs all around up until now (Can be had for $149 if you are patient); but if you can still get these for $137, snag them!! They are a great "Bang for Buck" earbud. Happy listening.