Edifier R1

The ear-clip-like design of the Edifier R1 is pleasantly lightweight at six grams per side, provides a secure, sports-suitable fit without applying pressure, and can be attached or removed with ease. After just a few seconds, the headphones are barely noticeable, which remains true even during extended use. As such, they offer excellent wearing comfort, although there are compromises in workmanship due to the relatively low price. For example, polish residue was visible on our test unit but could be easily removed. Otherwise, the headphones appear robust and are even protected against dust and moisture in accordance with IP56.

Battery life of the Edifier R1

At higher volume levels, the open-ears offer a runtime of a solid six and a half hours. In addition, the handy case allows the headphones to be fully recharged three times, providing a total runtime of over 26 hours. While the Edifier R1 are fully recharged after 50 minutes, a 15-minute quick charge provides enough power for three hours. Approximately two hours are needed to restore the case’s battery reserve, for which a USB-C to USB-A charging cable is included.

Bluetooth specs of the Edifier R1

In addition to Bluetooth 5.4, the Edifier R1 supports the AAC codec for high-quality audio. They also support multipoint connections with two devices simultaneously, although this currently does not work reliably with Apple devices. While switching between a MacBook Air and the Nothing Phone is seamless, it unfortunately doesn’t work with an iPad or iPhone and needs to be fixed. Furthermore, the headphones are equipped with a low-latency gaming mode for computer and mobile games, or for watching series and films.

Operation of the Edifier R1

Thanks to automatic channel adjustment, the open-ears can be worn on either the left or right ear, which is practical and well implemented. A wear detection feature is also available, which can be activated or deactivated via the app as needed. Device control is handled via a touch-sensitive area between the two end pieces, which responds to double and triple taps.

By default, playback control, call handling, and track skipping are supported, all of which can be customised via the app. The options include volume control, voice assistant access, and the gaming mode. However, the number of assignable functions is limited to four, which is quickly used up. The lack of a “hold” gesture further limits the functionality of the touch controls.

Additionally, the headphones cannot be turned on or off manually, meaning the case is always required. However, single-ear use in mono mode is supported.

Edifier ConneX app

In addition to “Bass Boost”, which is the default setting, the app (available for Android and iOS) offers a total of four sound modes including “Classic”, “Vocal”, and “Treble Boost”. A custom EQ section is not available. Instead, both the touch sensitivity and the volume of audio feedback can be adjusted in 15 levels. A special feature is the drying function, which uses vibrations to shake off sweat or moisture. The app also allows the low-latency gaming mode to be toggled, a timer to be set, and firmware to be updated. The search function, which uses a tone to help locate the headphones, is another handy feature.

Speech intelligibility during calls

In quiet environments, communication with the Edifier R1 is flawless, especially since the open-ear design allows for a natural conversation with awareness of your own voice. The AI-supported microphone technology also manages to filter out common wind noise outdoors. However, this no longer works effectively in strong wind, which significantly affects intelligibility. In noisy environments, the speech transmission is automatically amplified, while background noise is somewhat reduced. This reduction is not consistent, so conversations remain mostly possible but can be quite laborious for the other party.

Sound of the Edifier R1

The Edifier R1 are equipped with dynamic 12 mm drivers and offer surprisingly powerful sound for open-ear headphones. Due to the open design, deep bass components are lacking (see guide), which is only a disadvantage for club-oriented productions. Otherwise, the base sound (Bass Boost) has a substantial, well-defined bass foundation that makes listening enjoyable.

The midrange is energetic and forward, making vocals sound direct and prominent. This, combined with the bass response, creates an energetic effect that can be motivating during workouts. The open-ears also have a fairly high output, so they can be turned up as needed in a gym or on the go.

The high frequencies appear neither too restrained nor too aggressive. At high volumes, sibilants become slightly more pronounced, but the overall tonal balance remains well managed and avoids a treble-heavy sound. Excellent!

In contrast to the fun and powerful default sound, the Classic mode offers an expansive soundstage with noticeably more width. The Vocal setting enhances vocal presence with a soft and gentle tone, while the Treble Boost mode delivers a brighter sound geared towards a leaner, more detailed presentation.

Conclusion

The Edifier R1 proves to be a true budget tip, covering a wide range of sound profiles with its different modes. Despite the open design, the standard setting sounds impressively powerful, making these weather-resistant open-ears suitable for sports. A minor drawback is the limited touch control with only four assignable functions.