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Sound performance
For this review, I mostly used my iPhone as a source. This IEM is made for travelling and commuting, so it doesn’t really make sense to connect a high-end DAP to them, or a domestic source. I also added the FiiO M15S in the mix, for aptX, but frankly, most people will stick with a phone.
Overall signature
So, are the Devialet Gemini II better than ever? Quite frankly, yes. So much that I can confidently mark those TWS as “audiophile-grade”.
In fact, if the AirPods Pro 2 remain my go-to for most users, thanks to their all-around signature and unbeatable ease of use, audiophile seeking the best-sounding TWS should get the Gemini II. Highs are crisp, voices are absolutely gorgeous, lows are superb and on all and every track I listened to, the Devialet systematically took the upper hand, above Apple.
Okay, there still are various computation at work, but you’d have to be in (very) bad faith to say that those new Gemini sound anything but good. Bass have some emphasis, as you’d expect from the brand, but the highs remain the real feat here, thanks to their astounding level of resolution and openness.
Clearly, the EAM or IDC do wonders here and, combined with the new titanium driver, it’s a fantastic surprise in every way, resulting is a TWS that should satisfy 90% of listeners. Add to that a soundstage equally impressive with a lot of headroom, phenomenal dynamic range and up to this day, this is the best TWS I had the chance to listen to. To be fair, the Gemini are still tuned to flatter your ears, pushing the lower frequencies upfront and giving the voices this airy, but exaggerated sensation of spaciousness – but I do like that.
And, thanks to the powerful noise-canceling I was surprised to hear details, that I thought was reserved on much higher-end gear, in difficult environments such as the train or crowded spaces – even at very low volume. Transients are fast, dynamic range is great, ADSR is excellent, and even compared to the mighty Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, or the AirPods 2 or even the Hifiman Svanar Wireless, the Devialet really shines here, all thanks to its powerful CPU. I couldn’t feel a difference switching from transparency mode to noise-canceling, and even ambient electro from Anyma or hard hitting from Charlotte Dewitte were played with ease.
Would I choose the Sennheiser or the Devialet? For the sound, Devialet, even if it’s a close-fight. Would I chose the Apple or the Devialet? For the sound again, Devialet, and the AirPods for all the other features.
All-in-all, a delightful experience and definitely one of the best-sounding TWS I have listen to this year. A bit expensive of course, but if you were to compare them with a DAC + IEM pack, I could even find them competitive!
Tonality
Highs: expert control. The Gemini II is never aggressive but can be a little bit too V-shaped out ot the box. It’s super clean, with quick transients and phenomenal pan effects with the right recordings, and after a little check in the app, it gets much (much) better. Clearly on a league of its own.
Good test-track: Strobe Lights (feat. Kilian & Jo) – Henry Green remix
Mediums: spacious with clean vocals. Once again, the Gemini are showing off in this area. The DSP always tries to put the voices upfront, like the bass. There’s no real bump but, the more you listen to them, the more you’ll discern those slight magnifications. It’s still a bit too forced, but that’s what make those ears addictive
Good test-track: Unstable Gravity – Colyn
Lows: Phantom of the Opera . Whether if you set the noise-canceling, or sound transparency on, you’ll get powerful, deep, clean bass. These earphones can handle electro tracks like champs and completely top the game. The SOC is doing miracles here and I’m sure that you’ll be surprised by how powerful, and delightful, the bass can get.
Good test-Track: To the Moon and Back – Boris Brejcha
Conclusion
If sound is your main concern – and I do believe that, the Devialet Gemini II are the best TWS you can get at the moment. Sound is superb, noise-canceling is quite good, software’s integration was enhanced and for the big majority of users, they’ll be the best Bluetooth IEM you could ask for.
They are not perfect yet : transparency mode still need some improvements and I’d argue that fit could be even better, but all in all, those are awesome TWS – for a price.
Pros
- superb sound, whatever the source
- very good noise cancelling, good transparency
- good battery life and fast charge
- fancy design
- multipoint Bluetooth
Cons
- no LDAC or aptX HD
- noise-cancelling could be even better
- pricey for a TWS
Page 1: About the brand, design and build quality
Page 2: Comfort, usage
Page 3: Specifications, Bundle
Page 4: Sound performances
H1a8
They are too expensive for most people. The battery will degrade over time and they will become useless. For on the go listening you better off going with option 1:
A great $200-$250 iems (Chopin, Quintet, Aful performer5, etc) with the fiio utws5. You can eq them with the fiio app if you want (the Quintet will sound better than $400 iems (such as my Hype 4) if you increase 60Hz band by 3-4dB with Q= 0.7 to 0.9, lower the 8kHz band by 4dB with Q= 0.9 to 1.2, and increase the 16kHz band by 3-4dB with Q= 0.7 to 0.9)
Option 2
Either
the status between 3anc (use status between pro mode with anc on)
or
the Technics Az80 (use dynamic mode) as they are 92% and 95% (respectively) to the sound quality of the Gemini 2 while being significantly cheaper. 99.999% will be MORE satisfied than they originally assumed before the purchase.
patbea
Would you test the Fairbuds from Fairphone ? 10/10 for sustainability on Ifixit…
Lieven
Probably not, but never say never