Baseus Inspire XC1 Review: Excellent Open Earbuds
Speaking of critical listening, the XC1 works with Sony’s high-resolution LDAC Bluetooth codec, if you have a compatible Android phone (sorry, iPhone users). Using LDAC can reveal more detail, especially when listening to a lossless audio source, but for these headphones I don’t think the juice is worth it. Using LDAC disables your EQ and Bluetooth Multipoint settings, and the XC1 struggles to maintain a stable Bluetooth connection when LDAC is set to its highest quality setting.
Baseus also includes two Dolby Audio modes (Music and Cinema), intended to create a more immersive spatial experience. For me, it’s the opposite. I find that they erase the sound, the cinema being downright muddy. At 60% volume, the power was more than sufficient for an engaging indoor listening experience. Outside, I needed a little more oomph.
Beyond music
Photography: Simon Cohen
Calling the Inspire XC1 is good. Whether indoors or outdoors, your interlocutors will easily understand you and almost all background noise will be kept at bay. However, as with most open-back clip-on headphones, your voice won’t be crystal clear: some distortion manages to seep in, especially on the outside.
Baseus rates the XC1’s battery life at eight hours per charge, with 40 hours of total use when you include the case battery, figures that are only eclipsed by the OpenDots One’s 10/40 combo. Baseus assumes 50 percent volume and does not include the use of Dolby Audio or LDAC. LDAC can be very power hungry, often reducing battery life by up to 30%, which is all the more reason to avoid it.
Open-back headphones aren’t for everyone, but with excellent sound quality, a comfortable clip-on style design, and easy-to-use controls, the Baseus Inspire XC1 are a great choice. They check a lot of boxes for a considerably lower price than their closest competitors, including strong water and dust resistance, optional LDAC mode, and Multipoint Bluetooth. The only thing missing is Auracast support. Unfortunately, this feature has not yet been widely adopted. If you’re looking for an affordable pair of open-face heads that rival the best, these are some of the best we’ve tried.
