Tom’s Guide treated the built-in DAC and hi-res playback support as a major selling point for budget wired earbuds.
Pros: Comfort during long use, USB-C
Cons: Microphone noise reduction, Water/sweat resistance rating
Best 2026 Headphones & Earbuds for Built-in DAC and hi-res playback
Release year
Hi-res playback is a consistent strength, with multiple sources praising or highlighting 48kHz lossless audio.
Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Battery
Cons: Carry case quality, Maximum volume clarity
The included DAC and hi-res playback were a major value-add for many reviewers, improving clarity and enabling higher-quality or Dolby-supported listening, though one reviewer found it less useful.
Pros: Audio-video sync accuracy, Battery
Cons: Bluetooth, Active noise cancellation
Hi-res playback evidence was positive, especially where reviewers heard good quality or near-wired LDAC playback.
Pros: Battery, Detachable cable convenience
Cons: Active noise cancellation, Transparency mode quality
Hi-res and AI enhancement features can make compressed or lower-quality audio feel cleaner and fuller. They are useful extras, but they do not replace true lossless playback or guarantee audiophile...
Pros: Microphone noise reduction, Stability
Cons: Lossless audio support, Spatial audio
Hi-res or 24-bit support was treated as a small plus, but one reviewer questioned how much it matters in everyday listening.
Pros: Wireless latency, Weight comfort
Cons: Microphone noise reduction, Multipoint connectivity reliability
The included DAC was appreciated for avoiding extra gear, but one reviewer found the USB box brought no meaningful console improvement.
Pros: Weight comfort, Battery
Cons: Noise isolation (passive), Sound leakage