well, that's it for my Hecate GM5, wanted to like them (they have a lot of pros like aptX Adaptive, huge play time ~40hrs, excellent sound ) but in the end the AirPod classic shape is not for me
thus... "do not early adopt and buy the HYPE" but instead "read reviews and wait for firmware updates and price down" (although they already were cheap at 99chf like the Hecat GM5)
and since i am tired to wait on the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro availability...
so i bought Nothing.... errrr something? Ear(1) for 88chf yesterday and updated them to the latest firmware ...
at the price even the initial firmware was good enough, sound is quite good (Teenage Engineering Audio did not fail to deliver), ANC is efficient, zero connection issues and touch control are way less finicky than the GM5 (really like the slide up slide down for volume control on both stem)
yeah, i prefer silicon tips ...
the only cons i can find would be AAC and SBC codec only, would have preferred aptX/aptX HD or aptX Adaptive (although they do have a low latency mode, it's not 100% on par with aptX Adaptive, let's say it's around 85% )
but compared to my previous Hecate GM5, they do old their ground quite well, are priced lower (88.70chf versus 99chf), have a better shape (standard Apple AirPod shape for the GM5 and more similar to the Airpod Pro for the ear (1) minus the obnoxious "Apple" pricing for both) and add ANC, capacitive in ear detection and Qi Wireless charging... that's a win in my book
another minor one although not a deal breaker for me 34hrs autonomy total versus 40... but at least they are above 20hrs whereas other brand boast "huge playtime" with only a mere 12 to 20hrs, 6hrs less bah! no biggies
no e-waste: the GM5 and the Liberty 2 Pro will be passed on to friends and family
ah, and i bought, alongside, another "unboxing facilitator" from Morakniv .... but not the No. 711, i took a Kansbol (good point i can even use the belt loop with the Eldris sheat ) for when the box is too big! used the Eldris for the Ear(1) tho ... noticed the pull-tear tab too late ... on the plastic wrapping and on the cardboard wrapping... never been a fan of easy pull opening ... "unboxing ruined!" if not using a "unboxing facilitator"