Wireless earbuds have quickly become essential to daily life, and the LG TONE Free T90S is a standout contender in this competitive market. Designed to offer more than just good sound quality, these earbuds have features that enhance your overall listening experience. With a reputation for blending advanced technology with user-friendly design, LG has positioned the T90S as a premium choice for audiophiles and everyday users.
What sets the T90S apart is its focus on delivering an auditory and holistic experience. Integrating innovative features like Dolby Head Tracking and UVnano hygiene technology showcases LG's commitment to offering more than just standard earbuds. These features, coupled with a sleek design and thoughtful ergonomics, promise an immersive and practical listening experience.
Modern aesthetics with functional ergonomics
The LG TONE Free T90S design seamlessly blends modern aesthetics with functional ergonomics. The earbuds sport a sleek, rounded form with a premium matte finish that helps resist fingerprints and smudges. At just 5.7g each, these earbuds are lightweight enough to wear comfortably for extended periods, which is crucial for users who rely on them throughout the day.
Customisable silicone ear tips are included, offering multiple sizes to guarantee a secure and comfortable fit for various ear shapes. This is particularly important as it enhances comfort and improves noise isolation, crucial for an immersive audio experience. The T90S also includes touch-sensitive controls, intuitively placed on the earbuds. These controls allow you to easily manage your music, take calls, and adjust the volume. While the controls are responsive, some users might need time to fully adapt to the touch gestures, especially when on the move.
Dolby Atmos and Dolby Head Tracking packed into one
Regarding sound performance, the LG TONE Free T90S impresses with its pure graphene drivers, known for delivering clear and precise audio with minimal distortion. The result is a well-balanced sound profile that caters to various musical genres, from bass-heavy beats to delicate vocals. The bass is powerful yet controlled, ensuring it doesn't overpower the mids and highs, allowing you to enjoy a rich, full-bodied, dynamic, and immersive sound.
The integration of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Head Tracking is one of the standout features of the T90S. These technologies work together to create a 3D soundstage that adjusts based on your head movements, providing an immersive audio experience that makes you feel at the centre of the action. During real-life testing, this feature shone brightest when watching movies or playing video games, where the spatial audio effect significantly enhanced the experience. However, this feature is best enjoyed in stationary settings, as the head tracking can be slightly disorienting when you're on the move.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) is another key feature of the T90S, performing effectively in various environments. While it might not offer the absolute best noise cancellation on the market, it does a commendable job of minimising ambient noise, allowing you to focus on your music or podcasts without distraction. The ANC works well in typical environments like cafes or public transportation, though some high-pitched noises may still filter through, particularly at lower volumes. Despite this, the overall noise cancellation capabilities of the T90S make it a strong option for those seeking a quiet listening experience.
Connectivity is another area where the T90S excels. With Bluetooth 5.4 and support for high-resolution audio codecs like aptX Adaptive, these earbuds offer a stable connection and superior audio quality that approaches wired headphones. Even in environments with significant wireless interference, the T90S maintains a strong, reliable connection, ensuring uninterrupted listening.
UVnano technology charging case
Compact and lightweight, the LG TONE Free T90S charging case is easy to carry in your pocket or a small bag. The case's matte finish complements the earbuds and adds a touch of sophistication to the overall design. The case's build quality is solid, with a smooth hinge mechanism that opens and closes securely, giving you confidence that your earbuds are well-protected when not in use.
Wireless charging is one of the standout features of the T90S charging case, allowing you to recharge it simply by placing it on a Qi-compatible charging pad. For those who prefer the traditional method, the case also features a USB-C port that supports fast charging, ensuring that your earbuds are ready to go whenever you are. The case provides enough power to fully recharge the earbuds multiple times, extending the total listening time to 36 hours with ANC off and around 20 hours with ANC on, making it suitable for extended use.
What truly sets the T90S charging case apart is the inclusion of LG's UVnano technology. This innovative feature uses ultraviolet light to sanitise the earbuds while they charge, eliminating up to 99.9% of bacteria. This feature offers significant peace of mind for users concerned about hygiene, especially after long periods of use. The UVnano technology is a unique selling point that adds an extra layer of value to the T90S, ensuring that your earbuds are not only charged but also kept clean and ready for use.
Another notable feature of the T90S charging case is its ability to function as a Bluetooth transmitter through the Plug & Wireless feature. The USB-C to AUX cable connects the case to non-Bluetooth devices, such as in-flight entertainment systems or older laptops. The case then transmits the audio wirelessly to the earbuds, offering a seamless listening experience on virtually any device. This level of versatility makes the T90S an ideal choice for users who frequently switch between different audio sources, whether for work, travel, or leisure.
Customisation with mobile app
The LG TONE Free app is crucial for getting the most out of your T90S earbuds. Designed for iOS and Android, the app provides an extensive range of customisation options, allowing you to tailor the earbuds to your preferences. The app's interface is clean, intuitive, and user-friendly, making it easy for users of all levels of tech proficiency to navigate.
One of the app's most valuable features is customising the earbuds' touch controls. This allows you to assign different functions to gestures, such as taps, double taps, or long presses. Whether you prefer to control playback, adjust the volume, or activate your voice assistant, the app lets you set up the controls most naturally.
The app also includes a variety of EQ presets tailored to different listening environments. Options like Bass Boost, Immersive, and Natural allow you to quickly switch between sound profiles depending on your activity or surroundings. For those who want even more control, the app lets you create and save custom EQ settings, ensuring that your audio experience is always how you like it. This level of personalisation is particularly appealing to users who enjoy tweaking their sound settings to suit their mood or the genre of music they're listening to.
In addition to sound customisation, the app offers practical features such as the “Find My Earbuds” function. This feature is a lifesaver if you ever misplace your earbuds, as it triggers a loud noise from the buds to help you locate them quickly. The app also provides real-time battery status updates for the earbuds and the charging case, so you're never caught off guard by a low battery.
The verdict: LG TONE Free T90S
Considering the decision to invest in the LG TONE Free T90S, it's essential to consider what these earbuds bring. If you are an audiophile or appreciate cutting-edge technology in your everyday gadgets, the T90S offers plenty of reasons to be excited. The pure graphene drivers provide an exceptional level of audio clarity that is rare to find in wireless earbuds. Whether listening to bass-heavy tracks or enjoying intricate classical music, these earbuds deliver a well-balanced and detailed sound that can rival many wired headphones in the same price range.
Moreover, the inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Head Tracking offers a spatial audio experience that is nothing short of immersive. If you're a movie buff or enjoy gaming, this feature alone could justify the premium price tag. On the downside, the T90S does come with a few caveats. The noise cancellation, while effective, isn't the best in its class, and you may still hear some ambient noise in particularly loud environments. If you're willing to overlook the slightly higher price and minor drawbacks, the T90S could be the perfect addition to your tech arsenal, delivering a rich and versatile audio experience.
