The new alternative: Devialet Gemini

For just £29 more, you can go full-on audiophile… or can you?

£279 / stuff.tv/gemini

n Yep, there’s room for one more on the ANC wireless bandwagon… and it’s French luxury hi-fi brand Devialet, bounding up to the top deck with a pair of surprisingly inexpensive in-ears that promise high-class sound and hi-tech noise-cancelling. Even if they do look a bit like big clompy boots.

n Do you like acronyms? You’ll love these. They’ve got EAM

(ear active matching), whereby the buds tune their sound to the shape of your ear canals; PBA (pressure balance architecture) to regulate the amount of air inside; and IDC (internal delay compensation) for more accurate ANC in the high frequencies.

n They should sound amazing, shouldn’t they? But on first listen, the Geminis’ edgy aggression has us wincing. Luckily, a visit to the app’s EQ screen is all it takes to swap ‘excitement’ for something a lot smoother. With dips on the 1.25khz and 4khz bands, we’re suddenly in happy hi-fi land: the balance is perfect and the sheer space in the midrange is joyous.

n Is this the most powerful ANC ever? No, but if you just want to silence general hubbub it’s highly effective. It’s also very natural, cutting evenly across the range so the world seems to be turned down a few notches rather than weirdly hollowed out.

Tech specs

Audio 10mm drivers Connectivity Bluetooth 5, USB-C and Qi charging Battery life 6hrs (buds), 18hrs (case) Waterproof rating IPX4 Weight 7g each, 76g case

There’s nothing special about these buds’ design, charging case, battery life, ANC or app… and the sound out of the box is overhyped. But who cares when what you’re getting here (eventually) is proper hi-fi brilliance for under £300? STUFF SAYS HHHHH

These in-ears are capable of delectable sonic refinement

Tones The app’s EQ screen includes a number of presets, but dragging the nodes on the graphic equaliser up and down is much more fun. You can also alter the left/right balance, for some reason.

Zones The buds have touch-sensitive outer surfaces that handle the usual play/pause, ANC on/off and call functions with short or long presses. Double-press functions can be customised in the app.

Phones Devialet’s simple Android/ios app lets you choose from three levels of ANC and two levels of transparency for when you do want to hear the real world, as well as checking on the buds’ battery levels.