We have been putting budget audio brand TOZO through the paces a bit in recent times. By and large they have impressed the editors at DRN, punching well above their flyweight price range. The Open Ego even managed to win over Bucks, our very jaded, all round good looking rooster and self confessed audiophile.
This time we were offered a TOZO T10 (Ergonomic with APP edition 2024) with improved ergonomics. So with thanks to Tozo, I get to try them out.
First Impressions
On this occasion I made a special request for a blue colourway, out of a choice of five that is available for the T10.
Disclosure time. I don’t recall ever winning an argument about colours. I just agree to disagree particularly when it is with a partner. I think the T10 blue colourway is more a grey with blue tinge than blue, but that’s just semantics. Really, for all I care these T10’s I have in my hands can identify as a polka dot lush pink for all I care.
The cover is translucent which gives you a shadowy glimpse that the earbuds are stored (or not if you misplaced them). It also clearly shows the four blue dots that indicate the remaining battery charge in the case.
The lid closes with a satisfying snap. There is no magnetic latch here so there is a good chance of the earbuds popping out of the case if you drop it.
Overall the case is compact to fit in your hand, or easily slips into a pocket to go.
The earbuds themselves are of the same matte material with a shiny rim near the outside of the buds to give it some highlight. There are no garish logos plastered over them, just a simple R and L to denote the sides.
Overall the Tozo T10 are a lowkey affair.
In Use
Before I got started with the review, I had the unit out of the box and fairly carelessly tossed it on my desk mat. So I was surprised to see my wireless charger blink red at me. Moving the T10 into position, I was pretty happy to find that the case supports wireless charging. That is totally a bonus considering the budget price point.
I found the default size ear gels to fit me just fine. Tozo has included 5 additional sizes as part of the package, along with a short USB charging cable and a lanyard.
The Tozo does come with an app which is not critical to get things going. But again, the little fighter keeps on surprising with features. The Tozo apps includes an equaliser to tune your sound, and it does not force you to register for an account to use these features.
The T10 2024 edition is an update from an older model, with 8mm dynamic drivers and Tozo’s OrigX acoustic technology. OrigX is billed to provide punch and deep bass profile but blends with mids and trebles to keep sound real.
When I get a really rough day I would tune out to the sounds of a classical symphony, loudly. One of these days definitely qualified. So how would the T10 fare with the mad musical genius of one Johannes Chrystostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart (better known as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart)?
The final essay written by Mozart, Symphony #41 “Jupiter” is wildly lauded to be the pinnacle of his many many scores written in his brief life. My preferred performance is by Academy of Martin-in-the-Fields. A composition with strings, woodwind, horns, trumpets and timpani, it would challenge any earbuds to render faithfully.
What caught me attention first is the separation of sound elements. The bass is a strong foundation that never strays into a dominant or distracting territory. There is a fullness of the mids that envelopes you in the experience. As for the highs that is so critical in classical music, they are impressively clean and crisp. There is little to be offended with, Tozo has done an amazing job at keeping everything natural and in balance.
Overall the soundstage is very respectably wide. There is just a hint of crowding in the highs in some passages but otherwise the sound experience is impressive.
The equaliser allows for plenty of customisation to get the sound just the way you like,
And despite not having any Active Noise Cancelling, the T10 did an sterling job of blocking out noise passively. Yes I completely miss my partner calling for me, multiple times whilst I was listening to Mozart.
Other Features
The T10 supports Bluetooth 5.3 which has proven stable in long hours of continuous use.
Whilst touch controls are my natural enemies, I have found these to be palatable as I could use the sides of the buds to sit them in my ear, rather than pushing on the controls and changing my music.
I have taken the T10 out with me for the past few weeks, and using them in meetings or calls from wherever I am.
Here the T10 microphone has also performed admirably. Voice pick up has been excellent in a quiet room, with a good rendition of my voice.
In a noisier environment the ENC kicks in to reduce the environment noise. It did make my voice a little more hollow but I did not get people complaining (or wondering) where I was other than at my desk in front of my computer.
One last trick up it’s sleeve, the T10 has a IPX8 rating for the buds – that means continuous immersion in water at over one metre depth.
I have already mentioned the T10 supports wireless charging. But there is also old school USB-C port on the back of the charging case.
Battery Life
Tozo rates a single charge for up to 15 hours of playback, something I haven’t pushed the boundaries of.
With the case add 45 hours of playback time which brings the total to 55 hours of playtime before you run out of juice.
Gripes
There is just one from me. The earbuds need a little grip on the sides to make them easier to grip. I find it at times hard to pull out from the case, or they slip out of my fingers when I try to get them in my ear.
Conclusions
With all these features and performance, would you believe it if I tell you that the Tozo T10 has a RRP of AUD$49.99? At time of publishing there is a 20% off code available on Amazon which knocks another $10 off the price.
The Tozo T10 defied the expectations for a budget earbuds, and they have certainly punched well above their weight. They are available in six colourways – black, matte blue, matte gray, matte khaki or matte white.
DRN would like to thank Tozo for their continued support.
