Not only have I learned to appreciate earbuds over the past year, I’ve learned to love them. The compact size makes listening to tunes on the go a breeze, plus they’re usually discreet enough that you can slip them in during a work meeting, with your boss being none the wiser. Of course, you do need to compromise quality for convenience, so knowing what pair to purchase is important. The FiiTii HiFiDots are the latest product in Mifo’s high-end range that look to provide users with all the creature comforts afforded by earbuds while offering quality audio and components. The HiFiDots certainly tickle the premium price range, running at $299, but do the sharp looking buds do enough to justify spending those dollars?
This time last year, I reviewed the Mifo True S earbuds. While I was largely impressed, the actual look of the case and buds was…tacky, to say the least. Thankfully, the HiFiDots are just as kind on the eyes as they are on the ears. The audio gear is housed in a relatively small, smooth metal case with a decidedly premium feel. Available in a grey or forest green colour, the case is pretty heavy for its small size, weighing in at about 98 grams, which might be hefty for some, but provides confidence that your buds will remain safe. Pressing the small button on the case will open the hinged lid vertically in, and I’m not exaggerating here, the single most satisfying motion of all time, revealing your two new audio friends nestled away inside.
The case doesn’t allow for wireless charging, which I’m sure will be disappointing for some, but the trade-off is having a smooth, solid, egg-shaped case that effortlessly slips into a pocket, purse or bag when not in use. Though wireless charging is off the table, fast charging the case with a USB-C cable will have you back in the game quick smart. The case will go from dead flat to fully charged in around an hour, and a full charge will keep your earbuds going for around 30 hours. The battery life on the buds themselves varies depending on which mode you’re using, but you can expect about six hours on moderate noise cancelling and roughly four hours using strong noise cancelling.
The package comes standard with all of the expected bits and pieces
The buds sit vertically within the case and can be a pain to remove, necessitating instructions on taking them out in the little operation guide. Gently moving them sideways before pulling them out will do the job, but it’ll take some time before you can do it without getting frustrated.
The design of the buds is sleek and straightforward, with a short stem that rests nicely on the outside of your ear when in use. The stem features three small lights that indicate the unit’s battery out of the box but can be customised through the FiiTii companion app. I often find that headsets and earbuds hurt my ears somewhat after an hour or so of use, but I didn’t run into this issue with the HiFiDots. As is the norm, four sets of different-sized caps are in the box, giving you a range of options that best suit your listeners.
The look, the comfort, the battery life, that’s all great, but how to they sound? Well, despite only weighing 4.2 grams apiece, these little weapons pack a punch. The buds are backed by a triple-driver setup (two balanced armature drivers and a 10mm dynamic driver) that result in a wonderfully balanced sound signature. While most of the technical jargon goes over my head, I can understand that the bass has a surprisingly solid punch, while the treble is clear without sounding tinny. The mids are where the HifiDots shine, allowing for some smooth listening that, in my multiple hours of testing, never became muddy or flat. Unlike the Mifo True S set, the HifiDots also have quite a high volume ceiling which is always appreciated, just don’t damage your eardrums, kids.
It should charge and protect your earbuds, but it doesn’t hurt that the case is kind on the eyes
There are three different listening options with the HiFiDots: transparency mode, moderate ANC and strong ANC. Transparency mode uses the buds’ six-mic setup to theoretically have a conversation while still listening to music. This mode works well enough, depending on the volume you have set, though its usefulness will depend on the individual. Moderate ANC is what you would expect from a general pair of earbuds, while strong ANC does what it says on the tin, blocking out a significant amount of external noise and letting you enjoy your coffee and deathcore in peace. The buds also feature low latency lossless audio that I appreciated when watching videos, though I feel like those who game on the game will benefit from this more than I would.
The litany of mics that are somehow built into these tiny earbuds won’t win you a Grammy if you record a belter of a song through them, but they will more than hold their own during a Teams meeting at work. The fact that the six mics are split (three on each side) is a win if you only prefer to wear one when you’re on the phone. As with most earbud mics, you’ll sound a little distant, but they do a fairly good job blocking out ambient noise.
As busy people in the digital age, many of us have multiple devices on the go at any given time, and the HiFiDots have you covered. Ensuring you can take a call without disconnecting from your laptop, the buds allow you to pair to two devices simultaneously simply by pairing to them in the Bluetooth settings of the desired device. The buds will automatically register when one device is outputting sound, and the other is silent and will prioritise them accordingly. It’s a welcome feature you don’t know you need until you use it.
Once more for the people in the back: Opening and closing this case is unbelievably satisfying
The buds feature simple touch controls, one tap on the right for volume up, one tap on the left for down, double tap to play/pause and so on. These prompts can also be adjusted within the FiiTii app. The app is a free download and allows you to customise your EQ settings and change the light preferences. I did run into an issue on more than one occasion where the app wouldn’t recognise that the earbuds were connected, but otherwise, it’s a worthwhile download to customise your set fully.
Final Thoughts
I wouldn’t say I’m an earbud connoisseur, but I have sampled quite a few pairs at this point, and the HifiDots might be at the top of the pile. The sleek and modern look of the case and buds is accompanied by an excellent build quality that inspires confidence in the product. The well-balanced audio ensures that you’ll be well taken care of, regardless of your musical preference, while the creature comforts of touch controls and dual connectivity round out the already impressive package. They may not have wireless charging, and removing the buds from the case is a pain, but all the shining positives outweigh any minor gripes.
Review unit supplied by the manufacturer
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If you’re looking to buy a pair of FiiTii HiFiDots, you can find them on the official website or over on Amazon.
