New Heights in Sound: Discovering the Charm of Yamahas TW-E7B True Wireless Earphones

For many years, Yamaha has concentrated on high-end, professional audio gear for consumers, particularly focusing on AV receivers and speaker systems. Nonetheless, as consumer trends have been shifting towards wireless sound, numerous audio brands dedicated to purity have adjusted their product lines to remain relevant. Yamaha is no exception, recently entering the market for true wireless earbuds. Despite this evolution, the brand’s offerings maintain a distinct vintage appeal that differentiates them from mainstream alternatives to some degree.

The product under review here is Yamaha’s priciest true wireless earphones—the TW-E7B, priced at Rs. 24,200. Equipped with active noise cancellation, advanced Bluetooth codec compatibility, and a commitment to sound excellence, the TW-E7B has a lot to offer. Yet, does it possess the qualities necessary to stand up against established brands like Apple, Samsung, Sony, and Sennheiser in the high-end market? Let’s find out in this review.

The charging case of the Yamaha TW-E7B features a USB Type-C port, but lacks wireless charging capability.

Design and Features of Yamaha TW-E7B

While the majority of brands strive to create compact, sleek, and minimalist true wireless earbuds, Yamaha has chosen a ‘larger is better’ philosophy. The TW-E7B earpieces are sizeable and a bit cumbersome due to their dimensions, though they surprisingly weigh only 7.3g each. Regardless of their size, the earphones offer a decent level of comfort, owing to their relatively light weight.

The exterior showcases a ‘spotted’ texture that appeared unusual at first, but I soon grew fond of the earphones’ aesthetic. Each earpiece is fitted with bright indicator lights displaying connectivity and battery status, alongside a proper in-canal fit and proximity sensors on both sides.

In India, Yamaha offers two color options—black and white. I found the black review model appealing, while the white variant arguably stands out more, accentuating the textured design. The earphones also boast an IPX5 water resistance rating, allowing them to endure minor water splashes and sweat without significant risk of harm.

Unlike many premium true wireless options available today, the Yamaha TW-E7B incorporates physical buttons for control, a feature that suits the larger earpiece design well. While it may seem somewhat outdated, I appreciate the precision provided by physical controls, which lower the chances of accidental presses.

Although the controls are not customizable, this isn’t a major issue, as all functionalities are managed by the three physical buttons. Volume adjustments, track skipping, and voice assistant activation are found on the right earpiece, while play-pause and toggling between ANC and transparency modes are located on the left earpiece.

The charging case for the Yamaha TW-E7B is substantial and somewhat impractical for pocket storage; a backpack or bag is recommended due to its dimensions. It features USB Type-C charging with the port positioned at the rear, and battery level indicator lights on the front just beneath the lid. Unfortunately, it lacks wireless charging, a drawback given that headsets at half this cost often provide that feature. The design feels somewhat basic and not particularly appealing for its price. Included in the box are a charging cable and four pairs of silicone ear tips.

Yamaha TW-E7B App and Specifications

The Yamaha TW-E7B true wireless earphones can be paired with the Yamaha Headphone Control app, available for both iOS and Android devices. The app is quite basic, reflective of the straightforward characteristics of the headset, including fixed, non-customizable controls on the earpieces. The app provides battery level indicators for the earpieces, detailed equalizer settings, controls for ANC and transparency modes, along with toggles for Yamaha’s Listening Care, Listening Optimiser, and Gaming Mode.

In contrast to much of the competition, the Yamaha TW-E7B features physical buttons for on-device controls.

Active noise cancellation on the Yamaha TW-E7B is not customizable, and the voice assistant is activated via your smartphone, using either the default or selected option, rather than directly through the earphones. I found the equalizer’s level of detail and customizability impressive, with live tweaks offering noticeable improvements for certain tracks and genres.

Regarding specifications, the Yamaha TW-E7B operates on Bluetooth 5.2, supporting SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codecs. The earphones possess a frequency response range from 20 to 20,000Hz and utilize 10mm dynamic drivers. This codec support indicates that sound quality and performance could excel when the headset is connected to aptX-compatible devices, such as Android smartphones.

Performance and Battery Life of Yamaha TW-E7B

Most premium true wireless earphones stem from renowned brands with established expertise in wireless technology, and Yamaha faces a challenge in making a splash with its flagship TW-E7B model. However, the brand leverages some insights gained from the YH-L700A headphones, especially concerning sound performance, where the TW-E7B shines.

The inclusion of the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive codec significantly enhances the sound quality of the Yamaha TW-E7B when paired with the right source device. I used it with a OnePlus 9 Pro (Review) for the majority of this assessment. While the sound initially struck me as overly warm and aggressive, I eventually came to appreciate its punchy and immersive sonic profile.

Listening to the catchy «Paris (Aeroplane Remix)» by Friendly Fires, the Yamaha TW-E7B favored the low frequencies, providing a punchy and tight low-end that drove the gentle, mid-tempo beat of this lounge tune. The bass not only complemented but also enhanced the capable mid-range and upper mid-range, beautifully supporting the rhythm and melody without drawing undue attention away from the beat.

The Yamaha TW-E7B managed well with intricate tracks too, revealing subtle elements throughout the various songs I sampled. The track «Obsessed» by Calvin Harris showcased impressive frequency range management, particularly highlighting Charlie Puth’s smooth vocals alongside the soothing beat and rhythm. It also illustrated the engaging soundstage and meticulous attention to detail the earphones possess.

Sound quality is commendable, thanks to the support for the Qualcomm aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec, though ANC performance lags behind.

Although the sound from the Yamaha TW-E7B lacks the sharpness and refinement of the Sony WF-1000XM4 or the versatility of the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), it possesses a certain warmth, likability, and character reminiscent of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3. Notably, both the Sennheiser and Yamaha headsets offer aptX Adaptive, which achieves an admirable balance between sonic detail and character. The Yamaha model embraces an enjoyable sound profile over neutrality or tonality, which is what I found most appealing about these earphones.

While impressive sound quality characterizes the Yamaha TW-E7B earbuds, its active noise cancellation feature, unfortunately, does not meet expectations. The noise-cancellation effect seemed lacking given the pricing, resembling what one might find in budget true wireless models. In fact, using ANC led to a slight dullness in sound, prompting me to prefer listening with it off while indoors.

The transparency mode offered was adequate, although not as natural-sounding as competing models. Call quality was satisfactory indoors but faltered in outdoor environments. While I could hear voices clearly from the other end even with ANC off, my voice struggled to be heard distinctly amid background noise.

The battery life of the Yamaha TW-E7B is acceptable but not remarkable. With ANC activated, the earpieces provided around five hours of playback, and the case extended this with two additional charges, resulting in an approximate total cycle run time of 18 hours. Without ANC, I achieved around six hours of earphone usage. Fast charging is available, with a 10-minute recharge said to yield an hour of playback, while a full charge takes around three hours.

Conclusion

Yamaha may not be the first brand that comes to mind for true wireless earphones, but it has a strong legacy in the audio industry. This experience and expertise enable the Japanese company to deliver the TW-E7B, a competent flagship model—particularly if sound quality and performance are your primary concerns. These stylish earphones offer a warm and enjoyable sound profile.

However, the Yamaha TW-E7B falls short in its active noise cancellation performance, the app provides limited features beyond the equalizer, and the pricing feels a bit steep given the offerings. Additionally, the support for Qualcomm’s aptX codec suite makes it best suited for Android users, while iOS users might find the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) to be a better match. Nevertheless, if quality sound is your goal, the Yamaha TW-E7B will not let you down and may be worth shortlisting alongside the Sony WF-1000XM4 and Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3.