Status GoldenSound Pro X Earbuds Review

On the back of testing Status’ Between 3ANC earbuds (reviewed here), and the first edition of the Status Pro X (reviewed here), which were absolutely their ‘most ambitious earbud’ to date, we’re now in the realms of the Status GoldenSound Pro X edition, an exclusive new release with benefits!

Status Audio, founded in New York in 2014, is the invention of James Bertuzzi, and he’s always maintained that their key goal is sound quality, with a focus of being creative with their in-ear and over-ear designs and this version an advocate for that vision as well. The GoldenSound name comes from Cameron Oatley, a high-end audio reviewer and engineer who champions a specific aesthetic that aims to enhance the audio that drops into your ear. In this context, the collab spares no expense as the Status Pro X combines their leading hardware with a bespoke tuning profile that sprinkles in an excellent ingredient to your earbuds.

Introduction, design updates

Inside the solid packaging, you simply lift up slide-off lid to reveal the sleek black alloy charging case, with a chic golden top – that’s imprinted with a combination of the Status and GoldenSound logos. Inside this, the earbuds are comfortably placed inside the case, and also black and gold, with the latter a somewhat symbolic dip to represent the partnership.

This pair keeps the peerless Hybrid Triple Driver Acoustic System that identifies the Pro X earbuds, upping it from 10mm to a 12mm driver from those original Between 3ANC and paired with dual Knowles Balanced Armature drivers. This essentially means a deeper bass, if that’s your bag, and a wall of sound coming direct to your ears. They’re also easy to slip into your ears, with a selection of buds if you need, and they’ve kept themselves 21% smaller, which is an important adjustment, for both ease of wear and ergonomics. In essence, wherever you need to use your earbuds, these help you engage into the world you want to curate.

They feature improved Active Noise Cancelling and Transparency (Ambient Aware) Modes, and ANC has always been a ‘must-have’ for my favoured earbuds. I need that sense of separation for some work, where the outside world won’t distract me during important tasks, as well as being able to hear a favourite song coming through crisp, not forgetting needing them for phone calls. Also, with the help of the app, GoldenSound/Cameron Oatley has created his own tuning profile to match the signature acoustic styling with the intention of ‘emphasising transparency, soundstage accuracy, and tonal balance.’ And – for me – it really does add a smoother level of listening, which also confirms it as a true wireless In-Ear Monitor (IEM) worthy of the GoldenSound seal of approval. If you’d also like to learn about his developed with the Harman curve, head over TechRadar for an interview with the man himself here!

Do they have a comfortable fitting?

The Status GoldenSound Pro X apply the same distinctive rectangle shape, but they’re feel softer and smaller than what’s come before. In comparison to most other earphones, which all seem to use a similar rounded style, these keep the more robust rectangle-shape, yet they fit effortlessly, and they’re comfortable.

Of course, as with any earbuds, the ‘fit’ is always very individual but as they should, and I didn’t have any issues using the ones that came straight from the box, so tested with those despite other options. Plus, and this is something I’ve got very much used to, they use an Optical Wearing sensor which auto-detects when they’re in your ears and when you take them out and, in turn, it auto-pauses when you take them out, and start again once back in. A big favourite of mine.

How do they work – and how effective is the touch control?

The earbuds utilize both a metal-like touch surface on the top-half of the bud and a small button, rather than just one or the other. I found the touch element worked reasonably well in terms of responsiveness, despite an occasional issue with the small buttons but you’ll be to turn the ANC or the Ambient Sound Mode on and off. Whether that’s down to tiny buttons or large hands, everyone will use it differently, so you’ll discover!

While the buttons do click, it can be difficult to judge the time element to switch between just changing the mode and turning one of them off. In truth, I love the idea but maybe there’s too many options in such a small space – however, it’s something you can also turn these options on/off via the app – which is easy to implement. Is this minor issue down to patience, or user error, I’ll let you make that decision.

Where can I use them?

For testing, they’ve joined me in various locations from home to the office, on the train and even within the hustle of my local city. Whether your home setup is a flat, house, or shared living, you’ll appreciate there’s always something to disturb you – unless you’re lucky enough to be living in the distant silence of the countryside. I feel I’ve covered a selection of scenarios and found this pair impressive but, as I like to mention, pick your own level of ambient mode if you’re in a spot where you need to stay aware, even if I go on about ANC and its benefits, which can filter out distractions with over 52db of noise reduction. The best way to do this is again via the easy-to-use app, as there’s a selection ‘ambient’ levels to choose from, which means you can choose what works best for you, at whatever moment.

So, is the App any good?

The Status app is an important part of the setup, available on iOS or Android, it allows full EQ customisation to the sound level you choose, along with that unique GoldenSound – see my screengrabs below.

It downloads speedily, and it’s so simple to add your device (mine picked up automatically within a few seconds) and play around with the ANC and Ambient Noise options. It’s a humble app, and I don’t want another login to remember after another update and thankfully, this just turns on, and you can connect to it the moment you’re physically using the earbuds.

Within the app, it also shows you the charge level of the buds and the case and, like anything, make sure you’ve got that sorted before you need them! You can also click through the ‘Listening Modes’ from ANC, to Off, to Ambient – with the latter giving you low, medium, high or super if you want to still hear the outside world.

The EQ settings are great, they may appear basic, but you can tell the difference. From the Status modes of Signature or Audiophile, there’s also a Knowles Preferred option, and also one to enhance vocals – and then the all-important new GoldenSound bringing you the goods, as well as the option to even add your own customised setting.

Connecting to Devices; easy enough?

Absolutely straightforward in this respect. You’ll know the Bluetooth chaos of making sure a new device is actively ‘visible’, and in this setup the charging case and earbuds took merely seconds to find and ‘Pair’ without an issue.

As well connecting to an Android phone, and an Asus laptop, I also picked up the Fire TV Tablet easily – all these things are handy when the main TV is wanted by others or when you’re between places or retreating to wherever you wish. Clearly, with a wealth of tech not always integrating a headphone socket, so the Bluetooth option is a definite go to, for whatever medium you want.

Phone Call quality

Status Audio have clarified that they’ve dedicated a lot of resources through the new research and development to the key benefit of their wireless earbuds, and that’s call quality. They utilise a process called Voiceloom AI Speech Enhancement, which is designed to filter out background noise during voice communications by using a three-microphone beamforming design.

This means they have external mics to amplify your voice during phone calls, so you don’t have to yell. They do what you’d hope, and with an additional ‘wind noise reduction’ in the listening mode, it’s really handy for any scenario.

Summary

The Status Pro X GoldenSound Edition remain as strong and reliable as all their range, and now with an extra killer sound option. There’s no doubt of the quality, as these earbuds are super impressive, and it’s easy to celebrate and acknowledge that with this fresh release.

The case they arrive in is strong and professional, the buds can give you 8 hours per charge, which they say is 24 hours total with the included charging case, although I can’t vouch for that in one sitting. And, usefully, it also supports Qi Wireless Charging, if you need it.

In terms of water-related coverage, they have the rating of IP55, which means water and dust resistant, but what it really means is it can handle every day like sweat, splashes and passing dust or dirt, don’t go swimming with these but, hey, use them on the way there or back.

Overall, there’s good sound and a valuable ANC option that has to be right for anything I need, and it covered those bases. Add in the triple driver to make sure the sound hitting your ears as crisp and clean as you’d demand, and you’re onto a winner alongside the reliable connection and that particularly impressive long battery life.

Pre-orders are open now at www.status.co!

The *Status GoldenSound Pro X** earbuds are a fine addition to the range, effortlessly compact, endurably comfortable, strong, sleek, stylish and – most importantly – they offer killer acoustics that honour the most important thing; the music.

*These were sent to me as a review product, and all of the above comes from my own testing and personal use, no fees have been paid to include anything beyond my experience of using the earbuds