Nu Republic Cyberstud X4 hands-on: Style and sound, with a dash of gaming

Let’s be honest, most earbuds look the same these days. But the Cyberstud X4 Firefly? That’s a different story. If you’re tired of the usual pebble-shaped cases, you’ll be instantly drawn to the unique hexagonal design of the Cyberstud X4. It’s made of sturdy ABS plastic and features a cool transparent lid that opens like a door when you press the V-shaped button on the front.

And that’s where the real fun begins. As soon as you open the case, an RGB light strip illuminates, along with LEDs on the earbuds themselves. It’s a subtle touch of flair that adds to the overall cool factor. The lights even pulse for a bit after you close the lid, which is a nice touch.

Now, this design does come with a minor caveat. You need to be a bit more mindful when closing the case, ensuring it’s properly shut before tossing it in your pocket. Otherwise, the “doors” might be prone to damage. But honestly, that’s a small price to pay for such a distinctive and eye-catching design. Nu Republic deserves kudos for thinking outside the box and delivering something truly unique.

Beyond the aesthetics, the earbuds themselves are comfortable and secure. They fit snugly in my ears, and I’ve worn them for hours on end without any discomfort. This is partly due to the variety of ear tip sizes provided, allowing for a customizable fit. I’ve found them to be very secure, even during my daily commute or while running errands. The touch controls are also well-placed and responsive, making it easy to adjust volume, skip tracks, or answer calls without fumbling.

Once you remove the earbuds from the case, you need to go to Bluetooth settings on your phone and scan and pair the earbuds, which takes less than a minute. Readers should note that there is no app support for this device. The following are the various touch controls supported by the Cyberstud X4 Firefly:

• Single tap (left earbud): Decrease volume

• Single tap (right earbud): Increase volume

• Single tap for call: Answer / Hang up

• Long press (either bud during an incoming call): Reject

• Double tap (both buds): Play / Pause

• Triple tap (left earbud): Previous song

• Triple tap (right earbud): Next song

• Four taps (left earbud): Voice assistant

• Four taps (right earbud): Music mode

• Long press (either bud): Transparent mode / ANC on / ANC off

For music listening, the Cyberstud X4 delivers a balanced sound profile that I really enjoy. The highs are clear, the bass is punchy, and there’s a decent amount of depth to the sound. I’ve listened to a variety of genres, from pop and hip-hop to classical and podcasts, and the earbuds handle them all well. There’s also a dedicated music mode that enhances the listening experience, adding a bit more richness to the sound.

The Cyberstud X4 uses Bluetooth 5.3, which provides a stable and reliable connection. I haven’t experienced any connectivity issues during my testing. The earbuds also feature dual device pairing, allowing me to connect to two devices simultaneously. One feature that’s missing on the device is smart wear detection, which would automatically pause music when I take the earbuds out.

The noise cancellation on the Cyberstud X4 is quite effective at reducing background noise in moderately noisy environments like cafes or on public transport. While it might not completely block out the world, it definitely helps to create a more immersive listening experience.

Call quality is also good. The earbuds feature environmental noise cancellation (ENC), which helps to minimize background noise during calls. People I’ve spoken to have said that my voice comes through clearly.

One of the key features of the Cyberstud X4 is its impressive battery life. I’ve been able to use the earbuds for several days without needing to recharge the case, which is incredibly convenient. As per the brand, X4 along with its case can last for up to 72 hours. Other notable features include fast charging, and IPX5 water resistance, making them suitable for workouts and light rain.

The Cyberstud X4 Firefly is available for Rs 1,799 and is available for purchase through company’s official website. It is available through other platforms like Amazon and Flipkart.

Final Thoughts

After using the Nu Republic Cyberstud X4 for a couple of weeks, I’m impressed with its unique gaming-focused design. These earbuds offer a compelling combination of style, comfort, and performance. The distinctive design, combined with long battery life, decent audio performance, and noise cancellation, makes them stand out from the crowd. However, there are a couple of minor points to consider. The unique design, while eye-catching, requires a bit of extra care when closing the case to avoid any accidental damage. Additionally, while the touch controls are generally responsive, accessing some features, like the voice assistant or music mode, can be a bit tricky. They require four taps on the earbuds, which can be challenging to execute consistently, especially when simpler actions like play/pause (double-tap) and next/previous track (triple-tap) are already assigned.

Nevertheless, they offer a well-rounded package of features at a competitive price point. If you’re looking for earbuds that can keep up with your busy lifestyle and make a statement, the Cyberstud X4 is worth considering.