Huawei FreeBuds 7i: a record 42 dB of ANC in the bass, and yet a big BUT

The FreeBuds 7i introduce ANC 4.0 technology to Huawei. This is based on ventilation enlarged to 8 mm² and three dedicated microphones, as well as possible new software processing. In Ultra mode (alongside Dynamic, Cozy and General modes), these headphones display a record attenuation of 42 dB in the bass, around 200 Hz. Never has a model passed through our laboratory reached such levels, even exceeding the benchmarks that are the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 on this area.

On paper, this performance suggests an almost total erasure of muffled and constant noises, such as engine rumbles. However, in practice, overall effectiveness and daily relevance are mixed, far from the “bubble of silence” promised by this spectacular figure.

An impressive but deceptive performance

As with frequency response, effective noise reduction is all about balance. Massive attenuation on a very specific band does not guarantee good overall insulation, and can even degrade it. And that’s precisely what’s happening here. Huawei concentrates its efforts on low frequencies, which are easier to control, while the rest of the spectrum suffers from technological limitations (on the midrange) and insufficient passive isolation (in the treble).

This exceptional attenuation at 200 Hz admirably erases urban ambiances or the acoustics of an indoor room, creating a sort of semi-bubble of silence. But it comes with several side effects. The attenuation at 40 Hz being too low, the slamming of doors, the running of the subway or certain very low vibrations are paradoxically accentuated. In real situations (in transport in particular), these sounds stand out in an unnatural way, although they usually go unnoticed. The system also generates residual noise in the extreme bass, accompanied by a feeling of pressure and discomfort, due to frequency imbalance. Some people will get used to it, but sensitive users may be unsettled.

-42 dB at 200 Hz, but increased midrange and extreme bass

The real weak point, however, appears in the processing of medium and high frequencies, those which transmit most of the character and annoyance of everyday noises. Here, the performance remains at the level of older generations of Huawei headphones, and the contrast with the extreme bass attenuation makes the deficit even more noticeable.

Around 1 kHz, the key area where the fundamentals of voices are located, the attenuation is only 10 dB. Surrounding conversations therefore remain distinct and intelligible, even if their serious components are reduced. In the treble, the ANC does not compete with the references in the field either. Screaming sounds, clicking sounds and metallic noises remain audible, just slightly softened.

In short, the FreeBuds 7i’s ANC acts like a jackhammer on constant low-frequency noise, but like a mere veil on voices, sudden noises and high-pitched sounds. The result is an uneven and highly selective silence, which can make for a frustrating experience.

For comparison, the WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 3 typically don’t exceed 34-35 dB of bass attenuation, but offer more even reduction across the spectrum, although the midrange is still harder to deal with. The XM5, for example, already attenuates 50 Hz by 25 dB, which limits the exacerbation of very low frequency rumble. In both cases, the result is not only an objectively better experience, but above all a much more pleasant one. To conclude, when it comes to the ANC, it is not the record that counts, but the balance.

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