New wireless earbuds from LG aim to bring greater immersion to your listening experience and expand the brand into fitness audio. With the LG Tone Free T90 and Tone Free TF8, the company is hot on the heels of industry audio heavyweights.
LG claims the T90 is the first Dolby Atmos wireless earbuds to use Dolby Head Tracking. This is a technology that sounds a lot like Spatial Audio, in that it adjusts the sound as you move your head to make it sound like you’re in the same room as the recording.
Meanwhile, the TF8 is the brand’s first fitness earbuds, designed to securely stay in place during exercise. One of the returning Tone Free wireless earbuds features for both sets of earbuds is the UVnano charging case that reduces bacteria buildup on the device’s eartips. Each case uses a UV-C LED, activated when connected to a power source, tested to reduce bacteria on the earbuds’ ear gels by 99.9% in 10 minutes. Considering how much we handle earbuds on a daily basis, it’s a nice hygiene feature.
Differences between the LG Tone Free T90 and TF8
At $399, the T90 is considered LG’s new flagship wireless earbuds, closely followed by the TF8 at a recommended retail price of $369. Both models have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), although the T90 does have some more advanced features. This model’s new filter and algorithm better negates external noise, while its Real Time ANC Optimiser adjusts automatically based on the earbuds’ position in your ears, detected by the inner microphones. Additionally, the T90 includes Voice Pickup technology, which is a vibration conducting sensor that reduces ambient sound while speaking.
As for battery life, the TF8 slightly comes out on top. The fitness-centric buds have up to 10 hours of use on a single charge, and up to 30 hours when combined with the included charging case. Not far behind, the T90 delivers nine hours by itself, expanding up to 29 hours with the case. Both sets of earbuds only need five minutes of charging to give an hour of listening time.
One big difference between the models, however, is the water and dust protection. As expected of a device made for exercise, the TF8 has an IP67 rating. This means it’s completely dust resistant and can withstand brief water immersion. Conversely, the T90 only has an IPX4 rating, so keep it away from dust and don’t drop it in water.
Another feature specific to the T90 is the Plug & Play function. By using the included USB-C to AUX cable, you can plug the charging case into various audio sources, like a radio or an in-flight entertainment system, and listen to them through the earbuds. Unique to the TF8 is the SwivelGrip tech that helps keep the earbuds in place while retaining breathability and comfort during exercise.
Availability
LG hasn’t specified a release date just yet, although we do know its official website and JB Hi-Fi will stock the new earbuds. Product listings for both the flagship model and the fitness-based model are live now. Both sets of earbuds are already out overseas: the T90 received decent reviews, while the TF8 looks to be the model worth getting most excited over.
At similar prices to the highly regarded 2nd gen Apple AirPods Pro, LG’s new earbuds have strong competition. I do struggle to keep my AirPods in when at the gym, so the TF8 has my attention.
