It’s been a few months since I had the opportunity to review the MIXX StreamBuds Solo 1 True Wireless Earbuds. I’ll admit that I was really impressed by this low-cost product from a previously unknown manufacturer, particularly in terms of fit, feel, and sound. In fact, aside from the fact that they were a little too little for my liking – as evidenced by my daughter’s decision to keep them – I could have gladly used them as daily drives.
But now MIXX is back, and they’re attempting to improve things with the StreamBuds Ultra Mini Earbuds. The point is, does the wording ‘Mini’ imply that these little more premium buds continue to fall short?
MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini Case
Well, not really. Actually, not at all. Much to my experience with the Solo 1, I’ve been incredibly impressed by what MIXX has created with the StreamBuds Ultra Minis. They also come in a nice case.
I’m going to start with that case because, while it’s not the major event, it feels like MIXX has nailed the design. The casing for the StreamBuds Ultra Mini Earbuds is a square slab of zinc alloy that fits nicely in a pocket. It is gunmetal grey and has a black strip across the front and center. This strip contains a digital screen that displays the current case charge and percentages for both the right and left buds. With the Ultra Minis charging upon their placement in that casing, there should be almost no reason to ever be without any type of charge. When you consider that the buds will run for six hours before charging, the case will hold up to twenty-four hours of power, and a quick fifteen-minute drop-and-go can add a couple of hours of listening time to the buds themselves, you’ll see that there is plenty of power available, almost on demand.
A side-mounted USB-C port makes it easy to charge the case, and if you’re anything like us, you’ll have plenty of USB-C cables on hand for such occasions. However, if you require a very short USB-A to USB-C cable, one is included in the box. The case then swings open from the top, neatly and easily revealing the buds inside. They sit securely in place, magnetized to the casing and attached to the two-pin chargers. It’s a simple yet effective technique that eliminates the little fiddly aspect of the Solo 1 buds.
MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini Buds fit perfectly.
When you remove the buds from the case, you will find a circular earbud with a projecting stem. They look great because they have a MIXX logo that promotes the company and are the same color and style as the case. They also contain a silicone tip that lies comfortably in the ear, providing a snug fit at all times. We’ve used the MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini Earbuds for a variety of activities, including playing Game Pass games on our phone, listening to music on our Mac, and going for a run. They have never slipped, and whether they have been used for a few minutes or several hours, they have always been comfortable.
The Ultra Minis have also produced high-quality sound. We’ve found them to be fairly clear regardless of what has been put through their drivers, becoming loud enough for the task at hand while still being bassy. Is there a small amount of misunderstanding occurring at large volumes? Perhaps a tiny bit, but nothing to be concerned about.
The connection to the MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini Earbuds has also been quite reliable. We have never had a dropout or non-connection after connecting over Bluetooth. Opening the casing wakes up the buds, and by the time you plug them into your ears, they’ll be ready to go. Managing them has been as impressive. Perhaps it’s due to the inclusion of the stem (we’ve been using the Mini version, but there are some shorter Dots with no stem, or a Hybrid version that eliminates the silicon tip if you prefer), but a single tap to the left bud has decreased the volume without issue, whereas a hit to the right increases it. While playing Game Pass games, we’ve opted to use on-phone volume controls, but those touch controls are a blessing when out for a run. You can easily skip music tracks by double tapping or holding for phone calls.
What about a silicone tip?
The MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini buds are difficult to beat, especially with the MIXX App available for extra EQ adjustments, Assistant support, and some great mics with ‘Beam Technology’ built in for calls. Any flaws become much more difficult to detect when the asking price is so low. These are not as cheap as the Solo 1s, but $69 is a little price to pay for such a well-made pair of ear buds.
Any earbuds should, of course, fit comfortably, but they should also have good sound, lots of power, and a nice case. If you are looking for mid-range earbuds that can be used for work, play, and relaxation, the MIXX StreamBuds Ultra Mini are a great option because they can fulfill all four of those requirements.