Today we get to revisit one of my favorite pairs of true wireless earbuds of all time, and that is because they now have a special edition version: the Status Audio GoldenSound Pro X.
Table of Contents
Design and Colorway
With these being a special edition, they come in a completely new colorway, which is gold, matching the GoldenSound name perfectly. On the top of the case, you can see the Status Audio logo along with the GoldenSound logo. The earbuds themselves now feature a gold accent at the bottom, and honestly, the look of these is quite appealing.
One thing that stood out about the Status GoldenSound Pro X. Pro X from the beginning is that Status Audio moved to a smaller size compared to the Between Pros and the Between 3 ANC, which were always a similar design but larger.
They finally went to a smaller form factor, and the big win here is that they still managed to keep the triple driver system that has always made these earbuds stand out from the crowd.
Triple Driver System: The Heart of the GoldenSound Pro X
These earbuds use a 12mm dynamic driver mixed with dual balanced armature drivers. One balanced armature driver handles the mids, and the other handles the treble.
Everything is very well separated, allowing you to get the most out of the lows, the mids, and the highs without anything crossing over. For a pair of true wireless earbuds, this is exactly what has always helped make the Status Audio Pro X stand out in a crowded market.
Pricing and Competition
As far as the price tag goes, the Status GoldenSound Pro X comes in at the exact same price as the original, which is $249. That puts it right up there with the Sony and Bose options. To compete at that level, this pair comes with a hybrid active noise canceling system, and the noise canceling on these is actually pretty solid.
That said, I would not say the noise canceling is on par with Sony or Bose. However, I would also say that the sound quality of the Sony and Bose is not up to par with the Pro X. So it is really going to come down to what you are looking for in a pair of earbuds.
Case, Controls, and Build Features
The case itself is pretty small and very pocketable. It now features that gold accent on top, which I think could get scratched over time, so you might want to be a little careful with it. The case is a Qi wireless charging case, which is a nice addition.
The earbuds take an approach I actually appreciate, utilizing both touch controls and a physical button control. You get control over everything straight out of the box, and you can go into the app to switch around some controls if you prefer. The earbuds also feature smart sensors, so if you take them out of your ears while listening to music, playback will pause and resume once you put them back in.
For outdoor use, these come with an IP55 rating, meaning you get solid water protection along with dust protection as well. They run on Bluetooth 5.3 and support multi-point connection. They are also high-res wireless certified because they support LDAC playback, which is a great feature at this price point.
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App Features and EQ Options
The companion app gives you access to an eight-band equalizer along with several pre-built EQ options. By default, these earbuds come loaded with the GoldenSound tuning, which makes perfect sense given the collaboration.
You can also switch to the Status Audio signature sound, which is the same tuning found on the original Status GoldenSound Pro X, or you can try the Knowles tuning, which is a little more bright and focused to bring out the balanced armature drivers a little more.
There is plenty of room to dial things in exactly the way you want them using that eight-band equalizer. The app also includes a find my earbuds feature that shows you the last location you used them, which is more useful than options that simply play a sound and leave you searching around the room. For a pair of earbuds at this price, that is a nice feature to have.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life on the GoldenSound Pro X is actually pretty good. With noise canceling off and LDAC off, you can get around eight hours from the earbuds alone. With the charging case, you are looking at about 32 hours total.
If you turn on noise canceling and LDAC, you will take quite a noticeable dip in battery life. However, these do support fast charging, where a 15-minute charge gets you about three hours of use, which is a solid feature for those moments when you pick them up and they are completely dead.
Microphone and Call Quality
For phone calls, Status Audio uses what they call Voice Loom AI Speech Enhancement. Essentially, it focuses in on your voice and works to block out all surrounding noise.
Based on real-world testing done outdoors on a windy day with birds and traffic nearby, the microphone performed impressively well. Most of those background sounds were blocked out, giving callers a clean and clear listening experience. Overall, the call quality is good and holds up well in noisy environments.
The Sound: GoldenSound Tuning vs. Status Audio Signature
Now let us talk about the sound, because if you already own the original GoldenSound Pro X, this is the biggest difference between the two versions. The GoldenSound tuning is not simply Cameron going into the app and adjusting the eight-band equalizer.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to precisely tune a pair of earbuds, and Status Audio giving him that level of access resulted in a completely different sound signature compared to what the original Pro X offers out of the box.
The original Pro X signature tuning from Status Audio is very bright. There is a lot of clarity and a lot of detail brought forward that way, but it does not sound as natural as the GoldenSound tuning.
The GoldenSound tuning feels warmer overall. It has a little more impact in the low end, and the mids are pushed a bit more forward, making vocalists stand out more clearly.
Personally, I found myself preferring the signature tuning when noise canceling is on, and the GoldenSound tuning when noise canceling is off. The GoldenSound tuning already emphasizes the low end quite a bit and delivers very impactful bass. When noise canceling is active, it naturally pushes the low end up a little more, so pairing that with the brighter signature EQ balances things out nicely.
Genre also plays a role in which tuning feels best. When listening to metal or rock, the Status Audio signature tuning is the better choice. For pretty much everything else, including classical, easy listening, pop, hip-hop, and country, the GoldenSound tuning wins.
That said, if you buy these earbuds and simply stick with the GoldenSound tuning without ever touching the equalizer, I honestly think most people will be completely happy. Audiophiles will appreciate the precision, and everyday consumers will enjoy the richness of the sound without needing to adjust a thing.
Soundstage and Imaging
One area worth noting is soundstage and sound imaging. Both are better on these earbuds compared to the Sony and Bose options. However, between the two tunings available here, the Status Audio signature tuning feels a little more open.
With the GoldenSound tuning, things close in slightly, making it feel less spacious. It is not a dealbreaker by any means, but it is something to be aware of depending on your listening preferences.
Specifications Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Status GoldenSound Pro X |
| Price | $249 |
| Driver Configuration | 12mm Dynamic Driver + Dual Balanced Armature Drivers |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Audio Codec | LDAC (High-Res Wireless Certified) |
| Active Noise Canceling | Hybrid ANC |
| Multi-Point Connection | Yes |
| Controls | Touch Controls + Physical Button |
| Smart Sensors | Yes (Auto Pause/Resume) |
| IP Rating | IP55 (Water and Dust Resistant) |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (Qi Compatible) |
| Charging Cable | USB-C |
| Battery Life (ANC/LDAC Off) | Up to 8 Hours (Earbuds) / 32 Hours Total |
| Fast Charging | 15 Minutes = 3 Hours of Use |
| Equalizer | 8-Band EQ + Pre-Built EQ Profiles |
| Tuning Options | GoldenSound Tuning / Status Signature / Knowles Tuning |
| Microphone Technology | Voice Loom AI Speech Enhancement |
| Find My Earbuds | Yes (Last Known Location via App) |
| Special Edition Colorway | Gold Accent |
| Collaboration | GoldenSound (Cameron) x Status Audio |
Final Thoughts
The Status GoldenSound Pro X is still easily one of the best sounding earbuds available on the market today. You are getting impressive features, multiple driver technology, solid noise canceling, LDAC support, wireless charging, and a truly refined sound experience.
Battery life is decent, though not the best available. And Status Audio, while still a brand that many consumers have not yet discovered, continues to deliver some of the best sounding earbuds year after year with every new model they release.
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