From the very beginning, our approach has always been to design intentionally, test extensively with the community, listen carefully to the feedback, and improve relentlessly.

The first prototype of HARDWIRE, dubbed the TEST TYPE-02, was never meant to be perfect. We sent HARDWIRE out to our growing community for testing. People, under real-world conditions, listening habits, devices, and setups inevitably find things we could not predict internally. 

Some used it as their daily driver for gaming, while others got to enjoy their favorite songs and scenes from movies in a whole different way. Others simply wanted a reliable wired earbud for everything, that both removed the need to worry about pairing issues, battery life, and mic problems.

The feedback we received was honest, detailed, and incredibly helpful for refining HARDWIRE. Some of it confirmed the strengths we hoped HARDWIRE would deliver, while others showed us exactly where we needed to improve. Here’s what we learned…

What People Loved

The most consistent praise was on HARDWIRE’s audio performance.

Many of the testers in our community had already been users of SANWEAR-GT or SANWEAR-Quantum, and they claimed that HARDWIRE was a step up from our current lineup of in-ear monitors, the SANWEAR-GT and Quantum.

Many described the sound as unusually powerful for an in-ear device, with “unmatched” volume levels, and studio-grade or reference headphones clarity. Bass accuracy and texture stood out immediately, while the spatial positioning capabilities resonated, and made a very strong impression, on gamers of both PC and console.

• "In the game I play, Escape From Tarkov, I was able to hear sounds more clearly, with better directional audio, and further away than with my other headphones and IEMs. Music sounded great, the range was superb and there was great fidelity." - Dakota R

• "The sound is what you'd expect from studio monitoring equipment - clean, detailed, and balanced rather than artificially boosted. When I was playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Switch 2, I could actually hear each individual instrument in the soundtrack as its own distinct thing. [...] You don't usually get that kind of clarity from gaming earbuds. It tells me there's real audio engineering here, not just marketing." - Alexandra C

• "Even with limited PS5 testing, positional accuracy was a standout. Directionality (footsteps, gunfire, etc.) felt more precise than my Astro A40, which is impressive for an in-ear product." - Frederik B

• “The sense of spatial awareness these afford when playing games is impressive. I could easily tell where enemies were coming from in competitive shooters, like in FragPunk.” -Paulmichael C

• “Once I have them in, they are extremely comfortable. The sound quality is fantastic, and this is absolutely the way I want to play on my Steam Deck or Switch.” - Michael F

For competitive titles, testers reported that footsteps, reload sounds, and environmental audio cues were much easier to distinguish and pinpoint within the soundstage. That level of spatial clarity had always been one of the pillars of SANWEAR’s sound.

The wired design also proved to be a major advantage for many users. HARDWIRE quickly became a dependable plug-and-play option for daily use. Without battery limitations, wireless latency, or the hassles of pairing the same headphone across multiple devices, testers appreciated being able to connect immediately, and just start listening.

On the physical side, several design choices were well received as well. The braided nylon cable was praised for its durability and resistance to tangling, while the magnetic cable clips helped keep the cord more organized during everyday use; especially when using only one earbud.

These responses confirmed something important for us: the concept of HARDWIRE works.

What Test Type-02 Lacked

A few testers encountered device detection issues, particularly on certain Android models. While temporary workarounds existed, we knew compatibility was one of the top priorities that needed to be fixed.

Another frequent comment was the lack of Soundscape integration during early testing. Without the app, testers had no way to control EQ modes or adjust the RGB lighting, which made the experience for some feel “incomplete”.

In terms of audio quality, while the powerful bass response was well received by most, some testers found the overall tuning a bit too 'warm', which occasionally masked the high-end sparkle that made one tester claim that vocals feel recessed or muffled on low volumes and shouty at higher ones; another mentioned needing more emphasis on the upper mids to sound more crisp for certain tracks.

On the physical side, we also heard feedback about cable microphonics, which happens when the cord brushes against clothing or skin. Some users noticed that rustling noise could travel up the cable into the earbuds. 

A few testers also pointed out practical limitations in certain setups, such as the cable being slightly short for some PC or console gaming configurations, and the absence of inline volume controls on the dongle.

What We Fixed

On the audio, we revisited the tuning and optimized the overall system parameters. HARDWIRE’s sub-bass extension reaches deeper than what most in-ear headphones are capable of. By fine tuning the EQ and overall balance, we were able to preserve that sub-bass presence while maintaining clarity across the rest of the spectrum. HARDWIRE is better able to deliver punchier, full-bodied bass, without masking the details that shine best in the mids and treble ranges. All these allow for a wider, and even higher definition soundstage than previously intended.

We also improved the physical construction of the product itself. Early units were always designed to be “preview” models hence, the build quality in all aspects has since been refined. Fit and finish have been improved, durability has been strengthened in key areas, and the reported microphonic issues have since been resolved by loosening the cable braiding. The overall feel of Hardwire is more polished, and much similar to our current GT and Quantum earbuds.

Compatibility was another top priority. After extensive research and troubleshooting, we refined the engagement protocols so HARDWIRE now connects more reliably across most current smartphones and other Android devices.

We also expanded options by introducing additional color choices, with both black and white variants available at launch. Some of the other feedback we received will be addressed through upcoming accessories and software improvements. Extension cable solutions are being developed for users who need more flexibility in console or desktop setups that require a wider reach.

And with the release of the new Soundscape app, users will soon gain full control over EQ settings, lighting behavior, and other capabilities we’ve already built into Hardwire.

We Build And Grow With You

HARDWIRE is better today because our community of testers took time to test it exactly like how they would in their daily lives, take notes, and tell us exactly what we needed to fix and improve on. As a result, HARDWIRE is much better now than we could have envisioned it before …and we’ve got a lot more upgrades incoming.

With the first round of improvements done, HARDWIRE is finally ready for launch. And with each new update, HARDWIRE moves closer to the vision we’ve had since day one: Audio Endgame.

Interested in Hardwire? Join the waitlist here.

Learn why audiophiles and gamers are choosing SANWEAR over traditional headsets and IEMs.

Experience Hardwire | Discover Soundscape

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