Black Shark Lucifer T1 Earbuds Impressions
Black Shark is back again with a new peripheral to complement its line of gaming smartphones. Following its magnetic cooler, the Xiaomi-backed company is launching a pair of Bluetooth earbuds, the Black Shark Lucifer T1.
Priced at $30, the Lucifer T1 comes with the following items:
- Black Shark Lucifer T1 Bluetooth Earphones with Charging Case
- S/M/L Eartips
- USB-C Charging Cable
- Manual
- Warranty Card
Spec details for the device are as follows:
- Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 Dual Mode
- Transmission Distance: ≥ 10 m
- Driver Size: 10 mm x 2
- Battery Capacity: 40 mA x 2 (earbuds), 400 mA (charging case)
- Playtime (varies by volume level and content): 3.5 h (Total 35 h with the charging case)
- Charging Type: Type-C
- Cable Length: 0.3 m
- Charging Case Dimensions: 60 x 45 x 30 mm / 2.36” x 1.77” x 1.18″
- Waterproof Rating: IPX4"
The earbuds as well bear a LED strip that turns green when they are in the case and charging and blinks white when in pairing mode. They bear an angular design that adds to the cyberpunk aesthetic that Black Shark has been aiming for; but they are thankfully not conspicuous while in use with the matte black finish (no lighting to be seen when they are in use).
Pairing is fairly easy but I found that it would often not automatically connect to devices that it has already been paired to. I have to go to the Bluetooth settings to select the earbuds from the available devices in order to pair. But thankfully, once paired, the connection is stable and I haven’t come across issues in this regard.
While in use, the audio is delivered in a crisp and clear fashion. However, the Lucifer T1 leans too much on the bass for my own liking and I would very much prefer a balance with the treble for more versatile use. The device also has a “game mode” accessible by triple tapping on the touch panel; but this mode essentially means leaning on the bass even more. This does not necessarily mean that the audio is bad but you can find much more balanced and quality output with competitors on the market like the EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid. If that one is too pricey, I’d even recommend the $7 Monk Plus from Venture Electronics, which, while it is wired, still delivers a balanced and high-end audioscape (really!).
The Black Shark Lucifer T1 wireless earbuds also pack 4 microphones (2 per earbud) that do a fine job at picking up your voice. It is also said to filter out background noise but I would say they do a serviceable job at that.
Moreover, while the Lucifer T1 features fancy touch controls, the touch panel is rather small and can easily be missed with a finger tap (they are located towards the top of the device). This means that you will likely often need to resort to several taps to get the desired action. The latter include play/pause music, pickup/reject calls and calling the phone assistant. Flagrantly lacking is the ability to control volume from the earbuds themselves, which means you cannot be totally dependent on these accessories for your audio needs and inevitably have to reach out to your phone whenever you need to adjust the volume.
What the T1 earbuds have going for them, in addition to its futuristic aesthetic, is the decent battery life. On a single charge, it can deliver 3.5 hours of playback, and the charging case can extend that up to 35 hours. Of course, this might vary depending on personal use, but I found them to easily last me several days to even a week with mild use (taking them out of the case and putting them back in). This gives some much-needed peace of mind in a world where devices lasting a day are seen as a boon. Also adding to the peace of mind is its IPX4 waterproof rating. This means these earbuds can handle light rain, heavy perspiration and liquid spills.
In addition, Black Shark does not really ask for a premium for its Lucifer T1. For $30, you do get quality hardware but the audio, which is the focus, leans too much on the bass for my own preference. I can only recommend it if you like its looks, want a Black Shark-branded wireless earphones, don’t mind bass-y audio and can’t find anything better in that price range.
While the product is affordably priced at $30, you can get a discount and purchase it for $24 by using the code “O3S2C2A5” between November 15- November 21, 2021 via the official Amazon product page. The discounted price is the same as the Black Friday sale price.
Official Amazon Product Link