Status Audio Pro X Review: The Underdog Earbuds Ready to Knock Out Bose, Sony, and Apple

Ever heard of Status Audio? Don’t worry, you’re not out of the loop. This NYC-based brand has been flying under the radar since founder James Bertuzzi dropped their first hit, the CB-1 wired headphones, back in 2016. Since then, they’ve been quietly building a solid rep, dropping wireless winners like the Between Pro in 2021 and the Between 3ANC in 2023.

Now, Status is stepping into the ring with their third-generation champs: the $299 Status Pro X earbuds. And let me tell you these ain’t just another pair of shiny ear-candies. After 2 weeks of testing, I can confidently say these buds are heavy hitters, ready to rumble with the likes of Bose, Sony, and Apple.

First off, the Status Pro X didn’t come to play. They kept the signature squared-off stem look but elevated it to something straight out of a premium design book. The matte black finish with a flash of chrome? Chef’s kiss. It’s sharp, modern, and doesn’t scream “look at me” like those glossy white competitors. The charging case is compact and rock-solid smooth hinge, magnetic latch, and the flexibility of wireless or USB-C charging. If you’ve got an older device, just note: it’s USB-C to USB-C, so plan your cables accordingly. Gone are the silicone “fitwings” from the 3ANC version. The Pro X sits more comfortably and flush to the ear. The trade-off? Slightly less “locked-in” stability, but unless you’re mid-marathon, they stay put just fine. With IP55 dust and water resistance, a lil’ sweat or drizzle won’t ruin your groove.

Here’s where Status keeps things Brooklyn real: the Pro X still uses physical buttons a bold move when everyone else is going all touchy-feely. They’re more responsive now, curved just right, and you won’t trigger them by accident when adjusting the buds. You get both button and touch controls (the best of both worlds), but only the touch controls are customizable via the Status Hub app. The buttons are locked to a few fixed moves like ANC toggle, voice assistant, and power. It’s not a deal-breaker, but c’mon, Status let us remix those controls! On the plus side, wear sensors finally made the cut. Pop them out, and your music auto-pauses. Put them back in, and the beat drops right where you left off. That’s a glow-up worth applauding.

Pairing? Easy. Android users get the Google Fast Pair magic, and iPhone users aren’t far behind just a few taps more. With Bluetooth multipoint, you can juggle two devices at once say, your laptop and your phonewithout losing your mind or your connection. No Bluetooth Auracast yet, but Status promises it’s coming via firmware update. Once it drops, you’ll be able to tune into public broadcasts or shared audio experiences right through the app. That’s forward-thinking energy right there.

Let’s talk ANC (Active Noise Canceling) because this is where Status just leveled up. The Pro X rivals big dogs like the AirPods Pro 2 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra. On subways, planes, or busy streets, the silence is almost eerie. You might hear a faint background hiss when you’re in total quiet with ANC on and no music playing, but once the tunes startboomnothing but crystal-clear sound.

Transparency mode? Excellent. You get four levels Low, Medium, High, and Super and that last one feels like a low-key hearing boost. You’ll hear your surroundings naturally without the robotic tone some earbuds give off. Now we’re talking about what matters most the sound. Most premium earbuds rely on a single dynamic driver to handle everything. Status said, “Nah, we’re not doing that.”

The Pro X packs a multi-driver system: one dynamic driver for deep bass and dual Knowles balanced armatures for mids and highs. It’s like having a mini three-way speaker system in your ears. The default Status Signature EQ is perfectly balanced warm mids, clear highs, and bass that punches without distortion. Even at 95% volume, Mobb Deep’s “Against The World” stayed clean.

Feeling adventurous? Switch to Knowles Preferred mode (my fave mode) for a brighter, more energetic soundthink Bose vibes on caffeine. And if you’re picky like me, the app lets you craft your own EQ preset. I bumped the bass just a hair, and boomthe mix was perfection. Soundstage-wise, it’s not stadium-wide but super accurate. Each instrument has space to breatheperfect for jazz, acoustic, or anything where separation matters. Everyday Performance: Smooth, Smart, and Stylish

Using an Samsung S24 Ultra, the music sounded superb becasue as an Android user we get extra sauce thanks to LDAC support for high-resolution audio. You’ll notice smoother detail and depth if your device supports it. Compared side by side with Sony’s WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sennheiser Momentum 4, the Samsung holds its groundeasily. Sony might edge out on bass, but the Status sound profile feels more authentic. It’s like listening to the mix how the artist intended, not how the algorithm boosted it.

Phone calls? Crystal clear in quiet spots and even spots with moderate music playing, as per the person I was chatting with they didnt hear ANYTHING in the background, they thought I was home. The VoiceLoom AI handles background noise really well, your callers will hear you loud and naturalno robotic echo here.

Battery life clocks in at 8 hours per charge (or 9.5 hours if ANC is off). Add the charging case, and you’re looking at around 24 hours total. If you’re running LDAC + ANC, expect closer to 5 hoursstill solid for such rich sound quality. Could it be longer? Sure. But for earbuds that look, sound, and feel this premium, it’s a fair trade.

At $299, the Status Pro X aren’t just another set of earbuds! They’re a statement! A flex from a brand that’s been quietly cooking up something special in the background. If you grab them during preorder for $249, that’s straight-up robbery (the legal kind). You’re getting flagship-tier ANC, next-level sound, clean design, and customization that rivals the best in the business.

Bottom line:

Status Audio just proved that you don’t need a household name to deliver elite sound. The Pro X are sleek, powerful, and full of NYC hustle energy exactly the kind of underdog story I love.

Final Score: 9/10

Pros:
✅ Top-tier sound and ANC
✅ Sleek matte design
✅ Custom EQ and multi-driver setup
✅ Reliable connection with multipoint

Cons:
❌ Battery could stretch longer
❌ Limited control customization

The Status Pro X is that rare mix of style, substance, and swaggera boutique brand giving the tech giants a run for their billions.

💥 Status Audio just went from “who?” to “holy hell, these bang.”

*Shout out Casa Laura Tacos in Webster, MA for allowing me to use their space to record and photograph.

Author Profile

Al Mega

I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!