Skip to content
HearingTracker
Log in

Wanted to LOVE the Spheres -- no MFi was a dealbreaker

23 replies1.2k viewsLast reply

Jump
Link to this topic
Reply
Edited

I recently returned a pair of Phonak Audéo Infinio Sphere 90s. I wanted to love them – and they were awesome for in-person communication. But for me, classic bluetooth for calls & streaming was a big fail – my speech comprehension suffered considerably (compared to my Jabra Enhance Pro 10s, which I’d hoped to replace).

Other things I didn’t love about the Spheres – but maybe could have gotten used to:

  • automatically connecting to the TV connector (i.e., I had to turn it off so they wouldn’t always connect)
  • callers noticed that I sounded “different” & possibly not as clear
  • wind noise suppression was excellent – but it turned off VERY noticeably (and then back on) if a text message came in
  • constant connecting/reconnecting to my iPhone (which is normally on my desk) when I moving 10-15’ from it). Prepping something in the kitchen caused continuous connect/reconnect tones because of my slight movements in & out of range

I have an appointment at Costco in a few weeks. I REALLY wanted to try the Rexton Reach – but per the Costco Fitter, it’s been replaced by an upgraded Reach (ReachPlus?) that is no longer MFi :frowning:

So, it looks like my MFi choices at Costco are the Jabra Enhance Pro 30 or the Philips HearLink 9050…

10 people in this conversation7 min readJump to latest

I have the Spheres and absolutely love the Bluetooth Classic. I also have the Oticon INTENT1 aids and the have MFI and le audio, but they don’t pair to my devices without connect clip.
I don’t have apple devices. I prefer Samsung android. I am retired and don’t buy new phones or tablets unless I absolutely have to. My Spheres pair to my phone as does the Oticon INTENT1 aids. But my Spheres pair to my old android tablet, my Kindle, my fire tablet, which my Oticon INTENT1 cannot pair to without the connect clip.

@HOHKate said:

REALLY wanted to try the Rexton Reach – but per the Costco Fitter, it’s been replaced by an upgraded Reach (ReachPlus?) that is no longer MFi :frowning:

That’s not quite true, the Reach is still available, the Rexton Reach R-Li is classic bluetooth, I didn’t know they where actually offing it, but it’s not an upgraded model, it’s been around a while now, you should still get the option to buy either one.

The only option at my Costco is the – and it’s not yet available but soon enough that they no longer offer the reach.

In reply to @cvkemp

Many prefer the Android ecosystem – and it’s awesome that you love your Spheres! Per my Costco fitter, their latest Rexton model dropped since Bluetooth Classic can work for both Apple & Android. Sadly, I struggle when streaming via classic…

In reply to @tenkan

The only option at my Costco is the Rexton Reach R-Li now – it’s to be available in a few weeks. I believe my fitter said Costco was calling it the Reach Plus or similar? They would not sell me the Rexton Reach R-Li.

@tenkan said:

Rexton Reach R-Li BC

In reply to @HOHKate

What problems do you have streaming. With my Oticon INTENT1 aids I could only stream 3 or 4 hours. With the Spheres I can stream 10 or more hours with no battery life issues. I find myself streaming at least twice as much as I do with the INTENT1 aids. My INTENT1 aids are my backup set of aids. But most of all I love the Speech in really noisy environments with the Spheres.

Maybe “streaming” isn’t the correct term, but basically, when sound is routed directly to my (like in a phone call or when using the TV connector), the sound isn’t nearly as understandable to me via Bluetooth Classic as it is with an connection. Perhaps something that can only be appreciated by somebody who has experienced using an iPhone with MFi hearing aids? And not all of us, either! As I recall, @JordanK loves his Spheres with Classic – even tho’ prior he preferred iPhone-MFi HAs. (Forgive me, @JordanK if I misspoke – it’s what I remember from perhaps your initial reviews of your Spheres – that you found BT Classic solid & it worked extremely well for you.)

In reply to @HOHKate

@HOHKate said:

And I NEED MFi for comprehension.

It isn’t about MFI, it is about fine tuning of the streaming program in Spheres. It is mine problem also. The best option could be reproduce -based fitting results from old , but I am not sure if it is available for you.

TV Connector doesn’t use Bluetooth but proprietary AirStream.

In reply to @HOHKate

I was a IPhone user for 9 years. And it wasn’t that great. Mfi never worked like Apple promised with the connection to my IPhone and Ipad. With my Spheres and my Samsung phone and older android tablet the switching between them is seamless. I can even pair my Spheres to my Samsung watch if I choose to. I never noticed any advantages to IPhone or IOS.

Edited

With an iPhone, Phonak’s Bluetooth connection is vastly superior to the Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) on the Rexton Reach (non-BCT) (except energy consumption).

I tried the Rexton Reach but ended up returning them for two reasons, one being the awful terrible Bluetooth connections —I couldn’t use it if my iPhone was in my pocket plus the sound quality was terrible (even after multiple adjustments).

The connection of the Phonak works exactly like any other bluetooth headphone in the market. All sounds are routed to the bluetooth device.

(Made for iPhone) is licensing program for developers of hardware and software peripherals (there are Mfi cables, MFi plugs, etc) . MFi is not a type of Bluetooth connection (MFi does require Bluetooth LE for aids AFAIK). I think you are confusing terms here.

I usually keep my Phonak Bluetooth disconnected since I don’t need all the constant pings and alarms. When I want to use it, I just turn on the Phonak Bluetooth (this takes 5 seconds or less). I don’t need the constant pings from all the notifications (plus you can disable the apps notification sounds that you don’t want to hear on your iPhone in the settings menu).

@HOHKate said:

constant connecting/reconnecting to my iPhone (which is normally on my desk) when I moving 10-15’ from it)

Are you complaining about dropping the signal > 15 feet? That’s actually an excellent range for Bluetooth. It is going to be worse with Rexton. I can’t get more than 3 or 4 ft away for Bluetooth LE (as I mentioned, BT LE is unusable when the phone is in my pocket).

I think the Sphere is the king of aids right now when it comes to speech in noise. Is it better than the Rexton? I think so but sound is a very personal preference..

Let us know how you like the Rexton BT, I am very curious to see how it goes. When Apple releases Bluetooth , the Rextons are expected to have better bluetooth connections.

Thanks, @OcramSagev. Thanks for sharing you Rexton Reach experience. I’m not going to bother trying them – will likely go for the Jabra Enhance Pro 30. Hoping it will be a big improvement on my Pro 10s.

has spoiled me – I love how my iPhone & stay connected within 30-ish feet of each other. Maybe if I weren’t so spoiled I’d get used to carrying my phone on my person. As it is, the phone lives on my desk when I’m home – I can get steps in during meetings & can continue hearing TV programs when I work in the kitchen or in the house.

More importantly, the sound streamed to my aids is crisp & clear & easy for me to understand. That was not the case FOR ME with the Spheres. I did find the Spheres superior for in-person conversation, but I couldn’t sacrifice comprehension in remote meetings.

Edited

I didn’t mean to say the Rexton was bad --Their connectivity did not work for me and I didn’t like the sound. Many people here love their Rextons.
You should try as many as you can, sound is a very personal preference.
Like you, I like how IOS manages the device well and how everything is integrated.
Plus by going to Costco, you will hopefully save tons of money :slight_smile:

I cannot speak to the dropouts, which is not a problem I have experienced. However, as was mentioned already, there are separate programs for streaming music and streaming phone calls. Each of those programs can be adjusted in the Target fitting software just like any of the other programs, including gain levels of all the frequency bands and several other settings, so as to provide you with the best listening/comprehension experience for your ears.

Get a phone clip (some phone cases have them) or stick the phone in your pocket. It will be with you when you need it.

In reply to @cvkemp

A bit off topic from the OP’s post but I wanted to concur that the Spheres rock in noisy environments. I recently went from Intent 1 to Spheres and there’s just no comparison.

Related discussions