Strauss & Wagner Review: Davos MMCX Bluetooth Neckband

The ability to take wired IEMs on the go has never been easier. For people who want Bluetooth convenience without sacrificing the sound profile they already know and love from their IEMs, Strauss & Wagner has a very convenient solution. Integrated with Bluetooth 5.4, the Strauss & Wagner Davos is a great accessory for people who are looking for an easy Bluetooth connection. The shaped neckband and hooks over the ears ensure one solid connection from source to device, and the all-black aesthetic is easy on the eyes. In this review, we'll test the features of the Davos, as well as the sound quality and compatibility of different IEMs. 

The Davos neckband is exceptional for its simplicity and easy usability. The all-black look is sleek and works with any style of IEM, so you won't have to worry about a clash in aesthetics. The device itself is very comfortable to wear, and with the extended MMCX connections, you can wrap the wire around your ear without worrying about the line being overly taut. The material is a smooth plastic that is comfortable around your neck, and it's big enough to fit over scarves and jackets. You can wear this as an accessory in any weather, and the 39 hours of battery life ensure easy all-day listening. 

Like other Strauss & Wagner MMCX adapters, the Davos is compatible with nearly any MMCX earphone. An important thing to note about the Davos: it is NOT compatible with Sennheiser IEMs. The IE 200, IE 600, and IE 900 have a similar adapter that works perfectly and in the same fashion as the Davos, called the Strauss & Wagner Aspen. For the Davos, you'll find easy compatibility for the following models: 

• Audeze: Euclid
• Beyerdynamic: Xelento/Gen 2, DT IE series
• Campfire Audio: Alien Brain, Andromeda (All Editions), Ara, Axion, Bonneville, Cascara, Holocene, Iris, Ponderosa, Solaris (All Editions), Supermoon, Trifecta (All Editions)
• Final: A8000, B1, E4000, E5000
• Meze: ADVAR, Rai Penta
• Shure: AONIC 3/4/5, AONIC 215/Gen 2, SE215 Pro, SE846/Pro/Gen 2
• SIVGA: SM002, SM003, SW001
• TinHiFi: P1 Plus, T3
• Westone: B30, MACH 50/60/70/80, PRO X10/X20/X30/X50, W10, W60

**Keep in mind: this list is subject to change based on new IEMs that are released. If you don't see your IEM on this list, feel free to come into Audio46 with your IEMs and test out the compatibility here in-store.**

The Davos is equipped with Bluetooth 5.4, which makes connectivity easy and smooth. To connect to your device, all you have to do is hold down the middle power button and wait for the indicator light to flash blue and red. The Davos will show up quickly on your smartphone, and you can begin listening with ease. With the three control buttons on the right-hand side, navigating through your tracks without picking up your device is easy and intuitive.

The Davos is ready not only for audiophile listening, but also for phone calls. It has a microphone on the right-hand side near the controls to pick up your voice during a call. This microphone isn't equipped with noise cancellation or other special features, but it does help when you want to seamlessly pivot from listening to talking with the touch of a button. Other technical specifications for the Davos include:

• Bluetooth Version: 5.4
• Battery Life: Up to 39 Hours
• Chipset: Qualcomm QCC3084
• Architecture: 32-bit
• Clock Speed: Up to 80 MHz
• Supported Codecs:
  • Qualcomm® aptX™ Audio
  • Qualcomm® aptX™ Voice
  • Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive
  • Qualcomm® aptX™ Lossless
• Audio Processing Technologies: Snapdragon Sound™ technology
• Other Features: Auracast™ Broadcast, Auracast™ Gaming

To test sound quality, I used a few different IEMs with the Davos to see how the sound profiles were influenced by the device. Each IEM has a unique signature, so it took some time to analyze and compare how the sound profile was altered with the addition of a new device. Some of the IEMs I used were: 

• Campfire Audio Bonneville
• Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE
• Final Audio E4000
• Sivga SM002

Each of these IEMs was compatible with the Davos, so the connection was simple and easy. The Davos delivers smooth sound in each IEM, keeping sound signatures honest and recognizable for all listeners. The soundstages were not compromised or become super compressed with the addition of Bluetooth, thanks to the latest Bluetooth codecs being integrated into the device. I liked how detail and clarity were still coming through with the addition of the adapter, and how some frequencies were only accentuated as opposed to muffled. 

The bass on the Bonneville remained punchy and tight. There was a little extra depth that was noticeable in IEMs like the Beyerdynamic DT 72 IE or the Final E4000, which have notably thinner bass responses. In those earphones, you can hear how the midrange gets pushed a little more forward than you would normally perceive. The treble response also gets a little extra sparkle, noted from the Sivga SM002 and the top end of the Bonneville. Space for treble frequencies to resonate out was still present, and the naturalness of those signatures was still present throughout listening with the Davos. 

At the end of the day, Strauss & Wagner will always have your back with a good adapter. This Davos Bluetooth neckband is a perfect accessory for audiophiles looking to take their favorite MMCX IEMs on the go, whether it be on the morning commute or just for daily life errands. The neckband is secure and stable in build, and the Bluetooth 5.4 ensures a strong connection all day long. You can pair these with a lot of different IEMs, and the Davos is perfect for letting your IEMs take center stage in sound profile. For the person looking for the right way to travel with their IEMs, the Davos is a convenient and quality upgrade solution. 

You can get the Strauss & Wagner Davos at Audio46.