Never heard of Status Audio? I don’t blame you. The New York City-based company has been essentially operating under the radar ever since founder James Bertuzzi launched its first product, the wired CB-1 headphones, in 2016.
Several wireless headphones followed, and Status eventually created two wireless earbuds, the Between Pro ($169) in 2021 and Between 3ANC ($249) in 2023. They were both well received and proved popular with buyers, perhaps helped by their quirky yet super-comfy square shape.
Still, many reviewers—myself included—noted that they seemed to lack features like advanced codecs, wear sensors, and customizable controls that came standard on similarly priced alternatives from the big brands. The bigger issue, however, was that the Between 3ANC’s noise canceling and sound quality fell short.
Bertuzzi and his team were obviously taking notes. The company’s third-gen earbuds, the $299 Status Pro X, just launched, and they’re a major leap over their predecessors. In fact, after spending three weeks with them, I think Status has created an excellent alternative to flagship wireless earbuds from Bose, Sony, and Apple.
Unique Design
Photograph: Simon Cohen
Design-wise, the Pro X retain the same basic shape as the company’s previous models. An ergonomic in-ear module is connected to a chunky, rectangular stem. In a world of glossy white stems, the Pro X’s matte black with its slash of chrome stands out. I think it looks sharp and sophisticated.
The charging case is about the same size as many of its closest competitors. It’s well built, with a sturdy hinge and a strong magnetic latch. Charging can be done wirelessly or wired via USB-C, and Status includes a short cable in the box (though take note if you’ve got an older computer or charger, as it’s USB-C to USB-C).
The Pro X buds themselves look sleeker than both the Between Pro and Between 3ANC; the stem portion now sits much closer to your ear, and Status has nixed the silicone “fitwing” sleeves. If you’ve had luck with the AirPods Pro or any other stem-based buds with silicone eartips, I think you’ll like the fit.