Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds (Black) Review: Style Meets Smarts
The Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds blend fashion and function with a sleek design and deeply integrated AI features. These earbuds are made for users who want more than just sound. They want personalized audio shaped in real time. Vertu's AI handles adaptive noise cancellation, dynamic sound profiles, voice boost, and smart gestures. The design is polished and the case is eye catching, but the experience has a few hiccups with comfort and responsiveness.
Where these earbuds shine is in their smart listening that adjusts audio based on your surroundings and habits. Sound quality is good, with a warm tone and solid bass, though it misses some clarity expected at this price. The AI tuning sounds promising but sometimes reacts too quickly, leading to distracting shifts. Battery life is solid but not class leading, and comfort varies depending on ear shape.
While the AI features are impressive in theory, they require some patience. Users may need to fine tune settings to find the best balance. The included app makes this easier, though it’s not without its own stability issues. Multi device pairing works well, and call performance is a highlight, making the earbuds great for commuters and remote workers.
These earbuds are ideal for tech fans who enjoy smart features and a modern aesthetic. They mostly deliver on their AI promises but aren’t the smoothest or most refined option out there. If you're okay tweaking settings and dealing with a few quirks, they offer a rewarding experience.
MSRP (when available or best estimate): $459.99
Price: Check Price on Amazon
✅ Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds Pros
✅ Premium Build Design
The earbuds and case feel upscale with strong attention to detail.
✅ Adaptive AI Sound Profiles
Adjusts audio automatically based on your environment.
✅ Customizable Controls
Lets you adjust gestures and commands in the app.
✅ Solid ANC Performance
Cancels most low sounds like engines and AC noise.
✅ Real Time Voice Enhancement
Makes your voice clearer during calls and commands.
✅ Multi Device Pairing
Switches between devices without connection drops.
❌ Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds Cons
❌ Overactive AI Tuning
The sound can shift too much during songs.
❌ Fit Can Be Inconsistent
May feel uncomfortable for smaller ears over time.
❌ App Interface Lag
Settings can lag or crash, especially on Android.
❌ Transparency Mode Feels Flat
Sounds don’t come through naturally.
❌ Price Feels High
Performance doesn’t fully match the cost.
❌ No Wireless Charging
A missing feature for a premium model.
Key AI-Powered Features
Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds
- Adaptive Noise Cancellation - Adjusts noise blocking in real time based on your surroundings.
- Real Time EQ Optimization - Changes EQ settings based on content and ambient conditions.
- Voice Enhancement Engine - Boosts voice clarity during calls and voice commands.
- Smart Gesture Recognition - Learns your tap patterns and reduces false touches.
- Battery Health Monitoring - Offers tips to extend long term battery life.
How Smart is the AI?
Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds
Vertu aims high with the Crush Series AI, and for the most part, it shows. The earbuds adjust smoothly as you move from quiet rooms to busy streets. ANC and EQ shift automatically and usually get it right within seconds. Still, the EQ sometimes reacts too strongly, causing sudden changes in sound that can feel jarring during songs or podcasts.
Voice enhancement works well in noisy areas. Calls are clear, and voice assistant replies are easy to hear. Gesture controls are hit or miss. The AI tries to learn your tap patterns but occasionally misreads them. With use, some improvement is noticeable, but it never becomes completely reliable.
Battery monitoring is a thoughtful addition. The app recommends slower charging when possible and alerts you to healthy charging habits. This shows that the AI extends beyond audio into power management, helping reduce long term wear on the battery.
The app also includes an AI driven listening log, which tracks your habits and suggests optimized sound profiles. While this feature is more passive and harder to notice day to day, it reflects Vertu's ambition to make a smarter system overall.
Overall, the AI is clever and helpful but still developing. It improves the experience, especially for hands off users, but could use more polish for those who prefer predictability.
Performance & User Experience
Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds
Sound Quality & AI Enhancement
The Vertu Crush Series offers a warm sound profile with boosted bass and low mids. It works well for pop, hip hop, and electronic music. Highs are clear but lack sharp detail, and vocals sometimes sit slightly behind instruments in busy tracks.
The AI driven EQ is useful but inconsistent. It adjusts tones in real time, lowering harsh highs or boosting vocals depending on the environment. However, it can overcompensate and shift too often. Semi auto mode gives the most balanced experience.
The earbuds include an app based tuning option, allowing users to lock in their preferred sound signature. This helps reduce the overactive behavior of the adaptive EQ. Presets are available for different genres, and the custom EQ is easy to adjust.
These earbuds support AAC and SBC codecs, but skip aptX and LDAC. That limits sound potential on Android devices. Soundstage and imaging are average. They’re fine for casual use but not ideal for audiophiles or critical listening. Layer separation and instrument positioning are serviceable but not standout.
Overall, the sound is enjoyable and musical, especially for those who like a fuller low end. Users who prefer neutral or bright tuning may want to explore the EQ settings to tailor their experience.
ANC Performance & Transparency Mode
ANC is one of the stronger areas here. Low frequency sounds like engine hums and AC noise are well managed. Midrange sounds like voices and traffic are softened but not fully blocked. The AI smoothly adjusts ANC strength without the need to toggle settings.
In testing, the ANC handled varied environments well, from busy cafes to outdoor walks. Transitions between noise levels are subtle, with no abrupt shifts in pressure or sound. The earbuds learn typical ambient patterns over time and adjust ANC levels preemptively based on behavior trends.
Transparency mode doesn’t hold up as well in the Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds. It lets in sound but in a muffled and artificial way. Voices can sound robotic, making long conversations or situational awareness feel unnatural. Volume level plays a role too; the higher your media volume, the harder it is to hear your surroundings.
Wind resistance is solid. ANC still works well outdoors, with only mild distortion in breezy conditions. The AI helps keep everything stable and seamless, particularly in stop and go scenarios like city walking or commuting.
Battery Life & Comfort
Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds battery life is decent. You get around 6.5 hours with ANC and AI features on, and up to 8.5 hours without them. While Vertu advertises up to 40 hours of total playtime, real world use typically lands closer to 26 to 30 hours depending on settings and volume. Fast charging gives one hour of use from a 10 minute top off.
The charging case uses a magnetic clasp and LED display to show remaining charge. However, it lacks wireless charging, which feels like a miss on a product at this price. The USB C port supports fast charging reliably.
Comfort varies by user. The sculpted shape fits medium and large ears well but can feel tight or unstable in smaller ears. The earbuds are slightly top heavy, which may cause shifting during workouts. The included silicone tips are fine but memory foam options would help. There’s also no pressure relief vent, which some users may notice over long sessions.
They stay cool over time, but some users may feel soreness after long sessions, especially if using a tighter fit for better seal. Passive isolation is above average, though not as deep as traditional in ear models. Adding more tip options could improve both comfort and isolation.
Microphone & Call Quality
Call quality is a strong suit for the Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds. AI voice enhancement helps isolate your voice in loud settings. Test calls in outdoor cafés and on balconies came through clearly, with minimal background noise.
Wind noise is still present but manageable. Dual microphones do a good job focusing on speech while reducing ambient sounds. Indoor calls sound crisp and natural. Outdoors, quality stays well above average.
Voice assistant features respond reliably, even in busy areas. The AI prioritizes your voice tone to trigger commands accurately. This makes the earbuds dependable for daily communication.
Final Verdict
Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds
The Vertu Crush Series AI Earbuds aim high and mostly deliver. They look great, sound solid, and offer adaptive smart features that improve daily listening. The experience is best suited for users who like exploring settings and getting hands on with smart tools.
While not perfect, the combination of good ANC, responsive AI, and a unique design makes these earbuds stand out. Some features feel half baked, and the price may be too steep for some. But for those who value innovation and aesthetics, the Crush Series is worth a look.
Additional Information
This review is based on research, expert analysis, and user feedback. AI Reviews HQ does not conduct hands-on product testing. We may earn a commission from the links in this review. We do our best to provide accurate product details, however AI is not perfect and may make some mistakes in research. Please double-check with the manufacturer or retailer before purchasing. Check out the product page