Home theater enthusiasts are likely familiar with Supra. This Swedish cable manufacturer offers a range of products, from basic speaker cables to high-end, gold-plated options. Now, Supra is entering the True Wireless market with the Nero-TX, a pair of impressive headphones offered at an attractive price point.
Individual fit
The Nero-TX features a relatively simple design. The earbuds are virtually symmetrical, distinguished only by R and L markings, ensuring correct placement. This uniformity allows them to fit in any magnetic slot within the charging case. As with most True Wireless earbuds, the fit can be subjective due to individual ear shapes. For this reviewer, the fit was reasonably secure, though not as ergonomically perfect as the Creative Outlier Gold, but more stable than the Panasonic RZ-S500W. When properly positioned with optimal ear tips, they provide a secure fit and deliver substantial bass. Using the XL ear tips from the Panasonic RZ-S500W (an uncommon included size) resulted in a perfect fit for this reviewer. Supra also offers Comfort Tips, premium moldable ear tips. While not specifically designed for TWS currently, a version is reportedly in development. The test samples were only available in Small/Medium, which still performed better than anticipated. We look forward to testing the larger size. These Comfort Tips fit most headphones that use silicone ear tips, making them a worthwhile consideration for enhanced comfort. It should be noted that the thicker, moldable ear tips slightly altered the bass response on some music, suggesting that tip selection should be based on individual preferences.
Nero-TX: Versatile charging case
The headphones include a rechargeable case, standard for true wireless devices, with a generally typical size. While slightly large for a trouser pocket, it remains manageable. A key feature of Supra’s case is its impressive 80-hour playtime capacity when fully charged (the headphones offer five hours of continuous playback, extending to 80 hours through multiple charges). The case is charged via a concealed USB-C port (a snug fit with the included cable, though some other cables may not fit as well), and also features a USB-A output, enabling the case to function as a power bank for charging devices like smartphones. This is a clever and practical addition with impressive specifications.
Sound quality exceeding the Nero-TX’s price range
The sound quality is notably impressive, particularly for its price point. The Nero-TX, retailing for approximately SEK 900, delivers audio performance comparable to TWS headphones twice its cost. Expect warmth, clarity, strong attack, and impactful presence across a versatile midrange, complemented by ample bass (assuming optimal ear tip selection). The Nero-TX’s expansive soundstage is particularly noteworthy, rendering it suitable for a wide variety of genres: from Nisse Löfgren’s live recording of Bass & Drum Intro (ideal for evaluating room ambience and instrument definition) to Handsome Family’s rhythmically driven Far from any Road. The Nero-TX approaches the audio quality typically associated with over-ear headphones. Even challenging tracks, such as Black Sabbath‘s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, are reproduced with balanced clarity, avoiding excessive brightness (Ozzy’s vocals), boominess, or thinness.
Requests for future iterations
The Nero-TX is continually being refined; our sample features the new USB-C port (replacing the previous micro-USB, still referenced in some marketing materials). We would like to offer a few suggestions for future versions: Beyond improvements to the fit, we suggest including a wider range of audio codecs. While the inclusion of SBC (mandatory) and AAC, along with aptX, is appreciated at this price, exploring LDAC or aptX HD could further enhance the sound quality. Although licensing incurs costs, incorporating these codecs in future versions without significantly increasing the price (SEK 50-100 maximum) would be highly desirable.
Adoption of Bluetooth 5.1 (or later) would also be beneficial, not due to any inherent issues with Bluetooth 5.0, but for the increased wireless range it provides (we measured approximately 20 meters without obstructions).
Supra Nero-TX: Summary
The Supra Nero-TX is a remarkable pair of True Wireless headphones that significantly outperform their price bracket. While the fit receives a minor deduction, near-perfect scores are within reach, and a potential v2 incorporating enhanced ergonomics, LDAC/aptXHD support, and a similar price would warrant top marks. Currently, the Nero-TX represents the most compelling option for TWS headphones in the Swedish market and establishes a new reference point in the budget segment, even rivaling some mid-range models in terms of sound quality.
