Devialet Gemini II Opéra de Paris Edition

Inspired by the shimmering interior of the Paris Opera

Devialet's sleek, yet full-sounding Gemini II wireless earbuds are the company's first headphones to get the Opéra de Paris treatment. The noise-canceling earbuds and charging case are both finished in gold, using two different processes. It's a look that's influenced by the stunning Grand Foyer of the landmark Palais Garnier.

Streamlined design with more refined sound

For the second-generation of the striking Gemini series, Devialet streamlined the design and made the fit even more flexible for ears of different sizes. I haven't had a chance to audition this model, but the original Gemini served up some of the hardest-hitting bass I've heard from wireless in-ears.

So, the fact that Devialet boasts even stronger low-end and more textured overall sound — from even smaller earbuds — is saying something. The 10mm high-excursion drivers are coated with titanium for quicker, more fluid movement, under firm control to minimize distortion.

Strong noise cancellation for earbuds

Noise cancellation is activated by pressing and holding either earbud. Devialet says updates to their noise-canceling technology allow the circuitry to react faster and adapt faster to external sounds. I found the first-generation earbuds among the best for canceling noise.

Press and hold the earbud again to activate "transparency" mode, which uses the built-in mics to pick ambient sound and voices. You can further dial in the level of noise cancellation or the amount of external sound you hear with the Devialet Gemini mobile app. It's a free download for Apple® and Android™ phones.

Strong wireless performance and clear phone calls

Music plays wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.2, a newer, stronger version of the popular wireless technology. It includes aptX® Adaptive technology. This versatile wireless audio codec automatically detects if you're in an area with competing Bluetooth signals and adjusts accordingly. In those crowded areas, it will optimize reliability over sound quality.

In places with no competing wireless signals, it will better preserve the audio quality with compatible phones. Speaking of phones, beamforming mics work with Devialet's wind-suppression technology to keep calls clear, too.

Better fit — with a twist

In-ear headphones are only as good as their fit. A secure seal is crucial for comfort, noise cancellation, and sound. So Devialet includes four sizes of silicone ear tips for finding the right fit. This time around, that includes size "XS" for smaller ears.

The earbuds are designed to slip right into place with a slight twist and remain stable when moving your head. With a good seal on both sides, you can expect proper imaging and even punchier bass. There's a feature in the app that helps ensure you have the right tips and the best fit.

Clean, clear sound with adjustable EQ

The Gemini app also has one of the more thorough "audio preferences" sections I've seen. You can customize the sound with the built-in equalizer, or choose from six built-in sound profiles. For music, the default "Flat" EQ should gives you a linear tuning that delivers strong low-end punch. But I suggest playing around with "Bass" EQ. Through the previous-gen Gemini, I couldn't believe that earbuds could be so small, yet capable of delivering so much thump!