TWS true wireless earphones - under $100
FOUR STARS - The BGVP Q2s is fantastic for active listening with its wonderfully balanced and lush sound, but it falls too short in the basics to be a recommendation for daily use.
BGVP Q2s specs:
Bluetooth 5.2 with Qualcomm 3040 chip and AptX and AAC codec
7,5 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 7 ear tips, English manual, USB-C cable, pouch
Available in black and blue
$60 - Buy on AliExpress or Amazon US
Below this BGVP Q2s review, you will find comparisons between the BGVP Q2s vs Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0, Moondrop Sparks, Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus and Edifier TWS1 Pro.
All reviews on Scarbir.com are 100% unsponsored and honest. Please support my research by buying via the links on this site. You can also support me via PayPal. <3
Design, comfort and battery life
Like its predecessor, the BGVP Q2s has a unique feature in the world of wireless earbuds: you can connect it to cables as well. Unlike the previous version, a cable isn't included in the package, but any MMCX-cable will twist and fit right in the top of the buds, meaning you can use the Q2s wirelessly or with wires that go over your ears.
The Q2s also looks way more like a wired IEM than most TWS true wireless earphones. On the inside, the buds are perfectly molded to follow the shape of your ears. The shape gives a big feeling in your ears but also creates a secure fit. When you're using the right pair of the seven pairs of ear tips that come with it, the earphones also soften quite a bit of noise around you. The outside of the Q2s is something special: the earbuds have a hand-drawn, 3D-printed stone-like pattern, giving these buds an expensive, custom look.
The new Q2s has solid battery life. The earbuds last up to 7,5 hours on a single charge, and the case can recharge them 3 times before needing new power via USB-C itself. The case itself has a rubbery texture, so it doesn't easily slip out of your hands, but it is rather chunky. Not something you want to slip into your jeans pocket.
Unfortunately, the BGVP Q2s isn't very user-friendly. The smooth earbuds can be slippery, and it can be really tricky to take the buds out of the case. It's also very hard to see if the buds are charging; there's a red LED light on top of the buds when they're charging inside the case, but you have to look at them from a certain angle to be able to see it. If you don't pay attention to it, it can occur that an earbud doesn't charge when it's in the case without you knowing it - as they are a bit wobbly in the case.
The BGVP Q2s doesn't have a waterproof rating - and as the Q2s has a MMCX cable-connection plug on top of the earbuds, rain and water may actually be big threats to them. So while the comfort, looks, and specs of the BGVP Q2s are fine, it may not be a safe earbud for everyday use.
Connectivity and controls
The BGVP Q2s earphones pair and connect rapidly to your phone after opening the case, but the connection strength fails to convince. The Bluetooth 5.2 signal holds around 9 meters away from your device, but starts to suffer from sound distortions and hiccups when you're on the move with them. These disturbances are short but happen too often, although more so on the iPhone with AAC codec than on an Android device that uses AptX. Of course, at this price point in 2021, these problems shouldn't be here at all.
Controls are a bit oversensitive. Your touches are registered so easily that you may shut down one of the earbuds by accident. It happened to me twice when testing these. It can also happen that you change the volume and track control in the same command, which is weird, looking at the control scheme:
Double-tap L or R to play/ pause music
Tap R to increase the volume
Tap L to decrease volume
Tap R three times to skip to the next track
Tap L three times to return a song
Hold L or R to turn the earbud off - not in the manual, but it happens
On a more positive note, track and volume controls are all present right where you want to. You can also switch seamlessly between listening to two one or earbuds.
Calling and watching movies
Watching videos with the BGVP Q2s goes with flawless synchronization between audio and video in iPhone apps. There's a very slight latency mismatch on Android, but it's tiny enough to still enjoy watching. There's also a small yet noticeable delay in sound effects when you're playing games.
Phone calls are a mixed bag on the Q2s. When you're calling indoors in a quiet area, there's rest on the line, and your voice comes through clearly. This changes in video calls or more crowded places. Your voice becomes too thin and soft and is battled heavily by noises around you. Outside, wind and accelerating traffic can make calls undoable.
Also read: The best wireless earbuds under $100
Sound quality of BGVP Q2s: Fully natural
The best part about the BGVP Q2s without a doubt, is the sound.
The BGVP has a rapid-firing mid-bass that can pack a punch in more demanding songs but doesn't offer that typical heavy, overbearing thump. Instead, the bass is neatly balanced. It seems keen on pleasing more acoustic bass tones: drums and bass guitars sound fuller than average, but controlled - and without bloating. The sub-bass (the lowest bass tones you can feel as much as hear) is controlled. In James Blake's test case Limit to Your Love, it shakes subtly and sounds lovely deep and full.
There's something full about the Q2s sound in general. The lower mids are lifted, emphasizing darker piano play and (mostly) male vocals, making music sound warm but keeping them impressively natural.
The fullness even goes on in the soundstage: it's compact yet noticeable, with good separation between instruments and musical layers. Effects and details come from your left, right, and closeby around you. Next to some treble-loving alternatives like the Lypertek SoundFree S20 or Moondrop Sparks, it can sound a bit dense at times.
But does that matter? Not at all.
The BGVP Q2s is wonderfully balanced. Both male and female vocals are placed a bit forward, but not to the level where they take over the music or sound too metallic. Medium to higher-pitched vocals have plenty of body and nuances, while staying away from the sharpest and brightest edges. From center-mids like guitars and piano play to upper-mids like violins and trumpets: the Q2s represents them naturally, just very straightforward. Its treble doesn't move too far into harsh territories; it never sounds sharp or suddenly too loud. The only exceptions are claps and cymbals, which can sound a little splashy occasionally.
The BGVP Q2s may not always give you the sensation of a thumping bass or extreme airiness, but it has everything extremely well thought-out. The controlled bass, layering of frequencies, the subtle fullness of the mids, the impressive naturality and tonality. It's an absolute stunner.
BGVP Q2s comparisons
BGVP Qq2s vs Moondrop Sparks
A non-existent waterproof rating, large case, sub-par call quality, and earpieces that look like they belong to wired IEMs: the Q2s and Moondrop Sparks have a lot in common. They have a different approach in sound, however. The Sparks opens up the upper-mids all the way, placing vocals top forward and surrounding them with air. The Sparks mid-bass strikes slightly faster too. The BGVP Q2s has a warmer, more natural sound, with subtler vocals and more tamed highs. The Sparks may sound more engaging (and sibilant); the BGVP is more balanced. Too bad the BGVP couldn't earn the better connection strength of the Moondrop.
BGVP Q2s vs Lypertek PurePlay Z3
The $90 Lypertek PurePlay Z3 sounds a bit thinner than the BGVP Q2s, which is a surprise, seeing the Lypertek has great definition in the bass and lower-mids, and tames the treble like the BGVP. It shows just how lush and full the mids of the Q2s are. The BGVP has a wider soundstage, with details coming more from your left and right. It also pushes vocals more forward, making them slightly more engaging than on the Z3. The Lypertek has more definition in the lower end, and wins on other specs as well, with better controls, connectivity, battery life, and wireless charging.
BGVP Q2s vs Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus
How does the most well-known great-sounding wireless earphone under $100 stack up to the BGVP? Again: the BGVP sounds fuller, with thicker mids and more fullness in the mid-bass. The Samsung doesn't push the lower-mids as much, while it extends upper-mids and highs further, making vocals and lighter instruments sound clearer and more upfront. It's the thickness that gives the BGVP a more engaging sound. On all other aspects, from comfort to case compactness, from call quality to battery life, from waterproof level to app support: the Samsung is miles ahead.
BGVP Q2s vs Edifier TWS1 Pro
The Edifier TWS1 Pro is more practical in all aspects: it has longer battery life, call quality is better, it can easily withstand rain and sweat, and the case is more compact. Regarding sound, the tables turn. The TWS1 Pro may be balanced, with articulated treble and controlled bass; the BGVP takes those qualities and throws a layer of fullness over it. The Q2s mids sound much thicker without giving in to naturality; the soundstage is denser without giving in on detail. Vocals are more controlled on the BGVP as well.
Verdict
With its balanced, full, and detailed sound, solid battery life, and its option to fall back to wired cables when you're out of battery, the BGVP Q2s truly deserves better connectivity, controls and waterproofness.
The BGVP Q2s isn't a TWS for everyday use - but if you're looking for a wireless earphone for active listening indoor sessions only, the BGVP Q2s is a stunning choice to make.
Four stars - Good
Buy BGVP Q2s/ check latest price:
I bought the BGVP Q2s myself to test and review. My reviews are 100% independent and non-commercial. I test and review all audio products equally honest - read about it here.
Consider buying this earphone? I'd really appreciate it if you use the links in this article. It won't cost you extra, yet it will financially support me a bit in my ongoing quest for great affordable audio. <3
Also read:
Leaderboard: All rated wireless earphones
