FOUR STARS - For the Earfun Air 2, the brand decided to ditch Active Noise Cancelling and offer the high-res LDAC audio codec instead. It makes for an interesting pair of wireless earbuds under 50 dollars - but how good does the Earfun Air 2 really sound?
The Earfun Air 2 may not come with ANC and a Transparency mode, but that doesn't mean these earbuds are barebones.
The slim yet generic charging case can be charged via USB-C or wirelessly. The earbuds are IPX7 waterproof so you can take them under the shower, and they offer multipoint connection - meaning you can connect them to two devices at the same time and the sound switches automatically when you get a call or start audio or video playback. There's also free app support on both iPhone and Android.
The earbuds tick all kinds of boxes for average everyday use. The oval earpieces feel snug and are comfortable to wear, although Earfun provides larger-than-average ear tips with them, that can turn inside out when you pull them out of your ears. Inconvenient if you want to put the buds back in the case.
That said, the controls on the top end of the stem work fine, and you have immediate access to play/pause (double-tap), skipping or returning tracks (triple-taps) or adjusting the volume (single-taps). Music doesn't automatically pause when you take an earbud out, however.
There's a game mode to synchronize sound effects in demanding games - which works well, and taking a call is doable in easy circumstances. Your voice is clear and loud, and it mostly keeps on the foreground when there are other people talking around you. It doesn't rule out all kinds of noise, however. Especially brighter sounds are still audible in the calls. Furthermore, your voice becomes a lot darker and even has inaudible dips when there's a bit of wind involved.
The oval earpiece is comfortable, but Earfun does mount larger-than-average ear tips
The feature that sets the Earfun Air 2 apart is the LDAC audio-codec, which can in theory pass through more detail in music. It only works on Android phones that support the codec out of itself, not on iPhones. By default, the Air 2 uses the already fine AAC codec on both iPhone and Android. You can switch via the Android app.
Turning the LDAC-codec on, the 9 hour battery life on a single charge drops to around 5 hours, and Earfun recommends you to turn off the multipoint connection as well, as it may cause Bluetooth connection problems otherwise.
Is it worth it? Yes, actually. But as the sound tuning is the most important aspect of the sound, let's take a look at that first.
The Earfun Air 2 has the brands typical, comforting warm sound. Bass and lower-mid tones are boosted, although in a more subtle manner than on the Earfun Air Pro 3 or Earfun Free Pro 3. The mid-bass offers a steady, non-overpowering thump. Bass hits roll off quickly and even multiple basslines don't end up muddy. Meanwhile, the sub-bass (the part you can feel as much as hear) dives fairly deep and can deliver a strong yet controlled rumbling - as proven in James Blake's Limit to Your Love.
The emphasis on lower-mids gives lower instruments, male vocals, and darker electronic tones a strong presence in the music, giving the music much of its warmth. Above that, the Earfun jumps straight to the treble, which puts female and higher male vocals forward. These singers are well-represented, but at the same time, upper-treble instruments like violins and cymbals appear a bit thin. And center-mids like guitars or piano play? Well, they play a bit of a background role in between the lows and treble.
Change the codec under Bluetooth audio quality
The sound takes it up a notch with the LDAC codec. It provides a bit more heft to the mids and further accentuates individual instruments in a high-quality recording like Arne Domnérus’ Barbados. Drums in Rage Against The Machine's Killing in the Name become punchier, and thin trebly notes are more rounded. It takes some space in the highs away, but the overall sound is a welcoming bit thicker with the LDAC-codec.
Yep - that makes the Earfun Air 2 a bigger recommendation for Android-users than for iPhone users. The availability of sound equalizers in the app doesn't change that.
However, even with the LDAC codec, things could have been finetuned even better, particularly on high active listening volumes. You'll find a rare crackle around cymbals and drums sometimes, and brighter vocals and upper-mid instruments can be a tad harsh on the highest volumes. It goes to show that tuning is still, and probably will always be, the most important aspect in sound.
The Earfun Air 2 has great audio quality-to-price performance thanks to the LDAC codec on Android phones, but isn't flawless in its execution. Will you let Active Noise Cancelling go for it?
Design and comfort: 4/5 - Pocketable case, basic looks, pre-delivered ear tips are on the larger side
Controls and connectivity: 4/5 - Multipoint connection and track and volume controls directly on the earbuds
Playback: 4/5 - Flawless in videos, solid gaming mode performance
Call quality: 3/5 - Clear in easygoing circumstances, audible above the noise in crowded environments, but voice drops when there's some wind involved
ANC: -
Transparency mode: -
App support: 4/5 - Useful: codec options, sound equalizers, gaming mode switch
Sound quality: 4.5/5 - Warm and comforting, accentuated lows and lower treble, improved by the LDAC codec, can be a tad harsh still
VERDICT: 4 STARS (Good)
$50
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Earfun Air 2 comparisons
Earfun Air 2 vs SoundPEATS Clear
The SoundPEATS Clear followed the same path as the Earfun Air S. The Clear is priced under $50, leaves out Active Noise Cancelling and focuses on sound quality instead. Or looks… as the Clear drew heavy inspiration from the Nothing Ear 1. It has comparable transparant parts in the earbuds and case design, and even copied the font.
‘Clear’ also applies to the sound, which tends towards the treble and can be bright, sibilant and sometimes even harsh. The Earfun sounds warmer than the Clear, and the Air S has a more pronounced and tighter bass. The Air S shows more detail in crowded compositions, but that said, the Clear can show more texture in lower-mids in easier going tracks.
No full review, check out SoundPEATS Clear on Amazon US or other Amazon countries
Earfun Air 2 vs Edifier TWS1 Pro2
The Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 shows what's possible in this price range too. Its 4 hours battery life on a single charge is below-average and it doesn't have multipoint connectivity, but you get fantastic Active Noise Cancelling in return. Some of the best under 100 dollars, in fact.
In the sound department, the Edifier has two equalizer settings that sound as if they could be the standard: Classic and Pop. The first has a strong focus on clear and pronounced mid-tones, the second throws in a deeper and fuller bass, without damaging the clarity of these mid-tones. In both scenarios, however, the Earfun has a tighter, more precise bass. Higher vocals have more body as well, while the Edifier puts more attention to center-mid tones.
Earfun Air S vs Earfun Free Pro 3
Compared to Earfun's latest release with Active Noise Cancelling, the Earfun Free Pro 3 has a much stronger mid-bass out of the box. It punches stronger and its strikes last longer than the ones on the Air S. Great for the gym, perhaps a bit tiring for long listening sessions - the Air S handles bass in a more durable way.
The Free Pro 3 also comes with Oluv Gadgets’ equalizer preset, however. Compared to that EQ, the Air2's bass is stronger. The Air 2 then has thicker vocals too, as vocals on the FP3 can appear a bit nasal in this setting. Without the LDAC codec, the Air 2 does have more treble fatigue: Oluv's tuning feels more fluent and balanced, is easier to listen to. Both these earbuds have their own ways of sounding great.
Disclaimer: I received the Earfun Air 2 from the manufacturer to test and review. 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
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