TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
FOUR STARS - As long as calling or watching YouTube on iPhone isn't your main priority, the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 is a great choice of cheap wireless earbuds.
Specs of the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77/ TaoTronics TT-BH077:
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC codec
5 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 3 sizes of ear tips and micro-USB cable
$50 on Amazon US, Amazon Europe or Amazon UK - check pricing
Below this TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 review, you will find comparisons between the SoundLiberty 77 and SoundLiberty 79, Bomaker Sifi II, Whizzer C3 and AlienSecret Predator QCC010.
Design, comfort and battery life
Like the previously reviewed TaoTronics SoundLiberty 79, the 77 has an original design that isn't copied from or by other manufacturers. It may not be spectacular, but both the earpieces and the charging case look and feel sturdy and well-polished.
The charging case is powered by micro-USB and contains 410mAh, enough to nearly recharge the earpieces three times, before needing power itself. Four LED-lights display the battery status in the front of the case, dimming after a short while. The lid has a TaoTronics-inlay in a different kind of plastic and opens easily. The hinge has got a steady dampening in the end, which makes opening and closing the case feel trustworthy. Inside the case, there is enough room for different sizes of ear-tips on your earpieces.
The earpieces themselves are medium-big, and with their round egg-like shape, they fill up medium-sized ears well. They fill up so well that the earpieces have a very tight fit - even suitable for sports without sports wings. Of course, fit always is personal, but in the 120 reviews on Scarbir.com, little earbuds grip so firmly in the ears.
The earpieces have the same nice, dark black-plastic with the TaoTronics logo in the middle, which makes them look good for their price. Battery life is very acceptable, too, with 5 hours of playtime on a single charge. On top of that, the claimed IPX7-waterproof rating should make them even more suitable for sports.
Connectivity and controls
The TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 has touch controls, with touch panels around the shiny black part of the earpieces. There are volume controls right within reach: tap once on the right side to increase volume, tap once on the left bud to decrease it again.
By tapping twice, you play and pause the sound. You skip a track by pressing the right bud three times; return a song by doing so on the left. Finally, holding down a side for two seconds, activates the voice assistant on your phone. It's a good scheme, but unfortunately, response input isn't always spot-on, with multiple play/ pause attempts ignored.
Connectivity on the TaoTronics TT-BH077 (the manufacturer's intern name) is robust, with a stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection up to ten meters from your device. Walking and cycling with these also goes without problems. It's also possible to swap between one and two earpieces all the time.
Calling and watching movies
Now, on to two aspects the SoundLiberty 77 isn't very good at. Watching videos can be done flawlessly on Android, but audio-video synchronization is off on the YouTube-app on iPhone, causing a delay in the sound. While gaming, you will also notice a severe delay in sound effects.
Taking a phone call or video call isn't recommended with the TT-BH077. Your voice sounds rather harsh on the other end of the line, while surrounding noises such as traffic and background chatting, are still very via your microphone. Outside, heavier surrounding noises - such as accelerating vehicles - may drown your voice completely. Not a good score here.
Also read: The best true wireless earphones under $50
Sound quality of SoundLiberty 77: airy bassy
You can't miss the bass on this one. It may not be the fastest, but the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 has a strong, laidback thump sure to put weight in more bass-oriented genres like pop and dance.
In easier going songs, too, expect the bass to blow ever-so-frequent. When demanded, the sub-bass can rumble fiercely as well. Prepare for an ear-shakedown on James Blake's Limit to Your Love.
Above the bass, vocals take the center position, and both male and female voices are placed prominently on top of the music. They come with a convincing amount of clarity and detail, although they can sound a little shallow on the highest volumes. Highs extend well, but you will likely never hear a harsh or overly bright note on the 77.
One of the best aspects of this TaoTronics is its soundstage. Music has an airy feel to it, as instruments and musical details happen around you - from the front and the sides, up-close and further away. There's a sweet amount of room in between instruments, too: separation is outstanding.
The TaoTronics 77 could use a bit more mid-warmth, however. In its soundstage, details from guitars and pianos still come trough and even sound natural, but the emphasis is clearly on the bass-section and the upper-mids. Vocals are so upfront; they sometimes overshadow drums, electronic lines, and acoustic instruments, which sometimes causes the music to sound thin, instead of pleasantly full. An effect heard before on the Alien Secret Predator QCC010 and Whizzer C3 (see comparisons).
Apart from this occasional thinness, the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 is a pleasure to listen to with its hefty, defined bass, spacy sound, and forward vocals.
Selected comparisons
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 vs SoundLiberty 79
If you search for the SoundLiberty 77 on Amazon, you will get a suggestion for the SoundLiberty 79 as well. That's another good sounding earphone from the same brand, with little sport wings on the earpieces to make them stay in your ears - although the tight grip of the 77 may achieve the same. The 79 is slightly more balanced but perhaps plays it a bit too safe. The sound of the 77 is more lively, with a stronger bass strike, more extended highs, and more forward vocals, bringing out more details in them.
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 vs Bomaker Sifi II
A comparison with the excellent Bomaker Sifi II learns the TaoTronics could use a little more lower-mid-warmth and presence of center-mids, like guitars and pianos. The SoundLiberty 77 has a wider soundstage with more detail in the upper-mids but at the cost of mids. The Sifi II has a more balanced presentation overall, even though the basses on both earphones are strong and everpresent. Both are great sounding earphones - but the Sifi II adds in 1,5 hours more battery life and better-responding touch controls.
TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 vs Whizzer C3
The Whizzer C3 costs around the same as the SoundLiberty 77 and shares the same sound character as well: a thick, hefty bass, combined with emphasized upper-mids and higher notes, that make vocals stand out from the rest of the music. The C3 extends highs even further, making the C3 sound brighter than the 77. The TaoTronics reserves more room for more mid-tones and nuances in acoustic instruments. It's a more well-rounded earphone because of it.
SoundLiberty 77 vs Alien Secret QCC010
As stated, the AlienSecret Predator QCC010 is another earphone concentrating on the bass and the hugely elevated upper-mids and highs. It pushes this trick further than the SoundLiberty 77. The QCC010 sounds clearer and airier, but the TaoTronics throws in more lower-mids body and richer mids. If you're looking for a wide soundstage, both of these will float your boat - but the TaoTronics' musical presentation is a little more gentle and all-round.
—> See all TWS reviews and ratings here <—
Verdict
With its waterproof level, tight fit, and bassy sound character, the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 is a recommended pair of wireless earbuds for sports and everyday use.
FOUR stars - very good
Buy TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77/ check current price:
Buy TaoTronics SoundLiberty 77 on Amazon Europe (Germany)
I bought the TaoTronics SoundLiberty 2 myself for testing and review purposes. 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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