TWS true wireless earphones - under $50
THREE STARS - The Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds is one of the weirdest looking cheap true wireless earphones, but for good reason: it's optimised for sports, fitness and running.
Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds specs:
Bluetooth 4.2 with AAC codec
IPX5 waterproof
+-3 hours listening on a full charge
Charging case can charge earpieces fully 3 times
Comes with 3 sized ear tips/ ear hooks and a micro-USB cable
$40 on AliExpress and Amazon US/ EU/ UK - check current price
Design, charging and comfort
The earpieces and the charging case from the Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds differ from the competition. The charging case is possibly the least portable on a true wireless pair so far. It's big and round. It does have a fun gimmick though: the lid pops open by pressing a button on the side.
The charging case holds 470mAh to charge the earpieces three times fully, and has clever status indicator lights which shows the battery level when you charge the case, or put the earpieces back in them. However, the battery of the case drains faster than on other models. If you don't charge it regularly, you'll have an empty case and empty earpieces in no time.
The earpieces itself are large. They consist of a small inner part you put in your ear, and a large, round body that hangs out of it. The inner pieces have an earhook to close them steady in your ear. My experience is they won't fall out, even when sporting. Their IPX5 waterproof rating also helps in that regard - they should survive heavy rain.
The Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds sure looks a bit... weird, with their big earpieces potruding out your ear so much. These are no beauties at all.
At least they're comfortable and they catch a surprisingly low amount of wind noise when biking or running. Unfortunately, having such large earpieces doesn't mean wonders for the battery life - which is 'just' the average three hours when listening to music.
Connectivity and controls
The large earpieces of the Tronsmart does give you enormous touch sensitive buttons on the side though. You can control them with just a little touch - there's no need to press the pieces deeper in your ear. A single press is good to play/ pause, by double pressing the right earpiece you skip a song, by double pressing the right one, you activate the voice assistant on your phone. Changing the volume isn't one of the control possibilities, unfortunately.
Even though the Encore Spunky Buds 'only' have Bluetooth 4.2, the connection is stable up to ten meters and the earpieces connect automatically by taking the the pieces out of the box.
Calling and watching movies
Calling is quite okay, thanks to the microphone in the outer part of the earpiece. Tronsmart didn't include noise filters however - so the other end of the line will hear you clearly, but so will he or she hear your entire environment. Still, there are lots of wireless earphones that fare much worse.
Watching movies is where it gets more interesting. Even though Bluetooth 4.2 may look and feel outdated, the Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds is actually one of the rare true wireless earphones that has perfect audio - video synchronisation on an iPhone, in YouTube and Netflix as well. It doesn't give any difficulties on Android as well.
Sound: airy and bassy
The charging case on the Spunky Buds is big, but doesn't hold its charge for very long
It's safe to say that the sound signature of the Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds is just as suited for sports as the design of the earpieces. It has an always present, pumping bass, even in musical pieces that would normally maybe not have it. It's all about the mid bass slam here. When music asks for the deepest rumbling bass, the same bass can sound a little muddy.
On top of the bass slam, the vocals and upper mids have some 'air' around them - creating a feeling that the music is pleasantly around you, instead of too close to your ears. The feeling is realised by the forwarded vocals. Especially female singers are presented well. At the same time, the tonality of the Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds is a bit strange. Drum details sound quite good, other instruments and vocals can sound a bit tinny at times.
This may not be the earpieces you want to listen to all day everyday (and you can't either, thanks to the average battery life), but their big bass slam surely makes them energising. Again, perfectly suited for sports.
Verdict
The Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds are one of the biggest, maybe even most hideous looking true wireless earphones under 50 dollar. At the same, they're well suited for sporting - with a tight fit even when sweating, a solid waterproof level and energising sound. Just recharge them often.
THREE STARS - WORTH CONSIDERING
Buy Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds
/ check current price:
Buy Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds (AliExpress)
Buy Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds on Amazon Europe (Germany)
I bought the Tronsmart Encore Spunky Buds for my own listening 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
Also read:
Leaderboard: all TWS wireless earphones reviews
