Earfun has launched the new Earfun Free 2, an improvement over the first Earfun Free in 2019. Founded in 2018, Earfun has had a successful run in crowdfunding Earfun Free, earning several awards from CNET, CES 2019, Techradar, PCMag. They then went on to launch several other models with positive reviews. I have reviewed the Earfun Air and enjoyed listening music with it. They are officially sold on Amazon at US$49.99, or you can order from their website with a special discount code FREEOFF2 which gets you 20% off – checkout at US$39.99!
Similarly, the latest true wireless earbuds from Earfun is loaded with premium specs at an amazing price. The Earfun Free 2 runs on Qualcomm QCC3040 SoC supporting aptX and AAC codecs. It is IPX7 waterproof and lasts 7 hours per charge, plus 23 hours with case which supports wireless charging. It uses touch gestures to control playback and volume, and supports 60ms low latency mode for gaming. Pairing is automatically enabled when no device is connected, or use the charging case to pair by pressing the pair button next to the USB-C port.
You can clearly see the design similarities between the two models. The Earfun Free 2 is just slightly modified in the shape, slightly less bulky. While the mechanical click buttons on the Earfun Free offers less operating mishaps during handling, the touch gesture is the sign of premium. The charging case that supports wireless charging is smaller yet retaining the same hours of total use.
What sets the other Earfun models apart is the use of new Qualcomm QCC3040 chip supporting aptX and AAC audio codecs. It also retains a high IPX7 ingress rating with SweatShield Technology to improve water proofing. Each earbud lasts 7 hours long and a 10-min charge extends by another 2 hours.
When the charging case cover is flipped open, the earbuds will be powered up and start connecting to the previously paired earbuds. Removing the earbuds from the charging case needs a little care: the surface does not have a grip so I have to put more force to put them out from the case.
Audio Quality
The Earfun earbuds have evolved their tuning over the years. The first-gen Earfun Free produces a more bass-heavy tuning with lightly clear treble, the Earfun Air puts a bit more emphasis on treble while keep the bass sufficiently satisfied. With the Earfun Free 2, I find that the treble is further elevated to the extent of being somewhat overcooked. It sounds less warm, more sizzle, more grainy and energetic. At the same time, the sub-bass is also bumped up to deliver more boom and impact than the Earfun Air, but still not as boomy as Gen-1. The midrange is less beefed up too. Generally, the Earfun Free 2 sounds more coloured, more V-shaped tuning.
Among the three, the Earfun Free is most comfortable to listen to because its treble is more tamed, while the Earfun Air is most-balanced as the treble is more resolving and musical. The Earfun Free 2 should appeal to listeners who like a more raw-sounding treble with a little more bass presence.
- Bass – 7.5/10. Sufficient prominence without too boomy.
- Midrange – 6/10. Lacking in warmth and presence.
- Treble – 7.5/10. Strong clarity and sizzle.
Third-party eartips like SpinFit CP360 offers slightly altered sound signature, with slightly bumped bass. I get a better seal and fit with the SpinFit compared to the stock tips.
Call Quality
The Earfun Free 2 has the mic positioned on the earbud body without a stem extension. During test calls at a food court, talking at a normal voice level will not get picked up clearly. I have to speak up a notch in order for the mic to pick up. A simple technique which I always use is to cup my hand near my face so that I deflect sound from my mouth to the earbuds. It really helps to improve mic pickup. In a home environment, the voice picked up by the mic is clear, not muffled. Either earbuds can be used for calls, and when you put one of the earbuds to charge, the mic would be transferred to the other earbud instantaneously without disruption. Note that you need to close the charging case so that the earbud on the case will be powered down, else the mic will continue to be active.
Verdict
The Earfun Free 2 is in every way an improvement from the original Earfun Free. The case is smaller, the battery lasts longer, it supports aptX audio codec and better water resistance, the controls are touch gesture. The audio tuning is different between the two models, so if you find the Earfun Free too bass heavy and lacks the brightness, the Earfun Free 2 should sound more gratifying.
With a retail price of below US$50, the Earfun Free 2 is really good value for money given the impressive hardware specs. Visit the official product page for more info and enjoy 20% discount with promo code FREEOFF2.
