Sudio has grown over the years thanks to its aggressive marketing strategy to reach to their target audience through social media and reviewers like me. I have been reviewing their true wireless earbuds since its first model, Niva, in 2018, followed by Tolv in 2019. After launching many earbuds over the years, Sudio returned to the inspiration of their best-selling model and released an upgraded version – The Sudio T2. It retails at S$149 with a 15% discount when applying promo code MUSICPHOTOLIFE15.
Update 3 Mar 2022: Sudio has launched their latest flagship model in 2022. Here is the detailed review of the Sudio E2.
Update 1 Apr 2022: a new Sudio smartphone app is available to connect to Sudio T2 to adjust EQ.
The new T2 design is no longer a simple pill shape like its predecessors. There is some contouring and a slight bump where the mic is positioned to pick up the voice better during calls. Another mic is located at the upper part of the earbuds for active noise-cancellation. The earbuds now last for 7.5 hours per charge, and 35 hours with charging case.
The earbuds are powered up the moment the case is opened, searching for the last-paired device and connecting to it promptly. When no device is found, the earbuds go into Bluetooth pairing automatically, which is very convenient. A button located at the bottom of the case if for resetting the earbuds.
The controls are touch-sensitive and covers all controls including volume controls, although it takes 3 taps to adjust, which I find is too laborious. Still, there is an option to adjust volume, which is better than nothing. To play-pause, tap once. Tap twice to skip track (right earbud) or previous track (left earbud).
The Sudio T2 supports active noise cancelling as well as ambient sound mode. Hold the touch sensor for 2 seconds to toggle the ANC modes, denoted by a sound effect which is ambiguous as I had to remember what each sound effect stands for. As for the ANC quality, they are subtle and adequate to improve the passive isolation slightly. The ambient sound mode is also tame and unnoticeable when music is playing, yet prominent surrounding noises can be discerned, like traffic noises, door bell ring, keyboard typing. I actually set this as my default so that I can still hear things around me without overly distracting.
The sound quality is rather interesting, producing rather unusual tangible sub-bass tonality. What I meant was that I could hear the reverberating texture of the low frequency contained within a focused sound stage area, while the rest of the space is filled with sizzling treble. Mid bass is subdued in musical tonality, overpowered by the sub-bass pumps. The lower treble lacks body, resulting in thin – but clear – vocals. These characteristics would be shunned by audio purists but wins the hearts of the young, like my teenage daughter. who demands for “strong bass, clear treble”.
Compared to the Sudio Tolv, the T2 presents much brighter treble, more intensive sub-bass, while sacrificing the authenticity of the midrange areas. I feel that the Tolv is more neutral and sonically accurate, but the T2 makes pop music more exciting to listen to.
During voice calls, the ambient sound is enabled so that you can hear yourself and be aware of the surroundings. The mic can pick up my voice rather loudly and bright with a upper midrange-centric tone, demonstrating that the beamforming mic technology is effective. When there is background noise, the mic will try to cancel out but at the expense of the voice clarity as it struggles to work out which noises to cut and which to keep. Under windy conditions, the Sudio T2 is overwhelmed and could not pick up the voice.
Sudio App (updated 1 Apr 2022)
There is now a Sudio smartphone app that works with Sudio E2 and Sudio T2. With the app, users can update firmware, control ANC, Transparency (which also can be selected from the earbuds).
In addition, the app comes with preset EQ profiles which you can select for your liking.
You can even go through a hearing test to let Sudio recommend your personal sound profile. Or you can manually adjust the 6-band EQ and save as a new profile.
Verdict
Sudio is a lifestyle brand, and it would be folly to expect them to tune their headphones to audiophile standard. It may sound cliche that the Sudio T2 offers “clear treble, strong bass”, but I have to say that it is tuned in a little more unique way which favours my picky daughter’s ears. The T2 has impressive sub-bass presentation supported with bright controlled treble and clinical midrange to make music sound fun and enjoyable where it matters.
Place your order of the new Sudio T2 at their official website and enjoy 15% discount using promo code MUSICPHOTOLIFE15 plus free shipping. Be surprised with additional free gifts that get added to the shopping cart at no extra charge. And while you are there, you might want to top up with a Sudio Care Kit at S$19.50 (50% discount).
