EarFun Air Pro 4 Review
The EarFun Air Pro 4 are budget-friendly wireless earbuds priced at around £80, boasting impressive features typically found in more expensive models. They offer strong active noise cancellation (ANC), customisable EQ, and a long battery life, positioning them as a strong contender in the under £100 wireless earbuds market.
Design and Build
The earbuds feature a compact design with slightly shorter earbuds than their predecessors, ensuring a more comfortable fit. The charging case is slim and supports wireless charging, providing an additional four full charges for up to 52 hours of total playtime. They come with multiple ear tip sizes to ensure a secure fit, which is essential for optimal sound quality and noise cancellation. The earbuds are also IPX5 rated for water resistance, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use.
Technical Specifications
- Drivers: 10mm composite diaphragm driver
- Chip: Qualcomm QCC3091 SoC
- Bluetooth: 5.4 with LE Audio
- Codecs: LDAC, aptX Adaptive, LC3
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours with ANC off, 7.5 hours with ANC on
- Water Resistance: IPX5
- Additional Features: Customisable touch controls, EQ presets, game mode, headphone finder.
Performance
The sound quality of the EarFun Air Pro 4 is notable, with a balanced soundstage and good separation of audio elements. The bass is robust, particularly with EQ adjustments, while the mids and highs are clear and detailed. The adaptive EQ and multiple ANC modes, including strong ANC and wind noise reduction, offer effective noise cancellation, making them suitable for various environments. The transparency mode, while initially underwhelming, improves significantly with software updates, allowing ambient sounds to pass through more naturally.
User Experience
They provide a user-friendly experience with customisable touch controls via the EarFun app. The app also includes features like game mode for reduced latency, a hearing test for personalized sound profiles, and a headphone finder. The wear detection works smoothly, pausing playback when the earbuds are removed and resuming when they are put back on.
Compatibility and Ecosystem
These earbuds support the latest Bluetooth 5.4 with LE Audio, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices. They also feature Auracast, allowing for shared audio streams with other Auracast-compatible devices. The inclusion of multiple high-quality audio codecs like LDAC and aptX Adaptive enhances their versatility and audio performance across different platforms.
Value for Money
At ~£80, the EarFun Air Pro 4s offer excellent value for money. They pack features typically found in higher-end models, such as effective ANC, customisable EQ, and long battery life. Compared to similar models like the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC and Realme Buds Air 5 Pro, they provide comparable or even superior performance at a lower price.
Comparison with Other Products
- Soundcore Liberty 4 NC: These offer stronger ANC, but are less effective in real-world use due to fit issues. Priced higher at around £100.
- Nothing Ear (1): Similar price range but with a more minimalist design and slightly less bass-heavy sound profile.
- Realme Buds Air 5 Pro: Offer similar features but with slightly shorter battery life and fewer EQ customisation options.
Conclusion
The EarFun Air Pro 4 Wireless Earbuds set a new standard in affordable, high-performance audio. Featuring state-of-the-art Qualcomm QCC3091 chipset and Bluetooth 5.4, these earbuds deliver crystal-clear sound quality with support for aptX Lossless and Snapdragon Sound, ensuring an immersive audio experience.
Key Features:
- Adaptive Noise Cancellation (ANC): EarFun’s QuietSmart™ 3.0 technology automatically adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings. With five effective ANC modes, including high, normal, and low, you can enjoy your music in any environment, from quiet libraries to bustling streets.
- Superior Sound Quality: Equipped with 10mm composite diaphragm drivers, the Air Pro 4 earbuds offer a wide frequency range and detailed sound. The aptX Adaptive codec provides high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz, rivalling studio quality.
- Extended Battery Life: Enjoy up to 7.5 hours of playback with ANC on, and up to 11 hours with ANC off. The charging case extends total battery life to 52 hours, and supports both USB-C and Qi wireless charging, ensuring your earbuds are always ready to go.
- Seamless Connectivity: The EarFun Air Pro 4 supports multipoint connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This makes it easy to switch between your phone and laptop without any interruptions. Google Fast Pair simplifies the initial setup process for Android devices.
- Clear Calls and Voice Control: Featuring a 6-microphone array with AI noise reduction and Qualcomm’s cVc 8.0 technology, these earbuds provide clear call quality by filtering out ambient noise. Hands-free control is made easy with voice assistant support.
- Water and Sweat Resistance: With an IPX5 rating, the Air Pro 4 earbuds are resistant to water and sweat, making them perfect for workouts and outdoor activities.
- Auracast and LE Audio Ready: EarFun is pioneering the use of Auracast technology, allowing for shared audio experiences and efficient LE Audio with LC3 codec support. Firmware updates will enable these features, further enhancing the versatility and performance of the earbuds.
They excel in providing high-quality audio, effective noise cancellation, and a plethora of features at an affordable price. They are ideal for users looking for premium performance without the premium price tag. While they have minor drawbacks, such as initial issues with the transparency mode, software updates have addressed these concerns, making them a solid choice in the budget wireless earbuds market.
Pros:
- Excellent sound quality with customisable EQ
- Effective noise cancellation with multiple modes
- Long battery life with quick charge support
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Transparency mode requires updates for optimal performance
- Slightly bulky ear tips may cause occlusion for some users
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
The EarFun Air Pro 4 are a testament to how far budget earbuds have come, offering a comprehensive set of features and excellent performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end models.
For more perspectives on this product, why not try Major HiFi, Head-Fi or Aaron x Loud and Wireless?