Tribit FlyBuds C1 Review: An Affordable Alternative to AirPods

Value When Reviewed

$74.99

Finest Costs At present: Tribit FlyBuds C1

$59.99

Since 2017, Tribit has made a behavior of making revolutionary, high-performance audio units at costs that problem opponents.

With its FlyBuds C1, the Chinese language firm is providing a really related product to Apple’s AirPods for half the value. Based on Tribit, additionally they have higher transmission capability than different earphones in the identical vary, with secure connectivity and balanced sound.

However is that this the true deal? I used to be fortunate sufficient to have the ability to attempt them out, and have all of the solutions you want.

Design

• Extremely comfy
• Trendy design
• Bodily controls

The design of the FlyBuds C1 offers an impression of solidity and sturdiness, which is reassuring for mid-range headphones. The mannequin examined is a black wi-fi pair, with small flashes of pink within the outer areas, which I respect for his or her discretion. Their form, and that of the casing, is just like that of the well-known AirPods, though the latter are a lot thinner.

Mathilde Vicente / Foundry

They’re housed in a barely textured oval case that stops them from slipping out of your palms. What’s extra, the earphones are secured by a magnet positioned in every gap, so that they keep in place with out concern of being misplaced or dropped as soon as the case is opened.

For consolation, Tribit consists of totally different sizes of ear tricks to connect to the earphones, in order that they are often tailored to the ears of the wearer. Due to the silicone materials, they’re very comfy to put on and, as soon as the fitting angle has been discovered, hardly ever fall out.

Every earpiece is fitted with bodily micro-buttons with direct haptic suggestions that let you handle music playback and calls, or activate the voice assistant (which sadly didn’t work for us) and alter the quantity. These are positioned on the stems, and are sensible in conditions that require extra frequent adjustment of the headphones, resembling throughout sports activities classes.

Mathilde Vicente / Foundry

Tribit has fitted these buds with IPX5 safety for resistance to splashes and perspiration.

Connection

• Secure Bluetooth
• Easy configuration

As you possibly can see, the Tribit FlyBud C1 are wi-fi headphones that connect with your smartphone or pc by way of Bluetooth 5.0 expertise, and assist AAC, AptX and SBC codecs.

Pairing is easy and easy. All you need to do is place the earphones of their case, then maintain down the button for a couple of seconds earlier than trying to find them in your cellphone’s Bluetooth settings.

The connection was very secure throughout our assessments, with a spread of as much as eight metres. After pairing together with your smartphone as soon as, they’ll achieve this robotically the subsequent few occasions, while not having to undergo the settings.

Audio efficiency

• Good lively noise discount, besides throughout calls
• Balanced, clear sound

After testing them listening to totally different kinds of music (afropop, rock and jazz), I used to be greater than pleasantly stunned by the expertise.

They use 4-microphone ENC and CVC 8.0 expertise to scale back background noise by 90%, in line with the model. Personally, I can’t verify or deny such info, however I did discover it very efficient when ready on the station, strolling by way of town centre or working in an workplace.

I discovered the sound to be very balanced, immersive and optimised, a shocking consequence for such a small value. The mids sound gentle and heat, the highs are clear regardless of a slight lack of brilliance, and the bass is highly effective and well-tuned.

To place the microphones to the take a look at, I made a number of calls throughout which voices had been distinct and nicely reproduced. It was throughout these calls, nonetheless, that the lively noise discount system confirmed its weaknesses, letting a few of the surrounding sounds by way of.

Mathilde Vicente / Foundry

This efficiency is made attainable by the combination of the Qualcomm QCC3040 aptX chip, which gives even higher transmission, with a 75% improve in connectivity. What’s extra, it helps 16-bit audio with a sampling frequency of 48 kHz, which interprets into CD high quality, with surprisingly excessive precision in all instructions – as in the event that they had been incorporating encompass expertise.

To spherical issues off, I’d have appreciated to have the ability to alter and customise the audio utilizing a companion app. Nonetheless, at this value it’s not shocking that there isn’t one. If that’s not sufficient for you, then you definitely may need to contemplate the FlyBuds C1 Professional mannequin, obtainable for £79.99 from Amazon.

Battery life and charging

• 50 hour battery life with case
• Faster or slower recharging

Power consumption has been diminished by 30% due to the superior expertise of the Qualcomm QCC340 chip, providing you with 60 hours of autonomy with the Flybuds C1 case, which might be recharged in two hours utilizing the USB-C cable equipped.

With out the cable, and on a single cost, you possibly can anticipate to be listening for round ten hours. This battery life is way superior to related and even top-of-the-range earphones.

On the entrance of the case, there are 4 small LED indicators to let the battery standing and that of the earphones.

Mathilde Vicente / Foundry

Value and availability

At simply $74.99/£59.99 (and discounted even additional on the time of writing), the Tribit FlyBuds C1 are very inexpensive and formidable contenders among the many greatest low cost 100% wi-fi headphones. Within the US, you will get them from Tribit and Amazon – UK readers can simply get them from Amazon.

And if you wish to spend much less, keep in mind that wi-fi headphones with ANC for round this value are very uncommon. Right here, you’ll have a pair of earphones that supply distinctive worth for cash, with surprisingly high-end options.

You possibly can see additional choices in our record of the most effective low cost headphones and the most effective true wi-fi earbuds.

Verdict

The FlyBuds C1 provide lively noise discount for a aggressive value, excellent audio high quality due to superior applied sciences like ANC mode and spectacular battery life.

What’s extra, they’ve a lovely AirPod impressed design, and are very comfy, particularly over time. The absence of a companion app is a disgrace, as is the dearth of wi-fi charging.

That mentioned, in case you select to purchase the FlyBuds C1, you received’t be disillusioned. They’re completely able to holding their very own – all for a tempting price ticket.

This evaluation is a translated and localised piece – you’ll find the unique article by Mathilde Vicente over on Tech Advisor France.

Specs

• IPX5
• Bluetooth 5.2
• Vary as much as 8 metres
• As much as 50 hours with charging case
• 12 hours of listening time on a single cost
• Audio Codec laptX™, AAC, SBC