Searching for affordable true wireless earbuds that deliver on sound quality? Blaupunkt BTW100 could be your answer.
While Blaupunkt might be better known for its automotive audio systems, the brand has been steadily making its mark in the personal audio space with a growing range of affordable soundbars, speakers, and headphones. Their latest offering, the Blaupunkt BTW100 true wireless earbuds, promises a competent audio experience at a budget-friendly price of just Rs. 1,299 in India. But does it deliver on its promise, or is it just another generic, low-cost offering? Let’s delve into the details and find out if the Blaupunkt BTW100 is the best value-for-money true wireless headset you can buy right now.
Blaupunkt BTW100 Design & Specifications: Aesthetics and Features that Punch Above their Weight
Despite its affordable price point, the Blaupunkt BTW100 bucks the trend of flimsy, budget-looking earphones. The design is sleek and sophisticated, featuring a proper in-canal fit with long stems. The standout elements are the chrome accents and prominent Blaupunkt logos adorning the length of the stems, complemented by indicator lights at the top. The charging contacts are discreetly placed on the inner side of the stem, while the microphones are positioned at the bottom of the earpieces.
The Blaupunkt BTW100 comes in two stylish colour options: black and white. The black variant I tested didn’t attract fingerprints or grime easily, and the fit proved comfortable even during extended listening sessions. The outer sides of the earpieces utilize touch-sensitive controls for intuitive operation. However, the lack of a dedicated app means these controls are not customizable.
A single tap on either side controls playback, a double tap skips tracks, and a triple tap lets you adjust the volume. A tap-and-hold gesture activates the default voice assistant on your paired smartphone. Unfortunately, I encountered instances where the taps weren’t consistently registered, leading to double taps being misinterpreted as single taps. This requires a bit of caution while using the touch controls.
The charging case for Blaupunkt BTW100 is simple yet practical. It adopts a clamshell design and is comfortably compact and lightweight enough to fit in a pocket or handbag. Three indicator lights on the front display the battery level, while the back houses the USB Type-C charging port. The earpieces and lid magnetically snap into place for secure closure.
While the Blaupunkt BTW100 is a budget-conscious offering, it doesn’t skimp on features. It utilizes Bluetooth 5.1 for a reliable and stable connection, supporting both the SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs. The headset boasts environmental noise cancellation to enhance call clarity, and the earpieces are IPX5 rated for water resistance, making them suitable for light workouts or a sudden rain shower.
The Blaupunkt BTW100 also supports 80ms low-latency, which is automatically activated. This feature is crucial for a seamless and responsive audio experience, particularly for gaming or watching videos. The earpieces incorporate 10mm dynamic drivers to deliver rich and detailed audio, and the sales package includes three pairs of silicone ear tips and a short charging cable for added convenience.
Blaupunkt BTW100 Performance and Battery Life: Unveiling the Sound and Endurance
While more expensive true wireless earbuds often boast features like active noise cancellation and app customization, these are typically absent in affordable models. The Blaupunkt BTW100, while lacking these bells and whistles, excels in its core functionality, particularly where it truly matters: sound quality.
One of the key strengths of the Blaupunkt BTW100 is its support for the AAC Bluetooth codec. This codec delivers a more detailed and nuanced sound signature compared to SBC, making a noticeable difference in audio quality.
Listening to "Back To Life" by Croatia Squad revealed a pronounced low-end bias in the sonic signature. The sound was punchy and aggressive, with the beat of this progressive house track taking center stage. Fans of electronic or popular music will appreciate the powerful bass response. The headset can get surprisingly loud, which is especially noticeable with fast-paced, aggressive tracks.
While this powerful bass can be a bit overwhelming at times, it manages to avoid becoming muddy or overbearing. When I played "24K Magic" by Bruno Mars, despite the strong hip-hop inspired beats hitting hard, the vocals and synth-pop elements were able to cut through, creating an enjoyable and aggressive sound with a reasonably good soundstage and imaging.
There’s a decent degree of separation in the audio, though it’s not as detailed as more premium options. The powerful bass can occasionally overshadow the finer nuances of tracks, making it difficult to pick up subtle details. However, there is a discernible level of cohesiveness and definition in the mid-range and highs, particularly on softer elements of a song.
It’s also worth noting that the strong bass can cause a bit of listener fatigue during long listening sessions at high volumes. At lower volumes, the Blaupunkt BTW100 is comfortable to listen to, though it loses some of its excitement and energy.
Call quality on the earbuds is average and sufficient for brief calls indoors. While the environmental noise cancellation does improve voice clarity, external sounds can still penetrate the microphone when outdoors. Connection stability is good, with the Blaupunkt BTW100 maintaining a strong connection with the paired smartphone at distances up to 3 meters.
As for battery life, the Blaupunkt BTW100 performs impressively for its price point. The earpieces lasted for just under four hours on a single charge, with the charging case providing nearly five additional charges. This translates to a total battery life of roughly 23 hours per charge cycle at moderate to high listening volumes. Although this falls short of the company’s claimed 40 hours, it’s still commendable, considering the earbuds’ affordability.
Verdict: A Budget-Friendly Option That Makes a Statement
Affordable true wireless earbuds often feel generic and lacking in refinement, but the Blaupunkt BTW100 breaks the mold. While it may not be packed with advanced features, its decent design, impressive sound quality, support for the AAC Bluetooth codec, and solid battery life make it a compelling choice in the sub-Rs. 1,500 price bracket.
The competition in this price segment is fierce, and spending just a few hundred rupees more could get you options like the Realme Buds Q2 with active noise cancellation. Neckband-style Bluetooth earphones also offer compelling value in this price range. But if your heart is set on true wireless earbuds and you’re keeping a close eye on your budget, the Blaupunkt BTW100 is a reliable and enjoyable pick. It delivers a level of quality that’s often missing in truly budget-friendly earphones, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice performance to save money.
