The Oppo Enco Air 2: Good Sound for the Price, But Don’t Expect Much More
The search for affordable true wireless earphones in India is a constant battle, with countless brands trying to outdo each other with the latest features and functionalities. However, it’s often hard to find a balance between price and quality, especially when your budget is around Rs 2,500. This is where the Oppo Enco Air 2 steps in, promising a good sound experience without breaking the bank. While it’s simple in terms of features, the Enco Air 2 boasts about solid connectivity, app support, and an outer-ear fit that many find comfortable. But can it truly stand out in a crowded marketplace?
A Closer Look at the Oppo Enco Air 2:
Design and Features:
The Oppo Enco Air 2 embraces a classic outer-ear fit, similar to the original Apple AirPods. This design choice has its advantages, ensuring comfort and awareness of your surroundings. At just 3.5g per earpiece, the Enco Air 2 is light and comfortable for extended wear. The IPX4 rating adds another layer of protection, making these earphones suitable for light rain or sweat.
The Sound:
Fuelled by 13.4mm dynamic drivers, the Enco Air 2 delivers a powerful sound experience. The bass is particularly noticeable, offering a punchy and energetic delivery that many listeners will find appealing. However, the bass can become quite overwhelming at higher volumes, potentially overshadowing the detail in vocals and highs.
Connectivity and App Support:
The Enco Air 2 uses Bluetooth 5.2 for reliable connectivity, supporting both SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs for audio transmission. The included HeyMelody app offers some helpful features, including customizable touch controls, equaliser presets, and game mode. Unfortunately, the app compatibility seems to be limited, as it was unable to detect the earphones on iOS during testing.
Battery Life and Charging:
The Enco Air 2’s battery life is a bit disappointing, even for its affordable price range. The earpieces themselves provide around 3 hours of playback at moderate volume, with the charging case offering approximately 4 additional charges, resulting in a total battery life of around 16 hours. This is likely due to the absence of active noise cancellation, a feature common in slightly higher-priced models.
A Balanced Perspective:
What We Liked:
- Outer-ear fit: Comfortable and provides good awareness of surroundings.
- Punchy bass: Delivering a powerful and energetic listening experience.
- Decent soundstage and imaging: Offers a good sense of direction and spatial separation.
- Good connectivity and call quality: Maintains a stable connection and clear audio during phone calls.
- App support: Provides useful features like customizable controls and equaliser presets (limited to Android).
What Could Be Improved:
- Battery life: Could be better, especially without active noise cancellation.
- Overpowering bass: Can be overwhelming at higher volume levels, potentially overshadowing detail in other frequencies.
- App compatibility: Not compatible with iOS devices during testing.
- Limited features: Lacks active noise cancellation and other advanced features common in pricier models.
The Final Verdict:
The Oppo Enco Air 2 is a solid entry-level option for those seeking a good-sounding pair of true wireless earphones without spending a fortune. It delivers a powerful bass response, reliable connectivity, and a comfortable fit. However, the limited battery life and overwhelming bass at higher volumes might be a dealbreaker for some.
If you’re looking for a more all-around experience, including active noise cancellation, the Realme Buds Q2 might be a better choice. However, if you don’t mind a bit of bass-heavy sound and appreciate a comfortable outer-ear fit, the Oppo Enco Air 2 presents a compelling option in the affordable true wireless segment. Ultimately, it’s up to you to weigh the pros and cons and decide if it aligns with your audio preferences and needs.
