Realme has established itself as a leading player in the budget smartphone market, and its audio offerings are no different. Their latest release, the Realme Buds Wireless 2, is a wireless neckband headset that prioritizes premium features at an incredibly affordable price point. Priced at just Rs. 2,299 in India, this successor to the acclaimed Realme Buds Wireless Pro promises to deliver audio quality that rivals much pricier competitors while staying firmly within the budget category. Packed with features like active noise cancellation and LDAC Bluetooth codec support, the Buds Wireless 2 seems to have all the right ingredients for success. But does it truly deliver on its ambitious claims? Let’s delve into a detailed review to find out.
Design and Features: A Familiar Formula Refine
The neckband design isn’t exactly groundbreaking, but Realme has successfully implemented it in their past offerings, and the Buds Wireless 2 follows suit. The headset utilizes a flexible neckband with modules at each end, connected by cables that lead to the earpieces. While the design itself is familiar, I found the cables to be slightly longer than ideal, which resulted in them often rubbing against my face during ordinary use, causing a bit of annoyance.
The black and yellow color variant I received is a classic Realme signature combination, but you can also opt for a plain grey version. While resembling the Buds Wireless Pro aesthetically, the Buds Wireless 2 introduces subtle differences. The earpiece exteriors proudly display a reflective pattern, giving them a translucent look that adds a touch of sophistication.
The Realme Buds Wireless 2 boasts magnetic power controls, a convenient feature that automatically turns the headset off when the earpieces are snapped together magnetically and on when separated. The right side of the neckband integrates controls for volume, playback, call answering, and managing active noise cancellation and transparency modes. A double press of the ANC button facilitates a quick switch between two recently paired source devices.
Additional notable features include an 88ms low-latency mode, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with support for LDAC, AAC, and SBC Bluetooth codecs, and Google Fast Pair support. The earphones are equipped with 13.6mm dynamic drivers and have been meticulously tuned in collaboration with popular electronic music duo The Chainsmokers.
With an IPX5 water resistance rating, the headset stands up to splashes and sweat. It seamlessly integrates with the Realme Link app, granting control over ANC and transparency modes, gaming mode, and equalizer settings. The package includes three pairs of silicone ear tips and a USB Type-C charging cable.
While the battery life resembles that of the Buds Wireless Pro, it falls short of the company’s advertised endurance under specific usage conditions. Using the LDAC codec with ANC activated for a considerable portion of the time and moderate volume levels, I managed to achieve just over 9 hours of listening time. This underwhelming battery performance, despite the enticing features, is a slight drawback.
Sound Quality and Active Noise Cancellation: Bass-Heavy Performance
The inclusion of advanced Bluetooth codec support significantly impacts the sound quality of wireless headphones and earphones, and Sony’s LDAC codec, widely considered the gold standard, plays a crucial role in the Buds Wireless 2’s audio experience. I tested the headset using a OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition, utilizing the LDAC codec for this review. My listening session encompassed music tracks on Apple Music, phone calls, and video playback.
Realme’s collaboration with The Chainsmokers is evident in the Buds Wireless 2’s sonic signature, which leans heavily towards bass, a choice likely made with electronic music in mind. The earphones shine when playing electronic music, offering a compelling combination of tight bass and clean sound. The powerful bass response is particularly noticeable in tracks like "Closer" by The Chainsmokers, immediately delivering punch and drive that dominates the frequency range.
Despite the bass-heavy emphasis, the Buds Wireless 2 still manages to preserve a reasonable level of detail. Halsey’s vocals, renowned for their sharpness, maintain their clarity and power even when faced with strong beats and low-end attack. Throughout this track, the earphones deliver a detailed listening experience while adhering to the low-end-biased sound.
Playing Avicii’s "Fade Into Darkness (Albin Myers Remix)", a fast-paced house classic, further highlights the determined and powerful bass attack. There’s no muddiness or awkwardness in relation to the rest of the frequency range. Bass-enthusiasts will appreciate the tight and punchy nature of the sound on the Realme Buds Wireless 2. The high volume and drive easily drown out ambient noise, even without active noise cancellation. However, the aggressive bass can lead to listener fatigue at high volumes, a caveat to keep in mind.
The active noise cancellation on the Buds Wireless 2 might not be exceptional, but it offers a noticeable improvement that justifies its inclusion. Importantly, it doesn’t negatively impact sound quality when active, unlike on the Buds Wireless Pro. The ANC feature effectively reduces ambient noise, although not to the extent of more high-end models. Nonetheless, it enhances the listening experience for both music and dialogue in videos.
The headset also incorporates environmental noise cancellation for clearer audio during phone calls. Call quality itself is decent, and connection stability proved reliable at distances up to around 3 meters between the headphones and smartphone. LDAC’s adaptive bitrate ensures continuous audio streaming without buffering issues.
Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Budget Category
In line with many of Realme’s products, the Buds Wireless 2 prioritize value and get many things right. The impressive specifications and features, app support, and enjoyable bass-driven sonic signature make this headset an easy choice for the best pair of wireless earphones you can buy for less than Rs. 2,500 in India. Some potential drawbacks include the somewhat dated neckband style and the average battery life. However, the overall benefits clearly outweigh these minor downsides.
While other contenders exist in this segment, such as the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z, more affordable models from brands like Dizo and Blaupunkt, and true wireless options like the Realme Buds Q2, the Realme Buds Wireless 2 stands out with its active noise cancellation and solid sound quality. It’s a compelling offering in the budget category, and well worth considering for those seeking a feature-packed wireless headset without breaking the bank.
