Tribit FlyBuds C2 wireless earbuds review
About seven years ago Apple popularized the concept of wireless earbuds. Before the launch of the AirPods, most earbuds had a wire but nowadays truly wireless earbuds are very commonplace. In this review, I'm taking a look at the Tribit FlyBuds C2. Tribit sells a range of speakers, earbuds, and headphones. As a brand renowned for portable audio solutions, Tribit brings its expertise to the table with the FlyBuds C2, a set of truly wireless earbuds that promises a blend of convenience and audio prowess.Upon unboxing the FlyBuds C2, the first impression is of understated simplicity. Encased in a modest package adorned with the subtle Tribit branding, the FlyBuds C2 stands poised for scrutiny. Only a sticker on the back indicates it's a box for the Tribit FlyBuds C2.
Inside the box, we find the charging case with the two earbuds, a charging cable (USB Type-A to USB Type-C), and a manual. The latter is worth a read because it explains the touch control of the FlyBuds C2 earbuds. There are no physical buttons but some touch controls that let you perform certain actions via tap and touch-and-hold gestures. For example, double-tapping one of the earbuds will result in play/pause, and touch and hold of the left or right earbud will result in turning the volume down or up, respectively. There are several more touch controls for other actions like answering calls, activating the voice assistant of your phone, playing the next track, etc.
When not in use, the earbuds are designed to be placed in the charging case. The earbuds are very small and easy to lose, storing them in the charging case ensures they don't get lost. It also provides protection against scratches or other damage. The front of the case has a Tribit logo and the side has some indicator LEDs that provide information about the charging/battery status. The charging port is found on the rear side.
Inside the charging case, we find the two earbuds. One of the things I dislike about the plastic material of both the charging case and the earbuds is that they don't stay clean. The material is prone to picking up a lot of smudges and other dust. A counterintuitive thing about this product is the way you place the earbuds in the charging case. The right earbud goes left and the left earbud goes right. It's really weird. Other than this, I have no gripes about the charging case. It's a compact and convenient case that protects and charges your earbuds.
The big advantage of the charging case is that it massively increases the battery life of the earbuds. With 1.5 hours of charging, Tribit promises up to 8 hours of playtime on a single charge and a total of up to 32 hours because the charging case holds enough juice for three full recharges. After every use of the earbuds, you place them in the case and they automatically start charging again. My testing period wasn't long enough to figure out how long the earbuds truly last. All I can say is that after nine gym sessions of roughly one hour each, my smartphone still shows a battery life of 100 percent. Placing the earbuds in the case will place them in a standby mode that results in very quick pairing with your smartphone when you take them out of the case.
The earbuds use the Qualcomm QCC3040 chip with aptX high-quality audio decoding and up to 48KHz frequency. Tribit picked a half-in-ear design with 13mm drivers. For voice assistant functionality or making calls, the FlyBuds C2 use four Qualcomm microphones in combination with CVC 8.0 noise cancellation technology. Wireless connectivity with your smartphone (or other devices) happens over the Bluetooth 5.2 protocol. The maximum range is 10 meters.
The Tribit FlyBuds C2 suffers from the same issue I encounter with a lot of earbuds; problems with staying put inside my ear. While using the FlyBuds C2 I frequently find myself readjusting the position of the earbuds or putting them back into my ear because they feel too loose. Often this resulted in me accidentally pausing the music or skipping to the next track because all my fiddling accidentally triggered the touch controls. Lifting weights in the gym is OK, but I wouldn't want to go running with these earbuds.
As mentioned above, one of the features of the FlyBuds C2 is that they use a half-in-ear design. There are no silicon tips to create a better seal with your ear canal so you still hear a lot of what's going on around you, these earbuds don't isolate you from your environment. The downside is that there's not a whole lot of bass. They do sound a little better if I press them close to my ear. Overall, I would describe the audio quality as mediocre. It's decent enough to listen to motivating tracks in the gym or watch a movie on the go. But they're not the earbuds I would pick in the quiet of my home.
Conclusion
The Tribit FlyBuds C2 presents a nice package for users seeking a balance between convenience and audio quality in their wireless earbuds. While the extended battery life, lightweight design, and fast pairing stand as significant advantages, the in-ear fit can be hit-or-miss. Those who prioritize extended battery performance and are content with decent audio quality for on-the-go scenarios might find the FlyBuds C2 to be a suitable companion. However, users with a keen ear for audio fidelity might want to explore alternative options in this competitive market. Pricing is $79.99 via the Tribit webshop.The Good Stuff
The Bad Stuff
DVHARDWARE gives the Tribit FlyBuds C2 an 8/10.
Added: August 12th 2023
Product reviewed: Tribit FlyBuds C2 wireless earbuds
Reviewer: Thomas De Maesschalck
Score: 8/10
