If until recently the indecision in buying a TWS earphone was in the in-ear or semi in-ear style (AirPods style), technological innovation adds an extra piece, proposing a new concept of style and innovation, igniting an immediate WOW effect in the buyer's soul. Today we are talking about the brand new SoundPeats Pop Clip, the first true wireless open-ear earphones of the company, proposing themselves with an ear piercing-shaped look better defined as clip-on. Are they perfect? Almost, but in relation to the truly ridiculous price, they amazed me with the sound quality, counting on a 360° spatial audio and a lot of technology used. I'll talk about them in this review.
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On offer on Amazon
Additional 5% discount code: T8UCP46T
Final price €45,59
Design and materials
Leaving aside the unboxing experience that includes only the headphones and their case, as well as the manual and USB-C power cable, at first glance the SoundPeats Pop Clips go beyond expectations due to their particular design, which might apparently lead the user to think that these earphones are uncomfortable to wear but in reality I can reveal that they are among the best earphones I have ever worn.
Each of the earphones weighs 4,73 grams and all the shapes of the individual components are rounded. In essence, the design of the Pop Clips is composed of three main parts: a sort of "bean" that adapts perfectly to the curves and shape of the ear also offering a physical button for managing the controls, an acoustic sphere and the C-shaped bridge that joins the two elements just mentioned. There is no possibility of adjustment but based on the inclination with which you wear the clips, the earphones will adhere in a more or less structured way.
English: Once worn, these earphones do not fall out, do not move and remain firmly in the ear, both while walking and while running. The case is also well made, with a matte finish for the entire surface, although I must admit that it tends to get dirty and scratched if you do not pay due attention. All for a weight of only 46,73 grams, with a pebble shape that is easy to carry and above all convenient to put in your pocket without any hassle. The case integrates a USB-C input in the back area and a small LED display on the front, which shows the charge status of the integrated battery. I really liked the hinge of the lid, which apparently seems thin but is actually very solid and does not move the lid even with strong jolts. There is also a hall sensor, which offers immediate pairing with the smartphone, without having to take the clips out of their place. What is also unique in their kind is that you can put the earphones in both the right and left place, as after 10 seconds from the start of the charge, the system will reset the correct audio channel.
As anticipated a few lines above, we can use the commands, which occur via a physical button thus avoiding the involuntary touches typical of touch commands and specifically single, double and triple tap but also prolonged pressure, managing calls (answer, hang up or reject), activate or interrupt music playback, skip the music track forward or back, enable or disable the low latency mode and volume control as well as being able to call up the smartphone's voice assistant. Complete and customizable commands via the management app available for both iOS and Android.
Technical features
The particular design of the SoundPeats Pop Clip is designed so as not to block the ear canal and to be able to clearly hear all environmental noises and people. They therefore do not have any noise cancellation system, which would be technically impossible and effectively useless, and the audio is entrusted to high-sensitivity 10.8 mm dual magnet drivers to which an audio profile has been preset that reduces any distortion, ensuring powerful and balanced bass. These headphones reduce sound loss as the audio is directed into the ear without particular interference from the outside but those next to us can hear what we are listening to, not only at high volume but also at a medium-low level.
The company certifies the Pop Clips with an IPX5 rating, which is great for sports activities or outdoor walks without having to worry about a light rain shower. I personally used them daily for my treadmill sessions where I assure you that the sweat seems to turn into Niagara Falls, yet the Pop Clips have not reported any problems. In any case, a speaker drainage function is available via the app, to let excess water droplets escape. The microphones contribute to a call conversation with crystal-clear audio, so much so that my interlocutors did not notice that I was speaking through these piercing-shaped earphones. Furthermore, the shape of the drivers seems to use a sound suppression duct that helps reduce wind noise, which in our tests seemed quite effective.
There is no master headset, as you can use the clips alone, but as a pair you can enjoy immersive sound with spatial audio. The Bluetooth 5.4 that the Pop Clips are equipped with allows for a very fast connection to the associated device but above all it also offers multipoint connectivity, so you can pair two devices at the same time to manage, for example, music on one and calls on the other.
Audio and call quality
As for audio quality, it is important to remember that we are talking about earphones that are very different from the typical in-ear TWS, but above all that they are decidedly cheap, so if you are an audiophile they are not for you. But considering that 95% of users do not have a master ear, the SoundPeats Pop Clip guarantee an excellent overall experience, especially considering that they are not inserted into the ear. The audio is rich in low frequencies that, even at very high volumes, almost never disperse, but as already anticipated a few lines above the people sitting next to you could hear part of the sound reproduced if you exceed a certain volume threshold.
They adapt perfectly to any musical genre, always returning a well-balanced sound rich in details with a truly excellent stereophonic effect. The call quality is also superb, especially in noisy environments. The two microphones are able to perfectly isolate our voice from the context, even from the wind, making them ideal for use on bike rides. By enabling the low latency mode, we can also use the headphones for gaming, always having small sound details under control, such as the enemy's footsteps nearby.
App and features
To manage the SoundPeats proposal you have to rely on the renewed app of the brand, available for iOS and Android. The app is simple but quite complete and from here we can manage the firmware update (in my case I received one), choose different audio equalization effects, but also create personal ones, check the battery charge status, find the earphones also via map as the last position of use will be memorized in combination with the smartphone as well as being able to emit a high-pitched sound audible up to 15 meters, enable the low latency mode and precisely customize the touch controls.
Battery life
Nothing to say about the battery life of the 45 mAh battery integrated into each of the earphones. In my tests I got to almost 8 hours of music playback. By recharging the earphones in the case, then, you can get to about 30 hours of total battery life. Furthermore, 15 minutes of charging per earphone in the case corresponds to about 3 hours of music listening. The charging of the 400 mAh battery integrated into the case is good, which can only be done via cable: for a full charge the case will take about 120 minutes, while it takes about 90 for the earphones.
On offer on Amazon
Additional 5% discount code: T8UCP46T
Final price €45,59
Price and considerations
The new SoundPeats Pop CLip true wireless earphones are available for purchase directly on Amazon with Prime shipping and related benefits, at a list price of €59,99 but you can redeem a double coupon, worth 20% redeemable directly from the purchase page and then a further 5% discount via the code T8UCP46T to be entered in the appropriate section during payment, bringing the final price to €45,59, for the only available color, black. By virtue of the price and the excellent audio quality there are no negative things to point out to these earphones, quite the opposite in fact.
You will also love them for the possibility of always being aware of what is around us when you wear them. They are perfect for people who receive a lot of phone calls and always wear earphones, for athletes, or for those who work on the computer and want to listen to music without missing conversations in the office.
