The SoundPEATS GoFree2 Bluetooth Wireless Open Ear Headphones offer a compelling proposition: high-quality audio combined with environmental awareness. In a market saturated with noise-canceling earphones that isolate you from the world, the SoundPEATS GoFree2 champions a different approach to listening, letting you enjoy your music or podcasts while remaining connected to your surroundings. This review will delve deep into the features, performance, and overall value of these open ear headphones, exploring their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide if they are the right fit for you.
Design and Comfort: Redefining the Listening Experience
The defining characteristic of the SoundPEATS GoFree2 is its open ear design. Unlike traditional earphones that sit inside your ear canal, these headphones rest comfortably on the outer ear, using air conduction to transmit sound. This design has several implications for comfort and usability.
- Comfort: One of the most significant benefits of open ear headphones is the enhanced comfort, especially for extended listening. By avoiding direct contact with the ear canal, the GoFree2 eliminates the pressure and potential irritation that can occur with in-ear earphones. They feel lightweight and secure, thanks to the flexible ear hooks that gently cradle the ears. Even after hours of use, I experienced minimal discomfort, making them ideal for long journeys, workdays, or outdoor activities.
- Situational Awareness: This is the core strength of the GoFree2. The open ear design allows you to hear ambient sounds while enjoying your music. This is crucial for safety when exercising outdoors, commuting in busy environments or simply wanting to stay aware of your surroundings. You can easily hear traffic, conversations, announcements and other important sounds without having to pause or remove your headphones.
- Hygiene: Because they don't enter the ear canal, the GoFree2 helps prevent the build-up of earwax. This makes them a more hygienic option compared to traditional earphones, particularly for those prone to ear issues.
- Fit and Stability: The ear hooks are designed to provide a secure fit. While the open ear headphones stayed in place during walks and workouts, more vigorous activities like running might require occasional adjustments. The lightweight design helps mitigate the risk of them falling out, but the fit is not as locked-in as some in-ear sports headphones.
- Design Aesthetics: These headphones have a sleek, modern design. The matte black finish gives them a premium look, and the overall quality feels solid and durable. The charging case is compact and easily fits in a pocket or bag.
Audio Performance: A Pleasant Surprise
The SoundPEATS GoFree2 aims to deliver a high-quality audio despite the limitations of the open ear design. The inclusion of LDAC codec support and a large 16.2mm dynamic driver suggests a focus on audio quality.
- Sound Quality: The audio quality is surprisingly good, even in moderately noisy environments. The 16.2mm dynamic driver produces a balanced sound with clear vocals, crisp highs and a decent amount of bass. While the bass doesn't have the same thump as in-ear headphones, it's still present and adds depth to the music. The LDAC codec support allows for higher-resolution audio streaming, which is noticeable when listening to compatible sources. The open ear design inevitably leads to some sound leakage, especially at higher volumes. This means that people nearby might be able to hear your music, particularly in quiet environments.
- Bass Enhancement: The GoFree2 incorporates bass enhancement technology, which effectively boosts the lower frequencies without sacrificing clarity in other areas. This helps to create a more immersive and enjoyable experience, especially for genres like electronic music, hip-hop and rock.
- Call Quality: The dual-microphone noise reduction system works remarkably well, even in noisy environments. Callers reported clear and distinct audio, with minimal background noise interference. The directional sound transmission technology ensures that your voice is prioritised, making it easier for others to hear you.
Key Features and Functionality: More Than Just Open Ears
Beyond the open ear design, the SoundPEATS GoFree2 boasts a range of features that enhance their usability.
- Bluetooth 5.3: The latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology provides a stable and reliable wireless connection with improved range and reduced latency. Pairing is quick and easy, and experienced no dropouts or connectivity issues during testing.
- LDAC Support: This is a significant feature that allows for high-resolution audio streaming from compatible devices. LDAC offers three times more data transmission than standard SBC codecs, resulting in a noticeable improvement in audio quality. However, it's important to note that LDAC can drain the battery faster than other codecs.
- Dual-Device Connectivity (Multipoint Pairing): This feature allows you to connect the GoFree2 to two devices simultaneously and seamlessly switch between them. This is incredibly useful for managing calls and audio from multiple sources, such as a smart phone and a laptop. However, the documentation notes that Multipoint pairing and LDAC mode cannot be used simultaneously.
- Low-Latency Gaming Mode: Activating the 60ms low-latency gaming mode reduces the delay between audio and video, providing a more immersive and responsive gaming. This feature works well and is a welcome addition for mobile gamers.
- IPX5 Waterproof Rating: The IPX5 rating means that the headphones are resistant to sweat and rain, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor activities. However, they are not completely waterproof, so it's best to avoid submerging them in water.
- Touch Controls: The touch controls on the headphones allow you to manage playback, volume, calls and activate the voice assistant. The controls are responsive and easy to learn, although some users may find them a bit sensitive.
- SoundPEATS App: The SOUNDPEATS app provides access to additional features and customisation options, including sound profiles, touch control settings and firmware updates.
Battery Life: Impressive Endurance
The SoundPEATS GoFree2 offers excellent battery life, ensuring that you can enjoy your music or podcasts for extended periods of time without needing to recharge.
- Playback Time: The headphones provide up to 9 hours of playback on a single charge, which is impressive for open ear headphones. The charging case provides an additional 26 hours of battery life, bringing the total playtime to 35 hours.
- Charging Time: The headphones take approximately 1.5 hours to fully charge, while the charging case takes around 2 hours. The Type-C charging port offers convenient and fast charging.
Pros:
- Comfortable open ear design for extended wear.
- Excellent situational awareness, allowing you to hear your surroundings.
- High-quality audio with LDAC support and enhanced bass.
- Clear call quality with dual-microphone noise reduction.
- Stable Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity.
- Dual-device connectivity (Multipoint Pairing).
- Low-latency gaming mode.
- IPX5 waterproof rating.
- Long battery life.
- Customisable using SoundPEATS App
- Lightweight and secure fit.
Cons:
- Sound leakage, especially at higher volumes.
- The bass is less impactful than in-ear headphones.
- Fit may require occasional adjustments during vigorous activities.
- Multipoint pairing and LDAC mode cannot be used simultaneously.
- IPX5 does not mean the headphones are fully submersible.
Final Thought: Are the SoundPEATS GoFree2 the Right Choice for You?
The SoundPEATS GoFree2 Bluetooth Wireless Open Ear Headphones are a great choice for anyone seeking a comfortable, high-performing and an environmentally aware listening experience. The open ear design is a game-changer for those who prioritise situational awareness and all-day comfort. While the bass response may not satisfy hardcore bass heads, the overall audio quality is quite impressive, thanks to the LDAC support and dynamic driver.
These open ear headphones are particularly well-suited for:
- Commuters and travellers who need to be aware of their surroundings.
- Athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to hear traffic and other safety cues.
- Office workers who need to stay connected to their colleagues.
- Anyone who experiences discomfort with traditional in-ear headphones.
- Gamers looking for a low latency experience.
If you're looking for a pair of headphones that offer a balance of audio quality, comfort and awareness, the SoundPEATS GoFree2 deserves your attention. They provide a refreshing alternative to noise-canceling earphones, allowing you to enjoy your music without sacrificing your connection to the world around you. For Soundpeats, this is a success story of blending great audio and useful technology at a good price. The decision ultimately depends on your individual needs and preferences, but the GoFree2 offers a compelling set of features that is sure to impress.
