Enjoy a comfortable wireless experience, without breaking the bank.
The Soundpeats TRUESHIFT2 wireless earbuds arrived in a 4 3/16 inches wide by 4 13/16 inches tall by 1 11/16 inches thick retail package. The front panel displayed the Soundpeats logo along the top, the TRUESHIFT2 product name along the bottom, and a 1 1/2 inches tall photo-quality image of the front/back surface of the earbuds. The white-colored right-side panel listed the SOUNDPEATS name, while the left panel provided a vivid, blue-heavy, panel of a young, physically fit, male-model wearing the “SOUND FOR URBAN SPORTS” TRUESHIFT2 earbuds. The back panel provided the TRUESHIFT2 name, the company address, multiple product manufacturing labels along the bottom. Along the top, in an apparent homage to the Yin-Yang symbol, the company provided an attractive dark/light image of the Soundpeats charging case and earbud. I removed the outer white slipcover, lifted the lid, and was immediately impressed with the company design. The inner flap provided a sticker with three QR codes (Facebook, Website, LINE (JP)), and provided four bulleted factoids about the product (Up to 21 months warranty, Free Trial Privilege, Latest Product Promotion’s, Prost Social Online Service). To continue the black-on-black color palette, the 3 3/4 inches long by 2 1/4 inches wide by 1 1/4 inches tall matte-black Soundpeats charging case was seen resting within darker blacker form cut foam. Just above the foam, I found a 4 1/2 inches long by 1 3/8 inches wide by 3/4 inches thick cardboard box with accessories (12 3/4 inches long USB-A to USB-C cable, ear tips, ear wings). I set the case, the accessory box, and the foam layer aside and removed the charging tips panel, customer care card, a business card with a 30% off, and the multi-lingual instruction manual (English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, and two-character languages that I was unable to identify.)
The first panel of the instruction manual detailed the product, the included accessories and listed the product specifications: Bluetooth 5.0, AB1536U chipset, 10meter working range, 6-hour earbud battery life, 2-hour earbud charging time, 4-hour case charging time, and the ability to charge the earbuds 16x with a single charge. The second panel showed the button layout but in a rather ingenious way. Instead of simply listing the button control, like on page 3, the second panel displayed each earbud with an algorithmic approach. A single button press of the right earbud will increase the volume and of the left earbud will allow you to decrease the volume. I was giddy about this choice, as I love when companies focus on the ability to increase/decrease the volume. Personally, the most commonly used commands are the play/pause and volume options. If you double press either earbud, you can play/pause music/movies, or you can answer/hang up a phone during a call. If you triple-press either of the earbuds, you can access your voice assistant. If you hold the right earbud for 1.5 seconds, you can advance to the next track and if you hold the left earbud for 1.5 seconds, you can return to the previous track. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but this button combination and layout is the perfect setup. Many similarly designed earbuds leave out volume control, track selection, or make weird combinations of long/short press options. With attractive packaging, and easy to use instruction manual, intuitive short-press volume control, ability to move to the next/last track, and the option to activate my voice assistant, the company started at a 10/10 even before fit and sound testing.
Before testing the earbuds for sound quality, I wanted to assess them for fit/function. To access the charging port on the front of the 3.98-ounce case/earbud combo, slide your fingernail into the wedge of the Soundpeats logo and pull open the panel. Unfortunately, removing the rubberized seal proved to be a little more difficult than expected. Within the access panel, the company included a USB-A 5V/1A output port and a USB-C port. Using the included charging cable, I plugged the case into power and waited for all of the lights to extinguish. If you look through the semi-transparent magnetic-closure lid, you will see a red LED on each earbud and white LED charging indicators along the middle, which looked like a robot face. When ready, remove the right and then left earbuds, place them into your ear an rotate backward. A female voice will announce “power on, pairing.” Navigate to Settings, then to Bluetooth, then select “SOUNDPEATS TrueShift2” from then list. The voice will then announce “connected.” If the earbuds do not fit properly, you can exchange the silicone ear tips and or the wings. After a trial and error process, I found the smallest wings and tips to fit both my 11-year-old sons ear shape/canal and mine more comfortably than the stock tips/wings. As an aside, I greatly appreciated the inclusion of the ear wings. I was able to lay supine and on my side without any fatigue. I was able to rest my head upon my pillow and I did not experience any pain/pressure within the ear canal or within the concha. I hate to say it, but these earbuds were actually more comfortable and fit my ears better than my AirPod Pros. I was able to run, to jump, to shake my head side to side, to bob and weave for karate drills with my children, and I was able to shower with them in place.
With so many wireless earbud options on the market, one must look at the features and cost to be able to compare apples-to-apples. To gain more understanding of the TRUESHIFT2 earbuds, I used the Amazon description and website. Each of the 5g/0.17 ounce earbuds has a 6mm graphene driver and provides iPX7 water resistance. I wish that they would have added this information to the instruction manual or to the inside of the packaging. You can use the earbuds in monoaural mode or in paired stereo mode. I tested the earbuds during a recent two-hour drive and had no issues. I continued to listen at my final destination off and on throughout the day. If you leave them outside of the charging case, they will auto power off. To turn them back on, simply hold the MFB touch button for 1.5 seconds and they will pair with the last paired device again. I will list more below, but the bass was adequate without being overpowering. During some of the tests, I wish that I could increase the bass and lower the highs/mids. However, the vocals throughout the tests were crisp and did not seem to become muddy up to 75% volume. The Bluetooth 5.0 worked well and I did not experience any issues with connectivity. Interestingly, when I looked into the Bluetooth codecs, the company included SBC and AAC but did not include the AptX codecs. Lastly, this pair of earbuds do not provide active noise canceling nor passthrough options. Instead, once the earbuds make good contact with your ear canal, you can enjoy a degree of passive noise reduction.
When my son’s cousin received a pair of AirPods for his birthday, he immediately coveted a pair for himself. When I mentioned that he had misplaced his iPad several times, his iPod Touch was still adrift, his switch had been left at friends’ homes, and that he had no sunglasses due to the same issues above, he understood the issue. However, the sub $50 TruShift2 earbuds solved this issue for us. With these earbuds, he could enjoy his iPad and when paired with the HOMUSPOT Bluetooth Adapter to NSwitch, gaming as well. To test the parameters of the earbuds, I visited the audiocheck.net website and used their “Audio Tests.” I started with the Low-Frequency Response and Subwoofer Audio Test (10-200 Hz) and was pleased to hear the rumbling bass starting at 20 Hz, the lowest range of human hearing. On par with my age and ability to hear, the High-Frequency Response and Hearing Audio Test (22-8 kHz) became audible to me at 15 kHz. To test the Left/Right/Center programming, I used the Left/Right (Stereo) Sound Test followed by “The Real Thing” on the Stereo Perception and Sound Localization Test page. I have recently started listening to binaural recordings and to 8D Audio. I love these recordings for the staging and mental imagery that the sounds provide. As an example, the above stereo perception test has someone knocking around you. This may cause you to startle or to jump due to the sensation. I welcome you to listen to a few of my favorites: “Sound Of Silence (3D Binaural Audio)- Simon and Garfunkel Cover-Jarvis Brothers (Ear to Ear), 8D Sound of Silence from Disturbed, 8D Hallelujah by Pentatonix and 8D Bohemian Rhapsody Pentatonix,
As noted above, the bass was full and well balanced but could have been heavier at times. Pop, classical, and instrumental choices were pleasing to listen to but R&B, rock, and heavier bass options seemed to miss out just a little in the lower end. Do not misunderstand my sentiment, however, as I do not think you will find a better constellation of features/quality for under $50. I used the Soundpeats earbuds to listen to music through Amazon Prime Music, Pandora, Spotify, and listened to a few selections with Audible. During my recent trip to visit my friends in Evansville, I placed one bud into my right ear and loved the fit/sound while listening to my Ebook. To further test the quality of the earbuds, I used my typical test tracks. Starting with the bounding bass line from “Train Song” by Holly Cole, then moving to the modern sounds of “Bright Lights Bigger City” by CeeLo Green, then to one of my favorite movie songs “Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold” from The Hobbit, then to the Gladiator Soundtrack, then to the final note of Home Free “Ring of Fire,” and finishing with the Dark Knight Rises Joker Theme “Why So Serious,” (3:00-4:00), I feel that I gave the earbuds a strong bass challenge. Overall, I would give the bass an 8.5/10. To test the mids and highs, I listened to “What a day that will be” By Gospel Plowboys and Jerry Lambert, “Chain Breaker” by the Gaither Vocal Band, Bob Marley and the Wailers “Turn Your Lights Down Low, the Robin Hood Prince of Thieves Soundtrack, Far and Away Soundtrack and Braveheart soundtracks. Additionally, I listened to Megan Trainor “All About that Bass,” “Dear Future Husband,” and Charlie Puth “One Call Away,” “Marvin Gaye,” and the “See you Again” tribute. To test the blend/sound staging, I love to use ” Radiohead “The National Anthem,” “Caribbean Blue” by Enya, and “Bubbles” from Yosi Horikawa.
I found the most pleasant blend/sound to be at 50%-60% volume on my iPhone 11 Pro Max. On the Nintendo Switch, I had the sound up to about 75%. Phone calls were clear but had a tunnel-like effect with the microphone. I did not experience the tunnel sounds with the HOMUSPOT Bluetooth adaptor because the external microphone was used on the Nintendo Switch Adaptor. I did not appreciate muddy sounds, nor did I find the mids/upper sounds to get harsh/tinny. At higher volumes, the bass was a little more washed out but the overall experience was positive. To summarize my overall experience, the Soundpeats earbuds succeeded in a variety of parameters. I really enjoyed the product packaging, and I was pleased with the appearance/shape/feel/comfort of the earbuds. I was glad to see that they included USB-C charging but wished that they included a USB-C to USB-C cable instead of the USB-A to USB-C cable. The inclusion of the ear tips/wings proved that they care about the consumer. The battery life of the earbuds was quite impressive and the 100 hour total battery life was outstanding. Overall, I would rate the TrueShift2 Earbuds at 8.5/10 for sound, 10/10 for battery life and comfort, 10/10 for accessories, and 10/10 for packaging. If you are looking for a sub $50 pair of earphones, I do not think that you will find a better option.
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