Earfun has been a brand we’ve liked here at MMORPG. Looking at the Earfun Free and Earfun Free 2, they offered great performance at an affordable price. Today, we’re looking at the Earfun Free Pro. Coming in at a reduced price of $47.99 as of this writing, they offer dual dynamic drivers, active noise canceling, low latency mode for gaming, and a much smaller design for a truly low profile fit. Looking for an affordable pair of earbuds with active noise cancellation? This might be a good choice for you. Read on to find out more.
Specifications
- Current Price: $47.99 current, $79.99 normally (Amazon)
- Active Noise Cancellation up to 28dB
- Customized Noise-Cancellation Algorithm for Excellent Isolation
- Bluetooth 5.2 and Support Newest MCSync Technology, for Stable Connections and Extended Working Range
- Low Latency Mode improves Video and Gaming Experiences
- Dual Composite Dynamic Drivers Deliver Superior Sound and Balance
- 32-Hour Total Playtime: 7 Hours + 25 Hours with Charging Case
- Fast Charging, 10 Min Charging = 2 Hours Playtime
- 40-Min Full Charging, 32 Hours Playtime
- Wireless Charging Compatible
- Intuitive Touch Control + Volume Control
- Single Earbud Mode - Right or Left Independent Use
- Voice Assistant
Earfun Free Pro - Overview and First Impressions
The EarFun Free Pros change the game on Earfun’s designs. Released in November of last year, they’re not exactly new anymore but managed to be very forward-thinking and even one-up the company’s new Earfun Free 2s in some ways, including size. These Free Pros are downright small compared to Earfun’s other buds. I have smaller ears and most true wireless buds stick out of my ears somewhat, but the Pros are some of the only buds that sit flush while still feeling secure.
This is also true of the case. It abandons the bulky oval shape of the original Frees and adopts a rectangular shape. Given that the buds are so much smaller, it makes sense that the case is also slimmed down, but what’s surprising is that they also manage to offer improved battery life. With ANC off, you can count on seven hours playing at roughly 50% volume and an additional 25 hours provided by the charging case. The playtime per charge matches the new Free 2s but with the case extends total playtime by two hours. With ANC on, the battery will drain faster and drops to 6 hours and 27 hours respectively but still manages to outplay more expensive buds like the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro. The battery capacity per bud hasn’t changed since the original Earfun Frees, but the upgrade to Bluetooth 5.2 allows them to be more energy-efficient and make the most out of the 50mAh in each earbud.
Adding “Pro” to the end of products is in vogue right now, but usually indicates improved sound quality and active noise cancellation in true wireless earbuds. That’s also true here. Earfun quotes up to 28dB of noise reduction with ANC on. The microphones can also be used to pipe through the outside world by triple tapping the left earbud and cycling to transparency mode. This works well and sounds fairly natural to carry on conversations and be aware of your environment when out on a run.
Under the hood, Earfun has also equipped these buds with dual dynamic drivers. I’m a big fan of multi-driver headphones. Allowing each driver to focus on a particular frequency range often results in better performance for each and increased clarity when done well. Compared to the Frees, the sound quality is definitely improved and there is a noticeable boost to clarity in fine details. I would like to hear Earfun’s approach to a hybrid earphone — a dynamic driver and balanced armature versus the two dynamic drivers included here.
If you're looking for high-res codecs, though, you'll be left wanting. There's no aptX or aptX support and no LDAC for Sony fans. Given the Pro moniker, I was surprised to be limited to SBC and AAC. That said, they still punch above their class for sound quality. More expensive “Pro” buds, like the AirPods Pro or Galaxy Buds Pro, perform expectedly better given their higher price, but they’re strong contenders in their price bracket.
These buds also offer a low latency mode designed for gaming. In normal mode, I didn’t find AV sync to be an issue but when playing first-person shooters makes even modest latency apparent. The low latency mode opens up the door to gaming with these on the PC at the expense of mobility. Moving too far away from the source causes the Pros to cut out more quickly but if you’re sitting stationary, as you usually would playing games and watching movies, they hold the signal well and make gaming an option when it isn’t with much of the competition even at much higher prices.
The low cost does come with some sacrifices. There’s no app to retune the EQ, so you’re stuck with the default tuning or using a third-party app. Likewise, Earfun just doesn’t have the same R&D into its ANC algorithm, so while it works for cutting out low-frequency droning sounds, it doesn’t do much for middle and high-frequency noise like human voices or the sound of keys on a mechanical keyboard.
Finally, these buds lack the same waterproof rating that the Free and Free 2 earbuds offer. Instead, it’s IPX5 rated, which is water-resistant for low-pressure water sprays. That means these will be fine in the rain or perhaps even the shower but you won’t be able to submerge them by hopping in the pool.
Earfun Free Pro - Fit and Comfort
The Earfun Free Pros are small and fit exceptionally well into my medium-sized ears. Despite being quite small, they have a reasonable insertion length to properly fit in the ear canal and create a proper seal. The rest of the bud is able to rest on the folds of the inner ear for stability. The buds also include two sizes of silicone ear hooks to help ensure they don’t fall out. At only 4.1 grams each, they’re light and don’t cause any soreness over time. These buds will be a good fit for exercising and other forms of vigorous movement while worn.
Left: Original Earfun Free, modified for safe use in the shower
The size of these buds also makes them a good choice for a sleeping bud. As the night owl of the house, I’ll often watch Netflix in bed before falling asleep. I’m able to lay on my side wearing one of the buds without the discomfort of the pillow pressing it into my ear. Combined with low latency mode, the Pros work great for this situation.
Earfun Free Pro - Listening Impressions
The Earfun Free Pros offer improved sound quality and resolution than the Frees but what I would describe as different from the Free 2s. Over the last year, Earfun has come a long way with its sound quality and the Free 2s also make for a fun listen most people will enjoy, plus have the benefit of aptX playback. It’s to the Pros credit, then, that they really don’t seem to be lacking in comparison despite the absence of that codec.
One of the highlighted features on the product page is “2x bass” thanks to the dual dynamic drivers. Don’t worry — it’s not actually double the bass. That kind of simplified language is great for marketing but in reality, would destroy the sound of the earphones. The reality is that there definitely is much more bass, however, and it’s very well done for the cost of these buds. Bass response is powerful but clean and doesn’t overwhelm the other frequencies, but there is healthy thump and thrum: enough to make rock sound powerful, metal to pound, and hip-hop and electronica to bump. It’s definitely a fun sound and one that lends itself well to gaming too.
Even though they’re bass-heavy, the dual driver design allowed Earfun to preserve the clarity of the rest of the spectrum. Vocals are forward, so singers and team callouts come to the front of the mix. Other mid-centric elements come forward too: shakers in percussion, the sound of rain, cymbal crashes, breaking glass, and crunching debris under your boots. Given their warmer tuning, it’s no surprise they aren’t fatiguing.
At the same time, you do lose some micro-detail compared to the more expensive options out there. I’m currently testing the Bowers & Wilkins PI7s, which retail for $399, a full five times the full MSRP of these earbuds, and you’ll hear more realism in singers' voices and the tiny elements like the decay of cymbals or gunshots. If you’re not used to hearing all of those details, however, you’ll never notice their absence. As a mainstream earbud, the Earfun Free Pros sound great.
Final Thoughts
At $79.99, the Earfun Free Pros are competitive but at their current price of $47.99, they’re an absolute steal. If you’re looking for an ANC earbud that also offers a fun, bass-heavy sound that can also stand in for gaming, this is definitely worth a closer look.
The product described in this article was provided by the manufacturer for evaluation purposes.