True wireless technology is starting to get cheaper and more reliable. Until recently, you’d be hard pressed to find a decent pair of true wireless buds for under $150. But now, little companies like Astrotec, are starting to produce solid true wireless audio for under 100 bucks. At $90, the S80 is one of the most affordable TW models I’ve tested. What can you expect in terms of fit, build quality and sound? Let’s take a closer look in this Astrotec S80 True Wireless Earphones Review.

Astrotec S80 True Wireless Earphones Review

IN the BOX

FIT

You’ll find two different types of eartips in the box. The default tips are angled, probably to provide the best seal and level of sound isolation. That being said, for my ears, the regular shaped tips did a better job of cutting out ambient noise. The two types of eartips also have different effects on the sound signature, but more about that below. In terms of comfort, I had no problems, even during long listening sessions. And though I wouldn’t go bungee jumping with these buds, they feel secure enough for most sports activities.

DESIGN

Driver

The S80 sports a beryllium drynamic driver. Beryllium is a light, but very rigid material. And in theory, it minimizes more vibration than something like aluminum or titanium. Fun fact: beryllium in its raw form can cause cancer and freq up your lungs and skin. In short, you’re safe, but let’s pray for the manufacturers. 

Controls Functionality

These buds offer the standard functionality that you’ll find with most true wireless buds. The buttons on the right and left earpieces allow you to play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and activate your voice assistant.

Pairing was no problem for me. And after you pair the buds to your device for the first time, they'll connect automatically every time you take them out of the charging case.

Call Clarity

Don’t expect crystal clear call quality. But for quick arguments with your spouse, the microphone is sufficiently effective.

Bluetooth Version

The S80 supports Bluetooth 5, which is the latest Bluetooth version. In comparison to Bluetooth 4.2, you can expect more reliable transmission / fewer dropped signals.

Water Resistance

The S80 has a IPX5 waterproof rating, which means it can withstand a significant amount of sweat and some minor splashes.

You’ll get about 5 hours of continuous playtime before you have to put them back in the case for charging. The charging case itself holds about another 20 hours of battery life. And it takes approximately 2 hours to fully charge with the included micro USB - USB cable.

SOUND

Lows

I got two different sound profiles depending on which ear tips I used. With the regular shaped black silicone tips, the bass was powerful and the low-end brought quite a bit of warmth to the track. With the angled tips that come dressed on the earbuds out of the box, the sound was cleaner and lighter on the bass. But everyone’s ears are shaped differently, of course. So it’s worth playing around with depending on how much bass presence you prefer. Either way, the bass offers plenty of punch to pop, while avoiding overkill. String instruments, though not thoroughly detailed, lent a smooth fluidity to the instrument. And double basses conveyed a natural enough timbre, even if it felt a little bloated at times. But for modern genres in particular, the low end is ideal.

Mids

The upper mids feel slightly emphasized, with the low mids a bit hidden by the bass frequencies. As a result, most vocals sit a little forward in the mix, and the contrast between the bass and higher frequencies is somewhat pronounced. The result is a dynamic sounding pop track. And though rock and pop-rock tracks don’t feel thoroughly comprehensive in this range, the low end provides enough richness to give the tracks some body. Separation is also pretty good for true wireless earbuds at this price. Acoustic guitar strums sounded relatively clean, even if the level of detail is nothing to write home about. 

Highs

Though you won’t get too much sparkle in this range, the high end still gives enough snap and energy to percussion on pop tracks. And those who are sensitive to high frequencies will appreciate the fact that the S80 avoids getting too bright. Again, you can expect more smoothness than detail when listening to string instruments in this range. The same is true for vocals; though you won’t hear an incredible amount of nuance, the sound is still pleasantly cohesive.

Soundstage

As expected, the soundstage is somewhat compact. Still, though you won’t get a truly holographic experience, you'll still hear some height and depth, giving a little color to the soundscape.

SUMMARY

These affordable earbuds get the job done. And it’s a perfect sound signature for folks who mainly listen to modern genres. The S80 offers a rich, relatively clean and vibrant personality with a price tag is that’s right on the mark. I have no guilt in recommending the S80 to those on a budget who need simple but decent sounding earbuds for their daily commute. 

To purchase the S80 or find out more about the product, click on the link below:

Astrotec S80