EarFun Air Pro 3

Comparison: EarFun Air Pro 2 and EarFun Air Pro 3

Compared to the previous model, a lot has changed. New features include support for multipoint connections with two devices simultaneously, a low-latency mode for movies and games, and app connectivity with earpiece and sound settings. While the EarFun Air Pro 2 made do with the audio codecs SBC and AAC, the third generation has been upgraded with the addition of LC3, aptX and aptX Adaptive. However, the EarFun Air Pro 3 no longer offer wearer recognition. But it is said that the suppression of wind noise and the endurance of the earpiece batteries have been improved, and we will go into more detail later in the review.

Battery life: How long do the EarFun Air Pro 3 last?

The EarFun Air Pro 3 can achieve a listening time of 13 hours per charge at higher volume levels. If the noise cancellation is permanently switched on, the running time is reduced to a good seven hours, and the in-ears can be fully refuelled twice in the charging case and once again with a remaining capacity of up to three hours. This results in a total runtime of about 29 hours in standard mode and 16 hours in ANC mode. If the headphone batteries are empty, recharging takes just under 60 minutes. In addition, a ten-minute quick charge provides capacity for up to three hours and 20 minutes. The case can be powered either wirelessly via the charging pad or the USB-C port. If the included USB-C to USB-A charging cable is used, the battery reserve is restored after 95 minutes.

Operation of the EarFun Air Pro 3

The EarFun Air Pro 3’s touch-sensitive surfaces are configurable via the app and allow for factory-set volume control, track selection skip forward and back, playback control and phone call handling. In addition, you can call up a voice assistant, and it is possible to switch between ANC, transparency and basic mode. It is also possible to activate and deactivate the gaming mode. However, there is no provision for switching the earpieces on and off via the touch surfaces, which is why the case is always required. However, single-sided use in single mode is supported.

I noticed that the stability of the Bluetooth connection was reduced in low-latency mode, which was why this should only be activated when necessary. While in standard mode, there was a range of up to 30 metres over a free distance, about 15 metres were achievable in gaming mode. Even inside buildings, the wireless range was halved from twelve to six metres.

EarFun Audio App

The EarFun Air Pro 3’s app (Android and iOS) provides a battery level indicator for the earpieces as well as the charging case and can be used to switch between standard mode, noise cancellation and ambient mode. In addition to the touch control, the sound can also be adjusted to suit your own preferences. Four pre-configured settings are available for this: “more bass”, “more treble”, “less bass” and “less treble”. An EQ with six bands also allows you to make your own settings, which can be saved as pre-sets, and this is well done. In addition, the gaming mode can be switched on and off. Finally, firmware updates can be made via the app.

Speech intelligibility during phone calls

Equipped with three microphones per side and cVc 8.0 technology, the EarFun Air Pro 3 are said by the manufacturer to offer clear communication options. The earphones also succeeded amazingly well outdoors, as wind noise was filtered very effectively. Due to the suppression, one’s own voice sounded somewhat brighter in stronger gusts of wind, but this did not have a negative effect on intelligibility. However, this was not so convincing in the case of loud ambient noises, as these were transmitted fragmentarily, which impaired comprehension.

Noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode of the EarFun Air Pro 3

Considering the price range, the noise cancelling of the EarFun Air Pro 3 showed an impressive effect. Both low-frequency engine noises and complex street noise or background voices were significantly reduced in ANC mode and virtually faded out when listening to music. While a slight background noise was perceptible in noise cancellation, this was amplified in transparency mode. Apart from this, however, the outside perception could be satisfactorily increased, and a conversation could be held without having to take the earpieces out.

Sound: How do the EarFun Air Pro 3 sound?

The EarFun Air Pro 3’s fun-oriented tuning sounds full and rich, has basic warmth and possesses a fairly massive bass response. The full-bodied low end, in particular, came across as soft rather than especially punchy when it came to hip-hop or electro, but didn’t get bogged down when challenged.

Despite the abundance of sound, the midrange succeeded perfectly in bringing out voices clearly and intelligibly, and these were presented as full-bodied without imposing themselves. In the upper registers, however, it might be helpful to adjust the EQ a little and increase the presence, as the treble reproduction seemed a little timid, especially at moderate volume levels. Even a slight boost cleared up the sound noticeably, revealing more details and making complex arrangements sound much fresher and livelier. The sound did not lose its good-natured character.

Conclusion

The EarFun Air Pro 3 are characterised by a great set of features with effective noise cancellation, which is usually more common in higher-priced models. These wireless in-ears also performed excellently when it came to filtering wind noise during phone calls. The full, bass-driven basic sound could also be adjusted as needed via the app’s successful EQ section, which made these weatherproof earphones versatile all-rounders.