Soundcore AeroFit 2 by Anker

The system is also IP55 rated for dust, water and sweat resistance. It is also comfortable to wear, as the headphones are barely noticeable at just ten grams per side.

Comparison: AeroFit and AeroFit 2

In terms of size and weight, the second generation AeroFit falls somewhere between the Soundcore AeroFit (review) and the Soundcore AeroFit Pro (review). The AeroFit 2 is slightly larger and heavier than its predecessor. As with the Pro, it has a gaming mode and LDAC support, as well as the ability to adjust the size of the headband. The case can also be wirelessly charged via Qi, while the headphones have racetrack drivers.

Both models have touch controls, multipoint connectivity and surround sound. However, there are differences in the protection levels, with the AeroFit certified to IPX7, and the Bluetooth standard, with the second generation supporting the latest version 5.4.

Battery life

The open ear headphones offer nine hours of battery life at high volume when using the AAC format. In addition, the headphones can be fully charged three times and a further time to 60 per cent in the case, giving a total battery life of 41 hours and 30 minutes. A ten-minute quick charge provides four hours and 15 minutes of capacity, while a full charge takes 45 minutes. The case’s battery reserve can also be recharged fairly quickly, taking 95 minutes using the included USB-C to USB-A charging cable.

Control

The Soundcore AeroFit 2’s touch controls can be customised via the app. Out of the box, it is designed to control playback, answer calls and skip to the next track. The app can be used to expand the functionality to include volume control, a voice assistant and skip back, with one to three taps and a hold configurable per page. Touch control can also be disabled if required. However, it is not possible to assign game mode or manually switch the earpieces on and off using the touch-sensitive surfaces. However, single-sided use is supported in single operation.

Soundcore App

At the heart of the app connection (Android and iOS) is the sound control, with a choice of 21 pre-configured settings. You can also use the EQ section to create your own settings and save them as presets, with eight bands available. As with its predecessors, there is no noticeable loss of volume. Very good indeed! As a further option, surround sound can be activated.

In addition to the touch controls, you can also configure acoustic feedback and a timer. Other features include a balance control, a game mode, firmware updates and a locator that beeps when you pick up your headphones. Android devices can also enable LDAC, but this requires a firmware update.

Speech intelligibility during calls

When you talk on the phone, the open headband design of Soundcore AeroFit 2 allows your voice to be heard naturally, creating a more comfortable listening experience. Four AI-assisted beamforming microphones also ensure that your voice is clear and easy to understand, even outdoors, as wind noise is largely filtered out. Only stronger gusts of wind can affect the sound and interrupt the flow of conversation. In a noisy environment, your own voice remains intelligible because it is transmitted from the front. However, a noisy environment can become a problem for you, as the open-ear design makes it difficult to understand the person you are talking to.

Surround sound

Even the basic sound has a spacious feel to it, thanks to the open design, and this is enhanced in 3D mode. In addition, the virtual stage moves a little deeper into the room, which can have more or less effect depending on the source material. Good results can often be achieved with spherical soundtracks and live recordings, while a direct switch to dialogue shows that the basic sound offers more precise voice reproduction with better intelligibility.

The sound

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 uses 20 x 11.5mm Racetrack drivers with the company’s BassTurbo acoustic architecture to counteract the design disadvantages of the open ear (read our guide here) design in terms of bass reproduction. This works surprisingly well, as the reproduction is extremely powerful for an open headband design. It is only in club-oriented productions that the bass is lacking, but otherwise the headphones offer a lot of listening pleasure and reproduce modern music styles quite well.

The advantages of the open design come to the fore in the mid-range, where more complex arrangements or live albums benefit from a pleasingly spacious reproduction, making it easy to discover details when listening carefully. In addition, the speakers have an expressive vocal reproduction that is assertive and easy to understand, even when used on the move.

It is noticeable that the presence in the upper frequencies increases as the volume increases. Similarly to its predecessors, the treble is more subdued at moderate volumes, but becomes more energetic at higher volumes. The result is a brighter sound, but also a noticeably more concise reproduction of sibilants. In the normal listening range, however, the sound is very coherent, with the upper frequencies neither too timid nor too forceful.
 

In a nutshell

The Soundcore AeroFit 2 have a powerful sound reproduction, with hardly any loss of bass due to the open-ear design. The adjustable headband provides an optimal fit and ensures a stable, comfortable fit, even when you are out and about or playing sports. The second generation is also a significant improvement on its predecessor, with enhanced features such as LDAC and a gaming mode, as well as many small improvements.