How is the design of these headphones
In this section, good news for those of us who have “special” ears and are collecting the air pod right off the ground at all times.
Amazon has made an effort to make them something more comfortable and lighter than its previous generation both in the general design (which has been reduced by about 20% in size) and in the mouthpiece that is inserted into the ear canal, also somewhat shorter so that it does not seem to pierce your eardrum.
Its design is classic button, so forget about stems down and the like. Seen from the outside once put on, they are a bit reminiscent of Google’s Pixel Buds.
And to fit all ears, the box comes with 2 adapter fins and 4 silicone pads to combine the sizes that best fit our ears.
A classic and discreet design, ideal for those who want to isolate themselves and do not like to telegraph what they are wearing.
Technical characteristics
For data lovers, these are the technical characteristics of the product.
- Dimensions: 20.0 x 19.1 x 19.1 mm at the ear cups, not counting the fin. 66.8 x 28.6 x 39.1 mm the charging case.
- Weight: 5.7 grams the headphones. 44.4 grams for the normal charging case and 47.6 grams for the case with wireless charging.
- Processor: Realtek RTL8763C with integrated audio codec, NXP digital signal processor. Eye, are not compatible with veteran aptX as was the case with its first generation.
- microphones: 3 in this case, 1 internal and 2 external.
- Speaker: 5.7 millimeters.
- Music autonomy using noise cancellation: 5 hours per charge and up to 15 hours total with the charging case.
- Music autonomy without using noise cancellation: up to 6.5 hours per charge and up to 19.5 hours total with the case.
- Call autonomy: Up to 4 hours per charge and 12 with the charging case.
- Headphone connection: Bluetooth 5.0, compatible with both Android and iOS.
- Charging Box Connection: USB type C. Also with the possibility of buying the version of the box with wireless charging and the standard Qi protocol.
- Waterproof: IPX4, that is splash resistance, which, in practice, means that they are suitable for sports without being affected by sweat and also thanks to its design with an adapter fin, which will prevent it from jumping out of the ears.
- Others: accelerometer, touch control and proximity sensor.
The contents of the Echo Buds box
Few surprises here, since when opening the package we find:
- The headphones Echo Buds.
- 4 pairs of ear tips silicone to fit in the ear canal.
- 2 pairs of adapter fins to adapt to the contour of the ear.
- A USB-C cable.
- The cargo box can be in a wireless version.
- A Quick Start Guide that always ends up in the trash and then you pick up because you don’t know how to match them.
Its star features
The great differentiating points with which Amazon wants you to lean towards its option, in such a saturated segment and with competitors as powerful as Apple, are, above all, two:
Alexa Integration
As it could not be less, the integration with Alexa is total. You can ask him to play music of the style or artist you want, to call any contact, tell you how much battery you have left, open the audiobook you are reading…
Besides that, you also have the typical virtual assistant tasks, like reminders and such, so you don’t have to touch the phone.
Special mention for the VIP notification filter, not yet available but planned for this same 2022. With it, you can select which notifications you want Alexa to read to you and which ones you don’t so that only the important ones enter.
Conscious of privacy, or the lack of it with these assistants, you can disconnect microphones and clearly manage voice recordings.
Anyway, if Alexa isn’t your thing, don’t worry. they are also compatible with Google Assistant and Sirialthough this integration is not so deep, of course.
And another thing you can ask Alexa is to turn on or off the other big difference in this price range that the Echo Buds bring…
The active noise cancellation (ANC) of the Echo Buds
Indeed, the Amazon Echo Buds try to break the barrier of having a active noise cancellation in the range of less than 150-200 euros.
That we have already warned you once, but when you see cheap headphones of this type and they are promoted with this feature, they are actually referring to calls. And we already tell you that in this they do not do much nor do they represent a relevant improvement over the usual noise reduction.
However, Amazon has thrown the rest and yes you have a real active cancellation which, coupled with the ability to isolate with the pads and hold in place with the fins, will shield you from the outside world and there will only be you and your sound.
Without a doubt, and with all due respect to Alexa, this is what can tip most buyers for these headphones, being Amazon’s great hope to gain a foothold.
In short, it seems that Amazon is redoubling its commitment to sound and, knowing that it cannot compete with Apple in terms of fashion, or with sound brands in terms of prestige, it has done what it does best, adjust the price to the maximum putting benefits that others do not have.
We will see if the sales accompany, at the moment, it seems that yes.