The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro earbuds offer a compelling blend of comfort, convenience, and surprisingly high-quality audio. This in-depth review explores the strengths and weaknesses of these lightweight, clip-on earphones, designed for all-day wear and a variety of activities. We'll delve into their Bluetooth connectivity, multi-point pairing capabilities, and impressive battery life. Expect a thorough examination of sound quality, including the impact of the customizable EQ settings and different audio modes. We'll also assess their suitability for various uses, from workouts and commutes to watching movies and gaming.This review provides a comprehensive assessment of the PearlClip Pro's performance, addressing comfort, fit, and water resistance. We’ll discuss the functionality and responsiveness of the touch controls, along with the user experience offered by the accompanying Soundpeats Audio app. Ultimately, we aim to determine whether the Soundpeats PearlClip Pro delivers on its promise of lightweight comfort, loud audio, and surprisingly good sound, justifying its place in the competitive open-style earbud market.
Pros And Cons
- Quick and seamless Bluetooth 5.4 pairing (SBC and AAC codecs)
- Multi-point connectivity for up to two devices
- Seamless single earbud usage
- Good Bluetooth range (up to 40 ft/12m)
- Minimal latency for video and gaming
- Movie mode for surround sound spatial audio
- Low-latency game mode
- Flexible clip-on design for compatibility with glasses, masks, hats, etc.
- Lightweight (under 6g per earbud)
- Comfortable for hours of wear
- Secure fit during workouts and movement
- IPX5 water resistance rating (suitable for workouts and light rain)
- Open design for situational awareness
- Adjustable and responsive touch controls (single, double, triple, and long press)
- Customizable touch controls via app
- Good battery life (6 hours + 18 hours in case = 24 hours total)
- Fast charging (10 minutes for 2 hours of playback)
- Loud volume (up to 118.1 dB with dynamic EQ)
- Good sound quality for open-style earbuds, with a clean and open sound; decent bass, neutral mids leaning warm, clean and bright treble
- Decent sound stage and stereo separation
- SoundPEATS Audio app offers various EQ settings (dynamic EQ, adaptive EQ, presets, custom EQ)
- Sound leakage above 60% volume
- Battery life and volume will vary based on usage
- No wireless charging
- May not be comfortable for side sleeping
- Bass performance can vary depending on ear shape
- Game mode reduces battery life
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Bluetooth Connection and Multi-Point Connectivity
The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro boasts Bluetooth 5.4 with SBC and AAC codecs, ensuring seamless connectivity with both Android and iOS devices. Pairing was quick and effortless in my testing, with no connection dropouts or delays.
A standout feature is the multi-point connectivity, allowing you to connect to two devices simultaneously. This worked flawlessly across both my iPhone and Android phone, switching between devices without interruption.
The single earbud mode also functions perfectly, allowing uninterrupted listening even when using just one earbud. The Bluetooth range extended to approximately 40 feet in open spaces.
Video and Gaming Performance
For video and gaming, the PearlClip Pro exhibited minimal latency, making them ideal for watching videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix. Gaming mode further reduces latency, enhancing the mobile gaming experience.
The movie mode creates a surround sound effect, enhancing movie watching. However, using game mode will slightly reduce battery life. Remember to turn off game mode when not needed to extend battery life.
This ensures smooth playback without noticeable lag, crucial for immersive experiences. Both video and game mode functioned flawlessly during my tests.
Comfort, Design and Water Resistance
The PearlClip Pro features a flexible clip-on design, ensuring a secure fit without interfering with glasses, masks, or hats. The earbuds are incredibly lightweight (under 6g each), providing hours of comfortable wear.
These earbuds stayed put during various activities. With an IPX5 rating, they are sweat and splash-proof, suitable for workouts and light rain. However, I still would not fully submerge them in water.
The open-ear design maintains situational awareness, making them a solid choice for outdoor activities like running or cycling. This lightweight design promotes all day comfort.
Sleep and Control Features
For sleeping, user experience may vary. These worked well for back sleeping, but the bulkiness behind the ear made side sleeping uncomfortable for extended periods.
The PearlClip Pro features adjustable touch controls; single, double, triple, and long touches control playback, volume, calls, and voice assistant. All functions are highly responsive and customizable.
These controls can be fully customized or disabled via the Soundpeats Audio app. The app offers a better user experience than previous Soundpeats apps.
Battery Life, Charging, and Sound Quality
The PearlClip Pro provides 6 hours of battery life on a single charge, with an additional 18 hours from the charging case (24 hours total). Battery life will vary depending on volume and feature usage.
Fast charging is supported; 10 minutes of charging provides approximately 2 hours of playback. The case charges via USB-C, but unfortunately, wireless charging isn't available.
These earbuds achieved approximately 118.1 dB at maximum volume with dynamic EQ enabled. Significant sound leakage occurs above 60% volume.
Sound Quality Analysis
Sound quality is surprisingly good for an open-style earbud. The 12mm dual magnetic drivers deliver a full and rich sound, though the bass is more felt than physically impactful.
Seven sound options are available: dynamic EQ (my preference), adaptive EQ, classic, treble enhancement, bass boost, bass reduction, and movie mode (spatial audio).
Mids are neutral to warm, vocals are clear, and treble is clean and bright. Soundstage and stereo separation are decent. Overall sound profile is quite balanced and pleasant.
Conclusion
The Soundpeats PearlClip Pro offers a compelling combination of features, including excellent Bluetooth connectivity, comfortable design, and surprisingly good sound quality for an open-style earbud. The versatile touch controls and customizable EQ settings allow for personalized audio experiences.
While the lack of wireless charging is a minor drawback, the fast charging and extended battery life compensate for it. The overall sound is balanced and pleasant, performing exceptionally well across various genres.
Despite some minor shortcomings, such as limited sleep usability for side sleepers and some sound leakage at high volumes, these earbuds offer great value. The impressive sound quality and versatile features make them a worthy contender in the open-style earbud market.