Audiofly AFT2 TWS Review

Audiofly AFT2 review featured
TESTED AT $129 USD
WHERE TO BUY

Audiofly is an Australian-based in-ear monitors manufacturer that makes products “designed and engineered for musicians, audio professionals and audio enthusiasts”. I previously tested (and subsequently praised) the AF180 MK2 from their pro range. So when they approached me asking if I would like to test their new wireless IEM the Audiofly AFT2 TWS, I jumped at the chance. The AFT2 features a 6mm dynamic driver, Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX HD.

Audiofly website: https://www.audiofly.com/

Disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own based on my experience with the product.

Audiofly AFT2

Pros
  • IPX-5 rating
  • Great build quality and comfort
  • Great battery life
  • Sturdy metal charging case
  • Mature tuning

Cons
  • Maximum volume may not be loud enough for some
  • Very limited choice of eartips included

Package and Accessories

The Audiofly AFT2 comes in a nice compact white box with a clear image of the earphones and charging case on the front. On the back of the box is a list of specifications along with another couple of images. Inside, you get the AFT2 TWS earphones, charging case, user manual and 2 pairs of silicone eartips.

Design, Comfort and Functionality

For the shell design, Audiofly has designed the AFT2 more akin to a regular in-ear monitor rather than a typical TWS style. This is a good thing as the fit is great, it feels more natural and also provides better passive noise isolation. In fact, the AFT2 looks to have an almost identical body to the original AFT1.

There are 4 colours available for the Audiofly AFT2, including Gum Leaf, Sunset, Sand and Granite. The shells are smooth and rounded all over, so there are no sharp edges or hot spots. A simple and slightly raised Audiofly logo is the only visible marking on the glossy faceplates which house the touch-sensitive controls.

Audiofly AFT2 faceplates up close

As for the rest of the shells, they have a smooth matte finish and feel quite robust despite being extremely lightweight. There is a vent on the bottom point of the housings and another one at the base of the nozzle. Unfortunately, there is no ridge on the nozzle so some 3rd-party eartips with wider cores can slip off easily.

The aforementioned touch controls give you music playback and phone call controls as well as volume control. I found the buttons to be responsive and fairly easy to use, although I admit to still preferring physical, tactile buttons.

When it comes to comfort, the AFT2 are great. Those smooth curves fit naturally into my ears and feel secure enough for physical activity. Passive noise isolation is a little below average for this shell type but that can be a good thing if you want to retain some awareness of your surroundings.

Closeup of AFT2 charging case
Charging Case and Battery Life

The charging case is made of metal and has a magnetic locking mechanism. It’s larger than the average TWS case but because of its elongated shape it still fits comfortably in a jeans pocket. The exterior has a gorgeous matte finish which looks and feels really premium.

On one end of the case, there’s a 4-LED battery indicator as well as the USB Type-C charging port. The case provides up to two and a half additional charges to the AFT2’s 10-hour earpiece charge giving you a total of around 35 hours of play time.

Audiofly AFT2 earbuds in charging case
Bluetooth and Call Quality

In testing, I found the Bluetooth connectivity to be excellent and haven’t had any stuttering or signal loss. When paired with my iPhone or Sony NW ZX-300, I can walk pretty much anywhere in my (fairly small) house and the music keeps playing.

Call quality is okay and it’s good enough to communicate with people. I found the calibre of the microphone to be about as good as most average TWS which is passable but not great.

AFT2 earphones in charging case

Sound

Sources used for testing:

  • iPhone (AAC)
  • Sony NW ZX-300 (LDAC)

The Audiofly AFT2 has a reverse L-shaped signature with some emphasis on the bass, a neutral midrange and laid back treble. It’s particularly well-suited for modern pop and rock music.

Even though I describe the sound signature of the AFT2 as a reverse L, it is still a fairly balanced sound overall. These are not basshead earphones though, so if big bass impact and slam is your thing then you might want to look elsewhere.

The bass has some punch but the main focus is on the sub-bass, which has a well-extended and tidy rumble. Mid-bass is less pronounced but still enough to add warmth and body to the sound.

Audiofly AFT2 earpieces

The AFT2’s midrange is pushed forward somewhat to be more in line with the bass. Note weight is fairly neutral and there’s a bit of a lift in the vocals to bring them up in the mix. However, the midrange sometimes lacks zest, which is probably a result of the softened treble and it feels a little lacklustre overall.

Treble here is laid back and tuned to be non-fatiguing. This is often the case with TWS earphones that are designed more for casual listening while on the go. However, as a result, the midrange feels a little unenthusiastic and notes can lack definition, making the overall presentation a bit soft.

The end result is a sound that doesn’t offend but at the same time, it isn’t the most engaging either. Perhaps more of a concern is I feel that many people won’t be satisfied with the maximum volume of these earphones which is well below average. Even pumped up to 100% volume, the noise level is fairly modest and lacks any explosive energy. It’s fine for relatively quiet environments but if you’re in a busy gym/bus/train etc. you may find yourself wishing they were louder.

AFT2 TWS

Comparisons

Tronsmart Apollo Bold ($99)

The Apollo Bold (review here) is a basshead’s dream TWS earphone. This thing has bass for days with a massive sub-bass rumble and thumping mid-bass hits. The AFT2 in comparison lacks punchiness and overall impact.

In the midrange, the Apollo Bold has more note density and definition. It’s a more engaging midrange than the one offered by the AFT2 and even more so with the ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) turned off.

At the top-end of the spectrum, the Apollo Bold has more energy and drive. The AFT2 is more subdued and instead boosts the upper midrange for extra vocal presence.

Outside of the sonic performance, the Apollo Bold offers a larger feature set, including active noise cancellation and ambient mode. It also has a smaller and more pocketable charging case and offers a similar battery life.

Earphones in charging case

Conclusion

Overall, the Audiofly AFT2 true wireless headphones have a stylish design with awesome colours and great build quality. The charging case, in particular, feels very premium and the battery life is very good. While the audio quality might not be class-leading, it will be perfectly suitable for the average consumer.


Specifications

Driver type: 6mm dynamic driver
Magnet type: Neodymium
Total play time (inc charge case): 10 hours (+25)hours
Charge case battery life: 25 hours
Frequency range: 20Hz-20kHz
Impedance: 16Ω
Sensitivity: 99dB at 1kHz
Bluetooth: Bluetooth® 5.0 Dual Mode
Noise Cancellation: Qualcomm® cVc™ Noise Cancellation Technology
Codec support: SBC, AAC, aptX
Operating range: 20m
Charge time: Earpieces 90 min / Charge case 90min
Charge type: USB-C
Standby time: 200 hours
IPX level: IPX-5

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