Rating: 3.5/5
In a world where wireless freedom has become essential rather than optional, budget-friendly earbuds that don’t skimp on quality are the holy grail for a few audio enthusiasts as well as casual listeners. The recently-launched SoundCore Pop TWS earbuds, priced at Rs 2,499, aim to strike that perfect balance between affordability and performance. These compact companions promise an impressive feature set including immersive sound, comfortable all-day wear, and battery life that keeps pace with your busy schedule.
But in a market flooded with options, do these budget-friendly buds deserve your hard-earned money, or are they just another forgettable entry in the crowded wireless audio space? After putting them through their paces for a few weeks, we are ready to share whether these earbuds truly pop or simply fizzle.
Design, build quality and fit
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones essentially offer a design that effectively fulfills fundamental expectations. They incorporate a stem-like design, a style that has achieved widespread popularity due to its adoption by Apple. The earbuds have a compact size and lightweight construction, ensuring comfortable use for extended wear without inducing much ear fatigue. Notably, they are slightly larger as compared to Apple's AirPods.
Coming to the accompanying charging case, it has a slim profile and can be easily placed into pockets or bags without contributing to excessive bulk. However, we’d like to mention that the charging case is somewhat larger in its overall dimensions. Both the earbuds and the charging case are constructed from a soft plastic material, providing a clean look.
Lastly, the earphones come with an IPX5 rating, which means that they can withstand sweat and splashes. This essentially makes them well-suited for activities such as workouts or commutes during rainy weather conditions.
Performance
The newly released TWS earphones deliver a surprisingly balanced audio experience straight out of the box, catering to a diverse range of musical genres. They offer Belkin Signature Sound, which the company says is engineered to deliver full, balanced high-fidelity audio.
While not sporting a bass-heavy profile, the earphones provide a crisp and clear sound signature, where the bass is present but remains subdued, allowing vocals and other instruments to shine. This balanced approach creates an immersive listening experience, particularly noticeable in downtempo tracks like Xelomen’s “Breathe (Suduaya Remix),” where the wide soundstage enhances the ambiance.
The earphones also handled other genres as well. For example, John Summit's “Go Back” (Drum and Bass) and Pink Floyd's “Welcome to the Machine” (Rock) showcased the clear separation of instruments and distinct clarity of lyrics. Sound effects, like a ringing bell or a door sound, in the opening seconds of the song were rendered with realism.
If you are into electronic and dance music, ZHU’s track “Stormy Love” and CamelPhat's “Spektrum” demonstrated the earphones’ ability to maintain clarity even in dense soundscapes. Indian classical fusion, such as AR Rahman’s “Jaane Tu” from the movie Chhaava returned a balanced output, with the tabla’s distinct rhythms complementing Arijit Singh’s crisp vocals.
All in all, the treble might prove slightly sharp for some listeners, potentially causing a slight pinch at higher volumes. Similarly, those seeking a pronounced, thumping bass experience may find these earphones lacking. The bass, while present, prioritises balance over sheer power, avoiding the ear-tingling sensation often associated with bass-heavy earphones.
Coming to the call quality of the Belkin SoundForm Rhythm TWS . The earphones come with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) and Clear Call Quality technology that help the earbuds excel at minimising background noise during calls.
During our testing, we evaluated the performance of the earphones in a variety of challenging environments, including a newsroom, a crowded metro train, and a noisy café. In each of these scenarios, we conducted calls to assess the clarity of the audio transmitted to the recipient. The individuals on the other end of the line reported that the sound quality was clear. However, in the particularly noisy café environment, a degree of ambient background noise did permeate the call.
Battery
Belkin says that SoundForm Rhythm TWS earphones are claimed to offer up to 28 hours of listening – 8 from earbuds and 20 from charging case. During our review, we charged it once a week. It also provides about an hour of playback time in 10 minutes of charging. The earphones are equipped with Bluetooth version 5.3 for a quick pairing process.
Verdict
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones cater specifically to those listeners who prioritise a balanced audio experience, with clear vocal reproduction and a broad soundstage, over an excessively bass-heavy output. Priced below Rs 2,500, the Belkin SoundForm Rhythm TWS earphones offer an extended battery life and clear call quality, making them a robust and sensible choice for consumers operating within a budget. The combination of affordability, reliability and thoughtfully executed design elements positions them as a highly compelling option within the competitive budget-friendly TWS market.
In a world where wireless freedom has become essential rather than optional, budget-friendly earbuds that don’t skimp on quality are the holy grail for a few audio enthusiasts as well as casual listeners. The recently-launched SoundCore Pop TWS earbuds, priced at Rs 2,499, aim to strike that perfect balance between affordability and performance. These compact companions promise an impressive feature set including immersive sound, comfortable all-day wear, and battery life that keeps pace with your busy schedule.
But in a market flooded with options, do these budget-friendly buds deserve your hard-earned money, or are they just another forgettable entry in the crowded wireless audio space? After putting them through their paces for a few weeks, we are ready to share whether these earbuds truly pop or simply fizzle.
Design, build quality and fit
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones essentially offer a design that effectively fulfills fundamental expectations. They incorporate a stem-like design, a style that has achieved widespread popularity due to its adoption by Apple. The earbuds have a compact size and lightweight construction, ensuring comfortable use for extended wear without inducing much ear fatigue. Notably, they are slightly larger as compared to Apple's AirPods.
Coming to the accompanying charging case, it has a slim profile and can be easily placed into pockets or bags without contributing to excessive bulk. However, we’d like to mention that the charging case is somewhat larger in its overall dimensions. Both the earbuds and the charging case are constructed from a soft plastic material, providing a clean look.
Lastly, the earphones come with an IPX5 rating, which means that they can withstand sweat and splashes. This essentially makes them well-suited for activities such as workouts or commutes during rainy weather conditions.
Performance
The newly released TWS earphones deliver a surprisingly balanced audio experience straight out of the box, catering to a diverse range of musical genres. They offer Belkin Signature Sound, which the company says is engineered to deliver full, balanced high-fidelity audio.
While not sporting a bass-heavy profile, the earphones provide a crisp and clear sound signature, where the bass is present but remains subdued, allowing vocals and other instruments to shine. This balanced approach creates an immersive listening experience, particularly noticeable in downtempo tracks like Xelomen’s “Breathe (Suduaya Remix),” where the wide soundstage enhances the ambiance.
The earphones also handled other genres as well. For example, John Summit's “Go Back” (Drum and Bass) and Pink Floyd's “Welcome to the Machine” (Rock) showcased the clear separation of instruments and distinct clarity of lyrics. Sound effects, like a ringing bell or a door sound, in the opening seconds of the song were rendered with realism.
If you are into electronic and dance music, ZHU’s track “Stormy Love” and CamelPhat's “Spektrum” demonstrated the earphones’ ability to maintain clarity even in dense soundscapes. Indian classical fusion, such as AR Rahman’s “Jaane Tu” from the movie Chhaava returned a balanced output, with the tabla’s distinct rhythms complementing Arijit Singh’s crisp vocals.
All in all, the treble might prove slightly sharp for some listeners, potentially causing a slight pinch at higher volumes. Similarly, those seeking a pronounced, thumping bass experience may find these earphones lacking. The bass, while present, prioritises balance over sheer power, avoiding the ear-tingling sensation often associated with bass-heavy earphones.
Coming to the call quality of the Belkin SoundForm Rhythm TWS . The earphones come with Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC) and Clear Call Quality technology that help the earbuds excel at minimising background noise during calls.
During our testing, we evaluated the performance of the earphones in a variety of challenging environments, including a newsroom, a crowded metro train, and a noisy café. In each of these scenarios, we conducted calls to assess the clarity of the audio transmitted to the recipient. The individuals on the other end of the line reported that the sound quality was clear. However, in the particularly noisy café environment, a degree of ambient background noise did permeate the call.
Battery
Belkin says that SoundForm Rhythm TWS earphones are claimed to offer up to 28 hours of listening – 8 from earbuds and 20 from charging case. During our review, we charged it once a week. It also provides about an hour of playback time in 10 minutes of charging. The earphones are equipped with Bluetooth version 5.3 for a quick pairing process.
Verdict
The Belkin SoundForm Rhythm True Wireless Stereo (TWS) earphones cater specifically to those listeners who prioritise a balanced audio experience, with clear vocal reproduction and a broad soundstage, over an excessively bass-heavy output. Priced below Rs 2,500, the Belkin SoundForm Rhythm TWS earphones offer an extended battery life and clear call quality, making them a robust and sensible choice for consumers operating within a budget. The combination of affordability, reliability and thoughtfully executed design elements positions them as a highly compelling option within the competitive budget-friendly TWS market.
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