The new AUKEY EP-T31 true wireless earphones have the latency reduction function and a sensor to recognize if the earphones are in use or not. But, in general, how are they doing?
AUKEY, a well-known manufacturer of hi-tech products intended for multiple uses, has now become a fixed appointment among our reviews. After having tested countless products of various kinds, we return with what made it famous all over the world: Bluetooth headsets. The subject of our review is the new inexpensive true wireless Bluetooth earbuds AUKEY EP-T31 which differ from the various competitors for the presence of quick and intuitive touch controls and the presence of wireless charging in the charging case of the earphones.
Data sheet
Earphones
- Technology: Bluetooth 5, HSP, HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, AAC;
- Driver: 1x 7mm / 0,28″;
- Sensitivity: 97dB +3dB SPL;
- Frequency range: 20Hz – 20kHz;
- Impedance: 16 ohm +15%;
- Microphone: MEMS (chip) -39 dB +4dB / 100Hz – 10kHz;
- Charging time: 2 ore;
- Capacity: Li-Polymer (2 x 43mAh);
- Certification: IPX5;
- Weight: 8g.
Custody
- Charging Port: USB-C
- Input current: DC 5V-1A;
- Charging times: 2 hours (with cable), 3 hours (via wireless base);
- Capacity: Li-Polymer (580mAh).
Sales and design packaging | AUKEY EP-T31 review
The sales packaging is the classic AUKEY one made in recycled cardboard from which, on the side, the writing “Go Green With AUKEY” emerges. In the upper part there is a small exploded view of the case with the earphones inside, in the lower part there are all the legal data of the company and the product certifications. Once the small box with a comfortable vertical sliding mechanism is opened, inside we find the AUKEY EP-T31 earphones inside the special case, a USB-A / USB-C charging cable, i spare ear pads with two different sizes, two instruction manuals (one quick and one full) and the 24 month warranty.
Both the charging case and the earbuds are made in black ABS plastic which makes them resistant to both shocks and scratches. The dock is simple, compact and has a rounded shape with the top opening and the bottom flat for easy resting on a wireless charging base. The lid has a sensor that detects exactly when it is opened or closed and this is observable through three white LEDs on the front that indicate the state of charge (on the back there is the USB-C port). The shape of the case and its small size ensure good portability and excellent handling even with one hand.
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Moving on to the earphones, these have one very compact shape and also rounded from which the circular touch surface stands out, divided from the rest of the chassis by a glossy black rod. Just below the touch part there is a Status LED which varies from white to red according to the state of pairing or use, but unfortunately not of charge (this is a defect that we will observe in detail later). Below the LED there is also the microphone for voice detection.
Functionality, comfort and autonomy | AUKEY EP-T31 review
L’coupling with devices it’s quick and after the first time, they connect / disconnect automatically and quickly when removed / added to the case. In the tests carried out with a Xiaomi Mi10 and a Redmi Note 5 I did not have any problems with either pairing or disconnection thanks to the functional Bluetooth 5.0. Nice little note is the change of the ignition jingle that can be heard when the AUKEY EP-T31 are worn: it is now softer and less deafening than previous models.
This sound is essential to indicate another important function: the detection sensor. This is placed at the bottom of the earbuds, right in contact with the ear and can perfectly recognize when the earphones are removed or worn blocking or starting audio and video playback instantly. As for the sensori touch these are very accurate and take up to 7 gesture which, unfortunately, do not include volume adjustment. It is not the first time that AUKEY presents earphones with touch sensors, but in this case their extreme precision and sensitivity do not go hand in hand with a rounded, small and very smooth shape. It often happens, in fact, that by removing the earphones the audio blocks thanks to the sensor and then resumes because we inadvertently touch the sensor.
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Before moving on to the analysis of audio quality, let’s put a magnifying glass on comfort and autonomy. The first is, in a nutshell, formidable: AUKEY has managed to make earphones from form factor perfectly compatible with every ear and the rubber pads of various sizes do not bother even after hours of use thanks also to the very low weight that stands on the 8 grams. L’autonomy it is discreet, in line with the mid-range of earphones: the company declares autonomy with a single charge of at least 4 hours with a total of 30 hours with the dock. In our tests we can confirm these data with the use of earphones at medium-low volume, while at maximum volume the autonomy drops to about two and a half hours.
How do they feel? | AUKEY EP-T31 review
So let’s move on to the most important part of this review: how do the AUKEY EP-T31 earphones feel? I can only say that I am was really surprised by their sound quality. The tests I perform are always the same for each audio device tested and these are the results:
I started with one versione MP3 a 320Kbps on Spotify of U2’s song Red Flag Day and the impact was really unexpected despite the input quality being not of the highest quality. The voice was very clear, the drums and the electric guitar satisfying and not too much oriented towards the low sounds as often happens with other headsets in the same price range. I was, therefore, really amazed by the reproductive quality of the entire sound spectrum, with full-bodied and soft bass, powerful highs and punchy and balanced mids that do not overpower the other spectra except slightly when the volume is maximum.
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So I decided to move on to something stronger by starting a mixed playback between EDM hardstyle, psystyle and hardrock and metal tracks in Flac. Here I got the confirmation: the highs and mids are excellent, with excellent timing, and the rhythm, is incredibly perfect, especially in fast passages with a lot of bass. To test this aspect again I decided to switch to listening to two tracks by Audiomachine, in particular Guardians At the Gate and Breath and Life with many high sounds as opposed to unexpected bass and I noticed a very wide soundstage in frequencies and tones. perfectly balanced.
Finally, I noticed that the audio quality does not change with the activation and deactivation of the low latency mode. The only flaw, if it can be defined as such, lies precisely in playback volume which always remains on average levels without exaggerating. This could be considered a defect by those who are looking for earphones that “pump” the sounds, but it could be considered an advantage by users who are looking for earphones with a balanced and natural sound.
Recommended net of some flaws
In conclusion I really enjoyed these new earphones AUKEY EP-T31 both for their manufacturing quality and for the great sound quality. They are not free from defects, such as the lack of an indicator of the charging status of the earphones and an audible indicator of the activation / deactivation of the low latency mode for multimedia content or games (a simple voice would be recommended that could perhaps exclaim “on / off “). Apart from these subtleties, we would absolutely recommend the purchase of these earphones also for their very low price.
No products found.
Incredible value for money
Points in favor
- Excellent build quality
- Balanced and natural audio
- Fast charging and wireless too
- Price
Points against
- No indicator of the charging status of the earphones
- Inability to adjust the volume from the earphones