BRAVEN recently extended their Active Series line of sport audio products by adding two new wireless headphones. In this review, we will take a quick look at the sub-$50 Flye Sport wireless, waterproof earbuds. The earphones didn’t blow me away, but they are an affordable way to get a pair of sport earbuds for your next run.
We’ve seen a number of different approaches taken to in-ear wireless audio. Some headphones take the approach of the Rowkin Bit Charge Stereo Bluetooth Earbuds (read the review) and cut the cord not only to the phone but also between the earbuds. Others take the approach of the V-MODA Forza Metallo Wireless Headphones (read the review) and have a neckband that sits behind your head and packs a battery inside the “collar.” For the Flye Sport, Braven took the in-between path. The two earbuds are connected, but the wire between the in-ear monitors is thin and simply sits behind your head while wearing them.
Inside the box you get the Flye Sport earphones, three sizes of ear inserts, a short USB to microUSB charging cable and a carrying/protective bag in bright blue. It is a simple package but pretty much what you would expect from earphones that are less than $50. As BRAVEN explains:
Mobilize your music with the wireless BRAVEN Flye Sport earbuds. So lightweight you’ll forget they’re there, these hi-fidelity earbuds seamlessly pair and stream music from your smartphone for up to 12 hours of continuous playback. Three sizes of included ear bullets provide secure fit and lasting comfort, with a water-resistant coating that’s best matched by carving fresh powder on the slopes, crushing leg day at the gym or anything in between.
Here’s the thing. Some of the sport headphones that use the design of the Flye Sport suffer from terrible battery life. That shouldn’t be surprising since there isn’t much room left for the battery when opting for this approach. BRAVEN addressed this by placing a larger battery area at the mid-point between the two earbuds.
This serves two purposes. First, it lets the Flye Sport get up to 12 hours of continuous runtime per charge. That addresses one of my key complaints about headphones like this. It serves a second purpose, though. The added weight of the battery sitting on your neck is supposed to keep the headphones in place when you are moving. This didn’t entirely work for me, and I felt the battery swinging from one side to the other when I ran with them.
The battery isn’t the only point at which the slim cable becomes a bit larger. In addition to the battery “box” there is a smaller area of “bulk” toward the right earbud. This houses the audio controls and microphone. On one side are three buttons: Volume Up, Volume Down and the Power/Play/Pause/Multi-Function button. On the other side there is the BRAVEN name embossed into the plastic and a small hole for the microphone. I wouldn’t use these for calls when you are sitting at your desk, for example, but the microphone is fine for calls when you are on the go.
Along the side is a door that opens to reveal the charging port.
BRAVEN notes Flye Sport are “ideal for traveling, biking, and everyday use” so, of course, they made sure to give them an IPX5 waterproof certification. The Flye Sport come in your choice of Black, White, Slate/Crimson, and Silver/Electric. That means you can get the earbuds that best fit your aesthetic. They cost just $49.99 USD.
Features:
- IPX5 Waterproof Certified
- 12 hours of continuous playtime on a single charge
- Wireless Bluetooth connectivity
- Includes Small, Medium, Large ear tips to deliver custom fit
- Available in Black, White, Slate/Crimson, and Silver/Electric color ways
The earbuds stay in place fairly well but are a bit bulkier than I like and weren’t the most comfortable in-ear earphones I’ve used. That noted, the fact that they stay in place without needing added accessories like ear hooks is impressive.
I’m a huge fan of BRAVEN’s audio products and appreciate how far they have come since I reviewed their very first Bluetooth speaker. They have steadily improved and, since becoming part of the Incipio portfolio, have made some great moves with regard to the diversity of their audio products and the sound they deliver. That noted, I’ll have to describe the sound delivered by the Flye Sport as… fine. That’s not a knock against the earphone. They are under $50 and, while a definite step up from Apple’s EarPods, they aren’t going to set the audiophile’s heart on fire. Then again, if you were expecting them to sound like audiophile-grade headphones you are unrealistic. These are inexpensive earphones designed to let you cut the cord and listen to tunes when you are on the go. When approached from that perspective they are certainly a worthy contender. Check them out here.
Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample
What I Like: Under $50; Come in three different colors; IPX5 Waterproofing; Great battery life for small, lightweight wireless earbuds
What Needs Improvement: Found them moving a bit too much when I ran with them; Sound is… fine