“Here’s our comprehensive review of the TAGG AirBuds”
It’s no secret that Bluetooth earphones have been playing catchup to their wired counterparts for some time now. Although wireless earphones (and headphones) have closed the gap in terms of sound quality in the premium segment, I still feel that budget-conscious buyers should stick to wired earbuds to get the best bang for their buck. That said, if you absolutely need a pair of Bluetooth earphones which sound good and don’t cost too much, then you will find yourself right at home with TAGG’s recently launched AirBuds. Here’s why.
Table of Contents
Design and Comfort
The TAGG AirBuds punch way above their weight (not literally) in terms of design. The earphones have been constructed using a blend of plastic and metal, and simply put, look and feel incredible. The housings for the drivers make use of metal and come with rounded corners which enhance the earphones’ overall looks. What’s more, the individual earpieces are magnetic, so you can stow away the earphones around your neck when you’re not using them.
As for the wire, TAGG has utilised a flat cable which doesn’t just look good, but is also tangle-free, thereby saving you the occasional headache of unknotting it. My only gripe with the earphone’s design is the presence of a plastic control pod which feels cheap and fragile.
Speaking of which, the control pod on the TAGG AirBuds includes three buttons along with an LED indicator. You’ll also get a micro-USB port positioned on the underside of the in-line remote to charge the earphones. The buttons have a satisfactory tactile click to them and can be used for a myriad of functions including increasing/decreasing the volume levels, skip tracks and play/pause the music playback.
I have no complaints with the AirBuds in the comfort department either. The earphones ship with three different sizes of wingtips and eartips which will help you narrow down the perfect fit for your ears down to a tee. Moreover, thanks to the earphones angular design, the AirBuds stayed put in my ears during intense workouts too.
Sound and Connectivity
Let’s get to the meat of the matter, shall we? The TAGG AirBuds are backed by a pair of 6mm drivers which have been positioned inside each earpiece. The earphones connect to compatible devices over Bluetooth v4.2 and ship with a 90mAh cell which the company claims lasts up to five hours off a single charge. More on that later, though.
In terms of the sound quality, I was pleasantly surprised by how well the earphones tackled bass. The 6mm drivers inside the AirBuds make every beat sound thunderous, paving way for an enjoyable experience when listening to tracks from the EDM and Hip-hop genre. Moreover, unlike the FiiO FB1 I reviewed recently, the bass output on the AirBuds has a controlled and tight impact too, which is what you’d want from any earphones which preface bass over other frequencies.
As for the mids, the earphones do a good job at reciprocating the entire vocal range of singers, though I did notice that the pair is mildly sibilant. Therefore, words ending in an ‘S’ might sound piercing at times. You can even listen to and enjoy rock songs on the earbuds, as long as you keep your expectations in check. You see, unlike pricier offerings, the AirBuds don’t excel at image separation and therefore, you might notice the songs especially from the rock genre to get muddy at higher volumes.
I was more than satisfied with how well the earphones held the Bluetooth connection. During my review period, I didn’t come across any instances of track skips or latency delays. That said, the in-call quality is nothing to write home about so if you take a lot of calls, you might want to look elsewhere. Unfortunately, the TAGG AirBuds failed to hit the company’s five-hour battery claim and lasted me a little over three hours before running out of charge.
Verdict
For its asking price of Rs 1,749, the TAGG AirBuds have plenty to offer. The earphones sport a stylish design which feels premium and sound great. While I would’ve liked the AirBuds’ battery to last a while longer, the earphones will definitely appease a lot of buyers. Therefore, if you are in the market for a pair of affordable Bluetooth earbuds, you shouldn’t look further than the TAGG AirBuds.
Editor’s rating: 3.5 / 5
Pros:
- Stylish, well-constructed design
- Decent sound
- Solid Bluetooth connection
Cons:
- In-call quality isn’t great
- Slightly sibilant
- Battery life not as advertised
