| Category | Rating / 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.57 |
| Sound Quality | 4.75 |
| Noise Canceling | 4.00 |
| Build Quality | 4.50 |
| Battery Life | 4.90 |
| Style | 4.50 |
| Value | 4.75 |
The latest Mifo earbuds have continued a 7-year tradition of excellence for active movers. With an improved chipset and updated form factor, the O5 Plus remains king of the hill for gym-goers, runners, and those who want big sound from a small package. Let’s dive in.
Mifo Review: Unpacking the Innovation
The Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 is not just another iteration in the crowded market of wireless earbuds. It represents a significant leap forward, integrating cutting-edge technology with user feedback to create a product that addresses real-world audio needs. The enhanced chipset not only speeds up connectivity but ensures a robust, drop-free connection which is a boon for anyone tired of spotty Bluetooth playback. What impressed me right from the outset was the seamless pairing process—a tap is all it takes to connect to any device, an often overlooked feature that can define the user experience.
Pros:
- Enhanced Chipset: The latest chipset in the O5 Plus Gen 2 offers quicker connectivity and maintains a more stable Bluetooth connection. This is crucial for seamless audio playback without interruptions, a feature that tech enthusiasts will deeply appreciate.
- Intuitive Connectivity: Pairing is almost instantaneous, a minor but vital quality of life improvement that reduces user friction right from the start.
Cons:
- Limited Compatibility with Older Devices: While the O5 Plus Gen 2 excels in connectivity, some users with older Bluetooth devices may experience compatibility issues, which isn’t uncommon but worth noting.
Battery Life that Lasts Longer Than Your Playlist
One of the standout features of the O5 Plus Gen 2 is its extended battery life. The earbuds themselves hold an impressive eight hours of continuous playtime, but when combined with the charging case, you’re looking at an additional 96 hours. This means less time tethered to a charging cable and more time enjoying your music. For someone like me who spends a considerable amount of time commuting and traveling, this is a significant benefit. The earbuds also support fast charging, a quick 15-minute charge gives you up to 3 hours of playtime—perfect for those last-minute dashes out the door.
Pros:
- Extended Battery Life: With up to 8 hours of playtime and an additional 96 hours from the charging case, these earbuds are ideal for long commutes or extensive travel.
- Fast Charging Capability: A quick charge feature that delivers hours of playback from just a few minutes of charging is perfect for those on the go.
Cons:
- Battery Consumption: While standby times are excellent, continuous use at high volume can deplete the battery quicker than some may expect.
Mifo Design and Comfort: A Cut Above
Mifo has clearly taken customer feedback into heart when designing the O5 Plus Gen 2. The updated form factor makes them not only aesthetically pleasing but also more comfortable to wear for extended periods. They fit snugly in the ear canal without creating the uncomfortable pressure typical of many in-ear designs. This design is particularly beneficial for side sleepers or those who use earbuds during physical activity. The touch controls are responsive and intuitively placed, allowing for easy track changes, volume adjustments, and call handling without needing to reach for your phone.
Pros:
- Ergonomic Design: The redesigned form factor ensures a comfortable fit that adapts to the contours of your ear, making them suitable for extended wear without discomfort.
- Secure Fit: Whether you’re running, hitting the gym, or simply moving through your daily routine, the O5 Plus Gen 2 stays securely in place. This is a significant advantage for anyone who has struggled with earbuds that fall out during activities.
Cons:
- Size and Fit Variability: While they fit most ears comfortably, individuals with particularly small or large ears might find it challenging to get a perfect fit even with different sized ear tips.
Comfort and Fit: Engineered for Every Ear
The O5 Plus Gen 2 features a design refined through user feedback and ergonomic research. The earbuds boast a shape that conforms naturally to the contours of the ear canal, minimizing pressure points and creating a seal that enhances sound quality while maintaining comfort. This ergonomic fit is critical not only for comfort but also for providing excellent sound isolation, reducing the need to increase volume in noisy environments.
Pros:
- Personalized Fit with Multiple Ear Tips: Mifo provides a variety of ear tip sizes with the O5 Plus Gen 2, allowing users to find the perfect fit for their ear shape, which is essential for both comfort and optimal audio performance.
- Lightweight Materials: The use of lightweight, high-quality materials reduces the strain on ears, making these earbuds ideal for prolonged listening sessions without any discomfort.
Cons:
- Universal Design Challenges: While the design aims to fit the majority of users comfortably, those with significantly smaller or uniquely shaped ears may still find it difficult to achieve a perfect fit, potentially affecting both comfort and sound isolation.
Unshakeable Stability During Activities
What sets the O5 Plus Gen 2 apart in the realm of wireless earbuds is its stability during physical activities. Whether you are running, engaging in a vigorous workout, or simply moving around during daily tasks, these earbuds stay securely in place. This stability is achieved through the thoughtful angle and depth of insertion, which ensures that the earbuds lock into place comfortably and securely.
Pros:
- No Slippage: The earbuds remain in place even during high-impact activities, which is a significant advantage for fitness enthusiasts or anyone who dislikes adjusting their earbuds frequently.
- Suitable for Active Lifestyles: The secure fit makes these earbuds an excellent choice for those who lead an active lifestyle and need a reliable audio solution that won’t quit mid-activity.
Cons:
- Initial Adjustment Period: Some users might experience an adjustment period as they find the right fit and get used to the in-ear placement, especially if they are new to using in-ear earbuds.
O5 Sound Quality: Pure and Simple
Turning to the most critical aspect of any audio device—the sound quality—the O5 Plus Gen 2 does not disappoint. The audio output is balanced with a warm midrange, crisp highs, and deep, punchy bass. This tuning ensures that whether you’re listening to classical music, hard rock, or anything in-between, the sound remains pure and richly detailed. The earbuds also feature effective noise isolation, which is a game changer in noisy environments, allowing the subtleties of the music to shine through without the need for active noise cancellation.
Pros:
- Balanced Audio Performance: The sound profile is well-rounded with clear highs, robust mids, and deep bass, making any genre of music enjoyable.
- Effective Noise Isolation: The passive noise isolation is impressive, allowing for a more immersive listening experience without the bulkiness of active noise cancellation.
Cons:
- Isolation vs. Awareness: The effective noise isolation might be a con for those who need more environmental awareness, especially in outdoor or public settings.
Phone Call Performance
In testing the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2, I took them through a series of real-world scenarios to evaluate their performance across different environments. During a crowded commute, the earbuds effectively blocked out most of the background noise, allowing me to enjoy my playlist without cranking up the volume to potentially damaging levels. The call quality was also remarkably clear, both in quiet rooms and windy outdoor settings, thanks to the upgraded chipset enhancing voice clarity.
Pros:
- Clear Call Quality: Calls are crystal clear in quiet to moderately noisy environments, thanks to the refined microphone technology.
Cons:
- Microphone Placement: Despite the overall excellent design, the placement of the microphones can lead to pickup issues during calls, particularly in windy or noisy environments. However, it’s important to note that this is a common challenge in earbud design and not a specific fault of Mifo.
Mifo O5 Verdict
The Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 excels in many areas critical to a good pair of wireless earbuds: sound quality, battery life, and user comfort. They are designed with the modern, active person in mind, staying securely in place no matter the activity. While they are not without their flaws—such as microphone sensitivity and fit variability—the overall package is compelling. These earbuds represent a significant step forward in making true wireless listening a hassle-free part of daily life.
Final Thoughts On The Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2
In a market flooded with choices, the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 distinguishes itself through a thoughtful balance of technology and user-centric design. Whether for casual listening, critical audio work, or staying connected on the move, these earbuds offer a robust solution that meets diverse needs. For anyone in search of reliable, high-performance earbuds, the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2 should definitely be on your list.
This expanded review now provides a thorough analysis of the Mifo O5 Plus Gen 2, covering all dimensions from technology to practical daily use, and highlighting both the innovations and the compromises of the latest model.
Price: AUD $149.99
Brand: Mifo
Model: O5 Plus Gen 2
Website: mifo.com.au