New EarFun Clip 2 open-ear wireless earbuds pack an unusual combination of features for their price point — real-time AI translation, hi-res audio certification, Bluetooth 6.0 — the company said Monday. And you get it all for $79.99 (or $59.99 at launch).
EarFun Clip 2 earbuds: An unusual design for all-day wear
Unlike traditional in-ear buds along the lines of AirPods, Clip 2 uses a C-shaped nickel-titanium bridge that clips around the ear rather than sitting inside the ear canal. EarFun said the 5.5-gram design went through over 20,000 flex tests and ten months of user data before launch, with the goal of eliminating pressure and fatigue that can come from extended in-ear listening.
The open-ear form also means ambient sound stays audible — a setup that works well for commuters, remote workers and anyone who spends long hours on calls.
(See also: Value-packed EarFun Clip 2 open-ear earbuds put awareness first [Review])
Sound quality and spatial audio
Photo: EarFun
At the heart of each Clip 2 bud is a 12mm dual-magnetic titanium composite driver paired with EarFun’s proprietary BassSurge technology. The earbuds carry LDAC certification. It supports higher-resolution audio streaming over Bluetooth (for Android) than the standard SBC or AAC codecs typically used by mainstream earbuds like AirPods.
A Spatial Stage mode and a dedicated theater mode aim to create a wider, more directional soundstage for movies and gaming, while an ultra-low-latency setting reduces audio lag for video and game content.
AI translation across 100+ languages
One of the more distinctive features come in the real-time AI translation supporting over 100 languages, accessible through EarFun’s companion app. The feature is designed for live conversations rather than media playback. That lets two people speak different languages and hear translations in their earbuds.
In addition, the app handles EQ presets, control customization and listening mode adjustments.
EarFun Clip 2 earbuds: Calls, connectivity, and battery
Photo: EarFun
For calls, the Clip 2 uses a quad-microphone array with AI-powered environmental noise cancellation. Connectivity runs on Bluetooth 6.0 with multipoint pairing for two simultaneous devices. And Android users get Google Fast Pair support.
So battery life should get you 11 hours per charge with 40 total hours from the USB-C case. A 10-minute quick charge delivers about 2.5 hours of playback. The earbuds carry an IP55 water resistance rating.
EarFun Clip 2 goes on sale Monday at EarFun’s website and on Amazon.
These lightweight, clip-on headphones feature LDAC Hi-Res Audio,12mm titanium drivers, four microphones with AI for clear calls, AI translation, secure fit, 40-hour playtime and Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity.
- Noninvasive fit for those who like ears free
- AI translation
- Long battery life
- Advanced Bluetooth 6.0 connectivity
- LDAC Hi-Res Audio codec is Android only
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
