Over the last year, I have tested out my fair share of audio equipment. I’ve had the pleasure of trying out soundbars, headphones, gaming headsets, and even earbuds. But none thus far really just got me like SOUL’s EMOTION PRO Hybrid ANC True Wireless Earbuds.

With an easy-to-pick-up app, fantastic sound, and the best fit I’ve ever had from any single pair of earbuds, they really seemed to get what I really wanted from them. And while I’d love to say that these truly are the best earbuds available, some finicky touch controls get in the way of what seems like a pair of too-good-to-be-true earbuds.

What’s in the box

Within the contents of its box, you’ll find the EMOTION PRO earbuds themselves, their charging case, 6 pairs of ear tips, a USB-Type C cable, and a carabiner that hooks to the charging case. I really like the large selection of included ear tips to choose from as they’re even in different shapes too. I was able to find my perfect fit because of their inclusion and it really made my experience that much better overall.

Aesthetics and Build Quality

I’ve got to say, these earbuds definitely have a unique look to them. They’re a pretty odd-looking pair but their design actually feels pretty genius when you actually put them into your hearing holes. The body shape and “tail” fit perfectly like that last puzzle piece that you place to finish the picture.

I have gotta say though, the case’s small design really works for me. It’s easy to toss in or on a bag depending on if you connected the carabiner. I wouldn’t say that the case is like Fort Knox though as it is a bit soft. I’d watch out if you plan on hanging this from your backpack if you’re someone who tosses it onto the ground.

Build quality overall though isn’t too shaby. I’d say that they’re pretty on-par for their price-point. They’re a satisfyingly light and small package that will most definitely hold up against your daily wear and tear. The added addition of IPX5 Sweat Resistance is just an added bonus of the fact that they can take a bit of your daily routine without falling apart.

Specs and Audio Quality

• Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling

• Crystal Clear Calls

• Transparency Mode

• Up to 36 Hours of Battery Life

• Low Latency

• Multipoint Connectivity

• IPX5 Sweat Resistant

• Wireless Charging

• AAC Codec

Like most earbuds these days, the EMOTION PROs pack more into them besides the ability to play music or answer calls. You have noise-canceling features, low latency, and multipoint connectivity, to name a few. It’s just about everything you’d need out of a pair of earbuds these days with only a few hangups that get in the way.

Firstly, I did notice at some points during use, the earbuds would randomly tell me that they disconnected only to reconnect again. Additionally, while watching a YouTube video, they paused once or twice at random. I really haven’t had this issue with any Bluetooth earbuds/headphones I’ve tested lately so I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it’s these earbuds’ fault.

My biggest complaint though is that the touch controls are really lacking. Oftentimes, the earbuds won’t pick up on your touches, the voice indicator for the buds won’t indicate what’s being toggled, or the ANC settings will go on the fritz with one ear doing one setting while the other does another one.

Going into the more positive direction though, listening to music, playing games, or watching videos is a blast. The latency is not noticeable at all, allowing for a fun and user-friendly experience. Music specifically is great with sound signatures that are crisp and clear throughout.

A big feature with the audio is the SOUL app which allows users to adjust their EQ or ANC settings via the already loaded presets or by letting you change it manually. I really appreciate the simplicity of SOUL’s app as it’s pretty clean and easy to just pick up.

What It Could Have Done Better

As I had said above; the touch controls and once in a while connection issues really do get in the way of the overall enjoyment that these earbuds have to offer. They’re not horrible issues but they’re just something that I wish weren’t included in the package.

Verdict

SOUL has done a fine job at creating some pretty terrific earbuds that found a sweet spot in my heart. They sound great and fit like a glove which really won me over. Unfortunately, there are apparent issues that, at this price point, shouldn’t be lingering around. They’re an at times aggravating aspect of what is otherwise a fantastic set of earbuds.