The Air Pro 4+ represents EarFun's latest flagship true wireless earbuds, featuring a robust array of specifications. These include a dual-driver setup with a hybrid dynamic driver and balanced armature arrangement, extensive codec support such as LDAC, aptX Lossless, and LC3 with Auracast, a six-microphone system, a low-latency mode of less than 50ms, wireless charging, and active noise cancellation.
All of this is available for under $100; at the time of this review, the price is just $76. Let’s explore how they perform.
Design
The design of the Air Pro 4+ closely resembles that of the previous Air Pro 4 model, featuring a glossy dual-tone finish and elongated stems. Although the earbuds are slightly bulkier, this does not hinder usability and actually makes handling them easier.
The charging case has seen a complete redesign, now featuring a stylish vertically opening hatch that reveals a sizable interior, reminiscent of hatch designs in mid-engine cars such as the Ford GT40. Inside, the earbuds are stored vertically, presenting a more appealing look compared to traditional cases.
The overall build quality, fit, and finish of both the earbuds and case are commendable. Additionally, the earbuds carry an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance.
In terms of comfort, the Air Pro 4+ excels again, featuring soft ear tips that avoid discomfort during insertion and removal. They can be worn for extended periods without causing any aches or pains.
Software
The EarFun Air Pro 4+ pairs seamlessly with the EarFun Audio app, available on both Android and iOS platforms. As noted in previous reviews of EarFun products, this app is user-friendly and contains all relevant features.
A new feature introduced in this app is AI Translation. In theory, it operates similarly to the function found on the AirPods Pro 3, translating foreign languages in real-time. Users can also speak into the earbuds, enabling the app to translate spoken text for sharing.
EarFun Audio app
In practice, however, the translation feature is often inconsistent. While the AirPods Pro 3 provide reasonably swift translations, the Air Pro 4+ lags significantly, making it impractical for real-time conversations. While future updates may enhance its usability, currently it lacks reliability for practical use.
Performance
Audio Quality
The Air Pro 4+ employs a hybrid dual-driver design that includes a 10mm dynamic driver combined with a balanced armature unit. They support Bluetooth 6.0 and a variety of audio codecs—from SBC and AAC to LDAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless, as well as LC3 under Bluetooth LE with Auracast.
The standout codec here is aptX Lossless, which is still uncommon across devices. Unfortunately, I was unable to test it with a compatible smartphone, so I evaluated using aptX Adaptive instead, with LDAC as a close second during normal testing.
The audio quality of the Air Pro 4+ is notably impressive. EarFun consistently demonstrates a refined approach to audio tuning, making the Air Pro 4+ the best offering from the company thus far.
They effectively embody the widely acclaimed Harman target curve, providing an appropriate bass boost above reference levels, a slight dip in mids, and good treble extension. The bass delivers ample body and weight without being overwhelming, while the mids maintain clarity with notable vocal articulation and instrument separation. The treble produced by the balanced armature is sharp and clear, with no disconnect from the dynamic driver or harshness. The overall sound is balanced, clean, and versatile across various genres and content.
One area where EarFun could improve is the timbre. Achieving a natural sound remains a challenge, even with good tuning. There may be instances where the audio sounds a bit metallic, which is particularly true with balanced armature units. This can create a slightly nasal quality at times.
This critique may seem overly particular, yet it highlights a common concern with many audio products from Chinese manufacturers: impressive technical performance but a lack of the nuance and musicality that creates a deeply engaging listening experience. Until this last detail, which allows true connection to music, is achieved, true audio excellence eludes completion.
Microphone
The microphone performance of the Air Pro 4+ is satisfactory. In quieter settings, voices resonate clearly and audibly for the receiver. However, in more chaotic environments, while the earbuds manage to suppress background noise moderately well, the voice quality decreases significantly but remains understandable.
Noise Cancellation
Active noise cancellation is another feature of the Air Pro 4+. Users can choose from two automatic modes or manually adjust the ANC strength. There is also a wind mode that reduces buffeting noise in windy conditions, though users must enable this manually, unlike some competitors which automatically engage it in such contexts.
The ANC performance of the Air Pro 4+ is underwhelming. While it produces fair isolation at lower frequencies, higher frequencies remain mostly unaffected, resulting in limited noise cancellation and a persistent awareness of one's surroundings. I have encountered superior ANC performance even within this price range.
The earbuds also offer a transparency mode that functions adequately. The default mode enhances sounds around the user across all frequencies, yielding reasonable clarity, albeit with an unnatural quality. A 'Natural' mode is designed to address this but delivers a somewhat muted and stuffy sound.
One minor drawback is that if one earbud is removed while wearing ANC, the other does not instantly switch to transparency mode. Many competitors enable this feature, allowing quick adaptation to surroundings. If you switch to transparency mode with one earbud removed, both earbuds will remain in transparency mode even upon reinsertion.
Battery Life
The Air Pro 4+ boasts a claimed battery life of 12 hours with ANC turned off. However, my testing revealed only 6.5 hours with LDAC set to the Balanced bitrate and 8.25 hours with aptX Adaptive.
Conclusion
The Air Pro 4+ delivers an excellent auditory experience, consistently meeting the expectations set by EarFun. The diverse codec support enhances usability, but the sound quality remains stellar regardless of the codec employed.
However, other performance metrics align more closely with the price point. While the microphone quality and battery life are acceptable, the ANC performance falls short of expectations.
For those prioritizing the latter attributes, I would not recommend the Air Pro 4+. Instead, these earbuds represent a straightforward choice for audiophiles who prioritize sound quality above all else. They are perfect for users transitioning into budget in-ear monitor (IEM) privileges and seeking a hassle-free audio experience without the constraints of wired connections.
