Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro: Rich features and great sound performance

Technological advancement is relentless, with smartphones swiftly becoming the norm, surpassing traditional mobile phones. Each year, they evolve to be faster, more sophisticated, and superior in performance. Similarly, the transition from wired to wireless headphones marks a significant shift, with many opting for True Wireless Stereo (TWS) for its convenience. Advances in technology, including improved chips and codecs, have progressively enhanced sound quality. While wired headphones traditionally offered superior sound, the gap is gradually closing. It’s conceivable that more users will migrate to TWS in the near future. Wireless headphones offer advantages beyond the absence of wires, such as noise cancellation, transparency mode, and touch controls for music and calls, simplifying the user experience.

In this review, we’re diving into the OPPO Enco Air2 Pro, a mid-range offering from the brand priced at around $80. These headphones come packed with features like Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, high-quality microphones, and an aesthetically pleasing design. They also boast impressive sound quality.

Design

The OPPO Enco Air2 Pro comes in a small, square white box that shows the headphones on a gray background. The name of the model is written on top, the name of the brand is written below.

headphones in OPPO Enco Air2 Pro case
charging cable (USB A – USB C)
3 pairs of replaceable ear pads of three different sizes, including the middle ones that are already installed on the headphones, the other 2 are in the bag
instruction manual and warranty card

The packaging for the OPPO Enco Air2 Pro is compact, aligning with the headphones’ affordable price point by including only the essentials. The design is characterized by minimalism; both the case and the headphones themselves are crafted in white. The case’s transparent plastic lid catches and refracts light, lending an additional touch of elegance. Build quality is solid, despite a slight play in the lid—a common trait in this price category. A multi-colored indicator on the front displays the battery level through color changes (green for 100-50%, yellow for 50-15%, and red for below 15%). It shines white when the headphones are unpaired and blinks blue during pairing mode.

The earbuds themselves sport a simple, sleek design with a vacuum seal for a snug fit. Equipped with sensors on the stems of both the left and right earbuds, these allow for intuitive touch controls. Positioned at the bottom of each earbud are two charging contacts, alongside engraved letters ‘R’ for right and ‘L’ for left, which also house playback and pause controls. A standout feature is the automatic pause when the earbuds are removed from the ears, a convenience not found in some pricier alternatives. This thoughtful implementation enhances user experience significantly.

Specifications

The OPPO Enco Air2 Pro headphones boast a trio of operational modes: active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and the standard listening mode, each designed to enhance the listening experience under different conditions.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): The ANC mode impressively filters out background noise, performing on par with higher-end models like the Technics AZ60s. It effectively dampens voice and low-frequency sounds, though it struggles slightly with higher frequencies. The headphones also offer solid passive noise isolation, ensuring a snug fit that keeps them secure during movements without protruding uncomfortably from the ears.

Transparency Mode: While the transparency mode is somewhat basic, it’s a useful feature for staying aware of your surroundings. However, you’ll still feel the presence of the earbuds in your ears, which may detract from the experience for some users.

Normal Mode: In this mode, the audio output is optimized for the most accurate frequency reproduction, offering a pure and unaltered sound profile.

Each earbud incorporates two microphones—one for ANC and the other for voice calls—enhanced with AI algorithms to improve call clarity. The performance is reliable, ensuring clear communication with callers.

Battery Life: Battery performance is decent, offering 7 hours of playback without ANC and 5 hours with it at 50% volume. Real-world usage at 70-75% volume with ANC enabled yields about 4 hours, a respectable duration for these headphones. Additionally, a quick 10-minute charge can provide up to 2 hours of listening time at moderate volume levels.

Features and Controls: The earbuds come with a responsive pause and playback sensor, a feature not universally available in more expensive models. They are IP54 rated, providing protection against dust and water splashes, making them suitable for workouts and outdoor use. Touch controls on each earbud allow for customizable commands through the accompanying HeyMelody app, including play/pause, call management, volume adjustments, and mode selection. Users can even configure the earbuds to trigger a camera shutter.

HeyMelody App: The app offers a straightforward interface for managing the headphones, displaying battery levels, mode selections, and EQ settings. Although it provides three EQ presets (Original Sound, Bass Boost, and Clear Voices), the lack of a detailed equalizer for finer adjustments is noted. However, users can resort to their phone’s or streaming service’s built-in equalizer for more precise sound customization. Additional features include a game mode, a find-my-headphones function that plays a high-frequency sound, and firmware updates.

Overall, the OPPO Enco Air2 Pro headphones deliver a versatile and user-friendly experience, with a balance of sound quality, functionality, and convenience, though with room for improvement in EQ customization.

Sound

Before delving into sound quality and comparative analysis, it’s crucial to understand the technological foundation of the OPPO Enco Air2 Pro headphones. They are equipped with 12.4mm titanized large-diaphragm drivers, which boast an 89% larger vibration area compared to the standard 9mm diaphragm found in many headphones. This larger diaphragm size allows for deeper bass and a broader soundstage, offering a more enveloping listening experience. The titanium coating enhances rigidity, ensuring that sound detail is preserved even at high volumes.

The audio output of the OPPO Enco Air2 Pro is notably rich, deep, and vibrant for its price point. The sound signature is characterized by a v-shaped profile, which emphasizes both the lower and higher frequencies, making it appealing to a wide audience.

Frequency Response:

Low Frequencies: The bass is both impressive and pronounced, providing a deep and soft texture. In some instances, it might feel slightly overwhelming, catering well to bass enthusiasts.
Mid Frequencies: Mids are reasonably clear and pleasant, though not crystalline, offering a legible and enjoyable listening experience.
High Frequencies: The treble is bright but less dominant compared to the bass, making these headphones suitable for those sensitive to high frequencies. While micro-contrast is modest, the overall presentation is lively and suits a variety of music genres, particularly electronic, rock, and pop.

Comparing the OPPO Enco Air2 Pro to the Technics AZ60— which costs about twice as much—the differences become apparent. The Technics lack the auto-pause/play feature found in the OPPO but excel in ANC and transparency mode. Voice transmission during calls is slightly better with the OPPO, offering a deeper timbre reproduction. The Technics outperform the OPPO in noise cancellation by approximately 20% and offer a more refined transparency mode, particularly in “attention mode” where it amplifies ambient sounds more effectively than natural hearing.

Battery performance is similar for both models, with approximately 4 hours of playback at 70-75% volume with ANC enabled. The Technics offer a more intuitive control experience due to a larger sensor area, reducing the chance of accidental inputs—a minor issue observed with the OPPO.

In terms of sound comparison, the Technics can be seen as a more refined version of the OPPO, with a similar sound profile that leans towards a musical and slightly darkened tone, emphasizing bass. However, the Technics deliver more detailed and brighter mid frequencies, enhancing overall clarity and definition.

Conclusion

The OPPO Enco Air2 Pro headphones emerge as a standout offering from a renowned smartphone brand, blending quality, comfort, and affordability with an engaging sound profile. These headphones are adept at handling a wide range of music genres, delivering a dynamic and bass-forward audio experience that resonates with many listeners. Featuring advanced technologies such as active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and intuitive sensors for pause and play functionality, they cater to the needs of contemporary users. Additionally, their design includes protection against splashes and sweat, making them a versatile choice for active lifestyles. Overall, the OPPO Enco Air2 Pro provides rich features and great sound performance at a competitive price point, standing out in the crowded market of personal audio devices.

Specifications:

Acoustic parameters:

dynamic driver: 12.4 mm
sensitivity: 110.5 ± 3 dB at 1 kHz
frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Dimensions and weight:

weight (1 earphone): 4.3 g
weight (charging case) 42 g
weight (entire device) 50.5 g
dimensions of the charging case: 66.8 x 51.4 x 25 mm

Battery, charging and operating time:

type: lithium-ion
battery capacity: 43 mAh (headphones)/440 mAh (charging case)
when playing music at 50% volume:
with noise reduction turned off, 7 hours (one charge); 28 hours (charging case)
with active noise reduction 5 hours (one charge); 20 hours (charging case)
charging time: 90 minutes (headphones) / 120 minutes (headphones + charging case)
charging port – USB C

Wireless connection: