SoundPEATS Air3- The case with a headset, a USB Type-C charging cable, and a short manual. First of all, the case and the two earplugs are very compact and light. Much smaller is not possible anymore, and yes, optically, they look somehow like the AirPods 3.
See Detailed review SoundPEATS Air3
JBL launched the TUNE 225TWS, a successor to the 220TWS. The TUNE 225TWS should only represent a detailed improvement. The packaging of the new JBL Tune 225TWS is same as JBL Tune 220TWS with few changes. The packaging design corresponds to the typical JBL design language so that you are offered compact packaging that comes in the standard white, gray, and orange colors used by JBL.
See Detailed review JBL Tune 225 TWS
| SoundPEATS Air3 | JBL Tune 225 TWS | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | SoundPEATS | JBL |
| Model | Air3 | Tune 225 TWS |
| Weight | 1.16 ounces | 57 g |
| Dimension | 1.94 x 0.88 x 1.87 inches | 160 x 100 x 44 mm |
| Type | Earbuds | Earbuds |
| Colors | Black | Black, Blue, White |
| Driver | 14.2mm driver | 12 mm |
| ANC | No | No |
| Foldable Design | No | No |
| Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Impedance | 16 Ohms | 32 Ohms |
| Music Controls | Yes | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz | 20 Hz – 20 kHz |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Codec | AptX, AptX-adaptive, SBC | A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5, HFP 1.7 |
| Battery Life | Up to 17.5 hours | Up to 25 hours |
| Connector Type | USB-C | USB-C |
| Detailed Review | SoundPEATS Air3 | JBL Tune 225 TWS |
Design
Soundpeats Air3 holds upright magnetically in the housing and can be safely gripped and removed. What is immediately noticeable is the absence of silicone earplugs to have “semi-in-ears” in front of us. Memories of the Apple Airpods wake up.
The simple, matt plastic housing is adorned with a gray surface with a logo on the back, also used for touch-sensitive control. The contact surfaces are located at the lower end of the 20mm long stems.
As with the case, the quality is relatively simple but free from defects. So all edges are smooth, rounded and there are no gaps to criticize. The Air3 is also splash-proof according to IPX5 and withstand sweat and rain showers.
The TUNE 225TWS are so-called “semi-in-ear” earphones. This means that they do not have well-known silicone attachments. Instead, the earbuds are placed in your ears. Of course, this design is a matter of taste but became quite popular with the Apple AirPods.
The earphones themselves, like the Apple AirPods, have a bridge design. Does that mean you have your earphones and a small bridge protruding down from them, which extends to the level of the earlobes? There is a control button on the back of this bar. As usual, the earphones are switched on / off automatically when you put them in or take them out of the charging case.
Comfort
Soundpeats Air3- Because the (semi) in-ears do not have silicone pads, they cannot be ergonomically adjusted and are not inserted deep into the ear canal. This has several consequences. On the other hand, the very discreet seat without any pressure is pleasant. Even after hours, there are no complaints. The other side of the coin is the lack of security. In everyday life, the in-ears stay securely in the ear. In sport, the shape of the ears is essential. If it doesn’t fit, they will fall out or provoke through the loose fit that you constantly follow up. They sit perfectly in my ear, but unfortunately not in my better half’s.
JBL Tune 225 TWS- Wearing comfort is always a matter of taste, especially with in-ear headphones. If you don’t like the comfort of in-ear headphones, then the JBL TUNE 225TWS could be the ideal alternative for you.
Because the silicone tips are not used, the earphones lie in your ears without the “fingers in the ears” feeling of normal in-ears. The JBL TUNE 225TWS are particularly pleasant to use when doing sports, and you are not that isolated from the environment. So (if the music is not too loud), you would still hear a car or someone calling you.
Sound
Thanks to the Qualcomm 3040 chip, the Soundpeats Air3 supports the aptX and aptX adaptive codec, which we naturally use for the assessment, apart from ABC and AAC. First of all, it should be said that the correct fit and the shape of the ear are decisive for the sound performance. If the earphones are not inserted perfectly, i.e., sufficiently deep and slightly angled in the ear, they lose a lot of volume in the bass and then do not sound good.
The Soundpeats Air3 can bring the bass to the stage even at low volume. There is increasing hum and overdriving of bass and treble at very high volumes. Level stability is not the strength. The highs lack brilliance and blend in with the warm, slightly muffled sound.
JBL TUNE 225TWS- The sound of semi-in-ear headphones is always such a thing. Due to the lack of a seal on your ear, these earphones often have problems building up “pressure.” But this is important for bass performance.
The JBL TUNE 220TWS, not much or even nothing has changed in terms of sound. The TUNE 225TWS has a very open and spatial sound that you usually do not find with in-ears. The earphones are almost more reminiscent of regular headphones, which sound slightly looser.
So it’s not surprising that the heights of the TUNE 225TWS are good, if not very good! These are nice and clear and have a certain natural openness, making them appear much less strenuous. And this despite a certain sharpness.
The centers are rather mediocre in return. The TUNE 225TWS sound is comparatively excellent and thin in the middle. Here the earphones are somewhat lacking in volume and mass. Voices are easy to understand and sound quite natural. However, these are not super haunting either.
Conclusion!
The Soundpeats Air3 is undoubtedly not perfect, but can you expect that for the price? You have to turn a blind eye and see it in relation—the well-functioning automatic carrying detection, aptX Adaptive, including low-latency mode in a very compact transport case.
The sound quality depends on the genre and the correct fit. A thick bass makes pop songs fun if the little semi-in ears fit. They are not the first choice for rock music, and at the high volume, they increasingly tear. What bothered us most, where the sensitive touch fields repeatedly led to unwanted entries.
The “semi-in-ear” style is the selling point of the TUNE 225TWS and, at the same time, the biggest point of criticism.
If you don’t like regular in-ears due to the sealing of the ears or prefer the slightly more “airy” wearing comfort, then the JBL TUNE 225TWS are the best earphones you can get for around 100$.
What is the disadvantage of this style, however, is the sound. Due to the lack of sealing on your ear, such earphones always have problems with the bass! The JBL TUNE 225TWS generally don’t sound bad; they have a beautiful, dynamic and lively sound. However, you shouldn’t expect hammering bass.
