General Information
AFT2, the second True Wireless model from Audiofly. Easy to use, industry leading Bluetooth® tech, great play time – top of the range sound. The AFT2 is here to focus the spotlight on you and your music.
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AUDIOFLY AFT2
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Latest reviews
Preface
We have directly asked AUDIOFLY to review the AFT 2 and they kindly provided a review sample that it does not need to be returned.
They didn't asked for any kind of favors and they didn't read the review before it was published.
AUDIOFLY team thank you very much for the opportunity.
Introduction
Based in Australia, the Audiofly team of creative and diverse music lovers has been developing ground-breaking audio technology creating iems for professional and casual use with wired and wireless options.
Technology
The AFT2 is the second True wireless model from Audiofly that takes up from where the AFT1 has left off improving performance in several aspects.
It is a True wireless iem with a Qualcomm bluetooth 5.0 chip that supports aptX , SBC and AAC with an operating range of 20m.
Build quality
The units are made of solid plastic and the case is reinforced with aluminum at the exterior.
Build quality and finish are of good quality with a premium feel , nothing to complain about at this price point.
User interface
It is controlled with the aid of a touch control pad at both ear pieces that supports tap gestures to play, pause, skip songs , change volume and answer calls.
The gestures are fixed and cannot be customized as there isn't available an application that would allow something like that or add some kind of equalizer.
Physical etc
Battery duration during play time is rated at 10 hours for the ear pieces plus another extra 25 hours from the charging case and a total of 200 hours at standby state.
The units are stored and fully charged in 90 minutes inside the drawer type case which is quite a large one due to the big battery that is housed inside.
The case is charged from the usb type C port in 90 minutes as fast charging is supported.
At the top of the case there is a small button that we press in order to be informed about battery level through a four LED indicator.
The LEDs keep flashing while the buds are being charged inside the case and it goes off when they are fully charged.
The ear buds are IPX-5 rated and the weight is about 10gr for each ear piece and 100gr for the case fully loaded.
Inside the box we will find a usb type C to A cable and only two sets of ear tips one small and one medium.
Inspired by the colours of the iconic Australian landscape, the AFT2 is available in Granite, Sand, Sunset and Gum Leaf and they retail about 130€.
Real life use
With such a great experience at designing pro range ear monitors it is not of a surprise for Audiofly that the AFT2 is designed with an anatomical shape molded like a custom iem.
The fit is truly exceptional and one of the best we have ever experienced with a true wireless monitor.
They insert deep with one simple move and they stay in place without causing pain or discomfort.
The contact with the outer ear is perfect so they seal well keeping noise at minimum levels without irritating the ear.
A very comfortable fit with the only downside being the lack of supplied ear tips so depending on your ear shape you may need some extra ones.
Controlling the AFT2 is easy and simple with a minimal learning curve thanks to the responsive touch pad.
As always with such designs we should be careful while fitting and removing the ear pieces not to accidentally touch the control zone.
The bluetooth connection is very stable and we haven't experienced any drop outs with an operating distance about 15 meters in a straight line without obstacles.
Re-connection after putting the buds out of the case is pretty fast and we can choose both left or right ear bud to answer calls.
Call quality is excellent and crystal clear both for the caller and the answerer and we haven't noticed any significant latency while watching movies.
Real life battery duration is quite close to the one advertised and if you charge the case one or two times a week it is very unlikely to run out of battery.
Sound impressions.
From the first listening tests we were quite impressed and it became immediately apparent that the AFT2 is designed with sound quality as the primary feature.
Audiofly's pro origins are again obvious here as the AFT2 is tuned evenly and well balanced with a natural tonality.
Bass is very good and well controlled extending low enough without being boosted at all.
It can handle all kinds of music with ease without much left to be desired but don't expect bass cannon levels.
It is clear and punchy with clean and straight lines offering a dynamic behavior with enough layering to portray complex passages without sounding one note bass.
Pretty amazing for a 6mm driver unit.
Transition to the mids is straight forward without midbass bleeding with a slight emphasis on the lower mids adding a touch of warmness.
Mids are clear and rounded , well articulated with the proper timbre and an engaging feel to them.
Treble is well done with an even well handed presentation that is faithful to the source with a good amount of detail retrieval.
There is enough sparkle to make things alive but it is never too sibilant or harsh sounding.
Decay is acceptable and it doesn't sound very thin while the only thing that keeps the AFT2 from being truly great at the higher registers is the overall lack of fidelity and some loss of extension.
This is of course related to the bluetooth aptX protocol restrictions rather a design flaw from the Audiofly team.
Regarding headstage don't expect miracles as the overall presentation is a center based image but with good levels of clarity and instrument positioning so it doesn't sound congested.
At the end we can definitely conclude that the AFT2 is a truly great performer with all kinds of music - complex classical included - and able to directly compete with rivals two and three times more expensive like the Sennheiser Momentum 2.
The inclusion of an app with a built in equalizer would be very welcomed in order to fine tune the sound.
Selected comparisons
Vs the Sennheiser CX 400BT
The more expensive Sennheiser CX 400BT is selling for about 200€.
Weight is about 6gr for one piece and 49gr for the loaded case that is half the weight of the AFT2 case.
The charging case is much more discreet and less bulky but with the penalty of offering 13 hours of extra charge time vs the 25 of the AFT2.
Same goes for the buds which are more discreet and light weight but they will last 3 hours less than the AFT2.
Despite the CX 400BT being smallish the fit of the AFT2 is much more anatomical , secure and strain free at least for our ear shape.
No IPX rating for the Sennheiser CX 400BT.
Bluetooth is 5.0 with the same codes for both devices but the CX 400BT is supported with a great app that allows to fully customize the touch controls plus adds a well implemented DSP.
On the minus side for the CX400BT is that calls can be answered only with the right ear piece so when it is discharged we can't use the left one.
Sound is quite similar but the CX400 feels more warm with a touch of added bass although a little less refined and a bit boomy with some added sparkle at the higher registers.
Both are very satisfying with music listening with the AFT 2 offering a more natural and purist approach.
You can't go wrong with either and after considering the price difference musical tastes or other variables regarding functionality or physical appearance you should be able to choose.
Vs the RHA TrueConnect 2
You can have the RHA TrueConnect for 160€ or sometimes at 120€ when they are discounted.
The weight is about 6gr per piece and 91gr for the loaded case just 9gr less than the AFT2.
Battery life is 9 hours for the buds and 35 hours from case that is 10 hours more than the AFT2.
The bluetooth version is 5.0 without aptX support and as with the AFT2 there is not an available application for extra configuration.
They are IPX55 certified.
The TrueConnect 2 adopts the design with the external antenna which is sometimes blocking the deep insertion inside the ear.
As that the AFT2 is a better fit and in our opinion the most comfortable and securely fitted of the three models.
Sound quality is pretty good despite the lack of aptX.
Compared to the AFT 2 the sound is a little more warm and bloated with some kind of less definition and lack of fidelity at the higher registers.
They are very easy going suitable for casual listening on the go but the AFT 2 is the clear winner (Sennheiser CX 400 BT included) when we discuss ultimate fidelity and critical listening.
So as always the potential buyer should judge all the parameters and then make a choice.
Verdict
Audiofly's AFT 2 is imbued with the company's pro DNA and it is more than clear that it is designed to offer great fit and even greater sound.
If you don't mind the absence of some bells and whistles or the bulky charging case and your preference is for the utmost fidelity and a premier purist approach then the AFT 2 is the obvious choice.
The test playlist - http://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5669033
Copyright - Laskis Petros 2020
We have directly asked AUDIOFLY to review the AFT 2 and they kindly provided a review sample that it does not need to be returned.
They didn't asked for any kind of favors and they didn't read the review before it was published.
AUDIOFLY team thank you very much for the opportunity.
Introduction
Based in Australia, the Audiofly team of creative and diverse music lovers has been developing ground-breaking audio technology creating iems for professional and casual use with wired and wireless options.
Technology
The AFT2 is the second True wireless model from Audiofly that takes up from where the AFT1 has left off improving performance in several aspects.
It is a True wireless iem with a Qualcomm bluetooth 5.0 chip that supports aptX , SBC and AAC with an operating range of 20m.
Build quality
The units are made of solid plastic and the case is reinforced with aluminum at the exterior.
Build quality and finish are of good quality with a premium feel , nothing to complain about at this price point.
User interface
It is controlled with the aid of a touch control pad at both ear pieces that supports tap gestures to play, pause, skip songs , change volume and answer calls.
The gestures are fixed and cannot be customized as there isn't available an application that would allow something like that or add some kind of equalizer.
Physical etc
Battery duration during play time is rated at 10 hours for the ear pieces plus another extra 25 hours from the charging case and a total of 200 hours at standby state.
The units are stored and fully charged in 90 minutes inside the drawer type case which is quite a large one due to the big battery that is housed inside.
The case is charged from the usb type C port in 90 minutes as fast charging is supported.
At the top of the case there is a small button that we press in order to be informed about battery level through a four LED indicator.
The LEDs keep flashing while the buds are being charged inside the case and it goes off when they are fully charged.
The ear buds are IPX-5 rated and the weight is about 10gr for each ear piece and 100gr for the case fully loaded.
Inside the box we will find a usb type C to A cable and only two sets of ear tips one small and one medium.
Inspired by the colours of the iconic Australian landscape, the AFT2 is available in Granite, Sand, Sunset and Gum Leaf and they retail about 130€.
Real life use
With such a great experience at designing pro range ear monitors it is not of a surprise for Audiofly that the AFT2 is designed with an anatomical shape molded like a custom iem.
The fit is truly exceptional and one of the best we have ever experienced with a true wireless monitor.
They insert deep with one simple move and they stay in place without causing pain or discomfort.
The contact with the outer ear is perfect so they seal well keeping noise at minimum levels without irritating the ear.
A very comfortable fit with the only downside being the lack of supplied ear tips so depending on your ear shape you may need some extra ones.
Controlling the AFT2 is easy and simple with a minimal learning curve thanks to the responsive touch pad.
As always with such designs we should be careful while fitting and removing the ear pieces not to accidentally touch the control zone.
The bluetooth connection is very stable and we haven't experienced any drop outs with an operating distance about 15 meters in a straight line without obstacles.
Re-connection after putting the buds out of the case is pretty fast and we can choose both left or right ear bud to answer calls.
Call quality is excellent and crystal clear both for the caller and the answerer and we haven't noticed any significant latency while watching movies.
Real life battery duration is quite close to the one advertised and if you charge the case one or two times a week it is very unlikely to run out of battery.
Sound impressions.
From the first listening tests we were quite impressed and it became immediately apparent that the AFT2 is designed with sound quality as the primary feature.
Audiofly's pro origins are again obvious here as the AFT2 is tuned evenly and well balanced with a natural tonality.
Bass is very good and well controlled extending low enough without being boosted at all.
It can handle all kinds of music with ease without much left to be desired but don't expect bass cannon levels.
It is clear and punchy with clean and straight lines offering a dynamic behavior with enough layering to portray complex passages without sounding one note bass.
Pretty amazing for a 6mm driver unit.
Transition to the mids is straight forward without midbass bleeding with a slight emphasis on the lower mids adding a touch of warmness.
Mids are clear and rounded , well articulated with the proper timbre and an engaging feel to them.
Treble is well done with an even well handed presentation that is faithful to the source with a good amount of detail retrieval.
There is enough sparkle to make things alive but it is never too sibilant or harsh sounding.
Decay is acceptable and it doesn't sound very thin while the only thing that keeps the AFT2 from being truly great at the higher registers is the overall lack of fidelity and some loss of extension.
This is of course related to the bluetooth aptX protocol restrictions rather a design flaw from the Audiofly team.
Regarding headstage don't expect miracles as the overall presentation is a center based image but with good levels of clarity and instrument positioning so it doesn't sound congested.
At the end we can definitely conclude that the AFT2 is a truly great performer with all kinds of music - complex classical included - and able to directly compete with rivals two and three times more expensive like the Sennheiser Momentum 2.
The inclusion of an app with a built in equalizer would be very welcomed in order to fine tune the sound.
Selected comparisons
Vs the Sennheiser CX 400BT
The more expensive Sennheiser CX 400BT is selling for about 200€.
Weight is about 6gr for one piece and 49gr for the loaded case that is half the weight of the AFT2 case.
The charging case is much more discreet and less bulky but with the penalty of offering 13 hours of extra charge time vs the 25 of the AFT2.
Same goes for the buds which are more discreet and light weight but they will last 3 hours less than the AFT2.
Despite the CX 400BT being smallish the fit of the AFT2 is much more anatomical , secure and strain free at least for our ear shape.
No IPX rating for the Sennheiser CX 400BT.
Bluetooth is 5.0 with the same codes for both devices but the CX 400BT is supported with a great app that allows to fully customize the touch controls plus adds a well implemented DSP.
On the minus side for the CX400BT is that calls can be answered only with the right ear piece so when it is discharged we can't use the left one.
Sound is quite similar but the CX400 feels more warm with a touch of added bass although a little less refined and a bit boomy with some added sparkle at the higher registers.
Both are very satisfying with music listening with the AFT 2 offering a more natural and purist approach.
You can't go wrong with either and after considering the price difference musical tastes or other variables regarding functionality or physical appearance you should be able to choose.
Vs the RHA TrueConnect 2
You can have the RHA TrueConnect for 160€ or sometimes at 120€ when they are discounted.
The weight is about 6gr per piece and 91gr for the loaded case just 9gr less than the AFT2.
Battery life is 9 hours for the buds and 35 hours from case that is 10 hours more than the AFT2.
The bluetooth version is 5.0 without aptX support and as with the AFT2 there is not an available application for extra configuration.
They are IPX55 certified.
The TrueConnect 2 adopts the design with the external antenna which is sometimes blocking the deep insertion inside the ear.
As that the AFT2 is a better fit and in our opinion the most comfortable and securely fitted of the three models.
Sound quality is pretty good despite the lack of aptX.
Compared to the AFT 2 the sound is a little more warm and bloated with some kind of less definition and lack of fidelity at the higher registers.
They are very easy going suitable for casual listening on the go but the AFT 2 is the clear winner (Sennheiser CX 400 BT included) when we discuss ultimate fidelity and critical listening.
So as always the potential buyer should judge all the parameters and then make a choice.
Verdict
Audiofly's AFT 2 is imbued with the company's pro DNA and it is more than clear that it is designed to offer great fit and even greater sound.
If you don't mind the absence of some bells and whistles or the bulky charging case and your preference is for the utmost fidelity and a premier purist approach then the AFT 2 is the obvious choice.
The test playlist - http://open.qobuz.com/playlist/5669033
Copyright - Laskis Petros 2020
