Lypertek SoundFree S20 Wireless Earbuds Review

SoundFree S20 wireless earbuds – Best budget buds

The new budget offering from Lypertek offer up an engaging and fun listening experience. Without forgetting the finer details.

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Fit and Comfort

The SoundFree S20 have a smooth inner housing and slightly elongated nozzle, which allows for a great fit with the right eartips. They are not heavy and sit securely. Excellent if you want to use them for active sports use.

Comfort is excellent due to the lightweight design and smooth edges. They also sit fairly flush in your ears and allow for long listening sessions with ease. The angle of the nozzle really does help when it comes to the comfort of these.

Features

The SoundFree S20 has a claimed battery life of 8hrs, with an extra 40hrs from the charging case. I have found this claim to be quite accurate during listening sessions but it is of course volume dependent. The case supports wireless charging and has a USB-C port too. They use Bluetooth 5.0 and support SBC and AAC codecs. The S20 is IPX5 rated, this means you can use them in light rain showers. I would not advise taking them swimming or in the shower.

There is a small button on them, placed at the top so you don’t press them into your canals when using it. This button has multiple functions (play/pause/skip tracks/volume up and down), and also allows you to activate ambient mode which allows you to hear external noises. This mean you no longer need to take them out to listen to the outside world. There is a microphone on each earpiece for calls, I found call quality to be acceptable but not a stand-out feature of the S20.

Sound

Bass

Full bodied, punchy and fun is how I would first describe the bass on the S20. However they never become muddy or overblown. There is a subtle lift in the sub-bass and you can easily hear the rumble. Bass is well balanced with good punch and control. Those who found the PurePlay Z3 a little too neutral, will enjoy the extra warmth down low on the S20. Whilst the bass is certainly present and boosted, the S20 don’t sound overly bass heavy or dark.

Midrange

The bass is well controlled, which allows the midrange to cut through with authority and power. Male vocals sound clean without any added body, the detail inherent means you can hear all the emotion present in the vocals without much veil. Female vocals fare equally as well. Without any real peaks in the upper midrange, guitars and vocals are well separated and each have their own space within the soundstage. Overall excellent performance in the midrange, that gives real insight into the recording.

Treble

Clean, precise and ever present the treble thankfully isn’t just an afterthought. Carefully tuned to be there, but without causing fatigue, often the most tricky part of a frequency response yet Lypertek have pulled it off. Yes, for this price you cannot expect the most faithful tonality but thankfully you can cleanly hear cymbal crashes and violins. They are not dull or veiled, instead they are exciting and add a bit of air to the sound, however they are not the most detailed in the treble region (partly due to bluetooth compression).

Genres and Soundstage

The S20 lend their hand to most modern genres, bringing out the best in Rap and Hip-Hop whilst handling heavier rock with ease too. They wouldn’t necessarily be my first pick for classical and jazz, but these are aimed at the active general user and the sound works well for that.

Soundstaging is actually rather impressive for the price and design, whilst not overly wide there is accurate placement of instruments and good layering between them too.

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Lypertek’s PurePlay Z3 2.0 true wireless earphones raking in awards!

The best just gets better: Following up with Lypertek’s shortlisting for the reader nominated best Audio Brand of 2021 from Trusted Reviews, Lypertek has continued to gather momentum and prestige among the audio world. The follow up to the original Tevi, Lypertek’s Pureplay Z3 2.0 True Wireless earphoness have been collecting review after review, praising their deisgn, battery life, customisation options via its reputed app and its undeniable affordability. At £99 it is hard to argue that you would get more bang for your buck with anything else.

Tech Radar awards the Pureplay Z3 2.0 their Editor Choice Award ; “Lypertek continues to punch above its weight and outside of its pricing bracket with the PurePlay Z3 2.0 true wireless earbuds, a stellar-sounding and well-priced package.

Trusted Reviews offers Lypertek’s Pureplay Z3 2.0 its very own Highly Recommended Award: “The PurePlay Z3 2.0 are another excellent pair of affordable true wireless from Lypertek, with the new app and features extending its lifespan and adding more value than before.”

Soundphile’s Review puts it bluntly: “If you are in the market for all-round solid earphones with a “mainstream” tuning, these are the ones to get, period.

This is still only the beginging for Lypertek and their wonderful creations. With their recently released Z7 adding into their ever growing pool of products, we are certain that we will see even more innovation and newer arrivals in the months to come.

For a full features breakdown please watch our video review here or you can read all about them here.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 2.0 True Wireless Earphone Review

Lypertek have revised and renamed the Tevi for 2021, say hello to the PurePlay Z3 2.0 – packing in more features and the same excellent sound quality without increasing the price.

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Fit and Comfort

The PurePlay Z3 2.0 have the same housing as the original Z3 and Tevi, they fit well in the ear but depending on the size of your ears they do stick out a little. They are however very secure in your ear once you find the right size of tips, and I have never found the fit to be a problem. They are lightweight and you don’t really feel them once inserted in your ears, the smooth surfaces ensure no discomfort too.

Comfort wise the smooth housings sit nicely in your ear and the nozzles are a good length to ensure a snug and secure, yet comfortable fit. I find the Z3 2.0 to be comfortable for long listening sessions, and they are ideal for casual everyday use.

Features

The new PurePlay Z3 2.0 packs in more features for the same price as the original Tevi, the battery life is the same with 10hrs from the earphones per charge, and an additional 7 full charges from the case which gives 80hrs total. They now run on bluetooth 5.2 for even more signal stability and lower power consumption, along with the case now supporting wireless charging alongside the normal USB-C charging port (Lypertek sell a charging pad separately). They are also still IPX7 rated, this means you don’t have to worry about them when using them in the gym or out in the rain.

The button is the same as on the original, which means a single press on either for play/pause, double press the right to increase the volume, on the left to decrease. Triple press on the right to skip tracks forward, on the left backwards. There is another new feature though, if you press and hold the button for 2 seconds you’ll hear 2 chimes, this turns on/off ambient pass-through allowing you to hear announcements and your surroundings without having to take them out of your ears; This is a really useful feature for use on public transport.

App

Lypertek have also launched an app with the new PurePlay Z3 2.0, the app works best with this model but it is compatible with some older models after a firmware update (although the features will vary, as ambient pass through is not available for older models).

With the Z3 2.0 you will need to do a firmware update – this is especially important for Android 11 users – within the app when you first install it, to get the best out of them. The update is easy to do and ensure smooth functionality of the app. The app allows you to set custom EQ curves and has some presets too, along with switching on/off the ambient pass through and changing the function of the buttons (you can change the function of the double / triple press actions).

There is a “find my earphones” bit in the app which will show you where the earphones were last connected to your phone, quite handy if you often misplace them.

The app also has a new LDX Audio mode (Lypertek Definition Expander), this is a new custom audio profile for the Z3 2.0, tuned by the audio engineers at Lypertek. It definitely adds more clarity and space to the stock sound and is quite a nice little sound profile if you don’t want to mess with normal EQ modes. Overall the new app has introduced a lot of tweaking potential for audio lovers and it really is an valuable tool for PurePlay Z3 2.0 users.

Sound

Bass: Much like the original, the Z3 2.0 are relatively balanced in their tuning and they don’t accentuate then low end and it always sounds controlled and tight yet has enough body to satisfy most users. The new app will definitely help those who want a bit more power down low, they are incredibly responsive to EQ and you can bring out quite a lot of punch and depth without them sounding bloated or distorted. The DSP in these is really impressive, it pairs perfectly with the hardware and allows full control over the sound signature.

Midrange: I quite like these with a relatively flat EQ, or the LDX mode enabled, as the sound is very well balanced with a good level of detail. The midrange has a way of cutting through the mix with great layering and a realistic tonality. Out of the box, those who enjoy an upfront and intimate vocal performance will really enjoy these, they really get the midrange presentation spot on. Turn on LDX and the sound gets a little more fun and spacious without taking away too much of the midrange focus.

Treble: The treble is never overdone, it does a great job at adding some air and sparkle to the sound without ever sounding peaky or bright and fatiguing. Just like the midrange, the Z3 2.0 have great tonality in the treble region, cymbals don’t sound splashy or overly metallic and they have good extension with only minor roll-off that’s often attributed to bluetooth compression rather than the earphones themselves. There is a good amount of space and air up top and are really enjoyable whilst remaining smooth too.

Soundstaging and Genres

The soundstage with the Z3 2.0 EQ set as flat is fairly average, there’s good layering and separation but the width and height are relatively average. Turn on the LDX mode and it gets quite a bit wider giving a more out-of-head presentation which is really impressive.

The PurePlay Z3 2.0 work well with most genres, out of the box with no EQ they render vocals especially well and work with acoustic and alternative rock well, with a bit of EQ you can bring out more depth and punch which helps when listening to modern pop and rock/metal.

Conclusion

The PurePlay Z3 2.0 have quite a few added features over the original Tevi, this means better bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging and the accompanying app. This isn’t just a minor tweak, the PurePlay Z3 2.0 are a real upgrade over the Tevi and still offer up a detailed and balanced sound signature with incredible scope for tweaking via EQ, all for exactly the same price, these really are the best true wireless earphones for under £100 in my opinion.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 True Wireless Earphones Review & Video

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 True Wireless In Ear Isolating Bluetooth Earphones Review

Hey everyone, John here. Lypertek are new on the scene, and they have arrived with a bang! Their latest model is the PurePlay Z3: True Wireless earphones that look and feel as good as some of the pricier models out there. These are going for £99 so could be quite the steal! Let’s find out.

BUILD

On opening the Lypertek PurePlay Z3, the first thing that strikes me is the supplied charging case; it doesn’t look like your usual £99 product. The case actually reminds me of Sennheiser’s £250 True Wireless model… just saying. The material outer coating feels great to touch and shows that they mean business. There’s nothing cheap about the build here! The case opens and closes with a solid feel, and the battery level lights add to the sleek design. Then there’s the earphones themselves. Lypertek has gone for a simple design that looks attractive and very well built; they have a minimal look that’s been finished nicely.

COMFORT

The PurePlay Z3 sits very comfortably in my ear, they have managed to angle the sound tube perfectly to give a secure and solid fit. Supplied with the earphones are a selection of eartips, including Lypertek’s own Flexifit foam tips. For me, the foam tips provided the best fit in terms of comfort and sound. When trying the PurePlay Z3 yourself make sure to try all of the supplied tips in order to achieve the best fit for you.

FEATURES (size, isolation, accessories)

Lots of features have been packed into the PurePlay Z3. In terms of controls, you can play/pause, skip tracks, increase/decrease volume, take calls and enable your voice assistant all from the buttons on the side of the earphones. I really like the way the buttons have been placed, they are easy to press and do not cause any discomfort when used. Pairing is very easy with the PurePlay Z3. The earphones turn on as soon as they are removed from the case, then with two button presses on either earpiece, the PurePlay Z3 goes into pairing mode, then you can find them on your device. Whether you pair to the right or left earpiece doesn’t matter: once you connect to one of them, the earphones are ready to use.

SPECS

The PurePlay Z3 uses the latest wireless technology, supporting Bluetooth 5.0 as well as aptX and AAC audio codecs. Battery life is very impressive. You get up to 10 hours of use when the earphones are fully charged, and then with a fully charged case you can get a total of up to 70 hours while out and about! This is one of the highest ratings I have come across. You also get an IPX7 waterproof rating which will protect the PurePlay Z3 from sweat and rain, ideal for those long gym sessions or a run in the rain.

SOUND QUALITY

Listening to the PurePlay Z3, I would never have associated this level of sound quality with a sub £100 True Wireless earphone. These instantly grabbed my attention with their crisp and dynamic sound. Lypertek have tuned the Graphene coated 6mm driver extremely well.

Bass Response

Bass comes across well controlled and punchy. There’s power here without getting bloated and I never get the feeling of too much bass. The PurePlay Z3 goes low and provides weight while allowing the mids to breathe.

Midrange (Instrumental/Vocals)

Midrange is crisp and cuts through without being too forward for my tastes. Vocals and snares sit nicely in the mix without getting lost, and whether listening to intricate jazz rock, pop or ambient electronic, the PurePlay Z3 handles different genres well without ever sounding muddled.

Treble (Extension)

Up top, the PurePlay Z3 provides definition and space without harshness or the risk of fatigue. Treble has a smooth edge, which delivers a focused and engaging sound. While they don’t have the widest sound, soundstage provides depth and the level of separation will allow you to pick out where sounds are coming from.

Microphone

Call quality is very impressive with the PurePlay Z3. The microphone does a great job of picking out speech, providing clear call quality.

CONCLUSION

In terms of build and sound quality, I’d say that the PurePlay Z3 definitely competes with the big (and pricier) brands such as Sennheiser, RHA, Samsung, Apple and Jabra. Then when you factor in the £99 price tag, the PurePlay Z3 becomes serious True Wireless competition. In my opinion, the Lypertek PurePlay Z3 is a no brainer for those looking for a new True Wireless earphone.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 True Wireless Earphone Review

Lypertek PurePlay Z3

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The PurePlay Z3 (formerly known as TEVI) are a smooth and discreet, nothing really stands out on them with a small logo and silver trim ring on the faceplate. They smooth black finish looks great, there is a slight difference in colour between the 2 sections of the body but it doesn’t detract from the overall look.

Build quality is excellent, the joins in the housings are very smooth and they are finished to a high standard. The charging case is fabric coated and solid, and the buttons on the faceplates have a very positive click. Overall everything feels very well put together and durable for long term use. They are also IPX7 rated which means they are fine for your daily run and gym use.

Features:

The PurePlay Z3 use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology along with support for aptX, AAC and SBC codecs. Pair them with an aptX compatible device and you’ll get slightly better sound quality of course, but AAC also sounds very good.

The controls are easy to learn and intuitive, two click on the right to increase volume, two on the left to decrease. Three clicks on the right to skip track forward, three on the left to skip backwards. Single tap on either will pause the music, and a 2s press on the left will bring up Siri/Google assistant. You can also pick up calls and there are built in microphones that work very well.

Battery is rated at 10hrs per charge (SBC 50% volume), and I would say that figure is quite accurate from testing, using aptX will decrease this slightly but the increase in sound quality is worth the trade-off. The charging case supports another 6 whole charges, making these very impressive compared to the current competition.

Connectivity and signal stability are excellent, they pair easily and only cut out if you go out of range or add objects within the transmitting path (walls etc..). Overall, they work as advertised and don’t cut out if your phone is in your pocket or within a reasonable distance.

 

Comfort and Isolation:

The shape of the PurePlay Z3 is ergonomic with soft rounded edges and the perfect angle nozzle to provide a comfortable and secure fit without sticking out too far. The housings are a little on the larger size, but they never feel cumbersome when in use.

Isolation is pretty good; they do a very reasonable job at muting outside noises and are perfect for daily use and commuting.

Sound:

Bass: The bass on the PurePlay Z3 is full yet well controlled, it has a way of adding body without becoming the centre of attention. In terms of presence they are slightly north of neutral but they always sound very well balanced. There is good extension and kicks are backed up with body. The lows really are impressive, preventing the PurePlay Z3 from sounding thin but without making them sound bloated. They handle most genres with ease and have good articulation, lacking only a little speed during complex mixes.

 

Midrange: The lows are slightly north of neutral in terms of presence, but this does not mask the midrange and make vocals sound pushed back or congested. The midrange is well separated, lower male vocals do have a tiny bit of added body, and female vocals cut through with a little more detail but the overall midrange performance is very well balanced. Most consumer true wireless models have a habit of boosting the bass and treble, whereas the PurePlay Z3 comes across a lot more even handed and more suitable for a wide range of genres. There is great separation and layering, yet the coherency between frequencies is also excellent.

 

Treble: The treble is slightly laid back but luckily there is enough presence to prevent the PurePlay Z3 from sounding overly dark. The thing about the treble is that the tonality is just right, they don’t sound splashy or metallic and have great extension and detail. They have good accuracy when it comes to imaging too and they fit well into the frequency range. I would never call these bright though, and the treble is smooth enough that even the most treble sensitive users won’t have any issues with fatigue.

 

Soundstaging is good, not huge but very acceptable as most TW earphones sound very closed in. The detail present here is excellent and the separation between instruments is great.

Conclusion:

The PurePlay Z3 are very impressive, especially considering their sub £100 price point. Offering up a smooth and detailed sound signature that is well balanced yet slightly full. Add to that great stability and functionality and you have a TW earphone that is so easy to recommend, go out and grab one now as they are a game changer in the TW market.

 

Sound: 5/5

Comfort:5/5

Features: 5/5

Value: 5/5