FIIL CC2 True Wireless Earbuds
$59.49
What We Dig
- Quick Connection
- Good Looks/Comfortable Fit
- Rich Sound For An Earbud Style Earphone
What To Think About
- Open Case Doesn’t Offer Much Protection or Security
- Touch Controls Take Some Getting Used To
The Low Down:
If you like the fit of Apple’s original AirPods, but don’t like the whole “bright-white” aesthetic, then maybe you’ll like the sleek, aluminum-clad design of FIIL’s CC2 True Wireless Earbuds ($59 w/extra 30% off at the time of this writing). They look really cool and I feel like they will hold up well.
The CC2 is quite affordable, comfortable to wear, and has a smooth, full-bodied sound. The touch controls are also very responsive and work most of the time smoothly. However, the way the controls are laid out does take a little getting used to since they are unconventionally split between the earbuds.
The open charging case doesn’t provide much in the way of protection or security, but the magnet that holds the earbuds inside the case is strong, and I never had an issue with them falling out.
Basically, if you want a more modern-looking (and better-sounding) alternative to Apple’s AirPods, then you should check out the FIIL CC2 True Wireless Earbuds.
Disclaimer: The manufacturer sent the FIIL CC2 True Wireless Earbuds in exchange for this review; it does not have to be returned.
Features/Specs:
- Bluetooth 5.2 for quick and stable connection along with improved range (about 10 meters). Low Latency option for audio/video synchronization
- ENC dual microphone for call noise reduction
- Speaker size: 13.1mm customized titanium diaphragm
- Single charge battery life for earphone: >5 hours
- Extra battery life from the charging case: >27 hours
- Bluetooth audio decoding: ACC, SBC
- Charging time*: earphones about 50 minutes, charging case 2 hours (wired)
- What comes in the box: Charging Case/Type-C charging cable/Quick Operation Guide/Instruction Manual
What we dig:
The FIIL CC2 True Wireless Earbuds are nice looking, with a sturdy yet light aluminum build for both the charging case and earphones. The case is also super compact, which means they take up very little room in your pocket. After a while, you may forget it’s even there.
Because they’re lightweight and don’t go deep inside your ear, the CC2 earphones are very comfortable, and you can wear them for long periods without discomfort.
Thanks to Bluetooth 5.2, connections to my Samsung Galaxy s21 Ultra 5g smartphone were super quick, and I didn’t experience any random disconnections as I have experienced with other budget TWS earbuds.
Touch controls are very responsive yet not susceptible to accidental presses, and there two preset control combinations which allows you to select between a more complex setup with volume controls, or a less complex one without volume control.
Battery life is not extra long, but above average for the category. They will last longer on a charge than Apple’s AirPods.
I liked the layout of the companion FIIL App, which lets you checkout battery life, adjust control combinations, set volume, EQ, as well as activate the low latency mode.
Even though these earbuds don’t go completely in your ear canal, FIIL did a great job of giving you a lot of the low end punch that’s missing from similar style earphones. This is probably due to the relatively large 13.1mm drivers, which are coated in titanium for added speed and detail.
Overall the FIIL CC2 has nice crispness from top to bottom. While there is a little bit of roll off up top, you still get a nice bit of top end detail which provides some openness to the sound.
Mids are also rich and quite detailed for the price range, so the presentation is filled out nicely. That means you don’t get so much of the “hollowness” typical of earbud style earphones.
Strings, vocals have a “live” quality, which makes the CC2 an exciting listen. The CC2’s soundstage is also nice and wide, not stuck inside of the the head like some inexpensive headphones. Imaging is also decent, as the sound is spread out nicely in front of you.
By the way, as mentioned earlier, you can also tweak the sound with the EQ in the FIIL App.
What to think about:
The CC2’s open design does have some downsides. One is they don’t provide a lot of isolation from noise when listening to music, so you will have to turn them up louder than earphones that push into your ear canal.
Also, while these earphones do a good job of giving you good fullness and punch, they will not match the fullness and punch you get from an IEM-style earphone that seals the ear canal.
Another thing to keep in mind, is while the less intrusive fit aids in comfort, it also means the fit is less stable than some other earphones. A lot of vigorous activity may make them move around more than you want.
While the open charging case is very compact and provides quick access to the earbuds, it also doesn’t provide much protection for the earphones. Dust and dirt may also be an issue.
The placement of touch controls are a little unorthodox, so it may take some time to figure out where everything is.
The Wrap Up:
Basically the FIIL CC2 is a nice option for those who like the less intrusive fit of the original Apple AirPods, but don’t like their bright white color or their cost (about 3 times more than the CC2).
The FIIL CC2 also has a nice rich sound for an earbud-style earphone (I think better than the Apple buds), and the sleek aluminum trim also looks better than the AirPods to me. You also get a nice app to tweak settings.
Just keep in mind this type of earbud will not have the same punch and dynamics as an IEM-type earphone that seals the ear canal.
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I’m an audio writer who started as a young audio salesman/consumer electronics professional back in the late 90s. That’s where I discovered the magic of 2-Channel sound. My hunger for great sound has led me on a delightful music quest that continues today.
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