NuForce BE Free8 Review - True Wireless In-Ear

Foreword: NuForce BE Free8

So-called “True Wireless” in-ear headphones, which do without any cables, have been on everyone's lips since the Apple AirPods. With the NuForce BE Free8, Optoma released its own implementation of a wireless in-ear, which optically is based on the "original true wireless" in-ear, the Bragi Dash.

Design, workmanship and delivery

A true wireless in-ear like the BE Free8 requires a sophisticated design, because all the technology is housed in the earphones. At the same time, the housing should be compact and the weight of the earphones should be as low as possible in order to be comfortable to wear.

The shape of the housing of the BE Free8 is adapted to the anatomy of the ear. The housing is made of polycarbonate, which is why a single earphone weighs just 7g. According to protection class IPX5, the in-ear is "protected against water jets from all directions".

Despite the high-gloss optics, Optoma is pursuing a comparatively moderate, inconspicuous design with the BE Free8. The construction of the earphones is also kept simple. There is no smart touch operation, such as that supported by the Bragi Dash. Instead, the BE Free8 is operated using two tiny pushbuttons, which are marked with the respective direction of wear. As a design feature, each earphone is equipped with an LED strip, from which the operating status can be read. When switched on, the LED strips glow white. In pairing mode, these flash red again.

The processing quality of the NuForce BE Free8 is still in line with the price, even if the earphones and the charging case appear rather cheap because of the large amount of plastic. The scope of delivery includes the two earphones, the charging case, a microUSB cable, five pairs of SpinFit CP100 / CP350S ear pads in sizes XS / S / M and an instruction manual.

OPERATION

Commissioning the BE Free8 does not differ from other Bluetooth audio devices. By holding down the push button on the left earphone, it goes into pairing mode. The headphones can be recognized as "BE Free8" via the Bluetooth settings of the mobile device. The connection is established without entering a password. If you then switch on the right earphone via its control button, it connects fully automatically with the left earphone.

wireless

The connection technology between the earphones is NFMI (Near-Field Magnetic Induction). The advantages of this short-distance transmission technology are high energy efficiency and low susceptibility to interference, with a high transmission quality at the same time.

The connection between the playback device and the left (main) earphone is guaranteed by Bluetooth 4.1. The connection range is around 10 meters.

Thanks to the support of the aptX LL Codec, a delay-free Bluetooth connection with a higher data rate (up to 352 kbps) is possible, which further improves the transmission quality. The prerequisite for this is an aptX compatible mobile device.

sound quality

The earphones are each equipped with a 5.8 mm dynamic driver. Optoma specifies the frequency range as 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The impedance is 32 ohms. The sensitivity is 92dB +/- 3dB (1 kHz). 

The BE Free8 are in-ear headphones with a V-shaped sound signature. The highlighted lows and heights, as well as the rather moderate mid-range, are striking. Thanks to the particularly dynamic, warm sound, the in-ear is particularly suitable for pop, modern rock and EDM.

In the low frequency range, the BE Free8 presents a precise, if not particularly deep-reaching bass without dominating. The midrange is colored, but blurs slightly and sound details are minimally lost. In the high frequency range, the in-ear is supple without distorting. The headphones have a good grip on sibilants.

 What affects the sound enjoyment is the noise floor of the BE Free8. This is so evident that undisturbed music enjoyment with normal listening volume is hardly possible!

Operation and microphone

The music playback and call acceptance are controlled via the control button on the left earphone. Songs can be paused (press 1x) and skipped (press 2x). Volume control is not possible. Incoming calls can be accepted or rejected at the push of a button, and voice assistants such as Google's Assistant or Apple's Siri can be started by holding the button down.

The microphone with CVC noise-canceling integrated in the left earphone does not offer outstanding recording quality, but is suitable for making phone calls with understandable conversation quality.

comfort

Although the NuForce BE Free8 works without a neck strap or underwire, it is very comfortable to wear. Once you have found the right ear pad for you, the in-ear sits comfortably light in the ear. The ergonomic shape of the housing ensures a certain hold, which means that the earphones can literally be inserted into the auricle. Disturbing outside noises are first-class filtered by the SpinFit earmolds.

 However, the BE Free8 is less suitable for sporting activities. Especially with rapid head movements, the earphones can slip or even fall out.

Battery

Optoma does not provide any information on battery capacity. The battery life achieved in the test was 3 ½ hours on average with medium playback volume. If the headphones reach a low battery level, you will be notified by a recurring signal tone. The earphones are charged via the charging case. This is also equipped with a rechargeable battery and allows the earphones to be charged three times. For charging, the earphones are inserted into the precisely fitting shell of the case and fixed magnetically.

 It takes 100 minutes to fully charge the earphones. It takes 180 minutes to charge the charging case. The case can be charged with the help of a conventional smartphone charger or even with a PowerBank as a power source.