Oraimo SpaceBuds Air 2 Review: Are These Budget Earbuds Worth ₦19,800?
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The Oraimo SpaceBuds Air 2 is a pair of budget wireless earbuds designed for people who prefer a lightweight, half-in-ear fit rather than the sealed feeling of traditional silicone-tip earbuds.
At around ₦19,800, Oraimo has packed quite a few features into these earbuds, including 12mm dynamic drivers, Sound360 spatial audio, AI translation, Bluetooth 6.0, IPX4 protection and up to 50 hours of total battery life with the charging case.
The question is whether all of these features translate into a good everyday listening experience.
Design and Comfort
The SpaceBuds Air 2 uses a half-in-ear design, meaning there are no silicone ear tips that sit deep inside the ear canal.
This makes them particularly appealing to people who find traditional in-ear earbuds uncomfortable or don't like the plugged-up sensation they can create.
They are lightweight and comfortable enough to wear for extended periods, making them suitable for everyday listening, calls and casual use.
The earbuds also have a two-tone finish. The stems use a matte texture, while the upper section has a glossy finish.
Despite the glossy portion, the earbuds have not been particularly prone to scratches during regular use, which is useful for something that will probably spend a lot of time inside a pocket, bag or charging case.
Sound Quality
Oraimo equipped the SpaceBuds Air 2 with 12mm dynamic drivers and its HavyBass technology.
There is noticeable bass, but these aren't earbuds designed to deliver an extremely aggressive low-end experience.
The amount of bass you get can vary depending on the music you're listening to, and while some tracks sound quite enjoyable, the bass isn't especially punchy.
That isn't necessarily a disadvantage.
Instead of making the entire sound profile revolve around heavy bass, the SpaceBuds Air 2 provides a more balanced experience that works well for casual everyday listening.
Because the earbuds use a half-in-ear design, they also allow more outside sound to reach your ears.
That means they don't provide the same level of isolation you would get from sealed in-ear earbuds, but the trade-off can be useful when you want to remain aware of your surroundings.
Sound360 Spatial Audio
The earbuds also support Sound360 spatial audio. The feature is designed to create a wider and more immersive soundstage, which can be useful when watching movies or consuming supported content.
It can make certain types of media feel more spacious, although it isn't necessarily a feature that will completely transform the listening experience.
For most people, the comfort and general sound quality will probably matter more.
AI Translation
One of the more unusual features on the SpaceBuds Air 2 is AI translation.
Through the Oraimo Sound app, the earbuds can assist with translating supported languages.
This could be useful while travelling, communicating with someone who speaks another language or even learning a new language.
However, AI translation is better viewed as an additional feature rather than the main reason to buy these earbuds.
The quality and usefulness of translation will depend heavily on the languages supported and the software experience, so it's worth considering it a bonus rather than a core selling point.
Call Quality
The SpaceBuds Air 2 also includes AI-enhanced technology designed to improve voice clarity during calls.
In everyday use, voices remain understandable and the microphone is capable of delivering clear communication.
However, there are situations where your voice may sound slightly quieter to the person on the other end.
So while the microphones are perfectly usable for regular calls, they aren't flawless.
For occasional phone calls, WhatsApp calls and similar everyday communication, the performance is adequate.
Connectivity and App Support
The earbuds use Bluetooth 6.0 and have a claimed wireless range of up to 10 metres.
They also work with the Oraimo Sound app, which provides access to software features and controls.
Having an accompanying app gives users more control than they would get from completely basic wireless earbuds, particularly when it comes to adjusting or accessing supported features.
Battery Life
Oraimo claims up to 7.5 hours of playback from the earbuds and up to 50 hours when combined with the charging case.
Real-world battery life is naturally different from the manufacturer's maximum figure.
In actual use, around 5 to 6 hours of listening was achievable at slightly above average volume.
That's below the advertised maximum, but it is still respectable for everyday use.
The charging case uses USB Type-C, so you don't need to carry around a proprietary charging cable.
Water and Sweat Resistance
The SpaceBuds Air 2 carries an IPX4 rating.
This means the earbuds can handle sweat and light water splashes, making them suitable for casual workouts and everyday activities.
However, IPX4 does not mean the earbuds are waterproof, so they should not be deliberately exposed to large amounts of water.
Price and Value
At around ₦19,800, the SpaceBuds Air 2 sits in a competitive section of the budget earbud market.
What makes it interesting is the combination of features rather than one particular specification.
You get a comfortable half-in-ear design, 12mm dynamic drivers, Sound360 spatial audio, AI translation, Bluetooth 6.0, IPX4 protection and a charging case that contributes to up to 50 hours of claimed battery life.
Real-world battery life of around 5 to 6 hours per charge is also reasonable for everyday listening.
For buyers interested in trying something more feature-packed without moving into expensive premium earbuds, there is plenty to like here.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comfortable half-in-ear design
- Lightweight
- 12mm dynamic drivers
- Decent everyday sound
- Sound360 spatial audio
- AI translation feature
- Bluetooth 6.0
- IPX4 protection
- USB Type-C charging
- Good real-world battery life
- Oraimo Sound app support
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Bass isn't particularly punchy
- No deep in-ear seal means less passive isolation
- Call audio can sometimes sound slightly quiet to the other person
- Real-world battery life is below the advertised 7.5-hour maximum
- AI translation shouldn't be the main reason to buy them
Final Verdict
The Oraimo SpaceBuds Air 2 isn't trying to compete directly with premium earbuds from Apple or other high-end brands.
Instead, it focuses on providing a comfortable design and a surprisingly long list of features at a relatively affordable price.
The half-in-ear design makes them comfortable for people who don't enjoy silicone tips, while the 12mm drivers provide enjoyable sound for casual listening.
Features such as Sound360 spatial audio, AI translation and Bluetooth 6.0 add more functionality, while the roughly 5 to 6 hours of real-world playback at slightly above average volume is respectable.
The cameras may not be relevant here, but the same principle applies to the earbuds: specifications alone don't tell the whole story. The actual listening experience, comfort and microphone performance matter more.
At around ₦19,800, the SpaceBuds Air 2 is a feature-packed option for anyone looking for comfortable everyday earbuds without spending too much.
They aren't AirPods, and they don't need to be.
For the price, they offer a good combination of comfort, features, battery life and everyday usability.