I have been sitting on the SoundPeats PearlClip Pro for a few weeks now. Not literally, but I have been using them quite extensively and also tossed them to a few friends to get their feedback as well.
The PearlClip Pro (I am going to call it PearlClip from this point on) is neither an in-ear or on ear form factor. It is a c-hook which makes it a clip on – not dissimilar to clip-on earrings for people who do not have their ears pierced.
I am no stranger to this particular form factor as I have been using this style for most of about 7 months now. But despite more mainstream brands investing in this design, I don’t recall ever seeing anyone else using them in public.
First Impressions
The PearlClip Pro comes in a case that is noticeably bulkier than Airpods, but not out of range with other brands of in-ear types that I have peppered around.
I have the black variant, which looks more like a midnight blue to my eyes but I am not going to get into a debate on that one. It has a glossy finish so don’t own one of these and commit crime because it’s an absolute fingerprint magnet.
One thing to point out is that in hand, the PearlClip Pro does feel a bit cheap. Whilst the fit is good. there can be a rattle when you pick up the case and the clips inside shift. It doesn’t change the function but it was quite noticeable and leads to an impression that the product may be inferior.
As I mentioned earlier, I have been sporting this style for quite a while now. Putting the ear clips on is simple, as long as you hold them correctly. This is made easy by the way the PearlClips nestles into the case. You grab the C loop that is sticking straight out of the case with your thumb and index finger, and clip them on by slotting your ear into the gap.
This style are designed to fit in the area just up from your ear lobe, with the speaker facing forward towards the front. The natural position is for the C loop to angle down towards the ground, rather than stick out perpendicularly from your ear.
When you find that sweet spot, you should be just barely be able to feel them in place.
To round this section off, there is a single LED to indicate battery status, a multi function button to check on the battery charge or to reset the Bluetooth connections if necessary.
Connectivity is Bluetooth 5.4 and charging is via USB-C and there is no wireless charging capability.
In Use
The PearlClips, being the ear clip style, relies on air conduction to transmit sound into your ear. Not too different from IEM type, except they are not in your ear. It is also different to bone conduction type and avoids some of their pitfalls.
There are some pros and cons to this, depending on your point of view (thanks Obi-Wan). Being mostly unobstructive to your ear canal, they allow you to maintain situation awareness around you. But at the same time. it is not an open slather like a bone conduction type where you don’t have anything covering your ear at all.
Bass, is something that is really dependant on fit. A good fitting IEM will give you better base than the ear clip, hands down. Which in turn will give you better bass response than bone conduction and without the awful rattling feeling.
Now that I have set the scene somewhat, how does the PearlClip really perform?
For the record they fit my ears pretty well. hence the reason why I tossed them to a few other people to try just to get more of a sample on the feed back. The PearlClip are equipped with 12mm dual magnetic drivers in each bud.
I was quite taken by surprise at the strong performance of the PearlClips. Considering that ear canal is not sealed in anyway, the volume output is decent and the soundstage is airy and expansive.
There were no specific tests done with the PearlClips, I used and abused them like my daily driver whilst I was greatly enjoying Andor Season 2, many podcast episodes on the Mushroom case as it is known around here with an eclectic mix of music thrown in.
The sound favours mids and trebles with clean delivery. When the fit is good, the bass punches above what one can rightfully expect from this particular mode of delivery. It is not going to satisfy an audiophile, and it is not ever meant to.
Listening to Yono’s Terluka, the twinkling keys of the piano opening is crisply before the vocals emotion filled with the underlying pain and hurt carrying through the melody.
Moving onto Smart by Le Sserfim, a brighter, more dynamic song, the PearlClips still managed it with the energy the group intends.
Swapping to something completely different. Morning Song by Zero 7 has a very challenging opening which I was not sure if the PearlClips would be able to convey but again it was surprisingly good.
Controls
It took me a little while to figure this out. It was frustrating me because there was no sensory feedback that anything was happening.
The touch area is above the speaker in the front pearl. The controls on the PearlClips are purely touch only. The left and right clips do different things and the app allows you to remap them as well.
There is a bit of an awkward twist to turn your palm against your face so your fingers can curl to touch it in the correct spot. It took a bit of learning before I could consistently input the command I intended to the PearlClips.
Battery Life
SoundPeats rates the battery life to be 6 hours on the earbuds, and an additional 18 hours with the charging case.
I have had some marathon listening sessions (thanks alleged mushroom murderer) where I actually ran out of charge on the earbuds themselves, somewhere into the five hours mark.
It is also fast charge enabled with two hours of playback time from just ten minutes of charging.
Other Features
Unlike most earbuds, the PearlClips have auto-adaptive left and right channels. This means you can pop the clips back into the charging case in any order, close the lid for ten seconds and it will automatically adjust to the correct channels.
App
Remarkably in this price bracket, the PearlClips have support via the PeatsAudio app in your respective store.
By default Dynamic EQ is enabled and you do want to leave it on. Without it the sound is flatter, less energised.
PeatsAudio also has full EQ support for you to tune the sound to your liking, along with ten presets if you want to take the easier route.
There is a Game Mode to reduce latency, keeping the gameplay and sound in sync. It’s not perfect but it is not terrible at it either.
Lastly there is a Movie Mode which to me sounded louder, closer and just a bit more immersive.
Gripes
There isn’t a lot to complain about. I do want to point out that the control interface can do with a some improvements in the sense of subtle feedback.
The app when you change modes announces the changes and also has a pause to the audio feed. I think that is a bit too intrusive and on the other end of the spectrum to the touch.
Conclusions
The SoundPeats PearlClips Pro are a solid performer that walks the line between IEM and bone conduction form factors. It delivered a surprisingly good result in earbuds that are so light that I constantly forget that I am wearing them. Until when I need to scratch my ear and find them in the way.
The lightweight, being just 5.85g (edited) per bud, is a huge contributor to me listening to things for long periods without realising it.
These are available in Black, Purple or White colourways for around A$55 mark on Amazon. There is a small difference in price between the colours but nothing outlandish.
DRN would like to thank SoundPeats for providing the review unit. We will be following up with the Pop Clip soon.
