SPOT.ph Roadtest: Tune Out the Rest of the World With Adidas’ FWD-02 Sports Wireless Earbuds

(SPOT.ph) Raise your hands if you have ever a) spent way too much time untangling your wired earphones , b) commuted with one of the two wires defective or have to be bent at a certain angle for it to work, c) had your listening session interrupted because your wired earphones were yanked off your ears after getting caught somewhere, or d) all of the above. Sure, wired earphones exude this certain, “vintage” charm their wireless counterparts don't have—not to mention that they don't need a battery to power up—but if you don’t want to experience any more of the tangle-prone wires and problems, wireless earbuds are the best choice.

There are a lot of options for wireless earbuds these days—thank you, technological advancements—that it can get pretty overwhelming. There’s Apple with its AirPods; Samsung with Galaxy Buds; Marshall, Bose, too; heck, we even have Nokia with its own wireless audio device. And ICYDK, Adidas, too.

Yep. Adidas, pronounced as “Ah-DIH-DAH” and not “Ah-DEE-DAS”, is known for their innovative take on sportswear. And apparently, they didn't stop there. They’ve branched out to tech, more specifically, audio devices—from earphones, wireless earbuds, and even headphones. We tried our hands on one of their models, the FWD-02 SPORT True Wireless Earbuds, to see if they're worth copping. 

Also read:
The 10 Prettiest Wireless Earbuds You Can Shop in Manila Right Now
The 10 Best Wireless Earbuds of 2021

Here's our take on adidas’ FWD-02 SPORTS Wireless Earbuds:

Adidas FWD-02 SPORTS Wireless Earbuds Fast Facts:

Price: P8,890
Where to buy: Digital Walker
Available colors: Black, Light Gray
Battery life: Six hours of playtime per charge. Six hours of playtime in the buds, and 19 hours of on-the-go charging.
Charger input: USB-C
Other key features: Sweat-proof, water-resistant

Adidas FWD-02 SPORTS Wireless Earbuds: First Impressions and Initial Setup

First off: the box. It contains the device, charging case, and USB-C charger. It also comes with extra tips and lots of wings in different sizes. The start guide is in there, too.

We got the earbuds in Light Gray. At first glance, the minimalist and sleek color makes it look clean and neat. The lid of the compact, oblong-shaped charging case, has the adidas logo stitched on a mesh fabric where you could see the bulge of the buds when they’re not in use. For someone who’s forgetful, you can definitely tell if you’re missing one or two from the case. You also have a battery indicator outside, so you’ll know when it’s time to charge your device, with the charging port just below it. The mesh fabric also provides ventilation to let your babies breathe when you charge it for 19 hours for on-the-go charging. According to the manual, it has six hours of playtime per charge.

The lid is thin and light, and you might worry about snapping the thing off if you add too much force. But, surprise, it’s detachable. This feature'll give you easier access to your earbuds, especially when you’re going to connect them for the first time. It has a Bluetooth button in-between the buds, where you’ll hold down first until it turns into a slow blue pulse, to connect it to your device. In our case, we connected the buds smoothly to an iPhone 11 and a Macbook Air.

Right, down to earbuds. There might be some struggle at first about slotting it in your ears due to the silicone wings but it settles in nicely once you get the feel of it. You don’t have to worry about it falling off when you’re in transit, (in true sportswear fashion) working out, dancing, doing strenuous activities, or when you’re banging your head to a beat (yes, we tried) because the wings keep it in place. Aside from being ergonomic, the FWD-02 is sweat-proof and water-resistant thanks to its IPX5-rated design. So just in case you want to jog in the rain or film a music video or touching movie by yourself with background music, it’s up to you.

Adidas FWD-02 SPORTS Wireless Earbuds: Listening Experience

The FWD-02 promises full, high-quality audio, even for someone who listens to tunes at an ear-splitting volume. Listening to bass-thumping tunes (and when it comes to surprisingly loud TikTok videos) isn’t that harmful to the ears, or with any tunes—we had fun banging our heads to All Time Low, We The Kings, a little bit of Fall Out Boy; hold a full-blown imaginary concert with our favorite K-pop tunes in our own worlds. We also threw in a bit of Queen, too. “Don’t Stop Me Now,” indeed. If you want EDM, OPM ballads, or both, no problem listening to them with these buds. The sound is crisp and clear—which goes the same for its microphone—and there’s depth in the sound quality. It’s perfect for when you’re listening to your workout playlist.

It can easily surround your space and immerse you in sound at the highest volume, be it on Spotify or YouTube. You won’t miss any conversations from the K-Drama or Western series you want to see on Netflix or heck, even your voice messages.

Adidas FWD-02 SPORTS Wireless Earbuds: Touch Controls

The buds’ touch controls aren’t that sensitive. That said, you have to put a little force in your presses, which can be a little bothersome when you can’t seem to push it right. Once to pause or play, twice to skip, and thrice to go back to the previous song. If you’re wearing gloves for some reason, you can seamlessly control the device, too. You can also configure your controls and activate more features if you get the adidas headphones application. There’s also an awareness mode, which lets in ambient noise, especially useful for when you’re outdoors.

Verdict: Should you buy the Adidas FWD-02 SPORTS Wireless Earbuds: 

The FWD-02 retails for P8,890—a good bang for your buck. Is it a good investment? Totally. So whether you’re a casual listener or an audiophile wanting to get a taste of what adidas has to offer going past their stylish activewear, this pair of wireless earbuds are definitely worth checking out. Plus, you won’t worry about the tangles, especially when you're exercising. And as a tip, note that they're on sale at Digital Walker with an 11% off as of writing.