Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector: Two-Minute Review
The Belkin SoundForm wired earbuds with USB-C connector are pretty inconspicuous. For a cheap pair of wired earbuds, they’re everything you’d expect – no more, no less: audio is average at best, a basic but fairly functional design and a lightweight feel.
So it’s certainly worth starting with a disclaimer. These earbuds come with a very low price tag of just $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95. As a result, expectations are unreasonable great The audio from these headphones – even Belkin itself insists they offer “superior sound quality” (spoiler alert, they don’t). Perhaps not surprisingly, the overall listening experience you get from the Belkin SoundForm wired earbuds with USB-C connectors (hereafter referred to as Belkin SoundForm USB-C) isn’t great.
The key issue here is that the audio is usually very small. When I compare them to the Skullcandy Set USB-C – which is on our list The best wired earbuds – I found the clarity on the Belkin headphones to be poor and the instruments often sounded unrealistic. For example, when I tune into Holy, Holy By Geordie Greep with Belkin Headphones, the bass is rather muddy, the choppy guitars lack clarity, and the often dramatic, show-stopping vocals can’t find a clear, satisfying place in the overall mix. Percussion in the treble frequency range also often sounds harsh at higher volumes, resulting in a rather bland listening experience.
I should say, though, that if you’re not too fussy about sound quality and just want cheap headphones, these will certainly do the job. There are no scary technical issues like audio interruptions, low volume, or device compatibility issues. Of course, the lack of instrument separation and narrow soundstage can make the music sound rather limited, but the bass has a decent (albeit not roaring) kick and the highs – although sometimes harsh – can be quite jarring when listening to more upbeat tracks. bright.
However, some sonic flaws can be very frustrating indeed, even if you’re a more casual listener. listen It’s raining again In Solji’s song, the lead singer’s high notes are delivered in a rather arrogant way, which sounds a bit uncomfortable. On the other hand, I found the SoundForm USB-C’s cable noise to be very prominent. This is aggravated when you’re on the go or moving around, and if you need some headphones for working out or taking a walk, these aren’t ideal. However, to be fair, cable noise is very common with wired headphones, and you often have to pay more to avoid it – like After AONIC 3 Very capable of mitigating this problem.
Aside from cable noise, I had few issues with the design of the Belkin SoundForm wired earbuds with USB-C connectors. The included controller, while a little clunky, is responsive, works well, and has volume controls, as well as a play/pause button that can also be used to answer calls or skip songs. The actual USB-C connector is also nice and doesn’t protrude from the port when in use Samsung The Galaxy S24 FE isn’t too big in the hand. Best of all, they have a pleasant and comfortable in-ear feel. Unlike many budget headphones, I never felt like they were falling out of my ears, even after listening for hours on end. Belkin also offers a range of ear tips in different sizes, so you can create a very tight seal for use no matter your ear size.
Regarding fit, it’s important to get a solid seal when using the SoundForm USB-C. Being wired buds; they won’t offer active noise cancellation, instead relying on passive noise isolation to cancel out external noise. I used medium-sized ear tips and found the passive noise isolation to be excellent. I can still hear some external noise, such as typing at around 60-70% volume, but it’s pretty dull. For the price you pay, I definitely feel the soundproofing quality is above average.
If you’re worried about your SoundForm USB-C getting damaged while walking in the rain, you can rest assured. They have an IPX5 waterproof rating, which means they can withstand direct contact with water jets, so even if it’s pouring rain, you should be fine here. Alas, this is the tragic end to my praise.
That’s because now it’s time to talk about what these buds actually look like. In my opinion, these are not easy on the eyes. Sure, the rounded shape of the buds is pretty and very functional, plus the pink and blue color options (available in the US and Australia) are very attractive, but that’s about it. The buds themselves look very malleable, and the glossy look only really emphasizes that. Additionally, the wires are flat rather than round, making for a less elegant look. Beyond that, I found the wires to kink easily, so don’t expect the highest durability. The “tangle-free” claim is also a bit of a stretch – I found that, like most wired headphones, the SoundForm USB-C can twist after being placed in a pocket or placed in a tight space.
Finally, there’s the built-in microphone, which Belkin says delivers “crystal-clear” call quality. But it can’t. I tried recording, but I couldn’t dress it up – the results were poor. My voice sounded tinny and there was a hiss throughout the recording. When I’m on the phone, my voice is clear and can be heard on the other end of the phone, but it’s not particularly clean and there’s static. So if you’re looking to upgrade your phone’s built-in microphone, don’t expect what the SoundForm USB-C has to offer you.
So, despite their lower price tag, are the Belkin SoundForm USB-C really worth considering? In my opinion, no. There are definitely some positives here – the sound isolation is very good, it’s comfortable to wear, and the IPX5 waterproof rating is decent too. But as always, it’s the sound that matters, and these buds fall short in this department. The overall audio is very tinny and narrow, and the highs are harsh. On top of that, the microphone quality is disappointing and the headset’s design lacks finesse. Sure, these are super cheap and packed with features, but you’re bound to find better quality from the competition in our guide. cheapest headphones.
Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: Price and release date
- US$24.99/£14.99/AU$29.95
- Launched in 2019
The Belkin SoundForm USB-C earbuds were released in 2019, so they’re not the freshest headphones on the market, but they work perfectly with any modern phone or device with USB-C. exist Amazon In the UK, they’re only available in black and white, although Amazon US and Australia have more alluring pink and blue options.
These wired headphones have a list price of $24.99 / £14.99 / AU$29.95, which means they’re a super-cheap option. It’s a pretty competitive space – companies like Skullcandy and Final have some great options, so be sure to evaluate the alternatives before snapping up one of these.
Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: Specs
| driver | 10mm dynamic |
| weight | 0.6 oz/17 g |
| frequency range | 20Hz-20KHz |
| Waterproof level | IPX5 |
Should you buy Belkin SoundForm wired earbuds with USB-C connector?
| property | notes | grade |
| feature | Solid noise isolation, oversized but functional controls, poor mic. | 3/5 |
| sound quality | Usually a high-pitched, piercing sound. | 2/5 |
| design | Quite plasticky, noticeable cable noise, flat wire not too pretty, color choices okay. | 2.5/5 |
| value | The ultra-low price reflects poor audio and microphone quality. | 3.5/5 |
Buy them if…
Don’t buy them if…
Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector Review: Also Consider
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Belkin SoundForm wired earbuds with USB-C connector | Skull Candy Set USB-C | Sound Magic E80D |
| price | US$24.99/£14.99/AU$29.95 | US$31.99/£29.99 (approximately AU$50) | US$44/£39.98/AU$66 |
| driver | 10mm dynamic | 9mm dynamic | 10mm dynamic |
| weight | 0.6 oz/17 g | 0.53 oz/15g | 0.56 oz/16 g |
| frequency range | 20Hz-20kHz | 20Hz-20kHz | 15Hz-22kHz |
| Waterproof level | IPX5 | IPX4 | Unspecified |
Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector review: How I tested
- After weeks of testing
- Use in the office, on walks and at home
- Mainly tested using Tidal on Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
I’ve been testing the Belkin SoundForm wired earbuds with USB-C connectors for a few weeks. I mainly use them when listening to music on Tidal Samsung Galaxy S24 FEbut I also play music and watch video content through Spotify Youtube. I used the headphones in an office environment and while walking near busy roads to test their noise isolation capabilities, but also at home for more zoned listening.
While listening to music, I played tracks from TechRadar’s test playlist, which features tracks from a variety of genres, although I also spent a few hours playing hits from my personal library. When the time comes, I’ll compare these headphones to the similarly priced Skullcandy Set USB-C to compare things like audio quality, comfort, and design choices.
- First review: November 2024
- Read more about How we test
