In a market flooded with earbuds that promise the moon but often fumble with the basics, standing out is no small feat. Homegrown brand Boat has carved a niche with its affordable, feature-packed offerings. The Boat Airdopes 800 HiDef, priced at Rs 1,899, is the latest addition to its lineup, promising Hi-Def audio and a stylish design without breaking the bank.
But can these earbuds truly rise above the noise and deliver a pitch-perfect performance, or will they get lost in the symphony of lookalikes? Let’s dive in to find out.
Boat Airdopes 800 HiDef design
Boat Airdopes 800 HiDef earbuds offer a mix of style and practicality, starting with their thoughtfully designed charging case. The case features a compact rectangular shape with rounded edges. A matte finish covers the entire case, adding a touch of elegance while resisting fingerprints and smudges—a bonus for those who like to keep their gadgets looking clean. While the case does feel slightly bigger than some ultra-compact options in the market, its ergonomic rectangular shape with rounded edges ensures it easily fits into your pocket or bag without feeling bulky.
At the front, a subtle LED light indicator adds functionality by glowing when the case is put to charge, giving you a quick visual cue about its status. Meanwhile, the USB Type-C charging port is neatly placed on the right edge, ensuring easy accessibility for charging. The overall build feels sturdy yet lightweight, perfectly complementing the earbuds' ergonomic design.
The earbuds feature a stem-style design that not only looks sleek but also ensures practicality. Each earbud features a small LED indicator on the top, signaling connectivity and charging status. The glossy finish on the earbuds lends a premium feel. The earbuds provide a snug fit, sitting comfortably in your ears without causing discomfort, even during long listening sessions. Whether you’re enjoying your favorite playlist, catching up on podcasts, or taking calls, the design ensures minimal ear fatigue.
The angled design of the earbuds, combined with silicone ear tips available in various sizes, ensures a secure fit and offers effective passive noise isolation.
Boat Airdopes 800 HiDef performance
The Boat Airdopes 800 HiDef earbuds aim to deliver high-definition audio performance, and for the most part, they live up to the promise. Powered by 10mm dual drivers, these earbuds provide a sound signature that's tuned to please a wide audience, particularly bass lovers.
Starting with bass-heavy tracks, the earbuds pack a punch that’s satisfying without being overwhelming. Tracks like Malang by Ved Sharma, Subah Subah from Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety and Makhna by Tanishk Bagchi feel vibrant, with the beats hitting hard and adding energy to the listening experience. International hits like Blinding Lights by The Weeknd and Levitating by Dua Lipa showcase the earbuds' ability to handle bass drops and rhythm sections with ease. The bass is tight and controlled, enhancing the overall sound without overwhelming the vocals or instruments.
For melodies and softer tracks like Tera Ban Jaunga from Kabir Singh, the mids are smooth and warm. Vocals stand out beautifully, with a decent level of clarity that lets you feel the emotion in the song. The earbuds do a satisfactory job of separating the vocals from the background instruments, ensuring an engaging listening experience for melody enthusiasts.
Moving to genres like rock or pop, tracks such as Shape of You by Ed Sheeran sound vibrant. Instrumentals are detailed enough to catch subtle nuances, like the strumming of a guitar or the tap of cymbals. While the earbuds handle instruments like violins and pianos reasonably well, audiophiles might notice a slight lack of crispness in the finer details. However, for casual listeners, the soundstage feels wide enough to create an immersive experience.
The Airdopes 800 HiDef also performs admirably for podcasts and calls. Voices are clear and natural, without distortion, even at higher volumes. The earbuds are equipped with an Adaptive EQ feature, which can adjust the sound profile based on the fit and environment. Whether you're in a noisy environment or in a quiet room, the Adaptive EQ works to fine-tune the audio output, balancing the bass, mids, and highs for optimal sound. When it comes to latency, the Airdopes 800 HiDef offers a decent performance for video streaming and gaming, thanks to its low-latency mode.
Boat Airdopes 800 HiDef battery
Boat claims that the earbuds have a total battery life of up to 40 hours. During our testing, we found that it is fairly accurate. The earbuds themselves provide around 6 hours of playtime on a single charge, and with the charging case, we were able to comfortably get close to the 30-hour mark under normal usage conditions. This included a mix of music, podcasts, and calls, with the volume set at a moderate level.
Verdict
Boat Airdopes 800 HiDef earbuds, priced at an affordable Rs 1,899, offer a solid mix of performance, style, and practicality, making them a standout option in a market flooded with similar-looking competitors. Their robust design, including a compact, matte-finished charging case and a comfortable stem-style fit, strikes a good balance between aesthetics and functionality. The earbuds provide a snug and secure fit, ensuring that they stay in place during extended listening sessions. In terms of performance, the Airdopes 800 HiDef deliver rich, bass-heavy sound without overwhelming the mids or highs, making them ideal for a variety of music genres.
For anyone looking for affordable yet performing earbuds, the Airdopes 800 HiDef is a good choice.
Rating -- 3/5