New Delhi: At a time when the TWS category is going all vogue, neckband-style earphones have managed to retain their fan base. More popular among gym-goers and fitness enthusiasts, they are getting affordable along with better sound output and longer battery life. Now, OPPO has launched its Enco M32 neckband, which claims to offer a great audio experience and better functionalities, at Rs. 1,799. I have been using the Enco M32 for around two weeks and here’s my review of the Oppo neckband.
Design: The Enco M32 borrows its design from its predecessor, the Enco M32, with some subtle improvements. The build quality is good and feels premium, defying its affordable pricing. The earphones look stylish and are comfortable to wear for longer durations. They fit in your ear perfectly and are also comfortable during outdoor activities such as running, jogging, and sports. All buttons are placed on the right side of the neckband, along with the microphone. You get the basic volume up and down buttons, and in between, there's a multi-function key that allows you to answer or reject calls, play/pause music, and change tracks. The Enco M32 fits into the ears at ease. I used it for around two weeks continuously without any issues. The Enco M32 didn't come loose or hurt my ears, which is great. It also has an IP55 rating for dust, water, and sweat resistance.
Sound: The first thing you look for with Bluetooth earphones is sound quality and the Enco M32 doesn't disappoint. It offers impressive sound quality with clear highs, balanced mids, and extra bass, aided by the 10mm drivers. From bass-heavy to lower mid-range tracks, I played a wide genre of songs on the Oppo neckband and got a mostly balanced and accurate sound. While streaming on YouTube, Netflix, and other platforms, the sound quality of the Enco M32 was impressive. However, you don't get hi-res LDAC codec support, which was there in the Enco M31. That said, if you like more bass, you would appreciate the Enco M32. Voice quality was also good during the calls I made with the Enco M32.
Connectivity: The Enco M32 features Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity and supports every Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone, speaker, PC, and other device. You can connect it to both iPhone and Android smartphones but the earphones lack app support. Also, there’s no dedicated power button but the earphones have magnetic backs. They get attached to switch off the music, and pulling the buds apart would switch on the neckband. The pairing process is also convenient as you can connect it with your device simply by activating Bluetooth.
Battery: One of the major highlights of the Enco M32 is its superb battery life and fast charging capabilities. Oppo promises up to 28 hours of battery life on a single charge, a bit far-fetched claim. However, you can expect it to offer a full day of music and calls on a quick 10-minute charge.
Verdict: At Rs. 1,799, the Enco M32 is a decent buy. It's comfortable, easy to carry around, and has stellar battery life. The sound quality is also impressive. The drawback here is that Oppo has dropped the hi-res LDAC codec support but the extra bass it offers acts as a cover.