Review: Sudio T2 ANC True Wireless Earbuds

The Sudio Tolv was released back in late 2019, and since then there has been many other models suich as the Fem, Ett, and Nio. Finally after close to 2 years, Sudio has released an upgrade to the Tolv, which is the Sudio T2. The new Sudio T2 comes with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), and retails for S$179, but you can enjoy 15% off by using the discount code TECHJIO at checkout.

Unboxing

In the box, you will receive the following items:

• Sudio T2 ANC earbuds
• Charging case
• USB-A to USB-C cable
• Silicon ear tips x4 pairs (XS, S, M , L)
• User manual

Tech specs

Build quality and features

The Sudio T2 retains its pebble shaped case, with a noticeable change being the built-in loop having a more flexible and softer fabric compared to the iconic brown ‘rope’ material. The case has matte finish with a smooth to the touch coating, and features a LED indicator at the back. The size of the case is quite small, making it very pocketable.

As for the earbuds, the overall shape is kept largely the same as the Tolv with subtle changes in its design. The Sudio T2 has a teardrop taper towards its LED indicator compared to Tolv’s more oval-shaped look. The earbuds have a matte finish and are lightweight at just 5.3g. Although Sudio mentions that the Sudio T2 is splash proof, it does not have an IP rating. Build quality feels solid and the surface of the T2 is a smooth rubbery feel, so it can be a little tricky getting it out of the case when your fingers are sweaty.

Controls

Sudio T2 has gone towards touch controls, away from the physical buttons on the Tolv. It is able to control all media controls of play/pause, volume, and skipping of tracks.

The touch controls is responsive and are easy to use. The touch surface is not overly sensitive so I do not encounter any accidental mis-touches. Cycling through Ambient mode, ANC, and regular mode will play different sounds instead of a voice cue. For example, ANC mode will play a train-like sound to let you know that you are in ANC mode.

Ambient mode / Transparency mode

Ambient mode or transparency mode allows external sounds to come into the earbuds. Unlike the Ett where the transparency mode only kicks in when you are making a call, you are able to manually toggle it with the Sudio T2. When the microphone is used, Sudio T2 is smart enough to automatically enable the transparency mode so that you can gauge the volume of your voice while conversing.

Environmental sounds and voices sound quite natural, though wind/air seems to be heard louder than usual.

Battery life

Like the Tolv, Sudio T2 is rated to last up to 7.5 hours of play time on a single charge, and if you use ANC the whole time you can expect 6.5 hours. Together with the battery case, you can expect to get 35 hours in total with the Sudio T2.

Charging is done via USB-C at the back of the case. Unfortunately, wireless charging is not supported.

Fit

The Sudio T2 offers a light and comfortable fit. It sits gently in my ear and doesn’t go too deep into my ears. The combination of a short nozzle and a flat eartips doesn’t provide me with a very tight seal, but still enough for decent noise isolation with ANC. The fit of the Sudio T2 will best suit individuals who prefer a less penetrative earbuds, and more of a light and breathable fit.

Sudio has offered four different sizes of ear tips, ranging from XS to L. I find myself using the L size to get the best fit but this isn’t usually the case.

Pairing, connectivity, and latency

Sudio T2 is equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5.2. Pairing is very straightforward and fast. Once you flip open the case, the Sudio T2 will start to pair with the last connected device. The Bluetooth connection was largely stable, and there was no latency or lag when watching YouTube videos from the YouTube app on my iPhone 11.

If you want to use just one earbud, you can use either the left or right earbud. The connection from one earbud to two resumes instantly the moment you remove second earbud from the case.

Sound quality

Sudio T2 features a consumer-friendly V-shaped sound signature where bass and treble is amplified to make music more enjoyable to listen to. Bass is punchy and offer good depth due to presence from the sub-bass. You can expect satisfying thump and rumble, but they are not overwhelming.

Midrange seems to be a little recessed due to the bass presence, making me want more kick from the vocals and instruments at times. Having said that, mids still come across clear and thankfully not clouded. Treble is bright sounding and well controlled to prevent it to sound overly sibilant. Soundstage feels wide with a good degree of openness.

ANC performance

Like the Sudio Ett, not much has changed with the performance of the ANC. ANC on the Sudio T2 is effective at reducing low frequency noises such as engine rumble. But when it comes to higher frequencies such as vacuum cleaner or rail squeal in MRTs, the Sudio T2 is only able to get rid about 30-40% of it. You can still hear some of the noise. The ANC experience that you’re getting is pretty subtle. One thing that Sudio has done well is that the ANC does not alter the EQ of the sound or induce any cabin pressure effect.

Microphone quality

The microphone pickup on the Sudio T2 is average. In a quiet room, the Sudio T2 is able to pickup my voice accurately, but the clarity did not impress me. Although I could hear word for word, the output was a little rough. When in a noisy environment, the microphone actually does a great job at isolating my voice and cancelling out a lot of the background noise.

Conclusion

For those who enjoyed the Tolv, the Sudio T2 presents a good upgrade for its familiar shape and size.Sudio T2 has ANC, though a subtle implementation, is still useful in situations to cut out noises to focus on your songs. Sound has an enjoyable V-shaped tuning which most people will come to enjoy.

If you’re interested in getting a Sudio T2, enjoy 15% off by using the promo code TECHJIO at checkout, meaning you only pay S$152!