Sound Impressions
Summary
The Astrotec S80 tuning is more towards a v-shaped curve with a forward upper mids and treble adding plenty of ‘exciting’ contrast and a timbre that warmish on the lows but leaner on the highs.
The low-end on the S80 is not as exaggerated as the HELM TW5.0 nor quite as powerful as the MPOW M5 sub-bass presence. It hits pretty hard but with a bit more mid-bass punch and less bloom then the TW5.0 which I tend to prefer. The lack of muddiness helps a slightly recessed lower-mids sound relatively clean and clear as well as 1-2k vocal ranges where a slight bump exists.
Upper mids on the S80 sound fairly forward to me though not to the point where it is overtly shouty for female higher-pitched vocals. However, percussion is quite dominant in the signature as a result of that upper mids elevation. Combine that with a neutral to a slightly forward 6-7k range and the resulting output can be relatively harder and drier sounding than the TEVI which dips more around 4k.
If you switch to Symbio hybrid tips the treble gets even more definition and sparkle. The stock single bore regular silicone tips are a little too porous for me so the sound is looser and more diffuse. The Symbio tips add some welcome meat on the low-end and more energy into those upper mids and treble.
Yup, drier and cleaner than stock but the trade-off is more satisfying for me, especially if you enjoy is sparsely mixed hip-hop or R’n’B. The Symbio tips add more depth and height and an altogether cleaner sound to the S80 presentation.
Timbre
The timbre is a mix for me. On the low-end up to around 1k, you get some nice weight, good bass fundamentals, and a slightly warm timbre. Nowhere near as warm as the HELM TW5.0 timbre though, the balance here is a bit more sensible. I would say slightly brighter and more ‘contrasty’ than the MPOW M5 but not quite as balanced and smooth as the Lypertek TEVI.
Beyond 1-2k, that upper mids elevation and a treble peak around 6-7k delivers heavy percussion presence and snap. The timbre becomes a bit more odd-harmonic biased, harder sounding. Vocals are not quite as forward or as wet sounding the higher up the scale and you do get a slither of sibilance in some tracks compared to the M5 and TEVI.
You could argue the vocal tone is clean, however, I would say contrasting and mixed depending on where everything is pitching. Tenor vocals seem to perform the best or anything that sits on that 1-2k ridge where the mix of warmth and treble clarity in the timbre is just right.
Staging
The S80 has plenty of depth and good height. Instrumental layering is stretched with that upper mids and higher-pitched vocals front and center and lower-mids instrumental positioning slight behind. It does help to keep things clean and clear despite the bass weight. Treble extension beyond 7-8k is not amazing, it does fade slightly but nowhere near as relaxed as some of the S80 competitors.
That is what impresses me the most about the S80 is that despite the SBC max decoding, it does not sound compressed, smeared or lacking in dynamic range. The beryllium driver inside the S80 is a good performer for imaging and above-average instrumental separation for a TWS.
Wireless performance
Pairing
The pairing process is relatively straight forward with the S80. So long as you follow the step by step process you will get a right-left connection in stereo. Don’t and you will get a mono connection to your source. The master driver is the right, so slip that out first and wait for the voice to say pairing. Then take out the left and they should automatically bond. Only then turn on your source BT and pair.
Following that process, I had no issues using a Note 9, Huawei P20, and my Sony 1Z. On the 1Z and the P20, it will show the default decoding rate label and it is SBC
Stability & Range
Excellent stability over long distances and on par with the best I have tested so far which is the HELM TW5.0. That means an easy 10-15m, being able to walk into the dark recesses of my kitchen and excellent left/right stability.
Smartphones will perform the best with the S80 as you would expect. I tend to find that outside of the Sony 1Z, the BT implementations on DAPs and transmitting capability to be less than stellar. For example, the Lotoo PAW Gold Touch drops the pairing just 1-2 meters away which is similar to what happened with some of our budget TWS when testing. That’s bad for a $3k DAP.
Latency
Latency is excellent at 0.1s hastened on VLC Windows 10 with video using 640kbps audio tracks. In fact, I would say it is a nailed on 0.1s hastened whereas both the HELM TW5.0 and TEVI might be closer to 0.12 or 0.15s hastened.
Select Comparisons
HELM TW5.0
$129.99
Technical
The HELM TW5.0 is on the pricier side compared to the S80 but it does have aptX decoding, some excellent antenna technology, and better battery numbers. The cradle is listed at 30-40 hours and around 6-8 hours more battery life, though this is measured at SBC and 50% volume. Still, that is 1-3 hours more than the S80 driver battery and about 30% more capacity in the cradle.
The size of the S80 cradle, however, is just so much better than the bulky and ugly HELM cradle. That nylon and chrome finish and more pocketable size works much better than the TW5.0 clear plastics. Also, USB-C charging on the S80 is more future-proofed but no quick charging does not give it an advantage.
The design of both drivers is on the bulkier side and certainly rank as the biggest TWS I have reviewed to date. However, I prefer the HELM fitting. The form factor is a little more stable in the ear with the hooks and grippy rubbery shell coating. The tip selection works better also. The S80 stock angled tips are awful, the single bore somewhat better and the foam tips the best for isolation.
What I do like is the S80 touch vs physical controls of the HELM. Much better, much easier to work with and less discomfort when pressing or tapping.
Performance
Both of these TWS have excellent stability over range. I thought that the HELM would be king for a while given how much weaker the others were in comparison. However, the S80 is right up there for distance and going into every nook and cranny the HELM was allowing me previously. Now, granted the TW5.0 is aptX at this range and the S80 is only SBC but it is not like the S80 has a choice.
Pairing is much easier on the S80, though once you know the TW5.0 routine it becomes a bit easier. Latency on both for audio to video lipsync on Win 10 VLC are similar though I would shade the tightness at 0.1s hastened to the S80 but only by a tiny amount.
Tuning
Both are relatively V-shaped but I actually think the low-end of the S80 is more potent than the TW5.0. Yes, the TW5.0 will sound like it had more bass, but it can be bloomy overblown mid-bass that tends to drown out everything else when called upon.
The sub-bass of the TW5.0 has an equal weighting when compared to the S80 but the definition is much looser. The S80 low-end has just as much quantity below 100Hz but sounds much tighter and better defined. Clearly the beryllium driver reaping the rewards here. That and a more subdued mid-bass hump which does not bleed as much into the lower mids.
On the other end of the spectrum, the S80 has more treble presence and extension. The TW5.0 is more relaxed with a darker overall presentation. That affects the mids timbre in a big way which is where the differences between these two are at their starkest.
Both have dipped lower-mids and elevated vocal presence but the S80’s controlled low-end and better treble presence delivers superior midrange clarity and a slightly more accurate instrumental timbre. The bloom of the TW5.0 tends to bleed too much so the timbre is much warmer and the instrumental body fuller than the S80. However, there is less clarity and a bit more smear throughout the mids.
Lypertek TEVI
£99
Technical
I was going to start by saying the $50 price difference merited the additional features on the TEVI but having found out it is $90 in the US at some outlets the TEVI is honestly unbeatable in everything apart from stability and the physical controls.
This is aptX with True Wireless Stereo Plus versus SBC/AAC and True Wireless Stereo only. This is an app-powered TWS versus no S80 app and IPX7 over IPX5. We are talking about 70 hours of total battery life versus just 25 on the S80 cradle. When all are set to decoding the TEVI drivers are good for 10 hours versus 5-6 on the S80.
The S80 is the better for touch controls with the TEVI often getting stuffed into the ear canal with multiple presses. The S80 is more stable over longer distances with the TEVI suffering from a bit more drop out. Left/right stereo under heavy EMI is more stable on the TEVI but if you need max distance I would go with the S80.
Lastly, the comfort and fit are with the TEVI. The S80 design is more unusual but the short nozzle places a ton of emphasis on tips. The S80 tips range from bad to just ok. The TEVI tips work out of the box in terms of better seal and comfort.
Performance
This is where the S80 has the edge. Its range and stability are as good as the HELM TW5.0 which means it is much steadier and longer distances compared to the TEVI. I found the TEVI to drop and jitter long before the S80 did.
Pairing is also straight forward enough for both and I did not find any drop issues like the KZ T1. I still rate the M5 as the easiest to pair out of all the TWS reviewed to date, however. You can still get stuck with a mono pairing now and then with both of these TWS.
Latency on these two are good and track similarly at 0.1s hastened on VLC Windows 10. In fact, perhaps simply a placebo, but I felt the S80 might just be a little tighter for lip-sync at 0.1s compared to the TEVI, (640kbps audio).
Tuning
The S80 is more V-shaped with enhanced bass and treble contrast and a dipped midrange. The TEVI is more balanced, slightly warmer and a more open midrange and forward vocal presence.
The S80 low-end reaches deeper hits harder and is more physical sounding. The TEVI is a shade more controlled but still very punchy and effective on the low-end. In fact, I would say the TEVI has a bit more mid-bass punch than the S80’s sub-bass bias and certainly sounds a bit more intimate also.
Mids on the TEVI are further forward and a shade warmer in both instrumental and vocal timbre. The S80 timbre is cleaner, cooler and lacks the same presence for both vocals and lower-mids instruments. It is not a mids specialist for me but neither is it veiled or distant like the TW5.0. Instruments on the S80 draw from some excellent bass fundamentals but notes lack a little in terms of texture compared to the TEVI.
Upper mids have a bit more elevation on the S80 but without the warmth, they can sometimes sound a bit hard compared to the TEVI. I believe the TEVI dips around 4k so that might account for the contrast. For a V-shaped tuning, it is not surprising to have that upper mids elevation.
MPOW M5
$49.99
Technical
The M5 is the ‘pleb’ cousin of the TEVI in terms of sharing the same design of the drivers and cradle form factor. It is clear both are machined at the same factory only the M5 was done with cheaper components.
The M5 is a single driver but most likely not beryllium like the S80. Like the S80, it also has BT5.0, cVc 80 noise suppression and an IPX rating. This time it is IPX7 and a little higher than the S80 IPX5 rating. The M5 also has aptX whereas the S80 comes equipped only with SBC and AAC.
The battery life on the M5 cradle is better at 35 hours compared to just 25 on the S80 but driver cycles are equal at around 5-6 hours each. The M5 cradle is the bigger of the two and slightly less eye-catching in its faux-leather compared to the chrome and nylon of the S80. USB-C compared to micro USB gives the S80 the edge.
The stability and distance of the two are quite even. I did not detect any gaps in performance between the two at the usual stop-off points in my house. Using a Samsung Note 9 and Huawei P20 I was able to get to 10m on both without either getting choppier more than the other. The left/right stability on both was good.
Just one note, however, the M5 was decoding aptX whereas the S80 was on SBC. Technically, that gives the M5 a slight edge because the trade-off of higher data transmission is almost always signal stability.
Tuning
The M5 is probably more of a potent V-SHaped profile than the S80 which sounds more controlled and a shade warmer. However, the M5 treble is just a shade more relaxed so it has less of a bass/treble contrast compared to the S80. The S80 upper mids are more forward sounding for me with more percussion presence but also slightly less body.
That difference in upper mids and treble tuning affects the mids timbre a fair bit. The M5 timbre is slightly smoother but with less lower-mids presence due to the power of the bass. Vocals are slightly warmer though and have a bit more body. The S80 timbre and vocals have way more contrast with some “s’ trails on vocal performances.
For example, TheWeeknd’s The Morning from his House Of Balloons mixtape has a higher-pitched vocal performance. On the M5 is sounds smooth, clear and fairly life-like. On the S80, the vocals are a little further forward and have more presence. However, they also have a little edginess or sibilance creeping in from that raised upper mids and treble so they sound harder-edged.
The low-end on the M5 is powerful, perhaps the best sub-bass physicality I have heard on a budget TWS to date. Certainly, there is more quantity than the S80 sub-bass which is a little more controlled. It can often be too powerful though and can dim the lower-mids presence a bit more than the S80’s tuning.
Our Verdict
I have to say when I first read the spec sheet on the S80 and seeing aptX was lacking I was not expecting a lot. However, whilst not beating out the top dog, the TEVI, it is a surprisingly good performer for the price.
The low-end is nicely weighted to be powerful without overpowering, the mids are clear and naturally balanced on the low-end and cleaner and leaner further into the upper mids. This is contrasty ‘exciting’ sound signature that does quite well with modern pop and EDM.
Just watch those tips and fitting. This is the S80’s weak spot. The supplied tips do not seal well enough for my liking and the angular ones are poor. At best you could work with the foam tips but even better if you get a set of bigger foams or hybrids and get that seal working. The S80 sounds so much better with a proper seal.
Aside from that, impressive range and stability is up there with the HELM TW5.0 for antennae range. Not enough all-round features to knock off the TEVI from the top spot but a solid footing just behind it to justify the price.
S80 Specifications
- Driver Unit: Beryllium Dynamic Driver
- Impedance: 16Ω
- Sensitivity: 98±3 dB
- Frequency Response: 5Hz -25kHz
- MIC Type: MEMS
- Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.0
- Transmission Distance: 10m
- Audio Coding: AAC, CVSD, mSBC, SBC
- Supported Profile: HFP, HSP, A2DP, AVRCP, SPP, PBAP
- Earphone Continuous Playback Time: About 5-6hrs
- Charging Capability Supported By Charging Case: About 4-5 times
- Earphone Charging Time: About 1.5 hrs
- Charging Case Charging Time: About 2 hours
- Charging Case Charging Method: Type-C USB
- IPX5 rated for waterproofing
