Soul ST-XS2 True Wireless Earbud Review: Fit-for-purpose Workout ...

Soul ST-XS2 true wireless earbud review: Fit-for-purpose workout buds

True wireless earbuds are more or less the smallest form factor earphones can get without breaking the laws of physics. This makes them ideal not only for the modern commuter who is always on the move, but also for gym junkies who will appreciate the true freedom from cables and wires.

The latter demographic is not one that has seen a lot of action. Sure, most true wireless earbuds today are IPX4 rated, which means they can withstand splashes of sweat and water with no issues. But with a few exceptions like the Jabra Elite Active 75t, true wireless earbuds that are engineered (or marketed) specifically for sporty consumers are few and far between.

Lesser-known (but not entirely unknown) brands have stepped in to fill this niche, such as Soul’s ST-XS2. This true wireless earbud is more than just a collection of marketing points, it actually has some pretty nifty features that adrenaline junkies will find useful.

What’s so sporty about it?

The ST-XS2 has a case that doesn’t look particularly out of the ordinary for a pair of true wireless earbuds, but I like the little nylon loop around the edge that lets you clip it easily to a small gym bag by way of a carabiner that Soul very kindly included in the box.

The design of the earbuds themselves are also surprisingly well-thought out. They have a unique boxy look lets it sit flat against your ear, with the silicone tips sticking out at an angle to pump music deeper into your ears.

Combined with the included wing tips, they sit very snugly and securely in my ear and did not budge even with the most vigorous of movements during my stay-home body combat class. It is also very lightweight, and I felt no discomfort even on a longer run of around an hour.

The ST-XS2 are IPX7 rated, which is a bump up from the IPX4 ratings that we typically see in most of today's true wireless earbuds. Technically speaking, the IPX7 rating means the ST-XS2 can be submerged up to 1 metre in water for up to 30 minutes. It's unlikely anyone is going to be wading into a pool with this but it's good to know that it can withstand sweat and even heavy rain.

It even has a transparency mode, a feature that’s present only in a handful of other models. This lets you hear ambient noise from the environment around you. This is extremely important for outdoor sports, so you can be aware of traffic and other potential hazards around you.

The transparency mode is easily activated by long-pressing either side of the earbuds. The sounds of the wind blowing past and the leaves rustling in the trees came through as slight tinnier and more artificial than what they would have sounded like in real life. But they did come through loud and clear, so it served its purpose well.

The earbuds have just one button on each side along with simple LED lights to tell you when they’re charging or connecting. The physical buttons are a breath of fresh air after all the touch-enabled models I’ve tested recently. An actual button is miles better than touch controls when you’re playing sports. On the rare occasion that the earbuds came loose, a simple push set it back in easily without any accidental plays or pauses or worse – unintentionally summoning Siri.

Battery life is also very good, lasting up to 5 hours on a single charge, and up to 25 hours with the case. As usual, real life usage clocked in at just under both of these figures, but they are more than good enough for the typical commute, gym session, or urban run.

Does it sound good?

Soul promises “amazing” sound quality with clear mids and highs and deep low bass. That sounds like the entire package we need from a pair of earbuds, so does it live up to the hype?

My go-to genres during a workout are typically rock, electropop, and a dash of trance. Across all three genres, the ST-XS2 performed very well especially for a gadget at its price point.

On a track like Closer by POWERS, for example, the bass was heart thumpingly good and yet did not overpower the vocals or the accompanying instrumentals. Everything came across loud and clear and helped me push through the mental barrier between 11km and 12km during a particularly unmotivated run.

Fast-paced EDM tracks such as AWAL and Space Race’s Lightspeed performed even better, transporting me to an alternate dimension where only me and my reps existed.

The ST-XS2 could handle rock music with aplomb, producing a reasonably balanced rendition of The Killer’s Mr. Brightside, for example, that was fun to listen to.

All of the above also makes the ST-XS2 an excellent companion for daily commutes, with one caveat: if you’re a big listener of classical music and musical theatre, the ST-XS2 might not live up to expectations. Pieces with more nuance and complexity will sound muddled and unpleasant through the ST-XS2.

Final thoughts

Overall, the design of the ST-XS2 is certainly not something to shout about. It’s made largely with flimsy plastic that feels cheap, and it’s evident that the fit and finish isn’t as fine as a more premium brand like Apple or Sony.

But Soul makes no pretensions to the fact. At a recommended retail price of just S$169.90 – and frequently on sale at much lower prices these days – this is a pair of mid-range earbuds that seeks to fill just one single niche and sound great while doing so.

If you’re looking for a set of affordable true wireless earbuds that can keep up with your workouts and still function nicely as your day-to-day pipes, then the ST-XS2 might prove to be a perfect fit.