The Groov-e Neo earbuds have entered the affordable audio market with a standout feature: a touchscreen LCD integrated directly into the charging case. These wireless earbuds are priced at £39.99, though they can often be found for closer to £30, offering a unique design in the budget noise-cancelling category.
The case’s touchscreen display provides users with a way to control various functions without needing to access a paired smartphone. Through the screen, users can manage music playback, adjust EQ settings, initiate Bluetooth pairing, and toggle active noise cancellation.
Alongside standard audio controls, the built-in screen includes several novelty applications. The interface features a ‘find’ mode, a calendar, a stopwatch, a flashlight function that turns the screen entirely white, and even a playable clone of the game Flappy Bird.
Despite the unique utility, the screen presents several functional challenges. The display is somewhat dim, and a black triangle in the bottom left corner makes some text difficult to read. Usability issues were also noted, such as the camera control functioning as a volume adjustment, loud interface swiping noises, and the earbuds randomly whistling when removed from the case.
In terms of physical design, the earbuds themselves are lightweight, weighing just six grams each. They feature a dangling, stem-based form factor rather than a twist-and-push fit. The rounded charging case is available in either black or sand-beige, features a soft-close hinge, and includes an integrated wrist strap.
Comfort is solid for a couple of hours of extended listening, though the overall fitment and ear seal are not highly secure. Additionally, the Groov-e Neo buds lack an official IP rating, meaning they are not recommended for workouts or environments near water.
Active noise cancellation is included but performs moderately. The ANC function is not enabled by default and must be activated via the touchscreen. Once turned on, it dampens ambient sound rather than completely silencing it, leaving mechanical keyboards and surrounding chatter still audible.
Connectivity is powered by Bluetooth 6.0, allowing for a straightforward pairing process. However, the earbuds do not support any form of multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, limiting the ability to listen across multiple devices simultaneously.
Battery life provides a total of up to 22 hours of playback. The earbuds hold six hours of charge on their own, while the charging case supplies an additional 16 hours, ensuring a couple of full days of listening before requiring a recharge.
The default sound profile is heavily dominated by bass. This intense low-end emphasis significantly overshadows vocals, mid-range elements, and lighter acoustic instrumentation, resulting in a narrow soundstage and a lack of overall audio detail.
High-end percussion sounds lack attack and sparkle, causing tracks to meld together. However, users can improve the audio balance by selecting the ‘Popular’ EQ preset via the charging case screen, which brings vocals and mid-range frequencies forward while reducing the overpowering bass.
Source: Trusted Reviews