AirFly Professional 2 Evaluate – The Final Wi-fi Audio Adapter for journey and past

Every time somebody requested me “What’s your favorite gadget you’ve reviewed to date and why?”, I’d say it’s the AirFly Professional from Twelve South (or the Deluxe model). It’s a small system that solves an enormous drawback: connecting your wi-fi headphones to units that solely have a headphone jack. Whether or not you’re on a aircraft (ESPECIALLY on a aircraft), on the health club, or gaming with older gear, this tiny adapter guarantees to make your life simpler by reducing the twine on wired audio.

It means that you can watch in-flight films together with your favorite earbuds or Bluetooth headphones like my Bose QuietComfort 45 – providing wi-fi comfort and superior noise cancelling on the similar time. Are you continue to watching with the usual headphones given by the steward/stewardess? Then, yuck.

Twelve South has simply made an replace to their AirFly Professional and the brand new AirFly Professional 2 provides enhancements to the already superior, tiny, useful system.

Unboxing and Packaging Contents

The usual version (the overview pattern I’ve right here) features a good, carry pouch to hold the system and the compact charging cable however there isn’t a airline adapter included (you should buy it cheaply on eBay or different shops). The Deluxe model features a fancier, fake suede journey bag and a global airline adapter.

Setup and Pairing Course of

Getting began with the AirFly Professional 2 is refreshingly easy. The preliminary setup includes turning on the system, placing your headphones in pairing mode, and urgent the Pair 1 button for 4 seconds. The LED indicator guides you thru the method, and inside seconds, you’re related similar to that.

As soon as your headphones are paired, the AirFly Professional 2 remembers them and connects robotically when powered on. This makes it excellent for frequent vacationers who don’t need to fiddle with settings each time they board a aircraft. Plus, individuals don’t often change their headphones or earphones too typically.

Design and Construct High quality

The AirFly Professional 2 is impressively compact, just like the predecessor with roughly the scale of a USB drive however barely thicker. It feels stable in hand that resists fingerprints and scratches. The design is clear and minimal, with only a few important buttons and LED indicators which can be straightforward to grasp at a look. Positive, some individuals could not just like the design as a result of once you plug the cable in (connected with the unit), the AirFly Professional 2 can be dangling out of the port.

I consider that is to get most compatibility as a result of the connector may be made shorter and neater, however it could not match ports the place there are blockages round it.

The system options a typical 3.5mm headphone jack on one finish, a USB-C charging port, and three predominant buttons: energy, Pair 1, and Pair 2. There’s additionally a TX/RX toggle swap on the aspect that permits you to swap between transmit and obtain modes. The LED indicators are vibrant sufficient to see in varied lighting situations with out being distracting.

In comparison with the unique AirFly Professional, the numerous change is having the ability to pair it to 2 totally different units concurrently with the separate pairing buttons (and the aptX assist and I suppose, quantity controls too). That is significantly helpful for {couples} touring collectively to allow them to watch the identical film or take heed to the identical music whereas every wears his/her personal headphones. Organising twin headphones is easy. After connecting the primary set by means of Pair 1, you merely press and maintain the Pair 2 button for 4 seconds to enter pairing mode for the second set. The PAIR 2 mild illuminates for 10 seconds as soon as efficiently paired.

I actually haven’t flown with a aircraft but whereas testing the system, however the unique AirFly Professional at all times labored flawlessly with airplane leisure techniques. The audio high quality was clear and secure, with no noticeable delay or dropouts. I significantly appreciated having the ability to use my noise-cancelling headphones throughout lengthy flights with out coping with airline-provided wired headphones. Plus, it makes the journey to the bathroom a lot simpler with out having to juggle with cables once you stand up (and get again in).

In case you are gymming, it’s also possible to join AirFly Professional 2 to treadmills and fashionable train bikes with audio ports

Battery Life and Charging

The AirFly Professional 2 provides about 25 hours of battery life which implies you should utilize it for a number of lengthy flights or health club periods with out ever worrying about charging. The USB-C charging is quick and handy, with a useful, brief charging cable included. The system totally costs inside two hours, and you may proceed utilizing it whereas plugged in if wanted. So when you ever forgot to cost the day earlier than your flight, you’ll be able to simply plug the charging cable whereas utilizing it on the aircraft.

Transmit and Obtain Modes

The AirFly Professional 2’s potential to perform as each a transmitter and receiver provides important versatility too. In transmit mode (TX), it sends audio from wired sources to your wi-fi headphones. In obtain mode (RX), it receives Bluetooth audio out of your cellphone or pill and performs it by means of wired audio system or AUX-IN ports. Fairly useful when you have a pleasant set of dumb audio system at dwelling (with out Bluetooth connectivity) however need to take heed to music out of your smartphone. Switching between modes is so simple as flipping the TX/RX toggle swap on the aspect.

Audio High quality

The audio high quality by means of the AirFly Professional 2 is great, due to aptX assist. Music sounds clear and detailed, with good separation between devices and vocals. There’s minimal compression or loss in comparison with direct Bluetooth connections.

AirFly Professional 2 Evaluate Conclusion

The AirFly Professional 2 is a well-designed, dependable resolution for bridging the hole between wi-fi headphones and wired audio sources. It excels in its main position as a journey companion for flights and health club periods, whereas the added versatility of obtain mode makes it helpful in lots of different conditions like listening to music out of your smartphone to an previous automobile with out Bluetooth connectivity.

The system’s easy operation, wonderful battery life, and stable construct high quality make it a worthy funding for anybody who values the comfort of wi-fi audio. Whether or not you’re a frequent traveller, health club fanatic, or simply somebody who needs to make use of their favorite headphones with older units, the AirFly Professional 2 simply delivers.

The flexibility to attach two units of headphones concurrently units it other than primary Bluetooth transmitters, making it significantly helpful for {couples} and households. And sure, the AirFly Professional 2 remains to be my most really helpful tech product to personal for a few years to come back.

TwelveSouth AirFly Professional 2 retails for A$89.95.

Disclosure: AirFly Professional 2 overview unit was equipped for reviewing