Having reviewed numerous earphones and headphones due to my enduring interest in exploring new models, I eagerly examined Blaupunkt’s true wireless BTW-01 Bluetooth earphones upon their arrival. After a week of using them as my primary audio devices, I present my assessment of these earphones and their value relative to their Rs. 4,999 price tag.
Blaupunkt BTW-01 Specifications
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Profiles | HFP, HSP, A2DP, AVRCP |
| Battery Life | up to 6.5 hours (single earbud) up to 5 hours (both earbuds) |
| Charging Time | 1.5 hours (earbuds) 1.5 hours (case) |
| Weight | Earbuds: 5.5g each Case: 29g |
| Price | Rs. 4,999 |
Design and Build
In my experience, one major concern revolves around the design and build of these earphones. The BTW-01 arrives in a case that not only looks decent but also charges the earphones while they’re stored inside. However, a simple touch reveals the cheapness of the plastic used in the case. It feels flimsy, lacking the tactile sensation and sturdiness necessary for frequent opening and closing, particularly when done hastily.
It’s puzzling why Blaupunkt opted for such a subpar case, especially considering it serves as the initial point of contact for users with these earphones.
Despite its cheap construction and poor initial impression, the earbuds themselves boast sturdy plastic build quality and appealing design elements. Blaupunkt’s choice of a subtle ring surrounding each earbud’s touchpad adds a touch of elegance without being excessive.
Furthermore, I appreciate the strong magnetism of the case, which ensures the earbuds securely click into place upon insertion — a feature lacking in my Galaxy Buds, which is disappointing.
Speaking of inefficiencies, there’s a lingering presence of a microUSB charging port on the case. It’s disheartening because USB-C has become standard, particularly for accessories and smartphones. Currently, I rely on a single USB-C cable for charging my MacBook Pro, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy Buds—simple and streamlined. Yet, with these Blaupunkt earphones, I’m forced to tote around a microUSB cable and an extra adapter for charging, a frustrating inconvenience.
In my assessment, the design and build of these earphones are only decent. There are positives, like the strong magnet in the case and the attractive earbuds, but drawbacks include the flimsy case, microUSB port, and the initial frustration upon unboxing. Hopefully, this dissipates once you start using the earbuds.
Comfort and Fit
Regarding comfort, the Blaupunkt BTW-01 earbuds are fairly comfortable to use, though it took me some time to trust that they wouldn’t fall out while I moved to music.
These earbuds have a less optimal shape. Most of their bulk is towards the back, relying solely on silicone earbuds to stay in place; there are no earhooks or other support.
If you’re accustomed to wireless earbuds with earhooks or ones shaped for better support, using the BTW-01 may make you worry about them falling off. Although they didn’t fall off during regular use, I doubt I’ll use them for gym workouts or jogging.
Once you overcome the fear of earphones falling out, they’re fairly comfortable with properly sized earbud tips (various sizes included). Using them extensively at work, I experienced no ear fatigue or discomfort, except occasional insecurity about them staying put.
While not exceptional, these earphones offer good comfort and above-average fit.
Audio Quality
Comfort and fit aside, earphones are rendered useless unless they deliver good or at least acceptable sound quality. Priced at Rs. 4,999, expectations for ‘acceptable’ are understandably high, and the Blaupunkt BTW-01 exceeds that standard.
Earphones reach high volumes without distortion in the highs, which is uncommon; many earphones amplify highs excessively at higher volumes, causing discomfort.
The BTW-01 offer ample bass, though not as deep as the Noise Shots X3 Bass. Still, it’s satisfyingly heavy without overpowering. Similarly, highs and mids are decently defined—not the best, but good, especially at Rs. 4,999.
Personally, I found no audio quality issues with the Blaupunkt BTW-01. Purchasing them shouldn’t disappoint.
Interaction and Features
- Answer calls: single tap on either earbud
- Ending calls: single tap on either earbud
- Rejecting calls: long press on either earbud
- Voice assistant: triple tap on the touchpad on either earbud
- Play/Pause: double tap on either earbud
- Previous song: long press left earbud
- Next song: long press right earbud
While these features are self-explanatory, note that the BTW-01 can be used individually. Using only the left earbud omits access to the ‘Next song’ function, while using only the right earbud omits access to the ‘Previous song’ function. All other features work via either touchpad regardless of using one or both earbuds.
Connectivity
Let’s delve into connectivity. The Blaupunkt BTW-01 features Bluetooth 5.0, allowing individual use of each earbud. This means you can opt to use one earbud while keeping the other in its case.
- To pair the left earbud with your phone, long press (approximately 5 seconds).
- Long press (about 2 seconds) to power on the right earbud, which should then automatically connect to the left earbud.
- Once connected, enjoy music playback, take calls, and more using both earbuds simultaneously.
If the earbuds fail to connect, clearing the pairing list and re-establishing connection is a cumbersome process. Simply put, I wish I could connect them effortlessly without such hassle.
Regardless, the earbuds offer good range and maintain sound quality over distance. However, they lack aptX support, which might be a deal breaker for some.
Battery
Consider the battery. Blaupunkt doesn’t provide detailed battery specifications for these earphones, but the manual outlines the expected battery life and charging time. In my experience, the manual’s estimates closely match real-world usage.
The earbuds lasted approximately 4 to 4.5 hours at maximum volume. At 60-70% volume, they extended to about 5.5 hours. I didn’t test the battery life with a single earbud, as that’s not my preferred way to listen to music. Nevertheless, based on the close alignment with Blaupunkt’s claims, I estimate single-earbud usage to last around 6 hours.
Charging the earbuds is handled by the case, so you only need to worry about charging the case itself, which takes around 90 minutes. Regarding charging, the Blaupunkt BTW-01 are similar to other truly wireless earbuds—charge the case, and let the case charge the earbuds—which I don’t have a problem with (aside from the microUSB port).
Pros and Cons
If the entire review is too lengthy, here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of the Blaupunkt BTW-01:
- Good sound quality
- Nice appearance of earbuds
- Intuitive touchpad controls
- Decent battery life
- Poorly built charging case
- microUSB port
- Connecting the earbuds isn’t straightforward
Blaupunkt BTW-01 Review: Worth the Price?
Overall, the Blaupunkt BTW-01 earbuds are solid, albeit slightly let down by the charging case’s poor build quality and less-than-straightforward connectivity. However, apart from these drawbacks, they perform well. If the Blaupunkt brand name isn’t a priority for you, consider the Noise Shots X5 (Rs. 4,699) and the Noise Shots X3 Bass (Rs. 3,749), though their connectivity isn’t any more intuitive.
Buy Blaupunkt BTW-01 (Rs. 4,999)
Pritam Chopra is a seasoned IT professional and a passionate blogger hailing from the dynamic realm of technology. With an insatiable curiosity for all things tech-related, Pritam has dedicated himself to exploring and unraveling the intricacies of the digital world.
