EarFun Debuts Wave Pro X Flagship Headphones with Dual Drivers and Extensive Codec Support

EarFun has officially expanded its audio lineup with the introduction of the Wave Pro X, a brand-new pair of over-ear headphones that now serve as the company’s premier flagship model. Positioned at a competitive price point of $130 and finished in a sleek, minimalist black aesthetic, the Wave Pro X are engineered to stand out in a crowded market by offering an impressive array of high-end features, advanced connectivity options, and a novel acoustic architecture. While they boast a robust feature set typically reserved for much more expensive audio gear, a closer look at their performance reveals both notable strengths and a few distinct compromises.

The core of the Wave Pro X’s acoustic design rests on a unique dual dynamic driver system. EarFun has split the frequency spectrum by incorporating a large 40mm dynamic driver dedicated to handling low-end frequencies, complemented by a smaller 10mm Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) dynamic driver designed to manage the high-frequency ranges. Beyond the physical drivers, the headphones are equipped with a total of eight microphones that facilitate both clear voice pickup during calls and active noise cancellation capabilities. In true EarFun fashion, the company has spared little expense when it comes to connectivity and transmission protocols. The Wave Pro X support an extensive array of Bluetooth codecs, including SBC, LC3, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Lossless, and LDAC. Furthermore, they feature Bluetooth LE Audio alongside Auracast support, multi-point pairing for seamless switching between devices, and both digital and analog wired inputs via an internal USB DAC that supports audio playback up to 16-bit/48kHz.

Design and Comfort

When it comes to physical craftsmanship, the EarFun Wave Pro X present a remarkably premium look and feel that punches well above their $130 price tag. They feature a modern, understated aesthetic defined by angled earcups coated in a smooth matte finish. The outer panels of the earcups are accented by two shiny surfaces featuring a distinct spun metal texture, giving the headphones a subtle visual flair. Physical controls are neatly and intuitively arranged along the edge of the right earcup, allowing users to navigate volume, playback, and power with ease. For those moments when the headphones are put on in the dark, the single-sided button layout provides an instant tactile reference point to orient oneself.

Structural integrity is a clear highlight of the Wave Pro X. The adjustable yokes slide smoothly, and the earcups fold inward cleanly for convenient transport inside the included, generously sized hard carry case. The headband combines foam padding on the inner side with a durable, fabric-like exterior texture. Everything from the moving mechanical parts to the physical buttons delivers a satisfying sense of tactility and precise craftsmanship. However, prospective buyers should note that these full-sized headphones lack formal weather-sealing, meaning they are not built to withstand heavy moisture, rain, or use near swimming pools.

Comfort is another area where the Wave Pro X perform admirably, though with minor caveats. The plush foam padding on the earcups is gentle on the ears, and the pads feature a sufficient depth that prevents the internal speaker grilles from pressing directly against the ears. The headphones are also reasonably lightweight, preventing any sense of heavy fatigue during extended listening sessions. On the downside, the dense acoustic foam required to effectively block out external sound can trap heat, making the earcups feel somewhat stuffy and warm during prolonged use in warmer environments. Inside the retail packaging, alongside the headphones and the protective carry case, users will find a USB-C cable designated for charging and data transfer, as well as an analog audio cable for wired listening.

Software and Features

The Wave Pro X interface seamlessly with the EarFun Audio app, which is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms. The application features a clean, straightforward user interface that makes navigation effortless. Through the app, users can fine-tune active noise cancellation settings across various adjustable levels, customize the sound profile using a robust equalizer with multiple presets, or toggle a specialized game mode designed to minimize audio latency during gaming sessions. Additionally, the companion app allows users to manage paired devices, select preferred Bluetooth audio codecs, adjust voice prompt language and volume, configure LE Audio parameters, and remap button functionality.

EarFun has also integrated some advanced, software-driven capabilities into the ecosystem, including an AI translation function capable of translating incoming spoken sounds directly within the app. However, it is worth noting that certain advanced features—specifically the AI translation tool and the Professional EQ mode—are locked behind a mandatory user account registration within the app, while most other standard controls remain accessible immediately out of the box.

Performance

Despite the exhaustive list of hardware specifications, advanced driver configurations, and high-resolution codec support, the EarFun Wave Pro X ultimately encounter difficulties when it comes to raw audio reproduction. The underlying technical groundwork is undeniably present, including the dual driver layout and the impressive array of transmission formats, but the resulting sound signature leans heavily toward an overly dark and muffled presentation. This acoustic tuning is the byproduct of a heavily boosted mid-bass region combined with a notable lack of pinna gain in the upper frequencies.

This particular tuning choice echoes characteristics found in EarFun’s previous generation of headphones, such as the original Wave Pro. While EarFun typically tunes its wireless earbuds relatively close to a Diffuse-Field neutral target with a modest bass enhancement, its over-ear headphones have consistently trended toward a much warmer sound profile. Human ears rely heavily on the physical structure of the outer ear—the pinna—to naturally amplify frequencies between 1 kHz and 8 kHz. When sound is delivered directly down the ear canal via over-ear headphones without interacting with the outer ear, manufacturers must compensate by tuning the drivers brighter to achieve a perceptually flat and balanced response.

Because the Wave Pro X fail to apply this necessary high-frequency compensation, the expected upper-midrange and lower-treble energy is largely absent. Combined with the elevated bass levels, the overall sound takes on a muddy, indistinct quality. While the lower-midrange frequencies and the natural timbre of instruments remain reasonably pleasant, the lack of treble energy makes the listening experience feel dull and unengaging. Furthermore, clipping these crucial frequencies negatively impacts perceived detail and technical presentation, leaving the sound feeling unfocused, soft, and somewhat boxy, as if trapped claustrophobically close to the ears—an effect that becomes even more pronounced when active noise cancellation is enabled.

In terms of voice communication, the Wave Pro X deliver acceptable microphone performance. In a quiet room, recorded or transmitted speech is sufficiently clear, albeit slightly on the quieter side. In environments with background noise, the vocal quality remains largely consistent, though a significant amount of ambient sound tends to bleed through to the listener on the other end. A thoughtful inclusion in EarFun’s design is the sidetone feature, which allows users to hear their own voice through the headphones during active calls, effectively mitigating the boxed-in, isolated sensation often associated with ANC headsets.

The active noise cancellation performance is adequate for the $130 price tier. While it cannot compete with the industry-leading noise-attenuation algorithms found on significantly more expensive flagship devices, it performs reliably against standard indoor ambient sounds and low-frequency outdoor rumbles. Higher-frequency noises do manage to penetrate the seal, and the acoustic isolation of the earpads can occasionally break or shift even with minor head movements.

Conclusion

The EarFun Wave Pro X succeed in delivering a remarkably well-designed, durable, and comfortable physical package backed by an impressive 50-hour battery life, extensive connectivity options, a versatile companion app, and a comprehensive suite of modern features. While their active noise cancellation and microphone capabilities meet the baseline expectations for their price segment, their sonic performance is hindered by a warm, muffled sound signature that lacks the necessary upper-frequency energy for a balanced and engaging listening experience. Had EarFun applied a brighter, more refined tuning philosophy similar to that of its popular wireless earbuds, the Wave Pro X could easily have positioned themselves as an unquestioned market leader in the mid-tier headphone category.