The headphones FreeArc have been presented by Huawei as a model specially designed to please that type of public that prioritizes comfort when doing sports and a good listening experience without implying complete isolation from their environment. The Chinese company has thus developed new headphones with athletes and active users, for whom ergonomics, durability, and sound quality are paramount. After several weeks of testing them (and enjoying them), today I'm telling you about my experience with what are also the first open-ear with hook of the house.
Design and ergonomics
With a design, as I was telling you, of the open-ear type, the FreeArc stands out for its construction materials and its nice touch, of a rubbery type thanks to the silicone coating. It is true that at first its particular form factor (which they call C-bridge Design) may seem strange and you may even have to think for a few seconds how they are placed in the earHowever, once you've overcome that small "bump" and confirmed that they stay firmly in place without needing to penetrate the ear canal—this was my biggest fear, I confess—you won't have any major problems with these FreeArcs.
The headphones can also boast of being very light (8,9 grams per piece), allowing them to be used for hours without problems - Huawei claims that its 140° triangular design distributes weight evenly to avoid uncomfortable pressure points.
For those who practice outdoor sports or train in the gym, water resistance is a key point. Huawei FreeArc are IP57 certified, which means they're dust and splash-proof. They're not designed to be submerged, but they can withstand sweat and rain without a problem.
Sound quality
One of the aspects that surprised me most about these headphones is the sound quality. Precisely because of their design, I wasn't confident that they could really offer me a satisfactory experience in that sense, however, their high-sensitivity transducer, combined with their special structure and a system of inverse sound waves, makes it possible to enjoy a surprisingly clear, powerful, and even quite private sound, directing the sound quite well directly into the ear canal.
The FreeArc also offers powerful bass and clear mids and highs, thanks to the support of some 17 × 12 mm dynamic drivers. Even when it comes to canceling noise on calls (it uses a dual microphone) they also perform reliably and surprisingly, given their design. They don't forget to offer a system of automatic volume adjustment, which optimizes the sound based on the environment you are in. Obviously We will never have the same level of sound immersion as in-ear models. -in fact, in very noisy places, they pale quite a bit-, but if what you are looking for is to be a little more aware of your surroundings, they are ideal.
Connectivity, touch controls and smart features
The Huawei FreeArc they work with Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a stable and long-range connection. In fact, its double resonator antenna allows you to maintain the connection up to a distance of 400 meters in open spaces, much higher than the market average.
They also allow simultaneous connection to two devices, making it easy to switch between, say, your phone and a computer or tablet, and comes with touch controls on its surface, allowing you to manage music playback and calls using gestures. You can slide your finger to increase or decrease the volume; double-tap to play/pause music and answer calls; or, for example, long-press to activate the voice assistant or reject calls. All of these controls can be customized from the Huawei AI Life app, which also allows you to configure sound effects, locate the headphones if lost, and update their firmware when necessary.
Autonomy and charging
In terms of battery, the Huawei FreeArc offers 7 hours of continuous use autonomy with a full charge, And till 28 hours including the case charge. In case you need a quick recharge, With just 10 minutes of charging you get 3 hours of playback, so you will have your sports session done without them abandoning you.
The charging case, with the same finish as the headphones and relatively large (compared to other cases on the market and even the Huawei family), is powered by USB-C, taking approximately 60 minutes to fully chargeHowever, it doesn't have wireless charging, something I've missed as it's an increasingly common feature on smaller earbuds.
Price of the Huawei FreeArc
The Huawei FreeArc went on sale just a few days ago in three colors to choose from: gray, black and green. Its introductory price is 119 Euros, a fairly interesting cost considering how special they are and their good performance, of course.
Those looking for sports headphones with a open layout y advanced controls found in The FreeArc is a balanced option between quality and price, where its highlights are its ergonomic design, water resistance and sound qualityTheir comfortable and stable fit makes them ideal for active users.
Of course, you have to keep in mind that their sound isn't as immersive as in-ear headphones, so you'll always have your surroundings in mind. Something to keep in mind, and that makes me recommend them with caution. advising you that, if you can, you try them before you decide. You might be in for a (nice) surprise.