Reviewed – Sol Republic Relays Sport Wireless

Back in 2016, we reviewed the Sol Republic Shadow Wireless earphones. They provided an impressive depth of sound, along with a comfortable fit.

Now in 2017, we have had the chance to try out the latest Relays Sport Wireless in-ear headphones. They are sold as a comfortable, powerful and feature-packed pair of wireless earphones for under £100, but do they live up to these claims?

Design

In terms of design, the Relays Sport Wireless headphones have an instant win. Unlike the previous headphones by Sol Republic, the design completely does away with the large centre section between the two earbuds. Instead, we have a small section on each end which houses the battery on one side and the electronics on the other – these sections also serve as volume and power buttons. This means that the weight is balanced evenly between both ears and that the earphones feel light around your head.

In the middle of the earbuds, there is a cord shortener which can be used to adjust the cable length to your head size and shape. It means that you could potentially have different tightness settings depending on what sport you’re doing; for example, tight for running, and loose for cycling. The buds themselves have a ‘FreeFlex wheel’ on the ends, which is basically a ring of rubber that helps secure the Relays Sport Wireless.

When it comes to style and appearance, there are 3 colours to pick from. Mint/grey provides a stylish look, lemon/lime is great for when you want to stand out in the gym, and mint/grey blends nicely with any outfit.

Sound quality

Sound quality is the main selling point for any headphones, and the Relays Sport Wireless do not disappoint. With most in-ear wireless headphones the sound can be tinny and washed out – this has put many people off going wireless completely. We mainly tested them coupled with an iPhone 6S and Spotify playing music at 320kbps. We also tried them whilst sitting, walking and running. The results are undeniably impressive, with sculpted highs and lows, rich audio clarity, and bass which is incredible for such a small device. It isn’t all good news, though, as vocals can sound thin and some folk and acoustic music we tested lack smoothness. However, the bouncy bass and rich sound wholly make up for the shortcomings.

The in-ear tips also tout excellent noise isolation for enhanced audio which, coupled with the portable, lightweight design, makes it easier than ever to become completely immersed in your workout. Just be sure to stay wary of your surroundings when out and about.

Functionality

Along with excellent design and comfort, the Relays Sport Wireless headphones boast a few extra features. If you’re using an iPhone then they can control Siri, meaning you can answer texts, give commands and make calls during a workout. As expected, they are also sweat resistant to make sure you can keep moving for as long as you want. The battery life was also impressive, giving up to 8 hours of uninterrupted playtime – this is coupled with a quick-charge function.

Overall, the Sol Republic Relays Sport Wireless earphones are great for those who want to enjoy fantastic wireless audio at a reasonable price. They are ultra-portable, comfortable and easily beat a lot of the competition out there. You can find out more from the Sol Republic website. They are available with a promotional price of £79.99 (RRP £99.99) and can be found at HMV retailers nationwide.