Compare EarFun Clip 2 vs Asus ROG Cetra Open

Sound is widely considered excellent for an affordable open-ear clip, with clear vocals and lively presentation. It is not uniformly refined, especially on dense music or at high volume.

Sound quality is good for many gaming-focused users, especially for dialogue and positional cues, but it is not a universal win. Some reviewers hear clean, detailed audio while others describe the presentation as thin, compressed, or harsh.

Firmware updates have improved consistency and added useful refinements. One customer still heard an occasional brief discordant sound, and another needed an update for reliable operation.

Reliability is the biggest technical concern. Multiple customer reviews report disconnects, one-sided audio, distortion, failed updates, beeping, or erratic behavior, although some users find later firmware dramatically improves performance.

There is no active noise cancellation, and one buyer found surrounding noise made music much less enjoyable in a loud workplace.

Immersion Mode only softens steady background noise and is nowhere near full ANC. A few users notice a small benefit, but most reviewers treat noise reduction as secondary to the open-ear design.

Very little outside sound is blocked, which helps awareness but makes noisy trains, streets, and gyms difficult. Buyers seeking a sealed listening experience will find the isolation inadequate.

Passive isolation is essentially nonexistent by design. That is useful for awareness, but it makes noisy environments and fully immersive gaming poor fits.

Game Mode generally keeps videos and casual games well synchronized. Some users must enable it after every connection, and a few still noticed lag or occasional desync.

Low-latency gaming is one of the clearest strengths. The 2.4GHz dongle repeatedly delivers near-wired responsiveness and excellent sync for shooters, rhythm games, handhelds, and console play.

Leakage is usually modest at moderate volume and in everyday environments. It becomes audible to nearby people at high volume or in very quiet offices and libraries.

Leakage is better controlled than some open-ear designs, though nearby people may hear faint audio in quiet rooms or at higher volumes.

Mid-bass has more punch than many open-ear rivals and can improve further with EQ. Deep sub-bass remains limited, and a few listeners find the stock bass weak or distorted.

Bass is the most divisive part of the tuning. Phantom Bass can add useful punch, but many reviewers still hear weak sub-bass or thin impact compared with sealed earbuds, while a smaller group finds the low end surprisingly satisfying.

The open design creates a spacious, airy presentation, and Theater Mode can widen it further. Depth and precision vary, with a few listeners finding complex tracks narrow or less immersive.

The open design generally creates a spacious presentation, with several reviewers praising the wide soundstage and stereo image.

Several listeners describe the tuning as balanced and natural, especially through the mids. Driver position and ear shape can shift the treble substantially, so individual EQ may be necessary.

Default tuning was described as reasonably clean and usable, though one reviewer still preferred the flatter EQ setting.

Background-noise rejection is often impressive, especially for steady office or street noise. Aggressive processing can occasionally muffle the speaker or create artifacts in wind.

Noise suppression works well in many tests, keeping speech understandable while reducing fans, background media, and ambient chatter.

Theater Mode can create a wider, more immersive presentation for movies and games. For music, it often changes tonality, adds reverb, or sounds unnatural.

Positional performance is strong for games, especially footsteps and directional cues. A few tests find rear localization or Dolby Atmos rendering less convincing.

The lack of wear detection is a notable omission: music keeps playing when the earbuds are removed.

Wear detection is a useful convenience, automatically stopping playback when the earbuds are removed.

The earbuds and compact case are easy to slip into a pocket or bag, even though some testers found the case slightly larger than the first generation.

Portability is a recurring weakness because the charging case is unusually large and thick. Several reviewers say it is barely pocketable or not pocket-friendly at all.

Highs are usually crisp, airy, and detailed at moderate volume. Some tests found the treble sharp, dominant, or distorted when the earbuds are pushed louder.

Treble is another polarizing area. Some reviewers praise crisp detail, but many hear excessive brightness, sibilance, or piercing highs at louder levels.

Google Fast Pair and LDAC make Android setup and daily use especially strong across Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, and other compatible phones.

Android use is generally workable, though one test still found the volume curve aggressive. The earbuds remain usable on Android without the sharper low-volume problem being quite as severe as on iOS.

The built-in multi-microphone system delivers impressive everyday call quality for an affordable open-ear design.

The built-in microphones are considered decent for an earbud design, especially for casual chat rather than broadcast-quality recording.

The earbuds work well across iPhone, Mac, Android, and computers, with smooth playback and calls on multiple platforms.

The dongle works across a wide range of PCs, handhelds, phones, and consoles, but platform-specific quirks appear on Steam Deck, Mac, and PS5 in some reviews.

The box contains only the basic cable, case, and paperwork, leaving the accessory package noticeably sparse.

The dongle and charging cable are useful additions, while the reflective neck strap is more mixed because some find it stiff or uncomfortable.

Output is generally loud for open earbuds and noticeably stronger than the original Clip. A few buyers still found it inadequate against wind or loud workplace noise.

The earbuds get very loud, but the volume curve is uneven. Several reviewers complain that even low settings are too loud, while others appreciate the strong headroom.

The Clip 2 earns broad enthusiasm as a comfortable, feature-packed, affordable open-ear option. Returns and low scores mainly stem from ear-fit problems, connectivity faults, charging heat, or unmet translation expectations.

Overall opinion is polarized but leans positive for the right niche. Fans love the comfort, awareness, and gaming responsiveness, while critics are pushed away by price, sound compromises, or software instability.

Bass Boost and treble-reduction presets can make the stock tuning warmer and smoother. Theater Mode is more divisive and is generally better for video than music.

Presets and Phantom Bass can improve the listening experience, but results vary. Some users call Phantom Bass essential, while others find presets subtle or dislike the default communication profile.

The Clip 2 sounds best below its upper volume range. Loud playback can become thin, shouty, distorted, or treble-heavy.

At high levels, clarity can break down with sharp treble or bass distortion. The earbuds have plenty of headroom, but pushing them hard is not their best use.

Most detailed tests found good spacing between instruments for an open clip. Dense arrangements can compress or lose individual layers at higher volume.

Game-audio separation is consistently strong. Reviewers can distinguish footsteps, dialogue, and competing sounds clearly enough for competitive play.

Vocals, podcasts, guitars, and other midrange content come through clearly and naturally. This is one of the most consistently praised parts of the tuning.

Mids are usually a strength, with clear dialogue, vocals, and footsteps. A few reviewers hear lower-mid thinness, but speech intelligibility remains strong.

The clip format usually works more comfortably with glasses, sunglasses, thick hair, and even over-ear hearing aids than hook-style earbuds. One customer could not achieve a usable fit with glasses.

Glasses compatibility is consistently excellent, with thin hooks and low pressure working well alongside frames. One expert also found the fit comfortable with hats and sunglasses.

Most users report a secure clip that stays put through running, workouts, head movement, and long wear. Fit is highly ear-dependent, with a minority experiencing slippage, poor driver alignment, or complete incompatibility.

Physical fit is highly secure for most users. The hooks stay put during running, workouts, and active movement, though a few ear shapes struggle with fit.

The case is compact and generally functional, with a solid lid on some units. Its plain plastic, slippery surface, cheap appearance, and lack of a battery percentage display drew repeated criticism.

The case draws mixed reactions. Some owners like its quality and dongle storage, but many reviewers criticize its bulky size, plasticky feel, or missing premium touches.

IP55 protection handles sweat, light rain, dust, and workout use with confidence. It is not intended for swimming or submersion.

IPX5 earbud protection is viewed as well suited to workouts, sweat, and light rain, supporting the product’s gaming-and-fitness crossover use.

The open design makes conversations, traffic, family, and workplace sounds easy to hear without removing the earbuds. Awareness drops as volume rises, and loud surroundings can still overpower the audio.

Situational awareness is nearly universally praised. Reviewers can hear conversations, doorbells, traffic, children, and room activity without removing the earbuds.

Value is exceptional, combining comfort, long battery life, wireless charging, LDAC, translation, and a strong app far below premium clip-on pricing.

Price is the most consistent purchasing objection. Even positive reviewers often call the $230 class price steep, and several experts say cheaper gaming earbuds or headsets offer better overall value.

EarFun’s support earns unusually warm praise for quick, practical responses and prompt resolution of order or case-related problems.

ASUS acknowledged a reported Steam Deck issue and said it was being investigated, but did not promise a fix.

SBC, AAC, and LDAC provide unusually broad codec coverage for the price. One test did not identify AAC support, so iPhone codec behavior was not described consistently.

AAC and SBC are considered adequate for the gaming-focused use case, though one expert would have preferred higher-bandwidth codec options.

Switching between a phone and computer is usually fast and reliable, and the app’s device list helps. Multipoint cannot operate with LDAC, and a few users experienced inconsistent routing or disconnects.

Multipoint is excellent when it works, with fast switching and useful dual-device behavior. Several reviews, however, criticize unpredictable switching or the lack of simultaneous audio in certain setups.

The EarFun Audio app is usually described as clean, intuitive, and unusually feature-rich for a budget product. One reviewer found it basic and clunky, but that view was an outlier.

Gear Link is polarizing: several reviewers love the browser/mobile flexibility and deep controls, while others find it buggy, hidden, web-dependent, or awkward during firmware setup.

Pairing is usually quick and straightforward, and reconnection is commonly automatic. A few users found first-time pairing confusing, disliked re-enabling Game Mode, or struggled with subtle left/right markings.

Setup experiences vary sharply. Some users get simple plug-and-play operation, while others encounter hidden apps, multiple utilities, web-only controls, or convoluted firmware update steps.

The physical buttons are one of the most praised design choices, registering reliably with sweaty hands and avoiding accidental touch inputs. Actions are customizable in the app.

Physical buttons are easy to find and tactile, but the default multi-press scheme is contentious. Four presses for volume and three presses for mute or assistant functions feel unnecessarily cumbersome to several reviewers.

Calls are usually clear and dependable in quiet or moderately noisy settings. Some voices sound distant or processed, and busy cafés or strong wind can reduce clarity.

Mic quality is mixed but generally usable. Many reviewers find voice chat clear and good for earbuds, while several customers report thin, robotic, or poor-sounding voice transmission.

The 10-band EQ gives meaningful control and often fixes weak bass or sharp treble. A few testers found the personalized sound process finicky or the EQ behavior imprecise.

The EQ is highly useful and often materially improves the sound. Several reviewers say tuning or Phantom Bass turns a mediocre out-of-box presentation into something much better.

Pairing and daily connections are usually quick and stable, particularly on Android. A smaller group encountered brief city dropouts, random disconnects, or repeated manual reconnection.

Bluetooth works well for ordinary listening in several reviews, but reliability is inconsistent. Some owners report slow pairing, disconnects, or worse sound than the 2.4GHz dongle.

The restrained black design looks sleek and understated to many users. Others think the plain plastic styling appears cheap beside more colorful or polished rivals.

The styling splits opinion. Some like the flashy gaming look and RGB accents, while others call the buds chunky, angular, oversized, or unattractive.

The clip usually holds with gentle pressure and avoids the pinching of many rivals. Larger or differently shaped ears may feel noticeable pressure after several hours.

The ear-hook design applies little pressure for at least one reviewer, helping the buds stay comfortable during long sessions.

Comfort is the product’s clearest strength: many people forget the lightweight clips are on even after hours. Ear shape still matters, and tighter clamping can become painful for some larger ears.

Comfort is the product’s strongest consensus advantage. Most reviewers can wear the buds for hours without ear-canal pressure, though a minority experience cartilage pain or poor fit depending on ear shape.

At roughly 5.5 grams per bud, the Clip 2 feels exceptionally light and nearly disappears during normal wear.

Low weight is consistently praised and helps the earbuds disappear during long sessions despite their visibly chunky shape.

The earbuds generally feel durable and well assembled despite their lightweight plastic construction. The materials do not feel premium, and one unit arrived with a strong silicone odor.

The earbuds themselves are generally seen as solid or premium, but impressions are less consistent around the plastics. Several reviewers think the materials feel good, while others say parts of the package feel cheaper than the price suggests.

Battery life is outstanding for clip-on earbuds, commonly lasting close to a full workday and about 40 hours with the case. A few units fell short of claims or deteriorated early.

Battery life is usually strong, often lasting through long gaming sessions and in some tests approaching the advertised figures. Heavy use of RGB, Immersion Mode, Phantom Bass, or the mic can cut runtime substantially.

Wireless charging, USB-C, and useful quick charging make the Clip 2 unusually convenient for the price. One customer reported severe case overheating while charging.

Charging is a strong part of the package, especially the USB-C passthrough on the dongle and quick top-ups. One defective unit failed to charge, but most reviewers praise the convenience and speed.

Translation works surprisingly well for travel and casual conversation, with broad language support and generally clear output. It requires internet and an account, has noticeable delay, and may not remain free.

The included charging cable received a positive mention and was viewed as a useful part of the package.

The 2.4GHz USB-C dongle is central to the appeal, delivering excellent low-latency gaming and useful passthrough charging. A few units show disconnects or awkward port blocking, so reliability is not universal.

The rounded arm allows useful rotation around the ear, making it easier to dial in a comfortable position.

The audible earbud locator usually works reliably and is useful for misplaced buds. It cannot locate the case, and a low current volume can make the alert harder to hear.

LDAC is a rare premium feature at this price and can add detail on compatible Android devices. It disables multipoint and cuts battery life sharply, leading some reviewers to prefer the standard connection.

One customer received a unit that appeared used or refurbished, with misaligned protective films and a dead earbud.

The open design provides a very natural ability to hear your own voice during chat, which one reviewer particularly appreciated.

The matte surfaces resist fingerprints, oil, and grime better than glossy cases and are easy to wipe clean.

One video describes the controls as responsive and intuitive, giving them a very positive usability assessment.

The open-ear effect was judged more natural and effective for hearing surroundings than typical electronic transparency modes.

USB-C implementation is excellent where discussed, particularly the case-friendly dongle plug and passthrough charging that keeps handhelds or phones powered.

Xbox support is absent, which one reviewer flags as a concrete platform limitation even while noting the broader USB-C ecosystem constraint.

The charging case hinge feels solid and reassuring rather than loose or flimsy.

RGB controls are extensive and easy to personalize, with effects, brightness, and colors available. Some reviewers enjoy the style, while others see lighting as garish or unnecessary battery drain.

Manual voice-assistant activation via a triple press was viewed as redundant and not a good use of the control scheme.