Riff Wireless 2 Honest Review — Is the Hype Justified?

I've been using the Riff Wireless 2 for about four months as my daily earbuds — on commutes, at the gym, during long work calls, and while watching shows on my tablet. There was a lot of buzz around these when they launched, and I bought a pair because the specs and price-to-feature ratio seemed promising. After real-world testing and many hours of listening, I wanted to share a thorough, no-fluff review based on actual use: what I loved, what disappointed me, and who I think should (or shouldn't) consider buying them.

First impressions and build quality

Out of the box, the Riff Wireless 2 look like a refined update over the original model. The charging case has a compact, slightly rounded design with a matte finish that resists fingerprints — something I appreciated because I carry it in my pocket most days. The earbuds themselves are lightweight and have a soft-touch coating that feels pleasant against the skin. Construction is mostly quality plastic with a subtle metallic ring around the stem on the unit I bought.

One thing I noticed immediately: the hinge on the case is stiff at first but loosened slightly over the first few weeks. The lid snaps securely so it won't open in a bag, and the magnets that hold each earbud in place are strong enough that the buds don't rattle around. Charging is via USB-C and there's a small LED that shows case status; no wireless charging on my unit, which disappointed me given the competition at this price point.

Fit, comfort, and isolation

Fit has been mostly good for me. The Riff Wireless 2 ship with three sizes of silicone tips; I settled on the medium set. In my experience, they stayed put during sessions on the treadmill and during bike rides, though I did need to push them back in a couple of times after heavy sweating. They are comfortable for long listening sessions — I routinely wore them for 2–3 hours stretches without soreness — but I did notice mild pressure if I slept with them in or wore them continuously for 6+ hours.

Passive isolation is decent: the silicone tips create a reliable seal that helps neither too much outside noise in nor too much music leak out. Combined with ANC (active noise cancellation), street-level noise from traffic and the subway got reduced significantly, but more on ANC performance later.

Sound quality — what I actually heard

Sound is where most buyers will decide if the Riff Wireless 2 are worth the hype. In my experience they have a slightly V-shaped tuning: the low end is punchy and present, the mids are a touch recessed in unedited firmware, and the treble is clear and energetic. That makes them feel lively on pop, EDM, and many modern rock tracks. I listened to a wide range of material — acoustic tracks, orchestral pieces, bass-heavy electronic music, and spoken-word podcasts — and here are the specifics I noticed:

• Bass: Punchy and fast. For bass-forward music the Riff Wireless 2 deliver satisfying weight without feeling overly bloated. Sub-bass is perceptible but not earth-shaking.
• Mids: A little recessed out of the box. Vocals sometimes sit behind the bass and upper frequencies, especially in busy mixes. Using the app EQ helped bring vocals forward.
• Treble: Clean and a bit forward. Detail retrieval is good for the price, though highly resolving audiophile tracks reveal the limits compared to higher-end earbuds.
• Soundstage: Moderately wide for in-ear buds — instruments have decent separation but not the expansive, airy presentation of flagship models.

After a few weeks I used the companion app to tweak the EQ, and that improved vocal clarity for podcasts and singer-centric tracks. The Riff Wireless 2 are fun-sounding and forgiving; they make casual listening enjoyable, but if you want a flat, studio-like presentation, you'll need to lean on the EQ or look elsewhere.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode

ANC performance was one of the main selling points for me. In real-world use the Riff Wireless 2 provide effective ANC that noticeably reduces constant, low-frequency sounds — think airplane engine hum, bus noise, or the steady rumble of a subway. They don't completely eliminate mid and high-frequency noises like sudden chatter or horn blasts, but they make commutes far more tolerable.

Transparency mode (or ambient mode) is serviceable: it makes announcements and conversations intelligible without ejecting the earbuds. I appreciated the natural balance — it doesn't over-amplify background noise — but I did notice a slight electronic hiss when transparency was active, especially at low volumes. For quick chats or hearing a train conductor, transparency worked well enough.

Battery life and charging

Battery life is one area where the Riff Wireless 2 mostly delivered on the marketing claims — with important caveats based on how I used them. My real-world numbers after four months of daily use:

• Single-earbud playback with ANC on: about 7–8 hours per charge in my testing (listen volumes around 60–70%).
• With ANC off I pushed closer to 10–11 hours of playback per charge.
• The case provides roughly three full top-ups, so total on-the-go time was about 30–35 hours with ANC on.
• Fast charge: a 10–15 minute top-up gave me about 60–90 minutes of playback, which was handy before short commutes.

Over months the battery degraded slightly — not dramatically — but if you fully rely on top battery performance for long trips, expect a modest reduction after heavier usage cycles. The lack of wireless charging is again a small annoyance for me, but not a dealbreaker.

Connectivity, call quality, and latency

Bluetooth connection has been stable across multiple devices (phone, tablet, laptop). The Riff Wireless 2 support modern codecs like AAC and SBC; I did not get aptX on my unit, which matters if you expect hi-res Bluetooth performance on certain Android devices. Pairing is quick and the earbuds remember multiple devices, though there is no true multipoint pairing where two devices can be connected and active simultaneously — you can pair several devices but switching takes a manual re-connection on the other device.

Call quality is usable but not class-leading. In quiet rooms the other party hears me clearly. Outdoors or in noisy environments, the earbuds' beamforming mics and noise reduction do a reasonable job, but I noticed sibilance and some wind sensitivity on very windy walks. For occasional calls and meetings they are fine; for heavy mobile professionals who need pristine call clarity in all conditions, there are better options.

Latency for video and casual mobile gaming was acceptable. Watching Netflix or YouTube I rarely noticed lip-sync issues. For competitive gaming where low-latency audio is crucial, I experienced a perceptible lag — enough to recommend gaming-specific gear if that's a priority.

Software and updates

The companion app gives you an EQ with presets and a custom slider, ANC/Transparency toggles, firmware updates, and some touch control customization. I used software updates to address occasional hiccups (like a control mis-interpretation) and added EQ profiles. The app is functional but not perfect: it crashed once on my Android phone and the firmware update process took longer than expected. Still, the ability to shape sound and update firmware is a plus.

Durability and daily wear

Riff rates these as splash/sweat resistant (IPX4 on my unit), and after months of gym sessions and rainy commutes I've had no ingress issues. The finish on the earbud stems shows minor wear where I handle them, but nothing that affects operation. Battery degradation was mild as noted earlier; long-term durability looks promising but only time will tell how they fare after a year or more of daily use.

What I appreciated (and what frustrated me)

What I appreciated:

• Great value for a lively, bass-forward sound that suits casual listeners.
• Comfortable fit for most daily use and stable during most workouts.
• ANC that meaningfully reduces low-frequency noise for commuting.
• Decent battery life with a helpful fast-charge feature.
• Companion app with EQ and firmware updates.

What frustrated me:

• No wireless charging despite a price range where some rivals include it.
• Mids can feel recessed out of the box; EQ adjustments were necessary for voice-heavy content.
• Call performance is uneven outdoors in windy conditions.
• No true multipoint Bluetooth (manual switching required).
• App stability had a hiccup or two during my ownership period.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Engaging, fun sound signature with impactful bass
  • Effective ANC for everyday commuting
  • Comfortable and secure fit for most users
  • Long battery life with quick top-up capability
  • Useful app with EQ presets and firmware support
• Cons:
  • Mids can be recessed without EQ tuning
  • No wireless charging and no aptX/multipoint support
  • Call quality varies in noisy, windy conditions
  • Minor app instability during firmware updates

How the Riff Wireless 2 stack up — comparison table

Buying guide — Is the Riff Wireless 2 right for you?

When considering the Riff Wireless 2, ask yourself these questions based on how I tested and used them:

1. What's your primary use?

If you're primarily commuting, using public transit, or want an all-day pair for music and podcasts, the Riff Wireless 2 are a strong contender. ANC is effective for steady noise, battery life is generous, and the sound is enjoyable for casual listening. If you need earbuds for competitive gaming, prioritize ultra-low latency, or demand studio-accurate monitoring, consider a different option.

2. How important is call quality?

For occasional calls and remote meetings, the Riff Wireless 2 are acceptable. If you talk on the phone constantly in windy or noisy environments, look at options that advertise enhanced mic arrays and wind reduction as a primary feature.

3. Do you want high-resolution codecs or multipoint pairing?

If you need aptX/LDAC or true multipoint simultaneous connections, these earbuds won’t satisfy you out of the box. They pair reliably but switching between devices is manual.

4. Are you comfortable using EQ?

I found that a few tweaks in the app improved vocal presence significantly. If you're not comfortable adjusting EQ and prefer a neutral out-of-the-box profile, you might be slightly disappointed by the recessed midrange.

5. Workout and durability considerations

For casual gym sessions and sweat, these are fine. If you swim or need rugged dust/water protection, look at devices with higher IP ratings.

Final thoughts — is the hype justified?

After months with the Riff Wireless 2, my verdict is nuanced. The hype around them is partly justified: they deliver a compelling mix of features and performance for the price — enjoyable sound, effective ANC for commuting, a comfortable fit, and solid battery life. They made many of my daily commutes and workout playlists more enjoyable, and the companion app allowed me to tailor sound to my tastes.

That said, they aren't perfect. The lack of wireless charging, the recessed mids out of the box, inconsistent call performance in windy conditions, and the absence of certain codecs or multipoint pairing mean they're not the best choice for every user. If you want a fun, everyday pair of earbuds that balance features and value, the Riff Wireless 2 are worth considering. If your priorities include flagship-level ANC, studio-accurate sound out of the box, or professional-grade call performance, you may want to evaluate some higher-tier alternatives.

Personally, after four months, I still reach for the Riff Wireless 2 most days because they suit how I listen: energetic music on commutes, long podcast sessions, and reliable battery life. They scratched the “fun, convenient daily companion” itch for me, even if I can point to a few places where a more expensive model would do better. If you decide to buy them, plan to spend a few minutes in the app getting the EQ right for vocals — that small step made a big difference in my daily experience.