Optoma NuForce BE Free6 review: Optoma does it again so just go buy a pair

|
, , ,

9.6/10 rating

We’ve been doing reviews on Optoma gear for a few years now and I have come to enjoy their headphone offerings. The company also makes projectors, which we’ve also reviewed. We’re lucky enough to have their latest true wireless earbuds, the Optoma NuForce BE Free6, this time around.

Honestly, and I don’t do this very often, the tl;dr here is that Optoma has done it again so just skip the review and buy a pair. The company has managed to make some outstanding true wireless earbuds that sound amazing, are comfortable, and are priced under US$100. Read on for the full review of the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 true wireless earbuds and find out why they’ve earned a Top Pick.

Specifications

The Optoma NuForce BE Free6 has the following features and specifications:

HOW TO: Change system date in OS X ...
HOW TO: Change system date in OS X from Terminal
  • Battery Life: Up to 6 hours on a single charge; up to 24 hours with charging case
  • Bluetooth Profile: HSP V1.2, HFP V1.7, A2DP V1.3, AVRCP V1.6, SBC, AAC
  • Bluetooth Type: 5.0
  • Codec: SBC, AAC
  • Connector Type: Bluetooth 5.0 Wireless
  • Driver Type: Dynamic, 5.6mm, Graphene diaphragm
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz-20 kHz
  • Impedance: 16 Ohms
  • Microphone Sensitivity: -38 dB +/- 3 dB
  • Range: Up to 33ft (10m)
  • Sensitivity: Earphone: 95dB ± 3dB at 1KHz, Microphone: -38 dB +/- 3 dB
  • Unit Weight: Earphones 0.44oz, Charging case 2oz

What’s In The Box

  • Optoma NuForce BE Free6 true wireless earbuds
  • Eartips
  • Charging case
  • USB-C charging cable
  • Manual and documentation
Optoma NuForce BE Free6 review headphones earphones
Great design of both the case and the earbuds.

Design

One thing Optoma has going for them is their clean, minimal, and industrial design language. The Optoma NuForce BE Free6 are certainly right in that design wheelhouse through and through. As with most true wireless earbuds, the BE Free6 are super small and lightweight.

The interesting thing about this design is the outside of the earbuds seem to have a fingerprint type pattern in them. When I first touched them, I totally expected them to have some texture. But once I did touch them, I realized the pattern was under an overlay of clear hard plastic. It’s a neat touch and those exterior portions both serve as multifunction buttons.

The actual tube parts that go into your ear seem much smaller than other earbuds I’ve used and maybe this is why these fit so well. I usually have to play with earbuds a bit to get a proper fit and a good seal. With the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 earbuds, it was a piece of cake. I popped them in and adjusted them ever so slightly, and I had a snug fit with excellent noise isolation.

They are, of course, super lightweight and with the excellent fit, they aren’t going anywhere. The charging case is also nicely designed. It has a matte finish with an easy to open yet secure flip-top lid. There are 3 LED indicators to show you how much juice you have. The other great thing is that Optoma included USB-C charging here, well done.

Overall, the design is excellent, and I gave it a perfect rating mostly because of the excellent fit and noise isolation along with the comfort and looks. These are really some great looking and comfortable earbuds.

Optoma NuForce BE Free6 review headphones earphones
Small yet powerful.

Ease of Use

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. We’re fairly certain that 99.9% of the population knows how to pair Bluetooth headphones to their devices. It has become so simple it’s like riding a bike.

I would charge the case and earbuds to full before the first use. Then just pop the earbuds out of the case and they will automatically turn on. Just hold the multifunction button down for 5-seconds and pair with your phone. The second earbud will auto-pair to the other earbud. It’s pretty much that easy.

The only learning curve you might have are the controls of the multifunction button, which Optoma also calls the Power/Function button. Here’s what the multifunction button can do:

  • Answering and handling phone calls:
    • Answer a call: Tap the multifunction button once on either earbud
    • End a call: Tap the multifunction button once on either earbud
    • Activate voice assistant: Press the multifunction button on either earbud and hold for 2-seconds.
  • Controlling music playback:
    • Play or pause music: Tap the multifunction once on either earbud
    • Skip to next track: Double click the multifunction button on either earbud
    • Go back to last track: Triple-click the multifunction button on either earbud

Overall, the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 are simple to use. Most headphones and earbuds these days are pretty simple to operate, and these aren’t much different in that respect.

Optoma NuForce BE Free6 review headphones earphones
The BE Free6 have great noise isolation

Sound

I’ve generally been impressed with Optoma’s way of dealing with the soundstage on their products. The company doesn’t aim for a flat or even soundstage. Instead, they aim for a bit more punchy bass with the mids increased ever so slightly.

The Optoma NuForce BE Free6 earbuds have what I’d call Optoma’s signature tuning. The punchier bass and boosted mids do not adversely affect the highs. You still have good sound reproduction where you can hear most everything going on, it’s just the bass and mids are driving a bit harder.

Combine this tuning with the excellent noise isolation of the earbuds and you feel like you have a speaker in your head. While it’s been a few since I, personally, last reviewed a pair of Optoma’s, it did bring back thoughts of previous models.

Overall, I think most people will be happy with the sound here. If you’re not too much into a bit more bass, these may not be for you.

Reception/Call Quality

Speaking of bringing back thoughts of previous models. I reviewed the Be Free8 earbuds back in 2017. One of the issues those earbuds faced was the loss of connection between earbuds. To be fair, this was happening with almost every pair of truly wireless earbuds back then. True wireless was a new technology, and all of the bugs still hadn’t been ironed out.

Thankfully, most of those connectivity issues have been eliminated from most OEM’s. Optoma is one that has eliminated the issue altogether. The reception on the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 is rock solid between earbuds. The Bluetooth 5.0 reception is also rock solid.

Call quality is great and Optoma uses both earbuds to take calls. Or, if you’re in a noisy environment and your caller has issues hearing you, you can remove the right earbud and hold it to your mouth to speak. This will use the microphone built-in to amplify your voice to your caller. Leaving the left earbud in lets you listen to them.

Overall, no issues with the reception or call/quality on the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 earbuds.

Optoma NuForce Be Free6 4
up to 24-hours of battery life with the case

Battery Life

The Optoma NuForce BE Free6 earbuds have 6-hours of battery life with 24-hours total when you factor in the battery charging case. I found I had a mixed bag of results. Sometimes getting 6-hours, sometimes 5.25-hours and anywhere in between. I would say the battery life is as advertised, results will vary with volume and distance from the source.

The battery case also has quick charge, so tossing the earbuds in for 15-minutes will get you an hour of playback time. That’s nice to have when you need your sound back ASAP.

Overall, battery life is good here. I think the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 are comparable or better than some of the competition.

Price/Value

The Optoma NuForce BE Free6 are priced at US$99. This is a great price point for these earbuds. There is competition at the same price point and there is competition higher and lower in price point.

There are some cheaper, truly wireless earbuds that sound almost as good but lack the style and design of Optoma. I’d say the total package here is worth the price as there is plenty of value here.

Wrap Up

I really have nothing negative to say about the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 and that’s rare. Optoma made a great pair of truly wireless earbuds here and have learned from previous mistakes improving on the technology and making it better.

*We received a sample of the Optoma NuForce BE Free6 for the purposes of this review.

Last Updated on February 3, 2021.

Previous

SPRYNG review: Wireless active compression for better performance

Urbanears Pampas headphones review: Minimalistic design meets solid sound

Next

Latest Articles

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap