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AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 Corded Bluetooth Earbuds: Full Review

The AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 corded Bluetooth earbuds are flexible, feature-rich and will bring music to your ears. Here's a full review.

AXIL GS Extreme 2.0: Full Review

AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 functions as three products in one: Bluetooth ear buds, noise-isolation headphones and electronic ear muffs with a 19 decibel (db) or 29 dB rating depending on the type of earplug tips you choose. (Photo By Alredo Rico)

When engaging in any type of physical activity, corded Bluetooth earbuds such as the AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 make sense. If one slips out of your ear, it’s still connected. If you’ve worn hard plastic earbuds, they’re bound to fall out when you’re moving around. The AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 is sweat resistant and its silicone or foam tips — depending on the activity you’re engaged in — seal the ear canal and stay put. Additionally, pliable ear hooks enhance fitment and hands-free security. Not only is the AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 less likely to fall out of your ear than many other earbuds, it does more when they are in your ears.

New for 2022, the GS Extreme 2.0 have been engineered to deliver studio-quality sound performance. They offer users both hearing enhancement and protection. You can switch from Hearing Enhancement-and-Protection Mode to Bluetooth Audio Mode, and vice-­versa. Or, use both modes at the same time with independent volume controls. Before we touch on features, let’s address battery life, which is always a top concern with electronic devices.

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GS Extreme 2.0 ear buds feature premium dynamic speakers and hands-free communication. These are ideal for shooters because they shut down sounds that are 85 dB or or louder. (Photo By Alfredo Rico)

AXIL’s GS Extreme 2.0 includes a USB power cord that plugs into the USB-C charge port located on the side of the left control panel. When fully charged, a light near the port changes from red to blue. The battery will fully charge in two hours. A fully charged battery will power the unit for 25 hours in Hearing Enhancement Mode, nine hours in Audio Only Mode, and eight hours when Hearing Enhancement and Audio Modes are used simultaneously.

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Interchangeable silicone tips (middle) were designed for Audio Only Mode and provide 19 dB of sound reduction. Larger foam tips (right) are rated at 29 dB and are preferred for shooting activites. (Photo By Alfredo Rico)

The lanyard connecting the right and left control panels is easily adjusted with a cinch. The right panel contains a Bluetooth button in the center between the “+” and “-­” volume buttons. When listening to music, a long press of either the “+” or “-­” buttons will skip to the next song, too.

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The GS Extreme 2.0 features a Bluetooth Audio Mode (top control stick) and a Hearing Enhancement-and-Protection Mode (bottom control stick). They can be used in tandem or independently. (Photo By Alfredo Rico)

Hold the Bluetooth button down for 3 seconds to turn Bluetooth on or off. The same procedure starts the Bluetooth pairing process with your smart device. One press of the Bluetooth button will pause music and answer a phone call; two presses will call back the last number you dialed; three presses will hang up. A long press will activate SIRI for connected Apple devices such as the iPhone.

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Bluetooth audio is activated by pressing the center button, while the “+” and “-” buttons control volume. The GS Extreme 2.0 is recharged by connecting the charging port to a USB-C cable. (Photo By Alfredo Rico)

The left panel contains a Hearing Enhancement Mode on/off switch, as well as “+” and “-­” buttons. Again, the Hearing Enhancement Mode can be used in conjunction with, or independent of, the Audio Only Mode.

When it comes to ear buds, one size does not fit all. The AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 has silicone tips (available in medium and large) that are intended for Audio Only Mode. They provide 19 dB of noise reduction. Although the short foam tips (available in small, medium, and large) provide 29 dB of noise reduction, only the shooter’s foam tips (available in small, medium, and large) are recommended for shooting and other extreme loud sounds. They have a noise reduction rating (NRR) of 29 dB.

If you like the sound of Bluetooth earbuds that double as hearing protection — and even enable you to hear up to up to six times better than without, AXIL’s versatile, feature-rich GS Extreme 2.0 will bring music to your ears. To learn more, visit goaxil.com.

Richard Nance

Richard Nance is the founder of Nance Training & Consulting. He is lifelong martial artist and retired police sergeant with 26 years of service. His assignments included patrol supervisor, firearms instructor, SWAT team leader, and defensive tactics program supervisor. In addition to providing firearms and combatives courses, Richard is the Gun Tech Editor of Guns&Ammo magazine and the Self-Defense Editor of Handguns Magazine. He co-hosts Handguns TV and hosts Guns&Ammo's new Personal Defense digital video series. Richard is also a regular contributor to Outdoor Sportsman Group's Special Interest Publications (SIP) division.

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