The Cyberstuds Spin wireless earbuds from Nu Republic put an interesting ‘spin’ on the typical TWS experience. The charging case of the Cyberstud Spin doubles up as a fidget spinner. If you’re wondering what a viral children’s toy from 2016 is doing on a TWS product in 2024, you’re probably as puzzled as us. Gimmicky design aside, we were curious to check out the audio chops of this TWS when it landed on our desk earlier this month. We’ve been using it for the last week as our primary audio accessory. Here is our in-depth review of the Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin.
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In This Article
Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin Review: Design
Cyberstud Spin’s unboxing experience is pretty standard. Inside the retail box, you get the fidget spinner charging case with earbuds inside, extra ear tips, a USB Type-C cable, and a promotional card.
The wireless earbuds are nestled in either wing of the plastic charging case with metal gliders keeping them in place. Sliding these gliders makes a ‘swish’ sound, which is perhaps the coolest thing about this TWS. At the centre of the charging case lies the see-through plastic cap meant for gripping the fidget spinner while it rotates. There are a couple of LED notification lights below this cap.
Our biggest gripe with fusion products is that they often fail to be good at either of the things they bring to the table. While the fidget spinner works in practice, it is nowhere as satisfying to play with compared to the actual toy. The hefty weight of the TWS and the poor distribution keep it from attaining that smooth rotating motion.
Balancing the case on one finger and pulling off the usual fidget spinner tricks is an uphill battle. Giving the case a good spin often dislodges the earbuds from their cutouts, which is the one thing that should not happen. Sure, the design is appealing to the eyes, but the Cyberstud Spin is a far cry from being the ideal fidget spinner.
The earbuds follow the traditional in-ear design language. However, the inner panel of the earbuds is moulded in a way that protrudes outwards from the tragus. The fit suffers as a result, requiring multiple attempts to showcase the full soundstage.
We used the Cyberstud Spin while hiking and working out. While the issues with the fit still persisted, the TWS was unharmed by sweat. Nu Republic has not mentioned the IP rating for the earbuds but claims they are resistant to sweat and water splashes.
Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin Review: Performance
Most fusion products tend to falter when it comes to delivering the essential function that they are designed to carry out. Thankfully, that is not the case here. Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin relies on 13mm dynamic drivers to deliver a lush audio output.
Cyberstud Spin’s neutral-sounding soundstage is a breath of fresh air in a segment that’s flooded with bass-heavy wireless earbuds. Even though Nu Republic heavily markets its ‘X Bass’ technology, the low-end frequencies on the soundstage are subtle and not overpowering. The mids and the highs get good representation in the mix and the result is a very enjoyable audio output.
We listened to a diverse range of genres using the Cyberstud Spin and the TWS did justice to all of them. The crisp guitar riffs of Testament’s ‘Brotherhood of the Snake’ were beautifully presented on the TWS’ soundstage. The same was the case with moody synths and guitars of Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’.
The ‘gaming mode’ with 40ms latency is a good addition to these earbuds. We played games like Call of Duty Mobile and Asphalt 9 wearing the Cyberstud Spin. There were no audio lags to be found throughout the gameplay. The in-game sound and call quality were also up to the standards of the segment.
The calling experience in an indoor setting is pleasant and noise-free while wearing the Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin. The TWS does a good job of extracting the speaker’s voice from the ambient sounds and background noise. However, the call quality takes a sudden drop in outdoor conditions where the background noise is significantly higher.
We used the Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin for an average of 4-6 hours daily during the week-long review period. The battery pack on the earbuds powers it for a little over 6 hours. Combined with the charging case, you can get up to 70 hours of playback.
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Verdict
Purely as a TWS, the Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin is a solid product that presents a balanced and nuanced soundstage for the listener. Most midrange and entry-level wireless earbuds are heavily focused on bass, which leads to suppression of the mid and high frequencies. However, the price tag of Rs 2,499 warrants additional features that are absent on this TWS. At this price point, we expect dual-point connectivity at the very least. A lot of competitive earbuds in price range offer ANC as well. The lack of a companion app is a downside as well. We’d much rather see these features on a TWS than a shoehorned gimmick.
Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin: Pros
- Balanced soundstage
- Versatile battery life
Nu Republic Cyberstud Spin: Cons
- The Fidget spinner does not rotate smoothly
- Earbud design needs more work
- Lacks multi-point connectivity
