QCY Crossky C50 test: Good open-ear headphones for little money

Open-ear headphones are the fastest growing segment in the audio product sector. After all, the open models are incredibly popular. With the new QCY Crossky C50, manufacturer QCY wants to prove that you don’t necessarily have to spend hundreds of euros. And for a price of 50 euros, they really do have a lot to offer. Our test.

QCY Crossky C50 Open Ear Kopfhör,Clip on kopfhörer kabellos...

€ 45.91

Auf Lager

Buy now* Amazon

Technical data

The product	Crossky C50
Bluetooth version	6.0
Bluetooth codecs	SBC, AAC
Maximum operating range	12m (without obstacle)
Battery life	Up to 7.5 hours, 35 hours in total with charging case; (varies depending on volume level and audio content)
Charging time	1.5 hours (for charging case via USB-C)
Most important functions	Multipoint; IPX5; left/right detection
Price	€ 45.91 *

QCY Crossky C50 test: design and workmanship

The design of the Crossky C50 is based on the modern “open-ear” principle, in which the earphones are not inserted into the ear canal but clipped directly onto the ear cup. We are already familiar with this from models such as the Edifier R1 (our test) or HUAWEI FreeClip (our test).

They therefore offer a high level of comfort, especially during long listening sessions, and are particularly suitable for users who find traditional in-ears uncomfortable or who value the perception of their surroundings during sport. The case is compact, extremely lightweight and covered with a matt synthetic leather texture, which not only looks stylish but also minimizes everyday scratches and fingerprints.

The clipping mechanism of the earphones is sturdy, the connection between the speaker and battery is rubberized and flexible – even after hours of wearing and frequent removal, everything remains secure without pinching or slipping. The fine engravings and printed branding are striking and give the product a high-quality and individual look. The practical test did not reveal any processing defects; the materials used ensure durability and a pleasant feel.

Modern features

QCY uses Bluetooth 6.0 in the Crossky C50, which ensures a reliable range and fast connection. An innovative feature is the automatic L/R detection, which recognizes each side correctly, even if the earbuds are used upside down – this ensures maximum ease of use.

The earphones are IPX5 waterproof and therefore protected against rain and light perspiration, but are not suitable for swimming. The AAC and SBC codecs are supported, which are absolutely sufficient for the target group. High-resolution codecs would hardly make sense for open-ears.

The so-called directional audio is progressive: the reverse sound wave technology reduces sound loss by 90% compared to conventional open ear designs and directs the sound precisely into your ears for a private listening experience.

However, wearer detection, active noise cancellation, transparency mode and similar gimmicks are not found on the C50.

Operation of the QCY Crossky C50

Operation is intuitive in everyday use, as the touch surfaces are easy to reach and sufficiently sensitive to work even with wet hands or gloves. The most important functions – play/pause, track skip, volume and calls – can also be easily controlled without an app.

The automatic page assignment worked flawlessly in the test. A companion app for further customization is provided in the form of the QCY app. This comes with the usual range of functions, such as

Battery status and firmware updates
Complete EQ adjustment
Balance control between the channels (rare!)
Customizable touch control
Mono mode support
Adaptive volume control
Play mode for low latency
Sleep mode: deactivates touch control until the earbuds are put back in the case
Find My Earbuds: GPS-based, with a “play sound” notification
Two simultaneous connections

Battery life: up to 7.5 hours

The battery life of the Crossky C50 is outstanding for clip-on earbuds: up to 7.5 hours per charge are possible at medium volume, while the compact case provides a further 28 hours, giving a total battery reserve of around 35 hours.

The earbuds take around 1.5 hours to charge, while the case takes around 2 hours to fully charge. An LED status on the case and earbuds provides reliable information about the charge status. In everyday testing, one charge is easily enough for a complete working week, and rarely needs to be recharged when commuting, cycling or doing sport.

Audio quality and microphones

The QCY Crossky C50 surprise with a sound quality that is clearly above the expected level in the price range of less than 45 euros. Due to their open clip-on design, the sound is not completely shielded as with in-ear models with silicone tips, but offers a refreshingly airy and pleasant listening experience that is particularly comfortable during longer listening sessions and at the same time does not completely block out ambient noise.

This is made possible thanks to two built-in dual magnet drivers measuring 10.8 mm, which combine a carbon fiber membrane with a bass amplification algorithm to produce powerful bass.

In terms of sound, the QCY Crossky C50 are characterized by a balanced tuning. The mids are clear and present, allowing voices and vocals to be reproduced naturally and clearly. Especially when listening to podcasts and audio books, good precision and clarity are evident. The treble is open and detailed, but without being unpleasantly sharp, which can sometimes be heard as an unpleasant hiss on cheaper models. This contributes to a pleasant and relaxed sound that makes even long listening times enjoyable.

The bass is moderate but defined. It provides a noticeable punch for modern music genres such as pop and electronic music without overpowering the mids or coming across as boomy. The option of boosting the bass via the bass boost profile offers good flexibility. The bass remains clear and controlled even at higher volumes, which makes the overall sound quality appear higher than the price would suggest. The open design means that the sound can unfold broadly and spatially, which is not a given in the clip-on earbud class.

Microphone quality

The Crossky C50 has a total of four integrated microphones, which ensure clear voice transmission, especially during phone calls. The microphones are equipped with wind noise reduction, which leads to a noticeable improvement in call quality in outdoor environments – for example when walking or in light winds. Nevertheless, ambient noise cannot be completely blocked out in very windy conditions or on noisy roads.

Overall, the microphone quality is more than decent, but you shouldn’t expect any real miracles here. The microphones are also compatible with voice assistants and respond reliably to voice commands, making them convenient and practical to use.

QCY Crossky C50 test: Conclusion

Elegant design, high wearing comfort, long battery life and good sound: the QCY Crossky C50 are a really coherent overall package at an extremely attractive price. Even if the app is rather rudimentary and the touch control lacks some functions, you get convincing open-ear headphones for a small price.