1More dual driver ANC Pro test in progress: listen to this
"The 1More dual drivers offer excellent sound quality for the price."
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20 hours of battery life
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Outstanding sound quality
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Stellar noise cancellation
The sexy new trend in portable audio these days is real wireless earbuds – and for good reason. When done correctly, they offer comfort and quality in a bite-size package.
Still, 1More is living proof that a few wires here and there doesn't have to be a bad thing. The new ANC Pro wireless in-ear headphones with $ 150 worth of two drivers, which can be pre-ordered and officially launched on May 21, may not have the immediate appeal of a true wireless counterpart. But even in the short amount of time I was able to test them, it's obvious that 1More's new, efficient headphones get you where you need to go.
Out of the box
Let me rave about the packaging in which the Dual Driver ANC Pro Wireless arrived for a moment.
Essentially, the headphones sit in a display case that is bound like a book, and on the inside there are artistic sketches of the headphones. Take note of competing companies. This is how you make a good first impression.
Nick Woodard / Digital Trends
A smorgasbord of accessories is waiting under the headphones. These include three sets of additional earplugs, both a USB-C charging cable and an additional cable, a carrying case for the headphones and various documentation.
After taking the time to find the best tips for your ears, setting up is standard compared to most wireless earbuds. I haven't had these headphones long enough to talk about how well the built-in Bluetooth 5 technology works, but I can say that I still have no problems.
The 1More Music app goes well with the headphones. You don't need the app to connect first, but I would recommend downloading it. The app provides access to firmware updates, control over active noise cancellation and intelligent burn-in options. I'll come to the last part a little later.
design
Before I go any further, it's time to address the elephant in the room … um, ear. From the way the ANC looks with two drivers, it is clear to me that I would classify them as earphones that happen to be attached to a neckband with a pair of wires. 1More, however, the new product is referred to as in-ear headphones. Therefore I will use this terminology in this test.
Nick Woodard / Digital Trends
The in-ear component of the headphones fits comfortably and securely in my ears and hangs pretty well in it when I decided to audition them while running through the local park. At the other end of the wire is the silicone collar that gently wraps around your neck. The band has buttons for power, volume control, active noise cancellation and wind noise resistance mode, as well as the option to call your preferred voice assistant. They are not noticeable, but I found them to be easy to use.
The back of the buds is magnetic so they can cling together and sit like a high-resolution necklace when not in use. This is a nice design accommodation as the Dual Driver ANC doesn't seem to be the easiest headphone.
Don't get me wrong, the neck strap is flexible and it looks like it could take some strength. The tote bag doesn't give me as much security as, for example, a stiffer bag when mixed with other items in a backpack or suitcase.
This brings me to what I see as an inevitable design flaw in these types of headphones – they simply don't have the portability or ergonomic footprint that so many people enjoy with real wireless earphones. The Dual Driver ANC can offer a lot between its functions, its audio quality and its price. You just have to get by with something more prominent to enjoy these features.
properties
The previous model in this series of 1More headphones, the Dual Driver BT ANC, only offered 7 hours of playback time for calls or music. It was clearly a vulnerability and one can say with certainty that 1More addressed it.
The new Dual Driver ANC offers a battery life of 20 hours without ANC and 15 hours with the function activated, as well as a quick charge function that enables 3 additional hours with only 10 minutes of charging time. I haven't had enough time to fully test 1More's battery life, but if the specs are right, that's a huge improvement.
The Dual Driver ANC has a waterproof IPX5 resistance that protects it from water jets from any direction. I haven't had a chance to deal with them so intensely yet, but the headphones made it through a rain-soaked walk unscathed.
In addition to its active noise cancellation features, the Dual Driver ANC also features the aforementioned wind noise resistance mode, which, according to 1More, is designed to suppress wind-generated microphone noise and keep unwanted distractions out of your listening experience. The weather didn't want to work with me at the time I was testing them up to that point, which means I couldn't use them against strong gusts to see how it worked. However, as soon as I am able, I will report on my results.
Audio quality
With products such as the triple driver and quad driver in-ear headphones and the newer 1More Stylish earphones, 1More has earned a good reputation. In short, this is a company that delivers high quality sound that doesn't cost a fortune.
Nick Woodard / Digital Trends
The Dual Driver ANC has expectations. To repeat myself for the umpteenth time, I haven't listened to them long enough to completely break up their audio chops. However, the early returns are excellent.
These headphones have the name they have for a reason. They consist of a dynamic 13.6 mm driver with a titanium composite membrane and the symmetrical anchor developed by 1More. It says a lot, but if this isn't the MJ and Scottie of the headphone components, they get pretty darn close.
In other words, name a better duo. I'll wait.
Seriously, the time I spent listening to the Dual Driver ANC was quite an experience. In addition to supporting audio codecs such as SBC, ACC, and LDAC, they skilfully navigate between music genres and look for the vibrating rumble of Lil Nas Xs Panini before looking for a powerful reproduction of Bill Withers & # 39; Lean on Me. As with all of the company's products, the Dual Driver ANC has been optimized by Luca Bignardi, a Grammy Award-winning sound engineer.
If I have a problem with the sound quality, I have to wait until I can hear the best that the Dual Driver ANC has to offer. The headphone app has an intelligent burn-in function that, according to 1More, essentially reproduces sounds and signals via your buds in order to "train" them. For best performance, 1More suggests that it can take a few dozen to hundreds of hours to reach the optimal level. Call me impatient, but that just seems over the top.
Noise cancellation
As I said before, I still have to put the Dual Driver ANC's wind noise resistance mode against worthwhile elements. However, I briefly tested the headphones' active noise canceling function on busy streets and have a couple of takeaways.
1More products use hybrid active noise cancellation, in which a pair of microphones in each bud analyze noise both in the ear and in the outside environment and then block out the unwanted noise using a dedicated digital signal processor (DSP). The headphones have two different noise suppression levels, mild and strong, which can be selected with the neckband button or in the 1More Music app.
My attempts with the ANC functions of these headphones were good overall. White noise with the feature in action was minimal, and they generally dampened most outside noise solidly. However, I would keep expectations realistic. They don't come close to the cancellation skills that solid over-ear cans can offer, and some noise will inevitably get through. This is not really a blow to 1More, but a reminder of the limitations of this product style. They do well within these restrictions.
Conclusion
I have to revisit this review after spending more time listening to these headphones to get a final attitude. But 1More has consistently built great, affordable hearing aids in the past, and so far they are back on track with the Dual Driver ANC Pro Wireless.
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