17 Sep
Blog

JLab Epic Air ANC Review: Exceptional True Wireless Value

JLab Epic Air ANC

"The ANC won't wow you, but these buds are still insane value at just $ 99."

  • Amazing price

  • Customizable controls and EQ

  • Huge battery life

  • Wireless charging

  • Excellent ambient sound mode

  • So-so ANC

  • Bad call quality

JLab has made wireless headphones and true wireless earbuds in the past that offer a great mix of performance and features at shockingly low prices. The $ 29 Go Air and $ 149 Epic Air Sport are both good examples.

But both were clearly just warm-up exercises for what JLab has now brought out: the $ 99 Epic Air ANC, a set of noise-canceling true wireless earbuds with a feature set that seems to go on forever.

Has JLab finally promised too much and delivered too little, or is the Epic Air ANC setting a new benchmark for value? Note: you are amazing.

Let's see what all the fuss is about.

What's in the box?

JLab Epic Air ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

JLabs crates have always been incredibly flimsy, cheap looking affairs. And while this may not score corporate points with shoppers looking at a range of competitive products on a retail shelf, I think it's great.

I love it because it's made entirely from easily recyclable paper and cardboard. The only plastic you'll find are two tiny removable stickers over the earbuds charging contacts. The rest is as guilt free as it gets.

In this box you will find the Epic Air ANC earbuds in the charging case, an easy-to-read and very well illustrated quick start guide and the included five additional earbuds (the earbuds come with the medium size installed).

design

JLab's true wireless earbuds come in three general shapes: the simple earbud-only design of the Go Air, the sport-oriented earhook design of the Epic Air Sport, and the AirPod-like earbud-plus-stem design of the Air Executive.

Workout addicts are insured: With an IP55 rating, these earphones can survive very little.

The Epic Air ANC uses the same design as the Air Executive. They are so similar that you may not even be able to tell them apart by looking closely.

The Epic Air ANC are a bit bulkier than Apple's AirPods or AirPods Pro, for example, but they're still remarkably light and don't look as massive as many of the top earbuds we tested like Sony's WF-SP800N or Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless .

With the touch controls on the outside you have full access to all the most frequently used functions. With a wear sensor on the inside, you can automatically pause your music when you remove an earbud – if you want.

Workout addicts are insured: With an IP55 rating, these earphones can survive very little.

The charging case is bulkier and less pluggable than many others on the market, but it makes up for its extra bulk by offering a built-in USB charging cable – a brilliant feature for those who often forget to bring cables when traveling. Better still, if the cable is ever damaged, the case can also be charged wirelessly.

Synthetic leather has a double function both as the outer surface of the housing and as a hinge for the lid. It's unusual and clever, but it does mean the lid moves a little even when it's closed, which reduces the overall feeling of quality.

Even so, the lid magnet and earbud docking magnets are strong enough to keep everything in place, which is really all that matters.

A three-LED display on the top shows the charging status of the case and the charging status of the earphones.

The Epic Air ANC may not win beauty pageants, but functionally they are very well designed.

Convenience, control and connections

JLab Epic Air ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you've ever worn earphones in your ear and found them comfortable, you will likely like the fit of the Epic Air ANC.

If you don't, JLab should add five different sizes and styles of silicone earbuds, plus an additional pair of Cloud Foam earbuds to get them just right no matter your ear shape.

The quality of the seal is always important with in-ear earphones as it determines how good they sound. However, this is especially important with ANC earphones. Having a variety of earplugs to choose from definitely makes it easier to get a good seal.

Personally, I recommend the cloud foams. Memory foam earplugs don't last as long as silicone and not everyone likes the squishy feel they create in your ear, but they are super comfortable and make for a great, no-pressure seal.

Once you've found the best size and type of earbuds, the Epic Air ANC should fit just right and feel just the same. I found them to be more comfortable than some earbuds that cost more than double, which just goes to show that money can't always give you a good fit.

I don't like touch controls on earbuds because they tend to trigger when you don't want them to do something, or more often not respond properly (or not at all) when you need to.

JLab Epic Air ANC AppThe Epic Air ANC's touch controls largely avoided this trap, but there were still instances where I had problems. Some taps were not recognized and a double tap was sometimes only registered as a single tap. I would still prefer a really good set of physical buttons, like those on the Jabra Elite 75t, but as far as touch controls go, the Epic Air ANCs are perfectly serviceable.

While I'm not a fan of Touch Control, I'm really impressed that JLab's free Air ANC app for iOS and Android lets you customize the functionality of each earbud for each tap combination. With three tap combinations per earphone, this can cover almost anything you could want. The commands available are: play / pause (answer / end), skip tracks forward / backward, volume up / down, access to voice assistant, EQ mode and ANC mode (on, off, be aware).

The only thing to keep in mind is that if you are only using one earbud, then you need to make sure that the earbud controls have the following features – a great option for phone calls or when you need to be more aware of your surroundings and settings, that they need. There's no point in increasing the volume with a single tap on the left earbud when you need the right earbud to turn it down again.

The wear sensors worked like a charm and quickly paused and resumed music when you removed or inserted the earbuds. The app allows you to turn the feature off if you don't find it helpful.

Bluetooth pairing is easy and quick – just remove the earbuds from the case and select them from your Bluetooth system menu. The connection quality was very reliable, but in some cases – especially after a long pause with no music playing – the left earbud stopped responding. Quickly plugging both buds into the charging case and pulling them out again was a reliable way to get things back to normal.

The simultaneous pairing of devices (a.k.a. Bluetooth Multipoint) would be nice, but an unusual function even with more expensive earphones.

Battery life

True wireless earbuds have seen their battery life improve massively over the past 12 months, and the Epic Air ANC is near the top of that range.

With up to 48 hours without ANC, they'll be ashamed of all other true wireless earbuds.

JLab claims to be 8 hours with the ANC on and 12 hours off – just an hour less than the reigning champion, Sony's WF-SP800N.

Even more impressive is the charging case, which offers space for three full charges. This means at least 32 hours total time, but up to 48 hours with the ANC switched off. That puts all other true wireless earbuds to shame. Even the Sony WF-SP800N only offers a single charge for a maximum time of 26 hours.

Get an extra hour of gaming time with a 15 minute quick charge.

In reality, JLab's numbers are pretty much spot on. I left them on continuously with the ANC off and after 12 hours they were still on the go.

Sound quality

JLab Epic Air ANCSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

For its price, I think the Epic Air ANC sounds very good. You don't get the pristine sound quality of the Sony WF-1000XM3 or the Sennheiser CX 400BT, but these earbuds cost more than double what you pay for the Epic Air ANC.

When it comes to deep bass and crisp highs – the two areas that people notice the most – these earbuds don't disappoint.

I'm willing to bet that unless you already own a much more expensive earbud, you'll be amazed by the sound of the Epic Air ANC.

They offer very good frequency separation and when it comes to deep bass and crisp highs – the two areas that people notice the most – these earbuds don't disappoint. The bass response is full, but not overwhelming, and the highs, while not crystalline, are well defined. The midrange drivers are neither shiny nor lackluster and manage to make themselves heard even if they aren't quite the stars of the show.

And while they may not have perfect levels of detail or an extremely wide soundstage, they are surprisingly balanced for listening to a wide variety of genres.

As with virtually all of the earbuds and headphones I have tested, you will need a decent source to get the most out of these earbuds. I found a huge difference between listening to my personal collection of AAC format tracks on Apple Music and CD quality lossless offerings from Tidal or Qobuz.

More importantly, the JLab Air ANC app lets you tweak the EQ as you like. The equalizer has discrete levels for 10 frequency bands and you can save four presets with your favorite mixes.

JLab includes a "movie mode" which is designed to reduce the audio delay compared to the usual "music mode" so that the on-screen dialog matches what you are hearing. My iPhone 11's Bluetooth connection may already have very little latency, but I saw practically no difference whether or not the movie mode was activated. Both modes provided great synchronization when streaming Netflix and Disney + movies.

Noise cancellation

It is difficult to get a feel for the effectiveness of the Epic Air ANC's noise cancellation.

Whether you use the standard silicone earbuds or the cloud foams, the seal they offer is pretty good. This means that very little outside noise can get into your ear.

But even with strong passive noise isolation, ANC should show a noticeable decrease in some external noises. Unfortunately, this was not the case.

Switching between ANC off and on resulted in only the slightest decrease in lower frequencies. Even then, I could only tell when no music was playing.

JLab's Air ANC app lets you adjust the level of noise cancellation – a welcome feature – but maximizing the setting didn't do much to improve performance. They're certainly not AirPods Pro killers in terms of noise cancellation.

On the upside, the Be Aware mode that lets in sounds is excellent and the app-based customization gives you good control over how much sound is let in.

Call quality

The Epic Air ANC call quality is not an area of ​​strength. It's not a feature that true wireless earbuds are great at even on some very expensive models, but these earbuds are particularly weak.

External noises such as cars, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, and even a light breeze created strong aural competition for my voice and sometimes drowned it out completely.

It looks a lot better indoors, but even then your voice will suffer from shake.

On the other hand, the Be Aware mode makes making phone calls very convenient from the wearer's point of view, allowing you to hear your own voice with absolute clarity.

Our opinion

No matter how you look at them, the JLab Epic Air ANC are epic value at just $ 99. The ANC may not be spectacular, but with great sound isolation thanks to a variety of earplugs, it just doesn't matter. What can you not love with very good sound quality, enormous battery life and countless practical additional functions?

Is there a better alternative?

For $ 99 you might find true wireless earbuds with ANC and decent sound, but I'm not sure if there are earbuds at this price point that also have 12 hours of battery life, IP55 protection, wireless charging, fully customizable controls, and EQ offer a wear sensor.

You can spend less and get fewer features, like the extremely affordable Truengine SE Soundpeats for $ 40, or you can spend more and get slightly better sound quality with the Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro for $ 150, but nothing beats that Epic Air ANC for total value.

How long will they last?

The build quality of the Epic Air ANC seems to be on par for earphones in their price range. With an IP55 degree of protection and a very generous two-year guarantee from JLab, however, they should have a very long service life. The beauty of starting with batteries that last 12 hours is that even if they eventually drop to 50% capacity, they outperform a lot of brand new earbuds.

Should you buy it?

Yes. In the Epic Air ANC, JLab has developed a feature-rich and comfortable set of earbuds that offer an incredible price-performance ratio.

Editor's recommendations




15 Aug
Blog

QuietOn Sleep Review: ANC Earbuds That Promise Silent Sleep

QuietOn Sleep Earbuds

QuietOn Noise Canceling Earbuds

"When comfort and fit aren't in the way, these ANC earbuds are absolutely quiet."

  • Excellent noise cancellation

  • Very good noise isolation

  • Smallest ANC Earbuds You Can Buy

  • 20 hours of battery life

  • Expensive

  • A battery is missing in the charging case

  • May not be comfortable enough to sleep in

The secret to a good night's sleep, depending on who you ask, is your diet, exercise, state of mind, your bedroom temperature, your bedroom's feng shui, or dozens of other factors. But most people agree that what you need most of all is a quiet place to sleep. Otherwise none of these other things matter.

But silence, like sleep itself, can be elusive, which is why QuietOn created the QuietOn Sleep earbuds for $ 200. They use ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) technology, which QuietOn says can block out more noise than foam earplugs alone.

Do they work and are they worth the price? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

QuietOn Sleep EarbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The QuietOn Sleep earbuds come in a tiny black cardboard case. When you pull the main box out of the case, you'll find the earbuds in the charging case, two alternative sizes of foam earbuds, and a micro-USB charging cable.

Aside from a few printed instructions in different languages, that's all. You should be able to recycle all of the material if you don't want to save it.

design

The QuietOn Sleep looks like very small real wireless earphones. This similarity is reinforced by the use of a flip-top charging and storage case, which is heavily reminiscent of Theose for products like Apple's AirPods Pro and Jabra's Elite Active 75t.

However, this similarity can lead to problematic expectations. In contrast to real wireless earphones, which are charged with the built-in battery of the case, the QuietOn case does not have its own battery. It's practically just a protective charger. In order to actually charge the earphones, the case must be connected to the charging cable.

The case itself, like the QuietOn buds, is tiny and easily fits anywhere you want to keep it, whether it's a pocket or a wallet. The lid has a strong magnet that keeps it tightly closed. The hinge has no resistance at all and lets the lid open quickly, but doesn't do much to prevent it from flapping around.

How well can the QuietOn Sleep suppress noises? In a word: fantastic.

If you're used to true wireless earbuds, you know the importance of having them sit evenly in their charging cradles. If they're crooked, they're likely not charging properly.

So the first time you put the QuietOn back in their suitcase, you may get frustrated that they seem to wobble and never actually lock into place, even though there are internal magnets that try to help. You need to look beyond that – unlike real wireless earbuds, the QuietOn's charging contacts connect to the lid of the case, not the base. As long as each earbud is more or less seated in its respective slots, closing the lid will force everything to be properly aligned.

The earbuds themselves are remarkably small and their glossy black housings practically disappear into the concha of the ear. You have to look very carefully to notice the single button for the physical mode switch on each earbud that sits between the charging contacts.

Comfort, fit and control

QuietOn Sleep EarbudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The bottom line with any object in your ear canal is that "comfort" is a relative idea. I've tried many foam earbuds over the years and I'm not sure if I would call them comfortable, but I'm sure you can get used to them.

I found it more difficult to get used to the feeling of the QuietOn Sleep.

I'm a side sleeper and just couldn't ignore the pressure QuietOn put in my ear.

Choosing the right size of earbuds (I ended up using the smallest size) is key, not only for comfort, but also for passive sound isolation that provides a good fit. The earbuds are made from high quality memory foam and are for sure the most comfortable earbud tips I've ever tried.

But it's the main part of the QuietOn that is a must-have in terms of convenience.

It has an acoustic guitar-like shape with one rounded section larger than the other. QuietOn recommends rotating the earbuds until the larger part is facing back. They know they're sitting correctly when the little "L" or "R" on the surface is level – not upside down or at an angle. Despite these instructions, I found it a little more convenient to flip the larger section.

As small as the body is, it's made of hard plastic and the rounded edges can't completely offset the straight sides and 90-degree corners. For me this meant that I was always aware that something was stuck in my ear.

According to QuietOn, the design is so ergonomic that even people who sleep on their sides will find the earbuds comfortable enough to use overnight. Granted, I'm a focus group of one, but I'm a side sleeper and I just couldn't ignore the pressure QuietOn put in my ear as I rested my head on the pillow. Your mileage, as they say, can vary, and I suspect that those who sleep on their backs will not be affected at all.

When I haven't slept, I've used the QuietOn as an alternative to my ANC headphones to block out the household noises that have become the background noise of my workdays since the pandemic began. They're comfortable enough that I could hold them in place for about three hours each, but my ears needed a break after that.

There is no power switch for the QuietOn. When you take them out of the storage case, they turn on, while replacing them turns them off.

They can reduce sound much better than normal earplugs.

When on, these tiny mode toggle buttons allow you to switch from full active noise cancellation to walk-through (which lets in external noise so you can chat with someone without removing the buds). Pushing is a little tricky and requires reasonable pressure to get to the click. I ended up using the edge of my fingernail to squeeze it as the fingertips turned out to be too soft (apparently, spending nine hours a day on a keyboard isn't enough to build up the right calluses).

Noise cancellation

QuietOn Sleep EarbudsJabra Elite Active 75t (left) and QuietOn Sleep Earbuds Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Aside from comfort issues, how well can the QuietOn Sleep suppress noise? In a word: fantastic.

When it comes to low- to medium-frequency noise, like the roar of a fan in a bedroom at night or the kind of knocks and bumps received from a neighboring resident who thinks moving furniture at 3 a.m. is good is fun, the QuietOn act like a cone of silence and reduce these unwanted vibrations to a whisper.

They're more effective than Sony's ANC used for the excellent WH-1000XM4 headphones and WF-1000XM3 earbuds, and they even outperform Apple's AirPods Pro which have the best ANC of any earbud we've tried. I assume that they can handle aircraft noises properly.

Much more important, however, is that the QuietOn are not necessarily meant to compete with audio earbuds, as they are far better at reducing sound than regular earbuds.

I put them head to head (ear to ear?) With a set of free hotel-issued earplugs, a set I bought at my local pharmacy, and even a pair from Home Depot designed to block out harmful noises in the workplace. The QuietOn Sleep beat them all.

They are so good at creating silence that they actually introduced a new problem: my tinnitus, which I can usually completely ignore, was the only thing I could hear – a high pitched ringing thanks to the QuietOn & # 39; s Ceiling was immediately brought to the fore by everything else.

Battery life

According to QuietOn, the earbuds will work in ANC mode for 20 hours when fully charged, and it only takes an hour to charge from an empty state.

As far as I can tell, these numbers are correct. However, it is not possible to know how much charge is left in the earbuds. Unlike audio earbuds, there is no voice prompt to show the battery status, nor is there a visual indicator.

Your best strategy is to put the earbuds back in your pocket in the morning and plug the bag in to start charging. While charging, a blue LED indicator will appear on the case for each earbud.

Our opinion

If unwanted noise is preventing you from sleeping and you find the QuietOn Sleep comfortable enough to wear all night, $ 200 is a small price to pay for your ultimate silence.

Is there a better alternative?

QuietOn claims its earbuds are the smallest ANC devices on the market. And since Bose has decided to ditch its sleepbuds due to battery issues, there are no more set of fully wireless in-ear ANC earbuds to sleep in. However, there are several competing products that use different techniques, such as the AmazFit Zenbuds sound masking, but we didn't get a chance to test these out.

How long will they last?

Tiny, solidly built, and with just a single physical button, the QuietOn should be used for years. The foam earbuds need to be replaced occasionally – possibly every few months if used at night – but this is normal for earbuds.

QuietOn claims the batteries “will take thousands of charge cycles. With normal use, this would mean several decades. “They come with a one year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes. With a 14-day return policy, you should have enough time to check whether the QuietOn are comfortable enough to sleep on. If so, you will love her.

Editor's recommendations




03 Jul
Blog

The JLab Epic ANC Are Stuck in Earbud Limbo

JLab Epic-ANC

"Although the Epic ANC is comfortable, durable, and cheap, it does very little to separate itself from the crowd."

  • Comfortable, safe design

  • Solid battery life

  • IP54 waterproof

  • Average sound quality

  • Inconspicuous noise cancellation

JLab Audio is well on the way to developing affordable hearing aids, most of which come with features and sound that far exceed their prices. It may have created its own problem. If your products consistently try to push their own boundaries, the lines between them can get messed up and ask you why they even exist.

With JLab's new $ 79 Epic ANC wired earphones, we had to ask ourselves: can they differ from similar siblings and challenge competitors from other brands?

Out of the box

In the meantime I have opened enough JLab packages to know what to expect. The Epic ANC earphones are waiting for you in their own plastic shell. The rest of the box's content is just below it. These accessories include three sets of earplugs, a micro USB charging cable, a travel bag (JLab calls it a bag, but it's a bag), and a quick setup guide.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

In other words, there is not much pomp to admire here. But that's not really JLab's style. The company's products have traditionally relied on losing the weight of desire to deliver good value at a bargain price. That's exactly what you see again at the Epic ANC.

The connection was easy because the buds automatically switch to Bluetooth pairing mode the first time they are turned on. That may be standard these days, but trust me: With the few products that don't have this automatic pairing mode, you miss this subtle advantage.

The Epic ANC has built-in Bluetooth 5 technology and I have no connection issues to report. The buds were able to travel freely with me through my home without getting out when my phone was in the living room. Although I haven't necessarily crossed the line, I'm confident that these buds are enough.

design

As I've said with other earphones of this style, these wired setups are not as noticeable as real wireless alternatives. There are, of course, good reasons for this: the inclusion of wires leads to the possibility that they get stuck or become damaged when you cross everyday life. In addition, real wireless earbuds generally offer a more attractive aesthetic.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Honestly, it's a shame that these styles take a back seat because, apart from the wires, there's a lot to like about the way the Epic ANC was designed. Starting with the buds themselves, the included "Cush Fins" (JLab terminology) helped to create a secure fit in my ears. After several runs with the Epic ANC, I was pleased to find that I only had to adjust them a few times. For a product that is constantly jumping around the neck during intensive activities, this is a win in my book.

I chose the smaller standard earplugs that made them comfortable to hold in my ears. JLab also offers a set of three-flange earplugs and a pair of cloud foam tips, but the standard met my requirements exactly.

JLab was oddly light in terms of specs with the Epic ANC, so I don't have an exact weight to report. But I can say that they were light enough to train with, even though their siblings, the Epic Sport2, are significantly lighter. As wired buds that are dedicated to training, their lightness is not only sensible, but is also expected.

The Epic ANC is only available in one color (black). So if you want design options, you won't find them here. The travel bag / bag is also black and feels durable, which should be useful if you keep the buds in a travel bag or backpack.

properties

The more I used the Epic ANC, the more I thought about the 1More Dual Driver ANC. They are both made in the same style, probably for the same kind of audience. At half the price, it would have made sense not to expect the Epic ANC to compete with the features of the Dual Driver ANC. However, if I have learned anything from previous JLab reviews, this brand knows how to close the gap while reducing costs.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

For example, the 1More offers a battery life of 20 hours without using active noise cancellation and 15 hours with the function activated. For JLab balloons that are not used by ANC, a playback time of 25 hours is achieved, although listening supported by ANC takes a small step back after 14 hours. However, the Epic ANC comes with an AUC cable adapter that can be connected and listened to if the battery fails.

Through my tests, I can confirm that JLab's battery requirements are correct. This type of juice should be enough to do a few days of work while using Active Noise Cancellation. If you are still working from home without having to compensate for noisy environments, you can extend the battery of the buds over several days.

The Epic ANC is weatherproof to IP54 and protects the buds from dust and water sprays from every direction. I didn't expect these to get wet in the heat of summer, but left it up to the good old Pacific Northwest to take a quick shower during a morning walk. Rest assured: The Epic ANC did it without any problems.

For comparison: the Epic Sport2 has an improved protection rating IP66, which protects against high-pressure water jets, while the 1More has an IPX5 resistance, which protects it against jet streams, although it is not protected against dust.

The Epic ANC has an inline remote control that takes over all controls of the earphones. A button on the side of the remote control changes through the ANC modes with arrows at the opposite ends of the volume of the remote control and the track switch. Pressing the lower arrow twice will even activate your preferred intelligent assistant, while the middle button will turn the device on and off and answer and end calls. When it comes to controls, most people value functionality, and the Epic ANC well meets that standard.

Audio quality

The main difference between the Epic ANC and the more expensive 1More Dual Driver is in the sound. Because while the Epic ANC offers usable sound quality, it cannot impair the audio experience of the Dual Driver ANC.

JLab Epic ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Of course, this almost had to happen, since these two products are technically between the weight classes. And to be clear, if the epic ANC were to fight someone of its size, it would do better. But when we decide whether to spend the extra money or stick to a budget option, it seems like a comparison that we have to make.

From a general perspective, the Epic ANC sounds decent and offers above-average clarity of what you'd expect from earphones under $ 100. The problems are at both ends of the frequency range, where the bass feels muffled in songs like Eminems Godzilla and tracks like Jimmie Allen's This Is Us feel a bit hard in the higher frequencies. Compared to the 1More, which expertly navigates through different genres, these topics are only accentuated.

As with the 1More, JLab recommends a burn-in phase (via its own burn-in tool app) in order to get the best sound out of these buds. It takes time that I didn't have for the purposes of this review, so I put it out with stock sound. Which, to repeat, will sound good to the majority of listeners. It just won't be anything to write home about.

Active noise cancellation

Unfortunately I have more "meh" messages for JLab fans to report here. The active noise cancellation features built into the Epic ANC adequately complement the sound quality of the buds, but do not have the effect many hope for.

JLab Epic ANC earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Turning on ANC has muffled some outside noise in the various environments I've tried it in, but in louder situations, such as when walking down a busy street, they haven't done nearly enough to mask the excessive noise. In addition, both myself and others struggled to differentiate between the Epic ANC's two noise control modes (high and low). If you cannot distinguish between these two settings, there is a clear problem.

The 1More were much more effective when tested in similar environments. Neither set is a leader in the ANC area, but the ANC with two drivers had a lot more understanding of the technology.

I will say that the Epic ANC's third noise control mode, Be Aware Mode, did exactly what it said it did. By effectively activating this mode, outside noise is effectively fed in, making it easy to address friendly neighbors while maintaining an appropriate social distance.

Our opinion

The Epic ANC is in every way the affordable alternative to the excellent Dual Driver ANC from 1More, with the exception of the sound, which leaves something to be desired. This does not completely prevent another valuable set of earphones from JLab. But it hurts.

Are there any better alternatives?

You probably already know this answer. The $ 150 1More Dual Driver ANC is exactly what the Epic ANC hoped for, but at twice the price. If you're an athlete looking for a similar style at a cheaper price, JLab's $ 49 Epic Sport2 fits perfectly with its features and design.

How long will they last?

JLab offers a two-year warranty with the Epic ANC, and the product itself feels so durable that I no longer have to worry about exposing it to intensive training sessions. I would say these buds last long enough to get your money's worth.

Should you buy them

No. The Epic ANC has done a lot right, from the comfortable design to the effective functions. However, it hasn't done enough to distance itself from cheaper options within its own brand or to approach the quality of the more expensive Dual Driver ANC. They're good friends after all, but they're stuck in no man's land.

Editor's recommendations




23 May
Blog

JLab Audio Studio ANC Review: Big-Time Battery Life

JLab Studio ANC headphones

"JLab offers excellent battery life and ANC at a very attractive price."

  • Incredibly good battery life

  • Serviceable ANC on a budget

  • Very affordable

  • Not the most convenient

  • Modest sound quality

As a rule of thumb, any product that offers an all-star range at a rock-bottom price initially has a twofold reaction: intrigue, then skepticism.

When the $ 59 Studio ANC headphones from JLab Audio arrived with the promise of more than 30 hours of battery life and active noise cancellation on the packaging on my doorstep, I was optimistic to find out if this new on-ear offering was actually available good – or too good to be true.

Out of the box

I will not waste time describing the packaging of the Studio ANC to you, as it is a largely unforgettable case. It's no small thing at JLab – it's not a bad thing that they focused on the present rather than the wrapping paper.

JLab Studio ANC headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The headphones are supplied with a surprisingly padded travel bag, an additional cable, a USB charging cable and a user manual. You do not need the manual to connect the Studio ANC to your mobile device as this is standard if you ever have experience with Bluetooth pairing. However, I would recommend reading the manual to fully understand the controls that are distributed across the four buttons on the headphones.

JLab equips the Studio ANC with Bluetooth 5 technology, which is solid considering that much more expensive headphones still work with older versions of Bluetooth that lack the range and speed advantages of the newer technology.

After some time with these headphones, my connection was easy. The range was also exceptional, so I could move around my house without worrying about a break while my phone was charging.

design

Studio ANC's on-ear style makes it a kind of mediator between over-ear headphones and in-ear wearables, which leads to a mixture of advantages and disadvantages.

At 141 grams, the Studio ANC are much lighter than many full over-ear cans. At the same time, they keep the design of their bigger brothers and only underline the subtle aesthetic that has made in-ears so popular.

The Studio ANC have ear cups, which JLab calls "Cloud Foam", and an adjustable headband made of synthetic leather. It is a comfortable combination at first, but I couldn't help noticing that the feeling wears off over time. For most, it may not be a big deal, but the headphones created more pressure than necessary, and it has become a factor in longer listening sessions.

You will find four buttons on the right. There is a round power switch that allows you to answer or end calls in the moonlight and activate the voice assistant of your choice. There are volume buttons that you can use to scroll through the tracks. And there is the active noise canceling button, which is camouflaged as well as the JLab logo on the right ear cup that I would have completely overlooked without the manual.

properties

I immediately feel compelled to address one of JLab's greatest demands first: more than 34 hours of playback without ANC and more than 28 hours with the function activated. For comparison, the recently released Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are 20 hours or less without ANC and are priced at $ 250.

JLab Studio ANC headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

If the Studio ANC has a catch, the battery life is not sufficient. I have listened to them regularly over the past week and have not even unpacked the charging cable. This is remarkable for headphones at this price and one of the best aspects of Studio ANC for me.

There is not much to mention in terms of features. The integration of the voice assistant works well and I was able to use Amazon Alexa as my standard A.I. Do. although JLab only lists Apple's Siri and Google Assistant as options. It was okay to go for walks, although I would warn against exercising with them. There is no waterproof rating for Studio ANC on the JLab website. This gives cause for concern as to how they would withstand sweat or rain.

Audio quality

If you've been waiting for the moment when these headphones have inevitably returned to Earth, you've come to the right place. Despite the reasonable comfort and some great features for little money, the Studio ANC sounds just the way it is – just another pair of headphones for $ 60.

JLab Studio ANCNick Woodard / Digital Trends

That doesn't mean they're bad. If you listen almost exclusively to podcasts these days (like yours really), I would recommend them without hesitation. You don't need enough audio quality to enjoy Conan O & # 39; Brien Needs a Friend, and Studio ANC fits that bill exactly.

However, if you are hoping for solid cans to listen to music, you may want to continue shopping. Regardless of the genre, I couldn't escape an apparently distant sound with a strangely hollow low-end. In this case, you get what you pay for, and I wouldn't buy it if you expected great, affordable audio quality based on the Shure SE 112.

There is no equalizer with which you can create the audio of the Studio ANC. However, a JLab branding tool is available for download. They recommend a burn-in time of at least 40 hours – which in a nutshell means that different tones and frequencies are played through the headphones in order to achieve optimal performance.

In addition to the microphones designed for active noise cancellation, the Studio ANC has a third microphone that allows you to receive your voice for phone calls. I found the call quality admirable so that my conversations could break through the turbulence of a windy spring day while walking.

Active noise cancellation

Active noise cancellation in the Studio ANC is a no-frills feature. It only offers an ANC level and there is no ambient sound mode. You have a button to turn on and off and that's it.

JLab Studio ANC headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The ANC function is effective at least in connection with budget headphones. If you activate the ANC function, you will not have an uninterrupted listening room, but you will hear hard noises such as lawn mowers or power tools that are damped to a certain extent. If you want more effective noise cancellation, you have to pay for it. Otherwise the Studio ANC can be serviced in this department for its price.

JLab is not the only company that makes extremely cheap ANC headphones. Anker makes a pair with hybrid ANC at similar prices, and companies like Cowin and TaoTronics are also on the market. However, we haven't had a chance to test these other products yet. Therefore, I cannot currently judge how well the Studio ANC is stacking up.

Our opinion

While JLab has missed the brand in terms of audio quality, the company has still delivered incredibly affordable headphones with excellent battery life and adequate active noise cancellation.

Are there any better alternatives?

The $ 70 Shure SE 112 are currently our most popular, affordable headphones, and offer great sound quality at a price that won't take your toll on your finances. If you don't mind spending more on a product with similar battery life and improved audio, the Sony WH-CH710N for $ 199 is a good option.

How long will they last?

The Studio ANC feels sturdy enough, although I wouldn't back up my bets on cheap headphones that are build quality to withstand the test of time.

Should you buy them

Yes. They are not for audio enthusiasts. For less than $ 60, you get a pair of headphones that last for almost an entire week without a fee. These are useful for people who are looking for a simple, affordable, and reliable set of cans.

Editor's recommendations




14 May
Blog

1More Dual Driver ANC Pro Review In-Progress: Great Sound

1more dual driver and rating 3

1More dual driver ANC Pro test in progress: listen to this

"The 1More dual drivers offer excellent sound quality for the price."

  • 20 hours of battery life

  • Outstanding sound quality

  • 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.

1More Dual Driver ANCNick 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.

1More Dual Driver ANCNick 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.

1More Dual Driver ANCNick 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.

Editor's recommendations




07 May
Blog

Sony WF-SP800N Review: Huge Stamina, ANC, And Awesome Sound

Sony WF SP800N review presented

"Like a top athlete, Sony's WF-SP800N earphones stand out for everything they do."

  • good sound

  • Best in class battery life

  • Very good water and dust protection

  • Good active noise cancellation

  • Outstanding call quality

  • Bulky charging case

  • No wireless charging

If you've looked at the best wireless earbuds in the past year, you know we know the world of the Sony WF-1000XM3. They excel in so many areas like noise cancellation, sound quality, and call quality that you have to dig quite deep to find bugs.

However, we were much less impressed by Sony's last attempt to create a set of true wireless earphones for the sports audience, the WF-SP700N. The bad battery life was our main criticism and the active noise cancellation did not impress us.

Enter the WF-SP800N: the highly anticipated update from Sony for its sport-oriented real wireless earbuds. At $ 200, they're a little more expensive now, but Sony seems to have learned all the lessons from the WF-1000XM3 to bring the SP800Ns up to date. They are available for Pre-order now from Amazon and Best Buy, with deliveries from the end of May.

Was Sony successful? Let’s take a closer look.

Classic design with a twist

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The WF-SP800N follows the same general design that Sony has used for all earphones – it has a slightly elongated body that protrudes from the ear. Gone is the weird lima bean shape of the WF-SP700N, but these are still bulky than most of today's much smaller earbuds. They are also surprisingly heavy. At 9.5 grams, they are 1 gram heavier than the XM3 and almost twice as heavy as the Jabra Elite 75t, which weighs 5.5 grams.

Not that they feel heavy – in fact, adding a silicone ear fin helps them stay comfortably anchored. However, if you knock on the sidewalk, you are definitely aware of it.

To put the ear fin in the correct position, you have to do a double twist when inserting it: a backward rotation to insert the ear fin into your ear and a forward rotation to lock it in place. This tilts the earphones down – a different angle than the XM3.

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The combination of the large overall size of the SP800N and the integrated ear fins means that the charging case also plays a major role. It's smaller than the case of the Powerbeats Pro and WF-1000XM3 and much smaller than the chunky case of the SP700N, but compared to the Jabra Elite 75t – a model that I used during my test of the SP800N – it's much bigger and not what I would call pocket-friendly. In the picture above, the blue case is actually that of the Jabra Elite Active 75t, but it is identical to the case of the Elite 75t.

Unlike Apple's more expensive AirPods Pro, there is no wireless charging option, just USB-C.

See the best battery

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

When the SP700N's battery life wasn't particularly long, the SP800N was clearly designed to be overwhelming: it offers an impressive battery life of nine hours with the ANC function on and an enormous 13 hours with the battery off. That's three more ANC hours and five more non-ANC hours than the WF-1000XM3. I haven't been able to confirm these statistics during my short time with the earbuds, but Sony's claims are usually consistent with the actual results.

The 13-hour performance without ANC smashes all other real wireless earbuds we've seen

After nine hours with ANC, they're only an hour behind the MW07 Plus from Master and Dynamic, but the 13-hour performance without ANC outperforms any other real wireless earbuds we've seen, including the Samsung Galaxy Buds + that followed 11 hours ahead.

The charging case contains only a single charge, which is a surprise given its physical size. However, you cannot argue with the total wireless time of 26 hours when you need it. According to Sony, the 10-minute quick charge offers up to 60 minutes of music playback for fast charging.

ANC added

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sony can very much appreciate the popularity of active noise cancellation on real wireless earbuds – more has been done to promote this feature than any other company.

The SP800N doesn't have Sony's premier ANC technology, the proprietary QN1e ANC chip in the WF-1000XM3, and Sony can't say what ANC technology the SP800N uses. But we know that: it works very well.

When I check a function like ANC during a pandemic, I can't say much about performance on a flight, but when I use a combination of bathroom fans and vacuum cleaners as a replacement, I can safely say that the SP800N shouldn't have a problem with the white noise of an airplane cabin.

Sony won't say what technology the SP800N's noise cancellation is based on, but we do know this: it works very well.

Outside is a different story. When using ANC while walking and jogging, I found that even the slightest breeze made unwanted noise because the external microphones incorrectly tried to compensate for a noise that wasn't really there.

However, it's not a big deal. Thanks to the tight sealing of the earplugs, the earphones offer excellent passive sound isolation, so you probably don't have the need to activate ANC outdoors.

Call to all athletes

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Despite the wind-related problems of your ANC, the SP800N offers impressive call quality. I've put many real wireless earbuds through the phone call test, and they're the first ones my callers have described as ringing on my phone – kudos, as most earbuds force you to compromise on the clarity you get Your phone to your ear.

The wind was occasionally felt, as were passing cars, but the overall experience was excellent.

I've had a case where the earphones lost connection to my phone while on a call, but that seems to be an isolated case. Wireless connectivity is generally excellent with the SP800N.

Excellent sound

Sony WF-SP800NSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the advantages of using Sony wireless headphones and real wireless earphones is the company's Headphones Connect app, which allows you to customize a variety of settings, including the EQ. Unfortunately, the app wasn't ready to work with the SP800N during my trial period, so I had to make do with Sony's factory sound settings. And I couldn't have been happier.

If you want your training to be accompanied by a driving bass forward beat, you will love the SP800N.

The SP800N sounds ready to use. The tones are warm and rich, and the lows, mids and highs are well defined so that the vocals stay clear and crisp. The sound stage is both wide and deep, which smaller earphones simply cannot reproduce. And then there's the bass. It's deeply resonant and offers an impressive level of immersion in bass-heavy tracks, but it just stops being shy to be overwhelming. If you want your training to be accompanied by a driving bass forward beat, you will love the SP800N.

If you don't like the big bass, you can adjust the EQ in the Headphones Connect app, but I couldn't test this.

The right touch

As with the XM3 from Sony, all controls are controlled via touch-sensitive areas on the earphones. They are very accurate, so accidental knocking is rare, but only the top half of the earphone can be used. This means that you have to get used to finding the specific areas with your finger instead of just tapping anywhere on the outside of the earphone. I personally prefer the physical buttons on the Jabra Elite 75t, but the controls on the SP800N work just fine. By default, you get play / pause, skip tracks, answer / end calls, access to voice assistants and ANC mode. However, these can be changed in the Headphones Connect app. If you want volume control, you can have it, but you need to decide which of the other features you want to swap for it.

Like many true premium wireless earphones, the SP800N has wear sensors that automatically pause your music when you remove an earphone.

Our opinion

For $ 30 less than Sony's superb WF-1000XM3, the $ 200 WF-SP800N offers everything you can expect from a set of real wireless earbuds, including excellent sound, decent ANC, great battery life, and full protection from an IP55 -Water resistance rating. A somewhat bulky charging case that doesn't allow wireless charging is one of the few downsides, but I suspect that for many, this won't be a deal breaker.

Is there a better alternative?

When you're ready to spend $ 30 more and do without the SP800N's gigantic battery and IP55 protection, Sony's WF-1000XM3 offers better ANC and sound quality. However, we are only talking about a small improvement for both.

For $ 20 less, Jabra's $ 180 Elite 75t may be a better competitor. It can't keep up with the SP800N's battery life and has no ANC, but I think they sound very similar, they're both IP55, and the Jabras are smaller and more comfortable.

How long it will take?

As with most Sony products, the WF-SP800N comes with a one-year warranty. However, this is probably not an indicator of the life of the earphones. They are very well built and with an IP55 degree of protection you can throw very little on them so that they do not survive. Treat them well and keep them in the charging case when not in use. They should be used regularly for many years.

Should you buy it

Absolutely. Currently, the WF-SP800N occupies a unique position in the real wireless world: it is cheaper than most premium earphones and offers fantastic performance in all areas that matter most.

Editor's recommendations




08 Mar
Blog

House of Marley Redemption ANC review: Sustainable sound

House of Marley Redemption ANC

House of Marley Redemption ANC

"The Redemption ANC looks great, but little annoyances add up."

  • Active noise cancellation

  • Aesthetically impressive

  • Made from sustainable materials

  • Faulty touch controls

  • Bulky design

The new Redemption ANC True Wireless Headphones from House of Marley are the kind of product you want to love. There is a lot to discover between aesthetics, commitment to sustainability and the introduction of active noise cancellation.

Unfortunately my love is not blind. Despite all the positive aspects that House of Marley has packed into its $ 199 wireless earbuds, it's impossible to overlook the problems that these beauties hold hostage.

design

As part of the House of Marley mission statement, the brand, which belongs to the Bob Marley family, is committed to making its devices as sustainable as possible. The Redemption ANC are made from materials designed to reduce the environmental impact of the earbuds, including bamboo, Regrind silicone – material made by recovering and recycling post-process and post-consumer waste – and Regrind wood fiber composite , which is produced by combination of wood derivatives and plastic fibers.

House of Marley Redemption ANCRiley Young / Digital Trends

Who would have thought that environmental responsibility could look so good? The well-crafted bamboo finish of the Redemption ANC, as well as the matching design of the case in which they sit, make these buds the most attractive that are currently available. Compared to the conservative styles of other buds like Apple Air Pods 2 and Samsung Galaxy Buds +, these stand out when they sit in your ears.

Speaking of AirPods of the second edition: The Redemption ANC, like other real wireless earphones, has adopted the popular Apple style. The most noticeable difference is how big the Redemption ANC is compared to the AirPods. Weighing 0.15 pounds, I was constantly aware of the sturdy buds sticking out of my ears.

The silicone ear fins and three pairs of silicone ear gels that came with the Redemption ANC gave me a lot of customization options, and I had no problems finding the right combination.

Setup and control

After setting up the earbuds – there is no associated app here, just a quick start guide and a video that will effectively guide you through pairing with your mobile device – you can use the built-in controls on the device. Which, I thought, is a sensitive issue.

The Redemption ANC can turn active noise cancellation and ambient mode on and off, answer and end calls, pause and skip songs, and call your phone's voice assistant using the touch controls on each bud. Every function works. It just depends on how often you have to touch the buds before you find the right place for activation.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

In my experience, the Redemption ANC has the same problems as the House of Marley Liberate Air. There are no buttons on these buds. In order to use the touch controls, I had to exert precise pressure on an exact location on the stem. It was annoying at best, and in those cases I kept tapping the buds just to change lanes, which was annoying at worst.

On a positive note, due to the tricky touch controls, I didn't accidentally trigger a command when I set it in my ear. This is a common problem that I encounter when trying other, more sensitive earbuds.

Adequate active noise cancellation

Three taps on the Redemption ANC's left earbuds activate active noise cancellation, and three additional taps allow ambient mode to record ambient noise. Both functions worked well and were tested under conditions ranging from a moderately quiet office to a busy sidewalk.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

These features are no better than noise cancellation in the Apple Air Pods Pro or Sony WF-1000XM3, for example, but the Redemption ANC is at least $ 30 cheaper than either of these options. In fact, they belong to a select group of earphones that currently offer active noise cancellation for under $ 200. These include 1More True Wireless ANC and Amazon Echo Buds.

The Redemption ANC has some other, less sexy, but still important functions. House of Marley announces seven hours of playback on a single charge, but drops to five with active noise cancellation enabled. According to my tests, this was accurate, although the left bud seemed to die continuously almost 10 minutes before the right one. The case contains up to three additional charging processes that have been checked again and are therefore within the competitive range of the 24-hour battery life of the Apple AirPods 2.

They are IPX4 certified and offer welding and splash protection. They kept up well during training and on walks with the dog in the early morning dew.

Sound and call quality

When testing the sound quality of the Redemption ANC, there was only one logical starting point. I opened Spotify, went to the curated playlist "This is Bob Marley" and made myself comfortable.

House of Marley Redemption ANCRiley Young / Digital Trends

The bass response from The Redemption ANC is impressive. Marley songs like Jamming and Buffalo Soldier don't waste time introducing low cadences, and these buds never missed a beat. This is a nice change, considering that certain earphones in the lower range leave something to be desired.

Overall, I thought the sound was excellent, although it could have used a touch of high-end clarity in selections like Marley's Redemption Song and Exodus. While bass was welcomed by Marley as part of most discography, I sometimes found it overwhelming when I tried music outside the reggae genre. An adjustable equalizer that attenuates the lower end and improves the acoustics makes a significant contribution to making the Redemption ANC really sound special.

The call quality was a highlight as the Redemption ANC provided a clear dialogue across multiple calls even during rush hour.

Warranty information

House of Marley grants a two-year guarantee against defects in material or workmanship.

Our opinion

Adding active noise cancellation and improved sound quality to its second recording on real wireless earbuds is an important step in the right direction, but the Redemption ANC leaves us with too many unsolved problems.

Is there a better alternative?

For another $ 30, you can buy the Sony WF-1000XM3, which is one of our favorite real wireless earbuds. Alternatively, the Apple AirPods 2 are offered at the same price as the Redemption ANC. While they lack active noise cancellation, they have the upper hand over functions such as comfort and ease of use. The Elite Active 75t from Jabra also deserves to be part of this conversation. It offers above-average sound, battery life and water resistance.

How long it will take?

House of Marley placed great emphasis on the materials from which these buds are made and even gave the insurance a two-year guarantee. The repayment ANC should be able to last.

Should you buy it

No. I've enjoyed these earbuds, including their active noise canceling, outstanding looks, and sustainable initiative on which they were built. Ultimately, however, it is an oversized product that needs functional corrections. It shouldn't be this love.

Editor's recommendations




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