JBL Tour One Review: ANC Headphones With Super Call Quality

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones.

JBL Tour One test report: Noise canceling cans for frequent callers

RRP $ 300.00

"A large battery and a pleasant call quality make these cans ideal for work or travel."

advantages

  • Effective ANC

  • Good sound quality

  • Excellent call quality

  • Great battery life

disadvantage

  • No sidetone for calls

  • No aptX / aptX HD / LDAC codecs

Right now, Sony's $ 350 WH-1000XM4 are the best noise-canceling headphones you can buy. We like them so much that they also top our list of the best wireless headphones and the best headphones overall. Sony's success has not gone unnoticed by its competitors, which has led to several attempts to mimic the XM4, including JBL's $ 300 Tour One.

The Tour One isn't just a bit like the XM4. From size, weight, shape, and materials to controls and features, it's almost like JBL used the XM4 as a blueprint for the Tour One and then figured out how to sell it for $ 50 less.

The question you're probably asking is, should I buy the Tour One and save that $ 50, or has JBL trimmed too many features to slip below the price of the XM4? I think the Sony headphones are still the ones to buy, but JBL still managed to make the Tour One worth it thanks to a few things it does really well. Let's get into that.

What's in the box?

Scope of delivery of the wireless JBL Tour One headphones with noise cancellation.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

JBL still has a lot to learn about sustainable packaging. The Tour One Box contains a lot of foam padding and coated cardboard, which makes recycling difficult.

Open the box and you will find the Tour One in its own semi-rigid zippered tote bag. This is your first hint that JBL was inspired by Sony. Not only is the case almost exactly the same size and shape as the one Sony uses for both the WH-1000XM3 and XM4, but it also has the same mesh pocket sewn to one side for small accessories or perhaps a credit Card and ID can be used if you have taken it to the gym.

Inside the case, the Tour One is folded into exactly the same position as the Sony cans and there is a paper insert with a diagram to remind you how to put the headphones in to make them fit again, just like Sony did.

If Sony's designs are too conservative for you, the Tour One adds just enough bling not to look boring.

The similarities continue into the small compartment that houses the included accessories: a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a 3.5mm to 2.5mm analog cable and a Double pin flight adapter.

Unlike Sony, JBL's charging cable actually has a usable length (40 inches compared to Sony's ridiculously short 9 inches). The USB-A side is reversible for rate-free use – a nice touch.

design

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones next to the Sony WH-1000XM4.JBL Tour One (left) and Sony WH-1000XM4. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Given the similarity of the Tour One to the WH-1000XM4, the overall design is hard to criticize. It has a compact shape that keeps the ear cups and headband close to your head so you don't look like you've just walked off the set of a daft punk video.

The auricles pivot, fold, and articulate gently to adapt to the shape of your head. The headband is well padded and the sliders move with a precise "notch" that is both easy to adjust and secure once adjusted.

The Tour One are still very light and very comfortable.

JBL has given the Tour One a slightly satin finish to the plastics and added some black chrome accents that give the cans an extremely high-quality look. If Sony's designs are too conservative for you, the Tour One adds just enough bling not to look boring.

In terms of controls, JBL is improving Sony's design. JBL keeps things simple by replacing Sony's swipe gestures for a combination of simple taps on the right earcup for playback controls and a dedicated set of buttons for volume. A combined power / Bluetooth pairing switch on the right ear cup and a single multifunction button on the left ear cup round off the Tour One's controls.

Comfort, controls and connections

The wireless JBL Tour One headphones with noise cancellation control the close-up.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Although not quite as light as the WH-1000XM4 (9.45 ounces vs. 8.95 ounces), the Tour One is still very light and very comfortable. The ear pads and headband are generously padded and I was able to wear them for three hours without getting tired, even with glasses. One thing that bothered me towards the end of this period was the depth of the auricles. My ears stick out quite a bit – maybe a little more than average – and their outer edges are touching the inner lining. At some point this pressure point needed some relief.

If your ears are like mine, both the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Canceling Headphones offer 700 deeper ear cups.

The Tour One's hinged hinges are great for wearing around your neck, and they fold properly so that the ear cups are facing down and the ear cushions are against your collarbone. Sony does this too, but Bose makes the peculiar decision to put the headband's far less comfortable sliders on your collarbone.

Despite its comfortable fit, the Tour One has a greater tendency to move on its head than the Bose or Sony. It's by no means a deal breaker, but if you want a full-size set of cans for the gym as well as the office or airplane cabin, keep this in mind.

The controls of the Tour One are very easy to use. The single, double, and triple tap touches on the right earcup register every time (as long as you tap the center) and I like having a power button that turns the headphones on instantly. The Bose 700 also turns on instantly, but the Sony XM4s require more patience with a gesture of pressing and holding the power button.

Using the JBL Headphones app offers some adjustments to the controls. Both the multifunction button and the tap-and-hold gesture on the touch panel can be set to control the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) / TalkThru modes or to trigger your voice assistant.

The bluetooth connectivity is excellent.

The auto-pause option works really well. If you pull the ear cups away from your head, the melodies will pause immediately and then resume just as quickly when they are snapped back into place. You can deactivate the function in the headphones app if you want.

The bluetooth connectivity is excellent. Even though I wasn't considered a Class 1 Bluetooth device like the Beats Studio 3 headphones, I was still able to leave my phone at my desk and walk all the way to my garage (about 18 meters, one floor and several walls in terms of the distance). and the signal stayed strong. You can also connect the Tour One to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, although this once caused a static noise that was fixed by disconnecting and reconnecting my phone.

Sound quality

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Out of the box, the Tour One has a relatively neutral EQ. There's a nice definition over the frequencies and excellent clarity in the upper mids and highs. The bass reproduction is snappy and not intrusive. You can tell that JBL has tuned these sockets as genre-independent as possible, which is in contrast to headphones, which tend to be low-end.

Compared to the Sony XM4, the Tour One doesn't offer as much warmth or such a wide soundstage, but the difference isn't that big. Strangely enough, the Tour One, just like the other flagship radio sockets from JBL, the Club One, are not equipped with high-quality Bluetooth codecs such as aptX, aptX HD or LDAC. While you can play frequencies from 20 Hz to 40 kHz (and are therefore considered Hi-Res audio compatible), you will never experience this anywhere when using the headphones wirelessly. The XM4 gives you LDAC, which doesn't do much for iPhone owners, but offers better sound quality for those with Android phones.

When you listen via bluetooth you can enjoy the bones of the song, but when you are wired you can hear its soul.

And that's a shame, because if you connect the Tour One to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with the supplied analog cable, they deliver a lot more depth and resonance.

One of my favorite test tracks is Billie Eilish's Bad Guy. Not only does it have incredibly deep bass, but it also superimposes Eilish's whispering voice, creating a torture chamber for audio equipment. It's also a deceptively complex shot. When you listen via bluetooth you can enjoy the bones of the song, but when you are wired you can hear its soul. Suddenly Eilish is not only whispering through the lyrics, she is whispering directly in your ear – it's an ASMR-level experience that creates goosebumps.

I don't want to miss out on the wireless performance too much as it's actually very good, and I like the fact that you can access EQ presets and manual EQ adjustments from within the app. This can radically change the sound signature of the Tour One. So if you're not a fan of the so-called flat EQ, you don't have to put up with it.

Noise cancellation and transparency

JBL Tour One headphones with wireless noise cancellation in close-up.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Tour One does a good job of canceling out external noise, but its performance can be a little uneven. Unlike the Sony XM4 and Bose 700, the Tour One seems to struggle to produce a nice, even canceling effect. I have a fan under my desk that produces both even sound and even wind. JBL's ANC blocks it well enough, but it cannot decide exactly which of the fan’s frequencies to block, so you can actually hear it chasing around and the result can be a little uncomfortable.

This mostly happens when you use JBL's True Adaptive ANC mode which tries to respond to your listening conditions in real time. Turning this feature off helped a lot. To be fair, my desk fan situation is a minor anomaly – I wasn't even aware of the problem at other times – but both the Sony XM4 and Bose 700 handled it flawlessly, with the Bose being by far the best of the three.

The Silent Now mode is useful if you just want to be quiet: it activates ANC, but keeps Bluetooth communication switched off, saving the battery when you need it.

In short, I've never tested wireless headphones with better call quality than the Tour One.

JBL gives you two different transparency modes to choose from, and both of them have their advantages. For a better general awareness of your surroundings, you can choose Ambient Aware – which lets in a lot of external sounds without affecting your music. Or, if you actually need to talk to someone, you can activate TalkThru mode, which is just like Ambient Aware but also drops the volume of your audio to a point where it is barely noticeable.

Oddly enough, you can toggle between full ANC mode and TalkThru by double-clicking the multifunction button. However, if you want to switch between ANC and Ambient Aware, you need to switch between three modes: ANC>, Ambient Aware>, Ambient Aware Off> ANC.

Call quality

JBL Tour One wireless headphones with noise-canceling headband in close-up.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

So far, most of the qualities of the JBL Tour One have more or less placed them where one would expect them to be compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700. But one area where the Tour One blows away those other headphones is their call quality.

I could walk down a very busy street, with varying degrees of traffic noise, including loud buses and some construction equipment, and yet if you listen to the recording I made you would swear I was sitting alone in a quiet park – so little outside noise got recorded by the microphones of the Tour One.

Not only will your voice be interrupted by these competing sounds, but it will sound really good too. The Tour One captures and preserves the lower notes of your voice, adding depth and resonance to it, which is in sharp contrast to most other headphones and earbuds.

In short, I've never tested wireless headphones with better call quality than the Tour One.

The only caveat here is that JBL has dedicated all of the Tour One's microphones to noise suppression and voice quality optimization, which means there is no sideline and no way to be in Ambient Aware mode or TalkThru mode while on a call to stay. While your callers will love your sound, they may not hear your own voice as clearly.

Battery life

JBL Tour One wireless noise-canceling headphones, folded.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

JBL claims that the Tour One gives you 50 hours of battery life if you disable ANC, and about half that if you leave it on. I didn't run it for a full charge / discharge cycle, but after about 10 hours of playing music at 50% volume with ANC, the JBL Headphones app gave me a 55% battery level, which is pretty close to what JBL claims.

These are great numbers. Better than Sony, better than Bose, and even a tiny bit better than the Marshall Monitor ANC II, our best premium cans for battery life to date.

They take two hours to empty, but you can get three hours of playtime on a 10 minute quick charge.

Extras

JBL's Tour series, which includes the Tour One headphones and Tour Pro + True Wireless earbuds, is one of the few on the market that offers hands-free access to the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa of your choice.

Once you've chosen your assistant, you can say “Hey Google” or “Alexa” and then ask for anything – including controls for playback, answering calls, and volume. When you use this option, one of the gestures on the multifunction button is released, giving you more control over other headphone functions.

I only tested Amazon's Alexa, but it worked just fine. JBL hasn't stated whether using the speakerphone will reduce battery life (and I haven't been able to determine if it does), but it is very likely that it will.

You also get JBL's My Alarm feature, which lets you choose from a variety of soothing sounds, combined with a customizable sleep timer.

Our opinion

For those looking for premium noise-canceling headphones, the JBL Tour One offers an excellent (and cheaper) alternative to Sony and Bose, with only a few sacrifices for the cheaper price. And they're killers for phone calls.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, overall it is Sony WH-1000XM4 are still a better set of noise-canceling headphones that outperform the Tour One in sound quality, ANC, comfort, and Hi-Res wireless audio. But if you can't find them on sale, they're a fair bit more expensive than the JBL Tour One. If you don't mind the compromises, I see no reason not to buy the Tour One instead of the Sony's.

How long will they last?

As far as I can tell, both the build quality and materials of the Tour One are superb, and I suspect they are roughly on par with the Sony and Bose models in terms of durability. They may even have an advantage thanks to their longer battery life, as batteries in a set of wireless headphones are usually the first part to deteriorate.

JBL supports the Tour One with a one-year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes. They're a solid option for anyone looking for comfortable noise-canceling headphones with good sound quality, great battery life, and great call quality

Editor's recommendations



Apple AirPods Max Review | Funnest Headphones Ever

Apple AirPods max

"The AirPods Max are exquisitely crafted headphones designed for Apple lovers."

  • Best-in-class ANC

  • Amazing transparency mode

  • Excellent workmanship

  • Excellent sound quality

  • First class call quality

  • Charges via the Lightning cable

  • Heavy on the head

I'm a headphone freak and have been for almost two decades. And, without a doubt, at $ 550, the Apple AirPods Max are the most fun headphones I've tested in 10 years – but that doesn't necessarily mean you should buy them.

I've heard a lot about these headphones over the past few weeks and now that I've got hold of a pair, I have to be honest: I disagree with a lot of what I've heard. I want to dig into these headphones not just from the perspective of someone who has tested headphones over the years, but also as a studio musician, fan of high-end sound, and a person who loves making smart purchases with hard-earned money. Let's examine what's good, what's great, and what's not about the AirPods Max, and of course, make some comparisons with the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose ANC 700.

Build quality

The most noticeable design element when looking at the AirPods Pro are the metal ear cups. They sit comfortably in the hand – in fact, every part of these headphones feels good. The fabric material in the headband has a cool suspension, the telescopic part of the headband has a satisfactorily smooth movement, the ear cups are squishy and covered in a lush textile, and even the oversized digital crown and the noise-canceling / transparency mode can be toggled button feel good to turn and push. It's really amazing how comfortable it is to hold them.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

But as satisfactory as they are, they aren't called cell phones – they are called headphones, and they need to feel great on your head. For some users, the AirPods Max may feel perfectly fine. Deep auricles, breathable ear pads and a balanced clamping force help a little. The problem, however, is that there is a lot of weight to compensate for. Too much weight in my opinion. These materials are beautiful. This makes the AirPods Max feel super luxurious, but in practical terms, these headphones may be too heavy for some people. Especially if, like me, you wear headphones for hours.

To be clear, Apple has done an impressive job of reducing the stress on the crown and ears through clever engineering and materialsThis is one reason why headphones like the Sony XM4, Bose ANC700, and even the Bowers and Wilkins PX7 Carbon Edition are made from high-quality plastic and composites instead of metal: because they're good for acoustics and they're lightweight and comfortable.

Connectivity

Riley Young / Digital Trends

As you'd expect, the AirPods Max work best with Apple products. Not only do you instantly connect, but you can switch from one Apple device to another in no time. Another benefit is that you can use an iOS device to turn off ANC in the headphone section of the control panel, and you can actually play with the digital signal processor (DSP) over the accessibility section – which I'll mention again later when we talk about sound quality. Unfortunately, if you're an Android user, you lose all of that. As far as I can tell, there is no turning off the ANC or adjusting the DSP without an Apple device. For connectivity, AirPods Max win for Apple users, while Sony and Bose, which both have apps for both platforms with lots of customization options, win for everyone.

The oversized digital crown is awesome.

Control elements / interface

When it comes to controls, I have to give them to the AirPods Max. The oversized digital crown is awesome. It's easy to find if you're wearing headphones, and the volume knob is oddly enough to turn satisfactorily – you even hear a tiny click when you adjust the volume. The digital crown is also extremely accurate and grainy. I had no problem hitting my volume sweet spot, while with other headphones and volume controls, I'm always a click away from the volume that's too loud or too soft.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

Plus, an almost comically large button just for toggling between ANC and transparency modes is a spring in the cap of the AirPods Max. Again, finding the button while wearing the headphones is no problem, and pressing the buttons with satisfaction is a far better one Experience than holding your hand over the right ear cup of the Sony XM4 or looking for the right button on the Bose ANC 700. I used to think the swipe control thing was cool too, but now I'm kind of over it. The AirPods Max have simple controls for which headphones I want to use. This is the kind of thing Apple is doing right now.

Where is the power switch?

On the subject of battery life, charging times, and the fact that there's no power switch – this may surprise you: I don't have any problems with it. Let me finish

Some think the fact that the AirPods Max doesn't have a power button and can't actually be turned off completely is ridiculous. I do not think so.

The AirPods Max go into a power-saving mode after a short while when you put them down. In fact, I put it on my desk around 8 p.m. and picked them up the next day at 7 a.m. and they had laid off a measly 7%. With five minutes of charging, I can get that blackout and a lot more back, which gives you 1.5 hours of listening time.

When the AirPods Max aren't used for about 72 hours, they go into a kind of ultra-low power mode and use even less power. In practice, with such a slow power failure, it is hard to imagine that a power switch is absolutely necessary. Maybe when you keep it around your neck as a fashion accessory all day long? But even then, it's not like they drain quickly and die of you that day.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

For the claimed 20 hour battery life, I've found this rating to be conservative. With ANC, I've approached 25 uninterrupted hours of play and that's enough to take advantage of a few days before you have to think about recharging. So I'm fine with the battery life, even if the rating is about half that of the Sony XM4 – in real life it's perfectly fine.

I think the valuable thing about this always on standby strategy is that whenever you get a call or a Zoom call, they are ready to go. Just put them on and click to reply. I love that – it's far better than long-pressing a power button and waiting for the headphones to boot while the phone keeps ringing.

What I don't like is the USB-C lightning cable that comes with the headphones. I think it was a mistake to choose a flash when USC-C is a much more sensible choice.

It is not a case

Riley Young / Digital Trends

One area where I agree with other reviewers and commentators is what is called the "case" that comes with the AirPods Max. Since there are many others throwing away this "non-fall" as I call it, I don't feel the need to use more vitriol. It's not a case, it's not a shelter, and if it weren't for the magnets in it which are required to activate the ultra-low-power modeI would say throw it away.

The transparency mode is amazing.

ANC and transparency mode

I want to start with transparency mode because it's amazing – perhaps the most impressive feature of the AirPods Max. It's as close to NOT wearing headphones as I've ever heard it. Everything else pales in comparison.

I'm also looking forward to checking out active noise cancellation on a flight someday, as the AirPods Max, as far as I can tell, may just rule the skies. Since I'm not getting on planes yet, to test the headphones I tried the AirPods Max, Sony XM4, and Bose ANC 700 near some loud fans and an HVAC system. The AirPods Max did very well compared to the best noise-canceling headphones I tested.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

The AirPods Max make it even better every day. They sound like hammering a mechanical keyboard, sipping coffee, and other annoying things. I wore them to a coffee shop and was surprised at how little I heard of the espresso machine and general barista noises. Is it the best noise cancellation on the planet? I can not say it yet. I really have to get on a plane to be sure, but it's damn close. Close enough that I can't call the Sony XM4 the reigning champion anymore, now that there's another big dog on the hill. However, I'll say the AirPods Max won't make anyone crave for more noise cancellation.

Call quality

The AirPods Max are great for making phone calls and taking video conferences – even better than the Bose ANC700, which are great on their own. I found that ambient noise was very well muffled while the clarity of the voice was excellent. The AirPods Max are also very adept at dealing with wind noise.

Sound quality

Before I get into fidelity, I want to mention that I ran some testing with Spatial Audio which, if you're not familiar, is a 3D sound competitor to Dolby Atmos, DTS Headphone: X, and the like. I think it's fun to watch movies, but I'm less enthusiastic about the implementation for music. It's a cool feature, but not a selling point for me.

When it comes to audio fidelity, the AirPods Max sound really good. In particular, I think the midrange has great presence and clarity – something you won't get as much of on the Sony XM4 as the midrange has a bump that tends to clutter the vocal range.

Sony's mid-bass bump is also notable because it gives the XM4 more punch. In direct comparison to the AirPods Max, the Apple cans are less effective. That doesn't mean the AirPods Max lack solid bass. They actually get very deep – deeper than the Sony XM4 or Bose ANC 700 – so everything is sound there. I just noticed that the bass guitar was less prominent on a lot of the tracks I love listening to, and the kick drum had a little less punch than the XM4 and Bose headphones. As mentioned earlier, the more balanced mid-bass enables tThe excellent midrange response from Max.

"I found that Apple Music sounded better than Spotify with the Apple AirPods Max. "

In the high altitude region, cymbals and brass instruments sparkle very well, which I liked very much – sibilance or harshness are irrelevant here. I didn't see a particularly well-executed instrument separation, however, and as far as soundstage and imaging go, I think the AirPods Max are average.

In general, I feel a little closer to the music listening to the Sony XM4 and Bose ANC700, but I feel like hearing more detail with the AirPods Max, which are sure to be the most balanced of the three headphones I compared.

One interesting note: I found that Apple Music sounded better than Spotify with the Apple AirPods Max, and I suspect Apple is using the AAC codec (the only codec supported by the AirPods Max) during the MP3-based deployment from Spotify is more lossy. Another reason to delve into the Apple ecosystem for listening to music.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

I've noticed some have said that the AirPods Max sound better with the ANC off. I didn't think so. Maybe the frequency response is flatter, but I feel like the music is losing part of its life. I've also heard that adjustments to the DSP via the Accessibility menu in iOS could improve the sound, but honestly I like the way they sound instantly with the balanced setting and slight boost setting.

From an audio point of view, I like the AirPods Max very much, and I would like to continue listening to the AirPods Max a little longer, as I suspect that my preference for punch will wane over the weeks and months, but right now I prefer the Sony XM4 -Sound signature. However, this is a deeply personal preference. I can see why someone would prefer the sound of the Max in the long run, and I'll adjust this rating as I change my tune. You sound very good. Good enough to justify the $ 550 price tag.

As for the cool factor, there's no doubt that the AirPods Max have it in their spades, and there's no doubt that they are one of the most fun headphones I've had the chance to test out in many years.

Our opinion

The AirPods Max are near perfect, with top notch noise cancellation, the most remarkable transparency mode I've ever heard, balanced and detailed sound with lots of deep and musical bass, and a very top notch feel. My main complaints are its weight, which I fear won't work for hours of use, and the lack of a proper carrying case.

Is there a better alternative?

For a higher level of convenience, I would recommend considering the Sony WH-1000xm4, which offers competitive sound quality and noise cancellation, as well as superior battery life in a lighter headphone. The Sony also come with a legitimate carrying case and are more portable. Nevertheless, the AirPods Max are wonderful premium headphones with unmatched build quality.

How long will they last?

Given the excellent build quality just mentioned, I can imagine that the AirPods Max will last as long as the battery allows. They come with Apple's standard one-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

Should you buy it?

If you don't mind a heavier headset with a premium price tag then absolutely yes.

Editor's recommendations




Audeze LCD-1 Headphones Review: Studio-Grade Comfort

audeze lcd 1 review studio monitors headphones 5

"The Audeze LCD-1 has a beautifully wide soundstage and excellent clarity in a comfortable design."

  • Excellent clarity and attention to detail

  • Broad soundstage

  • Very convenient

  • Expensive

  • Questionable structure

There is a special place in my heart for open studio headphones. I come from a production background, so when editing, I always look for the purest sound reproduction to make sure my finished product is buttoned up.

So headphones like the $ 400 Audeze LCD 1 reference monitors really hit the right emotional notes for me. I know open-backs have some drawbacks, but I can't help but focus on them: I like the sound signature they generally offer.

So let's answer this important question: how does the Audeze LCD-1 stack up compared to others on the market?

What's in the box

Audeze provided the LCD-1 with simple packaging. It's not full of pomp and circumstance like Apple products. Although the box is very nice and wrapped in a simple Audeze case, the headphones themselves come folded in the hard carrying case provided.

This is very useful from a security point of view. If I want to use this case to secure the headphones when I travel, it should be of good quality to adequately protect them when shipping to me.

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Because of this, I'd expect them to require minimal molded cardboard insert so they don't roll around, but Audeze uses foam instead. While you can probably recycle the rest of the packaging, that foam needs to be removed and discarded first. It's not the most sustainable solution.

Aside from the carrying case, the headphones come with a 2-meter, 3.5-mm to 3.5-mm double cable wrapped in nylon and a 6.35-mm-3.5 mm converter. The only indication on the cable is that it is very long which can be uncomfortable for some people.

design

The Audeze LCD-1 look good despite their plastic construction. I'm more of a fan of how V-Moda constructed the M-200 monitors with lots of metal parts, but if you go for plastic, Audeze picked one that at least feels good to the touch.

Open ear headphones are more fragile than other headphones because they have many open and exposed parts. So it's no wonder that the LCD-1 is at the more fragile end of the spectrum. They don't feel like they are falling apart in my hands, but I will be very gentle with them. I wouldn't want to drop it.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The LCD-1 feels good on your head. They're snug, without too much pressure, and light, but not to the extent that they feel cheap. The headband is especially nice as it rests very gently on the crown of my head so that I don't feel it when I wear it.

Audeze said they designed the memory foam cups to be extremely comfortable so they could hold long listening sessions, and they manage to do that to a certain extent. After a few hours I felt them squeeze a little near my temple, to the point where I had to take a short break.

But the focus is on short because this tiredness passed quickly and I was soon able to put it on again and listen for a few more hours. They aren't the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn – that goes to the Montblanc MB01s – but they're still great.

The Audeze LCD-1 looks pretty good despite the mostly plastic construction.

I found that I could increase my listening time by turning the cups slightly to shift the pressure if I didn't want to take them off completely, which was lovely. Each cup can rotate a little inward, towards the back of the head, and completely sideways as you rotate it outward. That said, if you want to take them off and place them on your collarbone, that's where the hard plastic backs of the headphones rest instead of the cups. I would prefer it the other way around, but I really only wear these in my studio so I only wear them around my neck for a very limited time when my wife has something to say to me.

properties

Open, wired studio monitors do one thing and only one thing: they play music. Good guys do it exceptionally well.

The Audeze LCD-1 fits that description perfectly, but there are a few small advantages to be aware of.

The headphones are smart enough to tell which end of the double 3.5mm cable is plugged into which headphones on the left or right.

The detachable 3.5mm to 3.5mm twin cable can be detached if you want to store it away. The headphones are intelligent enough to automatically recognize which end of the 3.5 mm double cable is connected to which headphones on the left or right. If you can't get something like this wrong, this is an added bonus. It's even nicer when you only have one cord to worry about, like the V-Moda M-200, but it's nice that the cord can even be removed unlike the Grado Hemp headphones.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The headphones can be folded up for on the go. This is useful when you don't want to keep these where you listen to music. For recording artists or sound engineers, this may mean in a different studio depending on the week. They are packed quite small and fit nicely in the supplied carrying case. There is even a small sleeve in the top lid of the case to hold the cable.

The LCD-1 is compatible with balanced audio, but it is not easy. Audeze does not manufacture the required cable and no cable is commercially available. However, Audeze offers the pinout specification so that it can be made to measure by third parties. That's a lot of trouble.

Sound quality

Let's get one right out of the gate. Studio monitors are tuned for a balanced EQ, which means you shouldn't expect crystalline highs or chattering lows. The idea here is that what you hear is flat, neutral, and produced straight out of the studio. Studio monitors are intended for audio engineers and video editors who want to hear exactly how something sounds without additional sound profiles.

The thing is, as listeners on headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4s, we have a good mix of sound profiles, usually with more juice to the bass and an overall warmer, more accessible sound. For most casual listeners, you probably don't want studio monitors like the Audeze LCD-1.

However, if you like the general sound of neutral audio, you will love these cans.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I'm not going to go so far as to say that I think the LCD-1 is perfectly neutral – I think they have a bit more lows than monitors usually do – but they are close and great for picking out critical details.

The main advantage of the open-back design is that these headphones have incredible sound reproduction – music sounds like it came from a large, perfectly designed studio.

When tracks are vocal focused like in Photographs by Professor Green, Rag & # 39; n & # 39; Bone Man, it sounds like you're being directed straight to the soundboard in the recording studio. In Brenden James & # 39; The Sun Will Rise, it's like I'm right there in the room. I can see every detail in his voice and the piano is beautifully rendered which supports him.

That added emphasis on the lows means that I'm presented with a slightly warmer rendition of Mumford and Sons' If I Say, which I have to admit I really loved. The singing in Didos Hurricanes also benefits from these beautiful lows.

These headphones have incredible sound reproduction – music sounds like it was coming from a large, perfectly designed studio.

The sound produced by the LCD-1 is more accessible to the average ear than other studio monitors without sacrificing the details audiophiles look for. They do all of this while being more restrained in the highs than the Grado hemp headphones (no almost sore highs), but more robust in the lows than the M-200 (more strictly neutral).

Although the design means the soundstage is open compared to closed designs, these don't isolate the sound well for you or anyone around you. This music in particular bursts the pages with a considerable volume. So if you want to use these in a shared room, all you need to know is that everyone around you can hear what you are hearing as clearly as possible. My wife works in the next room and can clearly hear the words to the songs that I hear from this distance.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

For the same reason, these headphones degrade the perceived quality in louder environments because they cannot block out noise.

That's the price you pay for the outstanding soundstage of open-backs. For one thing, I am ready to make this sacrifice.

Our opinion

The Audeze LCD-1s are very good studio monitors, but they are expensive considering the construction – they're made mostly of plastic, which can raise concerns about durability – and the ability to get some balanced audio support.

But if you plan on leaving these in your home studio and aren't worried about them, they are really excellent monitors that just have a bit more juice in the lows to make music more enjoyable without losing detail. They also have a wonderfully wide soundstage, a hallmark of high quality open-back cans.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Are there any better alternatives?

I would say if having that superb surgical detail and real neutral profile is more important to you, the cheaper V-MODA M-200s are a better choice, with a more rugged construction and out-of-the-box support for balanced audio. However, if you like a little more lows and want to enjoy a wider soundstage, the LCD-1 is a better choice.

Also great are the open-design Sennheiser HD600s, regularly available for just $ 350.

How long will they last?

If you don't handle these too roughly, they will last until the plastic crumbles. The last time I checked it wasn't for at least several human lives. Audeze covers the drivers for three years and the rest of the parts for one year from the date of purchase, which is way above average support.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Audeze LCD-1 studio monitors offer a wide soundstage, beautiful details and just a pinch more low pressure than other monitors, which makes listening a pleasure. They are not for everyone, but they might be for you.

Editor's recommendations




Montblanc MB01 Headphones Review: Luxurious Sound and Style

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Montblanc MB01 headphones

"Great sound with the luxurious headphone experience you didn't know you wanted."

  • Beautiful design

  • Very convenient

  • Warm, accessible sound

  • Capable of powerful bass

  • Excellent call quality

  • Small, fiddly buttons

  • Below average battery life

  • Mediocre functional performance

  • Expensive

Montblanc isn't a brand I associate with audio equipment – it's best known for fountain pens and high-end watches. It wasn't until I looked at the product range that I realized that the company was expanding beyond these two main pillars. Hence, the set of luxury headphones is not as far off the base as I thought.

Montblanc didn't just hit her name on a pair of over-ears. You developed it with Audezes founder Alex Rosson. For those in the audio industry, this is a strong name that comes with some serious expectations. With him at the forefront of design and the staggering $ 595 price tag, I had extremely high expectations for the Montblanc MB01 Active Noise Canceling Headphones.

Let's see if they got hit.

Out of the box

Montblanc is a luxury lifestyle brand. A significant part of the appeal of its products will come from this experience, and that will be an undertone for much of this review.

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Similar to opening a new Apple product, removing the MB01s is a pleasant affair at first. The box is made of heavy, sturdy cardboard. The headphones are located in an extruded plastic tub lined with a soft fabric and covered with foam under a cardboard insert. It's full of pomp and circumstance.

As beautiful as the packaging is, it is not sustainable. Much of the packaging is not universally recyclable or compostable, which we disapprove of.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The MB01s come with an elegant soft case, a USB-A to USB-C charging cable, a 3.5 mm socket to USB-C for listening to music and an airplane audio adapter. Although the travel case is good for a soft suitcase, I wish Montblanc had brought a hard suitcase instead. For such expensive headphones, I would have liked a bag in which I felt better protected.

I also love that the airplane connector adapter is included, but I would have preferred a 3.5mm bluetooth adapter instead, considering that airplanes these days often use a new entertainment console that doesn't require this two-pin adapter is. And keeping these headphones wireless as often as possible seems like a better choice overall – especially given their price point.

Radiate luxury

It is clear that Montblanc has spared no expense in terms of construction and materials. The headbands and ear cups are made from the softest, supple leather I've ever touched, and almost every other visible part is made from metal. Despite all the metal and leather, the headphones are surprisingly light both in the hand and when carried.

These headphones are eye-catching in the simple, elegant style of a classic car or a properly fitting suit. They ask for attention with their gently flowing lines and bright chrome surfaces. I even like how the cups attach to the headband via a single contoured metal bracket that breaks the traditional half-circle bracket found on pretty much every other headset. The design matches the price.

The outside of the cups is a kind of rubber that is easy to hold in your hand. While it's not a material I usually associate with high quality, I have to admit that it looks and feels great. The pause / play / skip / skip back button, which Montblanc calls the multifunction button, is located on the right ear cup and pressing this button is extremely satisfying. It's just the right size, with just the right tactile feedback that makes it easy to use quickly but difficult to hit by mistake. The response time is also immediate.

It is clear that someone who wanted these headphones to work fantastic is responsible for the design.

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You didn't get everything right, however. While the left auricle has no buttons, the right cup houses them all and it gets a bit crowded. The top button brings up the Google Assistant (and Google Assistant only), which goes through the three active noise-canceling options below that, including the volume control, and finally the power button is located below, above the charging indicators and the USB. C port.

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The volume buttons are too small for me to use effectively. I reach behind the pinna to use it and run my finger over all the buttons to make sure I'm touching the right one. The power switch, which also functions as a Bluetooth pair button, is also strangely small and made of plastic – in contrast to the others, which have a metal cap. This tiny button can be hard to hold if you're not looking at it, and I have small hands.

Overall, these buttons feel a bit of an afterthought compared to the multifunction button, but that's probably because the latter's implementation is so perfect that it can be difficult for anything else to measure up.

These are some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn.

The metal-chrome finish I mentioned earlier can be easily stained by fingerprints. So you should have a microfiber cloth on hand (Montblanc, oddly enough, didn't include one) to shine it regularly.

When I go back to that soft leather and wear these headphones, my high expectations are met: they feel fabulous. While I wouldn't recommend exercising in these as I don't want to risk damaging the leather or surfaces, I'm sure you could if you were so inclined. These will not fall off easily.

These are some of the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn. I have often forgotten I was wearing them so I could just enjoy my music and focus on my work. Compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4, the MB01 generates significantly less wear and tear.

The ear cups of the Montblanc MB01 are noticeably softer than those of the WH-1000XM4, which are by no means uncomfortable headphones. When I have the perfect fit for the XM4, it will have a looser headband. Over time, these slide off a bit and press the headband onto my crown, which I notice and find uncomfortable – most of the weight of the XM4 is held in one place on top of my head.

In contrast, the MB01s have a tighter grip on the sides of my head. I know the headband is there, but I don't feel it. I think this can be attributed to the fact that the pressure on the MB01s is well balanced and they stay attached to the sides of my head without putting too much pressure on my crown. The headband is also well padded and cushions my head very well.

Functions in the middle of the road

The Montblanc MB01s offer three main functions outside of audio playback: Active Noise Cancellation, Smart Play / Pause and Google Assistant support. The MB01s only support Google Assistant. So, if you're a fan of Apple Siri or Amazon Alexa, you're out of luck. For me it is a waste to assign a whole button to a smart assistant like Montblanc did here since I don't use one. However, if you are particularly attached to yours and it is not Google, this can be a huge disappointment.

Active noise cancellation is supported by the solid passive noise isolation of the MB01. However, the active noise cancellation feature is just fine.

Many high-end headphones can detect when you take them off and automatically pause them (or automatically play music when you put them on). This is a feature I'm used to in earphones and that was recently added to the Sony WH-1000XM4. Unfortunately, the MB01 version of this feature is disappointingly inconsistent and frustratingly unintelligent. Montblanc ships the MB01s with this feature as standard, and that was probably a smart idea. Often the music was not interrupted when I took off the headphones, but when I put them back on. It got so frustrating that I turned it off again.

Active noise cancellation is supported by the solid passive noise isolation of the MB01. However, the active noise cancellation feature is just fine. When playing music, you definitely won't notice any interloping noises as the interior volume and noise cancellation work well together. But alone I could still clearly hear my air conditioning next to me or the dump truck pulling over on the next street. It's good enough for most, but doesn't match the industry-leading performance of the Sony WH-1000XM4 or the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700.

Ambient sound mode is a decent experience, although the isolation the cups provide will make your voice sound a bit muffled when you are on the phone. However, you can hear everything around you clearly without it sounding artificially amplified.

The battery life is 20 hours with the ANC switched on. The MB01s have a fast charge which gives you 3 hours of listening time after 10 minutes of charging. As for the quick charge features, this is again mediocre – but it's better than nothing.

At the start, the Montblanc MB01 had no app support, but from the beginning of September 2020 they received it together with a firmware update. I was really excited about the app that allows you to set a custom EQ. It's not a perfect app and it's still a bit buggy, but I'm glad it's available. You can't adjust the amount of noise cancellation, but you can't set the EQ to the default setting I recommend.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Sound quality

Out of the box, I found that these headphones can sound amazing. The sound profile of the MB01s is warm, accessible and pleasant, but a bit weak in the lows. It got better with app support: increasing those lows had an immediate impact on how good the MB01s sound.

The standard audio profile is very mediocre. This narrow audio profile gives music a pleasant, warm sound that is easy to hear. The bass won't overwhelm your senses with too much boom, and those higher frequencies will never pull your heart at a painfully high pitch. It's comfortable enough, but not emotionally stimulating.

The MB01s ensure a fantastic listening experience.

When you hit the bass they sound a lot richer, but the highs get out of control when you change the equalizer. If you barely move the EQ up, the sound will be too sharp. In the end, I just adjusted the lows and left the highs at near default values. This mix was my favorite.

Taylor Swift's entire folklore album sounds very good through the MB01s, albeit a little narrower than other sources I've heard. Hans Zimmer's No Time for Caution comes through powerful and booming with the bass turned up and reflects the first time I heard it in the theater. With the bass raised, I can feel the headphones rumble on the side of my head as the air moves. As a bass player, I loved that.

The soundstage is a bit small and they are not very detailed, but the MB01s make for a fantastic listening experience.

Our opinion

If I had the MB01s, Sony WH-1000XM4s, and Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 on the table and told I could only get one, I have to admit that I would probably grab the Montblanc MB01s. For me, I can see myself traveling with these headphones on and never taking them off for a full 15 hour day. They don't sound quite as good as the XM4s (but are close), and they don't suppress noise nearly as well as the Bose, but they are so darn pleasant to use that I get interested in them day in and day out and day trip.

Is there a better alternative?

If your budget for over-ear headphones is $ 600, the world is your oyster. The Sony WH-1000XM4 are the industry standard for sound quality, while the Bose Heaphones 700 are the best for noise cancellation. Both are available much cheaper. However, if you are particularly impressed with the design and comfort of the Montblanc MB01, you may have a harder time finding something that suits your needs.

How long will they last?

As I have hopefully made clear, these are very well built. Not only are they sturdy, they are also made of excellent materials. The ear cups are also interchangeable, which extends their lifespan. You should easily expect several years of use.

Should you buy it?

If you have the coin, yes. They sound pleasant and offer a level of comfort that I have never found in any other headphones. Other headphones offer better functionality and value, but the Montblanc MB01 is a wonderful luxury alternative.

Editor's recommendations




AKG K371-BT Headphones Review: Portable Studio Monitors

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"The K371-BTs are portable, detail-oriented cans that live up to the AKG heritage."

  • Excellent reproduction of critical details

  • Nice folding design

  • Quality touch controls

  • Good battery life

  • Uneven pressure can lead to fatigue

  • Weak bass

AKG's legacy lies in studio environments where musicians look for strong performance from their cans with critical hearing. Because of this, AKG makes some of the best detail-focused studio headphones on the market that are especially appreciated by recording artists. Not only are these headphones very expensive, they are also not tailored for everyday use.

The AKG K371-BT fills that void as a portable set of studio monitors that are also relatively inexpensive. They cost approximately $ 180, and while they don't offer active noise cancellation, they want to take AKG's legacy with them on the go.

How are you? Let's get into that.

Simple and uncomplicated packaging

The K371-BTs come in a simple, lightweight cardboard box that is safely recyclable as it doesn't have any thick coatings or textures. That said, the presentation isn't all that impressive, but I think it's more important to me to responsibly dispose of a box than to indulge in how it looks and feels.

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The headphones come with a soft carrying case, a USB-C to USB-A charging cable, and three (!) Aux cables – wrapped, short and long straight – for hard conduction into a computer or soundboard. They even come with a 3.5mm to ¼ inch plug adapter, just like dedicated studio monitors. At the other end, plugged into the headphones, it looks almost like a mini XLR. It's a huge port, and I couldn't find any information from AKG about why it was connected to that port, but it could be that the sound quality improves dramatically if you plug in instead of relying on Bluetooth – more on that later .

The three different cables are a first for me and I didn't think I'd appreciate them as much as I did. I'm usually a fan of the coiled cable, but because of the way the connector is constructed (more on that later) I preferred the long straight cable. I like that I had a choice.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Lots of companies don't go out of their way with the tote bag (some don't include one at all), but the AKG tote bag doesn't get called in the blink of an eye. I really like it. The outside is a kind of rough, tough stitched nylon while the inside is a soft velvety material that feels like a great home for the headphones. It's still a soft case, so any protection it could offer is minimal, but at least it looks and feels good.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

properties

The AKG K371-BTs have only a few specific features. They have neither active noise cancellation nor a Bluetooth multipoint, nor are they integrated into an intelligent assistant. Instead, the focus is on sound quality and ease of use.

In terms of ease of use, the only visible button / switch on the headphones is located on the left auricle and is used to turn the headset on and off. After connecting, a small LED in the switch lights up blue. It turns white (and flashes) when the battery level is low and stays white while charging. Then turns off completely when the battery is fully charged.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

To control the music, the left auricle has a touch-sensitive pad that feels identical to the non-touch-sensitive pad on the right auricle – a seamless implementation. The pad is sensitive to swipes and double taps: swiping up or down increases and decreases the volume, swiping forward or backward to jump forward or backward, and double-tapping the pad pauses or plays the music. I've used a lot of different headphone touchpads and the implementation here is among the best. Since the pad itself is relatively small and easy to recognize by its feel, I don't often get the desired response with a touch command. Overall, it works great.

I've used a lot of different headphone touchpads and the implementation here is among the best.

Thanks to a small microphone on the left ear cup in front of the charging port and slightly forward on the headset, the K371-BTs can also be used for calls, so that you can better record your voice. Learn more about the quality of these calls below.

The battery life of these cans is very good at 40 hours per charge. It's not the best on the market for a noise-canceling headset (this award goes to the Jabra Elite 45h, which takes an impressive 50 hours), but it's solid.

They don't seem to have a quick charge feature, unfortunately, but they'll fully charge from an empty state in two hours.

AKG does have a headphone app, but confusingly, not all AKG wireless products are supported, including the K371-BTs. It comes as a very surprising to me that a brand like AKG has inconsistent app support. The ability not to adjust the EQ on these headphones is an unfortunate disadvantage that we will discuss below.

Fit and comfort

I have to say that the AKG K371-BTs are unfortunately not the most comfortable headphones I've tested. They collapse so that they can easily be stowed on a hinge that also determines the fit. This joint results in a wobbly fit when they are over my ears. It's hard to explain, but it feels like the bottom of the mug isn't as tight to my head as the top, which makes it feel like the pressure on the top of the mug is more extreme. This one-sided fit leads to fatigue quickly when I wear it.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I really like how the headphones break down. The way AKG makes them fold up and fold in on itself feels like a design that puts less stress on the joints and results in a headset that will last a long time.

Unfortunately, the AKG K371-BTs aren't the most comfortable headphones I've tested.

The ear cups are a leather-like material that feels pretty normal, but is by no means bad. For the price AKG charges, they're just pliable and soft enough to meet my expectations. The pillow on the headband is also made of air-filled silicone and is moderately comfortable. Nothing to write home about, but no major complaints either.

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I mentioned earlier that I really appreciate the different cable options because I didn't like the coiled cord I usually choose for my headphones. This is because the huge connector that AKG chose for the connection point to the headphones is so sturdy that it doesn't bend or fold easily. The cable stuck out to my shoulder, and the coiled cable in particular was pulled against the side of my neck due to the tension from the coil. When it hit my shirt I could hear it echo through the cord and into the cups, which was extremely distracting. When I switched to either of the two straight cables this problem subsided.

Studio quality audio

For those who have worked in music or even video editing, solid, neutral headphones with excellent treble clarity are a must. If this is what you expected in the AKGs, you will get it. These are wireless studio monitors, and with the K371-BTs, you get everything you'd expect from the name. So while you are getting super clear sound that is great for critical listening, you also have a situation where the bass presence is not particularly strong.

The K371-BTs are strongest with vocals. Podcasts, voices in movies, and music for copywriters are where you'll love these headphones the most. The voices are incredibly crisp and clear without getting icy or sharp. This is a sign of high quality, well-coordinated drivers. If you're like me and love listening to the vowel tones of the copywriters more than the words they say, you will likely be very happy with what the K371-BTs offer.

The song of you! from Lany and Oxygen from RØMANS come into their own with the K371-BTs, whereby the details of their pitch and cadence are crystal clear, while the sound is of soul-touching quality.

You get solid performance over Bluetooth, but since they only support AAC and SBC codecs, these headphones really break out of their case when you connect using one of the three included cables. I enjoy the freedom bluetooth offers, but if you want you can plug these in while working in a recording studio and be very happy with the fidelity they can offer. Wired listening is a huge quality upgrade over Bluetooth, especially if you're listening to high-fidelity audio sources like a Tidal Mastes track. They won't compete with the best AKG brands and aren't quite as good as the V-MODA M-200, Grado, or Audeze wired headphones, but they're in the same stadium. For its $ 180 price tag, that means something.

The critical listening experiences … are displayed here in full.

As I mentioned earlier, like many studio-only monitors, the bass performance of the K371-BTs is pretty low. The lower registers are absolutely there for you, they are only represented with a flat EQ that corresponds in its strength to the mids and highs. This is great for audio work, but for the occasional listening I really like to hear more oomph. Since there is no way to adjust the EQ, this limits who really likes these headphones.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

In Avengers: Endgame, the final cinematic battle sequence sounds hollow compared to how it is played back on other audio devices. That said, the K371 BTs were reinforced when Sam (Falcon) was talking to Steve Rogers (Captain America) through his earpiece just before the Avengers rallied. It was shockingly clear – clearer than I can remember ever hearing. The critical hearing chops I mentioned are fully displayed here. And for what it's worth, despite the lack of that bass, the headphones still kept me tingling with excitement as I watched all of these heroes lined up.

Call quality

The K371-BT's microphone is good enough, but there is nothing to write home about. Your voice can sound far away at times, but is generally pretty clear and appropriate. On the other hand, you won't have any problems hearing calls as the noise isolating headphones do a good job.

Oddly enough, the touch controls don't support answering or hanging up a call. I can't imagine it would have been that difficult to associate it with the same gesture as pausing and playing a song, but with the K371-BTs, all you have to do is use your phone to control calls.

Our opinion

Personally, I really enjoy studio monitors when I'm at work and appreciate the critical detail these headphones can provide. Unfortunately, I think that many people who would otherwise love these headphones will be disappointed with the lack of bass response and the fact that the equalizer cannot be adjusted. They are very good but can end up being a niche.

Are there any better alternatives?

The $ 180 price tag is good as it is just below many other great options that rival $ 200, such as The Skullcandy Crusher Evo, which has significantly more bass. The Sony WH-CH710N is a solid choice as is the Jabra 85H, which is available now for $ 200. After all, the very good HD 450BTs from Sennheiser are available for only $ 150 and a good set of cans.

How long will they last?

These headphones are well built and shouldn't break anytime soon. With the ability to physically connect them to your computer, they're useful even if the battery runs out. In addition, there is a one-year manufacturer's guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you are looking for a pair of versatile studio monitors. They aren't the best bluetooth headphones you can get, and they aren't the best studio monitors either, but they're a very good device that can work well as either.

Editor's recommendations




Beats Solo3 Headphones Review: Style Leads The Way

Beats Solo3 rating headphones Solo 3 8

"The price for the Beats Solo3 is geared towards style and compatibility and a bit high for just average sound."

  • Multiple color options

  • Great battery life

  • Strong compatibility with Apple products

  • Bad bass

  • Tight fit leads to hearing fatigue

Beats was about brand and style, as well as sound quality and features. So it's not surprising that all of the on-ear / over-ear options have more color choices than the pre-audio specs.

The Beats Solo3 are the company's most accessible headphones in terms of price, but that doesn't make them cheap. At $ 200, they still hit the high-end personal audio market despite their lower status among the Beats options. Where does the Solo3 end up in a headphone market that has become very competitive in recent years? Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

The Beats Solo3 are simply delivered. In a few layers of cardboard packaging you will find the headphones, a soft carrying case, a USB-A-to-USB-Micro-B charging cable and a small carabiner (for grinding onto the soft case and for attaching to things, I. guess). Beats also comes with a number of booklets that clearly explain setup and use, and a sticker in case this is your jam. Although the headphones accept a 3.5mm jack connector that bypasses the power requirement, the Solo3 headphones don't come with one. For the price, I'd think including such a simple cable would be a breeze, but Apple is for you.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I'll say the packaging was free of excess plastic which means you can probably easily recycle most of it anywhere, which is lovely. Here we award points for sustainability.

Build and design

The color of the Beats set that was sent to me for review is Satin Silver which is basically white. They're straightforward and clean looking, but in my opinion they're the least interesting options besides maybe the matte black. As for style, Beats nailed it down the line with its headphones as some of the other options look amazing.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The build quality is also solid. The hinges are made of polished chrome, the ear cups are well padded, and while the outside of the cans is plastic, the headphones don't feel cheap. The headband isn't particularly sturdy, but the ease of the Solo3s mixed with the strength of the clamping pressure on the ears makes me try that.

Speaking of clamping pressure, it's significant. The Solo3 headphones are on-ear headphones, not over-ear headphones. Hence, the cups rest right on your ears and press into the sides of your head when you wear them. I don't have a particularly large head and it's narrower than round. Nevertheless, the auricles press pretty hard against my ears until wearing the Solo3s becomes uncomfortable even after a short time. I could only wear them for an hour at most before I became significantly tired. In short, these headphones are very small. So if you have a bigger head, chances are that these are even more uncomfortable for you than you are on mine.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The Solo3 weighs only 215 grams, is well distributed and makes it easy to carry or carry. I mentioned that the headband didn't feel as sturdy, and that's because the padding over the band that's on top of my head isn't very soft. It didn't bother me too much, but the Beats Solo Pros and Studios have a much more padded headband so it was disappointing to see fewer pillows here.

The soft case that came with the Solo3 is nothing special. You can use the included carabiner to attach it to the inside or outside of a bag if you wish. The case is quite compact, which is a plus, but it just won't win design awards for its looks.

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In the right auricle there is a micro-USB charging port and the power switch. The left auricle has a 3.5mm jack input on the bottom and on the side of the mug with a button to pause, play and skip tracks and two buttons for volume control. I like the physical buttons on the Solo3s as opposed to a touchpad on other headphones, as the tactile feedback lets me know I'm using the controls correctly while wearing the headphones (since I can't see what I'm pressing).

Compatibility and battery

As an Apple brand, the Beats headphones provide the best user experience with an iPhone, but are also fully compatible with Android devices. The Solo3s feature Apple's W1 chip, which provides additional functionality when used with Apple products, including support for “Hey Siri” and multiple headset listening (when using other Beats or Apple products). The headphones and their remaining battery life are also displayed when they are held near the iPhone.

As an iPhone user, the Beats Solo3 headphones slipped straight into my portable library.

As an iPhone user, the Beats Solo3 headphones have slipped into my portable library with ease, just like when I added the AirPods Pros and my Apple Watch. Pairing was quick and easy, and jumping to additional sources was quick, even though they don't support Bluetooth multipoint. I hope that using the Solo3s across multiple Apple products will be even easier when Apple releases auto headphone handover with the next operating system.

The battery life of the Solo3 headphones is very good.

The battery life of the Solo3 headphones is very good: 40 hours between charges. They even offer a quick 10 minute charge for 3 hours of listening. This is some of the best battery performance you can ask for a headphone on the market right now. It would be the best if it weren't for the recently released Jabra Elite 45H with a 50 hour battery life.

Audio quality

Beats did an excellent job of making the audio from these headphones as appealing as possible. For an audiophile, these are as close as I can imagine. However, they are harmless to the average listener.

It's a perfect line for a brand like Beats.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The sound from the Solo3 headphones is center-controlled, with the higher registers as well as the lows and bass playing a lesser role. That doesn't mean the bass isn't there – it is. The Solo3 headphones just don't pump bass the way I like it sometimes, or seem to have the ability to present it at any depth.

The sound stage is particularly narrow because the areas are compressed into a small space. On Sias Chandelier, the bass sounds overworked and mushy, but her vocals come through well enough. Similarly, Hans Zimmer's No Time for Caution doesn't have the "oomph" it should and can't boost the drama high enough for my taste due to a weak bass signal. As crescendos, the bass gets a bit choppy and unrefined, which again leads me to believe that these headphones cannot output clear bass when a song demands it.

These headphones cannot output clear bass when a song requires it.

The fact that the bass isn't strong on the Solo3 is confusing as a punchy bass is pretty much a big part of the typical beats sound. Perhaps it is good that these offer a break from what is usually stronger in the lows, or it would be disappointing if you bought these and expected the same beats sound.

Beats also doesn't offer a way to optimize the EQ. So you hear what you get out of the Solo3 headphones.

Unless you're really looking for a powerful bass that will rock your jaw, the tone is easy to hear and generally pleasant. It's that center-headed audio that's damn easy to hear. Warm and approachable, most people will like it well.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

The Beats Solo3 headphones rely heavily on their style and Apple connectivity for audio quality to make their $ 200 high price tag. For many it will be worth it. But it's a very competitive market, and Beats might have a hard time convincing the well-informed that these doses are the ones to get.

Are there any better alternatives?

At $ 200, both the Know Calm and Razer Opus are solid options. The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are also in this price range and are worth considering. If you're looking to spend less, the Jabra Elite 45H are half the price, but sound much better, despite lacking the firm grip of the Solo3. In all four cases, you may have to sacrifice style and compatibility, but you will get better sound. It depends on your preference.

How long will they last?

When micro-USB is on the way out, it can be annoying to have that extra cable with you when the rest of your technology is set to USB-C, especially if you're using Apple products and are already using a lighting cable. Apple's 1-year limited warranty applies to Beats products. The build quality is solid.

Should you buy it?

Maybe. The thing is, they are expensive for average audio performance but they look great and compatibility with Apple products is nice and hard to miss. You need to balance what's important to you and determine if the Beats Solo3 headphones meet these requirements.

Editor's recommendations




Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT-R Headphones Review: Solid Sound

Pioneer dj hdj cue1bt r headphones review 1

Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT-R Headphones Review: Solid Sound, Customizable Style

"With a comfortable fit and multiple color options to make a style statement, Pioneer gets this right most of the time for $ 100."

  • Good audio reproduction

  • Multiple color options and adjustments

  • Cable and Bluetooth operation

  • Comfortable, comfortable fit

  • Feel cheap to build

  • Adjustments are expensive

It's hard to say what to expect from a $ 100 bluetooth on-ear headphone. Top tier features or even Active Noise Canceling (ANC) aren't options for cost reasons, but price should mean better build quality and strong audio performance go without saying. If these are my parameters, the Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT-R headphones – let's just call them CUE1 for simplicity – seem to be just the thing for you.

The CUE1 is designed for Pioneer DJs who are “beginner DJs and music enthusiasts alike”. He tries to balance style and performance for a very affordable price. Let's talk about whether they are successful or not.

What's in the box?

The CUE1 are simply packaged with the headphones and include an optional 3.5mm coiled cord that plugs into an extruded plastic tub insert. There is a plastic bag behind the tub with the relevant documents and instructions.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

There is a lot of plastic in this packaging. Aside from the tub, which should be recyclable in most places, there is a lot of soft plastics on and around the headphones. If you have the option to recycle soft plastics through your local grocery store, that's great! However, this is not the norm in most places, so much of this packaging will end up in a landfill. We don't like to see that.

We'll get into the build quality of the CUE1 headphones shortly, but as a spoiler, I think they need a carry case, and unfortunately, Pioneer doesn't come with one.

Design and build quality

I really like the color options for the CUE1. For this review I chose red because it's my favorite color, but they are also available in black or white. I was pretty torn when it came to choosing the color because another selling point of the CUE1 is that Pioneer DJ has a range of bespoke ear cups and a coiled cord that come in five additional colors – orange, yellow, Green, blue or purple – and none of them go particularly well with red.

I'm not particularly impressed with the materials.

The customization kits with the product name HC-CP08 cost an additional $ 30, which feels a bit high. The cups cannot be attached in a special way, but rely on the tension of the material to hold them to the plastic cans. For example, if the cups were magnetic or had a bayonet lock, maybe I could see the value. Unfortunately, this type of mug is cumbersome to put on or take off and feels like something I would pass on as a buyer. I wish Pioneer had thought a little more about this feature that I usually like.

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Pioneer dj hdj cue1bt r headphones rating 7 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pioneer-dj-hdj-cue1bt-r - headphones-review-7-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The CUE1 looks pretty good when worn. They have a matte color that goes with pretty much anything, and the red will be especially eye-catching.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I mentioned earlier that build quality really dictates the use of a case, and that's because I'm not particularly impressed with the materials. This actually reflects our opinion on the high-end Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5 headphones. So it's not particularly surprising to see her here. Although there is metal in the adjustment strap that is held together by screws, the rest of the product is made from a tough plastic that feels like it would tear easily if dropped or made rough contact with my backpack.

I know Pioneer needed to cut costs somewhere, and that clearly came into play with the materials used here. That's why I'm going to loosen them up a bit, since the drivers in the cups are exactly what you find in the aforementioned Pioneer DJ HDJ-X5 headphones. More on what these are bringing to the table soon.

Control, convenience and connections

All controls, connections and a single microphone are located in the left auricle. There are a number of buttons for volume control and below that a single button that handles power, pause / play / skip, answer and end calls, and bluetooth connectivity. It seems to put a lot in a button, but it works well enough. The connection for the supplied spiral cable is located under this button. Below is the microphone.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I'll say the included 3.5mm jack cable gets everything right. Not only does it stick to the headset via a rotatable bayonet lock, but the other side of the cable also has an L-shape that keeps the profile slim against a computer or mixer and reduces the chance of knocking cables out or damaging them. The cable is of high quality and the design is just right for the intended use.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The ear cups both rotate to the side independently for use with one ear, real DJ style. However, they do not rotate so that they can rest comfortably on your collarbones when not in use. The cups only spin away from you and not towards you for some reason, which is disappointing. As a result, they are not particularly comfortable when you are not wearing them.

The CUE1 should stay firmly attached to you even during exercise if this is your traffic jam.

However, when you wear them they are comfortable enough. On-ear headphones tend to put a lot of pressure on my ears to cling to my head and this is no exception. While this pressure creates some wear and tear fatigue over time, it also ensures that they don't fall off during activities and that they have pretty good noise isolation as well. This is in contrast to the Jabra Elite 45H, which sounds great but struggles to stay on the listener's head during activities. The CUE1 are definitely better at it and should stay firmly connected to you during training if that's your traffic jam.

The bluetooth connection on these is solid and allows me to travel far away from my yard while leaving my phone on my kitchen counter.

The CUE1 offers a battery life of 30 hours, which is a matter of course for headphones without ANC. You can't touch the 50-hour runtime of the Jabra Elite 45H, but nobody can.

Sound quality

I mentioned earlier that the Pioneer DJ CUE1 uses the same drivers as the company's HDJ-X5 headphones that we praised for their quality, and I'm happy to say that the CUE1 does indeed sound great.

The highs, mids and lows are all well represented and balanced.

The highs, mids and lows are all well represented and balanced. For headphones that don't have app support to set the EQ, it's important that they sound fantastic straight away, especially for those bass-heavy beats that DJs want to hear clearly. The bass isn't overwhelming, but you definitely won't miss it in pop and EDM songs.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I'll say that while the sound of the CUE1 is warm and approachable, it isn't particularly clear, especially in the higher registers. They do a great job of not confusing any of the tones with each other, which makes them very good for monitoring music like a DJ would, but on top of the ambiguity they certainly push the warmth beyond what I think it is would qualify real studio monitors. We had similar references to the HDJ-X5 in our review, and so I think Pioneer did a good job migrating those drivers to these headphones at a $ 50 discount.

How do they compare to another $ 100 set? It's near. The Jabra 45H can actually have a little more punch behind its bass output if you adjust its EQ in the app. Overall, the audio display is very tight between the two, but I'll nod the Jabra 45H for a little better clarity.

Call quality

While the Pioneer DJ CUE1 is sufficient for phone calls, they don't do a great job with them. My voice sounded to me like I was in a closed pantry and wasn't very clear. In the end, the voice quality was great, and while I wasn't as clear as my listener wanted, we had an uninterrupted 20 minute conversation while I watered my garden.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

The Pioneer DJ HDJ-CUE1BT-R are good $ 100 headphones that offer a stylistic angle that few other headphones offer, especially at this price point. The finish of the interchangeable color options could have been better, but we still love to see it. They sound as good as their more expensive brother, the HDJ-X5, but they also have the same problems with durability and the lack of a carrying case. But for $ 100 they do enough right.

Is there a better alternative?

The Jabra Elite 45H headphones offer very similar audio quality as well as significantly better battery life and Bluetooth multi-point capability. The thing is, you get these features at the expense of the Pioneer DJ CUE1's better noise isolation, secure fit, and attachable cord. You should also consider the Audio BT-1 status or, thanks to the stronger bass, the Sony WH-XB700.

How long will they last?

Pioneer DJ offers a one-year warranty and we expect these to last longer with longer treatment. The thing is, you should buy a bag when you pick up these headphones to make sure they don't have excessive wear and tear while traveling.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The option to mix personalized colors into your headphones and get solid sound performance for $ 100 is a combination of options that leaves the Pioneer DJ CUE1 all but alone. They are definitely worth a visit.

Editor's recommendations




Jabra Elite 45h Review: The Best $100 Headphones You Can Buy

Jabra Elite 45h headphones

"Great sound, convenience, and battery life set a new standard for $ 100 headphones."

  • Very convenient

  • Very good sound quality

  • Incredible battery life

  • Pairing multiple devices

  • No analog input

  • Shifts easily with head movement

Shopping for $ 100 worth of wireless headphones is a near-impossible task. There are so many models to choose from, and so many styles and functions, that it is a wonder more people are not giving up on mere election paralysis.

The good news is that all of these choices result in fierce competition between companies with buyers who are ultimately the winners.

While you might see the launch of another model – in this case, Jabra's $ 100 on-ear Elite 100h – as something that will make that choice even more difficult, after reading our full review, you should still check out if you can still do.

Let's get into that.

What's in the box?

Jabra Elite 45h headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Jabra has been getting minimal with its packaging (I think it's like "Jumbo Shrimp") and the Elite 45h comes in a simple box with an even simpler cardboard sleeve. The only reference to plastic is the small shelf hanging loop.

Inside is the Elite 45h, which is protected by the thin but stretchy carrying case supplied and accompanied by a single accessory: a short USB-C charging cable.

design

Up until the Elite 45h, Jabra's cheapest wireless headphones were the $ 99 Move-Style Edition – a highly respected on-ear model. The Elite 45h may have taken the price of the Move, but its style and design elements are as much influenced by Jabra's flagship Elite 85h noise-canceling headphones as they are by the Move.

Regardless of which of the five color schemes you choose, these are really good looking on-ear cans.

With its ultra-clear lines and tasteful accents, the Elite 45h has a premium look that reminds me of Denmark's other major audio brands: Bang and Olufsen.

However, all traces of fabric have been removed so that the Elite 45h is completely covered with plastic, silicone rubber and synthetic leather. This could have resulted in a drab, sterile atmosphere, except that Jabra uses anodized aluminum for the one-piece sliders and ear pegs.

Regardless of which of the five color schemes you choose (titanium black, gold beige, copper black, black, or navy), these are really good looking on-ear tins.

The Elite 45h doesn't have flip hinges like the Beats headphones, but the earcups fold flat, making them easier to stow in a backpack, especially if you're already using a flat device like a tablet or laptop. Oddly enough, the ear pads point up when worn around the neck rather than down when laid flat.

Perhaps the most distinctive element of the Elite 45h design, however, is the continuous ear pad surface. In contrast to practically all other on-ear headphones that look like miniature versions of their larger over-ear siblings, the ear cushions of the Elite 45h have no defined edge – the synthetic leather cover simply moves all the way over. Only interrupted by circular perforations to let the sound through.

Why did Jabra choose this approach? Aside from the clear continuity they offer for the overall look of the Elite 45h, there are also comfort and sound benefits, which I will discuss below.

I can only find one flaw in the design of the Elite 45h: it lacks an analog headphone input. This may sound like a deal breaker, but as you'll see in a moment, I doubt you mind.

Convenience, control and connections

Jabra Elite 45h headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Elite 45h weigh a little more than the Move Style Edition (160 grams versus 150 grams), but you will hardly notice any weight once on your head.

Their mass is very well distributed and the clamping force of the headband prevents the somewhat tight contact point with the top of your head from feeling tired.

The continuous surface of the ear pads shouldn't make much of a difference in how they feel. After all, beneath this surface are the same oval cushions that you find on all on-ear headphones. And yet they distribute the clamping pressure further, like a set of miniature trampolines for your ears. Once you've positioned them, they're incredibly comfortable.

With the exceptional running time of the Elite 45h of 50 hours between charging processes, fear of range should now be a thing of the past.

However, this wonderful pressure distribution has a disadvantage. Because the ear pads no longer have a defined comb, they can no longer grip your ears as well as a more traditional design. Because of this (and the narrow contact ridge of the headband), they shift more easily when you move your head.

While it's not a problem when you're at a desk or on your daily commute, it's less than ideal for jogging or activities where impact or rapid head movements are part of the routine.

The Elite 45h has four physical button controls as well as a power / bluetooth switch, all of which are located on the right ear cup. Unlike many wireless headphones, including the Jabra Move, the four main buttons are located high on the outer edge of the auricle, near the slider.

This encourages you to grip the rim with your thumb and middle / ring finger while pressing down on the controls with your index finger.

Play / pause, volume up / down, answer / end call and skip tracks forward / backward are behind the slider, while the dedicated voice assistant button is in the front.

Now that I've gotten used to it, I'm a fan of the layout. I've found that not only is my index finger better at handling fine movements than my thumb (which is usually tasked with pressing headphone buttons), it is also more sensitive to small shapes and edges.

Pairing via Bluetooth is a breeze. Just follow the now familiar steps to turn on the headphones when you take them out of the box and find their name in your Bluetooth settings menu.

The real main attraction, however, is the Bluetooth multipoint function, which allows you to pair two devices at the same time. It's not a feature that you often find on headphones at this price point (Sony just added it to their $ 350 WH-1000XM4), and it's very handy for those who don't worry about switching between one Phone and a laptop or a phone and a TV – it just works with Bluetooth Multipoint.

The Elite 45h offer excellent sound quality with a balanced EQ.

The Elite 45h doesn't give you a long wireless range – just 30m under ideal conditions – but just like Jabra's other products, it's a stable, reliable connection that never falters.

Battery life

Jabra Elite 45h headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Do you remember when I said I didn't think you would mind that the Elite 45h doesn't have an analog headphone jack? That's because wired connections through wireless headphones really only exist to soothe the range anxiety of people who worry about the battery running out.

With the exceptional 50 hours running time of the Elite 45h between charging processes, this fear should now be a thing of the past.

Let's say you somehow manage to drain the Elite 45h's battery – although a pleasant voice will tell you the battery status every time you turn it on and they can automatically turn off when not in use – don't panic. If you can save 15 minutes on a quick charge, you'll be rewarded with an additional 10 hours of listening time.

Not only are these statistics good, they are also true for world-class wireless headphones.

Sound quality

Jabra Elite 45h headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Elite 45h offer excellent sound quality with a balanced EQ.

Jabra likes to boast about the size of the drivers in these cans, but at 40mm, not only are they similar to many other models in this price range, but they're also the same size as Jabra's own Move Style Edition.

What matters a lot more than size is the design, materials and tuning of the riders, and luckily Jabra did a great job.

Unlike some other Jabra products like the true Elite 75t wireless earbuds, which put a heavy load on the bass, the Elite 45h targets the sweet spot where all frequencies coexist harmoniously.

As on-ear headphones you don't get the immersiveness of an over-ear set, but the unusual ear pad design of the Elite 45h gives these cans a small advantage: they offer better passive noise isolation than I'm used to.

This gives the sound a better sense of intimacy and helps keep details clear that might otherwise drown out – not bad for $ 100 headphones with no active noise cancellation (ANC).

Find a quiet place to listen and the Elite 45h comes into its own. Whether it's the deep groove notes that Linkin Park's new track She Couldn & # 39; t perform, or Adele's signature, soaring vocals, these cans have managed to put a smile on my face.

I think they pretty much hit the mark, but if you disagree then that's fine. Thanks to the free Jabra Sound + app for iOS and Android, you can tweak the Elite 45h the way you want with a decent collection of EQ presets and the ability to save your own.

Call quality

Jabra Elite 45h headphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Jabra is rightly proud of its call quality – its products have long been excellent for wireless calls in and out of the office.

The Elite 45h largely continues this tradition and offers a good mix of general speech quality and suppression of background noise. I wouldn't describe it as the kind of experience you would get with high-end headphones from Bose or Sony (that would be a miracle given the five or more microphones these fancy cans have), but for their price are you & # 39; I am very good.

What the Elite 45h lacks in most other headphones in this price range is a side tone option that can be set and turned on and off via the Sound + app.

When the side tone is on, you can more or less hear your own voice during a call. That way, there is a little less shouting and calls to sound like you are holding a phone to one ear.

It's a great feature, but you have to be careful with how much side tone you use. I found that more than 25% produced a noticeable high-frequency buzzing sound – presumably the result of two on-board microphones trying to amplify my voice without amplifying all the noise around me at the same time.

I would also like to be able to activate the background noise when you are not on the phone. However, this may be fixed in a future software update.

Our opinion

In the crowded $ 100 wireless headphone market, few models sound as good as the Jabra Elite 45h, and none that can do it with the Elite's combination of style and battery life.

Is there a better alternative?

I'm not sure if you'll find anything better than the Elite 45h for $ 100, but there are definitely other options. The 100 dollars Status audio BT-1They're great for sound and convenience, for example, and have an analog input that the Elite doesn't have. For a bigger bass-oriented sound, The $ 120 WH-XB700 from Sony are also good choices and often sell for $ 100.

How long will they last?

Jabra products are some of the best-built you will find. The Elite 45h comes with a two-year manufacturer's warranty against dust and rain, although Jabra does not claim an explicit IP rating for these headphones.

You can expect the ear pads to occasionally need replacing, but they are inexpensive and can be ordered through Jabra itself or one of its retail partners.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Elite 45h is a good buy unless you need it for jogging or other high impact, high movement activities.

Editor's recommendations




Know Calm Headphones Review: Not Unique, But Still Solid

Do you know quiet headphones

"The quiet isn't as different as it wanted to be, but they're still solid headphones."

  • Welcoming design

  • Good battery life

  • Clear, tasty sound

  • Effective active noise cancellation

  • Inconsistent touch controls

  • Special features are not noticeable

Know hit the portable sound scene with an unusual focus: these are not just headphones for music, as the company will tell you, but above all they are meant to be tools for knowledge, with functions and a long-term design, listening, podcasts and Can record audiobooks.

Standing out from a group of high quality headphones is a bold strategy, and it only pays off if Know can back up your claims with a high quality pair of cans. With the $ 250 (ear?) Value of active noise canceling headphones, we're going to answer this question: are these new headphones worth it?

Out of the box

If you regularly open as many product packages as I do, it becomes a bit monotonous. With headphones, there is a carrying case or pouch, a charging cable, possibly a 3.5mm extension cable, and definitely an excessive amount of reading material. If you've seen one, you've seen them all.

At least that's what I thought.

Do you know quiet headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

It's a refreshing sight to come across packaging like Know Calm's. Yes, all of these standard accessories are included, but they're wrapped in the box with a sense of creativity that I haven't seen that much with headphones on company. Plus, for some reason, Know includes both a notepad and a work of art in the mix, making it almost closer to a goodie bag than a collection of operating tools. I'm not saying every business should follow this out-of-the-box packaging style, but I'm saying this piqued my curiosity before I even turned on my pair of Calm cans.

When I turned them on, a very casual, non-robotic female voice let me know that the headphones had automatically entered pairing mode. After I found it and connected it to my phone, the same nonchalant voice told me that my device had been paired in the same tone a baker used on a quiet downtown morning to announce my order of donuts was ready. In other words, it's the calming presence you'd expect from headphones with this namesake.

The Know Calm are like most of the other headphones I've tried in that they have built-in Bluetooth 5 technology. At this point I expect them to be free of pairing issues and full range. Both sounded true again, and the quiet survived the endeavor in my back yard and back without getting out.

design

I usually don't talk about the tote bag first, but I'll make an exception here. The case for the Calm is more like a duvet for a luxury bed than a protective cover for headphones, and I mean that in a good way. The case is soft yet durable, with an outside pocket that I would assume could easily hold any cables you might need to bring with you. With a buckle on the back of the case for attaching to backpacks or luggage as a bonus, this really seemed like one of the better soft tote bags for headphones I've seen so far.

Do you know headphone caseNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Calm are available in black, sage or plum gray. The ear cups and headband are so inviting and comfortable on your head that I was able to listen consistently for almost a full day without feeling any fatigue that less-friendly headphones could produce. And, I think, on the inside of the left and right cups reads “Left Ear” and “Right Ear”, in contrast to the traditional L or R. We mostly talk about small unimportant details here, but it's something that doesn't go unnoticed should stay. Every step of the way, Know seems to make a conscious effort to stand out from others. So far it works.

Every step of the way, Know seems to make a conscious effort to stand out from others. So far it works.

I don't really like the controls on the Know Calm though. Outside of the power / pairing button and the noise canceling button, which both work as intended, most of the controls for the Calm are done via touch controls on the right auricle. To be fair, some of the commands worked fine, e.g. B. swiping back and forth to switch tracks and I think these controls are altogether usable. But it was certainly annoying dealing with inconsistent responses to trying to pause a track or turn the volume down. It might be that my fingers aren't well suited for the calm touch sensors, but it was irritating in both cases. In comparison, the Razer Opus has buttons for each of these commands. Personally, this was far easier to operate than hoping your touch would be interpreted correctly.

properties

Know takes up to 24 hours of playback with a full battery charge, which is sufficient for this price range. This is better than the Microsoft Surface Headphones 2, whose price is exactly the same and which are on a par with the cheaper Razer Opus. There are inexpensive cans like the JLab Audio Studio ANC that have better battery life, but you lose many other benefits along the way. Even so, 24 hours seems fair for the Know Calm at this price.

Do you know quiet headphones

The Calm can be charged using a Qi-certified wireless charger. This is not included, but you can use the included USB-C charging cable. In either case, according to Know, you can play for three hours on the charger after five minutes. Again, this is better than the Surface Headphones 2, as is the Beats Solo3 Wireless, and can potentially compete with the Sony WH-1000XM4, which gives you five hours of playback time after a 10 minute charge.

Know partially compensates for the irritating control problem with compatibility with Siri for Apple users and Google Assistant for Android fans. I can just say "Hey, Google" and quietly execute any commands I might have had minor issues with using the touch controls. I still think the touch controls should be tweaked to be as easy to use as possible, but the ability to get my smart assistant to carry out my bids fills the gap well enough for now.

The Calm is also equipped with a sensor that automatically pauses and plays when you take it off and put it back on. I caught them resuming playback while they were around my neck a few more times, but for the most part this was a useful addition to those headphones that worked just fine.

Audio quality

Know has a fascinating technology called "Mindshine Technology". Basically, this feature processes audio to mimic how your ears naturally process the sound. According to Know, there is no need to adjust the ears to a simultaneous wave pattern, but rather the sound is reflected around your head to create the effect of you hearing it as you might hear it from an external source.

Do you know quiet headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

It's not easy for me to see the weight of this technology when I compare the sound quality of the Calm to similar headphones. With some selections it seems more tangible, with others it's hard to distinguish. The truth is, it may not really matter: no matter how much that technology goes into the sound quality of the Calm or not, these headphones sound really good.

I would put these headphones next to comparable alternatives like the Razer Opus in terms of sound. The Calm are remarkably clear and provide a great sense of stereo separation when playing songs like The Doobie Brothers' Listen to the Music. Part of Know & # 39; s pitch, of course, is that the Calm headphones are designed to do more than just listen to music. As an avid podcast listener, I can attest that they sound great for hearing the spoken word. Especially at a time when podcast interviews are conducted over Zoom calls and audio quality is degraded, I was able to listen to my weekly dose of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend and Crime Junkies with incredibly clear sound.

The calm are remarkably clear, with a good sense of stereo separation.

I don't think the Calm is the budget alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM4 when it comes to sound, although most headphones at this price point are understandably difficult to compete with, and as they are much cheaper she probably shouldn't. That said, I think the Calm offer solid audio quality for what they cost, and I don't think anyone will be disappointed with how these headphones sound.

Active noise cancellation

In addition to Mindshine technology, Know has another technology that I hadn't heard of before. It's called Hush Active Noise Cancellation and, according to Know, it is the first ANC technology that treats "noises in the medium to high frequency range as well as in the low frequency range that conventional ANC headphones deal with".

Do you know quiet headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I can't say this is the first technology to put both ends of the frequency range in its crosshairs, but what I can say is this: After testing the quiet in various environments, these headphones have above average, effective active noise cancellation. I'm not exactly able to take a flight during the world's current climate, so I didn't get a chance to see the quiet respond to aircraft engine drones or other low frequencies, but rather with socially distant steps in the park and on busy roads These headphones have proven themselves very well when it comes to blocking out neighboring conversations and unwanted traffic noise.

T.These headphones have proven to be very effective when it comes to blocking out neighboring calls and unwanted traffic noise.

There are three settings available with this active noise canceling button: low, high and off. Plus, you can put your hand over the right ear cup to add outside noise when you need to speak to a passer-by quickly, pretty much the feature we see in the Sony XM4s. It's a bit of a cumbersome gesture, but it works well and rounds off an effective ensemble with active noise cancellation. It's not up to Sony standards to be sure, but who is it these days?

Our opinion

With his Calm headphones, Know made targeted decisions with various details and design aspects to make his cans stand out from the crowd. Functionally, there is nothing that completely blows competitors out of the water, so I cannot say that they are successful in this endeavor. But the Calm are solid headphones for the price, and they should be treated as such.

Are there any better alternatives?

For just listening to music, I could go for the Razer Opus as it offers similar features for $ 50 less. However, if you regularly listen to more than music, I would prefer the clarity of the calm. Or, you could spend an additional $ 100 and buy the best headphones available today, the Sony WH-1000XM4.

How long will they last?

Know has a one-year limited warranty and a 45-day guarantee that you will love these headphones or your money back. The company is confident these headphones will work for the foreseeable future, and I see no reason to doubt it.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Unpacking the Know Calm headphones gave me hope that these would be different from anything else I tested. While testing dampened the reality of this idea, it nonetheless proved that these headphones have solid features and audio quality. If you have $ 250 to spend, you won't be sorry if you choose the quiet.

Editor's recommendations




Avantree Aria Pro Review: Functional, Affordable Headphones

Avantree Aria Pro headphones

"The Aria Pro has hit a sweet spot in terms of features and price, and is doing well as work-oriented headphones."

  • Flexible design

  • Decent active noise cancellation

  • Good codec support

  • Average battery life

  • Niche best use case

Avantree sails in uncharted waters with its Aria Pro wireless headphones. There just aren't a lot of headphone manufacturers willing to hover between budget models from brands like JLab Audio and more highly regarded cans from Sony and others.

By that definition, the $ 100 Aria Pro could be considered an ambitious headphone, with active noise cancellation and great codec support, aimed at stealing fans of products above and below them. Of course, it's how well Avantree's new cans – which the company doesn't specifically say are office lifestyle-focused but certainly based on the features they offer – live up to that definition that determines how they do cut off . I am here to find out.

Out of the box

The Aria Pro are delivered in simple packaging: a white box with headphones in the carrying case. The headphones and case come with a couple of accessories, including a detachable boom microphone, 3.5mm audio cable, micro-USB charging cable, and the usual documentation. The most notable part here is the boom microphone which gives these headphones an immediate advantage in workplace situations. I'll get back to that in a moment.

Avantree Aria Pro headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Turning on the headphones is as easy as flipping the power switch on the bottom of the right ear cup, which will automatically put the Aria Pro into Bluetooth pairing mode. The rest of the connection process is standard and after testing these headphones, the Aria Pro reconnected seamlessly every time it was turned on.

With modern headphones and earbuds, I expect to be able to move around my house or backyard for some quick chores while also having a strong connection to my phone which is on the charger. The Aria Pro and its Bluetooth 5 technology passed this test with flying colors, as do most newer hearing aids.

design

Especially for $ 100 headphones, I found the Aria Pro to be reliably built cans. They lack the elegance of more expensive models like the Razer Opus, but they are comfortable, flexible headphones. Even after considering a few nuances, if you can get these two design feats at this price, it's a win in my book.

Avantree Aria Pro headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Aria Pro are equipped with what Avantree calls “protein leather” ear pads, and I admittedly had cups with a better feel over my ears. However, these offer good wearing comfort for longer periods of time. They swivel 90 degrees so the headphones lie flat on your collarbone and have a reasonable range of motion for tilting back and forth. The headband is a little sharper than you might want in some areas, but they feel durable to the touch, despite being fully adjustable. That's all to say that these headphones should fit most people and be reasonably comfortable using them.

These headphones should work well and feel reasonably comfortable for most people.

At the bottom of each Aria Pro mug is a small army of buttons, inputs, and switches. You have your power switch, volume control and track control, plus the USB port on the right cup and your ANC switch, call control, microphone control and the auxiliary port on the left. There are quite a few buttons available to you, but after a day or two I got used to the Aria Pro's complex control panel. I had some problems with phone calls that first day because I hadn't read the part of the setup guide on how to unmute the boom microphone when plugged in. Take this as a warning as it is a little embarrassing to leave your local dog daycare hanging out because they can't hear you frantically fiddling with your headphones trying to get your audio to work on the other end.

properties

The Aria Pro seems to land in an odd middle ground when it comes to features. On the one hand, they have some features that are more advanced than more expensive alternatives. On the other hand, cheaper headphones outperform them in a few other categories. In the end, of course, it comes down to what's most important to you, but it's worth figuring out where these cans position themselves in the competition.

Avantree Aria Pro headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

According to Avantree, the Aria Pro can play for up to 15 hours with active noise cancellation and up to 24 hours without activation. That's a good range until you find that the JLab Audio Studio ANC offers 28 hours of playback with ANC and 34 hours without. The JLab was $ 40 less than the Aria Pro, so its battery life is comparatively well below its value.

The Aria Pro has an impressive list of supported audio codecs for its price range, including aptX, aptX HD and SBC. That probably gives them a head start over products like the Sony WH-CH710N, which support SBC and AAC codecs, but have no aptX functions. Once again, it depends on your specific situation and which codecs are a better fit for you, but having that $ 100 support is without a doubt a solid selling point for the Aria Pro.

The Aria Pro has an impressive list of supported audio codecs for its price range, including aptX, aptX HD and SBC.

Finally, the Aria Pro supports Bluetooth with multipoint connectivity, so you can pair your headphones with your phone and a work laptop at the same time. It might not sound like the most groundbreaking feature, but the ability to place a call and then seamlessly go back to the content you've been watching on your laptop is a helpful feature that you should have in two office-oriented doses. In comparison, it took Sony until the newly released WH-1000XM4 to add this feature to its flagship headphones. You can get the same in the Aria Pro for $ 250 less. They just miss everything else that makes the XM4 amazing.

Audio quality

Once again, the Aria Pro lands between competitions. Before I wrap it up, here's a quick summary: The Aria Pro sounds better than budget cans like the JLab Audio Studio ANC, but it doesn't offer options like the Razer Opus and Sony WH-CH710N.

Avantree Aria Pro headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

That's not necessarily a bad thing for the Aria Pro, as they are half the price of Sony and Opus. It's forgivable that they lack the clarity of these high-end headphones, and it's understandable that they don't perform quite as well at either end of the frequency range. It's not a disappointment that you don't get remarkable fidelity for $ 100, but these headphones sound good, and they should sound just as good given their focus.

Call quality is now a somewhat capricious sub-category. With the boom microphone attached, the conversation was clear on both ends. When I took off the boom mic and leaned on the smaller mic on the headset itself and then went for a walk, conversations with the same people were easily infiltrated by my surroundings. They could still hear me, but they could also hear everything else, including the steps I was taking. I understand these headphones were more geared towards an office or professional setting, and I think they will serve that purpose well with the boom mic attached, but be careful as you step into the busy sounds of the world, submit your calls to the exact same sounds.

Active noise cancellation

I've described the JLab Audio Studio ANC's active noise cancellation as a "no-frills feature" and would probably use a similar description for the Aria Pro – with one caveat. Just like with these JLab headphones, the ANC in the Aria Pro is an on or off option without the ability to adjust the noise cancellation. The Aria Pro, however, do a significantly better job.

Avantree Aria Pro headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I wouldn't call this a surprise, as more expensive headphones should traditionally be able to better implement a feature like ANC. The Aria Pro has a much more pronounced effect on attenuating ambient noise and removing the harsher outside noise that would otherwise enter a quiet work area. They have a slight white noise effect and neither do they when bumped into noisy situations like walking on a busy street. But for use in an office, in my opinion, these headphones are excellent, especially at their low price.

For better ANC capabilities, you'll have to expect something more essential like the Razer Opus or the top of the line Sony WH-1000XM4. The Aria Pro is pale in comparison to any of them. But as you can imagine, you will be paying a lot more to achieve this level of quality.

Our opinion

Avantree made a pair of work-conscious headphones in the Aria Pro that have the features needed to succeed in that role and just enough features to make them a suitable set of commuter cans – whenever the commuting back to an actual one Becomes part of society. However, their functions are best used in a work environment that puts them in that niche position. You can venture outside of this space, but your results may vary.

Are there any better alternatives?

Save money with the JLab Studio ANC for $ 60. It offers better battery life, but poorer audio quality and active noise cancellation. Or you can double up and get something like the $ 199 Razer Opus, which for $ 100 upgrades the Aria Pro in most regions – you'll only spend twice as much on the privilege.

How long will they last?

The Aria Pro is backed by a one year warranty with the option to use an additional 12 months when you register your headphones. In addition to the durable build quality, this should give you the confidence to wear these every day without fear of them stalling.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Avantree Aria Pro are only average in some areas. But when you look at the bigger picture, they pretty much offer a lot for a pretty affordable price. If I had to spend $ 100 on headphones both to increase productivity and enjoy a podcast after work, this would be my shortlist.

Editor's recommendations




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