04 Jan
Blog

Klipsch Cinema 600 Soundbar Review: Big, Bold Stereo Sound

Klipsch Cinema 600 soundbar

Klipsch Cinema 600 soundbar

"The powerful and precise Cinema 600 is a soundbar for everyone who likes it loud."

  • High quality materials and surfaces

  • Easy to set up and use

  • Effective dialogue modes

  • Powerful and precise sound

  • Subwoofer not challenged

  • Mediocre virtual surround mode

The soundbar market is huge, with models ranging from tiny TV speakers to monstrous, multi-device home theater replacements, priced anywhere from $ 100 to over $ 1,000. Somewhere in the middle you should be able to find a system that offers powerful, room-filling sound, easy setup and use, and a price that doesn't make you rethink your life choices. That void falls into the $ 500 Klipsch Cinema 600, a 3.1 soundbar system with one of the largest subwoofers we've seen.

Does the Cinema 600 satisfy? Let's try it out.

What's in the box?

Klipsch Cinema 600 soundbarSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Cinema 600's L-shaped box is an unwieldy animal you might want to recruit a friend for – the courier who delivered our test model nearly injured himself with a dolly while negotiating our front stairs. Inside you will find the soundbar, the subwoofer, two power cables, an HDMI cable, wall brackets with a template, a remote control with batteries and the operating instructions. A lot of styrofoam is used to protect the components, but the rest can likely be roadside recycled if you don't keep them.

The company designed its soundbars to attract your eyes just as they do your ears.

design

Klipsch Cinema 600 soundbarSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Klipsch is obsessed with making its speaker technology visible to everyone. The distinctive copper drivers are so diverse that many people never bother installing the included black fabric grilles that come with Klipsch products. So it's no wonder the company designed its soundbars to attract your eyes as well as your ears.

Black stained wooden end caps, accents made of brushed metal and a black fabric grill exude a restrained, high-quality atmosphere. The exposed tweeters at the ends, framed by Klipsch's signature Tractrix horns, may be more polarizing. Personally, I don't want visual distractions that take my eye off the screen while watching TV, so I prefer subtle sound bars. These silver plastic horns are hard to ignore if they catch even the slightest trace of room light. It makes the Cinema 600's design harder to sell for me, but I think Klipsch fans won't mind at all.

At 45 inches wide, the soundbar is in the long side category, but it's height that could be an issue. With a size of almost five centimeters, there is a possibility that part of the screen is covered on TVs with very short stands or feet. Measure your setup carefully, unless you plan on wall mounting the pole (which is easy thanks to the hardware included).

The control buttons for power supply, source and volume are located at the top right in the bar under a small display on which the status of the individual functions is shown. It's convenient to have them, but the play / pause and mute buttons feel like obvious omissions.

The wireless subwoofer is, I'll just say it: freaking enormous. It stands over 18 inches tall and is over a foot wide on each side. You probably shouldn't put objects on it or use it as a stool, but it's nice to know you could – it's ultra-solid, with the same furniture-grade black wood as the soundbar, with an uninterrupted frame on five sides.

Klipsch recommends placing it near the front of the viewing area – on a wall or in a corner – for a stronger bass effect. However, due to its size, this may not be possible in every situation.

Setup and connections

Klipsch Cinema 600 soundbar connectionsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Setting up the Cinema 600 is a breeze. Connect the soundbar to your TV using the HDMI cable provided or your own optical or analog cable, then plug the soundbar and subwoofer into the appropriate sockets. That's it, you're done. Note, however, that in the manual, the soundbar must be connected first and then the subwoofer. This makes the pairing sequence between the two components much smoother.

The included remote control is well designed and impressively lit so that it can be easily viewed in a darkened room.

Using the bar's HDMI ARC connection will allow your TV to control volume and mute. However, like many sound bars, some audio formats that require HDMI ARC are not supported (such as Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos). It also lacks an HDMI input to use as a passthrough. So if your TV has limited HDMI ports, you can use an optical cable instead. You'll lose volume and mute, but don't worry, there is a workaround – the soundbar can be set to respond to your TV or cable box remote control.

In addition to the optical and HDMI connections, you get an analog socket and Bluetooth for wireless streaming from a smartphone. Each input can be selected using the buttons above or the remote control. This means that you have up to four sound sources easily accessible.

The connection ports are located in a very small cavity. So if you want to run cables to each cable, you may have to play around with the order so they don't bump into each other.

The Cinema 600 also has a USB port behind the right end cap, which is mainly used for firmware updates, but can also be used to play audio files from a USB stick or hard drive. I haven't tested this feature.

user friendliness

Klipsch Cinema 600 Soundbar remote controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The included remote control is well designed and impressively lit so that it can be easily viewed in a darkened room. A motion sensor will light up as soon as you record it. Deeper functions such as bass level, surround mode, dialogue enhancement and night mode are easily accessible via special buttons.

Whether it's Hollywood blockbusters or the latest original TV series from HBO or Netflix, the sound is punchy, precise and energetic.

It's completely intuitive, but I'm not crazy about the bar with LED dots on the front of the soundbar as an indicator of what's happening. As a volume indicator it works perfectly, but once you switch to surround or dialog mode you need the manual to interpret point sequences. It's like morse code. Klipsch should consider shipping the Cinema 600 with a display-equipped remote control, as Vizio does with its mid-tier and flagship soundbars. The last thing you want to do while watching a movie is digging up a manual.

Sound quality

The Cinema 600 is a 3.1-channel system, ie you get three loudspeakers (left and right front channel and a center channel) and the subwoofer. This is a near-perfect setup for people who simply want a lot better sound than their televisions can produce. It gives you excellent stereo separation while providing crystal clear dialogue through the center channel.

Whether it's Hollywood blockbusters or the latest original TV series from HBO or Netflix, the sound is punchy, precise and energetic. And wow, this system gets loud when you want it – without a hint of distortion. After all, 600 watts is a lot of power.

The four dialogue modes successfully improve speech intelligibility, which I rely on for dialogue-intensive shows like The Crown.

Overall, it's an extremely fun TV sound system. But there are two areas that I found less than great.

First, you'd think that with a subwoofer this big, low-end bass rumble would go off the charts. But even when the bass level is at its maximum, low frequency effects are seriously attenuated. Some of this can be traced back to where I placed the subwoofer – in the middle of my viewing wall, not in a corner. But I don't think that should make that much difference. Don't get me wrong, there is still a lot of bass, but it feels like it is produced by less than half the size of the unit that comes with the Cinema 600.

Second, you can activate a virtual surround mode which theoretically expands the sound beams coming from the bar to achieve the equivalent of a full 5.1 surround system. Using this mode definitely increases the width of the soundstage, but at the same time it breaks the high frequencies and pulls back the midrange. The effect actually smooths the sound instead of making it more immersive.

If you want a true 5.1 system, you don't have to choose between great 3.1 and mediocre virtualized surround sound. The Cinema 600 can be expanded with Klipsch's wireless Surround 3 speakers ($ 250 per pair), or you can purchase them together as a bundle in early 2021.

The music in the Cinema 600 is also very dynamic (this surround mode should also be avoided here). Modern, studio-produced tracks like The Weeknds Blinding Lights or Beck's Uneventful Days sound particularly good, while older material is not quite as lively, but is still fun.

Our opinion

Klipsch delivers a lively and loud 3.1 home theater soundbar in the Cinema 600, which has good connections and a well-designed remote control.

Is there a better alternative?

There's no shortage of excellent soundbar options for the same $ 500 price as the Cinema 600. The LG SN7Y is a 3.1.2 system that delivers Dolby Atmos decently from a single bar, and the HT-G700 from Sony is possibly the best at Klipsch and LG when it comes to virtualized surround sound. Any of these sound bars will likely prove more satisfactory than the Cinema 600 from a multi-channel perspective. However, if you're looking for a clean, powerful sound, Klipsch is hard to beat.

How long it will take?

Klipsch is known for high quality equipment and the Cinema 600 is a well built system that should last for many years. Klipsch grants a one-year guarantee on the electronics and a three-year guarantee on the housing and woofer components.

Should you buy it?

Yes. While the Cinema 600 isn't as impressive as some soundbars, its performance and precision make it deserve a spot on your shortlist.

Editor's recommendations




07 Oct
Blog

Adidas RPD-01 Review: Good Sound, Overmatched Features

adidas rpd 01 rating 5

"The RPD-01 fits and sounds good, but is superior in the feature department."

  • Workout-friendly design

  • Function control

  • Good sound quality

  • Missing functions compared to the competition

  • No storage case / bag

When I tested the Adidas RPT-01 a few months ago, I welcomed them as functional fitness-focused headphones in an on-ear class that frankly doesn't offer many other solid options.

With the RPD-01 – the wired in-ear version of the RPT-01 – Adidas succeeded in developing another powerful pair of workout wearables. However, unlike the relatively uncompetitive on-ear headphone genre, the $ 100 RPD-01 faces far tougher competitors, most of which are from the function-oriented JLab Audio brand.

In other words, the RPD-01 is facing an uphill battle.

What's in the box?

From the point of view of sustainability, Adidas is the packaging of the RPD-01. Almost everything is made of cardboard and has a fairly compact footprint. There are three additional pairs of earbuds and ear fins, a very short USB-C charging cable and your standard literature. But beyond that, this box is nothing more than cute, sustainable cardboard.

Adidas RPD-01 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The setup is standard on the RPD-01. If you've paired at least one Bluetooth enabled product with your mobile device in the past, you'll know everything you need to know. Hooking up to these wired buds is as easy as it should be, and you'll be ready to start working with these on your ears in no time.

The RPD-01 has built-in Bluetooth 5 technology, and Adidas rates the buds with a range of 10 meters. While these workout earbuds are rarely that far from your mobile device, extensive testing has shown this area to be accurate. This is the term I use liberally to place my phone in a far corner of my house and travel to the most opposite point of my belongings possible. The earphones had no noticeable dropouts.

design

I have not been silent about the general style of a pair of earbuds like the RPD-01 in the past. True wireless is just the far more popular design aesthetic than a setup where the buds are connected by a wire. Even if it's old news by now, I won't be afraid to repeat it.

Adidas RPD-01 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Aside from the disclaimer, I'm a huge fan of the design of the RPD-01. At 23 grams, the RPD-01 is significantly heavier than the JLab Audio Epic Sport2, which weighs only 14.8 grams. But they don't feel like a heavy burden as the buds sit comfortably in my ears and the flexible neck band rests around my neck. I swapped a bit with the various earbuds and ear fins that were available to me but ended up on the setup the buds came with to achieve my preferred balance of safety and comfort.

As evidence of this combination, I got on my bike over the weekend to see how the RPD-01 would handle a bumpy ride on some easy trails and gravel roads. To cut a long story short, an alleged weekend cruise resulted in a three hour hike of 27 miles that somehow spat me into the nearest town. Many things went wrong that afternoon, but the RPD-01 was one of the things that went right. I never had to adjust them and my ears were one of the few tireless parts of the body left after the gracious end of the ride. So I have to go home: The Adidas RPD-01 were both comfortable and safe for the duration of an extremely long, bumpy bike ride.

The RPD-01 is available in three colors including night gray, light gray and tint of green. It has a three-button control system for processing music, adjusting volume and answering or rejecting calls. On the other side of the neckband there is an action button that can be used to call up a voice assistant or a Spotify playlist via the Adidas headphones app. It's pretty simple, but it works well, which is more than I can say for some frustrating touch controls I've been looking at lately.

The Adidas RPD-01 were both comfortable and safe for the duration of an extremely long, bumpy bike ride.

One disadvantage of the RPD-01 is the significant lack of a suitcase, bag or even a pocket to keep them in. The JLab Audio Epic ANC has an included carrying case and the JLab Audio Epic2 has a sturdy case. I know Adidas has kept things to a minimum and there are probably people out there who would enjoy that approach, but the idea of ​​protecting these headphones when not in use appeals to me more.

characteristics

Of the many wired neckband earphones I tested this year, the RPD-01 had the worst characteristics. That doesn't mean the lack of these features is inherently bad since the RPD-01's are still quite useful training buds in my book, but it does mean that there are similarly designed options across the board that have better features in the same Own price range.

Adidas RPD-01 headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The JLab Audio Epic Sport2 are the obvious comparison here, as they too are mostly intended as training buds. While the RPD-01 has 12 hours of playtime and an IPX4 weather resistance, the Epic Sport2 shatters those stats with 20 hours of playtime and an IP66 rating.

The JLab Audio Epic ANC is not designed for movement, but has a weatherproof protection class IP54 and a battery of 20 hours when active noise cancellation is switched off and 15 hours in total when the function is activated. Even the 1More Dual Driver ANC has better weather resistance with an IPX5 rating while reflecting the battery stats of the JLab Audio Epic ANC.

Of the many wired neckband earphones I tested this year, the RPD-01 had the worst characteristics.

If the RPD-01 were the cheapest buds at the party, I could understand this feature mismatch, but both JLab products cost less than the $ 100 RPD-01, which is a significant blow to the overall value of those buds. To be clear, 12 hours of battery life is still decent for cable buds, and an IPX4 rating should get you through the gym. But when real wireless options like the JLab Epic Air Sport ANC (15 hour lifespan, IP66 rating) beat the RPD-01 for the exact same price, I wonder who exactly these headphones could make sense for.

Audio quality

The only clear advantage that Adidas has over JLab Audio with the RPD-01 is the sound quality. While the audio quality of the Epic ANC is average and the call quality of the Epic Sport2 is mediocre, the RPD-01 does a particularly commendable and sometimes truly extraordinary job in both areas.

Adidas RPD-01Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

They do not match the audio quality of the 1More Dual Driver ANC, which remains the benchmark for sound in this form factor. However, the 6 mm neodymium drivers built into the RPD-01 effectively process the pair's frequency range from 20 to 20,000 kHz. When auditioning my playlist for these reviews, the RPD-01 moved through a number of tracks with no problem. On Lil Nas X's Old Town Road, the now legendary bass hook was intact just before Ed Sheeran's acoustic cover of Candle in The Wind shot into my ears with impressive clarity.

When it came to phone calls, several family members checked in during this brutal weekend bike ride, and while those earbuds didn't have enough passive noise cancellation to block out the noise on my end, I was pleased to report that the microphone picked up my voice was clear to hear large rigs fly by on my journey along a major highway.

The takeaway here is the RPD-01, which offers quality sound for $ 100. Is the sound so much better than both JLab products that I would give up objectively better functions for it? Probably not. However, if you hope to get close to 1More sound levels without paying the full $ 150, you are sure to get closer than JLab's alternatives.

Our opinion

The RPD-01 fits and sounds great, but unfortunately every pair of choker earbuds we tested this year outperforms them in terms of total number of features for the price. In particular, if two of these pairs are cheaper, then despite the functionality of these buds, Adidas won't be put in a favorable light.

Are there any better alternatives?

Both the $ 80 JLab Epic ANC and the $ 50 JLab Epic Sport2 offer better features across the board, although they have a noticeable difference in sound quality. The 1More Dual Driver ANC is closer to a full package of audio and features, but at $ 150, it is the more expensive option.

How long will they last?

The RPD-01 are a flexible pair of buds with reasonable weather resistance, but they don't include a storage case or pouch, which exposes those buds to the elements or even bite-sized pets. If my phone charger and Xbox controller were current readings, nothing is certain when a puppy is teething.

Should you buy it?

No, unless you really care about good sound quality rather than better features. If not, then both the JLab Epic ANC and the Epic Sport2 are better buys.

Editor's recommendations




26 Sep
Blog

Yamaha SR-C20A Review: Clear Sound In a Compact Package

Yamaha C20A soundbar

"The SR-C20A is the bar that Yamaha wanted, but it lacks the low-end sound."

  • Compact, stylish design

  • Easy adjustment

  • Exceptionally clear sound

This year we've seen a lot of sound bars that made it big. The LG SN11RG was a cinema giant, and the Samsung HW-Q800T was a big, powerful device in itself. However, some selected bars went in the opposite direction, such as the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Zvox AV157. These little bars still charge full size pricing, with both retailing for $ 300.

Yamaha is breaking that mold with its $ 180 SR-C20A. The C20A is wider than the competing soundbars, but not much taller and significantly cheaper. The compact bar is designed to produce a big sound in the smallest of spaces, which has led Yamaha to promote it as a soundbar that extends beyond the living room.

design

The Yamaha experts told me that while they were working on their latest line of soundbars, they obtained information from current Yamaha soundbar owners. According to Yamaha, they found that many owners of these bars were not using them as part of a traditional living room theater setup. Instead, Yamaha bars were found all over the home, from the bedroom to the office, and often placed in narrow spaces that were sometimes unsuitable for larger bars.

Yamaha C20A soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

With that information, Yamaha made the C20A, which is a little over 23 inches wide by approximately 2.5 inches and weighs only 3.9 pounds. In comparison, the company's SR-B20A is 35 inches long and 7.1 pounds, with the older YAS-109 having similar dimensions. However, this isn't the smallest bar out there. Both the Panasonic SoundSlayer and the Zvox AV157 are only 17 inches wide, with the latter weighing just 2.8 pounds.

While the C20A looks petite and undersized with a 65-inch television – or perhaps a 100-inch projection screen – its remarkably compact footprint offers the bar a great deal of versatility in terms of uses. Since the bar is getting the same sleek redesign as the larger B20A, I have to say I'm a fan of the way it's built.

Since the bar is getting the same sleek redesign as the larger B20A, I have to say I'm a fan of the way it's built.

Under the hood of the C20A are two drivers for the front left and right channels, a built-in subwoofer driver, and two passive coolers. The goal here, Yamaha told me, was to put the greatest possible sound in the smallest possible bar. I'll break it down completely later, but if you think there is no way there is no way to build such a small soundbar without making audio concessions, you wouldn't be wrong.

configuration

WLAN cannot be configured with the C20A and a wireless subwoofer cannot be supplied. The device is very simple. It contains a remote control supplied as well as an optical cable to connect the bar to your display. Because of this simplicity, there are no hidden complications or problems with setting up. Most all-in-one bars offer this simplicity, so this is nothing new. However, instantly improving your TV's sound in less than five minutes is always a nice benefit.

Yamaha C20A soundbar with remote controlNick Woodard / Digital Trends

As a not entirely critical but very helpful additional step in the setup process, I would recommend downloading the Yamaha Soundbar Remote App. The physical remote works just fine and the remote app generally has no other functionality. However, there is a volume control that will tell you exactly how loud your bar is. It's also easier to tell when to use the soundbar's ClearVoice and bass enhancement features.

links

The C20A has an interesting number of connections. It only has one HDMI-ARC port, and I have conflicting thoughts about it. Since this bar was built to be compatible with several different setups, I can understand why it doesn't have the extra ports that could be beneficial for a theater soundbar.

If part of the utility of this bar includes integration with a gaming station, as Yamaha suggests, an additional HDMI port would be just as necessary, if not more, than if the C20A was primarily intended for a living room. The Panasonic SoundSlayer, which unlike the Yamaha, outwardly calls itself a gaming soundbar, has a corresponding HDMI input and output to better support combat stations, although it is priced at $ 300.

Yamaha C20A soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

In addition to the HDMI connection, there are two digital optical inputs, an analog audio connection and a USB input, which are only intended for firmware updates. In particular, the C20A lacks the subwoofer output found in the larger Yamaha B20A. This means that you don't have the option of adding a separate powered sub and that the output of the beam itself gets stuck.

The B20A has a bluetooth multipoint that allows you to connect to two different devices at the same time.

The B20A has bluetooth multipoint so you can connect to two devices at the same time. For example, this could mean two different phones that multiple members of the same household can use to play their own music. Or it could be your phone and an Amazon Alexa device, giving your Dot, Flex, or other Echo device the ability to broadcast through the C20A's far more powerful drivers. I've reported that I'd prefer the Yamaha YAS-109's built-in Alexa compatibility, but I don't think Alexa over Bluetooth is a bad way to go.

Sound quality

In order to properly characterize the sound of the C20A, I think it is important to consider the environment for which it was designed. In contrast to the DTS Virtual: X-capable B20A, it was not specially developed as a home theater solution. There's no rule that says you can't incorporate the C20A into your living room, and I imagine some people will just do it because of its minimalist aesthetic. In all of the press materials provided by the company, however, Yamaha is not afraid to emphasize that the C20A is a bar that can go beyond normal living space.

Yamaha C20A soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I actually agree with the marketing and outside of the living room I think the audio profile of the C20A makes the most sense. It produces a very clear sound and is ideal for acoustically oriented music. Basically, I really enjoyed hearing the C20A when a song didn't need a substantial bass backbone to sound like it should.

I think it works in a smaller space like a bedroom too, where Yamaha's ClearVoice technology can help you hear every clever line from New Girl, even at a lower volume. The company also markets the C20A as small enough to slide under a monitor, enhancing gaming audio. The gaming preset of the C20A provided a more intense sound experience during the game.

When a song didn't need a solid bass backbone to sound like it should, I really enjoyed hearing the C20A.

In these applications – in a bedroom, as part of a gaming setup, or in a smaller room where you want to hear more detailed music – I think the C20A is excellent.

However, if you expect the C20A to effectively fill a living room, the limitations of this bar show up.

The sound is still clear, to be fair, and it gets loud for the package it comes in. But as much as Yamaha has tried to pack bass in the tightest of spaces with passive radiators, the C20A just can't fill the low end of the frequency range enough to provide a great movie viewing experience. As a Marvel nut, I tried the original Avengers (2012) with the C20A. The most challenging scenes, from Bruce Banner slamming his fists against a table to intimidate Natasha Romanoff (and the audience), to the epic Iron Man versus Thor clash in the woods, lacked the power that normally drives them.

While the remote's bass expansion button makes a difference, the C20A is too low on bass to correct things completely. That doesn't mean that I think less about this bar. It effectively serves its mission of being smaller, and it sounds great in small spaces. But I can't help but believe it's in some strange soundbar limbo. For a small soundbar, it is significantly cheaper than the US $ 300 Panasonic SoundSlayer or the US $ 300 Zvox AV157. However, each of these soundbars has been designed to achieve specific goals. The SoundSlayer has positioned itself as a game-specific solution, and Zvox has mainly designed its bar to make dialog easier to hear.

The C20A didn't choose a lane of its own to stay on and instead does several things well instead of doing one thing great. While that's not necessarily a bad way to go, the main thing that sets this soundbar apart from the better-sounding B20A is its size. Unless you really need something that small and are paying an extra $ 20 for enhanced bass, DTS Virtual: X and a subwoofer out seems like a natural way to go.

Our opinion

The SR-C20A is the soundbar Yamaha designed it for – a compact bar that fits into tons of nooks and crannies of a modern home – and it deserves praise for it. At the same time, it comes at the expense of the low-end range needed as a compelling solution for movies, while the costs and features too closely mimic their more powerful cousins.

Are there any better alternatives?

For $ 200, the Yamaha SR-B20A is a better option for larger spaces, but it doesn't offer the luxury of compact versatility that the C20A prides itself on. Off-brand, Vizio's V-Series 2.1 bar costs the identical $ 180 and comes with a wireless subwoofer that will almost certainly solve any problems you've had with the C20A. With a compact size and clear audio. along with a better balance for music. What matters to you, you must be willing to spend $ 300 on the Zvox AV157 which is a significant price increase.

How long it will take?

The SR-C20A is light enough to throw around, but I wouldn't recommend doing so. It feels like a sturdy product though, with connections that aren't exactly state of the art, but don't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.

Should you buy it?

That is a difficult question. If you need clear sound and strong vocals in a smaller space in your house, the C20A is a solid, somewhat expensive option. However, if you're hoping to find an all-in-one bar for movies and TV in your cavernous living room, I'd spend the extra buck on the B20A.

Editor's recommendations




25 Sep
Blog

Fauna Audio Glasses Review: Don’t Sound Great, Hard to Hate

Fauna Audio glasses rating 1

"Even though the audio quality is not up to standard, it is difficult for fauna to suppress the fauna if you look at design and aesthetics."

  • Excellent workmanship

  • Light, comfortable

  • Excellent call quality

  • Lenses can easily be replaced by an optician

  • Thin, deep audio

  • Confusing controls

  • Below average battery life

Optical wearable technology is in a strange place that I think comes from consumers who aren't sure what they are or should be. Google Glass, probably the most famous smart glasses, has failed. In a more focused branch of this type of wearable, Bose – the next biggest name in the segment – is said to have left the audio eyewear market unceremoniously in early 2020, but recently announced several new pairs. The prices and availability of these products have not yet been announced, however, and right now Fauna is one of the few players currently active in the audio glasses game.

The company's product, also known as Fauna, is simple enough: glasses that look good and act as listening devices. However, the biggest hurdle for someone could be asking why Fauna has any number of headphone or earphone options. In addition, at 200 euros at the introductory price (20% less than the full 250 euros) they are not a small investment that can be easily picked up and tried out. People understand the need for earbuds, but are they going to get audio glasses?

Let's take a look at the fauna they want to be and answer whether they are good at it or not.

More than a feeling

From the box to the feeling they have on your head, the fauna is absolutely aesthetic. The orange / pink branding on their website carries over onto the packaging and looks really chic. The same orange / pink is a nice accent on the charging case and the included USB-C cable. The outside of the case is mostly dark green, which looks nice and doesn't attract too much attention.

The glasses fit in nicely, although they are not magnetically attached to the charging pins as expected, as this feature is common on earphones. However, you wouldn't expect your normal reading glasses or sunglasses to be magnetically attached to your suitcase. So why should they be here? From this perspective, Fauna did an excellent job with the design.

From the box to the feeling they have on your head, the fauna is absolutely aesthetic.

Back to packaging: I think the importance of good packaging for electronic devices is often underestimated. The Fauna box experience was spot on with Apple's premium packaging, and I can't think of any higher praise for it.

Fauna Audio glasses rating 10 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/fauna-audio-glasses-review-10-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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Fauna Audio glasses rating 9 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/fauna-audio-glasses-review-9-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

It should also be mentioned that the packaging was made almost entirely of cardboard and paper, with the exception of small plastic sheets that covered the charging contacts. I like packaging that doesn't contain too much plastic and ends up in a landfill. So it's nice to know that almost all fauna ships can be easily recycled or composted.

To look good

The idea that an everyday object could also cross over and be a listening device sounds fascinating. I like the idea of ​​not needing headphones to enjoy media, and the Fauna really delivers it by packing headphone technology into glasses that are just a little heavier than my prescription glasses.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

With that in mind, it's quite remarkable how light the fauna is. They clearly crammed a lot more into glasses than typical glasses, but when I wear them I don't feel the extra weight. I loved to wear the fauna for a whole day at work and often forgot that I was wearing it at all.

Maybe this is an opinion exclusive to me, but I think the Fauna goggles look great. I would always wear these well. I can see some people thinking that the sides of the glasses look too thick, but I don't particularly mind. I'm a fan of thicker-rimmed glasses initially, and I think the sides don't look obtrusive or bulky. This thickness is also guaranteed because the drivers are housed there together with the touch controls. More on that later.

The fauna really delivers … by packing headphone technology into glasses that are just a little heavier than my prescription glasses.

The Fauna offers four different styles of glasses that cover almost the entire scope of the thick-framed style. I generally like a more angular frame than any other fauna, but I was pleasantly surprised by how I thought they were looking at me. I think their Memor Havana or Levia Black designs do the best job of not making the thick sides of the glasses seem too obvious. The company's Spiro Transparent Brown and Fabula Crystal Brown both have transparent pieces, making the huge opaque blocks on the sides more prominent.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

One of the pairs I rated has a Zeiss blue light filter lens, and this filter makes it easier for my eyes to look at television or computer screens for long periods of time. A second set had the sunglass lens that protects against 99% UVA and UVB light. The quality of the glass is very good in both cases, but if I want I could take it to my optician and have the lenses changed on my prescription.

But how do they sound?

I wish I could keep praising them, but fauna falls short on this one key area – these don't sound very good.

While the Fauna has two MEMs speakers and a dedicated subwoofer over each ear, this implementation of the technology just doesn't result in high quality audio. Despite having six drivers, the quality doesn't match most earbuds with two.

Fauna Audio glasses rating 7 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/fauna-audio-glasses-review-7-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Fauna Audio glasses rating 6 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/fauna-audio-glasses-review-6-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

They don't sound bad at all, but they lack a lot of depth in the presentation of music, with the bass feeling being particularly underrepresented. The mids are also weaker than I would like, but the lower registers are the main weakness despite the bass support from Fauna via these special subwoofers. The best way to compare the sound would be to see what 2009 laptop speakers sounded like. If, like me, you were listening to music on your standard speakers back then, you will understand what I mean when I say that music is perceived as "thin". There is no robustness for music from the fauna, and I miss that when I hear almost every track.

These don't sound very good.

I will say that the only type of music that will work with this type of audio quality is the very popular “Lofi Hip Hop Music to Relax / Learn” playlist curated by ChilledCow on both YouTube and Spotify . Because these tracks already have low fidelity, they don't ask the fauna to do too much, and that's why I enjoyed this style of music played by the fauna.

You know what it sounds like to sit in a hotel lobby playing soothing, voiceless tracks? This is what my whole life has sounded like wearing the fauna and I have to say it's pretty beautiful. Chill, sure.

Just as you can't hear lobby music as well because it exists in the background of conversations, the fauna doesn't get particularly loud and makes music you play on them almost background noise. I've been running it at maximum volume the whole time and it always feels just a few decibels quieter than I'd like. If they have to compete with other sounds around you, they will drown very easily.

Strangely enough, while they can't make me feel loud, they really do a good job of stopping me from hearing someone trying to speak to me from more than a meter away. Something about how the speakers project sound specifically blocks human vowel sounds and volume. So, if you're planning on working in a coffee shop (someday, right?), Let the pleasant clatter of that hustle and bustle pass through without distracting you from certain conversations.

Basically, wearing Fauna is like using headphones with ambient noise all the time, but at a lower volume and music quality with lower fidelity, with the advantage that glasses are put on at the same time.

When I switch from Fauna to my Jabra Elite 75t or my Sony WF-1000XM3, the difference in quality is painfully obvious. I don't think the fauna ever intended their audio goggles to go head-to-toe with special earbuds, but the sharp difference in quality due to the distinct lack of support for lower registers in the fauna makes it impossible to recommend these as primary Hearing aids through earphones or headphones.

It should also be noted that these are expected to have pretty terrible noise isolation. If someone is sitting next to you, they can hear what you are hearing pretty clearly, especially since the volume is most likely being maximized.

Battery, connectivity and control

Fauna rates the audio glasses for about four hours of non-stop gaming per charge, which isn't great and feels like what we expected from headphones a few years ago. Nowadays, some companies are increasing battery life to eight or even ten hours. Given that fauna has significantly more room to work than earbuds, it's a little surprising to see estimates this low.

In addition, you can only get four full charges out of the case, which means your maximum usage time is only 16 hours per wall charge. Given that glasses are the kind of item you put on in the morning and wear until you go to bed, the low battery power makes it hard to imagine these glasses taking the place of your earbuds or low vision glasses.

After the initial pairing, these audio glasses establish a solid connection to my iPhone (a process that is identical to all other Bluetooth earbuds, where the glasses switch to pairing mode after being removed from the case and via Bluetooth -Menu can be added in your phone settings). I had no issues with cutouts or drips and even walked my entire yard while my phone was still in my kitchen.

The Fauna supports 20 hours per charge of passive connection time, that is, without playing music.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Do not add further to the complaints, but control with the fauna is not great. First, let me explain how the controls work: Any stretch of the sides about three inches long along your temple line has a touch sensitivity with a variety of functions.

Overall, these controls are not intuitive.

Double tap on the left temple answers a call, ends a call, plays music, or pauses music. Tap and hold to reject a call or skip to the next track. Pushing forward decreases the volume and pushing back increases the volume.

Tapping the right temple twice activates the voice assistant on your phone. Tap and hold to put the glasses into pairing mode.

Overall, these controls are not intuitive and in many cases contrast with years of training that other equipment performed prior to them gave me. Making the pause / play action by tapping twice and skipping rather than tap and hold was an odd decision.

Remembering these controls was a challenging learning curve that only applies to the fauna and no other equipment I have tested. Additionally, sliding forward to lower the volume is an extremely confusing decision. Moving a little forward in my head means increasing the volume and moving backward means decreasing the volume. Why the fauna chose to reverse this hard-wired propensity is astounding.

Other properties

The fauna is successful in one audio area: phone calls. Both you and everyone you speak to will have a wonderful experience, provided you don't maximize the volume. You will hear that the other end is not a problem. If you keep the volume at 70% or less, this will also be the case with whom you are speaking. When you set the volume to maximum, the glasses record their own audio signal and give your listener annoying feedback on their own voice.

I mentioned that these weren't particularly loud at first, so turning the volume down may not sound intuitive. However, it works for phone calls. Even walking down a busy street I could have a great phone call with my friend who reported the same thing to me.

The Fauna app adds a function to the audio glasses that goes beyond audio. The fauna has special warning messages called "whistles" to help remind you to do things like drink water or improve your posture. I like the idea, but the implementation is … strange.

Although referred to as a whistle, the actual warning isn't a whistle, but a robotic male voice that can be programmed to say what's in a text box in the app.

For the whistle, the app sends a notification that says "Hey Jaron, it's time to get up and stretch your body." It's a bit unsettling and I wish I could just have a comfortable chime sent to me instead of a robotic voice. You can record a different voice, but hearing myself may be even stranger than the robot.

There aren't a lot of options in the whistles either, but Fauna has a direct link to their developers on the app if you have an idea you'd like to see which is lovely.

I ended up not using this feature because I personally didn't find it helpful, but others may disagree. Still, it's a good idea.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

Fauna placed more emphasis on style than audio quality, but maybe that's not all that bad. While they won't blow you away with their sound, they do their job and provide an overall experience that will keep you coming back time and time again. I complained to my wife about one thing or another and asked her, "Then why do you keep wearing them?"

She's right, I wore her for a week. Despite all of its shortcomings, I still like it.

Are there any better alternatives?

As previously mentioned, Bose recently announced a number of new frames options, but there was no indication of pricing or availability. Hence, it is difficult to say whether it is worth doing without it. In addition, Flows makes glasses with similar aesthetics to Fauna at a lower price, so it may be worth considering.

How long will they last?

Fauna grants a two-year guarantee on its audio glasses, which is exceptional for portable audio products. Plus they feel very well built so I don't expect them to just stop working. But don't let them fall. They are still glasses and will definitely act as such.

Should you buy it?

Maybe. I know this isn't a solid answer, but this is the type of product that needs to be the right buyer for it. If audio quality is most important to you, give them a pass. But if you like the idea of ​​having background music in your everyday life in an unobtrusive way, then fauna is a good argument in its own right.

Editor's recommendations




17 Sep
Blog

Beats EP Review: Good Sound Trapped By Wired Limitations

Beats EP headphones

Beats EP on-ear headphones

"Although they sound great, the Beats EPs are wire-bounded and poorly finalized at their price."

  • Extraordinary sound

  • Adequate comfort

  • Good noise reduction

  • Questions about shelf life

  • Cable connection only

For the sake of transparency, I've had trouble writing on the Beats EP headphones for a while. They are wired headphones and deserve to be treated as such. At the same time, they come with a price tag that ties them tightly to budget wireless headphones, most of which have features and capabilities not possible with the Beats EP.

Perhaps this is the best way to write about the $ 130 Beats EP. They're not the audio juggernaut high-end cable options often come with, and they're not the first wireless cans that seem to surround them. You're somewhere in between, awkwardly in the middle of two different parts of the genre.

Out of the box

In all fairness I could summarize this section of the review in two words: Not a lot. In addition to the headphones themselves, the contents of the Beats packaging include a foldable carrying case, a quick start guide and a warranty card.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Objectively speaking, the minimalist style of EP packaging isn't a huge issue. After all, wired headphones are pretty self-sufficient, there is no battery to be charged and the only cable that has to be connected. In a modern day when 3.5mm audio jacks are a rarity on phones, it would have been nice to include a smartphone adapter. Because if you're like me and you've lost that USB-C adapter that came with your phone years ago, the Beats EP become desktop cans only.

It literally comes down to just joining in and pressing the play button and then it's off to the races with your favorite podcast or album.

I usually deal with connectivity in this section as well, and one of the great things about the Beats EP is how classically easy they are to get up and running. It literally comes down to just joining in and pressing the play button and then it's off to the races with your favorite podcast or album.

design

There are several elements associated with the design of the Beats EP. Some of them are good. Some of them are head scratches.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

First, the good thing: The Beats EP are relatively light, although you can't find exact numbers on the Beats website. They come in a variety of colors including white, blue, black, and red, giving them a more diverse aesthetic that should suit most consumers' tastes. And they're pretty comfy – I like the fuller coziness of over-ear headphones like the Razer Opus, but when it comes to on-ear headphones, the Beats EP felt good hugging my ears for longer listening times.

With the on-ear headphones, the Beats EP felt good pressed against my ears for longer listening times.

Now for the scratching of your head: on its website, Beats says the EP has a “durable frame” that is “reinforced with stainless steel and adjustable vertical sliders”. This is not wrong, but it can be misleading. The EP, while light, doesn't feel like an incredibly rugged pair of headphones, and that worry grows as you read the various Amazon customer reviews complaining that these headphones were owned for less than a year. Some had problems with the headband locking into place, others mentioned a deterioration in the ear cups. Now I haven't tested the Beats EP long enough to say firmly that it is unsustainable. But with the somewhat flimsy feel of those light doses, I could understand why so many people were having problems.

My other problem with the Beats EP, unfair as it may be, is the overall concept of inexpensive wired headphones. I think there is still an important place for wired sockets, especially when it comes to high-end options like the Grado Labs hemp headphones, the V-MODA M-200 studio sockets or gaming headsets like the HyperX Cloud Revolver S. price goes, the Beats EP and their hard cable don't offer the flexibility I think most people interested in buying them want. For $ 30 less, the Avantree Aria Pro lets you choose between wired or wireless, although the audio quality may be compromised. The point is, as much as wired connections are necessary in some situations, I believe the Beats EP's wired-only setup hurts them when compared to similar budget headphones with multiple connectivity options.

properties

This is not a joke – the only specs available on the Beats EP page is the fact that they are on-ear headphones. Please excuse me if this segment is on the short side.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Beats EP has inline call and music controls as well as inline volume controls. They are effective and easy to use, so I can pause YouTube clips or podcasts episodes without having to manually return to these pages. They also have a built-in microphone that has come in very handy on Zoom calls, at least after I got my desktop to collaborate.

In addition, the Beats EP in the feature department are rare. It's such a dire situation that Beats is marketing these headphones as "unlimited playback" because they don't have a battery. Which, okay, that's true. But it's not exactly anything special as this is the main difference between most wired and wireless headphones. Tech-wise, you can get "unlimited playback" with these $ 10 Sony headphones. If this is the most notable feature of the Beats EP, it speaks volumes about what value these cans actually have.

Audio quality

In my view, the sound of the Beats EP is the biggest reason to buy these headphones over a wireless alternative. For $ 130, you can get high quality audio from the Beats EP, even if you are physically tied to the device it came from.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The vocals are remarkably clear and shine through on busy tracks like Maroon 5's Sunday Morning. Higher frequencies are crisp but not harsh, which can be a tough proposition for headphones at this price point. They're a bit of bass-forward, which might seem like a turn off for people hoping for a completely neutral sound from their headphones, but is a brand for the Beats Sound signature. Thankfully, if you're not a big bass head, I don't think it's prominent enough to be considered a problem. Overall, they are mostly well balanced headphones with great sound quality that would satisfy most of the people looking to spend money in this stadium.

One more note about the sound of the Beats EP: They are impressively good at reducing ambient noise and creating a quiet room in which to listen to your content. These headphones don't have active noise cancellation features by nature, but I would argue they shouldn't be overlooked as the Beats EP does a commendable job of passively blocking out excess noise.

Our opinion

For $ 130 worth of wired headphones to compete with wireless alternatives, they must have great sound. The Beats EP have that, and even if they don't have much else, it might be enough for certain buyers.

Are there any better alternatives?

For a wireless alternative, the $ 100 Avantree Aria Pro offers decent active noise cancellation and improved flexibility over the Beats EP, though they likely don't sound that good. If you can afford to spend significantly more, it might be wise to consider the $ 250 1More Triple Driver over-ear headphones. They're an improvement over the Beats EP in many ways, but cost more than twice as much.

How long will they last?

They didn't fall apart on me so I can't say they will fall apart on you. However, if your build and the experiences of others are any indications, I would be extra careful with how you handle the Beats EP.

Should you buy it?

Just if you're looking for sound quality, wireless headphones can't compete in this price range. Otherwise, enjoy the versatility of a wireless option or spend more to get a better pair of wired sockets. The Beats EP makes sense to some, just not most.

Editor's recommendations




11 Sep
Blog

Sennheiser CX 400BT review: Great Sound, But Not Much Else

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless

"The sound is incredible, but the cost for a lower price is a number of missing features."

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Responsive and customizable controls

  • Highly adjustable onboard EQ

  • It lacks features for the money

  • Possible problems with fit and comfort

Sennheiser is known for top-notch sound, and both the Momentum True Wireless and its sequel, the Momentum 2 True Wireless, scored very good results on sound quality when reviewed.

But when you add that excellent sound, it comes at a pretty steep price – you'll pay $ 300 for these earbuds. This of course eliminates a lot of potential buyers.

So the challenge for Sennheiser was to create a range of true wireless earbuds that cost less without sacrificing the main reason they bought them: high quality sound.

The answer to this challenge is the $ 200 True Wireless CX 400BT.

Their price point is definitely more palatable, but do their overall features and performance make them a worthwhile investment considering how many other excellent earbuds are available for the same or similar buck?

Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

Sennheiser CX 400BT True WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The CX 400BT's relatively simple cardboard box contains the earbuds, their charging case, a set of four sizes of silicone earbuds (large, medium, small, and extra small), a short USB-C charging cable, and some printed paper documentation.

All of the packaging is highly recyclable except for the black foam inner padding that is glued to the inside of the box.

design

Sennheiser CX 400BT True WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Big and box-shaped are the words that best describe both the CX 400BT and its charging case.

While Sennheiser has tried to downsize these earbuds by giving them a rounded rectangle shape (the word "squircle" comes to mind), the fact that they are large cannot be hidden.

To be fair, while they stand out more than Apple's AirPods or AirPods Pro, they're not as gigantic as Soundcore's Liberty 2 Pro or Sony's WF-1000XM3 or the WF-SP800N.

The size of the CX 400BT has one advantage: the earphones can be pulled out of the charging sockets relatively easily, despite the strong magnets that prevent them from falling out. They're also a little easier to put in your ears.

The shiny outer surface of the earphones with the stylized Senn logo from Sennheiser serves as a touch control.

There are tiny LED indicator lights on the inside of the earbuds. They will show you the performance and / or pairing status of the earbuds. Solid red means power on, blinking blue / red means pairing mode, and blinking green / red means the earbuds are paired.

The small LED on the charging case near the hinge shows the battery status of both the case and the earphones in different colors (depending on whether the earphones are docked or not). This can be a little confusing.

The lid of the charging case is well built and has a wide hinge that can snap into place between the open and closed positions. A strong magnet keeps the lid firmly closed, but is easy to open.

Unfortunately there is no wireless charging option, just USB-C.

Comfort, fit and control

The CX 400BT are comfortable to wear, but have one caveat: To get the best sound quality from true wireless in-ear earbuds (used with silicone earbuds), you need to bring the tips deep enough into your ear canals to to create a really good seal.

This equation has two parts: you need to find the right size of the ear tip and be able to physically get that silicone tip all the way into your canal.

I found that the sheer size of the CX 400BT prevented me from achieving this comfortably. It was doable, but I had to apply quite a bit of pressure while twisting the earbuds into position.

This had a real impact on my ability to wear them for more than an hour before I felt tired.

This problem is exacerbated by the very defined groove that runs around the body of the earbuds. It has surprisingly sharp edges that I became aware of when moving and pushing the buds around to get a good seal.

The controls on the CX 400BT are possibly the best touch controls I've ever used.

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless AppSennheiser Smart Control App Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Given that Digital Trends rep Nick Woodard didn't have this problem with the Sennheiser Momentum 2 True Wireless (with a nearly identical ear profile), I can only assume that this isn't a problem for everyone, but it does worth thinking about whether you have small ears or have experienced this problem with other models.

Out of curiosity, I tried the earbuds with a set of Comply Foam tips that came with a different set of buds and they helped tremendously. So there are options if you're willing to go the extra mile and buy third-party earplugs.

The controls on the CX 400BT are possibly the best touch controls I've ever used. I'm not a fan of touch controls because they are so difficult to achieve with a consistent response. Sometimes the taps register, sometimes not. Physical buttons are far more predictable.

However, the touch controls of the CX are exceptional and keep responding. I particularly liked the fact that a subtle confirmation tone is generated when registering a faucet. This is a great way to tell if the faucet worked or not.

The existing typing scheme is easy to remember and gives you control over volume, answering / ending / dropping calls, skipping forward / backward and access to voice assistants (Siri / Google Assistant). If you don't like how it works, you can use the Sennheiser Smart Control app to assign any function to any tapping sequence on one of the earphones – something that all real wireless earphones should offer.

Speaking of the Smart Control app: The CX 400BT does not have to be used (without it, it is paired with your device). However, I strongly recommend using it anyway. Not only can you use it to configure the controls, but you can also access the earphones' built-in equalizer and quickly switch between previously paired devices.

This is not the same as Bluetooth Multipoint, which allows two devices to be paired at the same time, but it is the next best thing.

Battery life

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/sennheiser-cx-400bt-true-wireless-00005- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Sennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/sennheiser-cx-400bt-true-wireless-00006- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAASennheiser CX 400BT True Wireless (above) and Jabra Elite 75t Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

There seems to be a question about whether the CX 400BT should get 6.5 or 7 hours of battery life when fully charged. The box says 6.5, but the Sennheiser website says 7.

I set it to 75% and ran it on a radio stream. Seven hours later they were still on the road, so I'm confident the seven-hour claim is realistic.

In both cases, however, the average for true wireless earbuds is currently in the lower range. The $ 150 AirPods and $ 230 AirPods Pro get you just a little over five hours. Jabra's $ 200 Elite Active 75t gets 7.5 hours. The $ 200 Sony WF-SP800N can deliver up to 13 hours with active noise cancellation turned off, and the RHA TrueConnect 2 can last 9.5 hours. Samsung's Galaxy Buds + are only $ 150 but can run for 11 hours.

The loading case is of greater importance. It can only add your playtime to a total of 20 hours, making the CX one of the shortest earbuds with total duration at any cost. Since the charging case isn't exactly small, I'm not sure why Sennheiser wasn't able to provide a little more portable power.

The quick charge option is a bit better than the competition: with 15 minutes you get an hour. This corresponds to that of the Jabra Elite Active 75t, but is not as fast as the AirPods and AirPods Pro, which can also do this for only five minutes. Meanwhile, the Sonys will get you almost 90 minutes on a 10 minute charge.

Sound quality

Sennheiser CX 400BT True WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Do you remember how focused I was on getting a good fit? It's not just about comfort.

It's good that I tried these comply foam tips. From the moment I used it, I was in a sonic ecstasy.

With the factory-shipped earbuds, I began to doubt Sennheiser's claim that the CX 400BT uses the exact same drivers and equalizer technologies as the top-rated Momentum 2. What I heard was not close to the praises of Digital Trends writer Nick Woodard: “I heard some pretty powerful earbuds, but that's just a completely different experience. The sound pulls you into the music and devours you as you record notes and instruments that competitors simply don't have. "

It's good that I tried these comply foam tips. From the moment I used it, I was in a sonic ecstasy.

Sure enough, the CX 400BT can rival the best of true wireless earbuds from head to toe, and when paired with an aptX-enabled sound source, they're very hard to beat.

Stereo imaging, precision, depth and breadth of the soundstage – all are superb. Bass, midrange and treble are treated first-class, with everyone being allowed to shine without stepping on the other's feet.

This type of sound quality arguably helps all genres to perform at their best, but you'll really appreciate it when tracks require fidelity across a range of frequencies. Little Something, a duet by Sting and Melody Gardot – a song I just discovered about Tidal – is a perfect example. It features two singers who are supported by a rich mix of acoustic guitar, bass, drums and synth. But the musicians all apply a subtlety to their playing that a lesser set of earphones would attenuate or mask. With the CX, you can appreciate every detail.

If you're not crazy about the factory EQ, the Smart Control app lets you tweak it using one of two equalizer formats. Regardless of your choice, the changes you make will be saved onboard the earbuds, so you can enjoy the results regardless of the music source or the device you are using for playback.

Call quality

The CX 400BT are supposedly optimized for voice calls, but I've found that they generally do no better than many of the less expensive models I've tested.

The lack of a listening mode proved frustrating.

Voice quality was good when conditions were calm, but as is the case with so many true wireless earbuds, they struggled when other sounds vied for attention.

Cars going by, building noises in the distance, helicopters – each of these noises had a tendency to push the speaker's voice around. At no point did this prevent the speaker from being understood, but it was quite distracting at times.

These Comply Foam earbuds, which created such a wonderful seal on sound quality, also blocked a good chunk of my own voice on calls. The lack of a listening mode proved frustrating.

I would say the CX 400BT is perfectly adequate for the occasional call, but quieter locations should be preferred for something longer than a brief "I'm late for our meeting" message.

What is missing?

Given that Sennheiser managed to give the CX 400BT True Wireless the same sound quality as earphones, which cost $ 100 more, corners had to be cut elsewhere.

There's no wear sensor that can automatically pause music when you remove an earbud. There is no active noise cancellation (ANC). There's no sneak-in mode for introducing outside noise when you need to have a conversation, and there's no IPX rating for water or dust resistance.

And we've already talked about the CX's overwhelming overall battery life.

Our opinion

The Sennheiser CX 400BT offers great sound for its price of $ 200. If they had just a few more bells and whistles, we'd be in wireless earbud heaven.

Is there a better alternative?

I don't think another set of real wireless earbuds for $ 200 will get you better sound quality, but you can get close to that. The Jabra Elite Active 75t and Sony WF-SP800N both cost $ 200. While they may not quite match the CX 400BT's sonic purity, they outperform all other features like comfort and fit, audibility, battery life and ANC (in the case of the Sonys) and water resistance.

How long will they last?

With no official protection from water, you may need to be extra careful with the CX 400BT, but it (and its charging case) are very well built and should last for many years. Sennheiser grants a two-year guarantee on them, which is twice as long as with some other brands.

Should you buy it?

It's a tough call. If getting the absolute best sound quality for your money is your number one priority, and you can make peace with the CX 400BT's extensive list of missing features and potential customization issues, then I recommend it. But I would take a close look at the many strong competitors at this price point before buying them.

Editor's recommendations




11 Sep
Blog

Montblanc MB01 Headphones Review: Luxurious Sound and Style

montblanc mb01 headphones review 11

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




28 Aug
Blog

1More Colorbuds Review: Vibrant Colors, Detailed Sound

1More coloruds

"The Colorbuds combine great design with solid properties and exceptional sound."

  • Light design

  • IPX5 weatherproof

  • Valuable sound quality

  • Solid codec support

  • Mediocre Bluetooth range

  • Functional but limited control

When 1More released Colorbuds in July, the audio company said the vibrant, new, true wireless earbuds aim to "bring fashion and audio together." With color options like Midnight Black, Twilight Gold, Sakura Pink or Spearmint Green, it has nailed an end to that combination straight out of the gate.

The other end, of course, requires a little more research. As much as the eye-catching hues of the $ 100 worth of 1More Colorbuds may speak for you, knowing exactly what you're getting into in terms of audio with these tiny, affordable earbuds is just as important.

Out of the box

The Colorbuds and their charging case are waiting to greet you as soon as you open the box. They are kept in the light color you want. I chose Spearmint Green and to be honest, these buds are way more "Spearmint" than "Green". My significant other said it looked like I had mini easter eggs in my ears. I don't know if this is the look 1More is going for, but I didn't mind.

1More colorudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

There are three additional pairs of earplugs in the box, a USB-C charging cable, a quick start guide, a warranty card and, to my pleasant surprise, a sticker. It's mostly standard material that comes with a pair of real wireless earbuds, but the sticker was a nice added touch.

Here's the deal with setting up the Colorbuds: it's not difficult, but you have to follow the directions. There are small strips of plastic that must be removed from each bud and then put back into the case to activate them. Don't make the mistake of forgetting a strip, then using standard bluetooth pairing and taking a walk straight away to find that mono sound is stuck with a bud not yet on. Trust me it's a minor but insane inconvenience.

The Colorbuds have Bluetooth 5 technology, which normally allows an automatic cycle in terms of range and connectivity. But for some reason the Colorbuds don't seem to have the range I enjoyed using other buds with the technology. I couldn't get to the other end of my house without my audio noticeably dropping out, while I could go into my yard without other products falling out. Maybe it's just my special pair, but they didn't have the range I expected from Bluetooth 5 earbuds and headphones.

design

Aside from the Apple AirPods, which weigh 4 grams each, the Colorbuds have a simple size advantage over many more expensive products. They are 4.1 grams per bud and therefore significantly lighter than heavyweights in the industry such as Google Pixel Buds 2, Samsung Galaxy Buds + and Amazon Echo Buds.

1More colorudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The case is comparatively more compact and weighs 40 grams compared to the 40 gram housing of the AirPods. Run out the numbers and it equates to earbuds that feel extremely light in your ears with a sleek case that won't be a factor in your pocket. The earbuds themselves have what 1More calls "optimized ergonomic design," and since the marketing sounds like it sounds, I kind of have to agree with that. They fit flush in your ear and make you feel safe, yet comfortable.

They fit flush in your ear and make you feel safe, yet comfortable.

There are no physical buttons on the Colorbuds, just touch controls on each bud. When I first played with them, I was so ready to write about the Colorbuds being another pair of true wireless earbuds to avoid volume controls that seem so obvious and harmful when unavailable. Then I downloaded the 1More Music app and was mostly relieved that the touch controls are programmable and can include volume commands.

The remaining problem here, from my point of view, is that in the current configuration of the Colorbuds there is really only room for two different controls. There is no single control here, only double and triple control. If you can set four different commands (play / pause, track forward or backward, volume up or down, and voice assistant) you will have to choose two and lose the rest. I chose to track forward / backward and volume up / down but can't say I didn't miss asking Alexa for help.

properties

The earphones most comparable to the Colorbuds in terms of features and price are possibly just one of their close relatives, the 1More Stylish. A couple of important things to remember before I go any further: The Stylish first hit the market when the standards for true wireless earbuds were very different from what they are today. While the Stylish originally retailed for $ 100, you can now find it cheaper for $ 20 than the newer $ 100 Colorbuds.

1More colorudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Let's talk about the battery life: The Stylish offers a playback time of 6.5 hours with one battery charge and a total of 24 hours of battery life with the charging case, as well as a quick charge option that gives you 2 hours of time after 15 minutes in the case. In comparison, the Colorbuds are slightly worse at 6 hours per charge and 22 hours with the case. That's better than the roughly 5 hours found in the Pixel Buds or AirPods, but at a time when earbuds like the Samsung Galaxy Buds + and Sony WF-SP800N can dive into double-digit playback times and the best of options, not considered great will hit there at least 8 hours per charge. At this price, I give the Colorbuds a pass for the battery life. Note, however, that there are better options.

I'm a fan of the IPX5 weather resistance of the Colorbuds, which outperforms the Pixel Buds 2 (IPX4) and products like the Apple AirPods and Sony WF-1000XM3 with no weather resistance. It offers the Colorbuds solid protection against water and sweat, making them an effective training option. They may not be the budget true wireless product I would choose for athletic activities – that would probably be the Anker Soundcore Spirit X2, which despite its unconventional ear hook design has IP67 weather resistance and nine hours of battery life – but they are in a pinch suitable .

I'm a fan of the Colorbuds' IPX5 weather resistance.

This section wouldn't be complete without mentioning the auto-pause feature built into the Colorbuds, which pauses the audio when you remove a bud and resumes the tunes when you put it back in. We have already seen this feature on many earphones. But it's also a feature that has been strangely omitted from a growing number of products. It's a welcome surprise to have it in this price range.

Audio quality

From true wireless earbuds like the Stylish to wired buds like the 1More Dual Driver ANC Pro, 1More's track record of developing valuable sound is nearly flawless. The formula for success is no secret either: most of these products have powerful drivers, excellent codec support and professional tuning.

1More colorudsNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I think with the Colorbuds, it's safe to add another (pun!) Pair of wearables to this list. You're on the 1More checklist with a balanced full-range anchor at the center of the sound, support for the aptX / AAC / SBC codecs, and voting from a Grammy-winning sound engineer. The result: you sound great.

To be more specific (and more specific), they sound great for their price. For $ 100, the Colorbuds give you a more than adequate level of clarity, good low end, and solid stereo separation. With these earbuds, it just feels like an all-rounder, a master of nothing, which is honestly a win for the cost. I couldn't peck and wish these buds moved through frequencies more fluidly instead of sometimes blurring them, but that hardly seems fair for buds of this stature and price. The Colorbuds shouldn't be up to the Sony or Sennheiser standard, but they certainly meet the expectations we have of 1More hearing aids.

The Colorbuds shouldn't be up to the Sony or Sennheiser standard, but they certainly meet the expectations we have of 1More hearing aids.

The company has also touted the call quality of the Colorbuds, which have four microphones and built-in noise-canceling technology. As is the new norm, I couldn't test these earbuds out under the excitement of a daily commute, but for the environments I found myself in, from a quiet home office to the sidewalk of a busy street, the Colorbuds were amazingly efficient at holding both of them My conversations end clearly.

Our opinion

The 1More Colorbuds' battery life is worse than their older cousin, and there are some built-in control limitations. But those are small prices for great design, solid overall features, and exceptional sound in the latest version of 1More.

Are there any better alternatives?

If ear hook designs don't turn you off, the $ 80 Anker Soundcore Spirit X2 has better features for $ 20 less. Plus, the older 1More Stylish has similar features for a reasonable discount. But the Colorbuds have a design and features that make them more attractive than some much more expensive competitors.

How long will they last?

The Colorbuds have a one-year guarantee and an IPX5 rating for weather protection. I would be more concerned about losing a bud on the couch than damaging it.

Should you buy it?

Yes. For $ 100, the design, features, and sound of the 1More Colorbuds all match the bright colors they're dressed in. They are meant to be fun and fun for the budget conscious, and that is exactly what they are.

Editor's recommendations




23 Aug
Blog

JBL/UA Sport Wireless Train Review: Well-aged Sound

JBL Wireless Sport Train headphones

JBL / Under Armor Sport radio train

"The audio quality of the Sport Wireless Train has withstood the test of time."

  • Simple controls

  • IPX4 weatherproof

  • Exceptional sound quality

  • Tight fit

  • Mediocre battery life

Tech versus time is a war that goes on forever, though one on the other side is almost inevitably unharmed. It takes a special product to keep the clock from going out, and in the fast-paced world of portable audio, these products are increasingly difficult to come by.

Take the JBL / Under Armor Sports Train wireless headphones, which retailed for $ 200 when it was released in 2018 and have since dropped to $ 130. Sure, they seemed solid at the time, but how do they hold up against the unforgiving power of 2020? Let's find out.

Out of the box

The packaging of the Wireless Train is dark black and matches the headphones. After removing the first cover, you will see a rectangular tote bag with the famous Under Armor logo on the front. Inside, the headphones as well as a charging cable, an additional audio cable and a quick guide are waiting.

JBL Wireless Sport Train headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Starting the Wireless Train for the first time is a bit weird, at least if you're like me and adamantly refuse to read the fine print before trying out your new headphones. The power switch is a toggle switch that must be held down for two seconds before turning on. From there, however, the headphones will automatically go into pairing mode, so you can follow the standard procedure to pair your mobile device through the Bluetooth settings.

I'm not thrilled with the Wireless Train, which only supports Bluetooth 4.1 technology, as connectivity and range are not comparable to devices that support the newer, better Bluetooth 5 standard. This raises an important caveat about the wireless train: at the time of this review, they are already two years old. In technical time, that's about a century. After reviewing the Adidas RPT-01, I looked for the best comparison I could find. The wireless train was the straight answer given its price and design. Unfortunately, these headphones are being rated for modern standards instead of their heyday in 2018.

That's not to say the wireless train can't yet be capable headphones – they can. However, it will be an uphill battle for these JBL cans against a comparatively brand new product.

design

For a slightly older product, the Wireless Train offers a more modern design for on-ear headphones with a sports focus. In fact, there aren't many differences between these headphones and the newer Adidas, other than aesthetic choices like the shape of the ear cups and the logos that appear on each pair of headphones.

JBL Wireless Sport Train headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

A key difference here is weight. The Adidas came onto the market with 209 grams, the Wireless Train with 240 grams. It is not noticeable that every headphone distributes the weight well. However, if you are trying to keep your headphones as light as possible, this is one thing to keep in mind.

One unfortunate resemblance between these headphones: the inescapable tightness that comes with on-ear headphones designed to stay in place during intense workouts. If I were to wear them for a quick trip to the gym, I could probably handle the pressure on my skull with no problem. But when I wear them for long periods of time like I did for testing, the wireless train almost causes a headache when it gets stuck on your head. I experienced the same feeling with Adidas – it's a generally uncomfortable feeling.

The ear pads of the Wireless Train are made of "UA breathing material", as JBL calls it, and are washable. This is the key to headphones that you will inevitably sweat anywhere. The button controls on the ear cups next to these pillows are easy to use, so you can control the volume and switch songs between repeats. I train at home these days for obvious reasons, but I have had no problem using these buttons to execute commands on the go.

The button controls on the ear cups next to these pillows are easy to use, so you can control the volume and switch songs between repeats.

properties

The wireless train really shows its age in this category. They have the same IPX4 weather resistance as the Adidas, which frankly is the minimum level of protection these headphones should come with. Even so, it's a fair rating for the exercise rats of the world as it protects against sweat and splashes.

JBL Sport Wireless Train headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

However, the wireless train has a maximum of 16 hours of playback per charge. The Adidas allows you to get up to 40 hours of battery life before needing to be recharged. Maybe 16 hours of battery for headphones was a solid two years ago. From a 2020 perspective, however, this is far from acceptable when comparable models offer more than twice the battery life.

Despite the battery-related deficiencies, I really appreciated the multifunctional TalkThru button integrated in the Wireless Train. When you press the Under Armor logo on the right ear cup, the music volume is lowered and the surrounding sounds are played. This allows you to have a quick conversation without having to remove the headphones when necessary.

To be clear, these headphones are not active noise-canceling headphones and have decent passive noise isolation at best. Even then, it has proven valuable to me. If you have not already found yourself in this situation, you may not understand how nice it is not to put headphones on your head after talking to a passerby for several seconds on a walk. It's a near impossible maneuver when you're holding the reins of a small pack of dogs, and luckily I didn't have to get by on the wireless train.

Pressing the Under Armor logo on the right auricle lowers the music volume and plays the ambient noise.

Audio quality

Let's throw away the mostly outdated features of the Wireless Train for a second and consider what is still one of the most important aspects of headphones, or at least what should be – how do they actually sound?

JBL Wireless Sport Train headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Because of my intensive listening to both headphones, I have the feeling that the Wireless Train has a clear sound advantage over the Adidas. The RPT-01 featured bass-heavy tracks, but otherwise sounded average when it came to more balanced genres. The included app and equalizer helped solve the problem to some extent, but it was difficult to work around anyway.

The wireless train might not have gotten as deep into the low end as the Adidas could, but they still had solid, refined bass. More importantly, they just filled in the rest of the frequency spectrum better. The wireless train has 40mm drivers with a frequency range of 16-20,000 Hz and is just as powerful as these specifications suggest.

Songs like Dierks Bentley's Burning Man or Red Hot Chili Peppers' By The Way suggested that the Wireless Train could avoid getting muddy or tight. There are better sounding headphones – many of them even – but they were more than adequate for exercise doses.

I caught my breath long enough between workouts to make a few calls on the wireless train. While they weren't exactly meant to throw that part of the experience out of the park, they were fine in terms of maintaining an acceptable level of clarity on both ends of the calls. It could have been better, but as I recently discovered when testing other doses, it could have been far worse.

Our opinion

The UA Sport Wireless Train is far outdated in terms of equipment. That said, the audio quality of these cans has stood the test of time, and that could earn them the occasional spot on the lineup as battle-hardened veterans.

Are there any better alternatives?

I preferred the sound of the Wireless Train, but there is no question that the Adidas RPT-01 has great features, with the battery life being a highlight. For high-quality headphones outside of the sports category, the $ 200 Razer Opus are a personal favorite because of their mix of price, features, and sound quality.

How long will they last?

With a one-year warranty and a seemingly protective carrying case, you don't have to worry about knocking these headphones off after just a few workouts. Keep them charged and they should be everyday fitness equipment.

Should you buy it?

Not at their $ 200 retail price. The Adidas RPT-01 is $ 30 less and is a more valuable purchase for the money. At its current $ 130 discount, I would consider the UA Sport Wireless Train for its exceptional sound quality – if you can live with features that are decidedly out of date.

Editor's recommendations




20 Aug
Blog

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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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.

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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.

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