06 Dec
Blog

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro Review: Style Meets Substance

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro

RRP $ 170.00

"Soundcore's flagship earphones just got better, with ANC and Hi-Res audio."

advantages

  • Excellent sound quality

  • Good noise cancellation

  • Very good transparency

  • Very good call quality

  • Wireless charging

  • LDAC Hi-Res audio

disadvantage

  • A bit bulky

  • Somewhat awkward charging case

Ankers Soundcore audio brand has consistently wowed us with wireless headphones and true wireless earbuds that are impressive value for money. We thought Liberty 2 Pro was an excellent choice last year for $ 150 because it offers great and detailed sound quality. With its newest model, the $ 170 Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro, the brand is taking a giant leap forward with the addition of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, wear sensors, and high-resolution audio via Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec – all features that the Liberty 2 Pro was missing. That's not bad for the $ 20 price tag. Do these additions make the Liberty 3 Pro a breeze for fans of high quality audio? Let's check them out.

Smaller and slimmer

Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro alongside Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro (left) and Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro. Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

As much as we enjoyed the sound of the Liberty 2 Pro, we didn't really love its shape or style. Our reviewer noted that they protruded quite a bit from his head and that “everyone around you is acutely aware of the buds; they are impossible to ignore. ”The Liberty 3 Pro are significantly slimmer. They're still hard to ignore, but this time around, it's in a good way. The highly polished exterior of our Fog Gray tester looks like jewelry rather than a plastic audio accessory.

Soundcore has replaced the tiny, difficult-to-use physical buttons on the Liberty 2 Pro with touch controls that also help keep the earbuds in place. Instead of squeezing it between your thumb and forefinger, you can just type.

The silicone ear wings or wingtips have also been improved. With the Liberty 2 Pro, I found it too soft to really offer additional security. But the 3 Pro's wingtips are sturdier and wedge deeper into the folds of my ears. Soundcore also offers an excellent selection of wingtips and earplugs – each in four sizes.

A case for better ergonomics

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

One of the coolest features of the Liberty 2 Pro – the sliding lid of the wireless charging case – returns to the Liberty 3 Pro and is just as satisfying to use. The mechanism lets you slide the lid open and closed with one hand and I guarantee you will play with it like a fidget toy even when you don't need the earbuds.

What has unfortunately also returned is the awkward orientation of the earbuds inside the case. There's just no way you can pull it out and put it in your ear in one continuous motion – god knows I've tried. It's just as awkward to put back when you're done. Something about the alignment they need to be in when carrying them compared to the way they need to be placed in the bag goes against every instinct in your brain as to how it should work.

But what the case lacks in ergonomics it makes up for in style. Although it's bigger than many charging cases, its perfectly smooth, rounded contours sit comfortably in the hand, and when you slide the lid open, you'll be treated to a light show of the embedded LEDs – the Liberty 3 Pro looks like it's from an imaginary one Science fiction future.

Sublime sound

Man with Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I had the opportunity to try several Soundcore products: The Life Q30 ANC headphones, Liberty 2 Pro, Liberty Air 2 Pro and Life P3. Each one far exceeded my expectations considering the other products that you can buy at similar prices. The Liberty 3 Pro are no exception and deliver beautiful, powerful sound that will suit whatever genre of music you want them to offer. Its dual driver architecture, which combines a dynamic driver for the low frequencies with a balanced armature driver for the mids and highs, works like a charm.

The bass response is excellent. The Liberty 2 Pro also offered powerful bass, but the 3 Pro makes this more controlled. If you listen to The Doors' Dolby Atmos Music version of Riders On The Storm, you can feel the deep roar of the bass line at the start of the track, but at no point does it interfere with the jingling notes of Ray Manzarek's Rhodes piano that seem to fly completely weightless through the air. In the very highest registers there is a slight tendency to hiss, but thanks to the huge number of EQ presets and manual adjustments of the Soundcore app, it is possible to switch this back down if it bothers you.

The HearID feature, which was designed to match the earbuds to your specific hearing profile, actually worked for me – a surprise as I haven't had much luck with digital enhancements like this in the past. Turning it on gave me a much needed boost in certain frequencies and I enjoyed the way it changed the sound. Your mileage may vary.

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Soundcore contains a simulated 3D surround setting in its app. While this improves the feeling of space, it also undermines the sound and cannot compete with a real Dolby Atmos track.

The hardest part of the Liberty 3 Pro to judge is its hi-res wireless audio made possible by the inclusion of Sony's LDAC Bluetooth codec. In doing so, Soundcore chose to ditch the Liberty 2 Pro's aptX, but I think it's an acceptable compromise.

If you listen to a very high quality recording in a quiet room, you can notice an extra level of smoothness and depth.

By the way, if you want to use this function, it must first be activated in the Soundcore app, otherwise it will not be recognized by Android devices as LDAC-enabled headphones. It's also worth noting that iPhones don't support LDAC.

My experience with LDAC is that it can bring about improvements in audio quality. But the difference is incredibly subtle, even with very high quality headphones and when streaming 24-bit lossless tracks from a service like Amazon Music. This is the case with the Liberty 3 Pro. In a perfectly quiet room, while listening to a very high quality recording, you can notice an extra level of smoothness and depth – as if someone had carefully trimmed the sharp points, giving you a more natural sounding signature. Or, you may not even notice the difference.

Given that turning on LDAC significantly affects battery life (4.5 hours when turned on versus 8 hours when turned off) and prevents the Liberty 3 Pro from connecting to a second Bluetooth device (more on that later), maybe it's just not worth it to you

Not very calm

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

ANC makes a good addition to any set of true wireless earbuds, but not all ANC systems are created equal. In the case of soundcore, it has yet to master the art of complete silence. I found the same situation with the Liberty 3 Pro as the company's Liberty Air 2 Pro: ANC definitely reduces external noise, but when you're not playing music you will hear a slight hiss. Is it a deal breaker? No, but if you're buying a set of ANC earbuds to silence the world so you can think or sleep, you should probably look into other options like the Bose QuietComfort earbuds, Jabra Elite 7 Pro, or the Technics EAH-AZ60.

Transparency mode, on the other hand, can be very effective, especially if you turn on the Singing Mode option, which is great for hearing voices, including your own.

Thanks to the HearID feature of the Soundcore app, there are some interesting tweaks to both settings, but I didn't find a huge difference.

Good call

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro scope of delivery.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Liberty 3 Pro's multiple microphones do a really good job of recording your voice for calls. It's a full, natural, and resonant sound that – under optimal circumstances – is as good or better than what your phone's microphone can do.

That changes a bit when things get loud around you. Interestingly, your callers may never even hear these other sounds because the ambient noise cancellation is great. But since the software is working overtime to mask these noises, it also goes a little overboard and creates a noticeable warble in your voice. This compression can be extreme at times. Still, find a relatively quiet place and you should be able to hear your callers loud and clear without any problems.

Go the distance

Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The battery life of six hours on a single charge (24 hours with charging case) is more than sufficient if you leave ANC switched on. This jumps to 8/32 when switched off. Those are numbers that put the Liberty 3 Pro on par with some of the best ANC earbuds, and give them a healthy edge over the AirPods Pro.

If you run out of juice, a 15-minute quick charge in the case gives you three hours more time, which is great: Most competitors only get an additional hour on a 10-minute charge.

Extras

Soundcore doesn't skimp on bells and whistles. You can customize the touch controls with full freedom to select every function and gesture on both earbuds – even the volume that the Liberty 2 Pro lacked. There's a fit test to help you determine the correct size earbuds, and you can decide whether or not you want the wearing sensors to automatically pause your music when you remove an earbud.

Each earbud can be used independently for both calls and music, and as previously mentioned, you can pair the Liberty 3 Pro with two devices at the same time – a great convenience for people who and don't routinely have to switch between their computer and phone do want to dive into their settings every time.

After all, an IPX4 rating for water resistance means that you should withstand a very sweaty workout or a rainy run without any problems.

Our opinion

While the Liberty 3 Pro are still more powerful than many other true wireless earbuds, they are easy to recommend, with great sound quality, capable ANC, and tons of useful and practical features.

Is there a better alternative?

At $ 170, Soundcore has an interesting niche for that Liberty 3 Pro. If you spend a little more – let's say $ 200 – you can get that Jabra Elite 7 Prowhich, in this reviewer's opinion, are a perfect set of earbuds. They're smaller, more comfortable, and have better ANC performance, but I'm not sure they sound quite as dynamic as the Libertys. And ironically, they currently lack Bluetooth multipoint, a signature Jabra feature, while the Liberty 3 Pro does.

Spend a little less – let's say $ 150 – and you can get it Technology EAH-AZ40, with fantastic sound quality, but very few frills. There's no wireless charging, no ANC, and no advanced bluetooth codecs.

How long will they last?

Hard to say about true wireless earbuds, but the Liberty 3 Pro have a few things that should help with their longevity: A good starting battery life of 8 hours (this tends to decline as the earbuds age), 18 Months warranty and an IPX4 rating for water protection. If you care for them, they should last for many years.

Should you buy it?

Yes sir. They are great value for money in a range of true wireless noise canceling earbuds.

Editor's recommendations



01 Jul
Blog

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 Review: Elegant Style, Big Bass Sound

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds in their charging case.

"The PI5 is sleek and stylish and offers an alternative to white plastic earphones."

  • Simple, elegant design

  • Comfortable

  • Wireless charging

  • Effective ANC

  • Wear sensors

  • Full, rich sound

  • Cumbersome transparency controls

  • No EQ settings

  • No adjustment of the control

  • Some bluetooth connection problems

It took Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) longer than expected to launch its first true wireless earbuds, but they're finally here: the $ 400 flagship PI7 and the downward model PI5, which costs $ 250. The sleek looking earbuds came out at a crucial time when most brands are already working on their second, third, or even fourth generation products after years of learning and making improvements. Can B&W get in with a first-gen product at a great price and compete with established companies like Sony, Bose, Jabra and JBL?

I put the B&W PI5 through its paces.

What's in the box?

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones and Accessories.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Not only is B&W a little late for the real wireless party, but it also seems to have missed the memo on sustainable packaging. Although the box is relatively small, it has embedded magnets, foam pads, and fully coated surfaces that make recycling difficult, if not impossible.

Inside you will find the PI5 already in its charging case, two additional sizes of earplugs, some paper documents and a generously long USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Unfortunately, B&W failed to add a USB-A to USB-C adapter for those of us who don't have a readily available USB-C port or charger.

The earbuds manage to look smaller in your ear than other earbuds thanks to their terraced shape.

design

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds in their charging case.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

B&W has a flair for sophisticated designs. Whether it's the company's PX7 full-size headphones or the Formation wireless speakers, it's all about sleek elegance. The PI5 shares this design language with smooth lines and subtle accents such as the spiral texture on the outer touch control surface and an aluminum ring with the B&W brand.

Thanks to their terraced shape, the earbuds look smaller in your ear than on the Sony WF-1000XM4, Jabra Elite 85t and JBL Tour Pro +.

They can be easily removed from their wireless charging case and the case's magnets are just the right strength to hold the earphones precisely in place – don't worry about incorrectly aligned charging contacts.

The lid of the case can be opened and closed easily and easily and the large LED display on the front allows you to quickly check the charging status as well as the status of the buds when docked.

The case is just small enough to put in your pocket. The only catch with the otherwise beautiful design is the plastic selection chosen by B&W for the case: Even after unpacking the case, the case was covered with fingerprints and the factory condition could not be restored even by careful polishing with a soft cloth.

They don't look like that, but the PI5 are IP54 certified for good dust resistance and moderate water resistance. However, the case is not protected against dust or water, so you should clean the earbuds before replacing them.

Comfort, controls and connections

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5's sleek lines don't suggest a lot of comfort, but I found them very comfortable. The inner part of the earplugs is gently curved, while the outer part sits in the concha, where it, together with the silicone earplugs, holds the earplugs in position.

You want to move quickly from hearing nothing to hearing as much as possible. But there is simply no way to do that.

They may not be entirely safe for high energy workouts, but I think most people will find them suitable for their daily treadmill or treadmill routine.

As with most touch controls, there are times when typing on the PI5 has not been registered, but B&W includes a feedback tone so you know when you typed correctly. There's no way to change the gestures – you get play / pause, answer / end call, skip forward / back tracks, and access to the voice assistant. The volume control needs to be done on the phone (or you can ask Siri / Google Assistant to do it).

There's also the option to toggle active noise cancellation with a tap-and-hold gesture on the left earbud, but I'm not crazy about it. In my opinion, the opposite of ANC on is not ANC off, but transparency mode on. You want to move quickly from not hearing the outside world to hearing as much as possible. But there is simply no way to do that. To switch from ANC (on or off) to transparency you need to use a control buried in the B&W Headphones app.

Bowers & Wilkins headphone app with ANC control.

Bowers & Wilkins headphone app with advanced settings.

Oddly enough, it is possible to have both ANC and Transparency mode enabled at the same time, which makes no sense at all. This is a major oversight that the company will hopefully fix with a firmware update as soon as possible.

The PI5 are equipped with wear sensors (which can be disabled in the app) and they are very accurate, pausing and resuming the music almost immediately when you remove or replace an earbud.

When testing the B&W PI7, we noticed some pretty flaky Bluetooth connections, but the PI5 were mostly reliable. Your wireless range is perfectly acceptable when you have your phone with you: 35 feet outside and 6 feet or so inside, but if you need to roam more, you're likely to experience dropouts.

I had a couple of glitches getting the PI5 to reconnect after putting it back in its case. It often took a few moments for the earbuds to turn on and then another five to 10 seconds to reconnect to my phone.

Once the earphones switched off the microphone part of the connection without warning. About halfway through a recording, they just stopped working and I had no idea until I played the recording.

On some tracks, the lower mid-range may sound a little distorted.

On the plus side, the PI5 can remember the last four paired devices, and the app lets you choose which of them to try first when you pull the earbuds out of their cases (or you can choose "last paired" as the default). You can also use each earbud independently.

Sound quality

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds are worn.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5 has a very forward-looking sound signature that gives the music a warm, rich, and full reproduction. That bass really lets you feel the dark sounds of a track like Hans Zimmer's Time, but it lacks the subtlety of Sony's WF-1000XM4 that can better bring out the little nuances.

The challenge here is that B&W does not offer any EQ adjustments within the app. On some tracks, like Dominique Fils-Aimés Home, where deep acoustic bass and drums are accompanied by sultry vocals, the lower mids can sound a bit distorted. This becomes more noticeable as you turn up the volume. It's not a deal breaker, and despite the lack of low-end precision, there is excellent clarity in the upper mids and highs, which makes the vocal performance really enjoyable.

The PI5 are equipped with Qualcomm's aptX Bluetooth codec, which is said to offer slightly better performance than AAC, but I couldn't make out any difference when switching back and forth between an iPhone 11 (AAC) and a Google Pixel 5 (aptX). .

For less expensive earbuds, I'd probably overlook this, but at $ 250, the PI5 stands up against great audio performers like the $ 200 Sennheiser CX 400BT, $ 230 Jabra Elite 85t, and $ 230 KEF MU3, the all have excellent frequency separation.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earphones.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The PI5's active noise cancellation is very good. It was able to completely block the noise from my loud bathroom fan from six feet away, and it also adapted well to traffic and construction site noise as I walked through my neighborhood. It's actually a remarkable feat considering the earbuds only have two microphones. Most of the ANC earbuds that do this good require three microphones.

When melodies are not playing you can only make out a tiny hiss, but it's insignificant and easily ignored.

The transparency mode, which you can fine-tune to let in more or less sound, is very good too, but doesn't quite match the AirPods Pro's creepy ability to make it seem like you're not wearing any earbuds at all.

As I said above, the big problem is not being able to switch between ANC and transparency quickly and easily.

Battery life

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earbud Charging Case.

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 True Wireless Earbud Charging Case.

B&W states a battery life of 4.5 hours per charge for the earphones with the ANC switched on, which can be extended by another 20 hours with the charging case for about 24.5 hours of use before a cord or wireless charger is required. The PI5 is on par with the AirPods Pro, but is still at the lower end of the range of current true wireless earbuds.

In testing, I found these numbers a bit optimistic. With the ANC switched on and the volume set to 50%, I only have a little more than four hours of playing time.

However, there is a quick charge function that could help with range anxiety: 15 minutes in the sockets gives two hours of additional gaming time.

Call quality

Bowers & Wilkins PI5 true wireless earbuds are worn.Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

I found the PI5 did a good job of canceling out background noise during a call. Some wind noise wasn't a problem either. But B&W may need to increase the gain on the microphones – my voice sometimes sounded a bit far away.

You can switch to transparency mode (from within the app) during a call, which really helps you hear your own voice more clearly.

I'm just not sure what to make of the microphone dropout issue mentioned above. If that happened all the time during phone calls, it would become a major nuisance.

Extras

In the B&W Headphones app you will find a number of six “soundscapes” such as waves or forest noises, all of which can be set with a timer to help you fall asleep. These might be helpful for getting 40 winks while flying, but I doubt most people will want to wear these earbuds to bed.

Our opinion

The PI5 brings B & W's famous elegance and sophistication to the true world of wireless earbuds, but a few weaknesses keep them from usurping the ruling brands at this price point.

Is there a better alternative?

At the same price as the PI5, Apple's AirPods Pro provide a better overall experience for everything but sound quality. They are smaller, more comfortable, and have better ANC and transparency modes.

For a non-Apple alternative, that's $ 230 Jabra Elite 85t are superb, with better sound quality, better battery life, lots of customization options, and more useful and effective ANC and transparency modes.

For even more savings, try the $ 199 JBL Tour Pro + – their bass isn't as powerful, but just as good or better than the PI5 in every other way.

How long will they last?

B&W backs the PI5 with a two-year warranty that's twice the average for true wireless earbuds. They look very well made and with their IP54 protection class should withstand most activities unscathed. My only concern is the battery. All batteries lose capacity over time, so it's not ideal for your earbuds to last for 4.5 hours or less – this can easily drop to just two hours after a year or two of regular use.

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you can overcome your cumbersome ANC / transparency controls, the B&W PI5 offers a very stylish and sonorous alternative to the current noise-canceling true wireless earbuds.

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.

montblanc mb01 headphones rating 1 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-1-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

montblanc mb01 headphones rating 2 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-2-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

montblanc mb01 headphones rating 3 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-3-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

montblanc mb01 headphones rating 4 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-4-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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.

montblanc mb01 headphones rating 10 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn6.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-10-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

montblanc mb01 headphones rating 7 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn7.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-7-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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.

montblanc mb01 headphones rating 9 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn8.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-9-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

montblanc mb01 headphones review 5 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn9.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/montblanc-mb01-headphones-review-5-640x640. jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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




27 Aug
Blog

Beats Solo3 Headphones Review: Style Leads The Way

Beats Solo3 rating headphones Solo 3 8

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

  • Multiple color options

  • Great battery life

  • Strong compatibility with Apple products

  • Bad bass

  • Tight fit leads to hearing fatigue

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

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

What's in the box?

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

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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

Build and design

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

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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

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

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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

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

Beats Solo3 Review headphones Solo 3 5 "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-solo3-headphones-review-solo- 3 -5-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

suggests solo3 review headphones solo 3 4 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-solo3-headphones-review-solo- 3 -4-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAAJaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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

Compatibility and battery

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

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

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

The battery life of the Solo3 headphones is very good.

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

Audio quality

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

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

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Our opinion

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

Are there any better alternatives?

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

How long will they last?

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

Should you buy it?

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

Editor's recommendations




17 Aug
Blog

Pantheone I Speaker Review: Sonos Smarts with Style

Pantheon loudspeaker rating 7

"The Pantheone I is an exceptional speaker for both your eyes and your ears."

  • Excellent audio quality

  • Connected: Bluetooth, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm and AirPlay

  • Unique design

  • Supports high definition audio

  • Easy to use and set up

  • Expensive

  • Imperfect app experience

When I asked the founder of Pantheone about his upcoming networked home speaker system, I saw a passion in him for creating something that many have tried and few have achieved: a home audio system that looks as good as it sounds. I have to take his side – most speaker systems are inherently ugly because they are nothing but functional. Most of the time, we just want to hide them (which is an important factor we consider when checking sound bars, for example).

The Pantheone I is not a speaker that anyone will try to hide. But does it sound like $ 2,200 and does it have the brain we expect in 2020? Let's go through it.

Unpack the giant

I feel bad for the delivery guy who pulled the 60 pound Pantheone box up a flight of stairs to my front door.

It was just as massive as I expected. The speaker itself was secure in foam in one box, in another box, wrapped in plastic, and held together with shipping tape and thick cardboard bumpers. I was kind of horrified at how much packaging was scattered around my living room. That is much. Pantheone won't score any points here on sustainability, but I'll say the product made it all the way to me with no flaws.

You can see the packaging carnage spread from my dining room to my living room. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The first thing you see when you open the inner box is a small zippered pocket that contains two white gloves. I am assuming that it is a "service with white gloves". I found the inclusion of these gloves cute and branded, but also pretty goofy and funny as I have never experienced a white gloved service that I actually had to attend. As silly as they are, I appreciate them as the Pantheone unit can fingerprint and the gloves that came with it were definitely helpful in mitigating this while I got them to their final location.

Aside from being wrapped in foam, the Pantheone comes in a silk-like bag that, while nice to the touch, feels a bit free. It's not that I plan to box this speaker up and take it with me everywhere.

The Pantheone is powered by a standard power cord, but is strangely short for a home speaker. If you don't have electrical outlets in your floor, four feet of cord won't be enough for most people to bring the device to a central location in the living room. We plebeians with only a few sockets per room will most likely need an extension cord. My black speaker also came with a white cord that stands out a lot more than black on my hardwood floors. I wish Pantheone had included both colors in the box to give me more flexibility.

The power connector and the physical on / off switch are located on the underside of the device. Since there is also a touch-sensitive power switch on the top of the device, I'm not entirely sure why this physical switch is needed at all. It might have something to do with the power converter that I'm sure is wrapped up here (since the cable doesn't have a transformer) but that's just my guess.

Physical controls

The Pantheone I is a smart speaker like a Sonos or Amazon Echo. Hence, you need to set up a few minutes to use it. Just like Sonos, this process is thankfully quick and painless. When you turn on the Pantheone, a pleasant voice informs you that it is waiting to pair and downloads the app to get it started. Once downloaded, the Pantheone app will immediately search for the speaker and guide you through a simple process to connect it to your home's WiFi. No more than 30 seconds later, everything is set up and ready to use.

Setup is thankfully quick and painless.

The top gives you basic music controls like volume, play / pause, and skip. However, since there is no screen, you'll have to rely on a second device to broadcast the speaker content (in the same way as Sonos). I rarely use these controls mounted above because you can do everything they can and more from your phone or computer.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Since the buttons don't physically click, a chime will sound every time you press a button to confirm your command. This can get annoying when adjusting the volume as it disrupts the sound of your music. Nitpicky, I know.

Easy on the eyes

A section of a review that deals with the look of a product is pretty unusual to us, but remember: this isn't just a speaker, it's art.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I've shown the Pantheone to a number of friends and colleagues and received a fairly polarizing series of responses about its design. One of my associate editors called it hideous and refused to spend more than a few seconds looking at it. My wife likes it and thinks that if our house were not designed in a French country house style, but modern or modern, it would look fantastic. One of my co-workers said it looked like alien eggs. Another said it looked "majestic".

The upper speaker array contains a tweeter and midrange driver, while the lower one contains a subwoofer. The same arrangement is repeated on the other side. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

I think they are all correct. Art is meant to be subjective, and what appeals to me may not necessarily appeal to you. I think we can all agree that the Pantheone looks most unusual for a speaker. If you like the lines it draws and can see it in your home, that's all that matters.

App and integration

With Spotify labels all over the Pantheone box and manuals, it's clearly the streaming platform of choice for this speaker. Fortunately, the Spotify experience is fabulous too and is on par with the experience you would expect with Sonos. Regardless of which platform Spotify is open on, you can instantly see that music is being streamed to the Pantheone, and you also have full control of the Spotify platform. Hence, the Spotify experience with this speaker is the best.

Although several other services are supported, their integration is not necessarily as good. TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Apple Music, Tidal, and Napster are all directly supported, but I found that the Tidal experience wasn't that optimized. Unlike Sonos, Tidal doesn't seem to be fully integrated. While you can stream master tracks (which Pantheone supports) by logging into Tidal through the Pantheone app, the Pantheone won't show up as a supported source when using the Tidal app on your phone or computer.

Granted, Sonos doesn't seem as connected to Tidal as it is to Spotify, at least as far as the desktop app is concerned. My Sonos Move doesn't appear as a source in the desktop app, but it does appear in the mobile app. Pantheon does not appear either.

Review of the Pantheon speakers 8 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pantheone-speaker-review-8-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7The start screen has plenty of room to grow. Up to 8 Pantheone devices can be connected. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Rating of the Pantheon loudspeaker 9 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pantheone-speaker-review-9-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Easy access to multiple music sources. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Rating of the Pantheon loudspeaker 10 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pantheone-speaker-review-10-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP//yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7The turntable spins while the music is playing, which is cute. Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The Pantheone app gives you access to all offers of a music streaming service. So, if you don't mind using Pantheone's user interface, you have no problem here. However, I have found that whenever you put your phone to sleep, the Pantheone app seems to forget the connection and has to spend a few seconds reconnecting each time. Music continues to play without interruption, but it is not a perfect user experience. In addition, you can only control the volume of the Pantheone I from your phone when the app is open (e.g. from the lock screen as you can when using the Spotify app).

The Pantheone I works with AirPlay, but there is a delay of more than a second when you select a new track, pause a track, or even adjust the volume on your phone. This feels like something that can be ironed out with a firmware update and I hope they do because it's annoying enough that I stopped using AirPlay with the Pantheone at all.

Software is usually the biggest hurdle for companies that even make great hardware to leap successfully. So I'm going to loosen up Pantheone a bit here, especially since this is the company's first product.

The Alexa integration works perfectly. When you speak to him, the lighted upper control buttons will turn dark blue to indicate your voice has been heard and will flicker when starting a command. It's sufficiently visible and better integrated than I've seen on most other Alexa-enabled devices.

There is currently no way to adjust the Pantheone's EQ values ​​to your personal preferences (except for Spotify on mobile devices, when there is a direct connection via a 3.5 mm jack). However, this feature will be available for the app at a later date.

Room-filling noise

If a giant $ 2,200 speaker didn't sound great, we'd have a problem. Fortunately, there is no problem here – the Pantheone produces extraordinary sound. The multi-level driver layout and two-sided design result in a truly wonderful audio projection that transmits rooms through and through with incredible fidelity. While other speakers I've tested require more than one unit to get a strong sense of immersive sound, the Pantheone achieves this from a single monolithic egg.

For a company's first product, the Pantheone is shocking, incredibly good.

Personally, I love the sound quality of professional studio monitors as opposed to the processed sound that can be achieved with more consumer-centric headphones. It is usually more neutral in quality and clean, with even emphasis across the frequency spectrum. With that in mind, the Pantheone is like a pair of fabulous over-ear studio monitors for your entire room. Every detail of every note is clear, beautifully rendered, and danced through your living space.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

The highs are beautifully balanced with the mids, and the bass is strong but not overwhelming. High definition audio streams from Tidal highlight the effect. For example, in some songs where the bass is much more important, it will get a boost. In other cases, when it falls behind so as not to overwhelm the other channels. If you've ever wondered how a musician wanted their music to be heard and you trust Tidal to get all this information in their master tracks, then you know the Pantheone stays true to that sound.

If a giant $ 2,200 speaker didn't sound great, we'd have a problem. Fortunately there is no problem here.

Most impressively, the Pantheone maintains a balanced EQ regardless of volume. From soft background music to window-shaking maximum power, I never had the feeling that what I was hearing wasn't exactly perfect as the music was supposed to sound like. This level of control is unusual and extraordinary.

Jaron Schneider / Digital Trends

Basically there aren't any other speakers like the Pantheone I, but if we had to compare, we'd immediately look at Sonos, Bose, Amazon, and Bluesound as they are the only other big brands making connected home music solutions. You may also want to consider Phantom, although personally I have no previous experience with their product.

I took a Sonos Move and put it next to the Pantheone to hear the difference in sound quality. I did the same with a bluesound soundbar that I praised for its musical chops. Totally unfair, I know, but I was curious as the Move is considered a great speaker and I liked the bluesound bar.

Side by side, the Pantheone blows them both out of the water – as it should. Where there's a cloudy, cloudy mix where highs, mids, and lows cross on the Sonos, each one was rendered clearly and beautifully on the Pantheone. The bluesound soundbar also didn't achieve the same level of sparkling detail and balance and was much weaker in the lows. It was absolutely not a fair fight, but know that when you throw serious coins at the Pantheone, the price of the system isn't just for looks and connectivity: this thing can really sing.

Our opinion

The Pantheone is incredibly expensive, and that's its biggest flaw. It pains me that the vast majority of those who read this review will never personally experience the audio quality of this speaker because they will never see or hear one in person. Not only is it a beautifully designed speaker aesthetically, but also from an integrated as well as an auditory point of view. For a company's first product, the Pantheone is shocking, incredibly good. We hope the company can make additional products that are more accessible to the average person as it clearly has the capabilities to compete with Sonos' Goliath.

Is there a better alternative?

As I mentioned earlier, there really is no other product like the Pantheone I. There are expensive high-fidelity speakers like the Devialet Phantom that we have looked at in the past that are possibly the closest thing to a direct competitor (though I did haven't personally tested). Or, you can buy a Sonos 5 or the Bose Home Speaker 500, which are much cheaper than the Phantom or the Pantheone but pale compared to the audio quality. But Pantheone markets its speaker as a work of art in addition to a home speaker solution and stands alone in this area.

How long it will take?

The Pantheone I is incredibly well built and made of resin, not traditional plastic. Backed by regular firmware updates and a great 2 year warranty, I expect the Pantheone I to perform wonderfully for years to come.

Should you buy it?

If you can afford to save $ 2,200 on a home speaker solution and your décor matches the Pantheone's unique design, I would emphatically say yes. The Pantheone I is extremely expensive, but I'm confident that you can enjoy it while playing music as well as not playing it.

Editor's recommendations




01 Aug
Blog

Vanmoof S3 Review: Premium Style At An Affordable Price

vanmoof s3 rating rear profile 1

"The Vanmoof S3 is equipped with excellent technology at a medium price and absolutely great as a bonus."

  • Eye-catching design

  • Useful app

  • Integrated lights and fenders

  • Smooth automatic transmission

  • Excellent brakes

  • Lower power assist levels are not helpful

  • Feels bulky when driving

  • The battery cannot be removed for charging

Vanmoof was way ahead of the curve when its Dutch founders, the Carlier brothers, founded the company in 2009. Maybe ahead of the curve. Electric bicycles were treated as a novelty in 2009. However, their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. I regularly ate the dust of a Vanmoof enthusiast on my evening walk out of the office – back when it was still that way.

Now Vanmoof has a couple of news bikes at his disposal, just like everyone is looking for a way to explore our new, socially distant, outdoor lifestyle. I tried the more conventional Vanmoof S3, which sells just under $ 2,000 for just one hair. It has a sibling, the Vanmoof X3, with smaller tires and a frame that is easier to step over, but most of the other components are identical between the two.

The start time of the S3 could hardly be better, but it has a lot of competition. Every major bicycle manufacturer is now represented in the e-bike arena, and some offer over a dozen models. Can Vanmoof keep his lead?

design

One thing is certain, a Vanmoof is unmistakable. The company's design revolves around a thick, straight center tube that extends across the wheels at each end of the frame. It is a look that is classic and modern at the same time.

This is a classic bike for modern life.

Vanmoof keeps an eye on this important property by minimizing all other distractions. Like the company's other motorcycles, the Vanmoof S3 is painted in either matt black or blue and has almost no branding. It's a snappy, sleek design that fits the purpose of the S3 directly. This is a classic bike for modern life.

That doesn't mean that the Vanmoof S3 is without peer. The Gazelle Ultimate T10 is a personal favorite thanks to its combination of ultra-modern sensitivity and easy passage practicality. The new Vado SL from Specialized is also very attractive. Nevertheless, Vanmoof absolutely has the Trek and Giant bicycles that look more like improved bicycles than like specially built e-bikes.

The S3 is equipped as standard with front and rear fenders as well as front and rear lights. It's a big deal, especially for an e-bike that sells for $ 2,000. It's not uncommon for e-bikes in the S3 price range to throw one or both fenders overboard. Although the lighting is usually standard, it is often not as attractive or bright as that of the Vanmoof. If you buy the Vanmoof X3, which has smaller wheels and a less conventional frame, you will also get a built-in luggage rack for carrying small items.

Assembly and initial setup

While Vanmoof has a few dealers, its network is tiny. You will probably order online. Bicycles are large, heavy objects and can be difficult to assemble.

The company does everything it can to alleviate this anger. Open the box and you will immediately find detailed assembly instructions next to a toolbox that contains everything you need to assemble the bike. There's even a handy pull cord that allows you to slide the bike out horizontally instead of lifting it out vertically.

This does not mean that assembly is child's play. I cut myself when my hand slipped as I tightened an uncomfortable plastic clip that holds the front motor cable securely to the frame. However, the overall difficulty is no greater than assembling an Ikea chest of drawers. If you can handle it, you can handle it.

After assembly, setting up the app is easy. Simply download it to your phone, create an account and the bike will automatically connect. It worked seamlessly and I never had a problem with the app connecting to the bike.

technology

The app is probably the actual heading function of Vanmoof. While many competitors technically have apps, they are often simple and buggy. Vanmoof's app, on the other hand, is great. It provides ride summaries, allows you to adjust bike settings, shows the current location of the bike, and provides access to support topics, among other things.

I found that the bike's Bluetooth range is not particularly good. If the app is kept in my garage, it will lose connection to the bike as soon as I leave the room. Other Bluetooth devices I own have no problem communicating across multiple walls. I think Vanmoof could do better.

The bike doesn't have an LCD display, and instead uses a sophisticated LED grid to show speed, battery life, and other information on the center tube. Vanmoof calls this a matrix display. It is a unique touch that makes the design of the bike more coherent. The matrix display is bright and always easy to read, even on a sunny summer afternoon at noon. Oh, and if you want a laptop to go with the bike, check out the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.

It is the combination of the app with this matrix display that distinguishes this bike in everyday use. Most e-bikes have a small black and white LCD screen and are controlled via buttons or twist grips. This is effective, but simple. Instead, Vanmoof only uses the matrix display for important information and transfers the most control over the bike to the app.

This speaks for the focus of the bike on errands and the way to work. It is built so that you can drive with everything you normally carry and to places that you would otherwise reach by car or transit. Using the app is great in this regard, as your phone is always in your pocket and you stop frequently. Your phone's display is much brighter and easier to use than any LCD you find on an e-bike.

Anti-theft device

Vanmoof bicycles have built-in anti-theft technology. This includes a lock for the rear hub, an alarm, and an optional paid service that promises to track down and replace the stolen bike if it can't be found.

The lock is activated by aligning a mark on the hub with the same mark on the rear chain guard and then pressing a button near the dropout of the rear frame. After locking, an alarm sounds when the rear wheel of the bike moves.

It works as advertised, although I wouldn't trust it. The alarm could be louder and a thief could pick up and pull the bike away (although its sensitivity would make it difficult to do without triggering the alarm). You should always use a strong lock to secure your bike to a fixed attachment. Still, Vanmoof's alarm is reasonable support that could give opportunistic thieves a break.

Driving impressions

If the Vanmoof S3's commuter-friendly design isn't already obvious, you will surely feel it when you get on your bike for the first time. The relaxed frame and the retracted handlebars of the bike offer an upright feeling and excellent visibility. As is so often the case with an upright driving position, this comfort comes at the expense of agility. It's an easy bike to turn on a narrow road at low speeds, but it doesn't feel eager or nimble.

The S3 weighs 42 pounds. This is heavier than most conventional bikes, but light for an e-bike. The Specialized Como is 45 pounds, while the Gazelle T10 Ultimate is 51 pounds. The S3 doesn't feel light on the pedals, but your back will love the lightweight frame as you pull the bike up stairs or over a large curb.

Fat tires help the S3 deal with small bumps and potholes without any problems. It's a smooth ride over manicured sidewalks or tightly packed gravel. However, if you encounter large potholes, the rigid frame and lack of suspension on the bike can cause large bumps from the handlebars.

The electric motor of the S3 is attached to the front wheel and delivers power in four stages or can be switched off completely. The lowest power level is worthless, but higher settings are strong. I usually drove around at level three or maximized the performance on paved bike paths. The bike's engine switches off at 32 km / h. This is the maximum speed allowed for a class 1 e-bike like the S3. There are settings that comply with European and Japanese regulations, but as expected, this will make the top speed even lower.

Adrenaline junkies should, however, look elsewhere. The performance is tentative compared to racing options such as the Specialized Vado or the Giant ToughRoad GX E +. While the S3 has a "turbo" button, hitting is only a modest gear and is most useful when you need a little more juice on a steep hill.

While the S3 lacks the thrill, it's supple. The front hub motor pulls with a steady stance. Don't take that for granted. Many e-bikes in the Vanmoof price range, such as the Pedego City Commuter Lite, use a rear wheel hub motor. A rear hub can dramatically shift the balance of a bike backwards, making wheelies a little too easy. The balanced, sophisticated power transmission of the S3 is good for every e-bike and excellent for an e-bike with a price of $ 2,000.

The S3 brakes are activated with a soft, precise feel that creates trust.

The power is transmitted via a chic four-speed automatic transmission. That's right, you don't even have to switch for yourself. Four speeds are not many, and I felt that on steep hills. Nevertheless, I will bring this automatic transmission over the bargain six, seven or eight-speed transmission that can be found in most e-bikes in this price range.

The S3's deceleration is more impressive than its acceleration. The bike has hydraulic disc brakes at the front and rear. While almost all e-bikes have disc brakes, some mid-range bikes have mechanical disc brakes, a setup that can feel chunky or wooden. The S3 brakes are activated with a soft, precise feel that builds trust and prevents too much brake from being accidentally pressed.

Battery life and range

There is a 504 watt-hour battery in the large top tube of the Vanmoof S3. The range is indicated at 37 to 93 miles. In most situations, you are closer to 37 miles than 93 miles.

My most demanding trip was a 23-mile trip with maximum performance on a paved, flat bike path. As a result, almost half of the battery was used up, suggesting that in the mid-1940s I would see the total mileage if I kept going until the battery was empty. I have also made numerous short trips, approximately 10 miles each, at level three. .

These results are typical of a modern e-bike. Most commuters cover short distances (less than 16 km), so the range of the S3 should last for several days, if not a whole week.

You can't just remove the S3's battery (Vanmoof says it can only be removed for maintenance) and charge it away from the bike. This can be impractical if you have a small apartment and want to keep the S3 in a common room.

Our opinion

Vanmoof's S3 is a feature-rich commuter bike that sacrifices little despite a mid-range price of $ 2,000. This bike is an excellent choice if you need a bike for city errands or for daily commuting up to 32 km round trip.

Is there a better alternative?

While the price of $ 2,000 for the Vanmoof S3 appears very high next to the $ 600 you can buy on Amazon, I generally recommend avoiding them. They do their job, but use components that are as inexpensive as possible, which affects longevity. They also tend to have small batteries.

The Propella e-bike is the best affordable alternative. Starting at $ 1,100 for a single gear or $ 1,300 for a seven-gear, this is a less complicated option with a smaller battery and inferior brakes. Still, it's a nice entry-level bike with decent components, and works well for commuting 10 miles or less.

RadPower is another good choice. The brand manufactures a variety of electric bikes that offer excellent value for money, such as the affordable RadRover and its sturdy RadWagon. RadPower is all about function. So you prefer Vanmoof when design and technology are important to you.

The Vanmoof S3 has only a few strong rivals that come very close to its $ 2,000 price tag. Pedego's City Commuter Lite is nowhere near as sophisticated. Trek, Specialized, and Giant tend to go into a higher price range, so their motorcycles, which sell for around $ 2,000, can't usually compete with the Vanmoof.

Don't forget the sibling of the Vanmoof S3, the X3. The motorcycles are similar, but the X3 has smaller wheels, a lower top tube, and an integrated front rack. I would expect the X3 to be even better for short distances and errands in the city, while the S3 would be better for long distances and errands.

How long it will take?

A bike can last a very long time, although e-bikes are limited by the longevity of the battery and the durability of other electronic devices. You should also know that e-bikes require more maintenance than a standard bike. Still, I would expect at least five to ten years of operation, and that could be extended as long as replacement batteries are available.

The bike comes with a three-year warranty against defects, which is not particularly long for an electric bike. Vanmoof has a smaller dealer network than its larger competitors such as Specialized, Trek or Giant. This could make it difficult to find service if you are not near a dealer.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Vanmoof S3 is a mid-range commuter e-bike with an outstanding design and great technical features.

Editor's recommendations




01 May
Blog

Garmin Vivimove Style Review: Smart, Timeless, Quirky

garmin vivimove style review intelligent timeless quirky vivoactive 28

"Garmin does fitness without flash in its subtle Vivomove style."

  • Timeless aesthetics

  • Robust Garmin Connect app

  • Hands move to see statistics

  • HR and Pulsox sensors

  • No buttons

  • Dull AMOLED displays

  • Picky gesture control

Fitness watches usually look clear: chunky, colorful, rubberized. You send a message to the world that you make fitness a priority – or at least that you buy things that make fitness a priority.

For some, sending this message is part of the appeal. I'm the first to admit that putting on a watch that could help me sail around the world makes my day a little more fearless, even if I haven't left my neighborhood for weeks. However, if you're not the type to wear a 26.2 bumper sticker, the Garmin Vivomove Style may be right for you. It promises the entire inner life and the data of a full-fledged fitness tracker and a smartwatch, without the appearance.

When I got my hands on Vivomove Style for the first time, I was shocked at how light it was. With the nylon strap, the watch weighs at least 35 grams. With a case size of 42 x 42 x 11.9 mm, I expected it would be heavier, especially given the technology inside, but the all-aluminum construction is a watch that is the opposite of clunky. While the device I tested had the nylon strap "Black Pepper", the Vivomove Style offers several different options in terms of housing color and strap selection. For those who want to improve the quality a little, there is also a Vivomove Luxe line with stainless steel housings and high-quality strap options.

Deceptive look

At first glance, the face of the Vivomove Style looks incredibly simple. With physical hands and nothing that alludes to intelligent functions, it looks like a simple wristwatch. But these looks are pretty deceptive. The Vivomove Style is a touchscreen. At the top and bottom of the dial are AMOLED displays for displaying customizable data fields. The AMOLED displays are indistinguishable from the dial, so you don't get the usual obvious transition from the screen to the non-screen area, which enables the covert nature of the Vivomove style.

When you move your wrist to bring the watch to your face, the screen lights up with two data fields to take a quick look at some preselected statistics. Gesture control works most of the time and has the option of being completely off, on during an activity, or always on. If it doesn't work, it quickly becomes frustrating. The Garmin Venu had the same problem, but rescue grace was the "always on" option for its AMOLED screen. The Vivomove style does not get this option. You can tap the face twice to wake it up, but it diminishes the undercover nature of the Vivomove style and instead makes it look like you think your watch is broken.

Tapping the top and bottom of the glass made it easier for me to navigate, but it took almost three days to get used to it. Even then, my faucets were sometimes not always registered on the screen, and my once immaculate incognito smartwatch was covered with fingerprints, which drove me crazy. The question really arises, why no buttons? A single button on the side would do a lot to relieve the frustration I was having with the touchscreen. But unfortunately the Vivomove style is buttonless and not better for it.

Once the ads are on, you can swipe to see everything Vivomove Style has to offer. Here the Vivomove Style and the entire Garmin suite shine with tracking capabilities. You will find the usual statistics such as steps, inclines, calorie consumption and heart rate as well as intelligent notifications for iPhone and Android. Anyone familiar with Garmin's metrics will be happy with the automatic goal that learns about your current activity and sets daily goals to drive you forward. Sleep monitoring, intensity minutes, body battery, stress tracking and VO2 max are included as well as monitoring the fluid intake. Because of these metrics, joining the Garmin ecosystem is worthwhile.

The Vivomove Style does a neat party trick to display the data: The hands of the physical clock move to indicate your status, between the different levels of the heart rate zones, the battery etc. This is not really necessary after two weeks of playing Get the Vivomove Style I still get a kick out of the interaction between the physical hands and the AMOLED screens. Of course, this means that the hands of the watch no longer show the time. If this bothers you, you can lock it manually to show the time during an activity versus your heart rate. However, you have to repeat this every time you start a new activity.

Disappointing screen

On Garmin's Venu, the AMOLED displays are something nice. They are a bit boring with the Vivomove style. I'm not sure if it is due to the gap between the touchscreen and the surface of the AMOLED, but it is nowhere near as clear as the Venu. The AMOLED displays also consume more battery than the standard MIP (memory in pixels) display used by other Garmin watches. I had about four days of battery life with daily exercise and I can only wonder how much more life I would have had if Garmin had used different displays.

The Vivomove Style includes a heart rate monitor, a barometric altimeter, an accelerometer and a pulse ox sensor. Instead of your own GPS device, the Vivomove Style relies on the GPS of your smartphone to get location information. This means that the Garmin Connect app needs to be running in the background to get route, distance, and speed information. This makes starting activities like walking, running, cycling, or swimming a bit more cumbersome, as you'll need to pull your phone out when the Connect app isn't running.

Once in an activity, the Vivomove style can track you well with runs like cadence, time, pace and distance timers. In the meantime, strength training activities have a replay counter and swimming has an underwater heart rate monitor. There are a number of other Vivomove-style activity profiles, but none is particularly robust in the metrics provided. The Vivomove style is ideal for training with heart rate zones. However, if you are looking for more detailed data such as swimming stroke analysis, automatic break or training plans, you have to look elsewhere.

Garmin grants a one-year standard warranty on the Vivomove Style, which includes defects, but does not include cosmetic defects such as scratches and dents or accidents.

Our opinion

The Vivomove Style is possibly the most subtle fitness watch you can buy today. But the concessions on styling, including the lack of physical buttons, also make it more difficult to use. The task is largely done through the comprehensive Garmin Connect app, but the user interface could be a little more polished.

Is there a better alternative?

The Fossil Hybrid Smartwatch HR comes closest to the ability of the Garmin and does not have functions such as touchscreen, customizable data fields and the know-how of the Garmin Connect app.

How long it will take?

Garmin products are built to last, and I have no doubt that the Vivomove style can last for at least a few years.

Should you buy it

If you hate the look of standard fitness trackers and smartwatches, yes. The Vivomove Style is a very respectable option, which is strange, but has a large selection of health sensors and a rescue grace in the Garmin Connect app.

Editor's recommendations