30 Aug
Blog

Beats Studio 3 Wireless Review: Who Let The Bass Drop?

Beats Studio 3 Wireless

"A great design suffers from mediocre ANC and a lack of low-end oomph."

  • Excellent design and controls

  • Very convenient

  • Excellent battery life without ANC

  • Easy pairing with Apple products

  • Expensive

  • Overwhelming bass

  • Bad quality wireless calls

When the $ 350 Beats Studio 3 Wireless debuted in 2017, we didn't get a chance to review. If we had done that, we might have come to the same conclusion as other reviewers: These are really decent Active Noise Canceling (ANC) headphones.

In the personal audio world – especially in the world of wireless headphones – three years is an eternity. During that time, Sony, Bose, and pretty much every other major brand have launched new top-of-the-line wireless ANC headphones – two new top-of-the-line models in Sony's case – while Beats was content to keep everything running on the Beats Studio to let 3 wireless.

Given the activity of the competition, can Beats justify the Studio 3's high price tag? Or were these beats struck?

Let's take a look.

What's in the box?

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Beats Studio 3 Wireless "class =" m-Karussell - Bild dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/beats-studio-3-wireless-2-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Beats Studio 3 Wireless are large headphones and come in a large box. Fortunately, it's 100% cardboard and you won't find any hard-to-recycle materials like foam or plastic inside.

In addition to the Studio 3 headphones, you get a zippered hard case, a micro USB charging cable, and a 3.5mm analog audio cable with an in-line set of remote control buttons and a microphone.

Beats also throws in a small snap hook in case you want to attach the tote to a backpack or purse.

design

I'll be honest: I've never been a huge fan of the earliest designs from Beats, with their shiny white, red, or black headbands. It always seemed to me that they should draw attention to those who wore them – not something I'm looking for.

However, the Studio 3 comes in a variety of colors, including the blue of my review unit – a shade that is only slightly lighter than the navy and has a satin finish. It's tasteful and muted, with little chrome accents on the hinges and earcups to remind you that these aren't $ 80 headphones.

The best thing about the Studio 3 Wireless, however, is the fully integrated headband and earcups. This design is unique to Beats and gives these headphones a sleek and minimalist look. It also creates a very slim profile, reducing the “Princess Leia effect” to a minimum.

This theme of visual simplicity continues into the controls, which are virtually invisible. In the left auricle there is play / pause, call acceptance / end, forward / backward jump and access to the voice assistant via the central "b" logo, while the volume is controlled via the plastic ring that circles the logo.

The only other control is the tiny power switch on the right auricle, which doubles as a power supply, bluetooth pairing and ANC on / off. Directly below this button is a five-LED light strip that serves as a quick reference for the remaining battery life.

Like many full-size headphones, the Studio 3 folds up for storage, but the ear cups don't rotate to lie flat. This makes them a bit bulky and explains why the snap hook is included – the hard travel case is bulbous and easy to slip into a backpack only if you have plenty of extra space. Despite the fact that the ear cups don't lie flat, the Studio 3 is more comfortable when worn around the neck than many over-ear models I've tried – here, too, their minimalist design helps.

The Studio 3 manages the balancing act with a fit that is both very secure and very comfortable.

My only minor criticism of the design of these cans is the padded underside of the headband. It's covered with a grippy silicone rubber surface that prevents the Studio 3 from moving. However, this material is a dust and dirt magnet that needs to be wiped off regularly with a damp cloth to keep it clean.

Convenience, control and connections

Beats Studio 3 WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Studio 3 Wireless aren't the lightest full-size headphones you can buy – that honor goes to the Sony's WH-1000XM4 – but they are certainly among the most comfortable.

The trick for headphone comfort is to manage the delicate balancing act between headband padding, clamping force, ear pads (size, shape and padding) and the materials used.

The Studio 3 manages this balancing act with a fit that is both very secure and very comfortable. You may have seen people exercise or even jog with these doses, and while that's not a choice I would make, the Studio 3 makes it possible – something I say about the majority of full size headphones that I have , can't say I checked.

You may notice some strange dents in the ear pads in the attached photos – ignore them. The headphones had been in her pocket for a long time before I removed them, and about an hour after I took these photos, they had bounced back.

The controls are also very well executed. I'm a fan of physical buttons. In my experience, they just work. Touch controls – even the best – can't respond quickly. Not only are the Studio 3's buttons large and easy to find and use (amazing as they are seamlessly embedded in the auricle pivot), they are also precise. There is no guesswork – press, click, done.

Yes, there's a pretty audible click when you're using them, but I make a quick click when I don't have to repeatedly tap a touch control.

Just two things are missing: a wear sensor that automatically pauses your music when you remove the headphones would be awesome (Apple's AirPods, AirPods Pro, and the WH-1000XM4 already have this), as well as a pass-through mode that allows you to They feed in outside noise for a while.

The Studio 3's wireless range is excellent – much better than most wireless headphones.

As with all Apple-made headphones that use the W1 or H1 wireless chips, Bluetooth is a delight on the Beats Studio 3 Wireless. To pair them, just turn them on a few inches away from an unlocked iOS device with iOS 10 or later and you will be instantly notified that your Studio 3 is ready to use. Just tap once and you're done.

There's no Bluetooth multipoint (which lets you connect to two devices at the same time), but Apple does this almost as well, allowing you to switch between Macs, iPhones, and iPads with just one click.

The Studio 3 is also compatible with Apple's audio sharing feature, which allows two W1 or H1 equipped headphones or earphones to listen to content from an iOS device at the same time. This function will be available for more devices with Bluetooth Audio LE. However, it is currently exclusive to Apple.

Unfortunately, audio sharing, simple pairing, and device switching are not supported on Android devices.

As a Class 1 Bluetooth device, the Studio 3 has excellent wireless range – more than 300 feet outdoors – much better than most wireless headphones. I was able to leave my iPhone in the house and still had a reliable signal when I stood two doors down from a house across the street.

Battery life

The battery life on the Studio 3 Wireless is either mediocre or excellent, depending on how you plan to use it.

With ANC enabled, you get 22 hours of playtime, which is just a bit better than the $ 400 Bose noise canceling headphones 700 after 20 hours, but not as impressive as Sony's $ 350 WH-1000XM4 after 30 hours.

However, if you don't use the ANC feature (which seems to gobble up the battery life), you get an excellent 40 hours, two hours more than the Sony's.

The quick charge function is average and with 10 minutes plug time you get 3 additional hours of playtime.

Speaking of plugs: The Studio 3 uses the Micro-USB format, not the newer and more common USB-C connection. This is hardly a deal breaker, but for most people it means another cord to remember when you hit the streets.

Noise cancellation

Beats Studio 3 WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Studio 3 Wireless has what Beats calls "real" ANC. The company claims to "continuously locate, isolate, and suppress outside noise in real time in order to reproduce the sound as it was intended". That sounds great, but in reality I'd say the ANC is average and certainly not as good as what you'll find with the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 or the Sony WH-1000XM4.

When no music is playing, the ANC produces a noticeable hiss, preventing a convenient way to simply find some peace and quiet.

Background noise is definitely reduced when the ANC is on, and Beats is right on one point: there is no noticeable change in audio quality between on and off modes.

However, when there is no music playing, the ANC creates a noticeable hiss that prevents these cans from being a pleasant way to simply find some peace of mind. Why exchange the sound of an airplane's engines for a soft hissing sound?

I also noticed that the ANC mode was struggling to compensate for windy conditions and sometimes accidentally amplified the wind tone instead of erasing it.

The good news: the Studio 3 Wireless does an excellent job of passive noise isolation, which makes ANC a nice but not critical feature.

The bad news? This passive noise isolation is so good that I want a passthrough mode even more – especially when making calls.

Sound quality

Beats Studio 3 WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I'd always viewed Beats as a bass-forward company, which definitely goes for other products like the Powerbeats Pro.

So it was a complete surprise that the Studio 3 Wireless doesn't fit this shape at all.

This is the same complaint we had with the Solo3. Not only is the bass not the main part of their sound signature, I'd even say it was forced to return to the mid and high ranges.

On the one hand, there will definitely be a group of people who like the idea of ​​a less booming beats set – maybe fans of the famous “neutral” or flat EQ that audiophiles praise.

But I don't count myself among them. I like tons of frequencies so when I listen to a deep, sad track like Hans Zimmer's Time, I get that hair-raising low-end bass that feels right in your stomach. The Studio 3 just lacks that kind of bass, and since you can't change the EQ, you can't compensate for it by adjusting other frequencies.

Before you take this as a sign that you should add the Studio 3 to your "other" column, you should note that although these cans disappoint the bass heads, they still produce an excellent, detailed sound in the mids and highs.

For music with a powerful voice, especially for music created by the greatest divas of our time such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga or Adele, Studio 3 provides energy and clarity.

And if you like it loud, these cans are happy to be ready, with no hint of distortion or pain-inducing volume bumps.

Despite Beats' roots as a brand adopted (and promoted) by legendary hip-hop and rap artists, these particular Beats headphones are better suited for genres that are a little less lowdown-thumped.

Call quality

Beats Studio 3 WirelessSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I recently tested the BeatsX, a set of wired bluetooth earbuds, and praised them for their call quality. I believe that their in-line microphone – placed close to their mouth – is the secret of this success.

I'm even more convinced now after making a few calls to Studio 3 Wireless, which can't withhold a candle from the BeatsX.

The Studio 3 doesn't seem to have any gain issues as the voices were perfectly audible in terms of volume, but clarity is another matter.

Most of the time, it sounded like listening to my caller through a few layers of fabric. I could feel what they were saying, but it was very exhausting.

Granted, my chosen location was something of a torture test – a very busy street with lots of truck traffic – but even during the lull in vehicle activity, it was never a great experience.

I suppose the silver lining is that the included analog cable with inline microphone should make it so easy to plug in the cable and press the rotary dial when it comes to better call quality.

Our opinion

With its excellent design, controls, and no-ANC battery life, the Studio 3 Wireless is still a great choice for those who don't prioritize big bass, whisper-quiet ANC, or wireless calling. But at $ 350 you really have to guess what they have to choose over the competition.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes indeed. I mentioned the $ 400 Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 and the $ 350 Sony WH-1000XM4 in this review, and I think both are arguments for getting out of Beats Town. Choose the Sonys if you value customization, comfort, and sound quality. Choose the Bose if ANC and call quality are high on your list.

How long will they last?

The Beats Studio 3 Wireless comes with a one-year warranty from Apple, which can be extended with an optional AppleCare purchase. I think they will last for many years with normal use, although you can expect the battery capacity to decrease over time. Overall, they are very well built, with first class materials and durable metal parts for heavily used areas such as hinges and slides.

Should you buy it?

Yes, but I think you should wait to find them on sale for $ 250 or less. If you're an Apple believer, some of Apple's wireless features may be worth the Studio 3's high price tag. But make sure you understand the weak points and are in good working order – especially call quality and lack of low-end bass – before you put your money on it.

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




03 Aug
Blog

JBL/Under Armour True Wireless Flash X review:

JBL Flash X earphones

JBL / Under Armor True Wireless Flash X.

"A few key upgrades keep the Flash X in the wireless workout mix."

  • Comfortable fit

  • Good passive noise cancellation

  • 10 hours of battery life

  • No volume controls

  • Ineffective ambient noise mode

JBL and Under Armor have teamed up again to launch the new True Wireless Flash X, a $ 170 version of the original second generation True Wireless Flash. Instead of making extensive changes to the workout earphones that are already perceived as good, the Flash X has been updated in some target areas. A few more would have been nice, but let's examine what they put in the newest pair and see if it makes them a more convincing purchase.

Out of the box

JBL / Under Armor has given the packaging of the Flash X some pomp and circumstance. To find the way to these buds, you need to take a shiny envelope out of the box and then lift the lid to reveal the buds. Charging case in a T-shaped foam layer. Additional earplugs and ear fins are located in their own housing on one side of the foam, on the other side there is a USB-C charging cable. Not to forget, all of the documentation you'll ever need for these buds is right under the buds and accessories.

JBL Flash X earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

When you plug in an increasing number of earbuds to perform this function – Apple AirPods, Google Pixel Buds 2 and LG ToneFree – Flash X has a fast pairing function for compatible Android 6.0 devices or higher. If you have one of them, an easy task is now even easier. The buds do the introduction to your phone for you, and all you have to do is keep the conversation going to connect. If you miss this, don't fret. The traditional Bluetooth setup route takes you to the same destination with less excitement.

The Bluetooth 5 technology in the Flash X is great for maintaining connection and providing a solid range.

As with most recently tested real wireless earbuds, the Bluetooth 5 technology in the Flash X works remarkably well to maintain the connection and ensure a solid range. There is of course a limit; I was almost to the end of my side street to take out my trash cans before the buds were finally cut out, well over 50 feet from where I left my phone in my house.

design

In terms of design, the Flash X hasn't changed much from generation to generation. The buds themselves have the same understated aesthetic as the originals, with the Under Armor logo on the end cap and the JBL logo on the side of these otherwise black earbuds. The charging case is incredibly similar, too, and slides open to show the earbuds in the same way that your old filing cabinet was opened in your office cubicle (remember?).

JBL FLash X earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

After finding the best combination of earplug and ear fin, the Flash X showed the same comfortable but tight fit as its predecessors. This style is great for training as these buds do not move while walking and running during transportation and this airtight seal provides effective passive noise cancellation. But after prolonged periods of my body, I submitted to a certain amount of fatigue just because they were implanted in my ears. I would honestly do that about the alternative – buds that stubbornly refuse to stay in your ear – but the Flash X doesn't compete with the Jabra Elite Active 75t, currently the best-fitting real wireless earbuds, so the collective heads of Digital trends.

It's absurd to offer real wireless earphones for $ 180 without a function as simple as volume control.

One thing about the now nostalgic design of the charging case for the Flash X: it's big. Like 117 grams. In comparison, the case for the Apple AirPods is a lively 40 grams. As a training-oriented earphone, I don't know how often you will lug the case around in your pocket. But if so, there is certainly something to explain.

I enjoyed using the controls for Flash X with one exception. There is a single button in each bud that is integrated into the Under Armor logos. You need to remember how many presses on which bud correspond to which command. But the system worked well after a short acclimatization period and was free from the annoying accidental commands associated with budding with touchpads. However, there is no control to increase or decrease the volume unless you go to your preferred language support and ask them to do it for you. I've criticized a lot of earbuds for this in the past, and I'm perfectly fine with the fact that this is the hill I'm dying on. It's absurd to offer real wireless earphones for $ 180 without a function as simple as volume control.

properties

JBL / Under Armor has redesigned some key features of the Flash X, and luckily for those buds, it kept them talking about the top options in the real wireless training class. For example, if the Flash X had maintained the original battery life of five hours (a positive hint for these buds at that time), they would have been blown away by options like the Sony WF-SP800N or the JLab Epic Air Sport.

JBL Flash X earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Instead, the Flash X has a battery life of up to 10 hours (an exact specification, according to my tests), with four additional charges for a total of 50 hours of playback. This is not the case with the Sony models, which can play inactive noise cancellation for 13 hours, but with the Epic Air Sport it is just right and significantly better than with the Jabra Elite Active 75t, which occurs at 7.5 hours and 28 in total for $ 30 more.

The Flash X has first generation IPX7 weather resistance and protects the buds from immersion in up to three feet of water. This is undoubtedly solid for workout earphones. However, the Elite Active 75t has the protection class IP57 for protection against dust and water. The Epic Air Sport offers IP66 protection. Perhaps this would have affected the pricing of these new earbuds, but adding dust protection to the Flash X would have been a significant advance for buds designed for harsh use.

The Flash X has a bionic hearing function, which is essentially an umbrella term for two similar functions: TalkThru and Ambient Aware. According to these companies, TalkThru lowers the music volume and amplifies the language to simplify the conversation with these earbuds. In my experience, this worked well and allowed me to exchange courtesies with people I passed on the way without pulling out a bud. Ambient Aware is designed to amplify ambient noise in order to draw your attention to your surroundings. Perhaps the passive cancellation is just as good, but I found that Ambient Aware mode was largely ineffective to the point where it was difficult to determine whether this feature was enabled or disabled. Fortunately, TalkThru has abated somewhat here, but a lackluster ambient noise feature is a seriously bad combination with great passive noise cancellation.

Audio quality

The Flash X has what is called "JBL Charged Sound" or "bold sound for sports with rich bass to improve your workout" on its datasheet. You should largely ignore all the marketing talk. To go, the 5.8mm drivers in these earphones are full of sound.

JBL Flash X earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

I didn't have the original True Wireless Flash on hand to test the sound alongside the Flash X, but when I compare everything we said about these first generation buds to the Flash X, I don't think the sound The quality has changed a lot here. The bass is big and bold and makes tracks like Drake & # 39; s Gods Plan really unique. You don't have to worry too much about getting pumped up for your workout – with the right music, these buds take care of it themselves.

You don't have to worry too much about getting pumped up for your workout – with the right music, these buds take care of it themselves.

Thanks to melodies such as an acoustic reproduction of Stand By Me by Tom Speight, I also found good details in the upper register. However, as much as the good things about these buds have not changed, a problem of the first generation has raised its head again: I have also noticed a persistent problem when I use it in connection with video. The first generations were noticeably out of sync with YouTube and Netflix videos, and this issue was obviously not addressed in Flash X. I have to guess that watching and working out of videos doesn't overlap often, however, if you are thinking of using them on a treadmill while watching Netflix or live sports on your phone or tablet, we advise you not to . The delay is seriously noticeable.

The Flash X chose dual microphones to improve call quality, effectively. I wouldn't say that these earbuds are something to write home about when it comes to skillfully handling calls. They do the job enough not to be annoyed with them, nor enough to be impressed by their call quality.

Our opinion

The True Wireless Flash X from JBL / Under Armor has some important improvements that will keep you talking alongside the best training buds you can buy. They stay in your ears and sound great about what we expect from music to keep your blood pumping during exercise. However, they do have a handful of unaddressed issues that are difficult to ignore at their price, so they cannot make much progress if they stand up to the competition overall.

Are there any better alternatives?

For some, it might be worth spending the additional $ 30 on the buds with better protection (Jabra Elite Active 75t) or the buds with better batteries (Sony WF-SP800N). Or, it might make sense to save $ 20 and opt for a less slim design in the JLab Epic Air Sport, but with similar features.

How long will they last?

I would prefer dust protection, but I am satisfied with the Flash X with IPX7 weather resistance, lasting build quality and a one-year guarantee. You should get these through many workouts.

Should you buy them

Yes. I wasn't originally sold for $ 170 for second generation True Wireless Flash X, especially because the buds had few major improvements, namely battery life and Bluetooth technology. But they were high-quality earphones the first time, and they still go well with their more expensive counterparts.

Editor's recommendations




06 Jun
Blog

Samsung Galaxy Buds Review: Surprisingly Excellent True Wireless Buds

Samsung Galaxy Buds review full performance

"The Galaxy Buds are a valuable pair of real wireless earphones."

  • Six hours of battery life

  • Sweatproof

  • Light, comfortable fit

  • Wireless charging case

  • Only 7 hours of battery in the case

This review was last updated by Nick Woodard, employee of Digital Trends A / V, on June 5, 2020.

It's an exciting time for real wireless earbuds. With new chips that promise more compact designs and better battery life and finally make it real products, there are more reasons than ever to shorten the cable for your listening time.

Samsung Galaxy Buds is one of the first true next generation wireless headphones to hit the market and features the latest technology. With a battery life of six hours, a wireless charging case and a lightweight, nimble design, there's a lot to love about the company's newest buds.

Most impressive is that the Galaxy Buds feature set is available at an affordable price of $ 129. The buds were even bundled with pre-orders for the S10, S10 + or Fold phones. The combination of technology and value made the Galaxy Buds one of the best wireless earbuds you can currently buy, at least until the Galaxy Buds + came on the market.

Out of the box

The Galaxy Buds come in a small box with a charging case, a long USB Type-C cable, three sets of silicone earplugs and sports fins, and a small instruction manual. When you open the case, it immediately becomes clear that Samsung's successor to the 2018 Gear IconX is significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessor, so that it can sit more comfortably in your ears.

An ergonomic triangular design integrates the comfortable rubber ear fins and the soft rubber ear plugs and offers a very solid fit and an excellent seal. This is easily one of the most convenient real wireless earbuds we've tested. While Apple's ear-tip-free AirPods can be a bit rough during longer listening sessions, the Galaxy Buds are almost unnoticed after insertion.

properties

First of all, the headphones from Samsung offer a solid battery life of six hours per charge – one hour more than comparable Apple and Jabra models. It was impressive at the time of his debut, although the bar has now been raised. The Galaxy Buds + offers 11 hours of playback, while the Edifier TWS NB offers five hours of noise reduction and 11 hours without this feature.

Unfortunately, the impressive playback time is not answered with a lot of juice in the case itself, which is our only real criticism of the Galaxy Buds. The Galaxy Buds case offers only seven hours of extra battery life, while competitors offer 20 to 30 hours or more.

The most convenient real wireless earbuds we've ever tested.

This is less of a concern for Galaxy phone owners, as the case includes the ability to wirelessly charge from the back of new Galaxy phones (or a standard wireless charging pad). However, this means that you won't be able to spend days at a time without finding a charging station or outlet. However, plugging in your headphones after 13 hours of play isn't a big deal for most of us, and it's a low price for all the other properties of the buds.

In addition to good battery life and a wireless charging case, the Galaxy buds offer a number of cool functions. Changing songs or adjusting the volume is done, for example, using intuitive touch controls that can be adjusted in the Samsung Wear app. With the app, you can also choose between five different equalizer settings to adjust the sound of the headphones to your ears and your taste in music.

Perhaps the most useful feature of the app is "Find my earbuds", which does exactly what you think it does and prevents you from digging through the sofa cushions or jeans pockets when the buds disappear.

The Galaxy Buds are particularly impressive due to the use of the two on-board microphones integrated in each headphone. During a call, the headphones can analyze how loud the sounds are around you. To do this, use the microphone on the outside of each headphone when the ambient noise is quieter, and the microphone near the inside of the headphone when it is louder. You can also use the microphones to whistle the sound of the outside world while listening to Samsung's ambient noise mode, which even includes a function that uses filtering to emphasize the sound of human voices.

Both ambient noise mode and call mode worked well during testing, allowing employees to be heard over music without removing the earbuds, and to call both quiet and noisy rooms without missing a beat. Call quality isn't as good as Apple's AirPods, but it does the job.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Ambient sound mode is great for situations like running or cycling where you want to jam but don't want to miss a scream or car horn when you need to hear it. And that's not the only way Samsung has targeted its latest earbuds to those who like to sweat: The Galaxy Buds have IPX2 protection, which means they're protected from dripping water (or sweat). It's not as good as the IP56 rating of Jabra models like the Elite Active 65t, but given the fact that Apple's more expensive AirPods don't offer any water resistance, this feature is welcome. You'll have to pay $ 250 for the AirPods Pro to get Apple's water resistance.

I took the headphones on a 5 mile run on a treadmill and found them great for training. Their lightweight and compact design keeps them in place, and thanks to the IPX2 rating, you don't have to worry about them breaking a sweat.

Audio performance

The ergonomic design of the Galaxy Buds and the soft silicone earplugs enable them to seal very well in your ears, to achieve a warm bass and a low mid-range and to avoid hard, thin sounds.

There are no real wireless earphones that we have tested and that feel so liberating.

During my time with the headphones, I heard a variety of pieces of music and played everything from the Beatles to Kendrick Lamar. Overall, the headphones performed well on all pieces of music and offered a relatively flat response despite the playback, even with large differences between the genres.

My preferred equalizer mode was the "Dynamic" setting, which allows the sound to be adjusted to best suit what you are listening to. The "Soft" mode and the "Clear" mode were also interesting. The former allowed you to hear things with a rounder, less harsh sound signature, and the latter only brought out a hint of the glow from acoustic guitars and cymbals.

Although I preferred Dynamic most often, it was nice to have a choice when it came to adapting the sound to the music. One option I wanted was standard on all wireless headphones.

The Galaxy Buds don't offer the vivid clarity that we've experienced from real wireless headphones like the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 or the Master and Dynamic MW07 and MW07 Plus, but they deliver a pleasant and customizable sound for well below half the price could easily be enjoyed every day. In fact, their sound is just as good or better than that of the more expensive Apple and Jabra models.

The stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection also made it great when cleaning my living room and kitchen, so I could just put your phone on a table or counter and forget it.

To listen to your favorite music in all styles on the go, the Galaxy Buds absolutely serve their purpose, and the lightweight design underlines the luxury of not having cords. Honestly, there are still very few real wireless earphones that we have tested that feel so liberating.

Warranty information

Samsung offers a one-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.

Our opinion

With a host of great features, six-hour battery life, and a fantastic list price of $ 129, the Galaxy Buds are currently the most compelling true wireless earbuds on the market.

Is there a better alternative?

The Galaxy Buds + are the obvious option here, with improved battery life and other features for an additional $ 20. The aforementioned Edifier TWS NB may fit even better because it offers good active noise cancellation for $ 10 less.

You should also consider Amazon's Echo Buds. They are a great alternative if you are already deep in Amazon's Alexa ecosystem.

Other close competitors to the Galaxy Buds – Apple's AirPods and Elite Active 65t and Jabra Elite 75t from Jabra – offer steeper sticker prices, although you may find the earlier Jabra model at a discount once the 75t arrives.

How long will they last?

Samsung has made durable products in the past, and we don't expect the buds to be different. With replaceable earplugs and ear fins, we expect a long lifespan.

Should you buy them

Yes. If you are looking for comfortable, real wireless earbuds with excellent battery life, good sound and an affordable price, you have come to the right place.

Editor's recommendations




06 Jun
Blog

Sony WF-1000XM3 Review: Everything Wireless Earbuds Should Be

sony wf 1000xm3 rating 2

"The WF-1000XM3 is a groundbreaking pair of fully wireless earphones."

  • Excellent sound and call quality

  • Fantastic battery life

  • Great noise cancellation

  • Convincing app-based functions

  • Comfortable fit

  • No water resistance

  • A bit bulky

This review was last updated by Nick Woodard, employee of Digital Trends A / V, on June 5, 2020.

For years we have considered Sony to be one of our favorite in-game headphone manufacturers. The noise-canceling WH-1000XM3 (and its two predecessors) continues to top our list of the best headphones and deserves the publisher's award. When Sony launched its new true wireless earbuds, which feature the same amazing noise reduction technology that the company packaged in its award-winning over-ears, we paid attention to that.

The new WF-1000XM3 earphones are everything we hoped for. They offer significant noise cancellation, high fidelity, and the same great app-based features we've loved by the company for years. But in the period since its debut, some strong rivals have emerged. The AirPods Pro from Apple were launched along with the Google Pixel Buds 2 and the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. We still highly value the WF-1000XM3, but competition has shown that Sony's performance is no longer unique.

Fit and ready

The name of the WF-1000XM3 confusingly bears an "M3" or Mark 3 that matches the hugely popular over-ear WH-1000XM3, although this is only the second edition from Sony in this special range of true wireless earphones. The new buds come in an elegant black-copper charging case with a flat top that is embossed with the Sony logo.

The USB-C case is of considerable size, but still fits in most pockets. With the flat top, you can easily lay it on top of surfaces when you have the buds. The cap can be flipped up to reveal the two earphones inside and a large red LED on the front of the case indicates whether they are charging.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

The buds look good aesthetically, but there's not much to write home about when it comes to style. This is probably a targeted decision by the Sony team. Given that many buyers of noise canceling headphones are commuters and business people, it makes sense for the company to stick to a proven design with simple pill-shaped cases and a black-and-case – gray color scheme with small copper accents. They are bulkier than the AirPods Pro, but also inconspicuous compared to Apple's legendary white golf tees.

If you've been in the work world for a while, you'll know what it looks like: the headphones resemble miniature versions of the Bluetooth headset that you may have worn in the city in 2006. The oval shell connects an ergonomic interior with rounded acoustic chambers that culminate in soft silicone earplugs. Sony offers two different tip thicknesses in three sizes (small, medium and large), but they guarantee that you will find a pair that suits you.

Features and controls

There are very few wireless earbuds that compete in terms of features with the Sony WF-1000XM3. For starters, the headphones offer a solid battery life of 8 hours per noise-canceling charge and an AirPods Pro that performs best for 6 hours when the device is turned on. The case also contains a lot of juice and offers three full charges for 18 hours of backup battery when you use the headphones with noise canceling activated, and 24 hours without the camera turned off.

There's also a quick charge feature that lets you play back 90 minutes in just 10 minutes – ideal for those who forgot to charge before commuting or on short flights. However, a newer pair of Sony earphones, the WF-SP800N, has the XM3 beat in the battery department. The 800N offers 9 hours of playback with the ANC on and 13 hours without.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

A glossy touchpad on the outside of each bud allows you to play and pause music, access your voice assistant, and change songs. However, Sony also has some other useful extras built in, including the ability to long-touch the left earbud to temporarily produce sound, so you don't have to take off your headphones while trying to hear announcements or order drinks on the plane.

Speaking of removing earphones like the AirPods Pro. The WF-1000XM3 has sensors that interrupt the music and eventually go to sleep when removed. When you reinsert it, playback continues or the connection is activated and re-established, depending on how long you have left it.

These headphones offer amazing noise reduction due to their size.

Regarding the marquee function, noise cancellation, Sony has packed the tiny buds with its QN1e noise cancellation chip (the same one in the popular over-ear noise cancelers) and attached two microphones to each earphone to hide the outside world. This processing works like an absolute magic and drowns out keyboard clicks, noise from public transport and loud calls in the office.

You won't get the same insane reduction you'll hear on the larger WH-1000xM3 over-ears, but these headphones have an amazing reduction in size and are linked to the fact that they are excellent passive noise isolation very impressed with her performance in noisy rooms.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Each earphone can also be used separately for calls or music, and the microphones and noise canceling have worked wonders for the clarity of the calls. The sound quality is similar to many dedicated Bluetooth headsets.

Unlike many headphones where apps are designed primarily for pairing, the Sony Connect app offers some great features, including the ability to adjust equalization, the level of noise reduction you want, and the button for Google Assistant – the primary voice assistant – assignable on these headphones.

They do not have an IP protection class for water resistance, so the use of the fitness room is at your own risk

For some, the biggest shortcoming of the WF-1000XM3 is that they are not water resistant. The use of the fitness room is therefore at your own risk. At the start and during the first check, you couldn't control the volume without reaching for your phone or calling your voice assistant. Sony has now fixed this with a new option in its app that allows you to choose between volume control and ANC on / off.

Typically, we would pursue a manufacturer of $ 230 in-ear headphones for lack of water resistance because one of the best use cases for real wireless earphones is in the gym, where sweat can be a serious factor. However, we do not believe that the absence here is a big deal for two reasons. First, the headphones seem to be designed for office and business trips rather than the Iron Palace, and second, Sony claims there have been no complaints about previous generation earphones breaking at the gym. Sony appears to be confident that you can use the WF-1000XM3 for workouts, provided you don't sweat buckets.

Nevertheless, the AirPods Pro from Apple manage to offer IPX4 with the most bells and whistles. Sony's proprietary WF-SP800N also offers IP55 water resistance.

Sound quality

Sony has equipped its latest earbuds with its proprietary DSEE HX engine, which is designed to improve the lo-fidelity sound for better overall clarity. It works wonders on the WF-1000XM3, combining noise cancellation with the best fidelity you'll find in wireless earbuds.

We listened to everything from the lavish pop of Gen Z icon Billie Eilish to the indie rockers Golden Daze, and we're all impressed with everything we've heard.

The highs are clear and crisp, and there is a strong lower end that never becomes a mud pit. Instead, songs feel like they have a weight and depth that we often miss with other pairs of real wireless earbuds that feel a little over the top in terms of their sound profiles.

Dan Baker / Digital Trends

Plus – and that's a big plus – the sound is customizable. If the sound signature isn't quite what you want, you can adjust it using the EQ settings in the app so you never get annoyed with the way the headphones treat certain genres. Do you want a little more shine and pool shimmer in your jazz recordings? Simply increase the heights by one touch. Problem solved.

While playing around with the EQ settings is fun, we've spent most of our listening time with the headphones in the normal, flat EQ position. This is because they feel very well adjusted at the factory. Everything we heard about the WF-1000XM3 seemed to be exactly what the mixing technician intended, and that's really all we can ask of any headphones, especially real wireless in-ears.

Our opinion

The first great wireless noise canceling earphones are here with a Sony logo. With the WF-1000XM3, Sony has managed to offer a pair of groundbreaking earphones that seem to be worth the $ 230 premium easily.

Is there a better alternative?

Apple's AirPods Pro has been launched for $ 249 since the Sony WF-1000XM3 debuted. Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 2 is also a good comparison, although they are more expensive at $ 300.

The actual competitor here could be internal though, as the Sony WF-SP800N outperforms the XM3 in key categories like battery life and water resistance. They may not sound as good or have the noise canceling capabilities of the 1000XM3, but the SP800N still sounds less solid for $ 30.

How long will they last?

Sony has been making great headphones for decades, and we have no reason to believe that the build quality of the WF-1000xM3 is different. It is worth noting that the lifespan of all real wireless headphones is limited by the lifespan of the battery. However, we assume that you will have at least a few years before the batteries show excessive wear.

Should you buy them

Yes – and especially if you are an Android user. If you want feature-rich headphones with real wireless headphones and like the sound of silence, the Sony WF-1000XM3 is still one of the best you'll find.

Editor's recommendations




19 May
Blog

Razer Opus Wireless Headphones Review: Valuable Sound

Razer Opus

Razer Opus Wireless Headphones Review: A Budget ANC Champion

"Outstanding sound quality and an effective $ 200 ANC make Razer & # 39; s Opus great value for money."

  • Comfortable design

  • First class appearance

  • Awesome ANC

  • Great sound quality

  • Standard battery life

  • Outdated Bluetooth technology

Razer has become a household name in the gaming world. Headphones and other products complement this experience. However, it has not ventured into the area of ​​lifestyle audio.

This is now changing with the release of the Razer Opus wireless headphones by the company. At $ 200, the Opus offers a surprisingly wide range of features for its price, including active noise cancellation and THX-certified audio quality. To see if the Razer Opus did justice to its technical sheet, I looked over the page and brought these new headphones to the right level.

Out of the box

It may not seem like the most important part of a headphone, but the packaging is your first experience with a new product. In other words, it is important to dress appropriately for the occasion.

Razer Opus headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Razer Opus doesn't wear a three-piece suit, but it's adorned with a sharp shirt with a collar, and that's more than fine for me. Under the lid of the box there is a rounded carrying case with headphones, USB-C charging cable, 3.5 mm analog cable, USB-A to USB-C adapter and airline headphone adapter.

The Razer Opus setup follows the regular pairing protocol. Turn on the headphones and they will respond by automatically switching to Bluetooth pairing mode. Then you have to find the sockets in the Bluetooth settings of your device and establish the connection.

I will anticipate this criticism by saying the following: I have had no specific problems with my connection to the Razer Opus, and the range of these headphones is reasonable. Unfortunately, unlike the more advanced Bluetooth 5 technology, the Opus only supports Bluetooth 4.2. I know that some cost-saving measures may have to be taken to make these headphones what they are, but the latest Bluetooth technology seems to be a priority.

design

The Razer Opus may be positioned closer to the budget side of headphones, but its design exudes a premium presence. They are an elegant midnight blue – a black version will follow later – with Razer logos on each side of the headband and a THX logo on each ear cup. Razer is excited about this THX certification if you haven't noticed it yet.

Razer OpusNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Both the ear cups and the headband are covered with a soft synthetic leather foam, which creates a comfort that I thought would be held fairly well over long listening times. The headphones have a circumaural design, ie the ear cups fit around the ear and weigh 265 grams. They are neither excessively heavy nor incredibly light, but they distribute the weight of the product well.

The opus doesn't have a large selection of buttons, and that's a good thing. There is an on / off switch and a button for operating the active noise reduction functions on the left auricle and volume controls / action buttons on the right auricle. Basically, it has the buttons you need to effectively control your listening experience, not just one button.

The included carrying case feels robust and can protect the headphones when not in use. I can't help feeling that they resemble an old (classic?) CD case, although this says more about my age than the design quality of this case.

properties

Most of the main functions of the Razer Opus are geared towards audio. So later in this review, I'll go into things like THX certification and active noise cancellation. But that doesn't mean that we don't have a few things to discuss in the meantime.

Razer OpusNick Woodard / Digital Trends

For example, battery life is an interesting area. A month or two ago, I might have been thrilled with the battery life the Opus offers for its price – up to 25 hours of playback with the ANC on. It's a better battery than the recently released Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 for $ 50 less.

However, the fact is that it is an ever-changing ecosystem of wireless audio products. In terms of battery life, Sony Razer struck with the recent release of the WH-CH710N. These headphones, whose price is almost identical to that of the Opus, offer 35 hours of playback with noise reduction turned on and 45 hours without.

In my experience, Razer's estimated battery performance was as expected. For most people, 25 hours of playback at the same time is more than enough, but there are better values ​​for the price.

The Opus has an auto pause / play feature that pauses and resumes audio when the headphones are removed or replaced. This is always a subtle but appreciated feature. However, if this isn't a preferred feature, you can disable it in the associated Razer Opus app (available for iOS and Android). You can also customize the headphone's auto power off feature and access an equalizer to customize the sound to your liking.

Audio quality

There is a reason why Razer employees are proud of the Opus' THX certification, and this is justified. The Razer design team told me that if they wanted to make lifestyle headphones, they wanted to do it right, which meant doing everything they could to create a comfortable listening experience – and that started with THX.

Razer Opus headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Opus has passed the three-stage THX certification process using 40mm drivers, a frequency range from 20 to 20,000 Hz and support for audio codecs like AAC and aptX. This is all well and good, although specifications are not always translated well. How do these headphones sound?

Strikingly precise in two words. Razer has created a Spotify playlist to test the audio quality of the opus, which consists of a diverse mix of music. Tracy Chapman's Fast Car showed the vocal clarity of the cans, while the opus drivers never missed a beat with a tight bass track like Billie Eilish's Bad Guy. And if you fancy a real adventure for your ears, try Alma Brasileira from Heitor-Villa-Lobos and Yo-Yo Ma. No need to thank me.

For the cost, I think these headphones produce excellent sound quality for most people. You won't beat the Sony WH-1000XM3 and Sennheiser Momentum 3 in the world, but they come impressively close to this upper level.

Active noise cancellation

The Razer Opus have a lot to do when it comes to noise cancellation. First, they offer passive noise isolation with these soft foam ear cups, which commendably even excludes noise.

Razer Opus headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Then there is the Opus' active noise cancellation, which uses a hybrid design that consists of two external and two internal microphones on each ear cup. This is about fighting a wider frequency range of unwanted noise on multiple fronts, with the external microphones picking up external frequencies such as human speech or traffic, and the internal microphones analyzing and optimizing the sound that gets into your ears.

As I found in my last reviews – and probably for my next ones too – testing ANC with public travel was not an option. Razer offers a YouTube video that goes through these types of sounds. However, it does contain instructions on how to play the sounds through a 5.1 system and to switch between the different ANC modes to assess the cancellation.

My review is in and I'm in awe. These aren't the best noise canceling headphones – the Sony WH-1000XM3 is still the best choice in this category. However, the Opus has remarkably effective active noise cancellation at a price that makes it an enticing value.

If I had a complaint with the opus' ANC functions, this is the headphone's ambient awareness function. It is not the actual function that is effective in introducing outside noise, but rather that Razer's method of turning the function on involves pressing and holding the ANC button for the duration of its use. This can be cumbersome the longer you have to hear outside noise.

Our opinion

The Razer Opus are not without shortcomings – but they are minor, and the affordable audio quality and active noise cancellation in these headphones far outweigh these problems.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Sony WH-CH710N is priced at $ 199, better battery life, and more advanced Bluetooth technology. However, I would choose the opus when it comes to sound quality and ANC. The Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 are another option with great sound and solid ANC, but have a shorter battery life of $ 250.

How long will they last?

With a two-year warranty, Razer appears to be ready to stand by its new product. Bluetooth support is a concern, but expect the headphones to last a long time.

Should you buy it

Yes. Razer has made affordable headphones with great sound and excellent active noise cancellation while limiting its shortcomings. Overall, the wireless Opus headphones are a value that won't disappoint.

Editor's recommendations




27 Apr
Blog

JBL Bar 9.1 Review: Wireless Dolby Atmos With A Few Flaws

JBL Bar 9.1 wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar speaker

JBL Bar 9.1 review: Wireless Dolby Atmos with a few bugs

"JBL's Bar 9.1 offers a unique, fully wireless design, but this feature comes at a high cost."

  • Super easy setup

  • Large, powerful bass

  • Convincing Dolby Atmos and 5.1 sound

  • Practical wireless speakers

  • Supports eARC, 4K, Dolby Vision

  • Not enough entries

  • Not enough EQ settings

  • Dialogue needs a boost

  • Mediocre for music

Sound bars do a tough job. The really good ones somehow manage to replace a full 5.1 home theater surround system with just a single elongated speaker cabinet and possibly a wireless subwoofer.

Any soundbar that uses satellite speakers – whether connected to the soundbar or connected to an electrical outlet – may produce better sound, but at the expense of convenience and physical space. This is the real reason why sound bars make sense for so many people.

That's what makes JBL's Bar 9.1 so convincing: With a pair of battery-powered, completely wireless satellites, it not only promises the real acoustic separation of the physical speakers, but also brings Dolby Atmos into the mix for an impressive 3D experience – everything for round $ 1,000.

JBL has set a high standard for Bar 9.1. Succeeds? Let's find out.

design

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos Soundbar side viewSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I personally don't think soundbars should attract attention – at least not visually – and Bar 9.1 tries to keep its physical presence to a minimum. Frankly it's boring, but in the best possible way.

The dark gray plastic case has only the slightest shine and is still only 47 inches long, even in its widest form – with both satellite modules at the ends. Take these modules off and you barely have 35 inches left.

It's also amazingly short and just under 2.5 inches tall. That should fit under all but the shortest TV stands. The minimal set of four controls on top can easily be ignored, and the scrolling LED indicator on the front is hidden behind the speaker grille and is completely invisible when not in use.

The bar 9.1 reduces its physical presence to a minimum. It looks boring, but in the best possible way.

The subwoofer is a different story. It's a very bulky and boxy unit that turns out to be a challenge if you don't want it to remain visible.

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar subwooferSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

If you're wondering how these detachable wireless satellites work when the Bar 9.1 is wall-mounted (which you can do with the included hardware), that's pretty impressive: the docking magnets are incredibly strong. Sitting requires a concerted effort – and sometimes both hands – to pull them freely. And although I haven't tested it, there is an option to mount the satellites on the wall at their secondary locations.

When the satellite is fully charged, you have a playing time of approximately 10 hours. A warning message appears on the bar display, informing you when a boost is required. Docking again is the easiest way, but the satellites cleverly have their own micro USB ports. This means that you can leave them technically in the rear or wall-mounted position and simply run a micro USB cable to them to charge them continuously. This can be an appealing option if you are planning sequential screenings of Lord Of The Rings films, as the satellite's batteries will take three hours to fully charge after discharging.

Sound bars are said to be easy to set up and use, but the JBL Bar 9.1 takes simplicity to a new level

This otherwise excellent design has only one irregularity: in some markets, JBL contains a set of four end caps to cover the exposed charging contacts on the bar and the satellites when they are not docked. Given the possibility of keeping the satellites permanently in this state thanks to these micro USB charging ports, this makes a lot of sense. What makes no sense is why Bar 9.1 doesn't always come with them. For example, our test unit didn't have one in the box.

To install

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar displaySimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Yes, sound bars should be easy to set up and use, but the JBL Bar 9.1 takes simplicity to a new level. After connecting the soundbar and subwoofer to the appropriate sockets and connecting the HDMI output of the bar to the HDMI ARC (or eARC) connector on your TV using the supplied HDMI cable, you are done with the basics.

The last step is to calibrate the system. Drag the surround modules from their houses next to the main bar and place them next to you. Pressing one of the buttons on the remote control for three seconds triggers a short but loud test tone, which is recorded by the bar's built-in microphones. Place the environment in its final positions and repeat the test. That's it. It took me longer to unpack the components than to set them up.

You can also connect the Bar 9.1 to Wi-Fi for AirPlay or Chromecast music streaming. Oddly enough, this has to be done using either the Apple Home app or the Google Home app on a smartphone or tablet. My attempts to use Apple Home failed, but Google Home got it working.

links

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar connections at the rearSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Simplicity is great until it gets in the way of what you want to do. The connections of the JBL Bar 9.1 are a good example: You get an HDMI input, an HDMI ARC output, an optical input and a USB connection.

This means that with multiple source devices like streaming players, Blu-ray players, game consoles, etc., you need to make some decisions about how they are connected and how to switch between them. At this price, the Bar 9.1 should behave like a real A / V receiver replacement with at least four HDMI inputs.

Including the optical connector can be helpful for older non-HDMI ARC televisions. However, please note the following: Dolby Atmos does not work via an optical connection. So if you want the full Atmos experience on an older TV, use your Atmos source. The device must be connected to the bar's only HDMI input.

The USB port is honestly a mystery to me. JBL says you can use it to play music from a USB stick or external drive, but I can't imagine why you want it to. Only MP3 files are supported and playback cannot be controlled at all.

Intelligent functions

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar with remote controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Despite the fact that most premium sound bars are now compatible with some kind of voice assistant, the JBL Bar 9.1 does not claim to officially support any of them. Maybe it's an oversight. I was able to configure the soundbar in both the Google Home and Apple Home apps. Google Assistant and Siri recognized them and initiated music streams.

Amazon's Alexa seems the weird A.I. however out.

A more puzzling question is why the Bar 9.1 with its two built-in microphones was not designed as a real smart speaker. With the Sonos Beam, you can talk to Google Assistant or Alexa for less than half the price. The $ 400 link bar from JBL acts as a Google Smart Speaker and Android TV streamer.

Sound quality

JBL Bar 9.1 Dolby Atmos soundbar expandedSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Overall, the JBL Bar 9.1 lives up to its promise to offer a powerful home cinema experience. When it comes to films and shows with a Dolby Atmos soundtrack or even just a Dolby Digital 5.1 track, immerse yourself in a sound ball.

I had a lot of fun watching John Wick, Chapter 3: Parabellum, a film tailored to demonstrate the strengths of Bar 9.1. Gunshots were heard with precision from different corners of the room, while in the motorcycle chase you could feel the growing whine of the motors of the motorcycles as they approached from behind and then with Wick & # 39; s ride (if only briefly) were level.

You may be tempted to leave the rear speakers docked to the soundbar, but this should be avoided. The bar 9.1 relies heavily on the placement of these satellites to provide an impressive experience and is difficult to restore spatial audio without it.

With a subwoofer that is as big and heavy and powerful as the one that comes with the Bar 9.1, you can expect serious basses that won't disappoint. The 10-inch submarine that shoots down will let go of your fillings effortlessly if you allow it to. With 300 watts of power, it's a good thing that you can choose from five levels of bass playback with the remote control. I found that level five can get a little uncomfortable at times.

But don't put the bass back too much. At the lowest level, the bar 9.1 loses a significant amount of low-end and it becomes clear that the drivers in the soundbar were not set to work well without the sub. It is definitely a package deal.

The biggest gap is the lack of a dialog improvement mode.

As good as the Bar 9.1's surround sound chops are, there are some limitations that prevent them from performing as well as I expect a soundbar to do at this price.

The main disadvantage is the lack of EQ settings. Yes, you can change the bass level, the degree to which the Atmos speakers unfold their magic, and the volume intensity of the satellites, but that's all she wrote. There are no discrete settings for movies, TV shows, or music, and no way to control the treble or middle independently. Even budget sound bars offer more options. The biggest gap, however, is the lack of a dialog enhancement mode.

There have been many times in which I had to crank up the total volume to overcome the under-emphasized central channel. My family noticed it too; My wife asked me why it felt like our television had become so loud lately.

Bar 9.1 is also a mediocre music machine. If you only play tracks that benefit from the latest recording techniques, such as Beck's Hyperspace album or Billie Eilish's No Time To Die tracks, it is actually very pleasant to be surrounded by these songs. However, take a journey back in time to more traditional mixes, and the tracks sound encased in the soundbar case.

This problem is exacerbated by a clear lack of midrange definition. You can use bar 9.1 as a Bluetooth speaker, but I recommend sticking with AirPlay or Chromecast, which both sound a lot better.

Wireless problems

JBL Bar 9.1 wireless Dolby Atmos soundbar speakerSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Every time you disconnect a physical connection between a source and a speaker, there is a risk of interference and other connection problems. I've seen this more than once on real bluetooth earbuds. Unfortunately, this can also affect the performance of the Bar 9.1 wireless satellites.

I noticed several times that both wireless speakers suffered from poor connection. It was not a constant – most of the time things were very stable, but every now and then I heard them interrupted. Given what I do for a living, my media room may have slightly more wireless devices than average, which could have helped, but the room itself is relatively small. The speakers were never more than a meter from the soundbar and always had a line of sight without physical barriers.

Of course, this will vary depending on your personal area, but it is something you should be aware of. These speakers are only wireless. So if you find that their connection is not stable, there may be very little you can do to improve it.

Our opinion

The JBL Bar 9.1 is an innovative solution to an age-old problem: better immersive sound without losing the simplicity of a sound bar. It works out. With an effortless setup and wireless speakers that you can put up almost anywhere, it's a very chic design. However, barebone input options, minimal audio settings and matte music playback are difficult to swallow at this price.

Is there a better alternative?

When freedom from fully wireless rear satellite speakers is a must in a sound bar, the JBL Bar 9.1 is not just a good choice, it's the only choice. But be prepared that JBL has restricted other functions and even the sound quality by offering this cool function. If you agree with wired rear speakers, the Vbyio SB36514-G6 36 ″ 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos soundbar is a much better value.

How long it will take?

The Bar 9.1's construction and materials are excellent, and the wireless satellite modules are also built to last, so they'll likely be able to withstand a lot of docking and undocking over the years. However, keep in mind that all rechargeable batteries will eventually run out and we don't know how easy (or expensive) it will be to replace them when they're done.

Should you buy it

If you're a movie dog who loves big, bold basses and has a strong desire to avoid laying cables at all costs, the JBL Bar 9.1 may be a good choice despite its shortcomings. Everyone else should think long and hard before spending $ 1,000 on this soundbar – you can find great Dolby Atmos sound for a lot less.

Editor's recommendations




23 Apr
Blog

Sony WH-CH710N Headphones Review: A True Wireless Value

Sony WH-CH710N headphones

"Sony's WH-CH710N wireless headphones are great at being good."

  • Excellent battery life

  • Comfortable design

  • Integration of the stellar voice assistant

  • Inconspicuous noise cancellation

The Sony WH-CH710N is the middle ground in the extensive range of wireless headphones from Sony. They have more premium features than Sony's entry-level models, without the premium price of flagship models like the WH-1000XM3.

Without question, some corners had to be cut to achieve this. However, the $ 200 Sony WH-CH710N, which will be available for pre-sale this month, offers more than enough features to make it fascinating – and an important addition to the Sony roster.

Out of the box

Corner No. 1: The box in which the WH-CH710N is delivered is just a box. I will of course not hold that against Sony. If you save price, you will lose some pomp and that is understandable.

Sony WH-CH710N headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Likewise, the WH-CH710N does not include a carrying case. A USB-C charging cable and a headphone cable are also included, as is a picture book that is displayed as a user guide. I found Sony's online help much more useful.

The Bluetooth setup was routine and simple. The WH-CH710N also supports Near Field Communication (NFC), where compatible devices can be paired with the headphones by touching the left ear cup. It was also a breeze. After a week of intensive listening with these headphones paired with a Google Pixel 2, I had no noteworthy connection problems. I also found the range of these Bluetooth 5-supported headphones to be exceptional.

design

I was surprised at the smaller footprint of the WH-CH710N, at least compared to other headphones I've tested recently. They are not exactly light, but for me they were of a good size and weight for longer listening times.

Sony WH-CH710N headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The oval ear pads were soft, but not as soft as you would expect from higher quality products. The headband also felt a little stiffer than I would have liked. These are mostly minor annoyances that have not affected my overall experience.

A total of five buttons are integrated in the WH-CH710N. There is an on / off switch on the left auricle, three buttons for volume and action commands aligned in a row on the right auricle, and a button to toggle between noise canceling and ambient sounds located on the same right auricle. A little learning curve was required to get used to the different buttons, but I was able to use each functionally in no time.

properties

On paper, there seems to be a lot to like about the features of the Sony WH-CH710N. These include the battery life and the compatibility of the voice assistant.

Sony WH-CH710N headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The WH-CH710N offers an estimated playback time of 35 hours with noise reduction activated and 45 hours without noise reduction. This is better than the WH-1000XM3's 30-hour battery life and is enough to take a week's commute without needing to recharge.

For obvious reasons, I didn't commute when I used these headphones. But they survived me with fairly constant use all week, so I can vouch for the longevity of these headphones. It takes approximately seven hours to fully charge the WH-CH710N. However, after 10 minutes of charging, you can play for an hour. It's not quite as fast as the WH-1000XM3, but it's still decent.

My beef mentioned above with the physical instruction manual is about activating voice assistants with the headphones. Based on the physical instructions, it is difficult to set up your preferred voice assistant. However, the online guide contains detailed instructions and quickly guided me through choosing my preferred assistant from the settings on my phone.

I chose Amazon Alexa as my assistant and by long pressing this action button I was able to do everything that I normally use with my Alexa devices, from setting the timer when cooking to controlling light bulbs and other smart home products . It may not be a big deal for everyone, but for a person who often uses smart assistants, flawless integration was a solid benefit.

Audio quality

I'm just going to get this out of the way now: The WH-CH710N won't sound as good as the WH-1000XM3 or other high-end alternatives. You just can't keep up with the clarity and audio quality of these premium wireless headphones.

Sony WH-CH710N headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

This is frankly not a big deal. They shouldn't be able to compete with high quality products in terms of sound, and they didn't have a price for it. What the Sony WH-CH710N had to do sounded good because if they weren't, they'd be a waste of great features.

I have good news. Equipped with 30 mm drivers and a frequency range from 20 to 20,000 Hz, the WH-CH710N offers what I can best describe as reliable audio quality. Even though I couldn't find a track that blew me away musically, it was difficult for me to come across a song that was misrepresented by the criminal.

If you're looking for high-fidelity sound for a fraction of the price, you'll be disappointed with the WH-CH710N, especially the limited codec support that includes SBC and AAC. But with realistic expectations, I think most people would enjoy how they sound.

Noise cancellation

The WH-CH710N is advertised as noise canceling headphones, but is not an active noise canceling headphones. Instead, Sony implemented a technology called AINC (Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancellation), which is designed to adapt continuously to the environment in order to create the most effective mode for noise suppression.

To support this, the headphones in each ear cup have a pair of microphones, one forward and one rear, to pick up as much ambient noise as possible. They also have an ambient sound mode to turn on outside noise without having to remove the headphones, and an option to turn off noise cancellation and ambient mode altogether.

In my experience, the AINC included in the WH-CH710N works … to a certain extent. At normal listening volume, some lower frequencies are filtered out well. But some annoying noises still found their way into my listening experience. Such as the neighbors' power tools during a weekend project. The noise canceling has muffled that noise to some extent, but it was nothing more than what I am used to with more premium headphones.

Our opinion

For the right person, the Sony WH-CH710N offers excellent value for money. It has a number of features for its cost if you're okay with sacrificing sound quality and noise canceling ability to keep on budget.

Are there any better alternatives?

It depends on what concessions you want to make. The WH-1000XM3 has dropped significantly in price, but they still cost almost $ 80 more than the $ 199 WH-CH710N. The previous model in the range, the Sony WH-CH700N, has dropped to $ 129 and has similar features, namely an identical battery life. However, the latest model has new components and technologies, which may make the additional costs worthwhile.

How long will they last?

The Sony WH-CH710N headband is rigid, but feels durable just like the rest of the product. As long as they are not misused, they should be your daily doses for the foreseeable future.

Should you buy it

Yes. They are not their more expensive, popular older siblings. Ultimately, the WH-CH710N offers excellent battery life and reasonable sound at a manageable price. They're not the best, but they're great at being good.

Editor's recommendations




23 Mar
Blog

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 Earbuds Review

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

"Sennheiser has managed to make the best-sounding earphones even better."

  • Unsurpassed sound quality

  • Stellar active noise cancellation

  • Easy setup and control

  • Revised battery life

  • Lean aesthetics

  • Expensive

  • Comparatively bulky design

In our humble opinion, the original Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless were the best sounding real wireless earbuds you could buy. But the excellent audio quality was costly, not just the high price that went with it. Sennheiser's first crack in real wireless simply didn't have the features that justified its price, with poor battery life being the biggest mistake.

Fortunately, two years turned out to be enough to fix some shortcomings. Sennheiser's recently announced $ 300 Momentum True Wireless 2, which is slated to hit stores in April 2020, are the five-tool stars we wanted from their predecessor. Thanks to the significantly improved battery life and the additional active noise suppression, Sennheiser has combined its incomparable sound quality in one overall package. Or at least damn close.

Out of the box

Aside from a few changes, nothing much has changed in terms of design from generation to generation. Sennheiser has shrunk the new buds by almost 2 mm to reduce weight and improve comfort. However, they have the same sharp aesthetics as the originals and have the silver Sennheiser logo on each end cap. The same applies to the supplied charging case; It maintains the pill form of the first version and is wrapped in a familiar, sleek fabric.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 case

Aside from the buds themselves and the case, the package included a quick start guide, three additional pairs of silicone earplugs, and a charging cable that is just as short as the previous iteration. I exchanged the earbuds that came with the buds for a slightly smaller option, and then put them in to get a firm but secure fit. With a quick glance at the manual, I went seamlessly through the setup process, in which both buds were touched simultaneously to put them in pairing mode, find them in my phone's Bluetooth settings, and connect.

design

I registered with these buds within the first few hours and noticed the size. Don't get me wrong, they're not the bulkiest earbuds I've dealt with, but they certainly won't go away in your ear like lighter options like the Samsung Galaxy Buds + do.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

Sennheiser has made progress by making Momentum 2 smaller than the originals, and I can confirm that this helped balance the load. Overall, they're comfortable earbuds, and I haven't noticed any major concerns when I wear them for extended listening sessions. However, if larger buds bother you more, I would take this into account when considering Sennheiser.

characteristics

The highlight in the converted bag with functions for the Momentum True Wireless 2 is the battery life. The originals offered disappointing four hours of playback on a single charge and a total of 12 hours on the case, neither of which could compete with much cheaper options like Apple's AirPods or Jabra's Elite Active 75T. It was a glaring flaw in an otherwise outstanding pair of buds and clearly something Sennheiser had to correct.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

The second generation of Momentum offers seven hours per charge and a total of 28 hours in combination with the charging case. Using active noise canceling and listening at louder volume usually affects these numbers, but for the most part, these juiced buds have kept the end of the battery bargain.

As is common today with wireless earbuds, the Momentum True Wireless 2 has customizable touch controls and detection features that pause playback when you remove an earbud. This "smart pause" function, as Sennheiser calls it, was slightly different from others that I auditioned because it stopped playing more gradually than a more abrupt pause in the sound. It's a small detail, but it became more and more important to me over time.

The Momentum 2 was easy to use with the touch controls. It takes a little trial and error to put all the commands into memory – things like volume controls are separated by buds, and more than once I've cranked up the volume instead of dampening it – but when I did, it was easy that control experience without reaching for my cell phone.

Like its older relatives, the Momentum 2 have IPX4 weather resistance. Essentially splashproof, but not completely waterproof. They were good for the light workouts I could do while practicing social distance, but I can't speak for how they would do in repeated sweaty sessions.

App optional, but not required

The Momentum True Wireless 2 have their own app called Sennheiser Smart Control. Since the earphones won't be available to the general public until next month, I've interacted with a beta version of the app so your mileage may vary. But for my money, the app itself was a decent compliment, but it wasn't necessary to enjoy these buds.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

They offered the opportunity to customize your touch controls, although after learning the standard controls, I didn't want to go back to the drawing board. There is also a tab where you can toggle the buds 'transparent hearing' function on and off so that you can record the sounds of the environment around you if you wish. But I could do that with a few blows to my right bud.

From my point of view, the most useful functions in the app were the settings that you could use to deactivate things like smart pause or the option to answer calls automatically. The equalizer provided with the app was useful for getting a little deeper or more heights out of the buds, but I always wanted to reset the buds to their original mood.

The audio quality is increased with ANC

At the expense of repetition, the first generation Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless were the best wireless earbuds we've ever heard. The company, widely known as a leader in audio quality, shouldn't have had to add much to the next edition to maintain the status quo.

Instead, they added active noise cancellation to the Momentum 2. In my opinion, this is a pretty big deal.

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2Nick Woodard / Digital Trends

Everything that has been applauded about the original is still there. The clarity, the impressive low-end, the breathtaking stereo images. I was impressed with how listening to selections like George Ezras Shotgun, the earbuds could easily keep up with the song's tight bass notes while refusing to overwhelm the singer's tremendous vocals. I've heard some pretty powerful earphones, but this is just another experience. The sound draws you into the music and devours you when you record notes and instruments that simply are not available from competitors.

Now take all of that and add active noise cancellation. With properly fitting earplugs, the earphones can solidly exclude ambient noise without this function. My morning dog walk along a busy road has never been so calm.

By tapping my right bud three times to activate active noise cancellation, I only heard Bill Burr's giggles during the Monday Morning Podcast. While I was working on the couch a few meters from my partner, I couldn't understand a word when she tried to communicate. Not ideal from a relationship point of view, but ideal for suppressing office noise, and probably very effective for travel.

Our opinion

Sennheiser has managed to make the best sounding earbuds even better by adding active noise canceling and significantly improving battery life. Earphones were previously available at a premium price and don't make a mistake, they still do. But with everything they have to offer, the Momentum True Wireless 2 offers remarkable value for money.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Sony WH-1000XM3 does most of what the Sennheiser do for around $ 70 less. They don't quite match in terms of audio quality, but are a viable option for those who aren't interested in the Momentum True Wireless 2.

Another cheaper model, the Samsung Galaxy Buds + for $ 149, offers solid sound and an industry-leading 11-hour playback time. They just lack the active noise cancellation function and they cannot keep up with the premium audio quality.

How long will they last?

Sennheiser has a history of exceptional workmanship with its products and there is no reason to believe that the Momentum 2 will be an outlier. It remains to be seen how fast the true wireless audio world moves, how long it takes for the technology behind the buds to become obsolete.

Should you buy them

Yes. They're still a bit tall and one of the more expensive pairs out there, but you won't find anywhere else earphones that sound so good with this wealth of quality features.

Editor's recommendations




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