Urbanista London True Wireless Review

08/05/2020 By Hakan Can

Best Alternative to Apple AirPods?

London is one of those places in the world which has something for everyone. I’m hoping this analogy translates to audio products from Swedish lifestyle brand Urbanista. Recently, we got our hands on the London, its latest true wireless, active noise cancelling earbuds, and put it through its paces. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Urbanista London True Wireless Review.

Pros:
• 5 Hrs Playtime
• 25 Hrs Battery Life
• Active Noise Cancelling
• Ambient Voice Mode
• Ear Detection
• Portable Charging Case

Cons:
• Low Volume Level
• Weak Audio Quality
• Price Tag of $149

Read: Philips PH802 Hi-Res Audio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

Urbanista London True Wireless Review

What You Need To Know About Operation

Upon opening the packaging, fully charge the Urbanista London true wireless earbuds within the supplied charging case. You can use a Q-certified charging pad as well.
Pairing these earbuds couldn’t be easier. All one has to do is lift the lid to the charging case with the earbuds in place, and that’s it. There are no buttons that require pressing.
After pairing the earbuds to your Bluetooth device, place the earbuds in your ears.
To play or pause the audio, simply tap the logo at the top of the left earbud twice.
To increase the volume, tap the logo at the top of the right earbud. To decrease the volume, tap the logo at the top of the left earbud. Brushing your finger along the earbud worked well for me.
To answer or end a phone call, touch the logo twice on either earbud. To reject a call, touch and hold the logo on either earbud.
To activate Siri or Bixby (I used this one) touch the logo on the right earbud twice.
To turn Active Noise Cancelling on or off, touch and hold the logo on the right earbud for at least two seconds.
To turn Ambient Voice Mode on or off, touch and hold the logo on the left earbud for at least two seconds.

Read: Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

Per the Urbanista press release, “Urbanista London is designed to provide the perfect fit and is comfortable for long periods of wear.” I agree wholeheartedly with this statement.

Urbanista London comes in four colors: Midnight Black, White Pearl, Rose Gold, and Dark Sapphire. And they arrive within a hard plastic, matte-finished charging case of the same color. A four-light charging indicator is located on the front of the case.

Controls are accessed by nothing more than a touch to the logo of either earbud. Operations are listed in the proceeding section. Although there’s no right or left designation on the earbuds, it’s near impossible to place the wrong one into the correct ear.

These earbuds have in-ear detection, ambient voice mode, and active noise cancelling. The latter utilizes a BES chipset, which I’m told is quite advanced with ANC. While I never got around to utilizing the ambient voice mode, as a situation never presented itself, I can attest that the ANC worked quite well, especially so while mowing the lawn.

In other tests, the earbuds worked as they’re supposed to for playing/pausing music, accessing phone calls, and with the Bixby voice assistant.

Charging of the earbuds is handled via the supplied case and USB-C cable. To achieve play lengths of ½ hour, 1 hour, and 3 hours, charge the earbuds for 5, 10, or 30 minutes, respectively. To completely charge the case takes just over 1.5 hours.

Ear tips come in three sizes: S, M & L.

From a design and feature perspective, London from Urbanista is a solid product.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Specifications

• List pricing of $149.99
• Driver Type: 10 mm
• Bluetooth Version: 5.0
• Supported Codes: AAC, SBC
• Siri/Google Assistant/Bixby
• IPX4 Protection

• Operating Temp: 0 – 40°C
• Battery Life: Up to 5 Hours
• Battery Type: Rechargeable Polymer Li-ion
• Range: 10 Meters
• Charging Time: 1.52 Hours
• Available in Midnight Black, White Pearl, Rose Gold, Dark Sapphire

What’s In The Box?

• Pair of Earbuds
• Charging Case
• Manual

• USB-C Charging Cable
• 3 Additional Pairs of Silicone Ear Tips

Read: Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

Audio Performance

As I often state, the most critical factor regarding earbuds and headphones is sound quality, followed by fit and feel. The Urbanista London earbuds were tested across a variety of artists using my Amazon Music account.

Audio performance is where the London earbuds lose their luster. Rather than excelling in audio quality, the earbuds faltered. Regardless of the type or genre of music, and I listened to plenty, what I heard felt like layers of cloth or a muffler between my ears and the artist. When testing a $150 product, I better be impressed, sadly I was disappointed.

Within the song Alone by Halsey, the finger snapping (among other things) didn’t sound right.

On the song Ultraviolence by Lana Del Rey, the audio quality sounds like a blurry mess when the instruments join her vocals.

On the song Bad as the Boys by Tove Lo, the percussion doesn’t sound right. It’s too loud and unpleasant on the ears.

I could continue with less-than-stellar examples from the bands 30 Seconds To Mars, Rush, and The Black Keys, but I won’t.

The only positives I can note are from Jazz legend John Coltrane and the EDM artist Zedd. The audio quality of their albums The Ultimate Blue Train and Clarity were better on the ears, but I’ve heard more satisfying from similarly priced earbuds.

Read: 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found these earbuds to be comfortable in my ears and very portable within its travel case.

Audio life of five hours is enough to cover two day’s worth of bus or subway commutes plus lunch breaks. Sadly, the audio quality disappoints.

• Design – 4.5
• Features – 4.5

• Sound – 2.0
• Value – 3.0

What do you think of this Urbanista London True Wireless review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Urbanista’s social media pages to see their latest announcements. The London True Wireless ANC earbuds come with a one-year limited warranty, click this Warranty Terms link for more information. To learn about returns, repairs, and technical support, click this Help Center link for more details.

FTC Disclosure: Urbanista provided Beantown with one (1) London True Wireless Earbuds sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Philips PH802 Hi-Res Audio Wireless Over-Ear Headphones Review

03/30/2020 By Hakan Can

With CES2020 in the rearview window, headphones that we saw, heard, or read about are now becoming available. One of these models is the Philips TAPH802 Hi-Res Audio wireless over-ear headphones. Priced under $150, the Philips PH802 headphones boast passive noise isolation, Bluetooth 4.2, Hi-Res Audio when wired, and closed-back 40 mm diameter speakers. These over-ear headphones are designed to deliver detailed audio reproduction. Want to know if they hit the mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Philips PH802 headphones review.

Pros:
• Superb sound
• Very comfortable fit
• Rapid/Quick charge capable
• Battery life of up to 30 hours

Cons:
• No storage bag included
• No USB-C charging port
• Lacks wear detection
• Only one color available

Read: Moshi Vacanza Weekend Travel Bag Review

Philips PH802 Headphones Review

What You Need To Know for Operation of the PH802

To power on or off in wireless mode, press and hold the power button for three seconds. You’ll hear “Power On” or “Power Off” depending on the operation.
To pair the headset to your mobile device, press and hold the power switch fully until you hear “Connected.” Then head to the Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device and pair the headphones.
To play and pause audio, press the button once for either action. Taking or ending a phone call is handled in the same manner.
To forward or reverse a music track, press down or up, respectively, while holding for one second to complete the action.
To increase or decrease the volume, push up or down the slider button, respectively.
Playtime lasts for a whopping 30 hours. Charging the headphones takes approximately 1.5 hours. You’ll notice a red blinking light while charging.
Note: these functions only work in wireless mode.

You’ve got to appreciate a pair of headphones where one switch controls every function. It couldn’t be any simpler.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

PH802 Design and Features

Although the Philips PH802 headphones come in an all-plastic, black color scheme, the design of the headset is a fascinating one with its use of curvature and non-uniform padding.

If you haven’t already noticed, the padding on the headband and ear cuffs is not the same thickness throughout; in other words, it’s uneven, and this is a good thing. If you examine it closely, you’ll notice the headband is thickest up top, and the ear cuffs have a bit of an s-curve shape with more padding in the lower half. This allows for a softer fit up top and better-enclosed fit on the sides.

In fact, the PH802 may be the only headphones in my arsenal where the ear cuffs fully encompass my ears. I went back and looked through my collection of on-ear and over-ear headphones only to realize that all but one model had uniformity in the shape of their headbands and ear cuffs. So, I’m not surprised by its excellent fit.

The headband surface, as well as the ear pads, are made from polyvinyl or leather, I can’t tell which. Regardless, they’re very soft and amazingly comfortable. Both the headband and ear pads contain memory foam, so every time you remove the headset, they’ll return to their designed state rather quickly. As someone who wears glasses, you shouldn’t worry about discomfort. The headband can fit a wide range of head frames with its twelve adjustable positions.

Determining which side is left or right is a bit confusing. Sadly, the “L” & “R” designations aren’t large enough to read.

The ear cups of the PH802 rotate 90° degrees in; thus, they lay flat when placed on a surface and approximately 10° out. Additionally, they bend inwards for better storage.

With only one button/slider and two inputs on the headset, the PH802 couldn’t be easier to operate. Placement is handled very well; never did I forget the location of anything. See the previous section for operation.

The headphones include a port for wired audio and another for charging.

Throughout hours of use, the button/slider work as advertised. One thing to remember, the button/slider doesn’t function when the headphones are wired to a mobile device.

Overall, the construction is well done and assures high quality.

As of today, the PH802 is available in one color–black. Should additional colors be introduced, this post will be updated.

Read: Fenix PD35 TAC Flashlight Review

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 90 db
• Headphone Frequency Response: 7 Hz – 40 kHz
• Driver Diameter: 40 mm
• Range: 10 meters
• Impedance: 16 Ω
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2

• Battery Type: Lithium-Polymer
• Max Power Input: 30 mW
• Music Play Time: 30 Hours w/o ANC
• Standby Time: 200 Hours
• Charging Time: 1.5 Hours
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP

What’s In The Box?

• PH802 Over-Ear Headphones
• Safety Sheet
• Quick Start Guide

• 48″ 2.5 mm Audio Cable
• 9″ μ-USB Charging Cable

Read: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Tove Lo – Sunshine Kitty
• Lana Del Rey – Ultraviolence, Born To Die

• Halsey – Hopeless Fountain
• Rush – Clockwork Angels

Audio Performance

I repeat this all the time when reviewing headphones; the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. The Philips PH802 over-ear headphones were tested using the playlist listed above. Each album was sampled against a comparable well-rated $200 headset selected from my collection. When you’re testing headphones with 40 mm drivers and a frequency response of 7 Hz – 40 kHz, you expect very high-quality sound.

I didn’t need to listen to anything beyond the first album, Sunshine Kitty from Tove Lo, to know that I loved these headphones. Nonetheless, in order to provide a thorough review, I listened to all five albums.

Vocals, keyboards, drums and percussion, and electric and bass guitar across all the albums were very much to my liking. Be careful not to go beyond the 85-90% volume setting. The high volume could negatively impact your hearing ability.

Whether you’re listening to Geddy Lee or any of the three female singers, vocals were exceedingly clear and vivid. And it wasn’t just vocals that shined. Keyboards, drums, and guitars all sounded the way I hoped it would before hitting the play button. The beauty of sampling Sunshine Kitty first is that you get plenty of bass, keyboard, and drums in droves. Take a listen to Sweettalk my Heart or Mateo. Bass and percussion sounds were deep, rich, and layered throughout the album. None of the $200 (or less) on-ear or over-headphones in my collection produced this high-quality level of audio. Normally, I’d have to jump up to a $250 (or higher) pair of headphones to hear bass like this. With the Philips PH802, less is more.

With the ambient noise of the city being a lot lower than normal thanks to COVID19, I wasn’t able to give the passive noise isolation a thorough workout. With that said, I had no issues with it in my home. I couldn’t hear my cat’s meows while she was beside me or the audio from the television in the adjoining room.

Read: Fenix TK22 V2.0 TAC Flashlight Review

Conclusion

In my testing, whether it be via wireless or wired connectivity, the Philips PH802 headphones performed without a hitch, in other words, phenomenally.

Vocals, keyboards, drums and percussion, and electric and bass guitar production was very much to my liking.

While these aren’t categorized as sports headphones, I have no issue with the PH802 being worn on the gym floor or treadmill, provided your gym is open for business. Sure, you’ll sweat, but they’ll hug your head in the process.

After using these headphones extensively in my home, I can confidently say that they’re among the best sub-$150 headphones I’ve listened to in quite some time.

The headphones are quite comfortable after many hours of continuous listening, barely leaving a mark once you remove them. At a list price of $109.99, the Philips PH802 are the best over-ear wireless headphones I’ve tried this year. I’ll be listening to my Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 a lot less going forward, maybe even retiring them. And you’re worried about the price, head over to Amazon where you’ll see them for $89.99. See the link below.

I’ll be keeping this headset and adding to my reference list when comparing to future similarly-priced pairs of headphones.

What do you think of this Philips PH802 review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Philips Support Page to see their latest on software and driver updates, registration, and warranties.

FTC Disclosure: Philips provided Beantown LLC with one (1) PH802 Hi-Res Audio headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Moshi Venturo Sling Backpack Review

LucidSound LS1X Premium Chat Gaming Headset Review

01/14/2020 By Daniel Nguyen

The LucidSound LS1X is a budget option designed for XBOX gamers at an enticing price point of $25. It consists of a lightweight, all plastic design, with all the features necessary for chatting with your friends. However, with only a single ear cup, is it worthwhile for those on a budget or those looking towards a lightweight alternative? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this LucidSound LS1X Premium Chat Gaming Headset Review.

LucidSound LS1X Premium Chat Gaming Headset Review

Design

The LucidSound LS1X is a single-cupped headset with a mutable microphone. It features a green and black color scheme, in line with the XBOX series (as it is officially licensed). The frame is made entirely of plastic and lacks any padding inside the ear cup though there is some padding on the actual cup and headband.

On the topic of padding and comfort, I didn’t find it to be very beneficial. Though this is a budget option, at a minimum, I would have liked to see padding on the other side of the headset. On this side, there is only a thin foam piece to provide comfort versus the plastic. The part inside the ear cup doesn’t have any padding either and is irritating when your ear rubs up against the plastic.

The 3.5mm cord is very short, so using it on PC isn’t feasible. Nonetheless, it plugs in fine to an XBOX controller.

Sound

Overall, I wouldn’t consider it horrible for a $25 headset. With voice processing in apps like Discord, I found the microphone to be somewhat useful. For competitive FPS games where sound cues are key for pinpointing an enemy, the single-cup design shows its apparent flaws. It’s impossible to determine where an enemy is, as you obviously can’t tell left from right. However, the audio quality is generally acceptable for a budget headset.

Additionally, there’s a nifty mute function by pressing on the outside of the earcup, which also turns to adjust the volume.

Read: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Value

I honestly don’t see where this product fits into a budget gaming market. Inexpensive in-ear earbuds are a better alternative on a budget since their design allows them to have stereo audio. In my opinion, stereo is a must-have for any headset geared towards gaming, or else sound cues won’t work as well.

Most gamers have earbuds lying around and work fine with either your computer or XBOX. While microphone quality on earbuds is typically abysmal, I don’t think expecting everything for $25 is fair.

There are plenty of cheap ($30, which I think is a fair price to pay for a decent budget option) headsets sprinkled throughout Amazon. While they’re from no-name brands, I still find those to look more comfortable and appealing than this LucidSound LS1X.

Conclusion

I struggle to recommend the LS1X when there are plenty of better alternatives. While the microphone is admittedly better than most earbuds, I would rather have a stereo audio experience rather than a mono-directional one. The lack of a second earcup makes this a handicap in games where sound cues matter and the comfort isn’t great either.

Overall, I give the LS1X a 1.5/5 rating. There are plenty of other XBOX gaming headsets available from LucidSound. Maybe the LS25, the LS35X, or the LS50X is right for you.

What do you think of this LucidSound LS1X premium chat gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: LucidSound provided Beantown LLC with one (1) LS1X gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

10/28/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset promises to deliver high-fidelity audio over either a wireless connection (via their proprietary Slipstream technology) or a wired connection (via 3.5mm/USB-C). With a focus on comfort and lightweight construction, will it tick those boxes as well as the high-grade audio quality it boasts? At an MSRP of $179.99, will it live up to its promises and deliver a premium feel that its pricetag implies? So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless Gaming Headset Review.

Read: Corsair M65 PRO RGB Mouse Review

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless High-Fidelity Gaming Headset Review

Corsair Virtuoso Headset Specifications

Read: Gaming: Corsair K70 LUX Keyboard Review

Design and Aesthetics

The Corsair Virtuoso is definitely a gaming headphone at heart, no matter how minimalist it looks. On the outside of both earcups, there’s RGB, which is controllable via iCUE provided you’re using either the USB-C cable or the wireless function. The RGB can be turned off, which helps if you’re going for a more sleek look. There’s always a faint Corsair logo no matter what, so if you’re not looking to have people know what brand your headphones are, it might hard to do so.

The detachable microphone features a green/red LED to indicate its status. The mute button on the bottom of the microphone toggles the mute function, and it turns red whenever muted. This makes it easier to tell at a glance if your microphone is muted or not.

The metal headband doesn’t seem like it’ll ever break, contributing to its premium feel. I flexed it very far, and it didn’t show any signs of temporary or permanent damage or warping. Overall, I don’t see any issues with its build quality or aesthetics.

Fit and Comfort

Speaking of lightweight construction and comfort, I had one major nagging issue while using this headset. The left side often bumped onto my ear and made it uncomfortable despite the seemingly thick ear cup padding. It’s a somewhat inconsistent issue, as it only happens to my ears about 50% of the time. It may be something I’m doing wrong, or it could be an issue with the padding on this headset. Overall though, the headband provides an adequate but not too excessive amount of clamping pressure, leading to very good comfort besides the issue mentioned above.

While the lightweight construction is supposed to be a selling point on the Virtuoso RGB Wireless, I weighed them in at 13.6 oz without the cable. My HyperX Stinger weighs in at a mere 7.5 oz and the Cooler Master MH751 at 8.8 oz. The Corsair Virtuoso seems relatively heavy in comparison, even though those other headsets are also well built. Notwithstanding, I didn’t notice the weight too much while gaming for short sessions, though you may feel it over longer sessions.

Read: Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

Features

The most significant selling point of the Virtuoso headset is the ultra-low-latency wireless technology, which I found to be extremely pleasant. The latency was so low that I could not notice it, even during intense gameplay when the lightning-quick response to sound cues are paramount. The included USB-C cable for wired listening, as well as the 3.5mm cable, worked great. For flexibility in setups between mobile and desktop, these cables are convenient to have. I would have liked to see a USB-C to USB-C cable to be easier to listen on smartphones without a 3.5mm headphone jack (which is a lot these days). Bluetooth would have also been a welcome addition, though I understand that would add to the cost of integrating new technology.

I also enjoyed the built-in microphone monitoring feature on iCUE. It’s helpful to listen to yourself, especially when you’re streaming or recording audio. Microphone feedback helps to make sure your microphone isn’t too loud, soft, or otherwise weird.

I found the feature set on the Corsair Virtuoso to be more than adequate, and it offered enough to unmistakably be a contender in the $150-$200 range, at least on paper.

Sound Quality

This headset has decent sound quality, though I wouldn’t classify it as anything that would satisfy most audiophiles. The audio sounds rather empty and unquestionably needs some adjustment. However, in iCUE, there is an option to adjust the EQ settings so that you can adapt it to your heart’s content. The Virtuoso can be 7.1 Surround Sound enabled, though I never got the chance to play with this as I don’t have any good games with 7.1 features. I also find 7.1 SS to be lackluster in most cases, so I wouldn’t worry about it much.

In games such as Rainbow Six: Siege, I was able to discern footsteps and sound cues easily. During gaming, I don’t see any issues, and if you’re purely using these for gaming, it’s a great audio system. The emptiness of the audio helps with discerning sound cues, though this isn’t so desirable elsewhere.

While listening to music, particularly music in the background of games, the audio sounded fine; thus, I see no concerns for most gamers. As I stated before, I don’t recommend these for an actual audiophile experience. Still, it certainly is satisfactory for most users.

The microphone quality is great for communicating during games as well as VoIP services, such as Skype. It’s very clear, and communications are a breeze.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Package Contents

• Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset
• Warranty Card
• Detachable microphone

• USB charging cable, 1.8m
• 3.5mm stereo cable, 1.5m
• USB Wireless Transmitter

Final Thoughts

The Corsair Virtuoso offers decent audio performance during a gaming session, though for music listening or movie watching, I found that it could be improved. The soundstage didn’t feel too empty while still being wide enough to discern sound cues in-game easily. The subtle emptiness did make for a less enjoyable media consumption experience, though I found it to be still decent enough. The impressive wireless range allows me more freedom than I’ve experienced before. The excellent gaming performance and decent microphone help with the overall gaming experience.

For gamers who want that extra bling, there’s also RGB. For $179.99, it is a very steep price for those who want to get into wireless audio. If you have the money, though, it’s low latency audio with a very minimalist and comfortable design with decent audio. Overall, I’d give this a 3.5/5 just because of the price, though if it were slightly lower, I’d say it deserves a 4/5.

What do you think of this Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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FTC Disclosure: Corsair provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Corsair Virtuoso RGB wireless gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC100BT Headphones Review

09/12/2019 By Hakan Can

Back at CES 2019, Audio-Technica introduced its latest QuietPoint ANC wireless headphones lineup. Within the three new models, ATH-ANC900BT, ATH-ANC500CT, and ATH-ANC100BT, only the latter is of the in-ear variety. Engineered with dynamic 12 mm drivers and in-line mic and controls, these in-ear headphones are designed to deliver detailed audio reproduction. Want to know if they hit the mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Audio-Technica ANC100BT review.

Pros:
• Exceptionally comfortable fit
• Battery life of 10-20 hours*
• Active Noise Cancellation
• Control clip
• Price of $99

Cons:
• No wall outlet plug included
• Lacks wear detection
• Bass audio is a bit soft

Read: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Review - SonicPro Headphones

Audio-Technica ATH-ANC100BT Review

What You Need To Know About Operation

Slide the power switch to ON. The green light beside NC lights up as well as the blue light beside the Bluetooth symbol.
On your mobile device, select the ATH-ANC100BT within the Bluetooth list, and your headset is now paired.
To power down, slide the power switch to OFF.
To charge the headset, place the supplied USB cord into a power source. Charging of the headphones takes up to 3 hours, and playtime lasts for 10-20 hours depending on how you use the ANC100BT.
Play and Pause are controlled by the pressing the large round button in the center of the clip. (If you’re like me, you may forget that it’s there.)
Volume adjustment is controlled via the “+” and “-” buttons located on the side of the clip.
To advance or return to a previous track, press and hold the “+” and “-” buttons for two seconds, respectively.
Regarding phone calls, press the Play/Pause button once to answer and disconnect calls.

Read: Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

Per the Audio-Technica website, “The ATH-ANC100BT QuietPoint® wireless in-ear headphones combine Audio-Technica’s proprietary active noise-cancelling technology with Bluetooth® wireless technology to give you greater freedom and listening pleasure in areas of high ambient noise.”

The in-ear portion of the ANC100BT comes with a hard plastic outer shell in a somewhat glossy black finish. The earbuds are angled and noticeably so to fit your ears better. They’re fixed in position which is preferred by this reviewer.

The controller is located approximately two feet down from each earbud. The controller is intriguing as it’s an alligator clip design. On one end is the audio cable before it branches out to each ear. On the other is the USB connection for charging and to go wired to an audio player.

On the wide-sided top are the mic, the circular logo, and the Play/Pause button. If you’re like me, you’ll forget that the button is even there and use Play/Pause directly from the audio source. I’m not saying it’s bad placement. I simply forget it’s there.

The opposite wide side has the alligator-mouthed clip with another AT logo. From my testing, the clip holds very well onto a shirt or jacket.

On the long, thinner side with the controls, there are the On/Off slider, noise-cancelling and Bluetooth light indicators, and volume push buttons.

Silicone tips come in four sizes: XS, S, M & L, plus there’s a Medium-sized Comply™ foam set.

One downside is the headset cannot be used while charging.

The quality of workmanship from Audio-Technica is high. In testing, the buttons worked flawlessly during music and phone calls. I was never worried about the cord being pulled out the controller as there’s plenty of slack.

“An internal lithium polymer rechargeable battery powers the headphones, giving you approximately 10 hours of continuous Bluetooth and ANC use on a full charge. The headphones come with a 30 cm (1′) USB charging cable, a 0.6 m (2.0′) audio cable with 3.5 mm (1/8″) stereo mini-plug, and a protective carrying pouch.”

Read: Sennheiser Momentum Free Earbuds Review

Specifications

• List pricing of $99.99
• Driver Type: 12mm Dynamic
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 24 kHz
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
• Impedance: 16 Ω w/ANC
• Sensitivity: 102-103 dB

• Cable Length: 2 Ft Detachable
• Battery Life w/ANC & Bluetooth: 20 Hours
• Battery Life w/ANC only: 10 Hours
• Range: 10 Meters
• Charging Time: 3 Hours
• Weight: 30 grams w/o cable
• Available in Black

What’s In The Box?

• Pair of Headphones
• Carry Pouch
• Quick Start and Caution Guides

• 1′ USB Charging Cable
• 2′ Audio cable w/L-shaped 3.5 mm plug
• 4 Pairs of Ear Tips + Comply Foam

Read: Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Meg Myers – Make A Shadow
• Tove Lo – Queen Of The Clouds
• The Smashing Pumpkins – Siamese Dream
• Rush – Clockwork Angels

• Bassnectar – Cozza Frenzy
• Shinedown – Amaryllis
• Halsey – BADLANDS
• Play List – Krewella and More

Audio Performance

As I often state, the most critical factor regarding headphones is sound quality, followed by fit and feel. The Audio-Technica ATH-ANC100BT in-ear wireless headphones were tested across music from the artists and playlists listed above using my Amazon Music account.

This time around, I didn’t test the headphones in the gym. Even though they’re lightweight and held firmly in my ears, I was worried about the control module bouncing off my shirt.

The first test on how well these earbuds sounded was with hard rock music from the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, Shinedown, and Rush.

When it came to percussion instruments like drums and cymbals, the ANC100BT produced bright sounds. Percussion on these albums was by far my favorite to listen to, followed by acoustic guitar. The detailed drum work across the three rock albums was crazy good. Please take a listen to Today or Rocket from Siamese Dream. You won’t be disappointed. Who doesn’t like to hear Neil Peart or Jimmy Chamberlin hammer away on the drums?

Bass audio was a bit soft, and pretty much expected as the ANC100BT isn’t labeled a bass-heavy pair of headphones. I couldn’t enjoy Geddy Lee’s base work to its fullest. It took second fiddle to vocals, guitar, and drums.

Pop music from female artists such as Halsey’s hopeless fountain kingdom and BADLANDS and Tove Lo’s Queen Of The Clouds sounded well. The vocals across these albums shined, but like their rock band brothers, bass audio wasn’t quite where I would have liked it. If you take a listen to The Way That I Am or Thousand Miles by Tove Lo, you know bass should be more pronounced with a bit more clarity.

Overall I was very pleased with the audio emanating from this sub-$100 pair of headphones.

Read: 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found these earbuds to be very comfortable in my ears and very portable whether clasped onto a shirt or coat.

Audio life of 10-20 hours (depending on its use) is more than enough to cover one week’s worth of commutes to work plus every lunch break. The audio quality is quite good with its 20 Hz – 24 kHz range. The ATH-ANC100BT headphones are staying put in my collection with a lot more use coming.

• Design – 4.50
• Features – 4.50

• Sound – 4.25
• Value – 4.50

What do you think of this Audio-Technica ANC100BT headphones review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the News page to see their latest announcements. The ATH-ANC100BT wireless in-ear headphones come with a two-year limited warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Audio-Technica provided Beantown with one (1) ATH-ANC100BT sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Sennheiser Momentum Free Earbuds Review

09/08/2019 By Hakan Can

Best Neckband Earbuds of 2019?

We rarely get the opportunity to review neckband earbuds. In fact, we’ve only tested two models all year. We don’t know why this is, but whenever the opp to review one comes our way, we seize it. This brings us to the Sennheiser Momentum Free earbuds, which until recently were known as Sennheiser HD1 Free earbuds. (Don’t be confused by our product photos.) With features such as high-quality audio, Bluetooth 4.2, and Qualcomm apt-X codecs, these earphones offer much to the consumer. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Sennheiser Momentum Free Review.

Pros:
• High-quality bass audio
• Connects to two devices
• Bluetooth 4.2
• apt-X, apt-X LL codecs
• Lightweight design
• Leather travel case

Cons:
• No USB-C connection
• No noise cancellation
• Price tag of $200
• Battery life of 6 hours

Read: Edifier S880DB Bookshelf Speakers Review

Sennheiser Momentum Free Earbuds Review

What You Need To Know About Operation

After pairing the Momentum Free to a Bluetooth device, place the earbuds in your ears. Then press the power on button located in the center of the control panel. Hold the button down for 2 seconds.
When powering down, press the power button for 4 seconds, and they will turn off. Store them in the circular leather travel case for safekeeping.
To charge the headphones, place the USB cord into a power source. Charging of the headphones takes up to 1.5 hours, and playtime lasts for 6 hours.
Volume adjustment is controlled via the “+” and “-” buttons located beside the power button.
To control music, press the power button to play and pause. To advance or return to a previous track, press and hold the “+” and “-” buttons for one second, respectively.
To control phone calls, press the power button once to answer and disconnect calls. To reject a call, press and hold the button for one second. You can even achieve 3-way calling.

Read: Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

Per the Sennheiser website, “The smaller the headphone, the more meticulously built it has to be. The Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free is pure precision. From its custom machined stainless steel in-ear sound tunnels for the signature MOMENTUM sound to its luxurious leather carrying case.”

The Momentum Free earbuds come with a hard plastic outer shell in a black/silver color combination. Controls are located a few inches away from the right earbud. The earbuds come with a flexible and rubbery neckband approximately 29″ in length. As the cord comes out of each earbud, it goes through a loop. I suspect this helps prevent the cable from being accidentally yanked out of the earbud. It’s also a good look.

Unlike similar models, the earbuds are angled and noticeably so to fit your ears better. Ear tips come in four sizes: XS, S, M & L.

The quality of workmanship from Sennheiser is high. In testing, the buttons worked flawlessly during music and phone calls.

When not in use, there’s the magnetic clasping feature, which we don’t see often enough. These earbuds do lack wear detection, and that’s fine. One shouldn’t expect every available feature. I do wish they had A.N.C.

The Momentum Free earbuds don’t allow for passive audio to come through. So much passive audio was blocked, making it difficult to hear a conversation. I found myself removing one of the earbuds to listen to whoever was attempting to speak with me.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Specifications

• List pricing of $199.99
• Driver Type: Dynamic (SYS10)
• Frequency Response: 15 Hz – 22 kHz
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
• Impedance: 28 Ω
• THD: <0.5%
• Sound Pressure: 118 dB

• Operating Temp: 0 – 40°C
• Battery Life: Up to 6 Hours
• Battery Type: Rechargeable Polymer Li-ion
• Range: 10 Meters
• Charging Time: 1.5 Hours
• Weight: 40 grams
• Available in Black

What’s In The Box?

• Pair of Headphones
• Leather Travel Case
• Quick & Safety Guides

• USB Charging Cable
• 4 Pairs of Ear Tips

Read: Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Meg Myers – Make A Shadow
• Tove Lo – Queen Of The Clouds
• Halsey – hopeless fountain kingdom
• Rush – Clockwork Angels

• Bassnectar – Cozza Frenzy
• Tool – Fear Inoculum
• Halsey – BADLANDS
• Play List – Krewella and More

Audio Performance

As I often state, the most critical factor regarding headphones is sound quality, followed by fit and feel. The Sennheiser Momentum Free earbuds (previously known as HD1 Free) were tested across music from the artists and playlists listed above using my Amazon Music account. Minus one change, it’s the same play list we used for the Edifier TWS2 earbuds.

Additionally, I gave them a go around the gym during numerous weight and treadmill workouts. The Momentum Free earbuds held up well during all my gym sessions. Due to their lightweight and secure fit, they held firmly in my ears.

The first test on how well these earbuds would handle (keyboard, drum, and guitar) bass was from listening to Tool’s new album Fear Inoculum. Over many albums, Tool has placed an emphasis on bass audio regardless of the musical instrument. Now, I’m not a fan of this particular album, but I couldn’t help but be impressed with how their 16-minute song 7empest sounded.

I want to make one thing clear, and that is I’m no bass head. Regardless, I know many who are, and they’ll appreciate what the Momentum Free offers. The bass clarity at the highest volume with my Samsung Galaxy phone was terrific.

When testing a $200 product, I better be impressed. Fortunately, with the Momentum Free, I was. These earbuds packed plenty of clear bass audio.

Even albums from female artists such as hopeless fountain kingdom and BADLANDS from Halsey or Queen Of The Clouds from Tove Lo sounded well, especially the former. The vocals are a bit deeper, but if this is what you enjoy listening to, then you won’t complain. I particularly enjoyed listening to Colors and Gasoline.

I was less impressed with how Make A Shadow from Meg Myers sounded. As her music is more pop-and-rock oriented, the increased bass takes away from some of the instruments.

Read: 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found these earbuds to be very comfortable in my ears and very portable whether clasped around my neck or in its leather travel case.

Audio life of six hours is more than enough to cover two day’s worth of bus or subway commutes plus lunch breaks. The audio quality is quite good with its 15 Hz – 22 kHz range.

• Design – 4.75
• Features – 4.25

• Sound – 4.25
• Value – 3.50

What do you think of this Sennheiser Momentum Free earbuds review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Sennheiser’s social media pages to see their latest announcements. The Momentum Free comes with a two-year warranty, click this Warranty Terms link for more information. To learn about returns, repairs, and technical support, click this Service Support link for more details.

FTC Disclosure: Sennheiser provided Beantown with one (1) Momentum Free Wireless Earbuds sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

08/30/2019 By Hakan Can

Best Wireless Earbuds Under $50?

It seems like every month there’s a new wireless Bluetooth headset on the market. A few months back, the folks at Edifier, the speaker and headset brand, joined the never-ending party and introduced their TWS2 truly wireless earbuds. With features such as 12 hours of battery, Bluetooth 5.0, and a sub-$50 list price, these earphones offer much to the consumer. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Edifier TWS2 earbuds review.

Pros:
• High-quality audio
• Dual touch control design
• Price under $50
• IPX4 splash-proof rating
• 12 hours of total battery life

Cons:
• Charging case does not have a USB-C connection
• No volume control

Read: Edifier S880DB Bookshelf Speakers Review

Edifier TWS2 Earbuds Review

What You Need To Know About Operation

To power on the TWS2, remove both earbuds from the charging case and gently place them in your ears. If you don’t have the case, press the multi-function button down for 5 seconds.
When powering down the TWS2, place them back into the case, and they will turn off. Without the case, press and hold the multi-function button down for 5 seconds, and they will turn off.
To charge the headphones, place them into the charging case. There are three white lights on the front of the case indicating the percentage level of charge for the case. The earbuds themselves have charging lights. A red light indicates charging while a blue light indicates a full charge.
Playtime lasts for 3 hours. Charging of the headphones takes up to 1.5 hours.
On the backside of the case is the USB-A charging port. The case provides 9 hours of battery.
For Bluetooth pairing to your mobile device, go into your Bluetooth Settings, locate “Edifier TWS2” and pair them. You can use one or both earbuds.
To control music, press the multi-function button on the right earbud to play/pause, and twice to advance a track. To go to the previous track, press the multi-function button on the left earbud twice. Advance and previous track do not work
To control phone calls, press the multi-function button to answer and disconnect calls, thrice to go to a voice assistant. To reject a call, press and hold the button.

Read: Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

Per the Edifier website, “enjoy all the benefits that come with the newest in Bluetooth 5.0 streaming technology. That means up to twice the speed, 4 times the range, and 8 times the capacity of older Bluetooth devices.”

The Edifier TWS2 earbuds come with a hard plastic outer shell with a multi-function push-button on each side. In testing, the buttons worked well and as designed. The charging case appears to be the same hard plastic as the earbuds. The earbud holders have magnetic catches so as you place them into the case; they snap into place. If you were to hold the case upside down and try to shake the earbuds loose, you would likely fail. You would need a fast motion with a sudden stop to jar them loose.

The TWS2 is complemented with three pairs of ear tips (Edifier calls them earmuffs) and a charging cable. The product is currently available in three colors: black, red, and white.

The comfort level of the earbuds is rather good, but they don’t fit as snug into my ears as I would like, so I don’t recommend them for use during exercise. I would suggest the TWS3 earbuds as it offers a sweat-proof design. The outer portion of the earbuds do protrude a bit from your ears, but then again, whose pair doesn’t.

If you’ve not worn this type of earphone before, there’s little-to-no learning curve with respect to the multi-function buttons.

Read: Cooler Master GS750 Desktop Hub Review

Specifications

• List pricing of $49.99
• Driver Type: Dynamic 8 mm per ear
• Waterproof Rating: IPX4 Splash-Proof
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP
• Bluetooth Version: 5.0
• Impedance: 32Ω
• Sensitivity: 94 dB

• Operating Temp: 0 – 40°C
• Battery Life: Up to 3 Hours
• Battery type: Rechargeable Polymer Li-ion
• Charging Case Battery: 9 Hours
• Charging Case Charge Time: 1.5 Hours
• Charging Case Battery: Rechargeable
• Available in Black, White, Red

What’s In The Box?

• Pair of Headphones
• Charging Case
• Quick Start Guide

• USB Charging Cable
• 3 Pairs of Ear Tips

Read: Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Meg Myers – Make A Shadow
• Tove Lo – Queen Of The Clouds
• Halsey – hopeless fountain kingdom
• Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack

• Bassnectar – Cozza Frenzy
• The Black Keys – El Camino
• Play List – Dark Pop
• Play List – Krewella and More

Audio Performance

As I often state, the most critical factor regarding headphones is sound quality. The Edifier TWS2 earbuds were tested across music from the artists and playlists listed above. Minus two changes, it’s the same play list we used for the JBL Endurance PEAK in-ear sports headphones.

Over the past month, I’ve been testing these wireless earbuds listening to all sorts of songs with my Amazon Music account.

Additionally, I gave them a go around the gym during weights and cardio workouts. While I greatly enjoyed the former, I don’t recommend the latter. Even though they’re sweat-proof garnering an IPX4 rating, I don’t believe the TWS2 is best designed for use during exercise, particularly cardio.

The first test was on how well could these earbuds handle (keyboard, drum, and guitar) bass from the like of Krewella and Bassnectar. The bass clarity even at the highest volume with the Samsung Galaxy S9 was impressive. Songs like Promises by Skrillex, and Boombox and Rabbit’s Revenge by Bassnectar delivered big time! If I didn’t have to complete the review, I would have kept listening to more from Cozza Frenzy.

For a $50 product, I was blown away! The TWS2 packs plenty of oomph. The audio was high-quality and distortion-free.

Take a listen to Halsey’s album hopeless fountain kingdom or Queen Of The Clouds from Tove Lo, the latter being my favorite artist. I believe you’ll be equally impressed with the vocal reproduction of the TWS2.

Read: 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, I found these earbuds to be comfortable in and around the ear and very portable in its small charging case.

Audio life of three hours is more than enough to cover one day’s worth of bus or subway commutes plus a lunch break. The charging case increases its life by another nine hours without the need to recharge. The audio quality is quite good with its 20 Hz – 20 kHz range.

As I often state, you get what you pay for. The $50 list price is more than fair. I’m surprised these earbuds don’t list at a higher price.

• Design – 4
• Features – 4.25

• Sound – 4.5
• Value – 4.75

What do you think of this Edifier TWS2 earbuds review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

• Follow Edifier on Twitter
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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Edifier’s social media pages to see their latest announcements. To learn more about warranties, click this Warranty Terms link for information. These headphones come with a two-year limited warranty. To learn about returns, click this Returns Policy link for more details.

FTC Disclosure: Edifier provided Beantown with one (1) TWS2 Bluetooth Earbuds sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

07/06/2019 By Daniel Nguyen

In 2019, Is This The Best Gaming Headset Under $80?

Back around Thanksgiving 2018, the folks at Cooler Master announced their entry into the gaming headset market. Their two new over-the-ear models, the MH751 and MH752, are the first we’ve seen from the global brand. Come October 2019, we’ll see three more models, one of which is their first wireless headset. How did the MH751 it hold up to our testing? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Cooler Master MH751 gaming headset review.

Cooler Master MH751 Gaming Headset Review

According to Bryant Nguyen, Peripheral General Manager at Cooler Master, “We wanted to create a headset with a focus on audio quality, mic quality, and comfort. The MH751 and MH752 are a result of this vision. Both are lightweight and can be worn hours on end providing unparalleled sound for all types of use.”

Read: Gaming: Sennheiser GSX 1200 PRO Amplifier Review

MH751 Design, Fit, & Features

The MH751 is a sleek, black headset with its only visible branding being a silver Cooler Master hexagon. This allows for a stealthy appearance, one in which I would consider wearing in public. The detachable boom mic and 3.5mm cable make portability easy, as you can toss these pieces into a bag and put them together later without the need to untangle a cord. You can also use this headset without a mic, which also leads to a stealthier appearance in public.

The minimalistic design delivers comfort and style while not being a burden on your head due to its light weight of 280 grams (0.62 pounds). The padded headband and ear-cups felt super comfortable and allowed for hours of continued use. The clamping force is also rather reasonable, and the MH751’s design should not be a concern for any eyeglass wearers.

The MH751 features an adjustable headband and swiveling ear-cups, meaning it will fit well on anyone’s head. My head felt snug in the headset, though this may vary for people with rather small or large heads. The swiveling ear-cups also allow it to contour to your head more, which is a much-appreciated feature.

However, the fact that the ear-cups swivel 90 degrees away from you does not make sense to me. If you wish to rest your headphones on your neck, you will either be stuck with the ear cups being perpendicular to your chest or the microphone resting on your chest. Neither of these positions is comfortable and make me wonder why Cooler Master didn’t have the ear cups swivel 90 degrees the other way.

The MH751 features an adjustable volume wheel and a mute slider on the cable. I personally don’t like the on-cable adjusters as it is difficult to find in the thick of a battle, especially when you’re trying to mute your microphone before someone else in your household starts trying to talk to you.

On the left side of the headphone is a detachable microphone. The mic quality is not that bad, and would undoubtedly suffice for most users’ needs, especially for dedicated gamers or just for casual Skype calls. However, if you’re seriously looking into streaming or video production, I would recommend a dedicated mic setup; however, this isn’t the fault of the headset, merely the fact that a dedicated setup will always sound better.

One final thing–there’s a locking feature on the cord preventing from falling out of the headset.

Read: Sennheiser GSP 301 Gaming Headset Review

MH751 Gaming Performance

While playing Fortnite and Overwatch with the MH751, I found myself able to listen to the various nuances and sounds that one would need to know their surroundings. Even though I was often playing with music, I still found myself able to distinguish sounds that were on the softer end. Overall, I would say that if you are purely gaming, there should be no concerns with your performance during gaming sessions. The lightweight design and comfortable cushions will also help for extended gaming sessions.

While listening to my music, I noticed that treble accents and vocals weren’t emphasized as much as bass tones. However, this is typical of most gaming headsets, and I still had no issue listening to my music. However, if you aren’t planning to super seriously game on the MH751, I would recommend a less gaming-oriented pair of headphones.

MH751 Gaming Headset Specifications

• Driver: 40mm Neodymium
• Cable lengths: 1.5m 3.5mm connector, 0.3m dual 3.5mm cable
• Headphone frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Impedance: 26 ohms
• Sound pressure level: 97 dB ± 3 dB

• Microphone frequency response: 100 Hz – 10 kHz
• Microphone pick-up pattern: Omni-directional
• Microphone sensitivity: -42 db ± 3 dB
• Weight w/cables: 280 grams (0.62 lb)
• Dimensions: 5.8 x 3.35 x 8.46 inches

Package Contents

• MH751 gaming headset
• 1.5m 3.5mm connector (removable), 3.5 mm, 4-pole jack
• Detachable microphone

• Multi-language instructions
• 0.3m dual 3.5mm cable (removable), 3.5 mm, 4-pole jack
• Black velvet carry pouch

Final Thoughts

The MH751 offers a superb gaming experience with a super comfortable design and sleek but stealthy design. For the price and the feature set it provides (including detachable cables, volume adjustment and microphone mute), it really is one of the best value gaming headsets on the market right now. Therefore, I give this a solid 4.5/5 rating due to its comfort and audio quality, only falling short due to the lack of vocal emphasis in music.

Available for purchase on the Cooler Master website at a price of $79.99, this headset is in the mid-range for gaming headsets. See our Amazon Affiliate Link at the bottom of this review.

What do you think of this Cooler Master MH751 gaming headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the Cooler Master press page to see their newest products. To learn more about service, support, and warranties, click here for their Service-Support page. The MH751 gaming headset comes with a 2-year warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Cooler Master provided Beantown LLC with one (1) MH751 gaming headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Gaming: Sennheiser GSP 350 Headset Review

SHIVR 3D Wireless NC18 Headset Review

07/06/2019 By Hakan Can

Two months ago, the upstart brand SHIVR introduced their first 3D wireless noise-cancelling headset to a select number of audio reviewers. We were most fortunate to receive a pair. The NC18 boasts active noise-cancelling, spatial audio technology, and a built-in gyroscope. Engineered with closed-back dynamic 40 mm drivers, these over-ear headphones are designed to deliver varying types of audio reproduction. Want to know if they hit the mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this SHIVR 3D Wireless NC18 Headset review.

Pros:
• Comfortable fit & sharp design
• Solid construction yet flexible
• ANC & spatial audio
• Battery life of up to 20 hours
• Wear detection
• 40 mm drivers

Cons:
• No wall outlet plug included
• Missing airline adapter
• No audio alerts when switching ANC or 3D sound on/off
• Currently only one style available

SHIVR 3D Wireless NC18 Headset Review

Per the press release, “A next-generation, noise canceling 3D audio headphone had been created by us, with the idea of reinventing how sound is experienced. One will be able to savor the stunning feeling that he has never had before. We really think you don’t want to miss this. It will be a WOW, we promise.”

Here’s What You Need To Know for Operation

To pair the headphone to your mobile device, slide the power switch to the ON position. The time this takes varies based on your device. A blue light will flash in a particular order. Then head to the Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device and pair to NC18.
Volume up and down is controlled by pressing the volume control to the + or – position.
The Play/Pause Button controls all music such as playing, pausing, forward and previous track, and telephone operations such as answering, ending, and rejecting calls.
When receiving or ending a call, a quick tap handles this; a 2-3 seconds tap rejects it. One tap also controls playing and pausing of music. A quick (and I do mean quick) double tap forwards one track. A quick triple tap goes to the previous track.
Playtime lasts for 20 hours. Charging the headset takes approximately 2 hours. A blinking red light will show when the battery is low, as will a voice prompt. Charging the battery will prompt a red light while a fully charged battery will light green.

Read: Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

Design and Features

The outer headband surface, as well as the ear pads, are made from a “skin-friendly protein leather.” Regardless, they’re very soft and comfortable. The quality of the workmanship is quite good.

Both the headband and ear pads contain some form of memory foam, so every time you remove the headset, they’ll return to their designed state.

Determining which side is left or right is straight-forward. Unlike some headsets, the “L” & “R” designations on the inside are large enough to read. Cups can rotate 90° degrees in and roughly 10° out, plus there are hinges to reduce the space need to fit into the hard carrying case.

The headband can fit a wide range of head frames with its nine adjustable positions. My head fits well within three open notches. Button and switch placement is handled very well; never did I forget the location of anything. As it stands, the tap controller, the volume controller, and the USB-C charging port are on the right, while the ON/OFF switch, the MFC button, and the audio cable port are on the right. Overall, the construction is well done and assures high quality.

The headphones come with four Bluetooth Codecs: aptX™, aptX™ low latency, AAC, SBC.

Included in the packaging is a hard carrying case which is fabric-lined. There’s also a charging cable, an audio cable, a user manual, stickers, and a button.

The SHIVR 3D Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headset is currently available in one color. Should an additional color be introduced, this post will be updated.

Read: Moshi Costa Travel Bag Review

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 115 ±3 S.P.L. at 1 kHz
• Driver Type: 40 mm Closed-Back Dynamic
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Headphone Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Noise-Cancelling Width: 50 Hz – 1 kHz
• Microphone Type: Omni-Directional
• Bluetooth Codecs: aptX™, aptX™ low latency, AAC, SBC

• Battery: 720 mAh Lithium-Polymer
• Music Play Time: 20 Hours
• Charging Time: 2 Hours
• Weight:
• Range: 48 Feet (15 Meters) direct line of sight
• Operating Temperature: -10°C – 50°C
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2

Read: Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Emile Sande – Our Version of Events
• Lana Del Rey – Paradise
• My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

• Zedd – Clarity
• Ellie Goulding – Halcyon
• The Black Keys – El Camino

Audio Performance

I repeat this time after time again when reviewing speakers and headphones; the most critical factor is the quality of sound. These over-ear SHIVR headphones were tested across a broad range of music using the playlist listed above. When you’re testing headphones with 40 mm drivers, you expect them to deliver detailed audio reproduction.

The quality of vocal and instrumental reproduction (guitars, keyboards, drums, etc.) was impressive up to the 70-75% volume level. Once the volume got beyond this point, the audio reproduction wasn’t to my liking. I don’t like blistering audio regardless as I have tinnitus and value my ears.

Bass audio reproduction is the strong point of the SHIVR NC18. I’m amazed at how well I can hear the bass drum every time it’s struck.

Vocals come out smooth and full of life. The vocal reproduction of Ellie Goulding and Emily Sande sounded terrific. After having played albums from the artists listed above, I can report that this headset met my expectations.

When it came to the active noise cancelling, I wasn’t blown away or disappointed. The ANC on the NC18 was par for the course. After using the Libratone Q Adapt on-ear headphones (specifically for its ANC) for 2+ years, I find it difficult to switch.

The motion tracker/spatial audio technology is a most interesting feature within the SHIVR NC18 headset. For those that haven’t tried this technology before imagine moving your head left to right or from up to down. One doesn’t need to be sitting either; most of us wear headphones on the go. So as we walk and turn our heads, the audio shifts to reflect our head movement.

I enjoyed this feature much of the time when it came to the playing of music, but not always. Paradise from Lana Del Rey and The Black Parade from My Chemical Romance were a trip to listen to. Jazz from the likes of John Coltrane are well suited to this technology. On the flip side, El Camino from indie rock band The Black Keys wasn’t an improvement for me.

Each listener will take away a slightly different experience with this tech.

A Few Things I Noticed

Now, I wouldn’t be much of a reviewer if I didn’t find a fault or two with SHIVR headset. The feature I disliked the most and needs improvement is the microphone. On the few occasions when I took a wireless call while wearing the headset, the recipient I was speaking with stated that I sounded like I was talking with a cloth over my mouth; a bit muffled. The words were clear enough to comprehend, but the lower frequencies in my voice were a bit too high. On my end, I could hear the people I was speaking with quite well. When the call was completed, the music I had been listening to kicked back on.

Another unusual thing occurred when I was unable to forward or go to a previous track on a particular track from one of the albums listed above. It was bizarre, and this never occurred with any other album. I think it’s safe to say that this is an issue with the MP3 audio, not the headset.

Extended use does create some perspiration on the earpads, but this should be expected in hot and humid conditions. So long as leather or leather-like materials are used for the earpads, this issue will persist.

Read: The Strain Complete Series DVD Release Date Announced

Conclusion

The feature-rich SHIVR 3D wireless NC18 headphones performed quite well. The production of vocals and solid bass up to the 70-75% volume setting was music to my ears.

These headphones are amazingly comfortable after many hours of continuous use. At $169.99, the NC18 headset is well priced in the marketplace. If you have the opportunity to demo this headset, I believe you’ll enjoy it as much as I have, and continue to do so.

What do you think of this SHIVR 3D Wireless NC18 Headset review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the SHIVR website to see their latest announcements. The NC18 3D wireless over-ear headset comes with a one-year limited warranty. “SHIVR products are warranted against defects in materials and craftsmanship for a period of one year from the date of original retail purchase.”

FTC Disclosure: SHIVR provided Beantown with one (1) NC18 headset sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Review - SonicPro Headphones

JBL Endurance PEAK Waterproof Sports Headphones Review

03/04/2019 By Hakan Can

Best Sports Headphones Under $120?

True wireless in a sports headphone is a goal of many of today’s top headphone brands. The latest in-ear waterproof-rated sports headphones are the ENDURANCE PEAK from JBL. PEAK is the 5th model in the JBL ENDURANCE line. At the time of this writing, the ENDURANCE PEAK has received rave reviews earning a 4.4 out of 5 rating from respondents on JBL’s website, feel free to read their testimonials. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this JBL Endurance PEAK headphones review.

Pros:
• High-quality audio
• Touch control design
• Secure wrap around design
• IPX7 waterproof rating
• 28 hours of total battery life

Cons:
• Changing case does not have USB-C connection
• $120 price may be an issue to some

Read: JBL Unveils New Wireless Headphones and Speakers at CES 2019

JBL Endurance PEAK Headphones Review

What You Need To Know About Operation

To power on the headphone, remove the right ear headphone and unhook the POWERHOOK™. You’ll hear an engine startup noise. Do the same with the left headphone so that it pairs with the right. A red light will appear when they power on.
For Bluetooth pairing of the headphones to your mobile device, go into your Bluetooth Settings within your mobile device and pair them. You’ll hear a few guitar sounds, and it’ll be complete.
For Bluetooth pairing to a new device, tap the control panel on the right headphone, then tap and hold for five seconds. Now you’re all set. When both headphones are in use, a solid blue light will appear.
All controls are on the right headphone.
To control music, tap the control panel once to play/pause, twice to advance a track, and three times for the previous track.
To adjust volume, brush your finger up or down the control panel to increase or decrease it. You should see the volume adjusted live on your mobile device too.
To control phone calls, tap once to answer a call or to hang up, double tap to decline a call.
To charge the headphones, simply place them into the charging case. There are four lights on the front of the case indicating the percentage level of charge.
Playtime lasts for 3-4 hours. Charging of the headphones takes up to two hours. A 10-minute charge will lead to one hour of additional battery life.
On the right side of the case is the USB charging port. The case provides 24 hours of battery.

Read: Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

For the past week, I’ve been testing the JBL Endurance PEAK headphones at my gym Lifetime Fitness. The first thing I noticed is how eye-catching they were to other gym members. I was approached by no less than a handful inquiring about them. It turned out that no one had ever seen this JBL model before.

During that week, the Endurance PEAK headphones were put through their paces during numerous workouts including plenty of time on a treadmill. Surprisingly, they never once budged from my ears.

The headphones allow for passive audio to come through rather than blocking it all via auto noise cancellation (ANC.) In my opinion, when exercising you need a little bit of external noise to prevent from being startled. On the flip side, so much passive audio was blocked making it difficult to participate in a conversation. Every now and then, I found myself removing the left earpiece to hear those attempting to speak with me.

To counter this issue, there’s a mono mode should you decide to forgo the left headphone altogether. This takes some time to get used to as each ear hears something different.

Per the JBL website, “The flexible and secure ear hook design automatically turns the power on/off when putting on or taking off the earphones. These headphones can switch on and off without the need to replace them back in their case every time.” In other words, there’s a wear detection feature. Automatic shutoff occurs after five minutes when no audio is played. Standby mode is good up to three hours, then it’s time to recharge.

If you’ve not worn this type of headphone before, there’s a slight learning curve with respect to its control panel. But don’t worry, it should only take a couple of workouts to master the tapping sequence. See Items 5-7 in the list above. I encountered no issues with anything related to playing music or taking calls. However, I was unable to pause a live stream webinar or the CNBC player.

The (black, blue, or red) outer shell is rubbery and flexible, yet sturdy, particularly the POWERHOOK™ portion of it. The (white or gray) inner shell is of hard plastic. Both shells are sweat and waterproof garnering an IPX7 rating. Per the literature, you can go swimming with these headphones. Just remember to dry them before placing them back into the charging case.

The Endurance PEAK headphones come with three pairs of ear tips and one pair of enhancers. Earbuds are angled and noticeably so to fit your ears better. It is currently available in three colors: black with gray, red with gray, and blue with white.

Read: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 Headset Review: Oh What Sound!

Specifications

• List pricing of $119.95
• Driver Type: Dynamic 10 mm per ear
• Waterproof Rating: IPX7:
• Frequency Response: 16 Hz – 22 kHz
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP 1.3, AVRCP 1.5, HFP 1.6
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2
• Available in Black, Blue, Red

• Operating Temp: 0 – 40°C
• Battery Life: Up to 4 Hours
• Battery type: Rechargeable Polymer Li-ion
Battery (3.7 V, 75 mAh)
• Charging Case Battery: 24 Hours
• Charging Case Charge Time: 2 Hours
• Charging Case Battery: Rechargeable
Polymer Li-ion battery (1500 mA est.)

What’s In The Box?

• Pair of Headphones
• Charging Case
• USB Charging Cable
• Quick Start Guide

• Safety Booklet
• Warranty Booklet
• 3 Pairs of Ear Tips
• 1 Pair of Ear Enhancers/Secures

Read: Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Amazon Music Playlist

• Meg Myers – Make A Shadow
• Tove Lo – Queen Of The Clouds
• Halsey – hopeless fountain kingdom
• Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody Soundtrack

• Mumford & Sons – Babel
• The Black Keys – El Camino
• Play List – Dark Pop
• Play List – Caffeine For Your Ears

Audio Performance

As I often state, in my opinion, the most critical factor regarding headphones is sound quality. The JBL Endurance PEAK in-ear sports headphones were tested across music from the artists and playlists listed above.

Two changes were made to the music playlist I used from my previous headphones review. You can see a link to that review at the bottom of this section. I added a couple of rock albums to mix things up a bit from the electronica and female-heavy pop music.

The first thing I noticed was how low and deep the bass could get. After having listened to Caffeine for Your Ears and Dark Pop Amazon Music playlists, I can state that these in-ear headphones have not only met but exceeded my expectations. Overall, the audio was high-quality and distortion free.

Take a listen to Ping Pong from Bassnectar and Pure Grinding from Avicii. You’ll be most impressed with the bass and percussion of these audio tracks in less than 15 seconds. I played these songs repeatedly to focus on whatever sounds (instrumentals) I may have missed the previous times around. Hearing the ping pong ball set to the audio track was terrific.

For a great test of keyboards including sounds that appear to be from other instruments, but you know they’re actually produced by a keyboard, then listen to Mantra from Timmy Trumpet. Listening to what seems to be a xylophone is a trip in an electronic track.

I would have been remiss if I didn’t listen to Halsey’s album hopeless fountain kingdom. While the Endurance PEAK reproduced its audio well, and the album is a joy to listen to, she’s not the ideal artist to listen to while working out. When I need to get my pump on, my go-to choice is electronic and rock music. Halsey was more of a test of the headphones capabilities.

As mentioned earlier, these headphones can be used underwater. While that opportunity has yet to present itself, I was able to test the Endurance PEAK during heavy snowfall. Not only did they get wet and perform as advertised, but the headphones also blocked out a substantial portion of the high-decibel noise generated by my Toro snow thrower.

If you live in New England as I do, I suggest you wear a pair of headphones while your machine tosses the snow. Your ears will thank you for the better listening experience. Mine were happier for having listened to Babel from Mumford & Sons.

Read: 1MORE Dual Driver BT ANC Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, the JBL Endurance PEAK headphones look very similar to earlier models within the Endurance family, minus the neckband. When compared to their competition, JBL definitely stands out, and in a good way.

I found these sports headphones to be very comfortable in and around the ear, more so the latter. After wearing for a short while, I didn’t notice the ear hooks at all. I’ve come to like this design very much and see myself using them for the foreseeable future. Why some choose to wear those bulky over-the-ear sports models is beyond me. They’re not practical for cardio workouts.

Audio life of 3-4 hours is good enough to cover two days of workouts. The charging case increases its life to about two weeks without the need to recharge. A 10-minute charge will lead to an hour of playback. The audio quality is quite good with an extensive range of 16 Hz – 22 kHz.

As I often state, you get what you pay for. The $120 list price is quite fair. In fact, I’m surprised these sports headphones don’t list for more. Those I spoke with in my gym were surprised that the JBL Endurance PEAK was only $120. If you time a sale right, you might grab them for an even $100.

• Design – 4.5
• Features – 4.0

• Sound – 4.25
• Value – 4.25

What do you think of this JBL Endurance PEAK headphones review? Do you agree or disagree with our verdict? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

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Don’t hesitate to head over to the JBL Latest Products Page to see their newest products. To learn more about warranties, click this link for JBL Help information. These headphones come with a one-year limited warranty.

FTC Disclosure: JBL provided Beantown with one (1) Endurance PEAK headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

Read: Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review