Beantown Review

Boston's Digital Lifestyle & Consumer Tech Site

  • Technology
    • For the Home
    • Computing
      • Hardware
      • Software
    • Automotive Tech
  • Sight & Sound
    • HDTV, 4K & Beyond
      • For Your Eyes Only
    • Hear This
      • Headphones
      • Speakers
    • Lights, Camera
  • Mobility
    • Apps
    • Phones & Phablets
    • Case Protection
    • Laptops
    • Wearables
    • Apparel & Bags
  • Beantown Gaming
    • Consoles
    • Gaming Hardware
    • Game Reviews
  • Entertainment
    • The Interviews
    • Blu-Ray Releases
    • Film Reviews
    • Digital Hollywood
      • Cable TV
      • Network TV
      • Streaming Services
    • Kool Stuff
    • Ping Pong Time
    • Toying Around
  • Lifestyle
    • Clothing
  • Giveaways
You are here: Home / Archives for On-Ear Headphones

Headphones: Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless Review

04/03/2018 By Hakan Can

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

Back in November of 2017, Beyerdynamic introduced their latest high-end, portable high-resolution audio headphones to the world–the Aventho Wireless. These headphones looked a lot different than what we’re used to from the folks at Beyerdynamic. For one thing, they’re of the on-ear variety, which you don’t see too often from the brand. They’re also designed for the mobile lifestyle. Want to know if this headset hit its intended mark? Without further delay, let’s take a closer look at this Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless review.

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

Pros:
• Exceptionally comfortable fit & sharp design
• Solid construction, flexible, yet sturdy
• Battery life of up to 30 hours
• Hi-Res Audio when wired
• USB-C connection
• Touch controls

Cons:
• MIY App issues with some mobile phones
• No wall charger included
• Lacks wear detection
• Price will be an issue to some
• Would have preferred a hard carrying case to the soft canvas one

Read:   Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT Review

Beyerdynamic Aventho Wireless Review

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

What You Need To Know About Operation

  1. To pair the headphone to your mobile device, press and hold the somewhat stiff power button until you hear “Power On” as well as a battery charge percentage. You should hear something in about 5 seconds. Don’t worry about accidentally touching the power button as it doesn’t activate so easily. Then head to the Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device and pair to Aventho Wireless.
  2. Volume is controlled by sliding a finger up and down the outer right headphone. It’ll take more than one stroke of a finger before the minimum, or maximum volume is reached. Adjusting the volume on your mobile device works independently. You can truly get the audio levels quite high using both methods so be mindful before you go damaging your ears.
  3. Track selection, forwarding, and rewinding are done with a similar finger swipe action as in Step 2. This time, the finger moves either to the left or right. If you swipe and hold the finger, this will fast forward or rewind the song. Pause and Play are as simple as tapping the right headset twice.
  4. The right headset also controls telephone operations such as answering, ending, rejecting, and switching calls. When accepting (or ending) a call, a quick tap is all it takes; a 2-second tap rejects it. To use Siri or Google Assistant, touch and hold the right headphone for two seconds.
  5. Playtime lasts an extraordinary 30 hours. Charging the headphones takes approximately 2 hours. A blinking red light indicates when the battery is charging, while a solid red light indicates the charge is full.
Read:   Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Design and Features

As I stated above, the Aventho Wireless looks a lot different than the over-the-ear “DT” models we’re used to seeing from Beyerdynamic.

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

The outer headband surface, as well as the ear pads, are made from real or vegan leather. I couldn’t determine which, but I highly suspect it’s the latter just like on the Custom One Pro Plus. They’re soft and very comfortable, so much so that you’ll enjoy wearing this headset for hours. The quality of the workmanship is high as well.

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.

Unlike some headsets, determining which side is left or right is not at all confusing. The “L” & “R” designations on the inside are quite legible and easy read. In addition to this, the left ear cup has the Beyerdynamic marker on the outer surface, with the right ear cup loaded with controls and ports. Cups can rotate 90° degrees in and out, which makes storage a breeze.

The headband can fit a wide range of head frames with its dozen or so adjustable positions. As a former design engineer, I can say that button, and port placement is handled well. All except for the mic are on the right headphones. I’ve seen similar touch control designs like on the Libratone Q Adapt, and I rather liked it. Overall, construction of the Aventho Wireless is well executed and assures high quality.

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

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

Included in the packaging is a canvas carrying bag which has a protective lining. There’s also a 1.2-meter audio cable with 3.5 mm ends and a 30″ USB-A to USB-C charging cable. Both cables could have have been of higher quality considering the price tag of the headset.

The Aventho wireless headphones are currently available in two colors: black and brown. Should an additional color be introduced, this post will be updated.

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

MIY App for Personalized Sound

The accompanying MIY App adds plenty of personalized sound to the Aventho Wireless. Our ability to hear is unique and differ from individual to individual. Because of this fact, we see some headphones allow for individualized sound.

[envira-gallery id=”10228″]

When the Aventho Wireless was first introduced, the MIY App was available for iOS only, and it wasn’t ready for prime time. I’ll give you one guess as to which platform I use. You’re correct–Android. After a few months, the version I needed became available.

So…what does MIY App do? In short, it profiles you by asking your age, your weight, your income, your political beliefs, and much more. I’m kidding with everything beyond one’s age. It tests each ear with a variety of high-to-low frequency sounds. You press and hold the button when you hear something. The trick in getting this right is that you need to be in a quiet space.

Unfortunately, MIY App doesn’t work on all smartphones. I had to switch my LG G6 for the LG V30 to get it to work. Many of you will notice similar issues. I do hope Beyerdynamic puts out a list of functioning mobile devices.

Specifications

• Sensitivity: 105 db/mW
• Driver Type: Closed-Back Dynamic Tesla
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Headphone Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 40 kHz
• Bluetooth Codecs: aptX™ HD, aptX™, AAC, SBC
• Bluetooth Profiles: A2DP, AVRCP, GAVDP, HFP, HSP

• Operating Temp: 0 – 40°C
• Music Play Time: 30 Hours
• Charging Time: 2 Hours
• Weight: 238 Grams
• Range: 33 Feet (10 Meters) direct line of sight
• Bluetooth Version: 4.2

What’s In The Box?

• Aventho Headphones
• Guarantee Booklet
• User Manual

• Soft Carrying Pouch
• 1.2 Meter Audio Cable
• 30″ Charging Cable

Read:   Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

Music Playlist

• Lady Gaga – Born This Way, Joanne
• Lana Del Rey – Paradise
• Lorde – Pure Heroine
• The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die
• My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

• Muse – Absolution
• Zedd – Clarity
• Ellie Goulding – Halcyon
• The Black Keys – El Camino
• 30 Seconds To Mars – 30 Seconds To Mars

Audio Performance

I repeat this time after time when conducting headphone reviews; the most critical factor is the quality of sound. These on-ear headphones were tested across a broad range of music using no less than the playlist listed above. In this case, the sound was compared to my current favorite headset, the Audio-Technica ATH-DSR7BT.

When you’re testing headphones with aptX™ HD or a frequency response of 5 Hz – 40 kHz, you expect high-quality sound. It’s a good thing that for the most part, the headphones delivered.The high-majority of my test listening was done via Bluetooth.

The quality of vocals and most instrumental reproduction (keyboards, horns, etc.) was impressive and didn’t falter even up to the highest volume setting. I expected the bass to sound very good because of the lowest frequency value, but there were moments where it could have been better. The overall audio was high-quality and free of distortion. I know this because I conducted something called ‘The Electronic Music Test.’ I take an album from electronic artists like Zedd or The Prodigy and put the headphones through its paces. (Feel free to insert your choice of artist or group who happens to play instrument-rich music.)

When you take a listen to Zedd’s Lost At Sea or Codec, you can distinctly hear layered bass sounds one on top of another. I’ve only heard bass like this from two other set of headphones, albeit both less expensive than the Aventho Wireless. And it wasn’t just bass that sounded terrific with this album.

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

After having played albums from the rock acts such as 30 Seconds to Mars, Rush, and Shinedown, I can report that this headset has wholeheartedly exceeded my expectations when it comes to these bands. There was very little that disappointed throughout the volume range. These headphones were built for well-recorded rock music. On the flip side, sound from poorly recorded albums from The Smashing Pumpkins and Rage Against The Machine weren’t to my liking.

Vocals come out smooth and full of life. The vocal reproduction of all the female artists was amazingly vivid. Some instrumental and guitar sounds could have been better balanced though.

Read:   Plantronics BackBeat FIT Wireless Sport Headphones Review

Conclusion

From a physical design perspective, the Aventho Wireless headphones are about as good as it gets. They’re incredibly comfortable from the moment you place them onto your ears and continue to be so after hours of continuous use. And without any doubt, they’re the most comfortable on-ear headphones we’ve tested to date. It applies the right amount of pressure on the head, which is a rare event. All the necessary features minus one, wear detection, are present in this headset. This missing feature should have been included.

Regarding sound, with some music, the Aventho Wireless hit it out of the park. The highly detailed audio quality was impressive and a pleasure to listen to. With others, it hit a double or triple. When it came short, sometimes it was the fault of the headphones; other times it was the fault of the artist’s recording.

Noise isolation from your surroundings is excellent even though the headphones aren’t advertised as such. I couldn’t hear the television in an adjacent room.

The MIY App is continually improving and now available for use on both Android and iOS platforms. We look forward to seeing further refinements.

Although these headphones tested well, we take issue with the price. At $449, they’re expensive in our opinion. We feel that the Aventho Wireless would be better priced in the $329-349 range, maybe even as low as $299. This last price is where Audio-Technica’s ATH-DSR7BT resides.

If you’re in a setting where you can sample sound from the Aventho Wireless, we highly recommend you do so. These are one pair of headphones we wish we didn’t have to send back to Beyerdynamic.

Beyerdynamic Aventho wireless review

What do you think of this Beyerdynamic Aventho 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.

• Follow Beyerdynamic on Twitter
• Follow Beyerdynamic on Facebook
• Follow Beyerdynamic on Instagram

• Follow Beantown on Twitter
• Follow Beantown on Facebook
• Follow Beantown on Instagram

Don’t hesitate to head over to the Beyerdynamic’s News Page to see their latest announcements. The Aventho wireless headphones come with a two-year limited warranty.

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

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2018.

Read:   Beyerdynamic Byron BT Wireless Headphones Review

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Aventho, Beyerdynamic, Bluetooth Headphones, Hi-Res Audio, On-Ear Headphones 08/05/2018

Beyerdynamic T51i Headphones Review

06/23/2017 By Elliott Hall

Beyerdynamic T51i Headphones Review

Crafting a good on-ear headphone can be challenging for audio manufacturers. Listeners expect the full-bodied sound and isolation of an over-headphone in a much more compact design. It is no secret that Beyerdynamic’s audio products are some of the best on the market, and they remind us how they have earned that reputation with these superb on-ear headphones. So without further delay, let’s take a closer look in this Beyerdynamic T51i headphones review.

Beyerdynamic T51i Headphones Review

Pros:
• Attractive, retro design
• Compact frame
• Comfortable fit
• Superb sound
• Soft shell case
• In-line Remote/Microphone
• Great isolation for an on-ear headphone

Cons:
• Slight ear-fatigue after wearing for a couple of hours or more
• Buttons on in-line remote indistinct to the touch
• Only one color pattern available
• 3.5mm cable is non-detachable

Read:   Beyerdynamic Byron BT Wireless Headphones Review

Beyerdynamic T51i Headphones Review

T51i Design and Features

I love the look of the T51i. The metal headband and frame give these headphones a vintage look. Beyerdynamic masterfully blends the old with the new, combining this vintage design with modern elements to enhance comfort. The ear pads and headband are made of a soft leather-wrapped memory foam. The ear pads are extremely comfortable and provide impressive isolation for an on-ear headphone. The earphones rotate 90 degrees for added comfort.

The Y-shaped 3.5mm cable has a nice malleable jacket that prevents the wire from becoming tangled. The headphone jack is a slim right-angle plug which works perfectly for carrying your iPhone in your pocket without putting stress on the connector.

Beyerdynamic T51i Headphones Review

The inline volume switch works very well with my iPhone 6s for volume, play/pause, skipping and taking phone calls. To the touch, the buttons on the inline remote can be hard to tell apart, so when I first got the headphones, I would often pause the track when trying to adjust the volume. However, after a few days of using the headphones, you get used to the position of the remote’s buttons, and it works seamlessly. It would be welcoming to see a detachable mini-cable for these headphones since the hardware will likely outlast the cabling.

Overall the build quality of the T51i is outstanding.

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

Specifications

• Nominal Sound Pressure Level: 111db
• Maximum Sound Pressure Level: 131 dB
• Headphone Frequency Response: 10Hz – 23kHz
• Power Handling Capacity: 100 mW
• Impedance: 32 Ω
• Transducer Type: Dynamic

• Operating Principle: Closed
• Cable Lengths: 1.2 Meters Each
• Headband Pressure: 2.5 N
• Size: 7.8″ x 2.7″ x 8.3″
• Weight: 174 Grams
• Connector: Mini Stereo Jack Plug (3.5mm)

What’s In The Box?

• T51i On-Ear Headphones
• Carrying Case
• In-Flight Adapter

• 3.5mm Adapter for Non-Apple Devices
• ¼” Adapter
• User Manual

[envira-gallery id=”8452″]

Music Playlist

• SZA featuring Kendrick Lamar – Doves In The Wind
• Chon featuring ROM – Glitch
• Sade – Paradise

• Derek Trucks Band – This Sky
• The Red Hands – Vibes

Read:   Here are the JBL Bluetooth Headphones set for release in early 2017

Audio Performance

When it comes to sound, Beyerdynamic has always set the bar for competitors, and with the T51i, they have created an on-ear headphone that is a cut above the rest. These headphones are exceptionally articulate in reproducing detailed sounds but are never harsh.

The overall sound is warm yet balanced. I was pleasantly surprised with the bass presence on the T51i; the low end is thick, but not overwhelming. Beyerdynamic does a great job here at creating a versatile headphone for all genres of music. I enjoyed listening to a variety of different artists on the T51i. From the thicker production sounds of Hip-Hop and Rhythm and Blues to the articulate and delicate sounds of Classical and Jazz… the T51i does it all.

Read:   Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

Conclusion

Beyerdynamic’s T51i is one of the best on-ear headphones on the market. With high-quality materials, superb sound and great comfort; few on-ear headphones can compete. For Apple iPhone/iPod/iPad users, the inline remote works great, and the eye-catching retro design makes the T51i the full package in the world of on-ears.

The headphones are comfortable but can cause slight ear fatigue after wearing for a couple of hours. At $189, the T51i is one of the best on-ear headphones you can get your hands on and are priced well against their competition. I highly recommend you try them out.

Beyerdynamic T51i Headphones Review

What do you think of this Beyerdynamic T51i 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.

• Follow Beyerdynamic on Twitter
• Follow Beyerdynamic on Facebook
• Follow Beyerdynamic on Instagram

• Follow Beantown on Twitter
• Follow Beantown on Facebook
• Follow Beantown on Instagram

Don’t hesitate to head over to the Beyerdynamic’s Press Page to see their latest announcements. The T51i headphones come with a two-year limited end-user warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Beyerdynamic provided Beantown LLC with one (1) T51i headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2017.

Read:   Moshi Venturo Sling Backpack Review

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Beyerdynamic, headphones, On-Ear Headphones, T51i 06/25/2017

Here are the JBL Bluetooth Headphones set for release in early 2017

04/13/2017 By Hakan Can

JBL Bluetooth headphones 2017

Back in late-February, we published a piece on the 2017 Bluetooth speaker line-up from JBL. For some reason, they decided to release their portable speaker line-up 1-2 months in advance of their 2017 headphones. It’s now April and what does JBL have in store for us this spring? They’re set to introduce no less than four pairs of headphones, all part of a brand-new series. So without further adieu, let’s take a closer look at the JBL Bluetooth headphones 2017 line-up.

[envira-gallery id=”7951″]
Read:   Here are the JBL Portable Bluetooth Speakers set for release in early 2017

JBL has Four E-Series Bluetooth Headphones Set for Release in 2017

JBL Set to Release Two On-Ear Headphones in April 2017

Beginning in April, JBL is expanding their E-Series headphones with the introduction of these three models. These new colorful E-Series headphones offer 20-20K Hz frequency range at an incredible low pricing.

Per the CES2017 press release, “The new line of four versatile wireless and wired lifestyle headphones includes in-ear, on-ear and around-ear styles. A complement to music lovers’ everyday lifestyle, the JBL E-Series offers great convenience whether on-the-go, in the office or at home. ”

Of the four headphones set for release this spring, the new JBL Duet BT has us most excited.

[envira-gallery id=”7975″]

Per the brand, “JBL Duet BT on-ear wireless headphones bring the signature sound of JBL right to your ears. The Duet BT is one of our most versatile products ever, featuring up to 16 hours of battery life. Aluminum finishes and ergonomic leather ear pads give your entertainment a stylish touch, no matter what you’re doing…”

JBL Duet BT On-Ear Headphones

• Dynamic drivers: 40 mm
• List pricing of $149.95
• Weight: 183.3 grams
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Bluetooth-enabled Type 4.0
• Up to 16-hour continuous use battery life, 2-hour recharge
• Detachable cable w/in-line control/microphone
• Folding design for convenient storage
• Carrying pouch
• Available in three colors: grey/tan, silver/tan, and black/black

Read:   Here are the AKG Headphones set for release in 2017

JBL E45BT On-Ear Headphones

[envira-gallery id=”7978″]

Per the brand, “JBL E45BT on-ear wireless headphones bring the signature sound of JBL right to your ears. The E45BT is one of our most versatile products ever, featuring up to 16 hours of battery life, an innovative, stylish fabric headband and ergonomic on-ear design. This means that your entertainment continues and your fun factor gets amped up no matter what you’re doing…”

• Dynamic drivers: 40 mm
• List pricing of $99
• Weight: N/A grams
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Bluetooth-enabled Type 4.0
• Up to 16-hour continuous use battery life, 2-hour recharge
• Detachable cable w/in-line control/microphone
• Folding design for convenient storage
• Carrying pouch
• Available in five colors: black, white, red, blue, and teal

Read:   Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

JBL Set to Release E55BT Over-Ear Headphones in April 2017

[envira-gallery id=”7979″]

Per the brand, “JBL E55BT wireless over-ear headphones bring the signature sound of JBL right to your ears. The E55BT is one of our most versatile packages ever, featuring up to 20 hours of battery life and an innovative, stylish fabric headband that emphasizes your fashion quotient. The ergonomic around-ear design means that your entertainment continues and your fun factor gets amped up no matter what you’re doing…”

JBL E55BT Over-Ear Headphones

• True Motion dynamic drivers: 50 mm
• List pricing of $149.95
• Weight: N/A grams
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Bluetooth-enabled Type 4.0
• Up to 20-hour continuous use battery life, 2-hour recharge
• Detachable cable w/in-line control/microphone
• Built-in microphone and volume/control switch
• Carrying pouch
• Available in five colors: black, white, red, blue, and teal

Read:   Gaming: Sennheiser GSX 1200 PRO Amplifier Review

JBL Set to Release E25BT In-Ear Headphones in April 2017

[envira-gallery id=”7977″]

Per the press release, “JBL E25BT in-ear wireless headphones deliver the signature sound of JBL with up to
8 hours of battery life and a convenient neck clip to keep them in place comfortably even over extended periods of use.”

JBL E25BT In-Ear Headphones

• Dynamic drivers: 8.6 mm
• List pricing of $59.95
• Weight: 16.5 grams
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• In-line condenser microphone with 3-button volume/call/playback controller
• 3 Pairs of silicone ear tips (S, M, L)
• Up to 8 hours battery
• Carrying pouch and neck clip
• Available in five colors: black, white, red, blue, and teal

Read:   Gaming: Sennheiser GSP 350 Headset Review

JBL Bluetooth Headphones 2017 in Summary

As you can see with these four new models, JBL is bringing more Bluetooth to the headphones market in Spring 2017.

Do you have any thoughts or comments on the JBL Bluetooth Headphones 2017 line-up? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media.

When more information becomes available on the products mentioned above, we’ll update this post.

• Follow JBL on Twitter
• Follow JBL on Facebook
• Follow JBL  on Instagram

• Follow Beantown on Twitter
• Follow Beantown on Facebook
• Follow Beantown on Instagram

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.

FTC Disclosure: This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a product ambassador for JBL.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of © 2017 Beantown LLC and JBL.

Read:   Here are the Audio-Technica Headphones set for release in 2017

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Bluetooth Headphones, JBL, JBL Duet BT, JBL E25BT, JBL E45BT, JBL E55BT, On-Ear Headphones, Over-Ear Headphones 07/07/2017

Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones Review

04/03/2017 By Hakan Can

Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Review

If you’ve been reading this website over the past six months, you would have seen the audio brand Libratone mentioned a few times. For those who still aren’t aware of the brand, they’re growing niche player in the music audio space. Not too long ago, they introduced two pairs of headphones onto the market, their first entries beyond the portable speaker sector. These products were called the Q Adapt in-ear and Q Adapt on-ear headphones. Fast forward to today, and we’ve got our hands on the latter, their on-ear headphones. So how does this product stack up? Let’s take a closer look in this Libratone Q Adapt on-ear review.

Wireless Headphones: Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Review

Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Review

Pros:
• Creative, modern design
• Solid construction, flexible, yet sturdy
• Feature reach with impressive sound
• Very comfortable fit
• Great battery life ≥ 20 hours

Cons:
• Bass may not be strong enough for some folks
• Only two color patterns available
• $249 price tag may be too expensive for some

Read:   Libratone One Click Speaker Review

Q Adapt Design and Features

Upon first glance, you may have said to yourself that the Q Adapt on-ear headphones have a simple, basic design. What you don’t realize, and I say this from an engineering design perspective, is that often the simplest and most basic looking designs are the most complicated to pull off. Achieving the right look and feel are no easy feat, yet Libratone did just that with their Q Adapt on-ear headphones.

Because this is a review website, we’ve had the pleasure of trying dozens of headphones. We know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to each of them. With the Q Adapt on-ear, the fit and comfort level are spot on.

Until recently, I used to wear over-ear headphones when working at the home office, mostly to shut off the outside world and focus on the task at hand. When I tell you these ear cups feel like butter, I mean they feel like butter. They’re so soft with just the right amount of padding that you can wear them for hours straight. It’s what I do.

The first time I tried the Q Adapt headphones was at CES2017. I recall having said to the Libratone representative that they’re so soft that they felt “like butter.” I was, of course, referring to the Mike Myers SNL skit ‘Coffee Talk with Linda Richman.’ For you young folks out there, Google it.

[envira-gallery id=”7789″]

The ear cup design looks like one-half of a miniaturized whoopie pie. With that said, don’t be the one fool in the country to bite into it. Right and left sides are nearly indistinguishable, and that’s okay. Even though they’re lightly marked, I often wear the headphones backward with zero negative impact.

As you see in the images above and below, one side has the power button, while the other has the CityMix™ button, microphone, audio and charging cable inputs, and the volume adjustment which you actually can’t see. Adjusting the volume is a matter of circling a finger around the outer right cup. It’s that easy. You don’t need to press anything. The right cup also contains Play and Pause features as well as the Libratone logo which can be lit or not from their app.

The outer material of the headband is the same woven fabric material found on the One Click speaker. As I stated months ago, it’s not only eye-catching, but it’s also durable. Adjusting the headband is simple. If you’ve tried B&O headphones, then you already know how easy it is. Adjustment is silent, and everything holds in place via friction.

Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Review

Read:   Here are the AKG Headphones set for release in 2017

One final feature to mention is the ability to play the same music across two Q Adapt on-ear headphones. This can be achieved through the app using the Plus 1 feature via these instructions. I tried to play two different Libratone products (One Click and Adapt on-ear) simultaneously with Plus 1, but could not achieve the desired result. No matter, there’s a way to get around this and link two products via the SoundSpace settings.

In the SoundSpace settings, it’s very easy to link and unlink two products. Furthermore, you can listen to your music in one of three modes: Dual, Stereo-1, and Stereo-2, and in one of nine music fields. (These are listed further down in the App portion of this review.) Dual mode plays music simultaneously across both products while Stereo-1 and -2 can send left and right channels to either of the two products. Suffice to say; the music sounds odd when you hear only one channel of audio in the headphones. When volume control is adjusted on one product, it affects the other. Pretty neat.

And I didn’t even mention the hush mode, wear detection, or the ability to access Siri or internet radio.

The speaker is available in two colors: Stormy Black and Cloudy White. I believe a third color, let’s say brown, would be a welcome addition.

Fully charging the battery takes approximately 3 hours and is handled via a supplied cable.

The headphones have a height of 7.5″, an ear cup diameter of 2.4″ and weighs in at 7 ounces.

What’s In The Box?

  • Q Adapt On-Ear Headphones
  • Protective Transport Pouch
  • 3.5mm Audio Cable
  • USB 2.0 Charging Cable
  • Quick Guide

Adjustable Noise Cancellation / CityMix™

What the heck is CityMix™?

CityMix™ is the trademarked name for Libratone’s adjustable noise cancellation system. Per the table below, you can see what levels or outside noise pass to your ears. Does it work as well as they advertise? The answer is “Oh heck yeah.”

As I stated earlier, I’ll wear these headphones at the home office just for their noise-cancelling properties, with or without music. At Beantown, we’ve got a quite a few ANC headphones to choose from such as the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, but the ANC headphone of choice here is the Q Adapt on-ear.

CityMix™:
• CityMix™ Level 1
• CityMix™ Level 2
• CityMix™ Level 3
• CityMix™ Level 4

Adjustable Noise Cancellation:
• Pass through sound, 80% outside noise
• Passive ANC, 60% outside noise
• Medium ANC, 30% outside noise
• Complete ANC, <10% outside noise

Read:   Here are the Audio-Technica Headphones set for release in 2017

Audio Performance & Playlist

• Lady Gaga – Born This Way
• Lana Del Rey – Born To Die, Paradise
• Lorde – Pure Heroine
• The Prodigy – Invaders Must Die
• Shinedown – Amaryllis

• The Black Keys – El Camino
• 30 Second To Mars – This is War
• My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade
• Mumford and Sons – Babel
• Imagine Dragons – Night Visions

I say this time and time again when reviewing speakers and headphones; the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. Using the playlist above, the Q Adapt on-ear headphones were tested across a broad range of music. Songs within each album were sampled against comparable $200 headphones selected from the samples collection, and results were noted.

[envira-gallery id=”7791″]

The Q Adapt produced excellent vocals, which were vivid and clear. The vocal reproduction of the 3 L’s (Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, and Lorde) was impressive.

The headphones took a balanced approach to sound quality with reasonably good bass reproduction. One notable exception was with Imagine Dragons album Night Visions. Finding a pair of $200-250 headphones that can accurately reproduce the marching band bass drum in the song Radioactive has been impossible to date.

I tested the Libratone Q Adapt on-ear against more than ten albums. Playback of rock and alt-rock albums from 30 Seconds to Mars, Mumford and Sons, and My Chemical Romance was terrific. Listening to Lady Gaga’s Born This Way was a delight. The engineering that goes into her albums yielded huge sound without any distortions.

The negative takeaway I had with the Libratone One Click speaker, that was with the missing finger snapping sounds on Emeli Sandé’s song Wonder, has been rectified with the Q Adapt on-ear. They’re there.

Read:   JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

Libratone App

We’re not going to cover the app in detail here as it’s been covered in depth in an earlier Libratone review, notably the One Click speaker. You’re encouraged to check out that review and the discussion on the app by clicking on the first inline post in this review. BTW, that speaker is most excellent.

SoundSpace Settings:
• Neutral
• Easy Listening
• Soft & Comfortable
• Rock the House
• Jazz Club
• Movie Mode
• Live Concert
• Classical
• Speech

Libratone Q Adapt On-Ear Review

Read:   Moshi Vortex Air Headphones Review

Final Thoughts

First, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention something about the packaging on Libratone’s product. The packaging is a designer’s dream; it’s top notch, something you would see from brands who charge multiples more for their products.

When it comes to the protective transport pouch, my advice would be to keep the padding exactly where it is. Don’t toss it out. While the pouch would prevent the headphones from getting scratched or torn when you carry it around in let’s say a shoulder bag, it’s the padding that would protect the Q Adapt from getting inadvertently crushed.

Definitively speaking, these headphones are a contender in the $200-250 ANC on-ear/over-ear headphone category. They produce great sound while being super comfortable.

Usually, these headphones are priced at $249.99. Now that they’re a bit less at $219.99, they’re worth an even longer look. The Libratone Q Adapt on-ear headphones are available for purchase on Amazon or the Libratone website.

What do you think of this Libratone Q Adapt on-ear 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 Libratone on Twitter
• Follow Libratone on Facebook
• Follow Libratone on Instagram

• Follow Libratone on Pinterest
• Follow Libratone on LinkedIn
• Follow Libratone on YouTube

Don’t hesitate to head over to the Libratone home page to see their newest products. To learn more about warranties, click this link for Libratone US Warranty information. They also have a free 30-day return policy.

Feel free to follow Beantown on Twitter, Beantown on Facebook, and Beantown on Instagram.

FTC Disclosure: Libratone provided Beantown LLC with one (1) Libratone Q Adapt on-ear headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC © 2017.

Read:   Triby Review: Alexa Smart Speaker

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: bluetooth, Libratone, noise-cancelling headphones, On-Ear Headphones 10/09/2018

Moshi Avanti Headphones Review

10/19/2016 By Hakan Can

Moshi Avanti headphones review

Lightweight, Modern, and Stylish — Moshi Avanti

How many times in your life have you heard the phrase ‘less is more?’ I’m willing to bet that the high majority of you have heard it dozens of times. For weeks now, I’ve been wrestling with how to best describe (in one sentence or less) the Avanti on-ear headphones from Moshi. After trying out these headphones for a few weeks, the phrase ‘less is more’ is an appropriate one. You see, these compact, lightweight supra-aural headphones produce quite the punch with their HD40 drivers. Are compact and lightweight what you’re looking for in your next headset? Let’s take a closer look in this Moshi Avanti headphones review.

Moshi Avanti headphones review

Pros:
• Modern, minimalist design
• Compact & lightweight
• Soft, yet firm fit
• 40mm neodymium drivers
• Very good sound reproduction

Cons:
• Fit may be too firm for some listeners
• No wireless capability

Read:   Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

Moshi Avanti Headphones Review – Modern Design

For many of us, myself included, Moshi is not a brand I associate with headphones. Sure, they’ve got a handful of earbuds in their product lineup, but those of us who are familiar with the name are familiar because of their cases, bags, cables, and battery packs. So this was as much an introduction for me as it probably is for you now.

The first thing you notice about the Avanti on-ear headphones is that these aren’t your typical headphones. Gone are the heft, the weight, the size, and the volume of what you’re used to wearing. Notice I made no mention of missing features. The Avanti is a compact, collapsible, lightweight, 40mm neodymium driven pair of headphones. Let’s start with the design.

The Avanti headphones weigh in at 5.85 ounces. For most of you out there, this is significantly less than what you’re currently wearing. The headphones come beautifully packaged in a box usually reserved for a headset at twice the price. The box is worth saving. The package contents include the headphones, a 4.3′ light gray cable with red and silver metallic labeled connectors, a user manual, and hard carrying case.

[envira-gallery id=”6533″]

When first introduced, the Avanti was available in two colors: Burgundy Red and Caramel Beige. One week ago, a third color–Onyx Black was added.

The headband is made of a very sturdy and narrow piece of tensioned stainless steel. Don’t try bending it as 1) it will take quite a bit of effort and 2) you’ll make the entire headset unwearable. On the inside of the headband is thin, leatherette-wrapped padding. My first thought on seeing such thin padding was that this wouldn’t do. Well, I was wrong. The padding was more than enough to comfort my head. I’m sure you’ll come to the same conclusion.

Attached to the headband are two more pieces of stainless steel which not only make the headphones collapsible but also adjustable. The headphones collapse in one direction, allowing it to fit in the above-mentioned hard carrying case. The earcups are adjustable via a highly-engineered and unique sliding mechanism. As a degreed mechanical engineer, I rather like this design as there’s no sound when you’re trying to achieve the perfect fit. And the mechanism has enough friction in its materials that it won’t self-adjust. The earcups pivot as to provide an even better seal against your ear. If the earcuff positions were fixed, which they are not, this would have made for a poor design.

The earcups are leatherette-wrapped, rectangular-shaped with an angled design that fits the ears quite well. The padding is rather comfortable with the headband providing enough force to stay on your noggin. The one downside I noticed is the larger your head is, that is larger than mine, the applied force on your ears will be felt more towards the top, less on the bottom.

The 4.3′ cable has several features in its inline control that allow for complete headphone functionality. This control has a condenser mic, along with a multi-function single button for the following: Music Play and Pause, Song Forwarding and Back to Previous, Call Answering, Call Declining, and Call Waiting.

Read:   JAM Audio Xterior Max Speaker Review

Audio Performance

Amazon Music Playlist:
• Lady Gaga – Born This Way
• Lana Del Rey – Born To Die, Paradise
• Emeli Sandé – Our Version of Events

• Ellie Goulding – Halcyon
• John Coltrane – The Ultimate Blue Train
• Rush – Clockwork Angels
• My Chemical Romance – The Black Parade

As we often state here at Beantown, when reviewing headphones, the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. From the list above, I tested the Avanti with a broad range of music. I also tested them against a few headphones I randomly selected from my collection. The results surprised me.

The short story is that I decided to retire my House of Marley Liberate XLBT and B&O Play H6 headphones from future testing. By the time you read this, you’ll have missed the giveaway on the latter. The Avanti outperformed a $299 (formerly $399) pair of B&O Play high-end headphones.

The sound across the 15 Hz – 22 kHz spectrum was quite good. I was impressed with instrumental sounds particularly Alex Lifeson’s guitar work on Clockwork Angels and most impressed with Lana Del Rey’s vocal reproduction on Paradise. Sounds felt more lively with the Avanti than they did with the other headphones. If you’re in the market for headphones with strong bass, I believe you’ll like what comes out of these headphones, but I would fully understand if you chose headphones dedicated to strong bass.

Moshi Avanti headphones review

Read:   HyperX Cloud Revolver Headset Review

Burn-In Tool App

Moshi takes the headphones market with a high level of seriousness, so much so that they offer an app which assists with the burn in of their earbuds and headphones. The app simply called Burn-in Tool is available via Apple’s iTunes and Google Play Store. We’ve sampled dozens of headphones and have never seen any of these established brands offer such a tool. The closest app that comes to mind is Captune by Sennheiser, but it’s quite different than Moshi’s Burn-in Tool.

I used an Android-based Motorola Moto X Pure mobile phone and had no issue with the app. The one thing I will say about Burn-in Tool is the sound pattern is quite annoying and not meant for your ears. If you’re going to use Burn-in Tool, I highly recommend you place your mobile phone and headphones in some other room, close the door, and let them do their thing for at least four hours. If you need your phone at some point, you can always pause the sound pattern and complete the task later.[soliloquy id=”6518″]

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

Conclusion

In my testing, the Avanti headphones are best when worn for an hour or two at a time. The long-term fit is a good one. Best use of these headphones is at home, office, and in transit. They are not (and we do not recommend them) for use in sporting activities like jogging. There are plenty of headphones on the market for that purpose.

At $199, the Avanti headphones are well-priced in the marketplace. As I stated above, I liked them so much that I’ve removed a pair of House of Marley headphones from my headset rotation and replaced them with the Avanti.

If you’re looking for a pair of on-ear (supra-aural) headphones which offer a minimalist design but not minimalist features, then Moshi’s Avanti is worth taking a serious look at. We give this headphone high marks.

Have you tried Moshi’s Avanti headphones? Do you agree or disagree with our analysis? Let us know in the comment section below or via social media. We’re eager to hear your thoughts.

Feel free to follow Moshi on Twitter and Facebook as well as this very blog on Twitter and Facebook. And don’t hesitate to head over to the Moshi website to see their latest equipment.

The Avanti headphones come with a one-year limited end-user warranty.

FTC Disclosure: Moshi provided Beantown LLC with one Avanti headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Beantown LLC 2016.

Read:   Game of Thrones Season 6 Release Date Announced for Blu-ray/DVD

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Avanti, headphones, Moshi, On-Ear Headphones 12/05/2016

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

09/28/2016 By Elliott Hall

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

Audio-Technica has released the latest evolution in their high-resolution audio headphones. Sound Reality Headphones are intended for the on-the-go music listener who wants the best in sound realism. Engineered with Closed-back Dynamic 45mm ‘True Motion Drivers,’ these on-ear headphones are designed to deliver the most detailed audio reproduction. With a smaller design and Bluetooth capability, these headphones are ideal for the everyday commuter. Let’s take a closer look at this Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review.

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

Pros:
• Comfortable Fit & Attractive Design
• Bluetooth Ready
• Battery Life of 38 Hours
• Hi-Res Audio w/Wired Jack
• 45mm True Motion Drivers
• Capable of Storing 8 Devices in Memory
• Auto Pairing w/NFC Functionality

Cons:
• Bass Light/Bright Sound Balance
• Bluetooth Volume does not link to iPhone 6s internal volume

Read:   Here are the Audio-Technica Headphones set for release in 2017

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review

Hi-Res Audio / Sound Reality Design

These on-ear headphones have a well-executed design. These sleek headphones come in two colors: Black and White.

Since I recently reviewed the ATH-MSR7 hi-res audio headphones, I already had an idea of what these headphones might be like. Straight out of the box; they exceeded my expectations. In our previous review, we noted that the headband was a little bit too tight, and the over-ear cushions were slightly too shallow, causing your ear to rub up against the speaker occasionally – this was not at all the case with the ATH-SR5BT. Perhaps it is because these are on-ear headphones, as opposed to over-ear headphones. Regardless, I found the cushioning on these to be much thicker, softer and more comfortable.

The overall design of these headphones is much like a scaled down version the ATH-MSR7, but with the same 45mm True Motion Drivers. The headphones weigh in at 6.5 ounces, a bit more with the 3.9′ cable. The package contents include a soft cloth carrying case, a 3.9′ audio cable for wired use, and a 3.3′ USB cable.

There are several features on these headphones that allow for comprehensive functionality, without having to pull your phone out of your pocket. The left earphone features a condenser mic, a multi-function Play/Pause/Skip/Call switch, a micro-USB charging port, and a 3.5mm jack for wired use. On the right earphone, there is an On/Off button for Bluetooth pairing.

[soliloquy id=”6275″]
Read:   Speck Ruck Backpack Review

Hi-Res Audio Performance

When reviewing headphones, the most important performance factor is the quality of sound. Since the ATH-SR5BT are Bluetooth headphones, we have two sound profiles to consider: wired and wireless sound.

As wired headphones, the ATH-ST5BT sounded great. Much like the ATH-MSR7, there’s a bright sound balance. Consequently, I found myself slightly dissatisfied with the bass presence in certain genres, one being Hip-Hop. As noted in our ATH-MSR7 review, if you are a bass head, these are not the headphones for you. However, many audio companies drown their sound profile in the low-frequency (bass) range, making it hard to appreciate the finer parts of music. Audio-Technica cannot be faulted for their sound profile, which is overall very neutral and handles all music well. With wired use, the high-resolution audio offered high-quality detail – the type of detail that makes you hear a new layer of sound in a song that you have known forever.[Tweet “As wired headphones, the ATH-ST5BT sounded great. Much like the ATH-MSR7, there’s a bright sound balance.”]

The Bluetooth sound profile is satisfying. If you are an audiophile, you will notice that the sound is slightly thinner with Bluetooth than it is with wired use, but that is to be expected. As far as wireless music goes, these headphones perform very well, and I have to say, I enjoyed being cable-free during my commute.

With an iPhone 6s, the Bluetooth pairing works outstandingly well. After adding the “ATH-SR5BT” to your saved Bluetooth devices, and powering them on, the connection is instant. The only issue I found with the Bluetooth connectivity was that the headphones volume and the iPhone volume do not link together, so you will have to sync up the two volumes accordingly. More importantly, these headphones offer superb battery life, lasting up to 38 hours on a single charge courtesy of the 3.7V DC lithium polymer battery. Your mobile device’s battery will die quicker with Bluetooth enabled, but you won’t find the need charge these headphones frequently, even with heavy use. And when you do, it will take approximately four hours to recharge.

Read:   Shoulderpod R2 Pocket Rig Review and More

Conclusion

At $199, these headphones are a good buy. They feature a classy and sleek design. They offer high-performance Bluetooth connectivity, battery longevity, and even the option of high-resolution audio for critical listening. It’s important to remember that Bluetooth is incapable of streaming audio at high-resolution quality. If you’re in it for the audio alone, check out a different pair of headphones like Audio-Technica’s MSR7 (you can find our review here). If you are looking for a high-value, on-ear headphone, with high-performance Bluetooth capability, look no further than the Audio-Technica SR5BT.

What do you think of this Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT 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.

Audio-Technica ATH-SR5BT Headphones Review
Don’t hesitate to head over to the News page to see their latest announcements. The ATH-SR5BT wireless over-ear headphones come with a two-year limited warranty when purchased from an authorized Audio-Technica dealer (A.T.U.S.)

FTC Disclosure: Audio-Technica U.S., Inc. provided Beantown LLC with one ATH-SR5BTWH headphones sample for review purposes. This writer’s opinion is 100% his own and not a paid product ambassador.

All photographs are the copyrighted property of Audio-Technica U.S., Inc.

• Follow Audio-Technica on Twitter
• Follow Audio-Technica on Facebook
• Follow Audio-Technica on Instagram

• Follow Beantown on Twitter
• Follow Beantown on Facebook
• Follow Beantown on Instagram

Read:   The Strain Complete Series DVD Release Date Announced

Filed Under: Headphones Tagged With: Audio-Technica, Hi-Res Audio, On-Ear Headphones 10/25/2017

FOLLOW BEANTOWN

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Tweets by @BeantownReview

Amazon Deals and Promos


Copyright © 2023 Beantown LLC - All Rights Reserved