HiFiheadphones

Expert Earphones and Headphones Reviews

Cleer Flow II Review

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Oscar

Offering a fun yet controlled sound, solid connectivity and effective noise cancellation the Flow II are somewhat of a steal for the price.

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Fit and Comfort

The Flow II are a portable headphone, designed for on-the-go use and the design reflects that. They are well shaped and have an attractive design that fits well without looking too bulky. They are mainly made of plastic to keep the weight down, but have metal reinforcement at key parts. The earpads are just big enough to be considered over the ear, which helps with comfort.

They are fairly comfortable with good padding on the top of the headband, lightweight build and big enough cups to accommodate most ears. The clamping force is a little tight at first, the same with the earpads, but overtime the pads will soften and the clamping force usually loosens a little.

Compatibility

The Flow II are primarily a bluetooth headphone, and they connect easily to all devices. They do however lean towards Android over iOS due to the built in google assistant button and prompts when you pair them with an Android device. You can use them in wired mode with the included cable too. They have noise cancellation and ambient mode, charge via USB-C, have great battery life (up to 20hrs) and include a built in microphone for taking calls.

They have a few neat features too, one being the dedicated Google Assistant button to hear notifications and all the other things you can use the assistant for (calendar events, calling, sending texts etc…). They also have sensors that automatically pause the music when the headphones are removed, and play when they are put back on. The volume and playback controls are done via a touch panel on the L earcup, swiping up/down to increase/decrease volume and swiping forward/back to skip tracks. A double tap pauses the music, holding you hand on the L cup lowers the volume and allows outside noise in for train/plane announcements etc…

Noise cancelling on these is really impressive, what is most impressive is the fact that it barely makes a negative impact on the overall sound quality. Perfect for planes and trains, the Flow II make a worthy travelling headphone.

Overall the Flow II is a well thought out headphone with very useful features for everyday use and commuting use.

Sound

Bass: Normally I would expect a headphone in this price range, and of this particular design, to have overblown beats-style bass but the pedigree behind the folks at Cleer shines through. No they haven’t made these a boring studio sounding headphone, but they have decided to make the bass hit with authority and depth, but also with control and composure. There is a nice sub-bass presence that backs up the initial impact and they lend their hand to all genres. The Flow II have an element of fun to their sound, without introducing any real imbalance to the overall well balanced sound signature.

Midrange: Here the Flow II have such a smooth yet honest presentation, whilst they might not have the clinical accuracy of a studio headphone the midrange is nonetheless very well presented. Most consumer focussed headphones lack real presence in the midrange, luckily here you get all that wonderful vocal presence and guitars sound true to the source but without being pushed in your face. I’m really impressed by the presentation of the midrange, it is clean and clear without any audible distortion or uneven dips/peaks.

Treble: There’s no hint of boosted treble or sharp fatigue inducing peaks up top either, most of the time I’d find a headphone like this a little subdued in the treble but once you are using there out and about you forget about that. They have all the treble presence most would ever want, and with good tonal accuracy too, they might lack a bit of initial treble energy but cymbal hits are delivered with impressive accuracy and are well placed within the soundstage.

Genres and Soundstaging

The Flow II have a fairly balanced sound overall, which means they can handle pretty much anything you throw at them. They do however handle modern pop and alternative rock very well being both controlled yet fun and enjoyable.

The soundstaging on the Flow II isn’t that great, they don’t have the most spacious sound but the controlled nature of the sound allows for great layering and instrument separation. This allows you to easily pinpoint instruments and offers an immersive stereo experience.

Conclusion

The Flow II are a great example of not judging a book by its cover, they might look like your average portable headphone but when you put them on you realise they are serious about sound. Packing in excellent functionality for the everyday user, whilst having a detailed and controlled sound for the discerning listener. A true all rounder in every sense, and brilliant value for money.

Lypertek PurePlay Z3 True Wireless Earphone Review

Posted on July 16, 2019 by Oscar

Lypertek PurePlay Z3

Aesthetics and Build Quality:

The PurePlay Z3 (formerly known as TEVI) are a smooth and discreet, nothing really stands out on them with a small logo and silver trim ring on the faceplate. They smooth black finish looks great, there is a slight difference in colour between the 2 sections of the body but it doesn’t detract from the overall look.

Build quality is excellent, the joins in the housings are very smooth and they are finished to a high standard. The charging case is fabric coated and solid, and the buttons on the faceplates have a very positive click. Overall everything feels very well put together and durable for long term use. They are also IPX7 rated which means they are fine for your daily run and gym use.

Features:

The PurePlay Z3 use the latest Bluetooth 5.0 technology along with support for aptX, AAC and SBC codecs. Pair them with an aptX compatible device and you’ll get slightly better sound quality of course, but AAC also sounds very good.

The controls are easy to learn and intuitive, two click on the right to increase volume, two on the left to decrease. Three clicks on the right to skip track forward, three on the left to skip backwards. Single tap on either will pause the music, and a 2s press on the left will bring up Siri/Google assistant. You can also pick up calls and there are built in microphones that work very well.

Battery is rated at 10hrs per charge (SBC 50% volume), and I would say that figure is quite accurate from testing, using aptX will decrease this slightly but the increase in sound quality is worth the trade-off. The charging case supports another 6 whole charges, making these very impressive compared to the current competition.

Connectivity and signal stability are excellent, they pair easily and only cut out if you go out of range or add objects within the transmitting path (walls etc..). Overall, they work as advertised and don’t cut out if your phone is in your pocket or within a reasonable distance.

Comfort and Isolation:

The shape of the PurePlay Z3 is ergonomic with soft rounded edges and the perfect angle nozzle to provide a comfortable and secure fit without sticking out too far. The housings are a little on the larger size, but they never feel cumbersome when in use.

Isolation is pretty good; they do a very reasonable job at muting outside noises and are perfect for daily use and commuting.

Sound:

Bass: The bass on the PurePlay Z3 is full yet well controlled, it has a way of adding body without becoming the centre of attention. In terms of presence they are slightly north of neutral but they always sound very well balanced. There is good extension and kicks are backed up with body. The lows really are impressive, preventing the PurePlay Z3 from sounding thin but without making them sound bloated. They handle most genres with ease and have good articulation, lacking only a little speed during complex mixes.

Midrange: The lows are slightly north of neutral in terms of presence, but this does not mask the midrange and make vocals sound pushed back or congested. The midrange is well separated, lower male vocals do have a tiny bit of added body, and female vocals cut through with a little more detail but the overall midrange performance is very well balanced. Most consumer true wireless models have a habit of boosting the bass and treble, whereas the PurePlay Z3 comes across a lot more even handed and more suitable for a wide range of genres. There is great separation and layering, yet the coherency between frequencies is also excellent.

Treble: The treble is slightly laid back but luckily there is enough presence to prevent the PurePlay Z3 from sounding overly dark. The thing about the treble is that the tonality is just right, they don’t sound splashy or metallic and have great extension and detail. They have good accuracy when it comes to imaging too and they fit well into the frequency range. I would never call these bright though, and the treble is smooth enough that even the most treble sensitive users won’t have any issues with fatigue.

Soundstaging is good, not huge but very acceptable as most TW earphones sound very closed in. The detail present here is excellent and the separation between instruments is great.

Conclusion:

The PurePlay Z3 are very impressive, especially considering their sub £100 price point. Offering up a smooth and detailed sound signature that is well balanced yet slightly full. Add to that great stability and functionality and you have a TW earphone that is so easy to recommend, go out and grab one now as they are a game changer in the TW market.

Sound: 5/5

Comfort:5/5

Features: 5/5

Value: 5/5

Best On Ear Headphones To Buy in 2017 – Expert Reviews

Posted on September 20, 2017 by Oscar

Best On Ear Headphones 2017

Looking for a new pair of on-ear headphones? We’ve collected the best on ear, open back, closed back and portable headphones to buy in 2017 and reviewed them to help you choose.

Shop: Visit our on-ear headphones store

Read More: Best In Ear Headphone Buying Guide

Best On Ear Headphones under £50

SoundMAGIC P22C

SoundMAGIC takes a lot of beating in this price category – the brand is a natural at making low cost headphones which sound much pricier.

The P22C model is a lightweight portable with a flat tangle-free cable and good isolation. Ideal for travel and holidays, these will fit right in to any bag or backpack when stored in their low profile travel case. The P22C included a microphone for phone usage and the remote is compatible with both Android and Apple devices.

Sound is impressive for this price point, with plenty of detail and a good kick to the bass without overpowering the mid range.

Engaging and fun-sounding, the P22C will make the absolute most of the output from any portable player.

Edifier P650

The Edifier P650 is a smartphone friendly, easy to carry portable headphone that punch above their weight and price.

Offering a well balanced sound with a little added kick down low, the midrange is clean and detailed and the treble isn’t far behind. The bass does not have the most sub-bass rumble but for a quick and easy to use, on the go headphone they offer great sound.

What impresses most is their ability to portray the whole frequency range in a well controlled and balanced manner, too many budget headphones overload you with muddy bass, yet these offer plenty of detail but are also easy to listen to; a no brainer at this price point.

Koss PortaPro

The simple design and great sound keeps them viable while the open-back design, whilst not being the best for isolation of course, is perfect for those who wish to be aware of what’s going on around them such as joggers, and muggers.

The sound is generally well balanced between bass and treble, although the midrange can seem a bit distant and mushy. Bass is perhaps a bit on the heavy side, but it will definitely satisfy those who want a bassy sound. The Koss Porta Pro Classics offer a warmish sound overall.

Be aware though that their open-back nature means that they will be of limited use in noisy environments.

READ MORE: Koss PortaPro Full Review

Best On Ear Headphones under £150

B&W P3 Series 2

B&W have a long history of making excellent hifi products, and this has trickled down into their headphones.

The P3 are superbly built with an elegant and sophisticated look, the P3 really do impress. Lucikly they are not all about the look either, as the P3 offer a smooth and effortless sound that is akin to their house speaker sound. Offering excellent full bodied bass response with a non fatiguing and slightly sweet midrange and treble.

Comfortable, well built with a smooth and pleasing sound signature, the P3 are perfect for on-the-go use.

Sennheiser HD25-1 II

The HD25-1 II are one of the most well known on-ear headphones, this is partly due to their popularity as a DJ headphone. Used by DJ’s and sound engineers globally the HD25-1 II are a rugged portable headphone that will last for years.

Offering an immediate and aggressive sound they won’t give you a wide soundstage but will give you an engaging and detailed signature. The bass is tight and digs deep with excellent control and presence, the midrange is smooth yet very detailed and the treble has good extension and is very well placed in the mix.

If you are looking for a smooth laid back sound, the B&W are probably a better choice, but if you want a fun, upfront and engaging listen the HD25-1 II is for you. All parts are easily replaceable too, should anything ever break.

Grado SR80e

The Grado SR80e are a definite improvement over the SR80i, with a slightly warmer, more balanced sound. Their retro styling may not appeal to all, but underneath the looks is a fine sounding open-back headphone. The undisputed king of headphones for rock music, these are sure to get you toe tapping and head banging in no time.

These will not appeal to bass heads, they fair better with music that is played on real instruments. They have long been favourites for people that enjoy rock music due to the speed and control of the sound.

At the price point I still think Grado hold their own with a well balanced, aggressive and detailed sound, there is nothing quite like them.

READ MORE: Grado SR80e Full Review

Best On Ear Headphones under £250

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 2.0i

The Momentum series are hugely popular with on the go commuters, and for good reason. Offering stylish looks, a comfortable fit and a smooth easy to listen to sound.

Built to last with replaceable parts, the Momentum has slightly retro looks and comes in an array of colours. With playback controls on the cable you no longer have to take your phone out of your pocket. The sound is dynamic and punchy, offrering a slightly bass driven sound without sacrificing the midrange and treble. Engaging and fun are the best word to sum up the Momentum 2.0i.

Good looks and great sound, it is easy to see why the Momentum 2.0i is so popular with commuters. For Android users there is also the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0G.

Beyerdynamic T51i

The T51i have been around for a while now and are still excellent on-the-go headphones. They have a sturdy and sophisticated look, and offer a well balanced and detailed sound.

The T51i again tilts towards an easier to listen to sound, with a slight bass boost that gives the whole sound a little added body. There is sufficient detail across the range to keep them from sounding boring and what comes to mind when you put the T51i on is refinement.

With excellent build, comfy fit and refined sound the T51i has a lot to offer.

READ MORE: Beyerdynamic T51i Full Review

Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2

Leather earpads and a metal headband, the P5 Series 2 screams quality and luxury. The earpads are soft lambskin leather with memory foam inside, like cushions against your ears.

Like the P3 the P5 Series 2 has the typical B&W house sound, which is smooth and effortless. Offering a well balanced but slightly rich sound with superb separation and articulation, from highs to lows these sound very refined and grown up.

The P5 Series 1 look stunning, have replaceable cables and a smooth effortless sound, what is not to like?

Best On Ear Headphones Over £250

Audeze Sine

Built from leather and metal, the Audeze Sine are built to last and also come with detachable cables. Using planar magnetic drivers they take a little more power than most phones can output, so they are best used with a high quality music player.

Give them a good source and the Sine in return give you excellent audio with snappy dynamics that can keep up with the most demanding of music. The bass is full yet superbly controlled, the midrange is where these excel not allowing the lows to affect them. Guitars have excellent power, and vocals come across with plenty of detail. The highs are present and well defined, but never become too hot and harsh.

The Sine are a mighty fine sounding on-ear headphone when driven well, and give you a full and detailed sound all

Edifier H850 Headphone Review

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Oscar

Edifier H850 Closed Back Headphone Review

The Edifier H850 Headphones offer excellent sound quality for the modest price of £39.99, offering a clean and clear, well balanced sound.

Pros:

Build quality
Balanced sound

Cons:

Not the most natural timbre
Lacks some high end refinement

Aesthetics, Build Quality and Accessories

The Edifier H850 are a fairly standard looking headphone, nothing stands out with a mainly matt black design and brushed aluminium faceplates. The H850 won’t win any beauty competitions, but they look stylish for a headphone at this price.

The build quality is perfectly acceptable for the price, with plastic cups, metal reinforced headband and metal faceplates. The cups swivel flat, the earpads are replaceable and a big plus point is the cable is user replaceable with a standard 3.5mm jack (however the stock one has a locking mechanism).

The H850 accessories are kept to a minimum, only a 6.3mm jack adaptor is supplied as extra, however this means that costs are kept to a minimum, leaving you with better sound quality for the price over luxurious accessories.

Comfort and Isolation

The Edifier H850 are very light, but the cups are not the most spacious, however I find them to be comfortable for long periods of time. The headband is well padded and again the weight comes into play here not creating a hot spot on the top of your head.

Isolation is good, this is a closed back headphone but there are vents in the cups that do leak a minimal amount of sound. If you listen at moderate volumes you are unlikely to bother people around you.

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Noise Cancelling vs Sound Isolation

Posted on June 19, 2017 by John

It’s easy to confuse the benefits of noise cancelling with sound isolating headphones. This is easily done as essentially they are both doing something similar but in very different ways. Because of this you want to make sure you choose the right headphones for your situation – this article will clear things up for you.

Noise Cancelling

Noise cancelling headphones can reduce the amount of low frequency hum or ambient sounds reaching your ear drums. This can make it possible to listen to your music without having to raise the volume excessively or even help you get some good sleep on a long journey – they don’t cancel out all noise. They are useful for people who travel a lot, especially by plane as the engine noise can become a nuisance. These headphones use active noise control to cancel out low frequency noise so they will need power; usually using batteries or USB power.

Depending on the model of headphone, if the power runs out one of three things will happen:

The noise cancelling function will stop running but you will still get sound from the headphones.
The sound will completely cut off, you will need to change batteries/recharge to use the headphones.
The noise cancelling will stop running and if the speakers have high impedance (require more power) then the sound you get will be faint.

A good example here is the Sennheiser PXC550, they are a Bluetooth wireless headphone that feature active noise cancelling, these do however stop playing when the battery runs out.

Sound Isolation

Sound isolation is a term used for headphones that block out external noise and reduce the amount of sound leaking for others to hear passively (without power), this is achieved by their build quality and materials used. Most closed back headphones or in-ear isolating earphones do this, but some will do it better than others. Lots of things can improve isolation such as leather ear pads, a good in-ear seal, heavy clamping force (tight fit on the head), acoustic treatment (dampening) in the ear cups and even the shape and material of the driver housing.

A prime example being the Bowers & Wilkins P7 Wireless, these have no noise cancelling but for everyday use they block out enough outside noise, and when the battery runs out you can plug the audio cable in and continue listening

Summary

Noise cancelling is great in theory, and for long journeys on planes it can be very effective, however it does have its drawbacks. In solving one problem, it creates another, and this is noise and lack of dynamic range in some senses. The other thing to note about noise cancelling is it is only effective against constant background noise, and does not help with sudden loud noises.

So it has its uses, but for most people, especially those wanting the best sound, noise isolating headphones are the only logical choice. The company will have put time into tuning the housing to reduce resonance, along with experimenting with different pad materials, to bring you the best sound and isolate unwanted noise.

Meze 99 Neo Headphone Review

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Oscar

Meze 99 Neo Headphone Review

The Meze 99 Neo are an aesthetically pleasing, warm sounding, easy listening headphone suitable for kicking back and enjoying rather than analysing.

Pros:

Looks
Build quality
Smooth sound

Cons:

Bass is not the tightest
Not the widest soundstage

Aesthetics, Build quality and Accessories

The Meze 99 Neo have a vintage look about them, with silver accents and black cups the colours compliment each other perfectly. There is nothing overly remarkable about the appearance of these headphones, but they do look very sleek and stylish.

They are well built, the cups are plastic the headband is solid metal, the cable and earpads are replaceable, all in all a very well built headphone.

The Meze 99 Neo comes with a great range of accessories, you get a hardcase to transport them in, a 1.2m cable with microphone and a regular 3m cable and a jack adaptor, a great array of accessories and all that is needed.

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Comfort and Isolation

These headphones are very comfortable, the earpads encapsulate your ears nicely, and are deep enough so that your ear does not touch the driver. I am a big fan of the headband pad as it is elasticated and conforms to the shape of you head better than most headphones out there.
These are closed back, and use pleather pads so your ears will heat up over long listening sessions, but overall they are a very comfortable headphone.

Isolation is fine for general home, office and most portable use, but they are not the best for very noisy environments.

Sound quality

Bass

The bass on these is very full, almost too full sometimes, but manages to keep controlled and not affect the mids too much. The bass manages to dig deep with excellent rumble when called for, the punch is backed up with good body but is not the fastest and struggles to keep up with heavy rock music.

Mids

Male vocals sit a little farther behind in the mix, due to the full nature of the lows, whereas female vocals come across a little more forward and cleaner. Separation and placement is well done, and the tonality is good, and there is no harshness at all in the mids.

Treble

Laid back is how I would describe the treble on these, the treble is well detailed and present, but not in huge quantities.

Soundstage and Separation

The soundstage is not huge, they offer quite an intimate presentation but the separation is very good, and layering is very well done.

Conclusion

The Meze 99 Neo are a relaxed sounding headphone, they are easy to sit back and listen to, the bass sounds a little uncontrolled during certain tracks, but they offer great build quality, looks and good sound quality for the price.

SoundMAGIC E10BT Bluetooth Earphone Review

Posted on April 26, 2017 by Steve

SoundMAGIC E10BT Wireless Earphone Review

For some years now the fine E10 from SoundMAGIC has assaulted our shores and needs no introduction; it has remained a firm favourite everywhere and shows no signs of losing that favour despite being in its 6th year since its release. But given that the SoundMAGIC E10 is now no longer an infant, it’s time to cut the apron strings and allow our little earphone to make its own way in the world, with a knapsack on its back.

So will the SoundMAGIC E10BT become the Mayor of London, or a missing person on milk cartons?

Full video review at the bottom of the page

Pros:

Now the E10 is wireless!
Plenty of eartips
Carry case

Cons:

Battery takes some getting used to

Design and Appearance

SoundMAGIC has gone to the dark side with the colours here; the E10BT is black all over and even the left/right markers from previous models are black now. The mic/controls are on the right with this one, and a battery pack sits in the middle of the cable.

Accessories are plentiful with various eartip types and sizes, along with a carry case for between uses.

Durability and Build quality

The E10BT seems durable enough, with a rubberised coating on the cable and strain reliefs which are small but seem up to the job. The cable seems a bit thinner than the E10, but this is because the lower section of cable (thicker on the E10) is not present on the bluetooth version of course.

Individual pairings can vary of course, but this reviewer gets a very strong connection with a cheap 4 year old Huawei handset, allowing a fair distance of travel from the source before connection problems arise.

Comfort

This can depend on the manner in which the E10BT is worn, and can require a bit of experimentation. Personally, this reviewer likes to wear the E10 with the cable going over the backs of the ears, with the cable and battery pack hanging loose down at the front like a medallion. Others prefer to clip the battery pack on at the front, or the back of the neck.

With the cable hanging down direct from the ears, the clip is probably required as the battery pack/cable tends to tug a bit more on the earholes.

Suitability for intended application

SoundMAGIC have though about this; with the types of uses the E10BT is likely to be put to, they have included a new type of tip with this model which are vented. These have little notches in them on the outside which allows a certain amount of exterior sound to penetrate, so if you’re out jogging then you’re more aware of the environment.

The battery pack on the SoundMAGIC E10BT sits in the middle of the cable; this can be clipped to a collar if worn at the back of the head, or worn at the front. This reviewer found a good fit with the cable going over the back of the ears, and the battery pack tucked in to clothing at the front. Battery life is good with a 10+ hour playing time which should be alright for a couple of marathons if you’re jogging!

Pairing is easy too; once the earphones are paired with your device initially, the two will connect automatically when turned on. Be aware that this may be tricky if your friend wants to try the E10BT on their own handset – you will have to turn yours off to prevent the automatic pairing from taking place. The connection is strong – at least with my 4 year old Huawei handset

Sound isolation

With the standard supplied silicone tips, isolation is average; exterior sounds are reduced by a few decibels, but of course if music is playing then they can be virtually ignored. Total isolation is not ideal though if you wish to remain aware of your environment, so there are some ‘vented’ eartips included which will reduce the isolation a bit further if needed.

Also, for fans of the previous models, the eartips are the same size so any custom, or aftermarket E10 tips need not be disposed of!

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Sound characteristics

So, does the SoundMAGIC E10BT have that classic E10 sound? With a wired E10 in one ear and the E10BT in the other, this reviewer has the same track synched up on his phone and DAP, listening to both at once. It’s hardly scientific, but there are no great departures from the E10 sound but for a slightly warmer-sounding midrange and possibly a smoother treble.

If anything, bass tends to come through more at lower on the E10BT but not by much.

Bass

There’s a slight emphasis on bass to give some nice added heft to drums and basslines, without going overboard. It goes low too, with a little added sub where called for. It’s a good level for a wide variety of music styles if you like to mix it up!

Mids

The midrange is clean, clear and relatively crisp; reverb trails can be followed right to their disappearance and little seems to get in the way. Vocals are detailed and backing vocals have a nice breadth. Strings sit nicely in the background; harmonics are fairly easy to pick out which makes for some nice imaging too.

Treble

The top end is slightly smooth; it’s similar to the E80 model which provides great detail without pushing it at the listener. It’s not a warm or dark-sounding earphone overall, there’s just a little bit of edge taken off which can greatly reduce problems with fatigue over longer listening sessions.

Soundstage and Separation

Soundstage is about average for an in-ear model, not really creeping out far beyond the confines of the E10BT’s hardware. It makes for an intimate and pleasant presentation but you won’t be swept off your feet.

Separation is pretty good with many instruments vying for attention; pick one out and it’s easy to follow. There’s not much chance of complicated pieces getting cluttered with the E10BT.

Music genres good for and why

As with the original wired E10, the E10BT is a great all-rounder but may be more at home with commercial music such as pop, dance and hip hop. Having said that though, jazz classical and acoustic recordings are still very nice and if you enjoy a wide variety of music genres but just want one earphone, the E10BT is a strong runner.

SoundMAGIC BT20 Bluetooth Headphone – Expert Review

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Tony

SoundMAGIC BT20 Bluetooth Headphone Review

It appears that the relative price of wireless gadgets such as Bluetooth headphones is coming down and quality is going ever up, now that manufacturers have spotted the potential of this technology and are implementing it so well. Among them is SoundMAGIC, who have experience making wireless headphones with the full-size WP10, but now have the BT20 Bluetooth on-ear headphone in their repertoire. Now we can block out the world and make calls just as if we were talking to ourselves too.

Design and appearance (e.g. attractiveness, feel)

The SoundMAGIC BT20 is a light and very portable headphone; not a million miles away from previous wired on-ears this company made, but given the technology and battery required to sit in this model and work its magic, there’s no noticeable increase in weight. Also, if your battery is getting a little low then you can use the supplied cable and carry enjoying your music, bypassing the Bluetooth features.

Durability & build quality (e.g. cabling, connectors, materials)

Build quality is what we’d expect for a portable headphone. Just as robust as it needs to be, without going overweight and giving us neck ache. Materials are typical for a decent quality headphone of this type; plastic with a slightly rubberised feel, metal elements in the headband, and a leatherette covering on the headband cushion and earpads.

Comfort

The lightness of the SoundMAGIC BT20 combined with freedom from cable worries makes these headphones particularly fun to wear; there’s a bit of pressure on the ears but no more than is required to keep them in place.

Suitability for intended application

The BT20 boasts Bluetooth version 4.0 for greater battery life, there’s NFC for easy pairing, CVC for clearer calls. Also, the apt-x standard is present, so you’re all set should your handset have this. If not, then the headphones can still use the SBC standard, so will still work.

The mic-equipped arm pokes out along the cheekbone for clearer calls; in fact there are two mics which enable a noise cancelling process which gets rid of a lot of extraneous noise. Perfect – those personal words to your nearest and dearest need not be shouted!

Being wireless, these headphones are perfect for many activities and sporting pursuits; their light yet strong construction means they’ll avoid any loneliness for the long distance runner.

Sound isolation

Isolation is fair; the SoundMAGIC BT20 is not the most isolating of headphones with nothing playing but most of the outside world is very well masked by any music playing. The relative lack of isolation is more than made up for by the comfort aspect; the clamping force applied by most portable headphones can lead to a little discomfort during longer sessions. For others around you however, any music you’re enjoying is reduced to a faint murmur so you needn’t feel self conscious about your more questionable favourites.

Portability (if applicable)

As hinted at above, they offer no trouble when worn on the head and also around the neck. They can be packed away in the semi-circular case they come with, along with a stereo audio cable for those longer trips. It won’t be possible to use the headphones for calls without battery power so the handset’s mic will have to come into play. The Bluetooth 4.0 standard ensures the battery will last longer but it won’t last indefinitely of course!

Sound characteristics:

(Used with a Huawei Ascend handset)

The BT20 has a sound signature which SoundMAGIC is perhaps best known for. They are certainly tuned for a fun sound.

Bass (e.g. punch, low extension):

Bass reaches low and is voluminous when required; it stays put and provides a good solid foundation. It’s well controlled and fairly tight. With sub bass or with a double bass on older tracks it can certainly make its presence felt; quite surprising considering the BT20 is an on-ear model with 40mm drivers.

Mids (e.g. vocals, acoustic instruments):

There’s a great sense of space and despite the elevated levels of bass and treble, the mid-range stands up to be counted. Harmonics are enjoyable and there’s a good sense of balance with the bass level. The two complement each other very well.

Treble (e.g. high hats):

The top end is smooth but there’s plenty of detail to be enjoyed. The SoundMAGIC BT20 is a good time headphone and gives a nice level of representation here without getting fatiguing.

Soundstage & Separation

Soundstage is excellent for a little closed back such as this, and is very well enhanced by the separation of instruments and voices. It’s a very immersive experience.

Music genres good for and why

First of course, the BT20 is great with dance genres, hip-hop, R&B and pop; but that’s not all – older music types are not lost on these headphones. 60s pop, jazz and classical come across very nicely too.

Pros:

Worry-free wireless connection
Cable to conserve power or for when battery is flat
Good no-nonsense styling
Track/Call answer controls on headphones
Good Bluetooth range
Noise cancelling microphone

Cons:

Some may be put off by the mic arm

B&W P5 Series 2 Headphone – Expert Review

Posted on June 18, 2015 by Steve

Bowers and Wilkins P5 Series 2 – Chrome on your Dome

Bowers and Wilkins has been making world class speakers for just about 50 years now, and are still going strong at their Worthing site, just a stone’s throw from ourselves at hifiheadphones. Not that we find ourselves throwing stones at them very often of course, as apart from anything else we have a few windows of our own. Brought out in 2010, the original P5 model has now been updated to the Bowers & Wilkins P5 Series 2.

Design and appearance:

Designed by Morton Warren, they exude a feeling of graceful simplicity while at the same time feeling very solid and light. The materials give it the same looks as the Oppo PM-1, with plush leather and chrome working together in that classic, opulent pairing.

Durability & build quality (e.g. cabling, connectors, materials:

The B&W P5 Series 2 is very well put together and its lightweight construction belies the fact that nothing rattles or squeaks when the headphones are flexed and placed on the head. Cables are about right for portable use. Both the Apple control cable and plain stereo cables are 1.2 m; they are no thicker than those found used with in-ear headphones. The Apple control/mic itself is very stylish and easy to use despite being just out of sight near the mouth. The earpads are held on by magnets but are unlikely to be removed accidentally; the magnetic force is strong! Changing the cable necessitates the removal of one of the earpads which is a simple process.

Comfort:

Clamping force on portable headphones is always a balance between comfort and the headphones falling off, or needing constant readjustment. On the P5 it’s just slightly on the heavy side, but with time and gentle stretching this should improve. The earpads are made from lambskin and are quite comfortable , offering both a decent amount of isolation and comfort. Glasses wearers may however find themselves adjusting their glasses once the P5 is on, as some discomfort may be encountered over the ears in some cases.

Sound isolation:

Isolation is good, but you are still going to be aware of your surroundings. With music playing however, most exterior noise will melt away. The P5 does leak a little bit of audio but no more than any equivalent headphone. Your fellow train passengers will be all sweetness and light.

Portability:

The B&W P5 Series 2 really hits the mark for portable uses; they can be worn around the neck with minimal fuss, and the pads do block out a fair amount of exterior noise. They’re showy, but not in a way that might cause the wearer to feel self-concious and will fit in with any scenario. They fit the supplied carry case very well which can be stored or carried in a briefcase or bag easily.

Sound characteristics:

The sound of the P5 Series 2 is most agreeable; some people may be expecting accuracy or a neutral tuning but the P5 is squarely aimed at the portable market, with the average music source (read:phones) taken into account.

Bass:

The bass of the P5 Series 2 is fairly powerful considering the driver size. It is well controlled and in proportion, but goes down low and reproduces sub-bass very faithfully. It’s a good match for the typical unamped iDevice with which it will more than likely be paired, bringing up the low end for a more engaging sound.

Mids:

The midrange is free and able to shine quite separate from the bass, and vocals are clear and enjoyable. Acoustic instruments are well rendered and harmonics give a good feel of a performance. Reverb/echo is very enjoyable and not lost during busier parts. It’s all taken in the P5’s stride.

Treble:

The P5 is a little gentle where the higher frequencies are concerned, and this is no bad thing. A lot of people find it frustrating when, because of a headphone’s brightness, high frequencies dictate what volume level a piece of music can be enjoyed at. The P5 gives enough treble to give sparkle and resolution to the music, but it knows its audience and what they’re likely to be doing – they are not listening critically when on the move. Some may want more emphasis at the top end of the frequency spectrum but B&W have gone for the common ground.

Soundstage & Separation:

Soundstage is good for a closed back, with a presentation from far outside the physical confines of the headphones and separation is very good too. A listen to ‘Flight of the Valkyries’ had me convinced that one would collide with me at any moment.

Music genres good for and why:

As implied above, classical music is made very rich and full with the P5, along with jazz, opera and any genre where the space in which the recording is made is part of the enjoyment.

Heavy Metal is pressing and immediate, Disco and more modern Dance Music certainly benefits from the low bass … and something older such as Rock n’ Roll is fully rendered in all its midrange majesty. The P5 is a great all-rounder.

Pros:

Stylish and light
Light, removeable mic cable
Spare stereo cable
Good isolation

Cons:

Initial clamping force
Some may expect a brighter sound

Summary:

The Bowers&Wilkins P5 Series 2 makes for perfect company during those long journeys when we’d prefer to be unencumbered by additional amps, DACs and other gadgets needed to get the best from our other equipment. The P5 is designed and tuned to sound amazing straight out of any phone, so that we may travel light!

Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H2 Headphones – Review

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Tony

Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay H2 Headphones – Plush Portability

Pros

Impressive sound quality

Stylish good looks

Soft and pliable earpads

Cons

No Storage Pouch

Headband covering may get tired

Verdict

We weren’t expecting anything which would impress us this much; Bang & Olufsen’s products were always to cater primarily for the full size hi-fi market and we were guilty of a touch of cynicism where a B&O headphone was concerned. We certainly stand corrected and they say pride comes before a fall; well now we’ve certainly fallen for the H2!

Intro

When the letters ‘B’ and ‘O’ come together the result is usually something that’s less than desirable, but put an ampersand (&) in between and things begin to seem rather more pleasant!

Bang & Olufsen is perhaps best known for its full-sized hi-fi equipment but has produced headphones for the past few years under its B&O PLAY moniker; currently it has an full-sized over-ear model in the H6, the In-Ear H3 and for an on-ear it has brought out the new H2.

Key Features

Things are kept simple as is B&O’s usual brief; we have the headphones themselves, a cable and a generous 3 year warranty (2 if you don’t register the product online with B&O).

The cable features a 3-button arrangement for use with smartphones and iPhones, though functionality may be limited depending on software.

First Impressions

The earpads are have a very well made and opulent cushioning quality like the KEF M500; good thing too, because at first the headband is very unremitting and springy leading to a lot of clamping power. This should clear up after a couple of days of use.

The fabric covering the headband and the outward-facing part of the earcups is a light beige/manilla colour, leading to some concerns about how they might look after some months’ use. Fortunately darker colours are available if this is a worry. It’s a look sported by the Sennheiser Urbanite range; could this be a new trend?

Sound Quality

Tested with an Astell&Kern AK120, the H2 really impresses!

Bass is at the same time voluminous and well controlled; voluminous in the area it occupies within the soundstage. It seems to come from all around! It’s there in quantity as well; giving a definite heavy foot to proceedings, but without damaging the floor.

Midrange is just as big in terms of its depth and width – there’s lots of space in there and the wearer gets a real treat in terms of vocals,details and reverb. They can stray towards peakiness at points but this is heavily dependent on the music and the wearer. B&O have got a nice balance here.

Treble is toned down making for a warm presentation overall, and one which really works for most genres. Details and harmonics are complemented without sacrificing listening comfort.

Soundstage and separation are very good also; hard panned instruments leap out and vie for attention from the shoulders, along with subtle details not usually encountered with on-ear portables.

Summary

With the BeoPlay (B&O Play) H2, Bang & Olufsen stake their claim in the portable headphone market. It’s often attacked as trading on a well-known name rather than great products, but we beg to differ. Having tried the H2 we recognise a B&O headphone by any other name would smell as sweet!

Score 9.5/10