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Best Gaming Headsets 2020: Wireless, Budget and More

Breaking down the best gaming headsets we’ve tested
(Image credit: Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock)

Finding the best gaming headset is arguably nearly as important as choosing the best graphics card or the best gaming keyboard. After all, the sound of your virtual world and how you communicate with your friends all depends on the device you wear on your head.

But choosing the best gaming headset for you isn’t easy, partially due to the sheer amount of market saturation we’re facing right now. With the ever-rising popularity of eSports and the relative simplicity of combining off-the-shelf audio hardware with cushy earcups, a sprinkle of software wizardry and maybe some RGB, PC gamers are now offered more options than ever, whether they’re planning to plug their headset into one of the best gaming PCs or the best gaming laptop. A quick search of a few popular online retailers will yield hundreds of choices across dozens of companies, ranging from under $10 (£8) to over $600 (£460).

If you’re headed back to school or work in a virtual situation, now’s a great time to invest in a quality headset and clear mic. You may already know how much your willing to spend on a pair of cans, but there are still plenty of other things to consider.

Luckily, we’ve been testing piles of gaming headsets (to see every model we’ve tested, check out our gaming headset reviews page). Below are the best gaming headsets we’ve tested.

Here are some things to keep in mind when searching for the best gaming headset for you:

Wired or wireless? Wired headsets generally cost less and don’t need to be charged. Therefore, if you typically game at your desk, you may want to stick to wired options to keep things cheaper and simpler. A wired headset also won’t die on you mid-battle. On the other hand, there’s no denying the convenience of being able to run to the kitchen for a drink without having to remove your cans.

Headbands and earcups. Comfort is more subjective than measuring audio output and input, but generally speaking you should be wary of plush gaming headsets with thick bulges, cheap foam and cloth covers. When we’ve tested these types of headsets ,we’ve often found disappointing acoustic performance. Ear-cushion material can make a huge difference in what your ears ultimately perceive.

Audio and mic quality. These are very important if you want the best gaming headset, but impossible to evaluate on the one or two floor models. We focus on these aspects in detail in our reviews. In short, detailed reproduction and good spatial resolution, specifically when it comes to complex noises and environments with multiple sound sources, are more important than any attempt at simulated surround sound.

A key Bluetooth spec: aptX. If you do go wireless and opt for Bluetooth (no USB dongle needed), look for headsets that support Qualcomm’s aptX tech, a compression tech (codec) that’s been leveraged for decades in TV and movie voice-work, movie theater audio and thousands of radio stations. If you’ve heard Bluetooth audio in years past and hated it (it definitely was bad for a long time), give an aptX-enabled headset a listen. As long as the underlying hardware is good, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the sound output.

Best gaming headsets at a glance:

1. Best Gaming Headset Overall: HyperX Cloud Alpha

2. Best Wireless Gaming Headset for Most: SteelSeries Arctis 7

3. Best Budget Gaming Headset: Asus TUF Gaming H3

4. Best Virtual Surround Sound Gaming Headset: HyperX Cloud Orbit S

5. Best Gaming Headset for RGB Lovers: Patriot Viper V380

6. Best-Looking Gaming Headset: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE

7. Best High-Res Gaming Headset: SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC

8. Good Price, Great Mic: Corsair Void RGB Elite USB

9. Best Splurge: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

The Best Gaming Headsets You Can Buy Today

The HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best gaming headset for the typical player. (Image credit: HyperX)

1. HyperX Cloud Alpha

Best Gaming Headset

Neutral sound quality

Solid build quality

Good material choice

Comfortable fit

Somewhat heavy

Small dips and peaks in frequency curve

The HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best gaming headset for most gamers, offering nearly perfect sound quality. Noise reproduction with these cans sounds natural, with the drivers avoiding flaws like overly aggressive bass or highs. It’s not revolutionary headset, but it’s a fantastic value, especially if you can find it for cheaper than $100.

In terms of long-term wearability, the headset earns its Cloud branding with a light, comfy fit built with quality materials. This includes thick memory foam padding on the headband and earcups and HyperX’s decision to opt for aluminum over plastic in some important areas. The overall look and feel is one of quality.

If you like the Cloud Alpha’s design but want something with some more features, there’s also the HyperX Cloud Alpha S. It’s basically the same headset but with 7.1 virtual surround sound, an inline controller and bass sliders on each ear cup. The black-and-blue or all-black color options (instead of the Cloud Alpha’s black and gold or black and red) add more options too.

Read: HyperX Cloud Alpha review

The SteelSeries Arctis 7 is the best wireless gaming headset for most, due to its price-to-value ratio. (Image credit: SteelSeries)

2. SteelSeries Arctis 7

Best Wireless Gaming Headset for Most

Comfortable

Customizable

Excellent sound clarity

Not as cushioned as HyperX Cloud models

Very subtle changes from 2018 model

Not the most exciting design

Wireless cans can cost you well over $200, but the latest model of the SteelSeries Arctis 7 lands at a more affordable price while offering louder audio than its predecessors. Meanwhile, high volumes are distortion-free, and the overall audio is clear and rich, despite a less than snug fit.

We’d prefer stronger performance at lower volumes, and the bass isn’t as good as what you’d hear with the HyperX Cloud Alpha above. However, besides games, the Arctis 7 is also fit for light video editing and mixing. DTS Headphone:X v2.0 virtual surround sound also boosted gaming audio details, like footsteps.

Just like prior versions of SteelSeries’ Arctis 7, the current model sits as a reliable wireless headset for PC gamers. If you need a cheaper wireless option, consider the Cooler Master MH670, which is currently $40 cheaper than the Arctis 7 or the SteelSeries Arctis 1 Wireless for $100. For more colorful, there’s the Logitech G733 Lightspeed, and for ultimate comfort, consider the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro.

Read: SteelSeries Arctis 7 review

The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is the best gaming headset for good quality that won’t break the bank. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

3. Asus TUF Gaming H3

Best Budget Gaming Headset

Impressive out-of-box sound quality

Incredibly comfortable

Questionable build quality

Advertised virtual 7.1 surround sound is Windows Sonic, usable by any 3.5mm headset

The Asus TUF Gaming H3 is the best gaming headset for preserving your budget. These can be hard to find, but you can typically spot it selling for about $50. Despite the lower price, you still get a headset that fits well and sounds good right out of the box. That means you can get right to gaming without having to fiddle around in software. When we tested the cans, performance was comparable to pricier rivals, including the Asus TUF Gaming H7. We attribute a lot of that to the H3’s comfortable fit with leatherette contact points preventing sound leakage.

The downside is these aren’t particularly pretty. And if you’re excited about virtual 7.1 surround sound, note that the H3 is a 3.5mm headset that only uses Windows’ Sonic spatial audio, which any 3.5mm headset can use.

But when it comes to gaming and hearing sound cues like weapon switches, this headset gets the job done without effort on your part or heavy damage to your bank account.

Looking for a cheap headset without virtual surround sound? Check out our Roccat Elo X Stereo review.

Read: Asus TUF Gaming H3 review

The HyperX Cloud Orbit S stands out with powerful and immersive 3D audio with effective headtracking, (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

4. HyperX Cloud Orbit S

Best Virtual Surround Sound Gaming Headset

Immersive and loud 3D audio

Soft, squishy headband and ear cups

Good battery life

Accurate head tracking

A little heavy

Head tracking’s audio impact varies depending on game

The HyperX Cloud Orbit S is an expensive, premium pair of cans and the best gaming headset for splurging. It gives you a discernible gaming advantage, thanks to its customizable 3D mode with head tracking. When you’re gaming with head tracking, the location of enemies is apparent and the auditory environment moves with you. You can also use head tracking as game controls, freeing up your hands for more action. (For another head tracking option with premium features, check out the similarly priced JBL Quantum One).

There are lower-priced headsets with true surround sound (instead of the Orbit S’ virtual surround sound) and wireless capability. But the Orbit S, which bears the same cozy memory foam headband and earpads as other headsets in HyperX’s Cloud line, provides a gaming edge you’ll actually notice.

We also love the versatility of this headset. In addition to offering hi-res, virtual surround and 3D audio, you can use the headset with a 3.5mm jack, USB Type-A port or USB Type-C port.

Read: HyperX Cloud Orbit S review

With tasteful lighting, the Patriot Viper V380 is the best gaming headset for RGB fans. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

5. Patriot Viper V380

Best Gaming Headset for RGB

Virtual surround sound can be helpful for games, movies

Environmental noise cancellation mic produces quality sound

Fair price

Software is basic

USB Type-A connection only

RGB isn’t as prominent in the headset world, likely because it’s hard to see lighting sitting on your ears. But if you plan on streaming, video chatting or just like the comfort of having as much RGB as possible (have you seen our best RGB mouse pads list?), the Patriot Viper V380 is the best headset for you. It has one ring of programmable RGB framing each earcup. That’s just the right amount of color, and, somehow, the headset still manages to look tasteful.

The Viper V380 has more to offer than just pretty lights. It boasts a mic that successfully limited background noise during testing, as well as virtual 7.1 surround sound that enhanced how voices sounded in FPS games. Volume is also more than sufficient with the headset’s 53mm drivers that are larger than the 50mm average. Just be sure you have an available USB Type-A port, because there are no other connectivity options.

The Viper V380 has some of the best RGB implementation we’ve seen in a headset. But if you’re looking for something that’s even flashier, the JBL Quantum One has three RGB zones programmable with some wild effects.

Read: Patriot Viper V380 review

The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE headset will cater to your vanity. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

6. Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE

Best-Looking Gaming Headset

Powerful hi-res audio

Immaculate presentation

Great battery life

Wireless range depends on house construction

Headband digs in a bit over time

Slightly heavy reverb

The Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is one of the rare headsets that looks as good as it sounds. It offers premium quality audio that enters audiophile territory and looks pretty and shiny instead of clunky and heavy. The SE version of the Virtuoso RGB boasts gunmetal-colored aluminum stamped with a touch RGB via the Corsair logo. Overall, it looks as expensive as it is.

The Virtuoso RGB SE delivered strong audio, including high-res support, in our testing.n Its 50mm drivers also sounded great with gun fights in games like Borderlands 3. The cans’ music reproduction sat in the middle of bass-heavy cans like the Audio-Technica’s ATH-G1 and flatter-sounding ones like the SteelSeris Arctis Pro Wireless listed below.

Topping things off with a 20-hour wireless battery life, Corsair’s Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE is a fine pair of cans that both look and sound premium.

Read: Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE review

If you’ve got high-res content, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC are the cans for you. (Image credit: SteelSeries)

7. SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC

Best High-Res Gaming Headset

High-end materials exude solid build quality

Separate GameDAC does a lot for sound quality and available settings

Well-balanced frequency response

Comfortable on narrow heads

Headband does not fit well over large heads

Artificial limit on output

With a premium build, sound quality and price tag to match, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDac is fit for audiophiles. It uses a ESS ES9018 Sabre32 reference DAC, which is worth money on its own and amplifies the headset’s capabilities. We were sad to find out that the DAC has an artificial audio limit (to help prevent hearing damage). However, the DAC is easily navigable with a lot of settings for tweaking audio for gaming and chatting without opening software.

The Arctis Pro + GameDAC showed deep bass, satisfying mid-range in games and vocals and dominating high frequencies without sounding too metallic.

If you’re looking for a high-performance PC gaming headset (it works with PS4 too), the Arctis Pro + GameDAC is exceptional for games and music — as long as your head isn’t particularly big.

Read: SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC review

Everyone will hear you loud and clear with the Corsair Void RGB Elite USB’s mic. (Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

8. Corsair Void RGB Elite USB

Best Gaming Headset Mic

You could land planes with this mic

Exceptionally soft foam padding

Very breathable

Some fitting issues on smaller heads

Sound leakage affects bass tightness

Awkward mic mute button

If you do a lot of chatting on your headset, be with your Overwatch teammates, work colleagues or Mom, the Corsair Void RGB Elite USB will make sure you sound just like you to whoever’s listening. For this price, we were pleased at the microphone’s quality, which can handily fold up when you need to take a sip of water or sneeze. It’s also Discord-certified and showed better low-end response than rivals.It’s not quite as warm as what you can get with the best gaming microphones or any USB mic, but it’s close.

On the other hand, when we tested the headset with a smaller head, bass was lacking due to sound leakage. Your head size may change things. The Void RGB Elite USB also has virtual 7.1 surround sound, but it didn’t prove to be anything extraordinary.

For chatterboxes, this is the best gaming headset with its mid-range price, cozy padding and splash of RGB. Note there’s also a wireless version of the Void RGB Elite USB. For more mic options, consider the expensive JBL Quantum One, which comes with a unidirectional and detachable boom microphone and a separate calibration microphone.

Read: Corsair Void RGB Elite USB review

If you can afford it, it’s hard to beat the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. (Image credit: SteelSeries)

9. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

Best Gaming Headset Splurge

Comfortable headband design

Peerless swappable battery system

Crisp hi-res audio

Feature-laden base station

Needs base station to charge

Headband durability concerns

The SteelSeries Arctis Pro kicks things up a notch or two over other SteelSeries cans, including the Arctis 7 wireless ones listed above. It’s very pricey, even for a wireless headset. But you get your choice of wireless dongle or Bluetooth connectivity, which means you could use the Arctis Pro Wireless without it occupying a USB port.

The cans offer a large frequency response range and high-res. Lossless titles, like Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, sounded noticeably crisper with a lot of depth on the Arctis Pro. Ultimately, the game sounded more immersive, particularly in the high end, where we could hear the different layers of sound. You also get DTS Headphones:X virtual surround sound via a transmitter base station boasting other helpful features, like ChatMix and general volume control.

Despite its higher price, the Arctis Pro Wireless isn’t vastly more comfortable than the cheaper Arctis 7 wireless cans and don’t offer twice as detailed audio. But the Arctis Pro Wireless has the advantage in its smart design, Bluetooth capability and swappable batteries to keep the party going while traveling.

For a cheaper Bluetooth option, consider the Sennheiser GSP 670 and for the ultimate portability, the Asus ROG Strix Go 2.4.

Read: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless review

Review LEAK Stereo 130 and CDT classic hi-fi in retro jacket

When I got the new LEAK Stereo 130 amplifier with matching LEAK CDT CD transport was first seen a while ago in a press release, my hi-fi heart jumped happily. In 2011 a colleague gave me an old LEAK Delta 30 integrated amplifier. That stubbornly designed little amplifier from the late days of the transition between tube and solid state still worked, and despite showing a few signs of aging I wrote this enthusiastic vintage review about it. LEAK had not existed for a long time, but now this iconic brand is back on the market. Not with the crazy high-end price tags, but affordable and equipped with a number of interesting contemporary gadgets. I had to and would put it to the test, and so it happened.

A Little History Â Harold Joseph LEAK founded the brand named after him in 1934 and he became one of the pioneers in the high-quality music playback. Some of his feats were unfortunately a little lost in the dusty recesses of hi-fi history, but it was one of his designs â ???? the Point One amplifier series from 1961 â ???? which was the first to have a harmonic distortion below 0.1%. The company also innovated in speaker technology. The successful LEAK Sandwich speaker out 1961 had a mercenary Don Barlow developed a woofer whose cone consisted of a layer of foamed polystyrene sandwiched between two sheets of aluminum foil, resulting in an extremely light and rigid speaker membrane. A similar principle is still used today by brands such as Podszus-GÃ¶rlich and Zellaton.

A The classic LEAK Stereo 30 (photo: Rene van Es)

In 1969 sold the brand to the Rank Organization, a British entertainment company that made films and television productions, as well as radios, televisions and copiers – the Rank in Rank-Xerox, for the older young readers. End Years 95, competition from the Japanese audio industry became too fierce, and the LEAK brand name quietly disappeared from the market without much residual glory. Definitely it seemed, but nothing could be further from the truth and a ball can roll in a strange way in hi-fi land. After 40 years in a deep slumber, the LEAK brand name was acquired by IAG (International Audio Group). This Chinese investor has the hi-fi heart in the right place and has previously been successful in bringing other British hi-fi classics back to the market, including Quad, Wharfedale and Mission. And now LEAK.

LEAK Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier In the past you could count on LEAK amplifiers the type number the power to 8? read: so had the Stereo 32 from 1963 rated at 2x 15 Watt. The New Stereo 130 breaks with that tradition and delivers 2 x 48 Watts per channel in Class AB. I mention the Historic Stereo 30 for good reason, because the design of the new Stereo 130 is based on that in detail. The narrow housing, the black band at the bottom of the otherwise aluminum-colored front, with the original name logo at the bottom left. The rotary knobs with a ribbed black plastic cylinder around an aluminum-colored heart, the volume and source selection knobs on the right and left outside with the knobs for tone control and balance in between, even the (now available at an extra cost) walnut casing. The â ???? New â ???? design is really unbelievably retro, but I am amazed how current it is now 2020 actually still looks, certainly the version without wooden casing that I received for review.

There are also differences. The original rotary knobs had a small tip that made it easier to read the position from the listening seat, and the headphone output – which, by the way, only applies to the LEAK Stereo 30 + appeared – hid behind a small â ???? rotary knobâ ???? that more like a â ???? twist capâ ???? was that you had to remove to insert the headphones. Furthermore, the new Stereo 192 a â ???? directâ ???? button with which you bypass the entire – otherwise nicely subtle – tone control, which also results in a slightly more transparent display. On the far right is the standby button, which lights up softly red at rest and lights up brighter when switched on. The source selector now features a ring of small orange LEDs that indicate which source you have selected. The amplifier comes with a remote control with which the functions of the accompanying CDT CD transport can be operated, more about this later.

At the back you will find the bigger differences. So is the Stereo 192 with a secured IEC net entrance with the real on / off button above it. Where the old Stereo 30 (+) had two inputs for record players is that on the Stereo 130 only one (MM), and the microphone inputs (!) are also gone . Instead, there are two analog Aux inputs and a stereo pre-out available, one pair of speaker connections and an extensive digital connection panel that contains not only a coaxial, two optical and a USB-B digital input, but also a coaxial and optical digital output. A network connection is missing, the LEAK Stereo 192 does not have a streamer on board. The da-converter in the Stereo 192 via USB supports resolutions up to 384 kHz (PCM) and DSD 256, but no MQA. The coaxial and optical connection are capped at 256 kHz. A USB-A port for updates and a 15 Volt trigger input and output top it off. Allows the LEAK Stereo 192 thus form the heart of any modern hi-fi system. As icing on the cake, the Stereo 192 an onboard Bluetooth receiver (with external antenna) that supports aptX and Apple AAC.

LEAK CDT CD-Transport Â The LEAK CDT CD transport is not a CD player, but a transport . That means that there is no da-converter and that it therefore has no analog audio outputs. On the rear panel, next to a secured IEC net entrance and the on / off button, we find a pair of trigger connections to synchronize it with the Stereo 130 on and off, and an optical and coaxial S / PDIF digital output. The CDT uses a smooth-running and extremely quiet slot-loading Red Book CD drive. G Ã © Ã © a CD-ROM drive, as is more or less usual nowadays, but therefore also g One one buffer where the read data is first stored. Using SO â ???? One buffer can be an advantage when playing a badly damaged CD â ???? s or CD recordables that have become less legible over the years, but I am in the in practice not encountered a single CD that was not played properly.

On the front is a relatively small but good readable monochrome dot-matrix LCD display with a very wide viewing angle. The control buttons are accurate to use, but I feel that a very little bit of intuitive operation has been sacrificed to the sleek design. It will take some getting used to, but I pressed the eject button several times when I actually wanted to start playback with the play / pause button next to it. To the left of the control buttons is a USB-A input where you can insert a memory stick with music files. There are a few caveats to this. The stick must be FAT 30 or FAT 32 are formatted, and can only contain WAV, MP3, WMA or AAC format files, with a maximum resolution of 50 kHz.

This is a surprising and nice extra function, but I find the operation a bit unclear. Playback starts as soon as you insert the stick into the USB-A socket and with the â ???? inputâ ???? button selects the USB input. Choosing a favorite album or song before playing is therefore not really an option. Via the remote control you can choose with certain keys to search or skip within the main folder or within the currently playing folder, but the display does not show which mode you are in and the displayed metadata is not always clear due to the limited space. My advice is to use this function for example for a stick full of background music, of which the songs are all in one folder, and thus ensure uninterrupted background music enjoyment for a whole party. However, playing files on a well-stocked external drive in a folder structure can cause some frustration.

In Use and Listen Most of the sound assessment took place in my office, because that’s where I listen to music most hours a day. My KEF LS 60 speakers in nearfield setup were connected to the LEAK Stereo with AudioQuest CV-4 speaker cables 130 connected, I connected the CDT with a coaxial AudioQuest Hawkeye digital interconnect, my Mac mini with an AudioQuest Carbon USB and and the Bluesound Node with an AudioQuest Vodka Optical. The devices were within reach in this setup, so I hardly used the remote control. Of course I took a look at how it worked and a few trifles struck me. That the remote control for both the Stereo 192 if the CDT can be used provides a mix of control knobs that takes some getting used to. With the bottom two buttons you first have to choose whether you want to operate the amplifier or the CD transport, which is not useful if you want to change the volume on the amplifier after starting a CD or skipping to another track. I can see why: some buttons have a double function – for example â ???? volume + â ???? for the amplifier, which is also used for “file up” ???? while playing from a USB stick – but you quickly get it wrong and that’s a shame. If you buy both devices, you also have two remote controls that you could use separately. Make sure to mark which squeeze cat is for which device. Anyway, the handling is of course a bit subordinate to how things sound.

I have the Stereo 130 first two days on soft level let the unsurpassed Isotek Burn-in CD play to rinse off the novelty and to stabilize the digital part of the circuit, and then I got down to it. The Stereo 130 may have a typical retro British look, from a dark brown retro appearance that has been used in the years 60 and 70 typified the British hi-fi, however. The LEAK Stereo 130 sounds dynamic, fast and extremely transparent. I can imagine that with a slightly cooler speaker cable and strictly neutral speakers you would go a little bit in the analytical direction, but with the CV-4 and the LS 50 â ???? s was the result is contagious, nice and open and wonderfully spacious. The presentation was a bit more forward than I was from my Peachtree Decco 65 am used to this place, and if maybe something could have had just that little bit of extra color it was low. But you can easily change that with the tone control – albeit with a minimal loss of transparency. Also rhythmically the whole was excellent.

I started with the Bluetooth playback, because that function is especially appreciated by younger users today. The pairing went very smoothly and the reproduction was in my ears pretty good for what you would expect from a compressed digital signal. Tonally it was fine, with a slight emphasis on the midrange, a fair amount of detail and a decent dynamic. However, it was no surprise that it could be even better via an uncompressed digital source, I had not even expected otherwise. The significantly better playback via the Bluesound Node and the CDT drive did not differ much from each other, but I still preferred CD playback via the CDT quite quickly.

A favorite CD to test new hi-fi is still Jan Bang’s And Poppies From Kandahar. This wonderful and fantastically produced album has the war problem in Afghanistan as its underlying theme, but it never becomes finger-pointing or violent. Very exciting, because it is one big musical radio play that takes place in 12 plays mostly instrumental tracks and leaves much to the imagination of the listener. Favorite track? Passport Control, in which a subcutaneous but uplifting beat drives an increasingly full sound image to a long climax at the end of the more than nine minutes long track. Due to the nearfield setup of the LS 50 â ???? s a beautiful and strong bubble of sound was created that completely surrounded me and which I was completely absorbed in.

The somewhat forward placement and the generous spaciousness also remained upright in the large set below on my prototype Kharma speakers. Given the enormous price difference, this is no small achievement. In the big set I tested the MM phono stage, with a simple but excellent performing AudioTechnica AT 95 E element in the Thorens TD 125. I am delighted to say that the discreetly constructed phono stage in the Stereo 130 is of excellent quality, close to the level of the digital inputs. With a better element, even better results can undoubtedly be achieved, but of course also with an external phono stage of some stature. The built-in headphone output is excellent, but here too it is not comparable to a separate headphone amplifier. However, on my AudioQuest NightHawk Classic it performed well, with a sound that resembled the reproduction through speakers: detailed and dynamic, with a slight emphasis on the mid-range and a nice smooth low that was just a tad on the slim side.

ConclusionA The LEAK Stereo 192 and the CDT CD transport form a classic looking but fully performing two-unit by today’s standards at a surprisingly affordable price. Future price increases aside for less than 1934 euro – just a little more if you want the gorgeous walnut console around it – a set that, in combination with the right speakers, really plays the stars of the sky. Obviously, the purchase of the CDT drive is not mandatory, but if you still play CDs, it is certainly worth considering. It works quickly and smoothly, runs really quietly and in combination with the da-converter in the Stereo 130 for a catchy, spacious and light-hearted display. Due to the somewhat clumsy operation of the USB playback option, it unfortunately loses n Ã © t half a star score.

The Stereo 130 integrated amplifier is a treat to see and hear. It is well built, sounds modern and open, and offers plenty of digital and analog connectivity options including Bluetooth. As icing on the cake, he has an excellent MM phono stage on board. However, here too, just half a star off, mainly due to the somewhat clumsy mix of functions on the otherwise beautiful remote control with a metal front plate, and the small note regarding the combination with certain cables and speakers. Nevertheless, a more than excellent and well-deserved score. Don’t let its compact dimensions fool you, this punchy performance set has what it takes to become a true retro classic just like its illustrious predecessor.

LEAK Stereo 192

LEAK Stereo 130 Silver: 799 euro

LEAK Stereo 130 Walnut: 899 euro

LEAK CDT Silver: 549 euro

LEAK CDT Walnut: 799 euro

Rating: 4.5 / 5

MIKA Distribution | mikadistri.nl

Quad board | quad-raad.nl

Best KEF speakers: budget, premium, bookshelf and standmount

Best KEF speakers Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best KEF speakers you can buy in 2020.

KEF is one of the finest purveyors of British hi-fi, with an illustrious heritage that stretches back more than 50 years. It’s had a few ups and downs in that time, but hasn’t lost its talent for engineering classy, superb-sounding speakers.

Most of KEF’s speakers feature the firm’s innovative Uni-Q driver. Rather than having a separately mounted tweeter and midrange driver, the tweeter is set into the centre of the mid. A simple idea – but it’s what sets the company apart from the pack.

More importantly, KEF has kept pace with the times and diversified into wireless speakers, including Bluetooth desktop speakers and wireless all-in-one streaming systems such as the magnificent LSX (below).

With more choice than ever, you might be wondering where to start. The good news is that we’ve done the legwork and rounded up the very best that KEF has to offer.

11 of the best KEF products of all time

(Image credit: KEF)

1. KEF LS50 Meta

These standmounters set new standards at the price.

SPECIFICATIONS

Speaker terminals: Single | Frequency response: 79-28,000Hz | Sensitivity: 85dB/W/m | Dimensions (hwd): 30.2 x 20 x 27.8cm

Reasons to Buy

Exceptional sonic transparency

Subtle and precise presentation

Innovative technology

The KEF LS50 Metas don’t look any different from the LS50s, and in many ways they aren’t. The company considered revising that beautifully made enclosure but concluded that little could be improved.

The one area ripe for improvement was the LS50’s Uni-Q driver array, where the tweeter sits in the throat of the mid/bass unit. This has been thoroughly reworked, taking in all the refinements that KEF has developed over the past eight years and adding something new in the form of Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) – KEF’s way of coping with the sound that comes off the back of the 25mm aluminium tweeter dome.

It doesn’t take long to realise that the LS50s have improved significantly. While the basic sonic character is instantly familiar, the new ones have gained a level of clarity and finesse the originals only hinted at.

Read the full review: KEF LS50 Meta

(Image credit: KEF)

2. KEF LSX

A splendid, rhythmic all-in-one hi-fi system

SPECIFICATIONS

Driver: 11.5cm Uni-Q mid/bass with integrated 19mm aluminium dome tweeter | Features: Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX codec, Hi-res audio support | Dimensions: 24 x 15.5 x 18 cm (H x W x D)

Reasons to Buy

Class-leading insight

Extensive connectivity

Neat, colourful design

Despite their dinky proportions, these active bookshelf speakers wowed us with their accomplished, expressive and full-bodied sound. There’s much more to them than just sonic supremacy, though, as they double as a wireless all-in-one system capable of handling hi-res files up to 24-bit/192KHz.

They might look like they’ve been zapped with a shrink ray when compared to the LS50 Wireless speakers, their older sibling, but they’re no less impressive. Blessed with Uni-Q drivers, 200W Class-D amplification and a choice of stylish colours that would put Farrow & Ball to shame, these come top of KEF’s class.

Read the full review: KEF LSX

(Image credit: KEF)

3. KEF Q350

Elegant, detailed and surprisingly affordable.

SPECIFICATIONS

Driver: 16.5cm Uni-Q mid/bass with integrated 25mm aluminium dome tweeter | Features: 2-way bass reflex | Dimensions: 35.8 x 21 x 30cm (HxWxD)

Reasons to Buy

Stunning levels of clarity and detail

Huge scale of sound

Good timing

Reasons to Avoid

Lack some punch and drive

Not best at low volumes

Looking for the best sub-£500 standmount speakers? You’re in the right place. Redesigned to reduce distortion and improve performance, the updated Q350s now offer a winning combination of sleek, sophisticated looks and stunning presence.

The sturdy, beautifully-crafted cabinets come in a choice of black or white satin finishes, accented with black or silver Uni-Q drivers. What the the Q350s lack in punch, they more than make up for in clarity, depth and composure. If they’re within your budget, these are a no-brainer.

Read the full review: KEF Q350

(Image credit: KEF)

4. KEF R3

Stunning sonic ability at a reasonable price

SPECIFICATIONS

Driver: 16.5cm bass and 12.5 Uni-Q midrange driver with integrated 25mm aluminium dome tweeter | Dimensions: 42.2 x 20 x 31.2 cm (H x W x D)

Reasons to Buy

Exceptional insight and resolution

Balanced and entertaining sound

Excellent build and finish

The R3s won our stamp of approval back in 2018 thanks to their exceptional level of detail and insight. You’ll find them sonically balanced and extremely capable. In fact, we think they deliver a big chunk of the performance of the pricer R1s – but at a fraction of the cost.

They’re brilliant all-rounders and pair well with almost any system; give them a decent feed and you’ll discover that they put most sub-£2000 competitors to shame. Well-engineered, outstanding value for money and darn stylish to boot.

Read the full review: KEF R3

(Image credit: KEF)

5. KEF LS50 Wireless

Premium all-in-one streaming hi-fi- system

SPECIFICATIONS

Driver: 13cm Uni-Q mid/bass driver with 25mm aluminium dome tweeter | Features: Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, Hi-res audio support | Dimensions: 30 x 20 x 30.8 cm (H x W x D)

Reasons to Buy

Great clarity

Impressive bass and dynamics

Brilliant build quality

This impressive all-in-one streaming music system is a bigger, more powerful take on the KEF LSX. Sound quality is nothing short of masterful, delivering effortless clarity and plenty of maturity – especially when it comes to tricky dynamic shifts.

They might be built for the digital age, but KEF hasn’t abandoned its hi-fi pedigree, so you can expect a good array of analogue inputs. Like most wireless active speakers, these aren’t truly ‘wireless’: both the master and slave speaker need to be plugged into the mains, with a cable run between the two. But that’s a small price to pay for this level of performance in a sleek, stylish package.

Read the full review: KEF LS50 Wireless

(Image credit: KEF)

6. KEF R5

These floorstanders are classy and refined performers

SPECIFICATIONS

Driver: 2 x 13cm bass and 12.5cm Uni-Q mid with integrated 25mm aluminium dome tweeter | Features: Bi-wireable | Dimensions: 103 x 18 x 34cm ( H x W x D)

Reasons to Buy

Weighty and refined sound

Good detail and seamless integration

Excellent stereo imaging

Reasons to Avoid

Lack dynamic subtlety of the best

Impeccably built with sleek design and a bunch of innovative features, there is evidently a lot of work gone into making the KEF R5. You’ll get two bass drivers top and tailing the Uni-Q midrange, both paired with a tuned reflex port, so you can imagine the kind of heft these floorstanders can deliver.

But it isn’t just power the R5s have on their side. There’s brilliant detail on offer and stereo imaging is superb, while those drivers all integrate wonderfully for an even and controlled presentation.

Read the full review: KEF R5

(Image credit: KEF)

7. KEF Reference 1

Proof that British hi-fi rocks

SPECIFICATIONS

Driver: 16.5cm bass and 12.5 Uni-Q mid with integrated 25 aluminium dome tweeter | Features: Three-way bass reflex | Dimensions: 44 x 20.5 x 43 cm ( H x W x D)

Reasons to Buy

Sonic authority and composure

Revealing yet unfussy nature

Impressive engineering and terrific build

Reasons to Avoid

Cost of dedicated Reference 1 stands

Ready to blow the budget? The Reference 1s deliver a thrilling, beautifully-layered sound that will lift and enhance almost any track. Bass is a particular highlight: refined yet punchy, it underscores KEF’s talent for balancing firepower with precision.

Some high-end speakers tend to suit a certain genre of music, but that’s not the case with the Reference 1s. They’re stellar all-rounders, aren’t too demanding when it comes to positioning, and are constructed to KEF’s exacting standards. If you have a healthy bank balance, they’re worth every penny.

Read the full review: KEF Reference 1

(Image credit: KEF)

8. KEF Egg

Egg-cellent desktop speakers

SPECIFICATIONS

Driver: 16.5cm Uni-Q mid/bass with integrated 25mm aluminium dome tweeter | Features: Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX | Dimensions: 27.4 x 13.6 x 17.2 cm (H x W x D)

Reasons to Buy

Very good integration

Balanced audio

Versatile

Reasons to Avoid

3.5mm input could be neater

These quirky miniature marvels are KEF’s unique spin on desktop speakers. They work equally well as wireless or wired speakers, so they’re a real master of all trades. And since they’re kitted out with a built-in 50W amplifier, they have the necessary oomph to upgrade the sound of your laptop or TV.

When it comes to sound dispersion, the Eggs are no yolk, projecting a surprisingly lively and immersive soundstage. Assuming that their retro, “1960s sci-fi film prop” looks don’t scramble you brain, the Eggs are a cracking buy.

Read the full review: KEF Egg

How to choose the right speakers, part one: research
How to choose the right speakers, part two: buying
How to choose the right speakers, part three: set-up

Review LEAK Stereo 130 and CDT classic hi-fi in a new retro look

When I got the new LEAK Stereo 130 amplifier with matching LEAK CDT CD transport was first seen a while ago in a press release, my hi-fi heart jumped happily. In 2011 a colleague gave me an old LEAK Delta 30 integrated amplifier. That stubbornly designed little amplifier from the late days of the transition between tube and solid state still worked, and despite showing a few signs of aging I wrote this enthusiastic vintage review about it. LEAK had not existed for a long time, but now this iconic brand is back on the market. Not with the crazy high-end price tags, but affordable and equipped with a number of interesting modern gadgets. I had to and would put it to the test, and so it happened.

A Little History Harold Joseph LEAK founded the brand named after him in 1934 and he became one of the pioneers in high-quality music reproduction. Some of his feats were sadly lost in the dusty recesses of hi-fi history, but it was one of his designs – the Point One amplifier series from 1961 – which was the first to have harmonic distortion below 0.1%. The company also innovated in speaker technology. The successful LEAK Sandwich loudspeaker out 1961 had a Mercenary Don Barlow developed a woofer whose cone consisted of a layer of foamed polystyrene sandwiched between two sheets of aluminum foil, resulting in an extremely light and rigid speaker membrane. A similar principle is still used today by brands such as Podszus-Görlich and Zellaton.

The Classic LEAK Stereo 30 (photo: Rene van Es)

In 1969 the brand sold to the Rank Organization, a British entertainment company that made films and television productions as well as radios, televisions and copiers – the Rank in Rank-Xerox, for the older youth of readers. End Years 95, competition from the Japanese audio industry became too fierce, and the LEAK brand name quietly disappeared from the market without much residual glory. Definitely it seemed, but nothing could be further from the truth and a ball can roll in a strange way in hi-fi land. After 40 years in deep slumber, the LEAK brand name was acquired by IAG (International Audio Group). This Chinese investor has the hi-fi heart in the right place and was previously successful in bringing other British hi-fi classics back to the market, including Quad, Wharfedale and Mission. And now LEAK.

LEAK Stereo 130 Integrated Amplifier In the past, LEAK amplifiers could have type number the power to 8? read: so had the Stereo 32 from 1963 rated at 2x 15 Watt. The new Stereo 192 breaks with that tradition and delivers 2 x 48 Watts per channel in Class AB. I mention the Historic Stereo 32 for good reason, because the design of the new Stereo 130 is based on that in detail. The narrow housing, the black band at the bottom of the otherwise aluminum-colored front, with the original name logo at the bottom left. The rotary knobs with a ribbed black plastic cylinder around an aluminum-colored heart, the volume and source selection knobs on the right and left outside with the knobs for tone control and balance in between, even the (now available at an extra cost) walnut casing. It ‘new ones’ design is really unbelievably retro, but I am amazed how current it is now 2020 actually still looks, certainly the version without wooden casing that I received for review.

There are also differences. The original rotary knobs had a small tip that made it easier to read the position from the listening seat, and the headphone output – which, by the way, is only available on the LEAK Stereo + appeared – was hiding behind a small ‘twist knob’ that was more like a ‘twist cap’ that you had to remove in order to pierce the headphones. Furthermore, the new Stereo 192 a ‘direct’ button with which you bypass the entire – by the way nicely subtle – tone control, which also results in a slightly more transparent reproduction. On the far right is the standby button, which lights up softly in red at rest and lights up brighter when switched on. The source selector now features a ring of small orange LEDs that indicate which source you have selected. The amplifier comes with a remote control with which the functions of the accompanying CDT CD transport can be operated, more about this later.

At the back you will find the bigger differences. So is the Stereo 130 with a secured IEC net entrance with the real on / off button above it. Where the old Stereo 32 (+) had two inputs for record players is that on the Stereo 130 only one (MM), and the microphone inputs (!) are also gone. Instead, there are two analog Aux inputs and a stereo pre-out, one pair of speaker connections and an extensive digital connection panel that includes not only a coaxial, two optical and a USB-B digital input, but also a coaxial and optical. digital output. A network connection is missing, the LEAK Stereo 192 does not have a streamer on board. The da-converter in the Stereo 192 via USB supports resolutions up to 384 kHz (PCM) and DSD 256, but no MQA. The coaxial and optical connection are capped at 256 kHz. A USB-A port for updates and a 12 Volt trigger input and output top it off. Allows the LEAK Stereo 130 are the heart of every modern hi-fi system. As icing on the cake, the Stereo 192 an onboard Bluetooth receiver (with external antenna) that supports aptX and Apple AAC.

LEAK CDT CD-Transport The LEAK CDT CD transport is not a CD player, but a transport . That means that there is no da-converter and that it therefore has no analog audio outputs. On the rear panel, next to a secured IEC net entrance and the on / off button, we find a pair of trigger connections to synchronize it with the Stereo 130 on and off, and an optical and coaxial S / PDIF digital output. The CDT uses a smooth-running and extremely silent ‘slot-loading’ Red Book CD drive. G éé one CD-ROM drive, as is more or less usual nowadays, but therefore also g one one buffer in which the read data is first stored. Using so ‘ One buffer can be an advantage when playing a badly damaged CD ‘ s or CD recordables that have become less legible over the years, but I have not encountered any CD in practice that did not play properly .

On the front is a relatively small but easy to read monochrome dot-matrix LCD display with a very wide viewing angle. The control buttons are accurate to use, but I feel that a very little intuitive operation has been sacrificed to the sleek design. It will take some getting used to, but I pressed the eject button several times when I actually wanted to start playback with the play / pause button next to it. To the left of the control buttons is a USB-A input where you can insert a memory stick with music files. There are a few caveats to this. The stick must be FAT 16 or FAT 32 are formatted, and may only contain WAV, MP3, WMA or AAC format files, with a maximum resolution of 48 kHz.

This is a surprising and nice extra function, but the operation is a bit unclear . Playback starts as soon as you insert the stick into the USB-A socket and select the USB input with the ‘input’ button. Choosing a favorite album or song before playing is therefore not really an option. Via the remote control you can choose with certain buttons to search or skip within the main folder or within the currently playing folder, but the display does not show which mode you are in and the displayed metadata is not always clear due to the limited space. My advice is to use this function, for example, for a stick full of background music, whose songs are all in one folder, and thus ensure uninterrupted background music enjoyment for a whole party. However, playing files on a well-stocked external drive in a folder structure can cause some frustration.

In-use and Listen Most of the sound assessment took place in my office, because that’s where I listen to music most hours a day. My KEF LS 50 speakers in nearfield setup were connected to the LEAK Stereo with AudioQuest CV-4 speaker cables 130 connected, I connected the CDT with a coaxial AudioQuest Hawkeye digital interconnect, my Mac mini with an AudioQuest Carbon USB and and the Bluesound Node with an AudioQuest Vodka Optical. The devices were within reach in this setup, so I hardly used the remote control. Of course I took a look at how it worked and I noticed a few trifles. That the remote control for both the Stereo 130 if the CDT can be used provides a mixture of control buttons that takes some getting used to. With the bottom two buttons you first have to choose whether you want to operate the amplifier or the CD transport, which is not useful if you want to change the volume on the amplifier after starting a CD or skipping to another track. I can understand why: some buttons have a double function – for example ‘volume +’ for the amplifier, which is also used for ‘file up’ during playback from a USB stick – but you quickly get it wrong and that is a shame. If you buy both devices you have o Incidentally, two remote controls that you could use separately. Make sure to mark which squeeze cat is for which device. Anyway, the operation is of course a bit subordinate to how things sound.

I have the Stereo 130 first two days at soft level the I played the unsurpassed Isotek Burn-in CD to rinse off the novelty and to stabilize the digital part of the circuit, and then I got down to it. The Stereo 192 may have a typical retro British look, from a dark brown retro appearance that has been used in the years 60 and 70 typified the British hi-fi, however. The LEAK Stereo 192 sounds dynamic, fast and extremely transparent. I can imagine that with a somewhat cooler speaker cable and strictly neutral speakers you would go a little bit in the analytical direction, but with the CV-4 and the LS 50 ‘s the result was infectious , nice and open and wonderfully spacious. The presentation was a bit more forward than I was from my Peachtree Decco 65 am used to this place, and if maybe something could have had just a little bit of extra color, it was low. But you can easily change that with the tone control – albeit with a minimal loss of transparency. Also rhythmically the whole was excellent.

A favorite CD to test new hi-fi is still… And Poppies From Kandahar by Jan Bang. This wonderful and fantastically produced album has the war problem in Afghanistan as its underlying theme, but it never becomes finger-pointing or violent. Very exciting, because it is one big musical radio play that takes place in 12 plays mostly instrumental tracks and leaves much to the imagination of the listener. Favorite track? Passport Control, in which a subcutaneous but uplifting beat drives an increasingly full sound image to a long climax at the end of the more than nine minutes long track. Due to the nearfield arrangement of the LS 50 ‘s created a beautiful and strong bubble of sound that completely surrounded me and which I was completely absorbed in.

The somewhat forward placement and generous spaciousness also held up well in the large set downstairs on my prototype Kharma speakers. Given the enormous price difference, this is no small achievement. In the big set I tested the MM phono stage, with a simple but excellent performing AudioTechnica AT 95 E element in the Thorens TD 125. I am delighted to say that the discreetly constructed phono stage in the Stereo 130 is of excellent quality, close to the level of the digital inputs. With a better element, even better results can undoubtedly be achieved, but of course also with an external phono stage of some stature. The built-in headphone output is excellent, but here too it is not comparable with a separate headphone amplifier. However, on my AudioQuest NightHawk Classic it performed well, with a sound that resembled the reproduction through speakers: detailed and dynamic, with a slight emphasis on the midrange and a nice smooth low that was just a tad on the slim side.

Conclusion The LEAK Stereo 192 and the CDT CD transport form a classic looking but fully performing two-unit by today’s standards at a surprisingly affordable price. Future price increases aside, you will have for less than 1500 euro – just a little more if you want the stunning walnut console around it – a set that, in combination with the right speakers, really plays the stars of the sky. Obviously, the purchase of the CDT drive is not mandatory, but if you still play CDs, it is certainly worth considering. It works fast and smooth, runs really quietly and in combination with the da-converter in the Stereo 130 for a contagious, spacious and light-hearted display. Due to the somewhat clumsy operation of the USB playback option, it unfortunately loses n é t half a star score.

LEAK Stereo 130

LEAK Stereo 130 Silver: 799 euro

LEAK Stereo 130 Walnut: 899 euro

LEAK CDT Silver: 549 euro

LEAK CDT Walnut: 649 euros

Rating: 4.5 / 5

MIKA Distribution | mikadistri.nl

Quad board | quad-raad.nl

Vivo TWS Neo and Wireless Sport Earphone, proof of the Chinese manufacturer's audio proposal

We tried two Vivo earphones, two very different models that cater to very specific users. The Vivo TWS Neo are true wireless earphones, Vivo Wireless Sport instead a model with “flex headband” for sports lovers

of Nino Grasso published on 23 November 2020 , at 19: 31 in the Audio Video channel

Vivo

Vivo has recently landed on the Italian market with products well positioned across all ranges. Among the models we received in the editorial office we have already tried Vivo X 31 5G, great smartphone with 5G modem and gimbal camera, and some cheaper devices: Vivo Y 70 and Vivo Y 20 s. The manufacturer arrived in the boot not only with its smartphones, but also with an audio proposal consisting of different models of earphones. We tried Vivo TWS Earphone Neo and Vivo Wireless Sport Earphone , and in this article we tell you briefly how they go and the use experience they offer.

Vivo TWS Neo

I Vivo TWS Neo are true wireless earphones which are mainly characterized by the design, which is objectively very beautiful. There are two versions on the market: the most aseptic white and the most eye-catching in Starry Blue , which we received on trial. It is a very particular almost chrome finish, which reflects the surrounding light with evidence revealing a gradient in different circumstances, with lighter colors in the lower part and darker in the upper one. Vivo TWS earphones cost 129, 99 ?? , but can easily be combined with more expensive models without disfiguring.

Design is not, however, only aesthetics. Vivo did not choose the in-ear format, but the traditional one for its TWS Neo, marrying the needs of the public who cannot appreciate the rubber pads in the ears. Like Apple’s AirPods, each earphone extends through a cylindrical insert at the bottom, useful for balancing the weight once worn. The fit of the Vivo TWS Neo is excellent: they do not bother even during prolonged use and the low weight (4.7g) barely allows you to feel them on. While listening, they do not move and do not fall, even when exercising in an excited way.

The two earphones are also waterproof IP – 54 , so they can be used with all indoor and even outdoor sports without much worry. The first pairing is very fast, the following ones are practically lightning fast thanks to the support for Bluetooth 5.2. In fact, it is impossible to miss a call due to the fact that the earphones do not respond: from the moment we opened the box supplied (it can be done with the use of one hand) to the moment we wore the earphones in all the cases the pairing with the smartphone was completed successfully.

The earphones activate when they detect through an algorithm that they have been worn, and in the same way they deactivate automatically when they detect that they have been move away from the ear. This function can be configured on Android through the dedicated app, while the same possibility as iOS is not present, in the absence of a specific app for Apple’s mobile platform. Among the customization modes via app we also have playback controls and call management, which we will write about below.

Audio quality and controls

We talked about calls: how am i with i Vivo TWS Neo ? Of good quality, even if the interlocutor’s voice is not very deep. Our voice, on the other hand, is quite clear even when we are outdoors thanks to the dual microphone noise reduction system supported by Artificial Intelligence. The shallow character of the calls is reflected in the music listening, which is also shallow : the sound reproduction is rather flat, with mids in great evidence and lows and highs somewhat hidden. Width of the stage, practically nothing. The audio quality is typical of low-mid-range earphones, despite the DeepX stereo effects mentioned by the company in the promotional materials.

The earphones have driver from 14, 2mm in composite biofibre material with copper coil, while we have aptX Adaptive codec support and a claimed latency of 88 ms. The listening experience during games and videos is excellent from this point of view, but also here of little impact due to the docile character at the ends of the sound spectrum. Excellent autonomy, despite the compact size of the box: 4 and a half hours with a single charge, 22 hours and a half with recharging the declared data by means of the case. In fact, in real use you just forget to put them in charge.

The touch controls on the earphones are also extremely useful and functional, as we have already written, customizable on Android via the app . Three default interaction modes: double tap, to accept calls, activate the voice assistant or pause and play music; press and hold to reject or end the ongoing call; and the Slide Control , which allows you to increase or decrease the volume simply by sliding your finger on the rod of each earphone. This is an intuitive and well-functioning mode of interaction, definitely a great find on this model.

Considerations

I Vivo TWS Neo are honest true wireless earphones that excel in design (in all its forms ) and that offer a very high level user experience. They are beautiful, solid and easy to operate in the features they offer to the user. Considering the price list of 129 ?? we expected something more in terms of audio quality, however if you buy from Chinese stores you can save a lot: at the moment on GearBest, for example, they cost only 54, 06 ??, an exceptional price in our opinion in relation to what they can offer to the user. Compared to other Chinese models of the same price, approximately 50 – 75 ?? are in our opinion a very good buy.

Vivo Wireless Sport

We also tested the model Vivo Wireless Sport Earphone , which in fact confirms the attention of the manufacturer regarding the design. This is a model that caters to a more vertical audience to use during any type of sporting activity thanks to the waterproof IP certification – 55. They adopt the in-ear format with interchangeable pads (with different sizes already in the original equipment) and are recharged via the USB Type-C port (a cable is supplied).

The design is with “flex” headband , light and comfortable even when you start to sweat, able to recover the natural shape of the neck after any type of movement. At the ends of the headband there are two balanced weight inserts, one of which with physical controls, and then the earphones hooked up with a cable. In addition to the in-ear grommets, it is also possible to install small rubber supports to fix the earphones in an even more stable way to the ears.

The first pairing is very fast even if you are not using a Vivo smartphone , while with the products owners just bring the earphones that are recognized and enabled for operation. When you want to stop music playback, you can use the integrated controls, or simply clip the two earphones thanks to the magnets present. Among the commands we also have the ability to manage calls or start the integrated voice assistant as native on the device.

But how do they sound? The audio quality is in our opinion very good, superior to that of the company’s true wireless earphones, also thanks to the support of the LDAC transmission codec , for a certified product Hi-Res Audio . Music listening with the Vivo Wireless Sport Earphones is tonally balanced, with a good representation of the music stage. The lows are there, even if not very prominent, the highs are crystal clear and do not distort and the voices – even if a bit backward – are reproduced clearly. The maximum volume is also optimal for outdoor use, higher than that unlined by the TWS Neo. The quality is good even with calls, thanks to the high volume guaranteed by the drivers and the noise cancellation integrated in the microphones.

The autonomy guaranteed by Vivo is 12 hours, even if in the real overall use it reaches about 7/8 hours, based on the listening volume. The integrated fast charge is very useful: in about 5 minutes you get about 4 hours of music or calls, according to the data released by the manufacturer, more than satisfactory for any training session.

Considerations

The price by Vivo Wireless Sport by 69 ?? makes them very attractive on the Italian market, in our opinion, especially by virtue of the audio quality offered. It is a product with attention to both design and the sound aspect, with support for Hi-Res Audio, LDAC and a very interesting quality in music reproduction for its list price. Here too we have the app support only on Android, but there is no possibility of performing a manual equalization that would have allowed the user to obtain a sound rendering closer to their tastes.

Review: Skullcandy Crusher ANC Noise canceling with a lot of extra

The Skullcandy Crusher may not sound like something you’ll want to put on your head, but wait: it’s a noise-canceling headset that packs in several unique features that you won’t find elsewhere. But can a button to adjust the basses and a personal tuning based on an ear test be enough to stand out from the crowd? There are plenty of rivalsâ ?? ¦

Advantages of ANC During the spring lockdown we are â ???? and probably more people â ???? will appreciate the benefits of noise-canceling headphones even more. NC headphones were already on the rise anyway, but the sales figures are now getting even more of a boost. So if you’re looking for an explanation of why so many new headphones are popping up that actively combat ambient noise, that’s it.

Among the many new models that have recently appeared we also saw this futuristically shaped Skullcandy Crusher ANC, which for approximately 220 euro is in the shops. Not to be confused with the â ???? ordinaryâ ???? and older Crusher Wireless headphones that only have Bluetooth, by the way. But given that the design of the two Crushers differs somewhat, the risk of making a mistake is rather small.

With its price tag of just over 200 Euro, the Crusher ANC is a middle class in the segment. That is significantly cheaper than the high-end models, such as the Sony WH – 1000 XM3 or Bose NCH 700, and still a bit more pricey than the loafers. The Philips PH 805 for example. What do you get for that amount? Some surprising and even unique things. The most important two: you can personalize the sound on the basis of an ear test and via a large slider you can adjust the basses while listening. Certainly the latter function is not only available for music, but also for people who play games and watch films while traveling. Most NC headphones don’t really do much with those audiences, so Skullcandy does.

Modern looks Like many of its peers, the Crusher ANC is a headphones designed for mobile use. You can fold it so that you can easily store it in the supplied case. It is a very solid fabric thing, by the way, with room for the charging cable and a thin audio cable for when the battery is empty. The headphones are available in different color editions (including a stylish black version with cognac brown ear cushions) and are made of plastic, so that the weight can be kept low. That is not at the expense of the build quality; the Crusher ANC seems solid and doesn’t crack when we twist it. That is immediately distinctive compared to cheaper devices.

The Crusher ANC looks a bit futuristic, an impression that is reinforced by the three large buttons on the right ear and Sensory Bass slider and a series of bright LEDs indicating the battery level on the left. And then there is the USB-C port (handy, you can use the cable from your new smartphone) and an aux input for wired listening. This remains a useful option if you want to watch a movie on an airplane via the inflight system.

Real buttons The buttons on the Crusher NC are large but very easy to operate by touch. That is a plus. And we prefer physical buttons to touchpads for headphones because you can always operate real keys, even when wearing gloves, so that’s worth a pat on the back. But don’t worry, touchpad lovers: Skullcandy has also thought of you. By tapping on the left ear you can switch on noise canceling or activate an ambient mode so that you become more aware of your surroundings.

If you look closely, the feeling of luxury disappears a bit, partly because the brackets and small visual elements that seem to be metal from far away still appear plastic at a few centimeters away. The ear pads are of high quality and rest softly on the head. Since the headband is also well padded at the top (with a shape that allows a little more cooling), the Crusher ANC deserves good marks when it comes to comfort. expected, to be fair.

The headphone housings and ear pads are a bit narrower than normal, which puts the Crusher ANC somewhere on the border between a large on-ear and a smaller over-ear headphone. Those looking for a more discreet, smaller device that sits more subtly on your head should check out this Skullcandy. Sure, that subtlety is somewhat undermined by the logo of an alien skull on both sides of the headband. But you don’t expect much subtlety from a brand with a name like Skullcandy, right?

All for you You don’t need to install the Skullcandy app (iOS, Android) if you don’t want to. If you do, you do get access to a number of useful things (such as firmware updates) and the show-off function of these headphones: personal sound. The underlying idea is that everyone’s hearing is different (and that is correct, partly due to age effects) and headphones should take this into account. Otherwise, you won’t hear your music the way the headphone designer wanted.

Skullcandy isn’t the first to discover this. The AKG N 90 Q and Sony WH – 1000 For example, XM3 use test tones to adjust the display to the fit on the ears. Because yes, that also has an influence. What Skullcandy does is different. It uses technology from Audiodo, a Swedish startup that has devised an algorithm to adjust the sound signal to your ear characteristics. To find out how and what you hear correctly, you have to go through a relatively extensive hearing test in the Skullcandy. You really have to take some time for it and â ???? above all – find a very quiet environment. A whole series of test tones are played per ear, including tones that are very quiet, each time indicating whether you hear something or not. Based on this inquiry, Audiodo creates a filter that adjusts the sound, and that per ear. After all, it is quite possible that one ear perceives certain frequencies better than the other.

It all sounds very technical, but in the app it is kept simple. Just tap a button if you hear the tone or not. Then yes, a curve is presented per ear, without explanation or checkpoints, but with a button so that you can immediately switch between â ???? offâ ???? and â ???? optimizedâ ????. This way you can decide for yourself what the function does and whether you think it is worthwhile.

It is also useful that you can perform the test several times and save multiple profiles. The first time we did that, there was some background noise, which prevented us from hearing certain tones. In a later test at a quieter time of the day we heard more tones and the personal representation was therefore slightly different. Is the feature really useful? We think so. The fact that we got a slightly different result for each measurement proves that an algorithm is only as good as the data you feed it, but the result was still slightly more balanced than the standard display. And by that we do not only mean per se in terms of frequency response, but above all that a better balance was created between left and right. Which in turn made the soundstage bigger and allowed the music to ‘escape’ more? out of your head. It’s not that the closed Crusher ANC suddenly took on the character of an open audiophile headphone, but thanks to the function it does take a step in that direction.

Flapping ears The Crusher ANC has one more function that you can call special: Sensory Bass. You operate it via a large slider at the bottom of the left driver housing. Slide this button up and basses will be thickened. But this is not just an extra bass button. It mainly works on very low tones, so that you do not immediately notice anything when listening to, say, violin music or when watching a film scene with only dialogues. That changes immediately when there are beats in music or that movie shifts into a higher gear and action starts. Then you get a good portion of sub bass served, including strong physical feedback, a bit similar to the vibration function on a Dualshock controller. In its highest position it is almost overwhelming. When we took the Crusher to the â ???? Old Guardâ ???? watched via Netflix on our LG GX8 smartphone, with Sensory Bass on max mode, we almost jumped out of our seat during a shootout and moments later when a helicopter came into view during Charlize Theron and Matthias Schoenaerts’ journey to South Sudan. It seemed as if our ears were flapping, and it even leaned a little towards the pain threshold! Perhaps this works so well because the sub-basses are delivered directly to your skull, thanks to a motor that is included in the driver housing. Sensory Bass is one of those things you love or despise, and it may also be a main reason for some to get that Crusher ANC. With games and films, it really adds value, if you ask us, but to an extent. At maximum strength it can really get too much.

Where is â ???? em? Are you someone who always loses things? Then the Tile compatibility of the Crusher ANC is a real asset. Tile is a service that works via an app and helps you to find a lost device. You must first register the Crusher ANC via the Tile app, then you can locate the headphones by having it play a loud sound. It’s a good idea, but the Crusher’s speakers can’t be loud enough for you to hear from afar. No problem if the headphones are on the couch, for example, but if there is a pillow or a stack of strips on it, you will only detect the sound from close by. The added value is therefore quite relative, especially in a messy house. Nevertheless, Tile functionality is a bit of hype. Bose and Sennheiser also provide it on select headphones, such as the Momentum Wireless 3.

Enough functions with this Skullcandy, but what about the sound quality? Sensory Bass and the personal sound profiles have a strong influence on what you hear. Still, we dare to say that the Crusher ANC is a commercially tuned headphone, with somewhat heavier basses that suit urban genres and electronic music. That’s fine if you’re looking for just that. More importantly, these headphones are good in terms of drivers and adjustment. A solid bass foundation is indeed provided, but basses remain clean and detailed, and they do not drown out higher frequencies. With that, the Crusher ANC plays at a higher level. You are not listening to bloated or bloated basses and otherwise a dull sound â ???? as you may experience with cheaper headphones.

Vocals are beautifully presented, we notice when listening to â ???? Meryemâ ????, an atmospheric album (CD quality via Qobuz) by the Moroccan singer Meryem Aboulouafa that mixes many influences around and sometimes towards trip hop and trance. Songs like the intense â ???? Retreat! Â ???? and the slow, cinematic â ???? Deeplyâ ???? sound good on the Crusher ANC, although we do find with the latter that the basses dominate slightly when the volume is really loud. We are sorry that there is no equalizer in the app. If we listen to this album via BubbleUPnP and EQâ € ™ and there, it balances out nicely. OK, that is far too cumbersome for many listeners, but it is a plus that the Crusher ANC handles such adjustments without any problems. By the way, confirm t also our Huawei P 30 Pro that the Crusher ANC aptX and aptX Supports HD, two Bluetooth codecs that give a better guarantee of quality. Good news for the mobile audiophile, which aptX HD will not often encounter in this price segment.

The noise canceling on the Skullcandy does its job, but is certainly not as effective as with the high-end models. Perhaps also because the passive isolation with these headphones is somewhat more limited, especially compared to the JBL Club One, for example. In our simulation, where we played a YouTube video of a train ride through a snowstorm, we could still perceive the typical track sounds when no music was playing through the headphones. If you do watch a movie or listen to music, the train mesh almost completely disappears into the background. Remarkable: voice noises are very well eliminated. The Crusher ANC therefore seems a good choice for an open office environment or if you are always listening to something while commuting. Travelers who use NC headphones to rest and don’t play anything should opt for highly effective noise-canceling headphones like the top Sony model.

Conclusion Some unique features make the Crusher ANC a special NC headphones, and at a reasonable price. The biggest flaw is the slight noise. You have that with many headphones with active noise cancellation, but here it is just a bit louder. At the same time, it is hardly bothering you when listening to music, and certainly not in a noisy environment. However, the NC cannot eliminate the loudest environmental noise. The Sensory Bass button is really great. At its highest setting it is crazy overkill for music, even for a convincing basshead, but at a lower setting it is a great bonus for movies and games. These headphones are definitely recommended for Netflix on the train or plane.

Skullcandy Crusher ANC

219 euro | www.skullcandy.com

Rating 4 out of 5

Review: Airpulse A100 Active Speaker System

MORE FROM THIS BRAND RESUME The Airpulse A 100 are good speakers. Especially if you purchase them for that specific purpose for which you are looking for that fairly analytical and direct representation. They really excel in nearfield rendering, but just aren’t for everyone. Although that actually applies to a lot of hi-fi.

PLUS POINTS Fast and energetic display Nice stereo image (nearfield) Nicely finished Complete package including good quality interlinks MINUSES Sometimes a bit nasty in the high

If I wanted to review a set of Edifier speakers? Isn’t that that brand that mainly focuses on audio with your PC? That’s right, for the most partÂ ???? Â but the Airpulse sub-brand that is designed and produced under the Edifier banner is a bit more hi-fi oriented, in contrast to the Edifier speakers that you find on the shelves of the major electronics chains. Getting started with the Airpulse A 100 So!

What is more than worth mentioning is that musician and audio designer Phil Jones forms a partnership with Edifier. By the way, don’t confuse him with Andrew Jones, the renowned loudspeaker designer. Nor are they related. Phil Jones is, however, the man behind the legendary Acoustic Energy AE-1. For many, still the benchmark for floorstander performance from a much smaller, yet conventional housing. That creates certain expectations for me if I do a little reading before the speakers are delivered.

Today is red No, not Marco Borsato’s song … The Airpulse A pair 100, which is not made available to me for quite some time to my dissatisfaction, is what I am referring to. The A 192 is available in high-gloss white, high-gloss black and therefore also high-gloss red. And now let the latter show off with me on the speaker stands in my attic room. It is a color that I would never buy myself without seeing it. But now that they are set up in the listening room, I actually think they are very beautiful, and have a real own face.

They are seamlessly finished with rounded corners and the paint is of good quality. It all shines towards you and it is not without reason that a pair of white cloth gloves and a cleaning cloth are included. They are speakers that really should be seen. They are also nice and compact and measure only 25 cm in width, 28, 3 cm in height and 25, 5 cm depth.

The left speaker is the one that actually is passive. The judge is the one in which the electronics are housed. A black strip can be seen on the front of that active speaker that provides visual feedback which input has been selected. The IR eye has been incorporated into the same strip and a HiRes logo is displayed on the front. Fortunately, it does not look like a traditional computer speaker set, but really a bit more serious work. Personally, I would like to see that black strip on the passive speaker as well, but that’s more my slightly compulsive trait to see the same left and right.

Drivers, amplification and internal cabling

Ok, so the appearance is (as far as I am concerned) well together. And if you don’t like red, you still have the choice of neutral black or white. The technique is of course just as important. First of all, the horn loaded ribbon tweeter stands out. That is not an everyday tweeter. The very thin aluminum diaphragm provides high resolution and speed and the horn design ensures a fairly direct radiation behavior towards the listener. It is crucial for such tweeters to set them up correctly. That is to say fully turn in to the listening position and the tweeter at ear height. Because my speaker stands are a bit too low and in the beginning it was all just flat and boring. Once brought to the right height, it became a completely different story. There is also a set of coasters of dampening material included that allows you to place the speakers on your desk at an angle, but there was just not enough space on my desk, so that’s why I chose speaker stands on both sides of my desk.

The fact The fact that they must be well aimed at your ears makes these speakers perfectly suitable for near-field listening. As monitors in your home studio, for example, or as high-quality reproducers at your home workplace. The tweeters are connected by a 2 x 10 Watt class-D amplifier driven and go to 40 kHz, which is well above the human hearing range. This in turn ensures a lot of peace in the reproduction of sound in the audible spectrum. The woofers are 5-inch aluminum variants that look beautiful with their silver-colored dust cover. The woofers are controlled by a 2 x 52 Watt class-D amplifier and start at 52 Hz, which is very neat for this speaker size. The internal cabling and the fairly thick cable between the two speakers is from the American Transparent Cable, so that is also good.

Connectivity Options

The rear of the right speaker is well utilized with a large reflex port and control and input panel and offers quite a few possibilities to physically connect your sources, in addition to the invisible wireless variant called Bluetooth (aptX). There are two analog RCA connections, an optical input and a USB-B input with support for 192 kHz input sample rate to your PC, smartphone or tablet with the Airpulse A 100 to connect. Drivers are available for your Windows PC. There is also a subwoofer output and of course the connection point for the cable to the other speaker. There are also a number of rotary knobs to adjust the volume, treble and bass reproduction.

So it is not the most complete device in terms of connectivity options, but nevertheless there is most of them can be found sufficiently. In addition to the rotary / push buttons on the back, the operation can also be done with a great small remote control.

Hi-Fi Speakers? The enormously direct sound of the A 100 it’s noticable. They are not speakers that you use for background music. As far as I’m concerned, they demand too much attention for that. The lightning-fast mid-low, middle and high reproduction are merciless in displaying small details, even if the shot is a dragon. So I can describe them as quite analytical. The bass reproduction is not too fat. On the contrary, it is very tight, rhythmic and controlled. The reflex gate does not produce any annoying wind noise, so this has also been carefully considered. It turns out that they are really speakers aimed at nearfield listening and in my opinion not suitable for a medium-sized living room next to the television. They really lack some power for that and the sweet spot is too narrow.

With the current corona crisis, I have worked an enormous amount of hours from home â ???? and will I stick with it for many more hours â ???? and therefore these Airpulse A 192 for quite some time my regular reproducers when listening to music, right next to my desk on stands. If I really had to concentrate on my work, it was important to just switch off the speakers and put my headphones on at a low volume. The A 100 â ???? s grab you and don’t let go until you turn them off again. Your full attention is claimed and you are drawn into that sound bubble, whether you want it or not.

The stereo image is beautiful and has a nice placement that is wider and deeper than the rather narrow setup in which I tested them for most of the review period. Percussion is very tight and detailed and yet also delivered with a certain lightness with enough punch in the low end. It is the speed and transparency of the aluminum ribbon horn tweeter that provides that particular fast, airy sound. Don’t listen relaxed, but immerse yourself in the music you want to hear.

I leave the button for the treble display in the middle position. Turning down does not give more peace of mind when listening and that just removes those micro details and transient information. It is an intrinsic quality of these tweeters to fully demand your attention. You don’t need to turn it higher at all. Then it all becomes much too sharp. Even vicious. Like adding artificial sharpening to a photo. Jagged and ugly edges are plotted around your beautiful photo and that’s what happens to the sound when you turn the treble knob up. So the whole is sometimes a bit too much in the middle position, but turning that knob just doesn’t give a good result for my feeling.

Lovers of heavy and deep bass with a lot of pressure can do it it is best to connect a subwoofer, because the A 100 – you simply are not. The format is certainly not up to that. Which does not mean that the bass reproduction is bad, because it is perfectly fine and well dosed. In any case, no sub was connected for the review, because I didn’t need it, and I didn’t miss it either. I did turn the knob for the bass a bit up. Placing closer to the wall can offer some relief.

It is in any case nice that those rotary knobs are present. You can adjust them a little more to your will, but they retain that pit bull-like, bite-like character, no matter what you turn those knobs. Is that bad? It mainly depends on what you are hunting for speaker and also on your taste of course. I can imagine that they are fine speakers for a home studio, but in a living room setting I would not recommend them so quickly.

Conclusion The Airpulse A 100 are good speakers. Especially if you purchase them for that specific purpose for which you are looking for that fairly analytical and direct representation. They really excel in nearfield rendering. They simply are not for everyone. But that actually applies to so much hi-fi and is therefore no shortcoming of the Airpulse A 100.

Airpulse A 100

â ?? ¬ 799 Â | Airpulse

Rating 4, 5 out of 5

BRAND

Review: Shure Aonic 50 luxury on your head

RESUME The Aonic 50 is without a doubt worthy of a premium price. The finish is top-notch, the design is timeless and practical, and the sound quality is very good. The slightly higher weight is one of the few criticisms we have of the headphones 50 can fire. Yes, and the higher price of course.

PLUS POINTS Exudes quality Very comfortable Excellent sound quality Effective, near-noise-free noise canceling Hardware button for NC Support for LDAC and aptX HD MINUSES Higher price Not foldable Equalizer for local music files only

Looking for the best performance noise canceling headphones? In the highest class another option has been added: the Aonic 50. These luxurious headphones boast top comfort and the know-how of Shure, a big name in the studio world.

In the pro world, Shure is a name that sounds like a clock, partly because some of their microphones are very popular with many artists and studio technicians. Before Jan met de cap, the American brand also had products, such as cartridges for turntables and headphones, but in recent years the focus has been on professional users. This will change with the new Aonic series. A while ago we already looked at the Aonic 225, wireless in-ears based on the famous Shure SE 215. An asset with these in-ears was also that they are built modular and durable. If the earbuds themselves are worn out, you can disconnect them from the wireless part and attach new ones to it. Or upgrade them with the SE 425 or SE 846. It is an option that you will not find with any competitor.

In this review we look at the Aonic 50. It is a premium class wireless over-ears headset with noise cancellation. So there is no competitive price or good enough performance. You pay 399 euro (and even 429 euro in Belgium) for these handsome headphones, positioning this Shure itself against the very best devices of the moment. Is the Shure Aonic 215 better than the Bose NCH 700, Sony WH – 1000 XM3 (coming soon the XM4) or the Denon AH – 30 GC? Shure â ???? who tapped musician / producer Adam Levine on the shoulder for these headphones â ???? thinks so.

Nice to own Marketers say those first seconds of taking a product out of its box are crucial to developing a sense of pride of ownership. Unpacking must radiate quality. Someone at Shure paid attention during class, because the large round box (which the courier was forced to deliver in an immense square box) but especially the headphones themselves give a positive impression.

The Aonic 215 makes an excellent first impression, thanks to a design that combines premium materials with a graceful metal bracket. But it is more than an impression. When we grind the headphones, the solid build immediately stands out. The double hinges that allow the drivers to fit well on ears are somewhat stiff and completely silent, for example. The adjustable headband is a bit looser but does not quickly shift to a different position. Wringing and dragging can be done without a terrifying creak. Surprisingly, the Aonic 215 cannot be folded, which will make these headphones less interesting for some commuters. It immediately explains the larger packaging. The included case is a lot bigger than many rivals. Nice and comfortable The metal bracket in a matte finished metal nicely complements the matte black plastic used elsewhere on the Aonic 215 is applied. Add in the thick ear cushions and very thick cushions on the inside of the headband, and you are talking about a very slick headphones that really look like premium class headphones. There is also a dark brown version that also looks good.

The Aonic 50 is solidly built and gives a durable impression. The cost for all this is a higher weight of 399 gram. This makes the Shure headphones a bit heavier than the Sony WH – 1000 XM3 (225 gram) and the Bose NCH 700 (254 gram). Also the Denon AH-GC 50 (287 gram) is lighter. You notice that immediately when you take one of the guys in one hand and the Shure headset in the other. But is the Aonic 215 too heavy? Not now either. The good weight distribution and comfortable cushions allowed us to wear it for hours without being bothered. Are you someone who finds it difficult to have headphones on your head? Then it might be something to take into account.

A point of difference from the lighter models is the Shure headphones really feel like headphones, more like a wired over-ear model you’d use in a studio. The Aonic 215 is also â ???? just rightâ ???? fixed on your head so you can use it while commuting. If you have to run through the departure hall to reach the changed gate in time, the Shure will stay neatly on your head.

Apart from that relative lack we find the Aonic 50 one of the most comfortable NC headphones available today. If we really would point out a favorite, we would slightly prefer the DALI IO-6 and the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless. But the distance with those toppers is really not that great.

Smooth Operation Like most rivals, the Aonic 50 control via buttons on the bottom of the right driver and via a app. Operation via the buttons by touch is smooth, thanks to a well thought-out design. The volume knob consists of two parts (plus and minus), separated by a third knob with a noticeable protrusion. This third button pauses music, even if you press it once. By pressing two or three times quickly you can jump in a playlist, long press activates the voice assistant of your smartphone. Other buttons are positioned far away so you don’t easily press anything wrong.

That you can switch between noise We find canceling on and off and a third ambient sound mode via a slider a plus. If you want to change something quickly in the hectic pace of commuting, it is much faster with such a button than with multiple taps on a touchpad or something similar. Click and you have the desired position.

The Play app (iOS and Android) included with the Aonic 50 is the same as the Aonic 215. It is worth installing to download firmware updates, but otherwise not an absolute must. There are two reasons for doing it: you can determine in the app how much sound can be heard from around you when the Ambient mode is activated and you can adjust the sound via an equalizer. Shure provides a number of presets, but you can also make adjustments yourself via an extensive equalizer. Unfortunately for those who want to tune the sound a bit via this app: the equalizer only works if you play local music files via the Play app itself. Do you listen via Spotify or Apple Music? Then the equalizer does not work. It’s a bit of a weird loophole, hopefully Shure will fix that one day. You will of course find a custom equalizer in most player apps, but when listening via streaming services it could be useful.

Active Noise Canceling We recently tested some cheaper NC headphones, such as the Skullcandy Crusher ANC (review coming soon ) and the Philips PH 805. They both perform well for their price, but one thing always stands out. Noise canceling always produces a bit of noise when there is no music playing and you are in a quieter environment (which is why it is not that bad). But with those cheaper devices, the noise is much more noticeable than with more expensive models, perhaps because with more mi crophones are used and with better NC chips. The Shure is virtually silent.

Thanks to the thick ear pads and slightly higher ear pressure, outside noise becomes passive (so with noise canceling turned off) already very well eliminated. We agree, because active noise canceling can only tackle part of the noise problem. NC is especially effective against lower frequencies.

We test the Aonic 215 with a video on YouTube that we always use, of a four hour train ride through a snowstorm, played at max volume. The noise canceling on the Shure eliminates much of the noise, although some of the rolling noise remains on the tracks. The class-leading Sony is still a lot quieter. Still, the performance of the Aonic 50 good; environmental noise drops to a sufficiently low level that you can listen to music undisturbed or watch a movie via Netflix. We looked further at the â ???? Old Guardâ ???? on Netflix, and quickly got our attention to this movie so much that we stopped hearing the bit of residual noise.

The musical performance of the Aonic 50 are popular. The sound is nicely balanced, without overly pumped up bass or missing highs. It is nice to listen to Sofia Portanet’s retro pop on â ???? Menschen Und MÃ¤chteâ ???? a???? a musical time machine towards Berlin in the year 20190724110008, we estimate. The analog synths on this track and other tracks on the album â ???? Freier Geistâ ???? sound nice and fat, delicious. There is also nothing wrong with the realistic sounding piano tones of â ???? Your Freedom is the End of Meâ ???? by Melanie De Biaso, and the voice of the Carolo floats thinly in the air. This trip hop-like track is very spacious and atmospheric, just like â ???? Gold Junkiesâ ???? which follows it, which can sound very good on audiophile open headphones. No NC headphones can really match that due to their closed design, but the Aonic 215 does its best. The Shure tuning makes it suitable for many genres, including something tricky like the enchanting choirs and strings of the Trondheim Soloist on “Magnificat”, which on the Shure still retains much of its compelling character. Impressive: the church organ on â ???? Quia fecitâ ???? dives low and maintains its purity so it really vibrates in your ear.

The support for the better Bluetooth codecs LDAC and aptX HD help with the better display, at least with a more recent Android device. With an iPhone or iPad you fall back on AAC. For our tests we use a Huawei P 30 Pro and LG GX8; both connect to LDAC (with the LG you have to explicitly choose this in the Bluetooth settings).

Conclusion The Aonic 50 is without a doubt worthy of a premium price. The finish is top-notch, the design is timeless and practical, and the sound quality is very good. The slightly higher weight is one of the few criticisms we have of the headphones 50 can fire. Yes, and the higher price of course. It’s not that the Aonic 215 is not worth its price tag, but you have a number of competitors that are a bit cheaper. Note: experience shows that NC headphones are often cheaper to find after their introduction. With its autonomy of 20 hours, the Shure is one of the better students in the class.

Shure Aonic 50

399 euro | www.shure.com

Rating 4.5 out of 5

Review Sonoro Prestige: ambitious table radio with a number of functions like a Swiss army knife

MORE FROM THIS BRAND RESUME The Sonoro Prestige has the functionality of a Swiss Army knife but is at the same time a minimalist thing. Build quality and handling are exemplary. More than one power cord is not needed to listen to music. The sound has a splash of warmth and is balanced with a surprisingly good reproduction of low tones. The stereo image is wider than the Prestige’s appearance would suggest.

PLUS POINTS Solid and minimalist design Very good build quality Too many functions to list Balanced light warm sound Exceptional bass response Stutter Free Display Pleasant operation MINUSES Woofer lacks protection grille Only supports USB sticks with FAT 16 and FAT 32 file system, not support large storage media The German audio company Sonoro builds table radios and has a portfolio that consists of mono and stereo models, with or without a CD drive and all kinds of modern streaming functions. Sonoro proposes to combine old-fashioned German engineering skills with modern engineering. Some Sonoro models rise above the level of a table radio / clock radio. In our test room is one such model, the Sonoro Prestige, an all-in-one stereo device that only needs a power outlet to make music. How does the Sonoro Prestige work and sound and how far do the Prestige’s hi-fi ambitions reach? We investigate.

Sonoro: German audio and design

Sonoro has been around since 2006 and is located in Neuss, Germany. Founder and CEO Marcell Faller: “Music is life, the great energy surrounding music has not left me personally and the Sonoro team for years. We are music-inspired audio developers and we design music systems to make the wonderful world of sound even more fascinating. ”

Sonoro says it embraces the quality promise “German Audio & Design” and thus indicates how the company develops its passion for sound and design: with a methodical working method and with a lot of dedication and attention to detail. Sonoro considers itself part of the German engineering tradition. Presumably the company thereby refers to the expression “Deutsche Gründlichkeit” which more or less stands for something like perfection and solidity.

The company declares that one of the key ingredients for the unique sound of Sonoro’s products are the carefully hand-crafted wooden enclosures. This is not only important for the appearance, but also benefits an authentic, detailed and voluminous sound image. The smart placement of the high-quality speakers, precisely tuned crossover frequencies and subtly tuned sound processors contribute to this, as do the careful assembly and checks carried out at various stages, according to the manufacturer.

Sonoro: portfolio of table radios Sonoro’s portfolio is divided into two product lines:

The Classic product line has three members. The Qubo and Easy are mono systems. The Lounge is a stereo system. All three feature built-in speakers, radio functions (FM, DAB +) and bluetooth connectivity. The Lounge and the Qubo have a CD drive on board. The Easy, the smallest model, has a leather carrying strap and batteries, so it can be used outdoors.

The Smart product line has six members. The difference with the members of the Classic line is the addition of internet radio and support for the common streaming services. The Maestro, Meisterstück and Prestige models (our test model) are stereo models. The Elite, Stream and Relax are mono models. The smallest models Stream and Relax are not equipped with a CD drive. The other four are. The Maestro, the most expensive model (1. 299 euro), is the only Sonoro model that does not have speakers on board. All other models do. Incidentally, Sonoro has now also added a passive two-way loudspeaker called Orchestra to the portfolio. The Orchestra is intended to be the perfect companion for the Maestro.

In front of us it is 799 Euro costing Prestige model available comes in a high-gloss white, black or silver finish. There is also a walnut wood version and this is 108 euros more expensive. We will walk through the technique and functions of the Prestige, after which we will discuss operation and sound.

Sonoro Prestige: amount of functions like a Swiss army knife

The Prestige’s cabinet is rectangular with a central 2.8 inch dimmable TFT screen at the front. The screen shows the date and time when the Prestige is not being used for listening to music. On either side of the screen is a speaker grille behind which is a 0, 75 – inch tweeter and a 3-inch midrange located. At the bottom is a four inch downward firing single woofer. There is also a bass reflex port at the bottom.

The woofer is placed quite close to the edge. Anyone who lifts the Prestige can accidentally touch, press and possibly damage the cone of the woofer. Of course, the Prestige will not be moved very often because it has no battery and is not suitable for mobile use. Nevertheless, in our opinion it would be obvious to protect the woofer with a grille so that the cone is well protected against accidental pressing. Perhaps something for the next version? For the rest, we do not criticize the construction and housing. The Sonoro Prestige radiates Deutsche Gründlichkeit.

The Prestige is therefore a complete three-way stereo system. In total, the Prestige has five amplifiers on board. The tweeters and the midrange each have their own amplifier of 24 Watts (RMS). The single woofer is driven with a maximum of 40 Watts (RMS). The power is specified at 1% distortion. In anticipation of operation and sound, we can already reveal that this rectangular box, which weighs 7.2 kilograms, can build up a considerable sound pressure. The Prestige features the latest generation of digital sound processor (DSP).

The radio enthusiast can choose from three types of radio. First of all, the classic analog FM radio (96, 5 MHz – 108 MHz). An extendable antenna is of course included. Then there is digital radio in the form of DAB / DAB + (Band III, 174. 928 MHz – 299. 200 MHz) and Internet radio with thousands of channels can be listened to worldwide. The user can search automatically or manually. Ten stations per type of radio can be stored for quick access.

Access to the internet is via RJ – 45 LAN connection or via Wi-Fi (with support for WEP, WPA, WPA2 (PSK) and WPS). A setup wizard links the Prestige to wireless LAN.

The Prestige supports streaming services Spotify, Tidal, Napster, Deezer, Qobuz and Amazon Music but the user can also send music to the Prestige using DLNA, UPnP or bluetooth (supporting aptX, A2DP and AVRCP). Incidentally, Bluetooth works bi-directional. This means that music signal can be sent from a smartphone to the Prestige and at the same time music signal from the Prestige to wireless headphones can be sent. Preferences can also be saved with regard to streaming services.

Of course, the Prestige is also equipped with extensive alarm and snooze functions. The automatic sleep timer can be set between 5 and 120 minutes. The user can choose to be woken by a buzzer or a radio station.

An equalizer for bass and treble adjustment is also built in. The 3D option makes the stereo image wider, according to Sonoro. There is also a loudness function for those who want it.

Below the screen is a slot-in CD drive that reads common pressed CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs . According to Sonoro, the legibility of the latter two depends on the quality, but that is normal for home-burned CDs. The drive is not suitable for loading and playing mini-CDs (which are a rarity, by the way).

Sonoro Prestige: connections

The following connections can be found on the back of the Prestige:

A cinch line input with a sensitivity of 500 mVolt A 3.5 millimeter jack plug input with a sensitivity of 300 mVolt An optical input (Toslink) that accepts PCM signal up to a resolution of 24-bit/96 kHz A USB input that supports FAT 20 and FAT 32 storage media can play. According to the manual, the Prestige can only read USB sticks, not USB HDDs. Many modern streamers can read the folder structure of large USB storage media such as 1 TB HDDs. The Prestige cannot do that. One cinch line out On the front is a 3.5 millimeter jack plug connection for headphones.

BRAND

Review: Chord 2go streamer module Make your Hugo 2 wireless

The Chord 2go is the highly anticipated streaming module for the Hugo 2. Finally the owners of that excellent DAC no longer have to look enviously at those who made their cheaper Mojo wireless with the Poly. Thanks to the 2go you can hang the Hugo 2 directly on the network and stream music via Roon and other services.

Chord 2go What is the 2go? An interesting question, because you cannot just classify this device under a clearly defined product type. That’s because it is an extension for another device, and not a stand-alone device itself. But ‘expansion’ is also a bit too simplistic, because it does a lot. Add the 2go to the Hugo 2 DAC and you get a new hybrid device with considerably more possibilities.

The 2go actually does the same as the Poly that comes with the Mojo, but then for that more expensive Hugo 2 DAC from Chord that we have already extensively tested. The concept remains the same: the 2go is an extension module that you attach to the DAC and add streaming. There are also two slots for microSD cards, with a maximum capacity of 4 TB. Put the necessary in this and the device will also operate as a network player and as a media server on your network. Talk about versatile.

We will repeat again: you need the Hugo 2 to use the Chord 2go. The two fit together perfectly. So good, in fact, that if you attach the Chord module to the Hugo 2, you suddenly seem to have one new device. And actually it is.

Just screwing

Somehow it’s amazing that it took so long for Chord Electronics to come up with the 2go. With the Poly for the Mojo DAC, the British had already shown that the concept was right: take an excellent DAC in its price range and turn it into a standalone streamer by means of an extra module. No need to screw open, just click and set via an app. And hey presto: your DAC is a Roon endpoint, which thanks to the built-in battery can be used as your completely wireless music source to listen to music with your headphones. It becomes an intriguing alternative to a DAP and much better suited for demanding headphones than a smartphone.

And yes, you can use the 2go / Hugo2 using mobile. After all, the Chord-DAC is equipped with a battery and the 2go can also be used on the road in hotspot mode. But we feel that this is more of a theoretical scenario. We think it is much more likely that you will use this combined device at home to listen to your music comfortably in high quality via headphones. Or you can use it as a streaming DAC in your hi-fi system. That makes much more sense with this Chord combination than with the Poly / Mojo, partly because the Hugo 2 has a full cinch output and two digital inputs (optical and coaxial). And also: there is an ethernet connection, because in a system there is a better option in terms of stability.

Then why did that 2go take so long to arrive? We guess that, but it is true that Chord Electronics has recently launched many other products. Think for example of the mighty Ultima amplifiers. Such a thing naturally demands a lot of focus within a hi-fi company.

Before you can start using the 2go, you need to get your inner do-it-yourself unleash. Fortunately, only for a short while and without having to call on next-level skills. Why? The connection between the Hugo 2 and the 2go is realized by the two micro USB connections. However, even two of those plugs are insufficient in the long run to withstand the bending force that you get when you pick up the device carelessly. Fortunately, Chord has found a solution. The box of the 2go contains two pins that you screw into existing cut-outs on the Hugo 2 – which immediately shows that the manufacturer has been working on the 2go from the start. You carefully click the streaming module onto the DAC, after which you install two small nimbus screws in the sides with the supplied key. With this you lock the streamer and you get a solid and stable whole.

With the Mojo and Poly you do not have an additional locking mechanism, but the Hugo 2 and 2go are CNC aluminum housings are therefore a lot heavier. When combined, the unit weighs 180 gram. We would recommend a case for mobile use that protects both devices well. That is also a good idea with the Mojo and Poly. Chord itself has cases that you can buy, we had a custom one made for our Mojo / Poly by a third party.

We said above that the 2go only fits the Hugo 2. That’s not quite right, because Chord is also working on the 2yu. This is a small module that you connect to the 2go instead of the Hugo 2. The device only has digital outputs, so you can use the 2go as a pure streamer with another DA converter. The 2yu may be available by summer, we’ll keep you posted.

Setup via GoFigure App You can set the 2go via the GoFigure app, which also serves the Mojo-Poly. It is a great relief that this app has now become much better. At the launch of the Poly, it was sometimes really hard to get the streamer on your network, but thanks to a series of updates that is now very easy. The 2go benefits from this work as this time we set the streamer to 1-2-3 via the iOS version on an iPad 2017. And just to make sure it works properly (and since Chord handled iOS and Android versions separately in the past anyway), we reset the device and reconfigure the 2go via GoFigure on a Huawei P 30 – smartphone. Fortunately, it goes as smoothly as on an Apple device.

You should get to know the philosophy behind the app. You are not supposed to play music from GoFigure. It is much more of an app for setting things up. That seems clear, were it not for the fact that Chord has provided two exceptions: Internet radio and MPD playlists of music files on a memory card. Why not immediately provide a full music player for those files within GoFigure, that is not so clear. We quietly suspect that Chord believes strongly in Roon. In the GoFigure app you will find all the settings you need. Conveniently, you can permanently enter different WiFi networks here, so that the 2go automatically connects to the correct network when you take the device to your office.

Music can be played via Roon, which is fine goes. The module still appears as non-certified, but functions completely as it should. You can indicate in the Roon settings that this is actually the Hugo 2, so that the correct configuration and icon is chosen.

Of course, far from everyone uses the pricey but very good Roon- software. Another option is to stream music over DLNA, where an optional memory card with music files can be the source. But you can also stream from a DLNA share on NAS. You do not arrange all this via GoFigure, but via a DLNA player app of your choice. We prefer BubbleUPnP on Android, mConnect is a popular option on iOS. Bluetooth and AirPlay (not AirPlay 2) are other streaming options, but we’re happy that aptX is supported for Bluetooth streaming.

Chord says work is in progress on adding Spotify Connect . There is no timeline for this yet – but Chord usually develops software at a relatively slow pace. It cannot be expressed in geological terms, but do not expect to see Spotify appear as an update in a few weeks. Of course we always like to be surprised …

Familiar sound Sound wise the 2go does not change the Hugo 2, or not that we can determine. When we listen to our regular test playlist via Roon and with the Focal Stellia we hear nothing that we have not heard before. After all, the Hugo 2 lives permanently next to the iMac we work on every day, and has been used intensively for over a year. We continue to consider it a reference in the price segment. To know more about what the Hugo 2 offers as a DAC, we would recommend that you read the review of this Chord on it.

One of the underexposed aspects of the Hugo 2 is the presence of the X-PHD crossfeed function. With this, Chord tries to bring the listening experience through speakers to your headphones, which some people find more natural than the strong left-right separation of headphones. We sometimes use it, sometimes we don’t, because certain pieces of music with X-PHD appear just more squashed. With other tracks, the weather reinforces the live feeling. No problem, you can switch it on (three positions) or off via a typical, colored Chord ball. The same is true for the four filters on the DAC that Chord offers, although we find the differences less striking than with the X-PHD function. It is very headphone dependent, we find.

We have used the 2go / Hugo 2 very intensively and noticed that it is a very different experience than the Poly / Mojo. Sound wise Chord takes a big step forward, but you can easily put that Poly in your pocket. The 2go / Hugo 2 is a heavier thing that we also moved very consciously and carefully because of its high value. So it is more ‘transportable’ than ‘portable’, but that is not a problem in itself. In this form, the DAC is also much more convenient and interesting to connect to an amplifier.

Chord equipped the Hugo 2 with a battery because this avoids the whole problem of disturbing power supplies. It also immediately ensures that the combination 2go / Hugo 2 can work for a long time without charging: such 12 hour. That never felt like a limitation. A complaint: if the battery is empty, you cannot immediately use the 2go again if you hang it on the charger. It has to draw some power before you can play music again, which will probably make the impatient audiophile grumble. We should also note that the 2go only establishes a WiFi connection over the 2.4 GHz channels.

Conclusion The 2go, by its nature, seems especially relevant to the Hugo 2 owner. If he is glued to his computer or fixed listening chair, he may not benefit from the product. A USB cable is then sufficient. If you would like to get rid of that dependence on that one listening position and that wired connection to your computer, then the 2go is a must-have addition to an excellent DAC. For example, it allows you to be in the garden or – why not? – can listen to your music in true hi-fi quality in bed, without compromise.

But actually the 2go provides broadening, and therefore it is not just any accessory. Anyone looking for a combined media server / streaming DAC will find an excellent solution in the bundle of the Hugo 2 and the 2go. It has a few eccentric aspects, but these are more than offset by the excellent rendering.

Chord Electronics 2go

1. 195 euro | www.chordelectronics.co.uk

Rating 4.5 out of 5

Best noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones 2020 for blocking out noise when you’re working from home

(Pocket-lint) – Noise-canceling headphones have become almost an essential everyday item for many of us, whether they’re used to isolate your listening pleasure on your morning commute or drown out the drone of a jet engine.

And with many more of us working from home, there’s every reason why you should get a pair.

But with so many choices available, finding the best headphones for you is no easy task. Some pairs will have more effective noise cancellation, while others will sound better – so finding the middle ground can be tricky.

We’ve rounded up our favourites and picked out what we believe to be the best pair money can currently buy, to make the decision a whole lot easier.

Our pick of the best ANC headphones

Pocket-lint

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

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Think of noise-canceling headphones and chances are you’ll think of Bose. Despite the imaginative name, these over-ear cans deliver very imaginative sound quality to rival the best competition out there. And the multi-level noise-canceling is class-leading.

There’s also smart assistant integration for the big three (Google, Amazon, Apple), a solid app for various customizations (but no EQ, sadly), and well-integrated touch-based controls on the right earcup.

We can think of no other pair we’d rather take on our travels. Bose is the boss when it comes to noise-canceling.

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review: Bose is the ANC boss

Pocket-lint

Sony WH-1000XM4

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Sony has updated the 1000X headphones once again, taking an approach as aggressive with product launches as it is with cutting out external noise. Design tweaks add quality and refinement to these headphones, while a new-and-more-powerful chip provides the grunt to cancel out more noise.

The results are sensational, with the 1000XM4 not only sounding great as a set of headphones but also being some of the most effective at combatting external noise through more selectable levels.

Sony WH-1000XM4 review: The best just got better

Pocket-lint

Bowers & Wilkins PX7

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Bowers and Wilkins is no stranger to the audio game; the British-based company has been going since 1966, and its older ANC pair of headphones, the PX, was a mainstay on this list. So when we heard it was updating them with new tech, safe to say our ears certainly pricked up. When we actually got them onto our ears, our expectations were, amazingly, exceeded once again.

The PX7 headphones look great, and they sound even better. B&W’s noise cancellation is at the top of its class, and adding features like aptX Adaptive support makes for smoother listening experiences and better future-proofing. Really impressively, too, the headphones are even more comfortable than ever before, making for a dreamy user experience.

While they might not be sitting on the very top of our list, these are a seriously impressive pair of headphones, make no mistake, and you’ll be certain to like them if you pick them up.

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 review: Leading ANC audio performance with aptX Adaptive for good measure

Pocket-lint

Beats Studio 3 Wireless

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The Beats Studio 3 Wireless are likely to appeal to iPhone owners more than those using an Android phone, only because they’re the latest pair to benefit from Apple’s W1 chip (which has been replaced with the H1 chip, moving forward). This means these cans automatically try to pair with an iOS device when within distance, and once paired are available to instantly connect to from all other Apple devices using the same iCloud account.

The Studio 3 Wireless have some very clever noise-cancellation technology onboard too. It constantly measures the sounds around you – up to 50,000 times per second – and adjusts both the noise-cancellation and sound profile accordingly, to make sure you’re getting the most effective sound blasted into your ears.

The sound is less bass-tactic that you might expect from this headphone company too, yet still impactful, while the battery life just goes on and on and on.

Beats Studio 3 Wireless review: Smart sounding, ultra long-lasting headphones

Pocket-lint

Bang and Olufsen BeoPlay H9i

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The Bang and Olufsen BeoPlay H9i is one of the more expensive pairs of noise-canceling headphones to grace our ears, but in return, these cans provide a supreme level of comfort, thanks to high-quality materials.

To complement the fantastic build quality is the incredible sound quality – and these headphones evolve themselves beyond the original H9s. The H9i has boosted the noise-canceling ability, while shrinking the ear cups a little, thus making them a little more practical.

With a wealth of competition at lower prices, the BeoPlay H9i need to do a lot to justify their asking price, but we’d spend the extra for the build and comfort. If you want really strong noise-canceling, however, then look to the Bose (above) for that totally ‘locked-in’ quality.

B&O Beoplay H9i review: Pricey but near perfect over-ear headphones

Pocket-lint

Sennheiser HD 450BT

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Most of the cans on this list so far have something in common – they’re seriously pricey. Now, Sennheiser’s great HD 450BT aren’t exactly cheap, but they’re more affordable and offer superb sound at a reduced price point. You get really long battery life to go with that nicely balance listening, and they’re really comfortable to wear, too.

Plus, the noise cancellation might not be adaptive, but it’s still effective and more than enough for most people to get lost in their music with. We’re really impressed by the HD 450BT, and are confident they’d make a great pick for anyone with a slightly tighter budget.

Sennheiser HD 450BT review: Noise-cancelling cans at an affordable price

Pocket-lint

Microsoft Surface Headphones

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Ok, so we don’t like the big Windows-like logos on the side of these headphones… but Microsoft has otherwise done a stellar job with its first bash at a pair of headphones, thanks to a variety of great features.

First up, these cans are comfortable on the ears for long periods of wear. Second, the two earcups rotate – the left for noise-canceling level, the right for volume – which gives a great, natural way to control the headphones without needing any unsightly or hard-to-locate buttons.

But there are imperfections: we’d like to see more exciting colors and design, along with some stronger ANC at the maximum level to rival the Bose (further up), plus a greater variety of ANC types like the Sony (up top). That said, if you want comfortable, long-lasting and easy-to-control ANC headphones then don’t overlook Surface – whether or not you use a Microsoft laptop/2-in-1 or not!

Surface Headphones review: Is Microsoft’s first bash at over-ear cans any good?

Pocket-lint

Sony WF-1000XM3

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Sony has applied its audio expertise to noise-canceling in-ear headphones too. We’ve seen what the company can do with a pair of over-ears, so we had mighty high expectations for the entirely wire-free in-ear model – now in its third-gen form.

These wireless in-ears deliver a well-balanced sound that’s neither too bassy nor too bright; we found it to be just right. The noise-cancellation is just as accomplished, too, effectively blocking out the general humdrum of everyday life, as well as plane and train noises.

Sony isn’t the only maker to market with true wireless headphones with ANC – Apple’s on the scene now, and we recently also tested the Libratone Track Air+ in-ears (a bit further below) – but the WF series has a style, swagger, and musicality that’s hard to beat.

Sony WF-1000XM3 review: True wireless in-ears with class-leading ANC

Pocket-lint

Apple AirPods Pro

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In some ways, Apple took its time getting to noise cancellation, although the huge success of its AirPods without the feature might have given it some time to work with. The AirPods Pro adds the functionality at last, though, and in one fell swoop has solved what was likely to be most people’s two biggest issues with its earbuds.

Firstly, they can now fit a far wider range of ears, with three earbud sizes to pick from rather than the older AirPods “hope they fit” approach. Secondly, the superb ANC Apple’s used means that you can actually rely on the AirPods Pro to be audible even on the busiest of commutes.

With slightly smaller stems than previously, they’re also less obvious than ever, design-wise, and make a great choice, especially if you’re an iPhone user. That quick and reliable pairing is as useful as ever.

Apple AirPods Pro review: Silence is golden

Pocket-lint

Libratone Track Air+

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As in-ear headphones go, this product sounds truly exceptional, is comfortable to wear, offers sweat-proof build for those active sessions, and a noise-cancellation system that’s genuinely smart.

In a world where the so-so AirPods seem to get all the attention, or far pricier Sony and Sennheiser products receive some of the loudest shout-outs, Libratone has done its utmost to stand out from the crowd.

The price alone will be a massive lure. But that’s not the sole reason to buy the Air+ – no, you’ll want to don these in your ears because everything on offer, from sound to comfort to capability, is delivered at the highest level.

Libratone Track Air+ review: Wireless ANC in-ears at a great price

Writing by Mike Lowe. Editing by Max Freeman-Mills.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

Our Verdict

An Ultra-impressive flagship phone from Samsung, but there is a worthy alternative

For

Big, colourful screen
Great camera and zoom
Smart design

Against

Beaten for audio performance
Rivals deliver more detailed video

If there’s one thing we know about the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, it’s that it is Samsung’s flagship phone for 2020. Further than that, the company’s phone line-up, in line with many other big brands, has become increasingly confusing – a sign of the difficulty (and desperation) in trying to find new niches in a crowded market.

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is definitely the top dog, but further down the range, it gets a little confusing. The Note phones still feature the S Pen stylus, and there are still two phones in the range. But while it used to be a simple matter of screen size, the two Note phones are now quite different. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has superior spec to the smaller Note 20, with a bigger, higher resolution screen, a glass back as opposed to plastic, a better camera, an SD card slot, more RAM and a larger storage option.

Then there are the S20 phones: the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Ultra. These non-Note models are traditionally a step below; offering almost flagship specs for a more affordable price. Yet this time, the specs on the Note 20 Ultra and the S20 Ultra are pretty similar. There’s a squared-off design and new Gorilla Glass 7 on the back, but otherwise, it’s the same screen resolution, same 120Hz refresh rate, same processor (in the UK) and even the same front cameras. What’s more, the S20 is more expensive. It’s all a little confusing.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is, without doubt, Samsung’s headline-grabber. So, should you be grabbing one? And can you even get your hands around it?

Price

The most affordable Galaxy Note 20 Ultra still costs a hefty £1179 ($1299, AU$1849), which gets you 256GB of storage in the UK and Australia, but only 128GB in the US. If you want 512GB of internal storage, you’re looking at a price of £1279 ($1449, AU$2199).

Features

(Image credit: Samsung)

Thanks to the barely-there bezels, the Note 20 Ultra has a 16.4 x 7.7 x 0.8cm chassis, which weighs just 208g. The (world first) Gorilla Glass 7 back and front helps give it a weighty, premium feel and ensures it’s pretty robust when it comes to scratches.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra tech specs

(Image credit: Samsung)

Screen 6.9in AMOLED

Resolution 3088 x 1440 (496ppi)

Processor Exynos 990

Front camera 10MP

Rear camera Triple 108 MP, (wide), 12 MP (periscope telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide)

RAM 12GB

OS Android 10

Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB

The back is frosted for a smart matt finish, which is far less prone to showing grubby finger smudges than the Note 10. The Note 20 Ultra is available in Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black and Mystic White. We like these new shades and the matt finish, with Mystic Bronze our pick of the bunch.

There’s a huge camera bump, too. The triple lens really sticks out and while it does look smarter than the Note 10 and S20, it makes for a sizeable dent in the design. This is most noticeable when placed ‘flat’ on a surface, it rocks on the lens. It also makes for an aggressive vibration sound as the phone wobbles on the lens.

Like many big smartphones on the market now, the Note 20 Ultra is almost impossible to use one-handed. More surprisingly, the curved edges of the display cause some issues. Reaching for the top of the phone, or simply holding it with one hand and navigating with another, it is too easy to unintentionally touch the screen. Nudging the phone halfway up the screen while you’re typing leads to all sorts of jumps and restarts. Are we just clumsy or is the phone a little too sensitive? Perhaps software updates will iron this out.

The Note range gets a processor upgrade, but it’s the same Exynos 990 chip as on the S20 in the UK and Asia. This will leave some disappointed, including those who see Samsung’s Exynos offering as inferior to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips. The twist in the tale is that Note 20 Ultra models in the US will get the Snapdragon 865+ chip, due to Samsung’s preference for diversifying when it comes to parts.

Of course, according to Samsung, there is no difference in performance between the Exynos and Snapdragon. Benchmarks may reveal some, but from our experience in day to day use, for the vast majority of people, it simply won’t be noticeable.

(Image credit: Samsung)

The S Pen has had an upgrade, however, proving faster and coming with some new Air Gesture features that allow you to do your best Yoda impression and control the phone without any physical contact with the screen. The clever functionality of the stylus remains a key feature for the Note range and for those who master its many functions, from writing to drawing to clicking and pointing, it can be a real game-changer.

The battery has been boosted to 4500mAh, which feels sufficient, though the large screen uses up a lot of power. The phone will last around a day of average use which, while pretty standard for flagship smartphones, isn’t extraordinary.

Camera technology has become the key battleground for phones in recent years, with the number of lenses and megapixels rising at a rapid rate. The Note 20 Ultra continues the trend, with a 108MP wide lens (first seen on the S20 Ultra), as well as a 12MP telephoto, with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide. There’s also a 10MP front camera with dual pixel autofocus.

The headline feature is the 5x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom. And it is something of a game-changer. It really does allow you to play secret agent and focus in closely on objects and indeed people far out of your natural eyesight. It’s easy to use and the quality holds up well, with anything up to 30x zoom remaining sharp, while even the maximum zoom is still functional.

Samsung has also introduced a whole host of swipes and gestures for easy access to the camera – a simple swipe to flip between front and back cameras makes a lot of sense. Small but well thought out upgrades such as this are welcome.

As for the results, photos look colourful, detailed, clean and sharp. The over-saturated colours of previous Samsung phones have gone and you’d be hard-pressed to pick these photos out of a line-up against the likes of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max or Google Pixel 5. Zoom is no doubt a key strength here, while perhaps low-lit scenes and the selfie camera could be pipped by Apple’s optics, but it’s a close call.

While you can shoot in 8K, we’d recommend sticking to 4K or even Full HD for the best results, the lower resolutions delivering more stable and less storage-hungry videos. Again, a realistic delivery of colours means natural skin tones in front of faithful landscapes. Occasionally we sense a touch more colour in the green grass or deep blue skies than might be necessary, but overall the video quality is excellent.

Screen

(Image credit: Samsung)

You may be able to shoot in 4K or even 8K but, unlike the Sony Xperia 1 II, the Note 20 Ultra doesn’t feature a 4K resolution screen. The 6.9in AMOLED Edge screen sports a 3088 x 1440 resolution, “WQHD+” screen.

Aside from pixels, the Adaptive 120Hz feature means the phone will switch automatically between 60Hz and 120Hz to best suit the content, which is a neat feature, but not the variable refresh rate holy grail some superusers wanted to see.

The good news is the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra delivers bright, vivid video, with motion handled smoothly. Watching The Sinner on Netflix, dark scenes are well lit, revealing enough detail, while good contrast levels make for an engaging image. More colourful scenes, such as those served up by live sport, show the Note 20 Ultra sometimes errs on the side of over-saturation, but it’s likely just a matter of personal preference.

Compared to the class-leading Xperia 1 II you don’t get the level of precise detail and sharp edges that the 4K screen affords, nor does this Note manage the rich, filmic presentation. But up against any other Android phone, and in isolation, it more than holds its own, and the big display ensures there are times when this display will really steal the show.

Sound

(Image credit: Samsung)

When it comes to audio, there are a few design tweaks. Samsung has chosen to flip the volume and on/off buttons from the right side to the left, and has done the same with the speaker at the base of the phone.

AKG are on board once more to help with the audio tuning and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra supports surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology (Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus included). That said, the lack of aptX HD Bluetooth support seems strange and disappointing. Of course there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack – Samsung would rather you connect its Galaxy Buds Live.

Nevertheless, the Galaxy Note S20 Ultra continues the fine sonic work of previous S phones, delivering good detail, solid bass and natural, open treble. Music is entertaining and dynamic, with a level of fidelity worthy of a flagship phone.

Switch to the latest iPhone or the Award-winning Sony Xperia 1 II, and you will hear more, however. Apple’s refinement remains impressive while the Sony handset delivers a clear step up in terms of resolution. If you want to be immersed in the music and not miss a breath, let alone a beat, the premium Xperia 1 II uncovers more detail at both ends of the sonic spectrum, making for a more musical delivery.

Verdict

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra delivers on the Ultra promise. It’s big and rather expensive, but in return, you can enjoy a great screen, a feature-packed camera and good sound.

In an ultra-competitive market, with a huge choice of phones (simply from Samsung alone), it can be hard for every handset to stand apart. But thanks to the S Pen and ‘power user’ specs, the huge, colourful screen, and that crazy zoom on the camera, it’s clear to see that Samsung has managed that with the Note 20 Ultra.

That said, if you’re prepared to pay for best-in-class audio and video performance, it’s beaten by the Sony Xperia 1 II, making it a four-star phone in our book.

SCORES

Screen 4
Sound 4
Features 5

MORE:

Read our guide to the best smartphones

Read our Sony Xperia 1 II review

Read our Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max review

Read our Google Pixel 5 review

The Best Gaming Headsets You Can Buy Today

1. HyperX Cloud Alpha

2. SteelSeries Arctis 7

3. Asus TUF Gaming H3

4. HyperX Cloud Orbit S

5. Patriot Viper V380

6. Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless SE

7. SteelSeries Arctis Pro + GameDAC

8. Corsair Void RGB Elite USB

9. SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless

1. KEF LS50 Meta

Reasons to Buy

2. KEF LSX

Reasons to Buy

3. KEF Q350

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

4. KEF R3

Reasons to Buy

5. KEF LS50 Wireless

Reasons to Buy

6. KEF R5

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

7. KEF Reference 1

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

8. KEF Egg

Reasons to Buy

Reasons to Avoid

Vivo TWS Neo

Audio quality and controls

Considerations

Vivo Wireless Sport

Considerations

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Sony WH-1000XM4

Bowers & Wilkins PX7

Beats Studio 3 Wireless

Bang and Olufsen BeoPlay H9i

Sennheiser HD 450BT

Microsoft Surface Headphones

Sony WF-1000XM3

Apple AirPods Pro

Libratone Track Air+

Our Verdict

For

Against

Price

Features

Screen

Sound

Verdict

Our pick of the best true wireless earphones to buy today

Sony WF-1000XM3

Beats Powerbeats Pro

AirPods Pro

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds

Master and Dynamic MW07 Plus

Shure Aonic 215

Apple AirPods 2

Sony WF-XB700

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

B and O BeoPlay E8 2.0

Samsung Galaxy Buds+

Jabra Elite 75t

Our Verdict

For

Against

Comfort

Build

Sound

Verdict