I’ve reviewed many of Focal’s headphones and am continually impressed how this French speaker company allows its innovative—and expensive—audio expertise trickle down into their less expensive products. Case in point: the Focal Listen Wireless headphone. The interesting thing about this headphone is that it’s Focal’s first wireless headphone (they also have a wireless Spark earphone). Over the past year or two, more and more high-end audio companies are venturing into Bluetooth wireless territory—a testament to Bluetooth maturing from a severely compromised format to one that approaches audiophile territory.

The Focal Listen Wireless is a twin to the wired Listen with the exception of various buttons and cords necessary to Bluetooth headphones. The exterior finish is also different. The wired Listen is matte black with brushed silver while the wireless version is all black—matte and gloss, making the Listen Wireless a fingerprint magnet. Because of the added Bluetooth tech, the Listen Wireless is a few grams heavier than the wired. This may not be a big deal for some but could become an issue with extended listening.

The clamping force of the Listen Wireless is a bit tight but loosens with use. On some headphones, my somewhat big head needs the largest setting which can be problematic for people with even bigger noggins than mine. Not so with these. The fit is just fine with room to spare. Although I would have preferred a thick PU (or real) leather padding, the headband is comfortably padded with silicone (which is identical to the wired version). Ear pads are also identical—both come with ample, soft padding surrounding a bright red speaker cover—a playful design touch.

The right ear cup on the Listen Wireless houses the rechargeable battery and Bluetooth tech. The ear cup has the traditional volume up/down and pairing buttons and a slider on/off switch. The buttons are black on black, so in low lighting, it’s difficult to figure out which button does what until you become used to them. It’s not the most elegant solution I’ve seen on wireless headphones, but everything has a solid, tactile feel to them. Also on the right ear cup is a tiny hole for the call mic and a mini-USB port for charging. Battery life is rated by Focal at a respectable 20 hours, depending on volume and other factors.

I’ve read complaints that the Listen Wireless headphone lacks active noise canceling (ANC)—which is true, but so what? If you want ANC, then buy ANC. It’s a specialized function and not every headphone has it. Having said that, the Listen Wireless blocks a lot of outside noise on its own with its good seal from the ear pads. You can’t beat Listen’s isolation if you just want a quieter listening experience.

Volume on the Listen Wireless is weaker when using Bluetooth than when wired. Going wireless can still get plenty loud—it’s just that volume is always louder even when the volume setting remains unchanged on my iPhone. There is also better clarity when wired. However, these differences are subtle and only stand out when switching between wired and wireless—something that mostly only headphone testers and reviewers would ever do.

The sound profile on the Listen Wireless is “V” shaped. This simply means that the bass and treble are accentuated while vocals (middle frequencies) are recessed a bit. Again, this tweaking is subtle yet it usually results in a more fun listening experience as opposed to total accuracy—a sound profile most listeners prefer.

A good test of the Listen’s sound signature is Donna Summer’s 12-inch mix of “I Feel Love.” This club anthem throbs like a synthesizer stuck in repetition mode. The Listen Wireless handles both the pulsating bass notes as well as the short, high pitched metallic cymbal sounds as Summer breathlessly vamps her way through the song. When heard through the Listen headphones, it all becomes quite intimate and slightly uncomfortable—in a good way.

Chrysta Bell’s “Down By Babylon” features vocals pushed all the way to the front with backing support of some very bass-heavy instrumentation. The Listen headphones provide a deep soundstage giving the song an airy quality that is rare in bass accented songs.

The dance hit, “Pump Up the Volume” by M.A.R.R.S. with its pulsing, relentless beat and grating sound effects will either make you rip off the headphones or suck you into its groove. I always smile and leave the headphone firmly in place. The Listen Wireless can handle the bass beat as well as bring those sound effects to the edge of being uncomfortable without becoming harsh or painful to hear. This song may be an acquired taste, but it can be extremely fun when heard through the Listen Wireless headphones.

Daft Punk’s “Technologic” is in the same vein as the M.A.R.R.S. song. It’s repetitive and annoying with its sped up vocals going on and on and on. It’s also addictive. There’s a heavy bottom end that tracks through the song. This bass-line positively vibrates my eardrums with the volume cranked on the Listen Wireless, but with no distortion or harshness evident—a sign of a good headphone.

The Listen Wireless (and wired, for that matter) is Focal’s way of saying that they can make something affordable without sacrificing much of what makes their higher-end headphones so good. If you’re looking to upgrade from skull-bashing, boomy headphones, you should try Focal’s Listen Wireless. Not only will they retain the powerful bass you crave, but you’ll also gain audio clarity along with the convenience of going wireless. It’s definitely an improvement over many headphones in its price range and above.

The Focal Listen Wireless headphone is available now and sells for $299 US. (the wired Listen version sells for $249 US)

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Focal. Please visit www.focal.com for more information and Amazon to order.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth headphones

Focal Listen Wireless headphone review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 4, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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There is no shortage of Bluetooth headphones on the market. You can find them for less than $25 on the low end of the pricing spectrum, and to several hundred dollars on the extreme opposite end. What features justify the price for higher end Bluetooth headphones, earphones, and earbuds and would you spend $150 for the interestingly designed Zipbuds 26 wireless sports headphones? Let’s take a closer look.

What is it?

Zipbuds 26 wireless sports headphones are Bluetooth earbuds that feature a built-in sub-woofer and long battery life.

What’s in the box?

Zipbuds
micro USB charging cable
Magnetic charging dock that doubles as an attachable extra battery pack
Quick start guide

Zipbuds also ships with a large selection of ear tips so that you can easily find the best fit and comfort possible for your ears.

3 pairs of Fitness lock stabilizers
3 pairs of C-Lock stabilizers
3 pairs of silicone ear tips
3 pairs of memory foam ear tips

Design and features

If you remove the somewhat odd looking inline modules attached to each Zipbud earbud cable, these headphones resemble countless of other Bluetooth earbuds that you can find on Amazon and other online retailers. But those inline modules are what set the Zipbuds apart from other wireless headphones.

Typically with wireless headphones, there is one inline controller that has a micro USB connector for charging, a power button, and volume buttons. But with the Zipbud 26 wireless sport headphones, there are two inline modules. The module hanging from the right earbud has a power / pairing button on the bottom edge and a multifunction play/pause/call answer/end button on the side. There’s also a volume rocker button and a status LED on the other side. of the inline module.

I like that the volume down button has raised bumps that make it easy to figure out which button raises the volume and which button lowers it.

The module that is attached to the left earbud has four electrical contacts.

The included magnetic charging dock magnetically snaps to the module to charge it. A full charge provides up to 7hrs of talk and playtime with 400 hours of standby time.

The magnetic dock has its own built-in battery that can be used as an extra power bank for the Zipbuds headphones. That means if the Zipbuds run out of juice, you can snap on the battery dock mobile charging clip and keep rocking with your favorite tunes for an additional 8 hours of play time.

Five minutes of charge = 1 hour of play time and the headphones and mobile clip are fully charged in 2 hours.

Fit and comfort

To create the best fit possible, there are several different types of ear tips included with the Zipbuds. You can mix and match the tips for the perfect fit. I tried the C locks first.

Next, I tried the memory foam tips and then fitness locks. I ended up settling on the C locks with regular silicone ear tips which provided me with a secure and comfortable fit.

Even with what would be perceived as being extra heaving due to the inline modules, the Zipbuds are very lightweight. I barely noticed them while I was wearing them and they stayed in my ears even when walking and working out. I’m not a runner, so I didn’t test them with high impact type of activities.

Note that these headphones are sweat and water resistant and designed to survive epic workout sessions.

Audio quality

I was impressed by the audio quality of these wireless headphones when listening to all types of music and even podcasts. Audio is clear and crisp and the built-in subwoofer gives hard driving beats extra thump.

I paired the Zipbuds with an iPhone 7 Plus and really enjoyed listening to music through Spotify and Amazon Music apps.

If I could find one complaint as far as audio is that I noticed that sometimes that volume levels were too loud and even turning the audio all the way down wasn’t low enough before automatically muting the audio. I actually had to play around with the volume limits settings on the iPhone.

Call quality

I wasn’t as impressed with call audio quality or I should say that people on the other end of my conversations weren’t impressed. Calls sounded fine on my end while wearing the Zipbuds but on the other end, people said that I sounded like I was in a can and would ask me to repeat myself.

Final thoughts

You’re not going to find Zipbuds 26 wireless sport earbuds in a bargain bin. This Bluetooth headset is in on the pricier side of the Bluetooth earbud ladder. But are they worth the extra cost? In my opinion – yes, they are. They sound great and they are comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. But the best feature of the Zipbuds is the dock that doubles as a clip on extended battery. This is a great feature that comes in handy when you’re listening to music or your favorite podcast and your earbuds run out of juice. Instead of waiting for them to charge back up, you can just snap on the battery clip and enjoy up to 8 hours of playtime.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Zipbuds. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth headphones

Zipbuds 26 wireless sports headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 30, 2017 at 3:03 pm.

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In 2015, I had the privilege (and it was a privilege) to review Master & Dynamic’s new MH40 headphone. At the time, nothing else looked like them. The MH40 has that classic, timeless look—like they’ve been around for many years, yet they were a brand new headphone from a brand new company. The MH40’s combination of aluminum and leather made you feel like you had something special when held. They are that beautiful. Also, the MH40 headphones sound as good as they look. With the MH40, Master & Dynamic hit a home run right out of the box. Since then, M&D has expanded their product line to include earphones, an on-ear MH30 headphone and an unusual Bluetooth speaker made of concrete.

However, 2015 is so yesterday and this is 2017. Master & Dynamic has entered the wireless age with the MW60 (released in 2016) and new MW50 wireless headphones.

The over-ear MW60 is designed like the MH40 with some unique touches. The on-ear MW50 looks like a lovechild of the MH40 and MH30. Both are equally stunning to look at which is becoming a Master & Dynamic trademark. Both are also covered in metal and leather. However, there are some important differences (besides size and price) that I will detail later in this review.

Let’s look at both the MW60 first and then the MW50.

MW60

The MW60 is basically a wireless version of the MH40. Because of the added electronics, it’s a bit thicker and heavier looking than the MH40 although it’s really 15 grams lighter. On the MH40, I’ve always liked the wire mesh at the center of each ear cup. That’s missing on the MW60—replaced by solid metal with a circular pattern. It’s okay looking, but I still prefer the mesh look. Even though the MW60 has lost some of the retro looks of the MH40, it’s still better looking than most other headphones out there.

The MW60 may be 15 grams lighter than the MH40, but it’s still a bit on the heavy side. The weight doesn’t bother me much because the headphones are so darned comfortable. The lambskin ear pads breath better than faux leather which cuts down on heat buildup—that’s a big deal for me because I have a head that sweats too much. The headband is only slightly more padded than the MH40—it could still use more. Even so, the MW60 can be worn for hours with no noticeable discomfort.

An added benefit of over-ear pads is isolation. The MW60s are not noise-canceling headphones, but they have a good seal that blocks out a decent amount of noise from the outside world.

Master & Dynamic has incorporated Bluetooth into the MW60 in a clever way. You can see the plastic Bluetooth antennas built into the aluminum frame of the left earpiece—a perfect fit with no seams. The left ear cup also houses the on/off/pairing buttons. Note that these buttons are solid metal and have a satisfying click when pressed. Pairing is dead simple—just slide the button beyond the on position for a couple of seconds and a blinking light tells you it’s ready to pair. I didn’t even have to look at the manual to figure this out. That’s good design. Plus, there are audible signals to let you know that pairing is either happening or has connected. The right ear cup has the volume/pause buttons which act and feel the same as the other buttons.

Using the built-in mic, I made a phone call to a friend and he said I sounded perfect. It always amazes me that a headphone can have a tiny microphone under my ear, yet my voice sounds just like I’m speaking directly into the phone’s mic.

Note: Unless you have money to burn, forget about using the MW60 as a commuting headphone. Yes, they fold easily and can be carried in an included soft case, but I would become quite ill if I left them behind in a cab, train, or bus. Master & Dynamic makes more affordable earphones for the commuter.

The sound from the MW60’s 45mm neodymium speaker drivers is on the warm side, meaning that the headphone has a boosted bass sound, but only just a bit. This has two benefits: It cuts down on much of the treble harshness that can be present in some recordings plus music can be listened to more comfortably for hours. A warmer sound profile is generally more forgiving of lower resolution MP3 files which can sound too bright on super-accurate headphones. It’s a bit contradictory that a slightly less accurate headphone can sound better than one that is clinically accurate in its musical detail, but it’s true. Master & Dynamic did a good job tweaking the ear cups to achieve the right tonal balance. Drums have a nice kick; vocals are clear and slightly forward while the treble frequency is reined in but still allowed to express itself.

Soundstage (the audio illusion of where in space sound is coming from) is excellent with the MW60s. It’s not an audio 3D effect, but it’s both wide and deep—placing you in the middle of whatever you’re listening to. Note that a wide soundstage is also the result of a great recording—even so, it’s up to the headphones to bring it out.

Afro Celt Sound System’s “Release It” is a good song for experiencing a wider frequency spectrum. Deep bass drumming, as well as higher, pitched tin whistles and bagpipes, combine with other instruments giving the song a multi-continental flavor. You can hear all the instruments individually and equally resulting in a perfect mix.

The opening keyboard fade-in on Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” can hide some very subtle electronic sound effects on lesser headphones, but the MW60 lets them be heard amidst Rick Wright’s aural synth wave. When David Gilmour’s crystal clear guitar chimes in, you just know you’re in for a treat. This album shines on the MW60s.

Battery life on both the MW60 and MW50 headphones is rated at 16 hours—which is plenty of life for an extended listening session or a long flight. Battery status is indicated by using the Bluetooth pairing lights that turn green/orange/red depending on the charge. If the battery dies, there is an included mini plug cord, so the headphones can always be used. They will also continue to work with Bluetooth if charging from an external battery. Neither the MW60 nor the MW50 will automatically power down if accidentally left on—which I have a bad habit of doing. As with all other M&D headphones, all cords are stored in a hard leather-covered circular box. Battery charging on the MW50 uses the new USB-C connector rather than the micro USB of the MW60. Maybe this is the direction M&D is heading.

MW50

The on-ear MW50 is two/thirds the weight of the MW60 and smaller overall. Unlike the MW60, the MW50 retains the metal mesh at the center of each ear cup. Master & Dynamic has done a great job designing the MW50. It feels every bit as solid and luxurious as the MW60.

The fact that the MW50 is on-ear might put off some people and I get that. I happen to really like on-ear headphones, mostly because they are lighter and easier to cart around. Plus they look a little less dorky than full sized headphones often do in an office setting. Like the MW60, the MW50 also has lambskin ear pads and a leather headband. The headband is also lightly padded, but since the MW50 is lighter, long-term comfort is not an issue. The MW50 is made to be mobile, but they don’t fold. Even so, they are easier to cart around than the folded MW60s.

The MW50 headphone contains audio tech that surpasses the more expensive MW60. First, the MW50s have beryllium drivers vs. neodymium drivers in the MW60. Granted, the MW60 45mm drivers are 5mm larger than the MW50’s 40mm. But beryllium is lighter and tougher than neodymium, which is better at handling audio signals—especially in the upper-frequency ranges. Beryllium is also more than double the cost of neodymium. So M&D use a much more expensive material in their less expensive headphones. Go figure.

The lambskin pads rest on the ears with little pressure and are even more comfortable on my head than the MW60s. The metal “poles” that connect the headband to the ear cups are curved a bit which can help with larger heads. However, my head is close to the max size the MW50s will fit, so if you have a large head, make sure there’s a generous return policy if they don’t fit well.

Once again Bluetooth pairing is as simple as can be. The buttons act the same way as on the MW60. And the Bluetooth antenna is made as part of the left ear cup using that same attention to detail. Call quality is also identical.

Audio on the MW50 is both pleasing and robust. Granted, you won’t get as much noise isolation as you do on the MW60, but for an on-ear design, it ain’t bad! What is most surprising is the amount of low end heard. Listening to the same high res version of “Wish You Were Here” from Pink Floyd, I was shocked how good the bass sounded. It was as impactful and detailed as on the MW60s!

Keep in mind that bass is no good if its muddy sounding and bleeds into the other frequencies. None of that happens with the MW50 headphones. There’s a clarity in the sound (bass included) that belies the headphone’s size. The audio coming out of the MW50s sounds way larger and better than you would expect.

Afro Celt Sound System’s “Release It” sounds even warmer and deeper than it does on the MW60s. The bass still retains its sharp attacks without being sloppy. How is this possible?

Within the last few years, Master & Dynamic has established themselves as a respected audio brand—with good reason.

If you’re in the market for an upscale wireless headphone that cuts no corners in audio quality or materials you can’t do better than M&D. The main downside to the MW60 and MW50 wireless headphones is having to choose one over the other. They both have their advantages. If you prefer over-ears (most serious headphone people do), then the MW60 is an obvious choice. But I would ask that you try out the MW50 if possible. You might be pleasantly surprised.

My bottom line is that as good as the MW60 sounds, the MW50 sounds just as good, if not a bit better, is more comfortable and just more fun to listen to—and less expensive. I wouldn’t be surprised if M&D is already working on an MW60 successor.

The MW60 is available in Black metal/black leather; Gunmetal/black; Silver/brown; Silver/navy and sells for $549 US.

The MW50 is available in Silver metal/black leather; Silver/brown and sells for $449 US.

Source: The samples for this review were provided by Master & Dynamic. Please visit www.masterdynamic.com for more information and shop for them on Amazon.

Filed in categories: Reviews

Tagged: Bluetooth headphones

Master & Dynamic MW60 wireless and MW50 wireless headphones review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 20, 2017 at 7:02 am.

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