The Edifier W860NB has a simple contemporary style packaging cover, traditional in the sense that the product is what stands out the most on a quite plain background. The background is an unassuming grey that contrasts nicely with the black (both matt and metallic) headphones prominently positioned centrally. Scrolling close to the edges is the name of the product and brief descriptions of what you would get if you were to purchase the formerly mentioned product. In opposing corners in a bold clear, capital font you will see the name and item description (letters and numbers the product is assigned); the name in the upper left and description in the lower right. Below the description, more detail is given about the product, which reads ‘Bluetooth Active Noise Cancelling Stereo Headphones’. Additionally, the cover has the Bluetooth symbol in the lower left-hand side and another symbol that I know about, but I have never really investigated. So on inspection of the website (see below), the symbol is referred to as NFC or near field communication, a method of wireless data transfer that detects and then enables technology in close proximity to communicate without the need for internet connect. (https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/what-is-nfc) This website states these headphones support this method as well as a few other things you may want to browse at your leisure. White the font is clear and readable the grey background can make it slightly difficult to read the finer text.
The left side of the box depicts a schematically designed drawing of the headset itself in addition to a brief look at the touch controls available with this product. Each button displayed on the image is repeated below it and the function of said buttons is defined in a few words. Again here, while it is readable the fine white text can be a little difficult to make out for poorer sighted individuals – closer inspection does make it easier for me (a contact lens wearer), but would it put some people off? Maybe… On the right side of the box, we again see the name and description of the product. Included with these are a few different icons such as Smart Touch Technology, Active Noise Cancelling Technology (ANC), battery longevity etc. Qualcomm aptX is also mentioned on the packaging, this is with reference to the audio mechanics that enable wireless CD-like quality for which the product supports. Though they are not PS4 specific headphones, they can be used with phones and a few consoles.
This brings us nicely to the back of the box – the name and the description of the product are given at the top which is then followed by the features and specifications of the product outlined in four different languages. There is also a photographic image of the headset in its folded format with a few features pointed out. Below this is a schematic drawing of what else is contained within the box. There is additional information such as an FFC statement, recycling logo, the CE marking, registered trademarks and logos etc.
Features Include;
- Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
- Bluetooth V4.1
- Support NFC pairing and Qualcomm aptX audio decoding
- Up to 25 hours playback
- Smart touch controls
- Both wireless and wired modes
- Leatherette ear cups
Specifications Include;
- Bluetooth version: Bluetooth 4V.1
- Bluetooth profiles: HFP, HSP, A2DP, AVRCP
- Effective distance: 10m
- Playback time: About 25 hours
- Charging time: About 4 hours
- Input: 5.0V === 1A
- Sensitivity: 97dB
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Frequency response: 20Hz – 20KHz
Now we come to the headphones themselves, packed away lovingly in a Clamshell Travel Case protected all around by soft fabric, these shine quality as you would expect from Edifier. Getting to hold these headphones is a pleasure, not to light, not too heavy, well designed and well constructed. The headphones themselves even though mostly Black offer a different tone of black throughout, along with a hint of silver, wrapping around the earcups. The company logo is embedded on either side of the earcup along with the model number etched into the headband.
The earcups have been created using artificial leather, also known as synthetic leather. A lot of companies simply call this type of leather ‘Leatherette’, this material makes the earcups soft and comfortable to use. Edifier has also added air intakes holes towards the back of the earphones, which allows your ears to breath (not sweat too much), the last thing you want is sweat building around your ears. The ear cups tilt up and down and side to side, so you can really get that perfect, comfortable fit. The earphones come equipped with 40mm neodymium drivers, not the biggest or best drivers available on the market, but its the sound they produce that matters the most.
These headphones fold into a way that allows them to rest on your shoulders when not in use, you might be thinking, ‘wow that’s a good idea‘, I was, as I prefer all my headsets to do the same. There is a complication they are rather tight around the neck, so people with bigger necks might not like them, as the headband forces the earcups together (see image below) and there is not that much flex even if you expend the headband. There is no other way to provide a better rest/fit, this is nothing new as many headphones do the same, even my top gaming headsets from SteelSeries and Razer.
The headband has plenty of strength thanks to a metal adjustable band going through it, there is also a good amount of flex so the headphones should have no issues going around peoples heads. The headband is supported with artificial leather, a small amount of padding for comfort and edifier embossed on the top.
Edifier has gone to town with the number of connections available, NFC, Bluetooth, and the prefered method for best sound 3.5mm. Edifier has also included an Aircraft Plug for all you amazing people that take a lot of trips away, the plug allows you to use your Earphones with all In-Flight Media Systems.
The most impressive part of these headphones is the battery life, 25hrs using ANC (active noise cancelling) or 45hrs with ANC turned off. I had to test this and as expected the louder you had the headphones, the battery life is reduced by a percentage. We found the best time we scored was around 22hrs with ANC turned on and 39hrs with it off, our volume level was around 60%.
ANC is a nifty feature and in all honesty, I did not expect anything special. Without ANC on you can hear the outside world rather clear, with ANC activated it sort of adds an extra level of sound dampening and blocks out a lot of environmental noise. I had a fan right next to me and could not hear it, window open and people talking outside could not hear them, cars going past, could not hear that, however, I could hear myself typing this review out on my Razer Huntsman Elite Keyboard. I could not use ANC for too long as for some reason I just felt sick, so for testing, I had friends who have used and love ANC to provide me with the battery lifetimes.
The intuitive way to control volume and skips tracks are all done on the right earcup with touch control. Moving your finger up will increase volume, down will decrease the volume, move your finger left or right with allow you to skip tracks and finally if you tap twice you can pause the music. If you are using your headphones with your phone they do allow you to answer a call and use the inbuilt microphone.
Lows, mids, and highs are all there in great detail thanks to the headphone use of the Qualcomm aptX chip which allows the headphones to deliver High Definition (HD) audio. I listened to Trance, House, Pop, Rock and anything else in-between. I tested out Dolby Atmos for headphones through Windows 1o and with my Samsung s9 and checked out games some games and watched a few Youtube videos that made use of this feature and I have to tell you, these headphones performed as expected, perfect. The only complaint I have is people could hear what I was listening to, so there was some sound leakage.
So final thoughts, a pair of headphones that offer exceptional comfort, amazing battery life, superb sound for those lows, mids, and highs with design and construction well thought out, something we have come to expect for edifier.
With a price point of $169.99 might be a little bit too much for some users, but what you are getting here should be enough for you to decide to buy them, a multi-functional, with exceptional sound and design, wireless, with a battery life that is simply mind-blowing.
You can find out where to purchase these headphones here, a massive thanks to edifier and their pr team for allowing us to review these headphones.
We also did a Ruff Preview which can be watched below,
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