Edifier W820NB Plus review: Fabulous fidelity for the price

Greatest Costs Immediately: Edifier W820NB Plus

£79.99

Given Edifier W820NB Plus headphones’ $80 avenue worth, I had assumed I’d expertise simply middling audio efficiency. The hollow-sounding feminine voice informing me they have been powered on did nothing to change that notion, however my skepticism was misplaced.

The W820NB Plus’ voice cues have been the one aural side that wasn’t spot on. Certainly, these headphones sound like they may value a lot, way more. We’re not speaking best-in-category efficiency, however definitely one of the best I’ve heard for the value. They’re additionally very snug, they appear good, they ship lengthy battery life, and their lively noise cancellation doesn’t colour the sound to any noticeable diploma.

This evaluation is a part of TechHive’s in-depth protection of one of the best noise-cancelling headphones.

Edifier W820NB Plus function set

The closed-back, over-ear Edifier W820NB Plus can be found in in black, two-tone darkish grey, and two-tone cream/tan (the variation reviewed right here). They’re outfitted with 40mm titanium-coated diaphragm drivers. There’s a Bluetooth 5.2 radio onboard, and the headphones assist Sony’s glorious hi-res LDAC codec in case your smartphone or high-end digital audio participant helps the identical. However there’s no assist for the aptX household of codecs more and more discovered on Android smartphones or Apple’s AAC codec, supported on the iPhone.

There are two ANC mics (distinguished on the skin of the ear cups), plus one mic on the underside entrance of the right-hand ear cup for making telephone calls. That is additionally the place you’ll discover the bodily multi-function controls (quantity, energy, Bluetooth pairing, and many others.), in addition to the ANC mode selector (on/ambient/low-latency recreation mode), and a tiny standing LED.

I’ll get into the burden, building and luxury in a bit, however total the W820NB Plus seems good. That mentioned, there’s a barely parsimonious side to this headphone’s all-plastic building, particularly the controls, when carefully examined.

That additionally contributes to their gentle weight, in fact; and if anybody feedback, hand them over for a hear–they’ll shut up quickly sufficient.

Like most trendy battery-powered headphones, the W820NB Plus are geared up with a USB-C port for charging, however these are uncommon of their potential to additionally carry out as a USB audio system. Plug them into a pc’s USB port, and you’ll hearken to music and cost them on the similar time. In case you plan to make use of them with an analog playback system, nevertheless, know that they’re not geared up with a 3.5mm jack.

How do the Edifier W820NB Plus sound?

I already let the cat out of the bag on aural high quality, however I can inform you that to type my opinion, I A/B’d the W820NB Plus with some superb headphones together with Edifier’s personal planar-magnetic Stax Spirit S3, Sony’s wired MDR-7506, in addition to Marshall’s over-ear Monitor II and on-ear Main IV.

Shockingly, the W820NB Plus held their very own. I nonetheless want each of the Marshalls, because of their persistent, onboard, user-definable EQ, however these headsets value 4 occasions as a lot. The W820NB Plus have a number of EQ presets, however you possibly can’t outline your individual. Regardless, I discovered the sound from these puppies most nice on the ears.

Most nice means well-defined mid-range, loads of oomph (bass), and sufficient treble to let the sound breathe. The decrease registers aren’t as tight because the Stax Spirit S3 these value a cool $400. That’s to not say the W820NB Plus sounds flabby, they match up nicely with the Marshalls by way of low-end.

Edifier’s lively noise cancellation is each efficient and it doesn’t screw up the EQ of the supply materials. I had a tough time choosing out any adjustments to the timbre of fabric in any respect. If there may be any, it’s oddly within the decrease registers–maybe decreasing bass response.

Do the Edifier W820NB Plus supply lengthy battery life?

Edifier says the 400mAh battery within the W820NB Plus will final almost 50 hours with out ANC engaged, and nearly 40 hours with it on (utilizing the vanilla SBC codec, that’s). I used to be round 10 hours in with ANC lively and the headphone had loads of juice left.

Are the Edifier W820NB Plus snug?

Constructed nearly fully of plastic, the W820NB Plus’s weigh in at a mere 8.4 ounces. That, plus the substantial padding on the scarf and ear cups, make for a really snug match. In actual fact, they’re one of the vital snug headsets I’ve skilled. If I’ve to commerce out-of-box impressions of durability and high quality for gentle weight, gentle weight looks like the higher choice over the lengthy haul.

The ear cups are deep, although my auricles did barely contact the motive force grills, that are coated in a smooth material. I by no means actually felt the more durable components of the grill, nevertheless, so all’s good on that entrance.

The plastic headband take as a lot abuse as a metallic one would; however should you’re mild with it, it ought to final. As a normal rule, a light-weight contact along with your tools (particularly in in the present day’s world of deliberate obsolescence) will serve you nicely.

Do you have to purchase the Edifier W820NB Plus?

Anybody in search of top-quality noise-cancelling headphones at an outstanding worth will need to audition the Edifier W820NB Plus. You would spend extra–much more–to get extra strong building, fancier options, and equipment–reminiscent of a carry case. However after listening to those cans, , my thought on that’s–why? Simply pay attention to the dearth of a 3.5 mm connection.

Specs

• Drivers: 40mm, titanium-coated
• Bluetooth: 5.2
• Codec assist: SBC and LDAC
• Battery life: 33 hours with ANC on/49 hours with ANC off (SBC codec utilized in each claims)
• Sound strain degree: 91dB ± 3dBSPL(A)
• Frequency response: 20Hz – 40kHz
• Equipment: USB charging cable (no case)
• Guarantee: 2 years (USA and Canada solely)