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Showing posts with label LDAC. Show all posts

1More SonoFlow Headphones HQ51... Reviewed!


The 1More Sonoflow HQ51 (also known as... 1More SonoFlow Pro) over-ear headphones are a sweet choice for audiophiles and casual listeners alike. With a combination of high-quality sound, exceptional comfort, and impressive features, these headphones offer excellent value for the money. I know because I've been here before with the first gen SonoFlow headphones, but... are these better? Well, let's check out the specs... after this unboxing!




Quality & Comfort


Right off the bat... you get comfortable padding in all the right places. The padding on the headband is soft and durable and you won't feel the housing. The other obvious area where you will find the padding are the left and right ear pads on the swivel and foldable earcups. The yokes of these headphones are sturdy, and have actually lasted longer than headphones that cost hundreds more. I won't say names, but... yeah, these swivel and foldable headphones have solid yokes that connect to a thicker section that you adjust on the headband.



I don't want to overlook the buttons either, they don't wiggle or feel loose. The buttons are solid, clicky, and responsive. They're spaced out and easy to identify. The upper button in the back of the right earcup is the ANC button, the two below are Vol+/Vol-, and the button in the front of the right earcup is the power button. I'm not seeing a difference in regards to the quality and comfort of the original SonoFlow and the  HQ51's, but... that's not a bad thing. If it ain't broke... don't try to fix it.


The only thing i'm not a big fan of is the change in the interior of the headphone case. I figure it was a manufacturing decision, but I like that secure fit of the original case. The exterior of the case is similar to the original, which is great... so at least it gets a win on that note.


Specs and Features

  • QuietMax AI Noise Cancellation: Effectively tunes out background noise, enhancing your audio experience. 42+dB noise cancellation using QuietMax.

    By the way, the HQ51's have a deeper noise reduction depth than the Bose NC700's. They dance for dominance, but... the winner is the winner.


  • Tuned by Grammy-Winning Sound Engineer: Ensures top-notch sound quality.
  • Fast Charge: Provides 10 hours of battery life from just 5 minutes of charging.

    Let me say this: I haven't charged these headphones yet. I've used them for a little over a week and even forgot to turn them off one day, and they're still going. 
  • Battery Life: Up to 100 hours on a full charge after 80 minutes with the HQ51. You still get 65 hours of battery life with ANC on.

    You get 70 hours on a full charge with the original SonoFlow headphones. Regardless of long battery, remember to give your ears a break, especially when it comes to listening at certain decibles.
  • 40mm DLC Dynamic Driver: Delivers rich, detailed sound.
  • 12 Studio-Grade EQs: Customizable sound settings, with the “Studio” setting being particularly impressive.
  • Wired and Bluetooth 5.4 Wireless Modes: Offers flexibility in connectivity.

    The original SonoFlow's have Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Comfort: High comfort level with no extreme pressure on the ears, making it suitable for long listening sessions. However, it’s best used in a cool setting to avoid sweating around the ears so you can truly appreciate the material.


Audio Performance

The SonoFlow HQ51 contains a 40mm Dynamic Driver. The diamond-like carbon composite diaphragm matches up with aluminum's material density, but... when it comes to resonance frequency, sound conduction, and thermal conductivity, that's all the DLC in these HQ51's. By the way, these headphones have dual hi-res gold certification. On a side note, I wasn't planning on making a left turn to speak on the headphones of other brands, but... the Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) in the HQ51's is better than Sony's XM5s. High THD can lead to audible distortion that can deliver an unnatural sound. I don't want to crap on the XM5s because they're solid, and run a close race to some extent but... the HQ51's are better. I want to speak on price right now, but i'll hold my tongue for now.

What is Hi-Res Audio?


Hi-Res Audio refers to audio files that have a higher sampling frequency and bit depth than CD quality. This means more detail and a more accurate representation of the original recording (it will sound more on the lines of what you would hear in the studio if you were there).


What is Hi-Res Audio Wireless?

For audio to qualify as Hi-Res Audio Wireless, it must meet certain standards set by the Japan Audio Society (JAS). This includes using codecs like LDAC or aptX HD that can transmit audio at higher bit rates, ensuring minimal loss in quality during wireless transmission.

When it comes to my audio experience during this test, I played a number of games, music, and tv/film including:


The lows, mids, and highs of these headphones worked in harmony for my listening pleasure. I enjoyed every bit of audio, even if I had to endure the entire "Dead Zone" film. Yikes. But yeah, I loved the audio experience so much that, despite playing these fantastic games... I found myself wanting to zone out and just lock in on what I was hearing while doing nothing else. I also enjoyed some ASMR through Gentle Whispering and Gibi ASMR.

I didn't have to crank the volume up to appreciate the bass either; the lows were like, "Here I am!" as soon as I turned on the headphones.

Technical Specifications

  • Speaker Impedance: 32 ohms, which means the headphones can be driven by most portable devices without requiring an external amplifier.
  • Bluetooth Protocol: Supports HFP, A2DP, and AVRCP for versatile connectivity.
  • Frequency Band: 2.400 GHz - 2.4835 GHz.
  • Bluetooth Range: Up to 10 meters in open space.

Price and Value

Priced at $87.99, the 1More Sonoflow HQ51 headphones offer kick ass value. (On top of that... on top of that) You can also take advantage of an additional 20% off deal here. Presenting affordably sweet options is awesome because money doesn't grow on trees, bills are real along with other expenses, so having access to quality that rivals well known brands is sweet.

Overall, the 1More Sonoflow HQ51 over-ear headphones excel in quality, comfort, audio performance, and value. Whether you’re a music enthusiast or just need a reliable pair of headphones for daily use, these are a fantastic choice. The beautiful thing is that you don't need the most expensive headphones in the world in order to get your hands on quality that delivers (sometimes you're just paying for the brand name... just like with the Sony XM5s).


Quality 5

Comfort 5

Audio 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points



 + Sophi 

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2022 Wishmas Guide... for the Office Space!

 



Seasons Greetings Office Workers! While we could simply make a list of items for you to consider for yourself... you gotta show the ole office space some love (we'll get back to you later)! At times our office spaces can be as bland as some meals (I'm not pointing fingers), but... that doesn't have to be the case. Consider items that dial up the coolness + functionality of your office space as seen below.

I'd probably have to give coolness + functionality to the 3-in-1 chargers. Certainly, some are better than others, but consider which is better for you and is actually compatible with your device. If you prefer a charger that can charge Apple & Android, you don't have to swap it out when you change phones. The 3-in-1 chargers like this one... allow you to charge your phone, smartwatch, and wireless earbuds without having cords running to 3 different charging stations. Not only does it give functionality it's sure to put a smile on the faces of minimalists.



This isn't exactly an eye-catching addition to the office, but... this particular product focuses on those days when you're just that jacked up or you need a little nap. This is a deluxe memory foam travel nap/sleeping pillow for your desktop. You put your face in the hole as seen here... and run your arm through the cove below. You can store this in a bag so that the dust doesn't set up residence, and when you're in need of some Z's, just whip this out.

Keep your alarm clock at the ready so that you don't oversleep with this, but... for those of you with the time to nap, it's worth it. This comes to mind even more so for game developers and other software developers who have to work through crunch times when they don't have a choice but to sleep in the office if they're going to get any sleep. Remember, some devs even sleep under their desks during this time. This doesn't just work on the desk, you can position yourself on the floor the same way or lean it on a chair and lay your head back in the opening. I may have one of these




I have to include earbuds on this list for a few reasons, active noise cancellation for those times you need to cut out the background noise, the ability to take phone calls while jotting down info, and for some options even have the ability to connect devices simultaneously like the 1More Evo. This comes in handy when you want to connect your earbuds to your phone and PC without the need to swap.

Speaking of the 1More Evo, what I've mentioned above... doesn't even cover the hi-res audio, but... you can check out the full review, here.



This next item is cool + functional, and no... you don't necessarily need something so ridiculously interesting sitting on your desk, but... deep down in your heart is a little kid that's like "Oh but yes I do, and a big bowl of cereal!". 

This is the Divoom Ditoo, and as far as function goes... it's a 10W DSP speaker with a screen that displays the reactive pixel art equalizer. The fun and function don't stop there, the mechanical keys work, along with the little joystick + you can use it as a clock, a white noise machine, an alarm clock, gives social media notifications, provides weather conditions, etc. This thing is kickass, and you might have visitors to your office space just to check it out.

The fun doesn't stop there, no no no! The duh of the day is... you can play games, but... you can also make beats, and... there's a full community of artists and creators that use this thing who create pixel art and so forth. This is one of those devices that keeps on giving, and who wouldn't want to take the edge off from a stressful call or enjoy a small break creating pixel art or something?


I still don't know a lot of people who have mug warmers in their offices, but... I know quite a few people who love to drink coffee and find themselves microwaving tall cups of joe. Why not just get a mug warmer and call it a day? You keep the coffee warm, make tea, hot chocolate... and (wait for it...) keep ramen noodles or something warm. 


This isn't as cool, but this set isn't bad looking and it's functional, especially for those of you who like to work past lunch. This Sweet Life set comes with the warmer, the cup, the cup lid, and the spoon in a nice gift set. If you gift one of these out, consider adding the person's favorite coffee, cocoa, or tea as a secondary gift.

This also works wonders for those of you who work under the weather and need warm Theraflu.




I have to put this on here... because of the cool + functional design. This is the PowerPort Cube, and as you see, it has a mounting tray that allows for it to be attached and detached as needed... just in case you need to put it to use elsewhere. The mount allows for it to be placed in a number of areas... whether it be standing on your desktop (which I'd probably have some sort of 3M strips or something for that), mounted on the wall, or mounted under your desk... which would work great in the area you need it most for quick hookups. The 3M pads would also work for those of you with a glass desk.

Nothing like having a convenient place to hook up, and outside of your desk, having these in various places around your office, office building, or home... is a win. Think about having one of these mounted underneath a coffee table top near the edge, no one has to reach around going that awkward search for an outlet.

There are different models, and the one I like the most is actually the cheapest. I wish it had a USB-C port like the one you see in black here, but I like the position of the USB ports on the side. The placement of the others isn't horrible, but if you attach them beneath a desk like this one, they wouldn't be as easy in terms of connecting the USB cables (outside of the USB-C). Maybe that's why they have one.


I'd recommend a desk that works well as a work table. I love desks like these because I love big commercial work tables but I also appreciate a good desk. This particular desk is not just a desk that comes in 3 different sizes with the 63" max coming in less than $170, but... you also get the cable management equipped + a headphone holder + a large mousepad + a cup holder + a game & USB controller rack. 

I recommend this desk for those who don't plan to lay the weight on it because this desk can only handle a max capacity of 260 lbs. It's not exactly commercial strength, but at the same time... the average person isn't going to overload their desk with items. So if you like what you see, the sizes range from 63" to 55" at $129.99 to the smallest  44" desk at $94.99.


I was going to wrap this up with the desk, but I completely forget about this adjustable LED double headlight. It has a level of cool based on the look, but it's super functional... delivering 3 color temp options + 10 brightness settings and you can shift it. One of the reasons this is included is because at times you don't want the light in your face and would prefer to focus it on a book or your art, etc.






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1More SonoFlow Wireless ANC Headphones... Reviewed!

It's time for another review, but before we jump in... I have to give a shout-out to the 1More Team (especially Jim & Cameron) + I have to get the ball rolling with an unboxing. My opinions are my own.


As you see, these are the new 1More SonoFlow headphones. I noticed the comfort as soon as I took them out of the package, but... let's jump in to see how good these headphones actually are.


Quality + Comfort: The 1More SonoFlow Wireless ANC Headphones have a sturdy frame, a metal adjuster, and super soft padding for the head padding + earcups. The headphones don't feel flimsy like they'd just fall apart. They're certainly sturdy enough to take a fall off a desk, but... I wouldn't want to drop them from a certain height either (based on the plastic body). I'm not really tripping about the headphones falling off of anything though, because 1More includes a super durable case for the headphones... so they go in there when they aren't in use. 

Tip: Use your headphones case to maintain their condition long-term.

That said, the material results in how light these headphones... feel, so let's jump into comfort. These headphones come in at 8.8 ounces and they feel great... because they don't feel like some of the options that add noticeable weight to your head. I've hopped, punched, thrown snap kicks, and didn't feel the weight.

Outside of that, these headphones don't clamp down on my head and the earcups fit over my ears so they aren't pressing directly on them (my ears are sensitive... so applied pressure doesn't make me a happy... camper). As mentioned, the padding is soft, so that certainly helped increase my tolerance time.

Did I wear the headphones to bed? Heck yeah! Was I able to keep them on while calling the cows home? My tolerance for wearing the headphones would probably last almost as long as the battery life if I didn't have to do anything else. I'll get back to the battery life down below (it's no joke).


Sound: When it comes to the sound, the 1More SonoFlow Wireless ANC Headphones rock a 40mm driver under the hood with what 1More calls a... "diamond-like" carbon composite diaphragm + a 40kHz frequency response & 990kbps transfer rate at 32 bit/96 kHz (via the LDAC codec). LDAC delivers 3 times the sound quality of SBC. You will also be able to appreciate the Frequency Bands 2.400 GHz - 2.4835 GHz range, and the 32 Speaker Impedance.

The 40mm driver works well for these headphones in terms of delivering stronger sound, they bring the oomph in terms of bass... but it's not just loud... you get quality. The highs + mids are just as solid as the lows, but to be honest... I didn't doubt how the sound would be with the multi-Grammy Award-winning Luca Bignardi on deck as the sound engineer. They were able to get a certification for the headphones in terms of being audiophile quality wireless and you can hear thanks to that transfer rate.

How do they sound? Let's just say I heard something in a Michael Jackson song that I never realized was there. I was listening to "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and when the portion came on when it go to the part where he begin to sing "You're a vegetable", I heard whispers and other adlibs that I never noticed. I've heard some before... and maybe I never noticed... but there were some in there that I really didn't notice before. Quality audio brings it out because it delivers what you were expected to hear (same as recorded in the studio). I love music, so I don't like missing out on any of the sounds. I listened to multiple tracks in ultra HD to make sure that I got the most out of these Hi-Res Audio headphones.

What does Hi-Res Audio Certified mean? Well, the official certification requires headphones and even standard speakers to be able to reproduce frequencies of 40 kHz or higher. In other words... expect to get the intimate details of those songs baby. I was even listening to a track by a group called The Apx and realized the ending I was hearing on other speakers... wasn't the way the song truly ended. I almost felt like it ended in a weird way (in terms of the song just ending bluntly), but these headphones revealed that the song didn't end the way I assumed. It's hard to explain, but even though I don't have a producer background, it's something that I could be because I can be particular about music and can point out how a song would sound better or how a scene could work with a particular song, etc. So to hear the way the song actually ended, which was almost like a powering-off sound that rounded the song out much better.

Fun fact: LDAC is an audio codec developed by... Sony to allow high-res audio over Bluetooth.


By the way, if you want to listen to your music with less bass, more treble, and so forth... there are 12 studio-grade EQ presets that include:


Bass reducer
Bass booster
Acoustic
Classical
Podcast
Hip-Hop
Pop
ETC.


This is a plus... because not everyone wants to listen to music the same way. I was going to drop something here, but I'll save it for the last section.

Update instructions:

Users will have to update their 1MORE Music APP (for Android or iOS) to app v4.7.3 and then update the firmware to 1.0.5 version to enjoy the Customized EQ on SonoFlow. - Team 1More


The list of music I listened to, included these amazing tracks:


I wasn't as heavy on the rap this time around, but I had to tuck some in there.

By the way, if you haven't checked out Keybeaux or Gerald Albright... you don't know what you're missing (I would love to actually see these two artists work together). Keybeaux has some fire music with tracks that are safe for my daughters' ears, but not just that... he raps, has vocals, and uses instruments that would line up well with Gerald on the sax. I've even brought up the collab to both artists, and info has been exchanged... so we shall see. They both also play the guitar and piano.

As far as Gerald Albright goes, your parents may know more about him if you're in your early 30s or younger. He's a living legend in Jazz and has played with a slew of the greats like Whitney Houston, The Temptations, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, Olivia Newton-John, Phil Collins, and... you get the idea.

Fun fact: Gerald also gave gamers a dose of his saxophone in the Castlevania: Symphony of the Night game on the PS1... via the "I Am The Wind" theme song.

I can't forget about the active noise canceling, which is powered by QuietMax and works quite well (it shut out the sound without noticeable feedback). If you really need a good nap, turn the ANC on and get some good-quality ASMR going. Like any pair of headphones, the quality of the recording is what you will get in the playback... even though all products aren't created equal.


To be honest, even though Tingting's ASMR was in SD as far as the tracks that I listened to... they sounded great. Generally, I play ASMR at a lower volume to cut out any white noise, but... seasoned ASMRtists know how to minimize the background noise to that it doesn't interfere with the experience. Oh, while on this topic... if you're a new ASMR creator, avoid jarring intros/transitions, and keep tracks for sleeping purposes... together with tracks for sleeping only.

In terms of phone calls, you can shut out the sound quite well and maintain a great conversation without having to request that the person on the line repeat themselves.

As far as games, movies, and TV goes... here is a list of my experiences with the headphones:

Although the experiences varied from gaming, to film, to show... the quality was there for the most part. You got nice bass from the explosions that didn't come off as just one big blurred sound, voices were clear, and subtle SFX was enjoyable. By the way, if you play Pinball FX with these headphones, decrease the sound of the music... the SFX is amazing (I advise turning it down anyway to enjoy the pinball sound a bit more). The No Good Gofers table was beautiful... and you hear that crisp crack when the little character takes swings to hit the golf ball. It's not the biggest thing in the world, but... just those little details enhance the listening experience and boost the overall enjoyment.


In the box + Features:

SonoFlow Wireless ANC Headphones (DJ-style headphones)
3.5mm Audio Cable for the headphone port
USB-C Cable
Instruction Manual
Storage Case
Bluetooth 5.0
Battery Capacity 720 mAh
Charging Time 80 Mins (though a 5 min charge can get you 5 or so hours of playtime w/ ANC off according to 1More. Regardless, aim to charge them for at least 30 mins if you have the time. This is based on 1More's Q&A).

I don't hate on the charge time of these headphones, because with a fully charged battery... you're looking at 70 hours of playback time. Fact: I sleep with these headphones on and listen to them for hours the day before and after the sleep test. The battery is still... high (as presented by the status of the headphones + the status is shown on my phone and the connected PC). That type of battery power is sure to put a smile on the faces of the audiophiles + the frequent flyers out there.

* If you run out of juice, you can still enjoy audio by connecting the audio cable. Just make sure your phone has a headphone jack or has a USB-C audio jack convertor (which every audio lover should have... in my opinion).

Speaking of connected devices, you can connect these to multiple devices. This is similar to the 1More Evo headphones, which is great because at times you're transitioning from one device to the next and don't have time to do that manual shift.

Last but not least for this section, let's talk about the controls. I love the placement of the buttons on these headphones. The Power button is on the other side away from the volume and NC (aka ANC) buttons. This may not seem like a big deal to the average person, and it's not really jaw-dropping or something like that, but... it takes away the guessing game about what button does what. 

Once you get familiar with the buttons, you know that the power button isn't the others. On the other side... the NC button is on top, and volume + & - are below it. Simple. For the other functions of the headphones, please use the buttons as presented below.



Price: Pricewise, the 1More SonoFlow Wireless ANC Headphones come in at a strong competitive price of $99.99... which you can technically get for $79.99 here by using the coupon. Just click the box under the price and save. 

Overall, the build of the headphones is clean, and the branding is subtle with "1More" listed on the side of the headband and the logo up top + that lovely pop of red. They sound good, the controls are simple... and they're a steal at the price point, especially when you compare them to other headphones at nearly double the price + top-notch battery life.



Quality + Comfort 5

Sound 5

In the box + Features 5

Price 5

5 out of 5 Cool Points



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