In-ear headphones with a new jack for me and active noise cancellation …
Finally, a friend brought a package (wired and wireless headphones, computer glasses) from a brand store Xiaomi in Beijing, I hasten to share my impressions of the key purchase. Before that, I want to note that some moments take place only in the case of use with OnePlus 5 on Chinese firmware, I do not presume to claim similar behavior on other devices.
The idea to test these headphones came spontaneously, 'walked' on a Chinese site Xiaomi and came across a 3.5 mm version, and then Type-C. I have already tried several wireless solutions with active noise cancellation, I decided to evaluate the quality of wired headphones with this technology performed by a popular Chinese company, especially since I had no experience of 'communicating' with Type-C headphones before.
Options, appearance
The earbuds come in the familiar white box, the outside of which contains information about the earbuds in Chinese and English. On the back of the package, it is mentioned that the headphones were developed in conjunction with TiinLab, whose full name sounds like TiinLab Audi o Technologies LTD and which develops and manufactures built-in speakers for premium and mid-range TV panels, monitors, computers. monoblocks, portable devices, headphones, etc.
We remove the outer box and see the box, familiar to the owners of headphones Xiaomi of previous generations, with headphones and earpieces of different sizes. Here we also find instructions in Chinese, from which there is little sense, except to look at the figure illustrating the peculiarity of attaching the attachments.
In the compartment under the box there is a box with a fabric cover for the headphones and additional soft tips for more comfortable positioning of the headphones in the auricles. It is convenient with them, but even without them, the headphones stay in the ears, nothing critical.
The cover is made of soft fabric, which, however, easily collects spools and attracts various kinds of small debris. This, of course, does not prevent him from fulfilling his mission. Nice addition to the package, in this regard Xiaomi well done.
From the Type-C connector to the control key unit there is a wire in a fabric braid, after which there is a division into right and left headphones, the wires are made of TPE material. The key block has become more convenient, the keys are separated, you can operate without looking. On the side of the control unit there is a noise reduction on / off lever and a blue LED indicator indicating that the ANC is working. By the way, in the 3.5 mm version, there is also a connector for charging headphones. Type-C also transfers energy.
And immediately a note on usability. There is a small snag with the new power supply concept for those who are accustomed to 'running' the headphone cable under their outerwear in the cold season: now, to use the control keys, you have to unbutton your clothes, because the block hangs in the solar plexus area and cannot be reached as easily as before. Well, or letting the cable over the clothes, this option is not suitable for everyone. Subjective, but still not very convenient. Yes, the volume can be adjusted on the phone as well. But what about the ANC? There is something to think about.
The headphones themselves look as strict as possible. Black smooth surface, minimum of inscriptions, whatever I like. Under the right earpiece on the wire there is a microphone in a metal case, which does not cling to clothes, which is important. The headphones are lightweight, they are conducive to long listening, the ears do not hurt, the ergonomics are a solid top five, especially if you add additional attachments.
Compared to OnePlus Bullets v2
Connection, sound
Here the 'tambourines' overtook me. I will omit the process of finding answers to my questions, I will go straight to its results: in OnePlus 5, for Type-C headphones to work, you need 1) activate OTG in additional settings 2) in the settings for developers, switch the USB mode from charging to Media Transfer Protocol (MTP). There is nothing too complicated in these actions, but over time it can get bored. Only after this algorithm I was able, albeit for a short time, to achieve full operation of the headphones.
Why not for long? For no apparent reason, the left earphone after a few days began to play much quieter, it can be heard by 10 percent, while the right one plays loudly and clearly. The configuration has not changed, the phone is the same. I think that marriage, along the way, I'm looking for answers on the Internet, so far unsuccessful. Interestingly, a similar picture was observed during the subsequent testing of headphones on devices Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus and Samsung Galaxy A5 2017, and in the case of Xiaomi other headphones of the same type were tested, there was no problem. It's sad, but, by and large, it's not a big deal. Therefore, it is advisable to buy from local sellers, in the official store the headphones cost about 2700 rubles, so saving 300 rubles is not worth it.
Let's go back to the key block. Apparently, OP5 defined the headphones as an external device, and not as a headset, so the tracks did not switch with the buttons, the call was only available from the phone. It seems to me that this is a matter of software features. Officially, I appeal to OnePlus, give you Type-C headphones! Or at least a software update for Hydrogen.
During that week, while Xiaomi Mi Anc Type-C worked stably, we still managed to evaluate the sound and noise reduction system. The latter works quite well for its money: it smooths out low-frequency noises well, making trips in public transport and walking along noisy streets more pleasant. Not to say that the ANC level is top-end, but the price positioning of the headphones does not imply this, for their money – very much even nothing. A similar position with respect to the sound: the influence of ANC affects, probably, only in the slightly blurry low frequencies. The rest is clear reproduction, a rather universal nature of the sound, which should play into the hands of a company that is counting on a mass consumer.
conclusions
Despite the confusion with a defective copy, my impression of the new headphone format remained pleasant, I do not exclude that I will try other similar solutions. Hi-Res Audi o didn't show itself in anything, but overall the sound can be considered acceptable, especially considering the ANC.
Ergonomics is not without illogical moments, but if we abstract from subjective opinion, then there is nothing to complain about. The headphones are most likely suitable for those who want to protect their ears from the noise of the streets and traffic, for owners of phones in which the manufacturer has abandoned the 3.5 mm jack. A white version is also available. The price positioning looks adequate, but not all fans Xiaomi will appreciate it.
The bottom line: so far an unusual Type-C connector, soft, non-muffling ANC sound, mystical Hi-Res Audi o, stylish lightweight body, nice case and versatile, solid sound. Of the minuses – possible 'tambourines' with connection.