Hello!
It just so happened that the buyers of Samsung audio products are not associated with the pioneers and trendsetters in the world of portable audio. It's hard to say that this is to blame, especially when you consider that Samsung often produces products with a very good sound.
One such example in the form of a wireless headset came to my review. Looking ahead, I can tell right away that I decided to keep the device for myself.
Wireless sound is always a compromise, as at this point, wire-free sound is still out of reach for wireless options. But for how long?
When I decided to test this model, the first thing that surprised me was that it is not easy to find in retail chains in stock. In retail chains where I wanted to buy it, it was ordered. In the same place where it was available, the price tag was biting (from 4500 to 6000 rubles). In the end, since I still have to order and wait, I decided to save a little by ordering the headset on eBay. I found a lot in a condition 'like new', from a seller with an excellent reputation, and without hesitation, I made a purchase for $ 25.99 plus shipping through an intermediary using group purchases (250 rubles). And now, after 16 days, I have it.
Packaging and equipment
The headset arrived in a dense black box, like a pencil case, with a plastic window through which you can evaluate its appearance.
The box may differ for different markets. In Russia, the box with a claim to premium is gold, with white letters.
Inside there is another box with different compartments that contain a charging cable, replaceable ear pads and additional attachments of various types. Well, where is it without instructions, memos and advertisements.
When I was just going to buy it, I noticed the presence of different types of attachments. Initially, the headset is equipped with ear-hooks to securely attach the device to your ear. They are the same size (M). But I liked the other type of attachments more, which allows you to securely fix the headset inside the ear using a kind of spacer. They are available in two sizes, L and S. In addition to the earbuds, there are three sizes of ear cushions (S, M, L) and one more is already installed on the device. There are four sets of ear pads in total.
In addition, an interesting element was found in the box (I don't even know what to call it correctly) – a set of two 'micro-fish' for adjusting the cable length. Looking closely at the box, I found a third, spare 'fish' in case one gets lost. It would seem a trifle, but such foresight of the manufacturer pleases.
Appearance, materials, design features
The headset comes in two colors, black and white. In addition, there is an option for a black headset with blue or purple tips. In Russian stores, the last two options could not be found.
The appearance is unusual. The rather massive headphone cases are covered with aluminum discs, each of which has its own functionality.
The micro-USB charging port is hidden under the left drive. To see it, you need to open the disc and slide it sideways, like a flap. But the right disk is a button, the functions of which are just below.
The headphones have a rather long sound tube that goes deep into the ear. Because of this feature, I use the smallest ear pads available. Please note that if you have a narrow sound channel in your ear, the headset may not work for you.
When worn, they look neat and do not interfere. Out of habit, the ear was scratching a little inside (weaned from in-ear headphones). Ears practically never get tired. I wore them for four hours straight without any discomfort.
The headphones are connected to each other by a plastic flat cable of the 'noodle' type. The cable has a mild microphone effect. On the right side of the cable, there is a remote control with which you can control playback and volume.
On the inside there are designations for the right and left headphones. On the white version, the designations are clearly visible. Not so good on black. But confusing the headphones is difficult. You are unlikely to use these symbols at all – to put them on incorrectly, you need to try very hard.
And now about one oddity in the design that alerted me. Despite the fact that the headset has a cable and a remote control, there is only one microphone, and it is located on the right earpiece. What for? Why? No answer.
Looking ahead, I will say that this did not affect the quality of speech transmission. The interlocutors did not complain about the sound. Difficulties arose only if they had to speak in a strong wind. But I still think that the microphone in the remote control would be more convenient.
The left earbud has a notification LED. It is located in such a way that when wearing headphones it turns out to be behind, which pleases – at night it will not sparkle all over the street.
When entering pairing mode, it starts flashing blue and red. Flashes red when the headset is low. Flashes blue during an active call. Not annoying.
The headset has an additional useful property – it is protected from water and sweat with a special nano-coating 'P2i'. You should not swim with a headset, but you can not be afraid of rain.
Workmanship
High quality hard plastic case and soft plastic cable. All elements are processed with sufficient quality, no complaints.
The ear tips are made of translucent matte hard plastic, which tends to fade over time. The earplugs are made of a much softer plastic that looks like rubber. Should not grow cloudy.
Due to the stiffer ear tips, removing them from the earbuds is harder than the spacer tips.
The instructions show. how to change nozzles correctly.
The cable in the white version is quite easily soiled, as it has a slightly rough, porous structure. In addition, it has a tangible memory effect. After winding on the 'fish', I quickly memorized the bend. I had to smooth it.
Functionality and remote control
On the right earpiece, the dial is a multifunctional, customizable button that, in addition to turning on / off, allows you to perform a lot of useful actions. A single press will allow you to find out the level of the remaining charge (LED indication). In standby mode, a long press will allow you to read the current time, set a timer or launch the S Health app (configurable via the Samsung Level app, which can be installed from the Play Market).
Streamlined remote control. Almost does not cling to clothes.
The remote has multifunctional keys that have a large number of functions familiar from other headsets of the company.
By pressing the center button, you can answer a call and end it during a call. By the way, the headset enters pairing mode by holding down the key with the 'bluetotth' icon on the remote, and not the button on the headphone case.
Play / stop in video or audio player has not gone anywhere. Double tap – next track, triple – previous. In addition, during a conversation, holding the button for one second, you can turn off the microphone.
Holding down the volume buttons also allows you to skip tracks forward and backward.
The headset is able to pronounce the caller's name, and if he is not in the contact list, it announces the caller's number.
You can connect to two devices at once.
In addition, on the headset body you can see the microphone holes of the active noise reduction system.
Compared to more expensive solutions from other manufacturers, the system does not work as efficiently. Yet her work is noticeable and felt.
Sound
The sound was tested on a familiar set.
Sources:
LG G2 with custom firmware and Viper driver kit.
SGS7 (full stock).
Prime Test CD 1 and Spotify in Extreme Quality mode were used as content.
The sound quality in Samsung products is the same plus / minus. The main gripes that I would like to note right away are the lack of volume headroom and lack of support for the AptX codec.
Sound insulation at a very good level. However, the included ear pads are not the best option. I used ear pads from Sony headphones. It got even better.
Despite the minor complaints, I liked the sound. The headset handles a wide variety of genres with confidence. It holds the attack well and very steadfastly resists the appearance of sand even at high volume when playing instrumental music.
At maximum volume, a little 'cycling' appears, which, however, does not bother.
The quality and quantity of bass very much depends on the ear cushions used. With the complete ones, the bottom is a little lacking. Sony's ear pads are a different matter. The correct size is even more important. Pay attention to this.
I immediately noticed when listening, the sound is a little velvety, warm, voluminous.
To some, this may seem a disadvantage, but I liked that there is no excessive transparency and synthetics, when the sound becomes, though pure, but impersonal.
As a comparison, I can remember Meizu EP51.
They sound very similar. Level Active has better highs, while Meizu has more bass and higher volume headroom. Also on the Level Active side is significantly better noise isolation, not only because of the design, but also due to the presence of the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system.
conclusions
Samsung is positioning the headset as a sports model.
For this purpose, the device fits perfectly. Very securely, without causing discomfort, it is held in the ear. Works about five hours in music playback mode. In addition to the standard playback control functions, it can speak the text of notifications, as well as control the workout using the Samsung SHealth application.
In terms of sound quality, everything is quite good, especially if you remember that this device is not for an audiophile, but rather for an athlete.
The only thing that upsets me is the strange pricing policy. In Russian retail, the headset costs an average of 4,500 rubles, which for a device with an active noise cancellation system, although not expensive, still significantly hits the budget of the average Russian. But this is not the limit. There are prices and higher.
For such a price, Level Active has a lot of competitors, starting from the same Meizu EP51, which, although not equipped with an active noise cancellation system, offers a similar sound quality at a lower cost (the official cost in Russia is 2990 rubles) and ending with Jabra solutions with active noise canceling.
However, everything changes if you look at prices in foreign online stores.
The average price is kept at the level of 2000 – 2500 rubles. for a new device, and 1200-1500 rubles for 'like new' in an opened package. For such a price, in terms of the set of characteristics, Level Active has practically no competitors.
If you are planning to buy a wireless headset and are not afraid to order equipment on foreign Internet sites, then I recommend buying it.