ZVOX AV50 AccuVoice Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones REVIEW | MacSources
Tags: Anc, Headphones, Zvox

Amazing addition for working at home.

Headphones have become necessary equipment for those who are working and learning from home. Amidst the public health crisis that surrounds us, we must carry on with our lives as best as we can. For most of us, that means working and/or going to school from the comfort of our computer screens. I know in my home alone there are three adults (myself included), a small but very loud dog, and a caged rabbit that bounces to and fro throughout the day. All of these things are classified as “distractions” to daily tasks for my job. Therefore, I’ve found that I have to have a great set of headphones that can not only isolate me from the ambient noises around me, but they also have to be able to perform as a partnering device for video conferencing like Zoom. Fortunately for me, the AV50 Noise Cancelling Headphones from ZVOX came across my desk.

DETAILS

The ZVOX AV50 headphones are designed to provide immersive, realistic, high-fidelity sound. They feature advanced noise cancellation technology that should eliminate ambient noise like air conditioners and even jet engines. Another feature of the AV50s is the AccuVoice technology that helps to boost voices and reduce unwanted noises at the same time. This helps people to understand dialogue without turning up the volume. The headphones come with 3.5mm stereo headphone cable, but users can also take advantage of the aptX Bluetooth technology to connect wirelessly to devices such as a phone, tablet, or computer. The AV50s weigh less than half a pound, which makes them lighter than most headphones in their class. The headphones come with a slim carry case that’s easy to travel with. The AV50 headphones come in four different colors — basic black, deep blue, dark red, or rose gold.

SPECS

Advanced Noise-canceling technology with the use of aptX Bluetooth for high-quality sound — wirelessly.

Light and comfortable. The AV50s are lighter than many noise-canceling headphones — less than half a pound.(230 grams)

A battery that lasts for up to 15 hours in noise-canceling mode using the supplied audio signal cable. The battery lasts for up to 11 hours in noise-canceling mode when the Bluetooth wireless signal connection is used.

A fully-depleted battery typically recharges in 1.5–2 hours. A partially-depleted battery will take less time to recharge.

Frequency range: 15Hz-23kHz, +/-4dB

Bluetooth: Line of sight, greater than 100ft/30 meters. Anything in between can reduce that.

Magnets: Neodymium

USER EXPERIENCE

The headphones came in consumer-ready packaging. What I mean by that is the box could sit on a shelf and could be picked up by a customer and they would know what they are getting. There was quite a bit of information on the box including a photo of the product and a list of main features. I was impressed to find that the headphones came enclosed in a semi-hard shell storage case, which also housed the charging cable and 3.5mm stereo headphone cable. While the case was nothing overly special, I do appreciate it when product designers include them because otherwise, the headphones could easily get damaged and its accessories might be lost in the wind. A case ensures that the headphones are protected and their accessories are never far away.

The AV50s are quite comfortable. They are over-ear style headphones and as such, they do cause a bit of heat collection. The ear cups themselves are a bit smaller than some other over-ear headphones I’ve used, but that didn’t make them uncomfortable for me at all. The ear cups have great cushioning and they are lightweight so I didn’t experience any latent headaches after long-term use. Even though my ears did get a little warm while wearing them, it wasn’t unbearable.

I think what really took me by surprise was how good the sound quality was. I’ve had good luck with ZVOX products in the past, but I was just blown away by how pure everything sounded. The noise cancelling feature works amazingly well. I had it turned on while I was working at my computer. We have a small dog that likes to bark at any potential intruder on our property — even sticks. His high-pitched bark was muffled to barely a yip with the ANC engaged on the headphones. Air conditioner noise and any other air handling ambience was virtually eliminated and I had no problems hearing people when using the headphones to make phone calls.

The AccuVoice feature is outstanding. I don’t personally have a lot of issues hearing dialogue, but I did find that it was much more clear than it typically is with other headphones. My fiancé tried them on (he has high-end hearing loss) and he always has issues hearing spoken words on TV shows. We turned on NCIS, which is usually one of the shows he has the most trouble with. He said it wasn’t perfect, but he was able to hear the dialogue much easier than he usually can with the AV50s on.

CONCLUSION

The ZVOX AV50 headphones are a great option for people who need to work or complete virtual studies from home. Not only are they comfortable and sound great, they work really well as a complement to most video conference programs. The AV50s are moderately priced and they do a great job.

For more information, visit zvox.com, Facebook, and Twitter.