Now it’s time for the 2nd half of our annual
Headphone Shootout: the over the ear models. This year we have some great
models from some excellent manufacturers. And some have stellar features. They
include JBL Tune 770NC, Onanoff Fokus+, Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, Shure Aonic
50 Gen 2, and Master and Dynamic MW75 Neuro. With March Madness, teams are
seeded; here we separate by price. We’ll start with the cheapest, and work our
way up.
First up is the JBL Tune 770NC. JBL has been providing
excellent products for almost 80 years, and headphones for many years too. And
they have been able to incorporate their signature JBL sound. The JBL Tune
770NC while more of a budget product, still manages to provide Active Noise
Cancelling. MSRP is a low $129.
Features and specs:
General Specifications
Driver size (mm): 40
Number of Microphones: 1
Audio Specifications
Driver sensitivity at 1kHz/1mW (dB): 100
Dynamic frequency response range (Hz): 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Impedance (ohms): 32
Dimensions
Audio Cable Length (m): 1.2
Ear Cup Depth (cm): 4.8
Ear Cup Depth (in): 1.9
Ear Cup External Height (cm): 9.2
Ear Cup External Height (in): 3.6
Ear Cup External Width (cm): 7.6
Ear Cup External Width (in): 2.99
Ear Cup Internal Height (cm): 5.4
Ear Cup Internal Height (in): 2.12
Ear Cup Internal Width (cm): 3.7
Ear Cup Internal Width (in): 1.45
Charging Cable Length (m): 1.2
Charging Cable Length (ft): 3.9
Weight (g): 232
Weight (oz): 8.2
Bluetooth profiles: A2DP v1.4,
AVRCP v1.6.2, HFP v1.8
Bluetooth frequency: 2.4 GHz – 2.4835 GHz
Bluetooth transmitted modulation: GFSK, π/4-DQPSK, 8DPSK
Bluetooth transmitter power: < 10 dBm (E.I.R.P)
Bluetooth version: 5.3
Battery
Charging time (hours from empty): 2
Maximum music play time with ANC off (hours): 70
Maximum music play time with ANC on (hours): 44
Maximum play time (hours): 70
Maximum talk time (hours): 39
Audio cable: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Charging cable: Yes
Foldable: Yes
Voice Assistant integration: Yes
Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Yes
Ambient Aware: Yes
Built-in Microphone: Yes
Detachable Cable: Yes
Flat-fold design: Yes
JBL Pure Bass Sound: Yes
Multi-Point Connection: Yes
Over-ear: Yes
Rechargable battery: Yes
Speed charge: Yes
TalkThru: Yes
Wireless: Yes
The JBL Tune 770NC came in a nice-looking color printed box
with photos and specs of the product. Opening the box revealed a product
wrapped in a cloth bag. Materials used in the constriction was mostly plastic.
Quality of materials used, as well as the fit and finish, was good. Also
included was the charging cable, audio cable and manual.
I like the design of the JBL Tune 770NC it’s a more
simplistic one. All of the controls are on the right earcup with hard buttons.
And even at its low price point, you still get Active Noise Cancelling. For an
even higher bang for the buck, you also get the app. Through the app you can
tailor the sound to your preferences, as well as control the ANC. It’s a huge
bang for the buck! Let’s see how it sounds.
Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E: cymbal was crisp and clean, piano sounded
natural. Bass had really nice low-end extension, and was really smooth and
played with authority. Vocals were silky smooth with very good texture of the
timbre. Strings were also silky smooth with nice resolution of the strings.
Trumpet was really dynamic with very good harmonics. Soundstage was really wide
with depth as well.
Next up is the Onanoff Fokus+. Originally known for their
BuddyPhones, headphones for kids, they have expanded their lineup. The Onanoff
Fokus+ are a wireless over the ear headphones. MSRP is a fair $169.
Sound
Frequency Range: 20-22kHz
Advanced Sound Features: Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation
(combined feed forward and feed back ANC), HearThru Mode™, ANC Off Mode
FokusMode®:
100dB normal output Mode and optional 85dB SafeAudio® Mode
Driver Type: 40mm
Dynamic driver, neodymium magnet, electro-plated diaphragm (trivalent chrome
plating)
Earpads: Stylish and comfortable cloth ear cushions
Fit: Over-ear
Dimensions: 140mm
width x 196mm height
Weight: 254g
Battery Life: 50 hours with Bluetooth ANC OFF, 42 hours with
Bluetooth and ANC On
2.5 hours USB cable / 3.5 hours thru charging stand
Charging Time: 2.5 hours USB cable / 3.5 hours thru charging
stand
Battery Size: 660mAh
Connectivity
Bluetooth Version: 5.2
Sound Codecs: AAC + SBC
Microphones: 4 mics for ANC, 1 mic for voice
Inputs: 1.2m audio cable with 3.5mm jack connectors, 1.5m
USB C to USB C charge cable with USB C to USB A adapter for backward
compatibility Bluetooth in, Wired 3.5mm audio in
Multipoint: Simple Multipoint connects to two audio sources
simultaneously
The Onanoff Fokus+ came in a nice-looking color printed box,
with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well-protected
headphone held in place by a hard zipper case. Materials used in the
construction was mostly plastic with some metal and fabric. Quality of
materials used, as well as the fit and finish was very good. Also included was
the hard zipper case, desktop charging stand, detachable mic, audio cable, charging cable and
owner’s manual.
I really like the design of the Onanoff Fokus+. They are a
wireless over the ear design, with Active Noise Cancelling. And I like the
cloth in the design on the outside of the ear cups. The desktop charging stand
is a really nice unique touch. The hard zipper case for taking them on the go
is also a nice touch. Let’s see how they perform.
Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E: cymbals were really crisp and clean,
and piano sounded really natural. Bass had really nice depth and played with
good authority. Vocals were silky smooth with nice texture of the timbre.
Strings were really smooth with really good resolution. Trumpet was really
dynamic with very good harmonics. Sound stage was really wide and also nice and
deep as well.
RUSH: Tom Sawyer: Cymbals and hi-hat were really crisp and
clean with good resolution. Kick drum was dynamic, deep, and played with good
authority. Snare drum was also dynamic with good resolution of the pad. The tom
drums were equally dynamic with good pitch definition of the midbass. Vocals
were also really smooth with really good texture.
Tiesto & Sevenn: Boom: multiple different bass beats. Some were not as deep but were nice and tight. Others were deeper but also nice and tight with very good authority. And some were seriously deep, and played with a ton of output and hit so hard.
Next up is the Shure. Shure has been a company that has been providing excellent products for generations, since they opened 100 years ago in 1925. And one of the products they are known for is their studio monitor headphones. They continue this legacy and include their studio sound in their wireless headphones. This includes their Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 wireless headphones. MSRP is $389.
Transducer Type: Dynamic, Neodymium magnet
Driver Size: 50 mm
Frequency Response: 20 to 22,000 Hz
Impedance: @ 1 kHz: 39
Ω
Maximum Audio Input Power: 100 mW
Battery Life: up to 45 hours
Weight: 334 g (11.8oz.)
Operating Temperature: 0°C to 45°C (32°F to 113°F)
Storage Temperature: -10°C to 30°C (14°F to 86°F)
Gain: +2.60 dBi
Operating Frequency: 2402 MHz-2480 MHz
Modulation Type: FHSS
RF Output Power: +13.92 dBm ( EIRP)
Supported Codecs: aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Voice,
SBC, AAC, LDAC
The Shure Aonic 50 came in a nice color printed box, with
photos and specs of the model. Opening the box reveals a well-protected
headphone, held in place in their hard zipper case. Materials used in the
product construction was mostly plastic with some metal, and memory foam.
Quality of materials used, as well as fit and finish, was very good. Also
included was the hard zipper case, audio cable, charging cable and owner’s
manual.
I really like the design of the Shure Aonic 50. They take
decades of professional audio experience and studio audio, and put it in the
Shure Aonic 50. There’s adjustable active noise cancelling, as well as Spatialized
Audio. It has mics outside and inside the ear cups, to maximize the ANC. The
app allows you to control both the ANC and Spatialized Audio. The app also
gives you access to Environmental Mode, as well as control the EQ, for your
personalized sound preference. It’s a lot of great features, let’s see how they
sound.
Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E: cymbals were extremely crisp and clean with good resolution. Piano sounded very natural with excellent tone. Bass was silky smooth with excellent depth. Violin was also very smooth with very good resolution of the bow on the strings. Vocals were smooth like honey with excellent texture of the timbre. Trumpet was very dynamic with excellent harmonics. Soundstage was also not just really wide, but also really deep with excellent imaging.
Rush: Tom Sawyer: cymbals and hi-hat was extremely crisp and
clean. Kick drum was extremely dynamic, had excellent depth, but also had
excellent authority like a punch to the chest. Snare drum was also dynamic with
excellent resolution of the pad. Tom drums were same dynamics with excellent
resolution and pitch definition of the midbass. Vocals were also excellent
resolution with excellent texture.
Next up is the Beyerdynamic. They have over 100 years of
history, and multiple generations o history of making quality headphones. They
are well known for their professional studio monitors, using their German
engineering. And they tap into this professional monitor sound for their
consumer models. This holds true for their Beyerdynamic Aventho 300. MSRP is $400.
Features and specs:
Legendary Beyerdynamic sound with German-made STELLAR.45
drivers
Spatial Audio thanks to Dolby Atmos with Dolby Head
Tracking™ technology
Ergonomic earcups and premium materials for exceptional
comfort
Wearing Style Over-ear
Operating principle Closed
Transmission Type Wireless
via Bluetooth®
Weight headphones without cable 319 g
Battery runtime with ANC Up
to 50 hours
Headphone frequency response 5
- 22,000 Hz
Range 15 m
Bluetooth® version 5.4
Codecs AAC, aptX™
Lossless, aptX™ Adaptive, LE Audio
Charging Port Type USB-C
The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 came in a nice color printed
box with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box revealed a well-protected
product, held in place in a hard zipper case. Materials used int eh
construction was mostly plastic with some metal. Quality of materials used, as
well as fit and finish, was excellent. Also included was the hard zipper case,
charger cable, audio cable and owner’s manual, USB adapter, and soft carry bag.
I love the design of the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300. You get
quality materials, where it’s needed most, like aluminum in the swivel. The
housing on the earcup is touchpad for controlling your music. The drivers are
actually German made. Adaptive Noise Cancelling also has transparency mode. You
get Spatial Audio thanks to Dolby Atmos, and also included Dolby Head Tracking
technology.
Those are a lot of features, and it doesn’t stop there.
There’s also the app. Thru the app, you can completely control the Beyerdynamic
Aventho 300. You can totally customize the sound to you, with EQ curves. The
Active Noise Cancelling and Spatial Audio is also controlled through the app as
well. It’s really cool actually! There’s a lot to cool features, and they seem
to come together in a synergy. Let’s see how they sound.
Nat King Col: L-O-V-E: cymbals were extremely crisp and
clean, with excellent resolution, piano sounded very natural with excellent
tone. Bass was so smooth with nice deep extension and authority. Violin also
very smooth with excellent resolution of the bow on the strings. Vocals were
smooth as a dove bar, with excellent texture of the timbre. Trumpet was
extremely dynamic with excellent harmonics. Soundstage was so wide and deep,
imaging was on a dime.
Last but not least is the Master and Dynamic MW75 Neuro.
Master and Dynamic is definitely a new kid on the block. They don’t have the
history that JBL, Beyerdynamic and Shure have. But Master and Dynamic has been
doing it right from the git go. They are high quality headphones that are built
like a tank. Master and Dynamic is also innovative, and the MW75 Neuro is an
example. MSRP is $699.
Features and specs:
Materials: Lambskin leather headband / aluminum and tempered
glass ear cups / anodized aluminum controls / soft fabric EEG sensors
Dimensions: 160.75mm x 197.83mm x 83.57mm
Weight: 378g
Ear Coupling: Over-Ear
Ear Pads: Magnetic soft fabric EEG sensor ear pads
Replaceable magnetic lambskin-wrapped memory foam
Impedance: 32 ohms
Talk Microphones: 4 Microphone talk solution with wind
protection
ANC Microphones: 4 Microphone ANC solution
Voice Assistant: Compatible with native voice assistants
Bluetooth Profile: Bluetooth® 5.2
range of 100ft/30m with AAC, aptX™ Adaptive up to 24 bit/ 48kHz, and SBC.
Hi-res requires a compatible source device and streaming service.
Wired Digital Headphone Connection: Supports hi-res audio up
to 24-bit / 96kHz using provided USB-C to USB-C cable with supported devices
Analog Headphone Connection: USB-C to 3.5mm cable for
optional analog audio connection
Cables
USB-C to 3.5mm audio cable, USB-C to USB-C charging cable: Antenna
Internal antenna
The Master and Dynamic MW75 Neuro came in a nice-looking
color printed box, with photos and specs of the headphones. Opening the box, I
found a well-protected product held in place in a zippered hard case. Materials
used in the construction was actually mostly metal with some cloth, glass,
leather and plastic. Quality of materials used was excellent, as was the fit
and finish. This is a top-of-the-line product and it shows. Also included is
the charging cable, audio cable, hard case, owner’s manual, and non-EEG memory
foam earcup wrapped in lambskin.
I love the design of the Master and Dynamic MW75 Neuro. They
have the typical features like wireless, ANC, and app to control the features
and customize the sound. What you also get that is not typical is superior
tough aluminum construction with glass covered ear cups, German made 40 mm
beryllium drivers, magnetic removable earcups and Modern Thinking Cap to boost
productivity using EEG sensors and Neurable IE using a proprietary brain
computer interface (BCI).
The Master and Dynamic MW75 Neuro is not just a pair of
headphones. It’s a tool. And not just for relaxation, but to also help increase
your productivity. So, use it for work, and to relax after work. Through the
EEG sensors, the brain computer interface and the Nearable AI to process the
data, it tracks your brain activity. And through this app, you can see when
your production is at peak, and when your brain needs a break. It’s a
culmination of excellent features, and innovation for a superior product. Now
let’s see how they sound.
Nat King Cole: L-O-V-E: cymbals were extremely crisp and
clean with excellent resolution, piano sounded really natural with excellent
tone of the settings. Violins were so smooth with excellent resolution of the
bow across the strings. Bass was extremely deep, really smooth, and also had
excellent resolution of the plucking and decay of the strings. Vocals were
smoother than honey with excellent resolution of the texture of the timbre.
Trumpet was really dynamic with excellent harmonics. Soundstage was both really
wide and deep, with excellent imaging.
Tiesto & Sevenn: Boom: there were multiple bass types. Some were not as deep but still hit really hard, really tight, and clean. Other beats were deeper, also really tight with a lot of authority. And some were so deep, but so hard like a sledgehammer, yet so clean doing so.
To test the Bluetooth performance, we subject them to a torture
test. It’s designed to go above and beyond the specs, to test what they are capable
of. Connected to my smartphone in my basement, I walk around the basement, up
to the 1st floor, and then up to the 2nd floor, testing
how well it performs not only for distance, but thru walls and floors. And then
with my phone on my front porch, I walk out 200 feet. For the JBL Tune 770NC, basement, 1st
floor, and 2nd floor were all glitch free, and same outside to 200ft. For the Onanoff Fokus+, basement, 1st
floor, and 2nd floor was excellent. And outside just a small glitch
at 150ft and none at 200ft. With the
Shure Aonic 50, basement, 1st floor, and 2nd floor was
excellent glitch free. Outside had a
small glitch at 150ft, and none at 200ft. The Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 was
glitch free in basement, 1st floor, and 2nd floor, with a
few small glitches at 150ft and 200ft but useable at 200ft. Lastly for the
Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro, it was a little glitchy in the basement and 1st
floor but usable, 2nd floor was too glitchy to be usable. And
outside it was just a little glitchy at 150ft but none at 200ft so usable.
For Active Noise Cancellation, all except the Onanoff Fokus+
used an app to control the ANC and it worked very well. It was also really nice having Ambient Mode,
so you can hear what was going on around you.
The JBL Tune 770NC removed around 85% of the noise. Onanoff Fokus+ removed around 90% of
noise. The Shure Aonic 50 managed around
95%. Beyerdynamic’s Aventho 300 got
around 90% of noise removed. Last but
not lase, Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro removed around 95% of the noise.
For the Neuro feature, the Neurable app was very easy to use. It walks you thru setting up an account, then gets you started with Focus Sessions. During each session, the app tracks how long the session has been going on. And it also tracks your focus level. Focus levels are low, medium, and high. It will play background music to help maintain your focus. And if you have been going too long, the app will send you a break notification, to tell you to take a break, to help maintain your focus level. At 1st I thought it may be a bit gimmicky. But then I realized I was in the zone, and getting some good writing done. I checked my focus level and it was high. But when I stopped to check my focus level, it had dipped to low. Ok, so there actually does appear to be something to this. And with the break notifications to tell you when you need a break to maintain your focus, and being able to track previous focus sessions....they can actually help keep you at the top of your game.
I was impressed with the sound quality at the various price
points. For the JBL Tune 770NC, you can see they cut corners on build quality
using mostly plastic, yet it was still sufficient and put the money where it
was needed most in the sound quality, and still managed to provide ANC and an
app. The sound signature was just a hair
on the warm side, with excellent resolution for its price point! For the Onanoff Fokus+ the sound signature
was just a little on the warm side, with slightly reduced resolution compared
to the JBL, and no app. But you do get slightly better build quality with some
metal used, and a charging stand which is perfect for those who use them for
work at an office desk. For the Shure Aonic 50 Gen2 you get a neutral sound
signature, much better build quality that it typical for a flagship
product. And as expected from Shure you
get excellent sound quality as well as high bass output. With the Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 you also
get a neutral sound signature, as expected with their legacy of professional
monitors. Bass output was not quite as high
as the Shure, but the resolution was just a hair better. Build quality was also
very good as it should be for a flagship product. Last
but not least for the Master & Dynamic you get even better build quality as
it is built like a tank with mostly aluminum. Sound signature is also neutral,
with bass output a bit more that the Beyerdynamic, yet with similar
resolution. And for those that use their
headphones for double duty: work calls and music, the neural app can help with
your productivity.
This year’s contestants proved to all be excellent performers. The lowest priced model JBL Tune 770NC sacrificed a little in build quality, but sound quality was what would be expected at twice it’s price. The Onanoff Fokus+ provided almost as good of sound quality with extra versatility of working great for work and music. And the Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 and Beyerdynamic Aventho 300 both provided sound quality similar to a studio monitor in a wireless product, with the Master & Dynamic improving just a hair with built like a tank construction. And the Neuro app can also help your productivity. Depending on what you are looking for, all 5 are excellent products. Based on their design, features, quality, and performance, the Onanoff Fokus+ has earned our Value Award, JBL Tune 770NC our Highly Recommended Award, and Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2, Beyerdynamic Aventho 300, and Master & Dynamic MW75 Neuro our Editor’s Choice Award. For more info and complete specs, check out their websites at www.beyerdynamic.com, www.jbl.com. www.onanoff.com, www.masterdynamic.com, and www.shure.com.
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