Audeara A-01 Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones Review

Final Thoughts

How Much Does it Cost?

Price at £299.59, the Audeara A-01 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones with Built-in HEaring Test and Active Noise Cancelling do not come cheap. However, when it comes to high-end headphones, they’re a bit of a bargain. you can go out and drop £300 on premium headphones from most of the big names out there and get phenomenal audio. Of course, I’m not talking about Beats here. Even at £300, you’re only just getting into the “audiophile” price ranges here. You get fantastic wireless headphones, lots of features, and a small bundle of included extras. Are they cheap? No, but are they fairly priced for what they are? Most definitely.

Overview

Overall, I’ve tested 100’s of headsets and headphones over the years. From Hi-Res audio to object-based audio formats, there’s not much out there I haven’t had a tinker with at some point. However, I’ve never heard anything quite like these before. The hearing test is a bit of a gimmick, but it’s one that really works. Never use the app, and you’ll still love what the headphones have to offer, they’re pure class. However, you’re missing out on another dimension of sound quality if you don’t try it even once. Heck, you may even learn something about your own hearing in the process.

Performance

They may be a new name to me, but Audeara, they clearly know a thing or two about audio. Out of the box, the headset has a pretty flat almost studio monitor like EQ. It’s very accurate sounding, providing lots of bass and clear highs, and sounds pretty superb. Even running my own EQ either on an amp or through mobile device audio settings, I can drive up a lot more or less bass, and they sound pretty fantastic. However, if you’re in a rush, you can run a fast 10-tone hearing test for a more sculpted EQ sound. However, take 15 minutes to run the full test, and the end result is profoundly different. I’ve never heard anything quite like it, so can’t really give comparisons.

Build Quality

The headphones look fairly understated and are certainly not as flashy as many others in this price range. There’s no big chrome logos, no overdesigned leather stitching, no weaved cables, not even gold-plated connectors. However, everything is still build to a fantastic standard. The materials are mostly finished with a matte look and very little reflective finishes. It gives them a mature and professional look and feel that I think is superb.

Added Value

The 35-hour battery life claim is a big one. However, with over 40 hours use out of them, I still don’t see a low battery warning. However, the 35 hours is with ANC enabled, and apparently, they’re good for over 60 HOURS! with it turned off. Staggering battery life for any set of headphones I think you’ll agree. Powerful ANC, a protective carry case, a few extra cables and adaptors, and a unique hearing test feature put the A-01 ahead of the competition. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to bring the details back to their favourite music.