The OneOdio Focus A5 headphones offer a compelling proposition for budget-conscious consumers seeking a high-quality listening experience with active noise cancellation. This review delves into the performance, comfort, and overall value of these surprisingly affordable headphones. We'll explore their sound signature, assessing the balance across frequencies and the impact of the LDAC codec support. The effectiveness of the active noise cancellation (ANC) will be tested in various real-world scenarios, along with an evaluation of call quality and battery life.Our comprehensive analysis will examine the build quality and comfort of the OneOdio Focus A5, considering factors like earcup design and headband adjustability for extended wear. Finally, we'll weigh the strengths and weaknesses against the remarkably low price point, determining whether these headphones truly punch above their weight and represent exceptional value in the competitive budget ANC headphone market. Ultimately, we aim to provide a clear and concise assessment of whether the OneOdio Focus A5 lives up to the hype.
Pros And Cons
- Excellent sound quality with warmth, especially in mids and lows
- High-res audio certification and LDAC support
- Good clarity throughout the sound range
- Very soft and comfortable earcups
- Simple and robust design with a strong plastic build and metal joining rods
- Long battery life (up to 75 hours with ANC off, around 40 hours with ANC on)
- Excellent active noise cancellation (ANC) with multiple modes (indoor, outdoor, commuting)
- Affordable price (£58)
- Highs might lack clarity
- Battery life lower than advertised with ANC on
- No carrying case included
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Unboxing and First Impressions
The OneOdio Focus A5 headphones arrived, neatly packaged. Initial impressions were positive; the sleek black and gold design is aesthetically pleasing. The headphones felt surprisingly lightweight and comfortable.
The build quality appeared robust, with a smooth, shiny plastic finish. Physical buttons are present, a welcome touch for ease of use. The initial power-on and noise-cancellation test were promising, hinting at a high-quality listening experience.
Sound Quality and Performance
The OneOdio A5s delivered a warm, balanced sound signature. The mids and lows are particularly well-represented, with a noticeable emphasis on bass. While the highs might lack some clarity compared to high-end headphones, this is not a major drawback.
The headphones possess high-resolution audio certification and support LDAC codec, enhancing the overall quality. Pairing with an LDAC-compatible device dramatically improves audio performance. Overall, the sound profile is quite enjoyable and suitable for many genres of music.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
The OneOdio Focus A5 boasts impressive active noise cancellation, capable of reducing ambient noise by up to 45dB. It offers different ANC modes (indoor, outdoor, commuting) presumably adjusting the cancellation levels to suit different environments.
Testing in various scenarios – from a noisy brook to a house renovation project using power tools – the ANC proved exceptionally effective at minimizing distracting background sounds. The call quality during testing was also satisfactory.
Build Quality, Comfort, and Battery Life
The headphones feature a robust plastic build reinforced by metal joints at the headband connection. The earcups are comfortable, providing a good seal. The soft earcups ensured prolonged comfort during extended listening sessions.
Battery life is remarkable. While the stated 75 hours (ANC off) might be under ideal conditions, I experienced around 40 hours with ANC enabled and mid-volume playback – still very impressive.
Conclusion and Value
The OneOdio Focus A5 headphones punch well above their weight, particularly considering the incredibly low price point (around £58). While not offering top-tier sound or ANC compared to far more expensive options, the balance between sound quality, comfort, battery life and noise cancellation is exceptional for the price.
These headphones represent exceptional value. The combination of good sound, comfortable design, effective ANC, and a remarkably low price makes the OneOdio Focus A5 a strong contender in the budget headphone market. It is arguably one of the best value active noise-canceling headphones currently available.