Heena Sharma Blog

  TCL on Monday announced its expansion into the audio category segment with the launch of a range of audio products including wired and wireless earphones and headphones. The company launched wired in-ear headphones - SOCL100, SOCL200, SOCL300, ACTV100, premium wired over-the-ear Headphones - MTRO200, ELIT400NC and high-energy wireless neckband style in-ear headphones - SOCL200BT, ACTV100BT, ELIT200NC. According to the company, the entire range of products have a host of features at competitive prices across segments without compromising on their smart capabilities. "TCL products are known to be versatile when it comes to innovation and design. Keeping in mind the same strategy, we have approached the audio category and announced a range of products in the audio segment to meet the growing needs of the young Indian consumer," Sunil Verma, Country Manager of India Subcontinent at TCL Mobile said in a statement. Read More

  Wireless headphones market is abuzz with new products from both traditional audio accessory makers and otherwise. Among other features, noise cancelling is something that the brands are betting big on in their 2021 line-up. Fresh entrant in the active noise cancelling wireless headphones segment is the Skullcandy Hesh ANC . Priced at Rs 10,999, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC seems to be an interesting proposition in the budget headphones segment with ANC capability. Is it? Let’s find out: Design and build quality Skullcandy Hesh ANC Made mostly of plastic, the Skullcandy Hesh ANC looks neither premium nor cheap but decent. It has a sturdy built with lightweight (228g) collapsible design, which makes it easy to carry and use. The headphones come with a carry bag, which adds a layer of protection against dust and scratches besides making it easy to store. Coming back to the headphones, the Hesh ANC has a matte finish for premium look and feel-good touch. The headphones’ ear-cups h...

  In 2018, Japanese electronics maker Sony launched the WH-1000XM3 wireless headphones that became audiophiles’ favourite for their mature sound signature and industry leading active noise cancellation capability. Now, the company has refreshed the headphones with minor but meaningful upgrades. Named WH-1000XM4 , the wireless headphones are identical to the predecessor but gain better microphones for quality conversation over voice calls, and the ability to connect with two devices simultaneously. Do these upgrades add any utility to the already capable headphones? Let’s find out: Design Sony WH-1000XM4 review The Sony WH-1000XM4 looks similar to the WH-1000XM3; its design is minimal and the headphones have matte texture all around for a premium profile. The headphones are lightweight, sturdy and comfortable to use. Its ear cups feature Sony branding in bronze finish, which is appealing and attracts attention. Read More

On paper, the PLAYGO BH70 is capable of going toe-to-toe with the best-in-class. But even though it tries really hard to pack everything useful in a pair of headphones — and I appreciate the sincere effort — it falls short on some things that an able pair of ears just can’t miss. In the following paragraphs, allow me to explain why you should or shouldn’t buy these headphones, and what you should consider buying instead. This will be especially useful to people who don’t wish to spend more than Rs 15,000 on a pair of all-purpose headphones, ever. The construction At a time when most gadgets have embraced the beauty of vibrant colours, the PLAYGO BH70 comes in two dull, unimaginative SKUs: Graphite Grey and Medallion Brown. At least a bright silver option would have been nice. For a brand called Play, it’s no fun at all. Read More

Most high-end headphones these days look good, sound as they should, and possibly carry a new feature or two to catch audiophiles’ attention. Skullcandy 's Crusher ANC has all these and a little more — its bass-specific tuning sets it apart from others in the high-end headphones space. When we say high-end, it means, among other things, a hefty price tag. Sure, at Rs 24,999, the Crusher ANC is no cheap top. Is that a deal to go for? Let's find out. The most common challenge that high-end headphones face is that there are just a few players and each, with its own appeal, is vying for the attention of a small set of discerning buyers. The Crusher ANC’s appeal lies in its noise cancellation and its unique and impressive sensory bass feature. Additionally, there is an in-built Tile Bluetooth tracker to help you locate the headphones using the Tile app on your smartphone. Design Skullcandy follows the conventional design for its over-the-ear headphones; they are collaps...

Blaupunkt’s BH-21 EQZ Bluetooth Headphone set is the most comfortable mid-range headphone I have used in a while and also comes with some great sound quality. Priced at Rs 2,999, the headphones have a simple and minimal design. The right ear cup has buttons for media playback, volume and calls, and a dedicated button for Equalizer Mode that enhances the bass. You can easily choose between Blaupunkt Music and Turbo Boost Modes using this button. Blaupunkt BH-21 EQZ Bluetooth Headphone The headphones sport 40mm aperture drivers that deliver powerful sound output. The headphones don’t take too much time to charge and with a 500mAh battery, can easily function for about 24 hours at a stretch. There is a 3.5-mm jack just in case you run out of battery. BH-21 features Bluetooth 5.0, which enables it to be quickly connected to a phone or tablet. The BH-21 EQZ has soft cushions on both earpads, and is lightweight and so comfortable that I could easily use it for over two hours wi...

Sony’s WH-XB900N is not for the faint-hearted. Expect shockwaves the first time you put them on, especially if you are not careful with the content you play. Start with something mellow like Feeling Good by Nina Simone and experience the trumpet surrounding her powerful vocals before you move to AC/DC. Unless, of course, you plan to be thunderstruck. Millennials, try Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy or Old Town Road by Lil Nas X and you’ll know what I am talking about. It’s the best bass from Sony’s line-up, and arguably the meanest, bass-first over-ear headphones in the market. Design (4/5) If I hadn’t been tried the likes of Bose QuietComfort 35 and Sony WH-1000XM3 (Mark 3), the WH-XB900N would have been my top pick in design and comfort. The oval earcups surround the ears comfortably, leaving enough space for the sound to resonate. The result is a great sounding pair that causes less ear fatigue even when you crank up the volume to over 70 per cent. The Mark 3, however, leaves a l...