Whereas 1More is most identified for creating a few of the greatest low cost wi-fi earbuds, they’ve additionally put out wi-fi headphones up to now. Properly, only one (the Hello-Res Triple Driver Over-Ear Headphones (opens in new tab)), however their assortment is increasing, beginning with the all-new SonoFlow.
1More SonoFlow: Specs
Value: $99
Colours: Black
Battery life (rated): 50 hours (ANC on); 70 hours (ANC off)
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
Water resistance: None
Measurement: 6.6 x 7.5 x 3.2 inches
Weight: 8.8 ounces
These are the corporate’s first-ever noise cancelling headphones and so they come loaded with premium specs. We’re speaking energetic noise cancellation (ANC), Hello-Res Audio certification, LDAC codec assist, multipoint connectivity, and as much as 70 hours of playtime. The one factor extra engaging is the value: $99.
An MSRP this low does current compromises; 1More’s newest creation has its fair proportion. Nevertheless, the SonoFlow’s general efficiency is simple, making it one of many greatest low cost noise-cancelling headphones on the market.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Availability and value
The SonoFlow sells for $99, however 1More has a launch promotion the place you should purchase it for $79 on their web site or Amazon (code: SONOFLOW20). Darkish gray is the one shade accessible. Within the field are a carrying case, USB-C charging cable, and three.5mm aux cable.
These headphones are priced equally to the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 ($79), which is ranked No.1 on our greatest low cost noise-cancelling headphones checklist. They will also be had for a fraction of what present class leaders run for, together with the Bose 700 ($379), Sennheiser Momentum 4 ($399), and Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399).
Remember to bookmark our headphone offers web page for the most recent gross sales.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Design and luxury
The SonoFlow is a correct illustration of 1More’s design pedigree: minimalist, smooth, and of first rate high quality. I like the darkish gray colorway with matte end, in addition to distinctive particulars just like the debossed emblem atop the scarf and a number of microphone openings on the earcups, which give these cans a extra putting presence.
Development is strong– the headphones are composed of aluminum, leather-based, and exhausting plastic. They don’t really feel as flimsy as most different sub-$100 wi-fi headphones, nor are they extremely sturdy, however they’ll survive falls to the bottom. You’ll simply need to reside with some scuffs on the polished exterior.
Despite the fact that the carry case isn’t a lot to brag about, it’s higher than what comes bundled with some high-end headphones (don’t get me began on the WH-1000XM5’s cardboard case). Onerous woven cloth makes up its total composition. The inside has a small mesh pocket for storing equipment and cutouts to correctly insert the headphones.
At 8.8 ounces, this is without doubt one of the lighter noise-cancellers on the market. They’re very comfy for lengthy stretches. I examined these headphones for a number of hours day by day and skilled very minor fatigue. The protein leather-based does warmth up after 3-hour stretches, however the sensation isn’t bothersome.
Match can also be dependable. The extenders have over 10 settings to accommodate listeners with totally different head sizes.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Controls and digital assistant
Bodily buttons make up the SonoFlow’s management scheme. They mix into the design nicely and produce a pleasant click on sound that ensures capabilities are being executed. If solely their format was consumer pleasant.
All of the buttons are unfold out on the best earcup. The multi-functional energy button within the entrance permits play/pause, reply/finish name, or the digital assistant. Sitting within the rear are the NC button for activating the totally different listening modes and quantity buttons that additionally ahead/backward a observe. It takes time remembering the command checklist and placement of every button.
There are not any contact controls or put on detection, so there is no such thing as a auto-pause when taking off the headphones. Neither omission is a deal-breaker contemplating the value level.
Google Assistant, Siri, and Bixby are all appropriate and work extraordinarily nicely. The SonoFlow has an intelligible mic array that picks up phrases and voice instructions exactly. I believed Google Assistant demonstrated essentially the most dexterity, pulling up my favourite web sites and particularly requested Spotify playlists.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Audio high quality
Audio hits otherwise on each 1More product. The flagship Evo earbuds had a pointy and expressive soundstage, whereas the budget-favorite PistonBuds Professional gave you loud, detailed sound. For the corporate’s newest over-ear headphones, the engineers put in a 40mm dynamic driver with DLC (diamond-like-carbon) composite diaphragm and tender TPU movie that they declare produces “rhythmic bass, heat mids, and crisp highs.” I wouldn’t precisely describe it as that, however the general sound is boom-filled and fascinating.
The SonoFlow’s sound profile leans extra towards the low finish. On the identical time, you get some mids and highs thrown into the combo. On rock classics like Queen’s “Don’t Cease Me Now,” the snare drums are impactful and the guitar riff on the bridge soars. Even the occasional tambourine is given some shine and has some ting to it.
Transferring onto extra bouncy tracks, the bass-drum thumps on 50 Cent’s “Outta Management” had me head nodding emphatically with a screw face. The low-end replica was strong, and the skidding strings sounded vivid and clear.
1More boasts about having 12 “studio-grade” EQ presets. That’s debatable. What I’ll say is that they’re well-engineered for his or her functions. Acoustic introduced extra definition to every strum on the guitar pushed “Over The Hills And Far Away” by Led Zeppelin. Bass Increase had the monstrous bassline on Future’s “Masks Off” shaking the earcups, with out creating any distortion. Podcast was additionally nice for emphasizing vocals.
AAC, SBC, and LDAC are the supported audio codecs – the latter offering hi-res audio at the next bitrate. LDAC does enhance connection high quality and allows you to hear particulars clearer, however you’ll have to stream music from a lossless streaming service (e.g., Tidal, Qobuz) on a appropriate machine to get essentially the most out of the characteristic.
Listening in ANC mode boosts the bass too excessive, giving drums and synths a bloaty presence. Frequencies are higher balanced when ANC is off.
Chorus from utilizing the aux cable as nicely; the low finish is so extreme which you could barely hear mids and highs.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Energetic noise cancellation
1More’s observe file with noise cancellation has been hit and miss on their wi-fi earbuds. Mood your expectations as a result of the SonoFlow isn’t going to match what the Bose 700 or Sennheiser Momentum 4 delivers. It isn’t going to outperform mid-range gems just like the Cleer Enduro ANC both. That doesn’t imply you gained’t get some sufficient ANC out of those cans.
The corporate’s patented QuietMax ANC does a nice job neutralizing low-frequency sounds. All I heard was silence when strolling previous the AC condensers on the aspect of the home. Tumbling noises from my washer and dryer had been inaudible. The identical went for buzzing sounds produced by oscillating followers.
Mid-range noises had been blocked out 50 % of the time. For each canine bark that went unnoticed, a pedestrian on their iPhone could possibly be heard, granted the impact was muffled. Excessive frequency sounds had been fully unavoidable. My toddler’s screams got here by way of loudly, together with sirens and whistles.
Cross-through is without doubt one of the weaker transparency modes I’ve examined. It’s nice for listening to some noises up shut, however the mics barely picked up something from afar. A terrific model of this characteristic would permit me to listen to automobiles coming from up the block or truck horns from three blocks away. Not with these headphones. Extra disappointing was the vocal seize. Not having the ability to hear and talk with my spouse from a number of ft away didn’t sit nicely with me.
1More SonoFlow assessment: App and particular options
The 1More Music app is what all prolonged performance operates by way of. You get a small number of options to play with, most of which I’ve already mentioned, together with ANC/Cross-Via, Equalizer, and LDAC. What else is there?
Soothing Sounds returns, which is 1More’s model of soundscape mode, and I’ve misplaced all hope for it. The corporate hasn’t mounted the connectivity bugs, and the identical drawback that’s existed because it was launched has but to be addressed: it restarts each 10 seconds as an alternative of working on a steady loop. What a disgrace, particularly for the reason that 16 nature-based profiles sound near the actual factor.
Sensible Burn-In is the opposite characteristic accessible that supposedly breaks within the headphones by enjoying static noise for a number of hours in hopes in bettering audio high quality. Some individuals consider this method works, others don’t. Simply know that it’s there within the case you’re curious to check it.
There’s a cool wi-fi characteristic you’ll be able to allow within the Experimental Options setting (extra on that later). 1More removed the pop-up window setting that displayed battery life in an overlay. I discovered this odd because it has been featured in almost each launch they’ve put out. Rounding out the app are a battery degree indicator, fast information, and firmware updates.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Battery life
At 70 hours per cost (50 hours with ANC on), the SonoFlow presently stands as the perfect headphones for battery life. Keep in mind that sure components lower playtimes by a number of hours, particularly LDAC, which knocks off about 5 hours regardless of how you employ the headphones.
Nonetheless, that is way more ample than what premium fashions just like the Bose 700 (20 hours) or Sony WH-1000XM5 (30 to 40 hours) get you. I’ve been utilizing the SonoFlow with ANC on for over per week (4 hours day by day) and nonetheless have round 20 hours left within the tank.
Fast charging is simply as highly effective, netting you 5 hours of playtime on a 5-minute cost. That’s quicker than the dearer Sennheiser Momentum 4 (4 hours = 5 minutes). Bravo, 1More.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Name high quality and connectivity
One phrase can describe the SonoFlow’s name high quality: spectacular. Any calls taken indoors or open air had been met with optimistic suggestions. 1More’s environmental noise cancelling mic extracts vocals loudly and clearly. ANC wasn’t as robust in name mode and allowed noises like residence home equipment, motorbike engines, and wind to enter conversations. Fortunately, they weren’t too distracting, and the mics stored my voice outstanding when chatting in rowdy settings.
Bluetooth 5.0 with multipoint know-how offers the SonoFlow reliable connectivity. With the ability to pair to 2 gadgets concurrently is at all times candy, particularly for enterprise customers seeking to swap seamlessly between their new iPhone 14 and laptop computer. Acknowledged gadgets are immediately linked when powering on the headphones. Vary additionally extends as much as 70 ft earlier than stuttering.
The one factor lacking is one-tap Google Quick Pair.
1More SonoFlow assessment: Verdict
The SonoFlow is an unbeatable deal, particularly if snagged throughout its 30-day launch interval ($79 is simply too good to cross up). It’s backed by efficient ANC, robust sound with LDAC assist, versatile options (e.g., Bluetooth multipoint, Equalizer), and as much as 70 hours of playtime. Any flaws it carries are forgivable for the value. Merely put, you’d be hard-pressed to seek out wi-fi headphones with this quantity of performance for underneath $100.
