Along with almost threadbare futuristic shapes more and more computer accessories are getting released now in retro-styled shapes. This may be some special design in oldish style or the use of unusually striking natural materials. Today we will get acquainted with just this case exemplified by SVEN HP 50 WD Headphones and SVEN HM 50 WD Headset. What makes difference with them is wooden decoration of ear-cups.
Design and Ergonomics
In this article we will review SVEN-made headphones and headset at one. Differences between them are minimal and only consist in the headset microphone fitted to its cord and a corresponding jack. So all that will be said here shall refer to both devices.
Ear-cups are made from MDF material, which means to say almost from wood. Solid ear-cups design forms closed acoustic enclosure. Head harness set by way of metal headbands is widely adjustable.
The element in between the headphones’ ear-cups and embouchures is made from chrome-decorated plastic, just as chrome-plated metallic headbands of harness adjustment mechanism. This is an interesting and rather «timeless» dash.
The embouchures are soft and covered with black fabricated leather. The headphones are of supra-oral type, which means that the embouchures are pressed to the auricles without embracing them. The pressing force is moderate, comfortable one.
The headphones and headset come in semitransparent box permitting to make the full idea of the device’s appearance without taking it out of the package. The package includes manuals and warranty card and a list of authorized service centers.
Operation
As both SVEN headphones and headset are analogue ones, they are compatible with virtually all signal sources furnished with 3.5 mm jack for headphones (and headset microphone) connection. 32 Ohm resistance is low enough to provide a decently high power output on mobile units.
The key difference of headset from headphones is microphone with a clip attached to the cord for clipping it, for example, to a shirt’s collar. Headphones have a short cord to avoid the inconvenience of too long a cord and are supplied with additional cord extension to be used in home conditions while headset has a full length cord requiring no extension as it is originally meant for use indoors. By the way, the cord is covered with flexible but apparently very durable fibered sheath for which reason the headset is evidently capable of withstanding a most hard use, for example, in computer clubs. The microphone can be easily switched off with a button on its clip.
The headphones and headset are seated on the head very comfortably mostly because the devices proved to be light enough and the harness wide enough. The embouchures press on ears tolerably enough to have them on for a pretty long time without feeling tired.
The sound performance of the unit is not bad. The stress is made on the mid-bass range: this range is distinct enough to emphasize the percussions in musical compositions. The implemented SVEN E.B.V. (Extra Bass Volume) technology provides softened sounding while the high frequencies yield a smooth slope of response. The headphones perform better with light and not very dense musical genres. Sound screening is average as this type of headphones does not embrace the whole of auricle.
The microphone performance is also practically blameless; its sensitivity is high enough and it conveys your voice clearly. Nevertheless, it should be noted that SVEN HM 50 WD microphone just like all other microphones of this type (placed not at the mouth, but fixed with a clip) «hears» a pretty lot of outward sounds so you’d better use it at home or in other low-noise environment.
Conclusion
Inexpensive but decently stylish SVEN HP 50 WD Headphones and their «twin brother» equipped with microphone, SVEN HM 50 WD Headset, had a fair impression on us. Combination of modern and retro elements in outward appearance and wooden ear-cups of classical shape variegates a lineup of standard plastic computer peripherals while decent sound performance makes the devices fit not only for Skype conferences, but also for music playback. Thanks to simple but comfortable design of the headphones you may have them on for a long time. As for the headset the only thing must be held in mind: because of the microphone design it is not recommended to use it in very noisy places such as computer clubs.