Phiaton PS 20 NC

Phiaton's PS 20 NC headphones can withstand multiple drops and offer a slew of bells and whistles

Phiaton PS 20 NC($149, phiaton.com)

Traveling with our smartphones, mp3 players and tablets has made life so much more enjoyable. Those devices bring a host of entertainment options in compact packages, allowing us to listen to music, watch movies and television shows, play games, chat with friends and a whole lot more. But to truly enjoy all of those features you really need a good pair of headphones or earbuds. The problem is, headphones can be large and bulky, taking up excess room in your pack and earbuds generally don’t provide enough noise isolation to allow us to listen comfortably while on a plane or in a busy airport. Enter the PS 20 NC earphones from Phiaton. These earbuds ...

Most in-ear headphones offer pretty good passive noise isolation with just their silicone or foam tips. But sometimes, when you need to block out an even greater amount of ambient noise, you're going to want to invest in active noise cancellation. The PS 20 NC  in-ear headphones with activ

Mention noise-cancelling headphones and most people think of large, over-ear models like the Bose QC15. Comfy as those big cans can be, they’re waaaay too big to slip into a pocket or purse. But not all noise-cancelling headphones come in cases sized like jumbo donuts at the State Fair. In fact, a few manufacturers have added noise-cancelling technology to their in-ear monitors (IEMs), using a little “lump in the line” to house the needed electronics.One might fairly ask, though: Do IEMs really need noise cancelling? After all, when used with tips that fit your ears properly, IEMs completely seal off your ear canals. However, IEMs do most of their noise-blocking at frequencies above 1 kHz. Below that, they’re not so effective at keeping the noise out.

If you're looking for a replacement for your earbuds or Apple EarPods, the Phiaton NC 20 NC noise canceling earphones are well worth a look. David Winograd took them for a spin and came back impressed in his in-depth review.

First, let me preface this with a disclaimer: I love reviewing headphones and Bluetooth accessories for Android devices.  Were I not in this position, I would have no idea just how good (or bad) some of these products are that I pass in retail stores or see online.  I'm amazed at all of the high quality stuff that comes through the office, and really get a tickle out of discovering new brands.  Such is the case with Phiaton and their earphones.  I recently reviewed a pair of their Bluetooth headphones that I really enjoyed and would definitely recommend them to anyone looking to cut a cord.  That said, here's a review for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones from the same company You know that feeling of when your ears pop from an airplane and all of a sudden there's a rushing of sound and everything else in the background just disappears?  That's the best way I can describe the noise cancellation of the Phiaton PS 20 NC headphones.  It's amazing stuff and something that might even take a little getting used to as it feels strange the first few times.  It doesn't hurt or do anything to your ear when it happens, but it simply isolates you from the world. Phiaton's "Half In Ear" design is quite comfortable and feels great , I suspect, to even those who don't like to put things in their ears.  As something that sits just inside the ear, the earphones are a quality build with a sound that rivals anything else I've tested.   Thus far, everything I have seen out of the Korean manufacturer has been stylish, comfortable, and of high performance. The PS 20 NC comes with four sizes of tips for your ears (XS, S, M, L) and fit just about anyone's ear.  Like the Bluetooth brethren I reviewed, the tips are soft, pliable silicon and feel ultra-comfortable. Also like their wireless counterpart, they come with a closeable (magnet) suede carrying case for travel and are available in black or white. I tested the PS 20 NC earphones like I do for most headphones, on my phone, computer, and with my handsets.  Yes, I gave them the old lawn-mowing litmus as well.  Overall, these performed more than admirably and have a very balanced sound.  Highs are nice and crisp and the bass was deep on hip hop, electronic,  and dubstep tracks.  Voice sounds wonderful here and podcasts really shine on Phiaton headphones/earphones.  Think of the way you want music or audio to sound in a room with optimal spacing and layout and that's how these performed. It's worth noting that you do not need to enable the noise cancellation and that it actually employs the use of a AAA battery.  Depending on your environment, it's just fine to leave that feature off.  For what it's worth, in the month or so that I have used these earphones, I have yet to run low on juice. The same part of the earphones that house the battery also features a clip so that you can fasten to your shirt or sleeve.  There's plenty of length here and I actually found it better to clip to the underside of a t-shirt when walking or doing moderate activities. Specs and Details High quality dynamic speakers Frequency range: 15 Hz ~ 22,000 Hz Impedance: 26 Ohm THD: Less than 1% at 1 kHz Sensitivity: 101dB at 1 kHz Maximum input power: 30 mW Weight: 1.15 oz / 32.5 g (with battery) Cord Length: 1.5 m What is in the box? PS 20 NC Earphones 4 sizes of silicon ear tips (XS, S, M, L) Carrying case 1 AAA Battery Airplane Adaptor Owner’s Guide(Including 1-year warranty) Product Registration What we liked The "half in ear" design is very comfortable and works across every ear size. Very balanced sound with clear highs and rich bass. Stylish look and excellent build quality What could be improved The cord is almost too long and could afford to spare 6" or so We'd love to see a ribbon-like cord to help with tangles Where to buy? Phiaton sells them through a number of online retail partners, listing them with a suggested $129.99 price tag.

The Phiaton PS 20 is yet another impressive entry from the upmarket audio firm, retaining the overall sound quality of the pricier PS 210 but heading in a more mainstream direction with the signature.