MacDirectory magazine is the premiere creative lifestyle magazine for Apple enthusiasts featuring interviews, in-depth tech reviews, Apple news, insights, latest Apple patents, apps, market analysis, entertainment and more.
Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1500862
Four years ago (has it been four years?), I reviewed the Edifier W860NB Bluetooth Active Noise Canceling headphone. I liked those headphones but had some reservations I’ll get into later in the review. Four years later, Edifier has released the new WH950NB headphone—and boy, did they learn some things! What is it? The Edifier WH950NB headphone is a successor to the W860NB model. It features many improvements while only increasing the price by 10 bucks. They are still made of high-quality plastic with a metal headband frame. Ear cups are a quite soft protein (fake) leather that helps seal out ambient noise. Color choices are only black or white (this review). The headphone is all white (more an eggshell color than bright white) with gold accents. This color appears softer than my preferred black version, but it photographs much better for reviewing. Buttons are reduced to just two—one is a toggle that performs many functions. The case is now a hard canvas that feels more premium than the previous case. The WH950NB headphone folds into a more compact shape for transporting. There are only 3 accessories: USB A to USB-C cord, a mini audio jack cord, and an airline headphone adapter which seems a bit retro today. Hardware Specs • Bluetooth: 5.3 • 40mm dynamic driver • Codecs: LdaC, sBC • Playtime: 34 hours (anC On), 55 hours (anC Off ) • UsB-C charging • dimension: 193 x 169 x 82mm (L x W x h) • Weight: .65 lbs Design and features Using the Edifier WH950NB headphone brings back memories of what I liked about the W860NB headphone. It also brings out the many improvements Edifier has made. They still feel a bit like the Bose QuietComfort phones, but the design has been improved with subtle copper accents on the black model and a more noticeable gold for the white model. They’re still mostly plastic which reduces weight and they also feel just as premium. One big improvement is that the WH950NB headphone now folds. As a result, the case is more compact. It’s also canvas-covered hard shell, rather than the cheaper-feeling faux leather case of the W860NB. Packing the case into a backpack or messenger bag is now much easier.