Okay Geek Farm
Incipio Forte f-38 headphones review
Ricardo Trejo
When you think of Incipio the first thing that comes to mind aren’t headphones, right? A respectable case maker for all things iPod, iPhone, or iPad, Incipio has decided to enter the personal audio market by designing and selling their very own pairs of Incipio branded headphones. And wouldn’t you know it, they actually don’t look half bad. Not only that, but for the price it’s hard to find a better looking set of cans.
Features
- 38mm drivers lined and padded with synthetic leather
- Adjustable steel-wire headband
- Single-sided, tangle-free wire
- Packaged w/ carrying case and 1/4” plug adapter
Our Impressions
Packaging is minimal, just the way we like it. Within the plastic box you’ll find, aside from the headphones, only a black Incipio branded carrying case and 1/8” to 1/4” plug adapter.
Off the bat, despite their vintage look, these are lower end consumer headphones that shouldn’t be mistaken for something of much high value in terms of audio quality. In other words, it would be unfair to set the bar high for a product only in the $50 range.
That being said, these puppies sound amazing! I don’t care whether that sounds professional or what not, but the bare fact is that for the pricing you won’t find a better value — especially in view of its 1960’s vintage appearance.
Design and Performance
The headband is lined with a meshed synthetic leather that rests gently atop your head. Size is easily adjustable with the steel wire that allows for a wide range of small to large heads. On the left earcuff you’ll find the single-sided wire which measures two inches shy of 4 feet — a very decent length, and did I mention it’s of the tangle-free variety? And just to note, the Incipio name is found on both sides above each earcuff, but I must admit the branding is tasteful and doesn’t take away from the look of the headphones overall.
The earcuffs are padded with synthetic leather, covering over the 38mm drivers (no doubt the inspiration for its name). The speakers themselves deliver on an ordinary level; meaning you won’t be blown away by the sound quality but you won’t be disappointed in the least. I like to say they’re in the Apple earbuds department, where in which the quality of both these and the Apple branded earbuds aren’t that much different and so it’s more about your choice in style and preference. But why would you go with those dime a dozen white earbuds when you can get a polished product with personality for just a little no more?
One thing that I personally have an issue with headphones in general is the fatigue felt on my temples after prolonged use. This is usually the reason why I stick to earbuds than over-the-head headphones. But in this case, I’m really happy to say that the f-38’s never bothered me one bit. Even after what was something like 3 hours of continued use in a long writing session, I barely even noticed the forte’s — let alone thought they were bearing down on my cranium.
The earcuffs rest quite comfortably around your ears but depending on your head and ears the experience might vary. For this particular reviewer, I had no issues with audio leaking out since the earcuffs were sealed entirely around my tiny ears — again, something that not everyone is fortunate to be blessed with.
Notes
There are a total of 5 different colors available for the f-38’s; Matte black, Neon pink, Bright turquoise, Vintage white, and Espresso (brown-ish).
Overall
Considering that Apple earbuds are sold in stores for just shy of a $30 price tag this just goes to show the value you get for stepping your game up a bit. Throwing $20 extra bucks will nab you an original style when riding on public transport, walking down to your next class, or simply rocking out at your workspace. A tastefully, retro design pair of headphones inspired from the 60’s may just be what you’re looking for, but don’t expect a huge spike in audio quality. Incipio enters the personal audio market with a great product with much to offer.
- Comfortable to wear for long periods of time
- Vintage style is an eye-catcher
- Price is a value for decent audio quality and original appearance
Con’s
- Audio quality is much better than Apple earbuds
Where to buy
Incipio — MSRP: $49.99
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This review was done by Ricardo Trejo, who was given Forte f-38 headphones by Incipio.
