Okay Geek Farm
t3ch Review - Able Planet EXTREME Noise Canceling Headphones
Ricardo Trejo
Your headphones say a lot about you; like whether or not you like music, or love it. And for the most part, whenever you step out the door wearing over-the-ear headphones most people assume that you love music. And that’s because they can see that you not only care about getting the best sound quality, but you also care about how you look too. Able Planet’s EXTREME Headphones line is both practical and stylish.
Product: Able Planet EXTREME Noise Canceling Headphones
What it says it does: Ideal for the traveler, student or music lover. With over 25 International CES and CTIA awards, the sound quality will delight even the most discernable ear.
My Experience
The first thing I noticed when picking up the EXTREME headphones for the first time was seeing just how portable they are. Fold them in half, side ways, rotate the ear cuffs, whatever works for you to get them from place to place seems to be the design for this particular headset, and that’s not a bad thing! In fact when putting them on for the first time I realized not just how comfortable they were on your head, but when they were simply resting on my neck, I could rotate the ear cuffs upwards so they didn’t get in my way.
I always have a hard time finding a set of cans that don’t put too much strain on my head, and for the first time ever I’ve found a pair that are the perfect match for my noggin’. Not only that but the level of comfort is unmatched in anything else I’ve ever worn - Sony’s, Monster’s Beats, you name it. The simplicity of it might’ve won me over. While the plastic does appear to look cheap, the two vinyl pads that rest on your head, as well as the vinyl ear cuffs don’t bear too tightly, make the experience of wearing headphones feel like you’re lying down on a leather easy chair. Well, at least that’s what I got out of it. In other words, while they don’t look like much from the outside, once put on they are a dream to wear.
The included 3.5mm removable plug cable has a very nice length to it; measuring out to 5 feet, ensuring they won’t snag. The cable also features an in-line volume control, however, I do wish it had a built in mic and answering button on it for mobile faceted convenience. To note, Able Planet does make a separate microphone accessory for their headphones at $40, but taking a quick look at it on their online store made me wonder why the feature just wasn’t built in in the first place.
Now onto the meat of this review; how do they perform? The EXTREME’s are interesting in the sense that the noise canceling feature that is advertised can be turned on and off. When the feature is toggled off music seems to be muffled. No matter how loud you get them via the volume control on the in-line cable or on your music device, it will always feel like there’s some sort of layer separating you from your tunes. But once you turn on noise canceling the headphones come alive. However, for it to work you need to fit in one AAA battery into the right ear of the set. It’s strange that it needs to be powered by an outside source, but at least the battery is included in the box. Battery life is anywhere between 25 to 30 hours, depending on extended use.
As for the sound quality, when noise canceling is turned on it works in name - someone could be screaming directly in front of you and all you’d notice is their lips flapping. However, it just sounds like added volume, nothing too fancy, and so because of that there isn’t perfect clarity between noise and music.
As entry level headphones they suffice and are above average, but for the Able Planet asking price of $149 I can’t help but feel I’m getting ripped off. I mean, if you’re going to spend 100+ bones on headphones then I assume you are looking for something that’ll knock your socks off and with a better quality build.
Along with the headset and audio plug comes a carrying pouch, a 1/4” home stereo adapter, a 2 prong airline adapter, and a single AAA battery. The EXTREME’s come in 4 colors; green, pink, red, and white (black coming soon).
T3chh3lp Says
Pro’s: portable and comfortable, above average headphones
Con’s: noise canceling just seems to be volume, noise canceling requires battery power, plastic build
Price: $89 - 149.99
Where to get it: Newegg, Able Planet
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