Others by stefan @ 2013-01-24
Antec have come with some interesting new products to the table, from their fresh Antec Mobile Products brand. In this review we will take a look on the “iso” in-ear Bluetooth headphones, which are rechargeable on USB come in two separate color schemes, have active noise canceling technology and the operating time is rated at about 8 hrs.
At first I would like to thank Antec for offering a sample of their Mobile Products series “iso” Headphones for testing and reviewing.
"Antec Mobile Products (a.m.p.) is a global consumer electronics company committed to putting state of the art mobile and audio technology into the hands of every user. As a division of Antec, the world-renown market leader in PC hardware, a.m.p. is committed to bringing Antec’s winning VIP principles of Value, Innovation and Perfection to the mobile world.
Our philosophy
Technology is taking on an increasingly greater role in our lives and changing the relationship between user and device. People are not only demanding products that make their lives easier, but are also seeking devices that let them use, share and interact in new ways. By harnessing new technologies, Antec is changing the way people experience life through their mobile devices.
a.m.p. understands that mobile products are more than just devices, they are extensions of ourselves: our tastes, habits and curiosity. a.m.p. is committed to the concept of fashion technology by providing you with devices that are not only attractive, but reflect your own unique personality."
In-Ear Active Noise Canceling
Innovative Bluetooth Active Noise Canceling system ensures optimal clarity by reducing ambient sound pollution.
Bluetooth HD Technology
Ensures CD quality sound and crystal-clear audio when listening to music, watching movies or playing games.
Built-in Controls
Integrated microphone and audio controls allow you to adjust volume, pause and skip tracks, as well as take calls without ever touching your phone.
Compact Form Factor
Low-profile design easily clips onto your shirt or slides into pockets reducing tangles and mess.
Superior Noise Suppression
Ergonomic ear cushions create a superior seal, isolating ambient noise and providing superior audio detail.
dBs1™
Revolutionary proprietary high-response driver technology delivers ultimate clarity and intelligently enhances bass - giving you that extra BUMP only when you need it.
High Capacity Batteries
Allows up to 8hrs* of continuous music playback.
Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth V3.0+EDR
Communication Range: 10 M (30 ft)
Frequency Band: 2.4 ~ 2.480 GHz
Spectrum: FHSS
Support Profiles:
Supports Enhanced Data Rate (EDR), Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) 1.2, Hands-Free Profile (HFP) 1.5, Headset Profile (HSP) 1.1
Noise Reduction: Min 15 dB ~ Max 30 dB (@300 Hz)
Size: 40(H) x 23(W) x 15(D) mm
Battery Capacity: Li-lon Battery 3.7V
Bluetooth Standby: 200 hrs
Operating Time: 8 hrs
The “iso” headphones take part of the newly launched Antec Mobile Product (a.m.p.) series, work on Bluetooth technology and are compatible with most devices which support this standard. The product is shipped inside a small-sized box, with a photo of the product on the frontal cover:
On one of the box laterals, we can actually see how the in-ear headphones do look like:
The back side of the box will come with extra explanations in different languages, but also with drawings of the inside contents:
For extra security, the box is fully sealed:
Inside we will find a black plastic mold, in which the product components are located; along with the headset we will also get some documentation:
The headset includes rechargeable batteries for an operating time of 8 hrs and Antec has also included an USB cable for replenishing the battery power:
The headphones cable ends with the remote, which also has buttons necessary for pairing. On the top we will find the MFB button, which has Power On/Off/Play/Pause/Phone call functions:
On the bottom we will find the USB port of the headphones:
On the front we have a small microphone hole:
The right side of the remote contains buttons for moving backward/forward into the playlist, pairing, NC on/off and some LED indicators:
The volume can be controlled from the other side:
The back side comes with a clip for easy attachment on our clothes:
The headphones are designed in such a way so we will enjoy a snug fit. Also, the silicone ear cushions are offered in three different sizes (small, medium, large), the medium one being preinstalled:
On the back side of the microphone we can see a small bass reflex hole:
Here is how one of the headphone looks like with the ear cushion removed:
The headphones are also supplied with installation documentation, along with a product catalog leaflet:
Inside the user manual we will learn how to perform the pairing operation and also how to enable/disable the Noise Cancellation feature:
The product catalog will let us know of the other products that are available from the same line:
When the headphones batteries are charging, a red LED will stay lit and when it will turn off, we can remove the USB cable and start using them:
Also, when the pairing has been completed, the blue LED will flash, signaling that the connection has been established and audio data is fed to or from the headset:
The new “iso” headphones look very good and we get a lot of liberty of movement thanks to their Bluetooth HD technology. The manufacturer claims that the product uses “dbs1” revolutionary proprietary high-response driver technology for the ultimate clarity and bass enhancement. We can confirm that the headphones deliver clear sound without artifacts when using for watching TV shows, movies and even a little gaming, but the lower frequencies like bass are not delivered in the same way as with full-sized headphones, something we could have expected.
The headphones are comfortable during prolonged used and we did not have issues with them falling off after choosing the correct type of ear cushions from the box (medium-size in this case).
We had a little bit of trouble when trying to pair the headset with computers (desktops & laptops), depending on the OS that was installed on them. We have first tried to use a standard Bluetooth USB adapter on Windows 7, and after plugging it into the system, the default drivers installed right away; however, when trying to pair the headphones, it was detected, but Windows 7 refused to install any drivers for them. After a little bit of reading, we have found out that Microsoft decided to remove the Bluetooth headphones support from the final version of W7 so we had to choose another way. We went to the Toshiba website and downloaded their Bluetooth Stack which is compatible with any other non-Toshiba hardware dongles. Starting 2013, the Toshiba Bluetooth Stack is not available anymore for users without Toshiba hardware, but we can still find the utility for download on several other websites. Pairing went fine after the software was installed, but it expires after 30 days of use, unfortunately. After the unpleasant experience with Windows 7, we went ahead and moved the dongle to another system with Windows 8 Pro installed. The default drivers got installed the same way and we were surprised that the headphones were detected really fast when in pairing mode and we could use them like any other sound device. Also, the headphones paired in a couple of seconds on Mac OSX 10.8.2 and were detected each time we turned them on again.
The Antec “iso” in-ear headphones are available online for about 73 Euros.
I would like to thank again to Antec for making this review possible!