Bluetooth headphone sales may be up, but that doesn’t mean that everybody is looking for a pair of Bluetooth headphones. There is still definitely a market for wired headphones out there. Not everybody wants to spent a few hundred dollars on a pair of high-end headphones either. Coloud recently re-launched with a line of budget-friendly headphones, and I’ll talk about their three new models in this series of reviews. Up next, we might as well go numerically, so let’s talk about the Coloud #8 on-ear headphones.
Specifications
- Driver: 40mm dynamic
- Sensitivity: 100mV @ 1kHz = 98dB SPL
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Frequency Range: 20Hz – 20kHz
- Weight: 93 g / 3.28 oz
What’s in the Box
- 1 x Coloud #8 on-ear headphones
- 1 x extra R/L indicator pieces
Design
The Coloud #8 on-ear headphones seem almost impossibly light. The headband is comprised of a very thin piece of metal bent in the expected headphone shape. The #8 headphones are available in the same color options as the #4 earbuds — black/gray, blue/yellow, and gray/splash. The headband splits just above where the earcups are attached, and the headband padding is attached via small rubber pieces. The entire headband padding can be removed for cleaning, or if you just prefer a more minimalist look. One thing to watch out for though, the R/L indicators are on the small rubber pieces that keep the headband padding attached. Coloud does include two additional small rubber pieces that can be used if you prefer to go without the headband padding, and they include the R/L indicators too.
Just below the headband padding, the headband metal draws in even thinner where the earcups attach. They flare out just slightly at the bottom, as the earcups adjust up and down on this portion of the headband, and the bit at the bottom prevents the earcups from sliding off.
The earcups themselves are attached to the headband via a plastic end cap featuring the Coloud logo. The earcups are mostly made of a woven outer fabric, though there is a leather-like material for the ear-facing portion. There is a small amount of wiggle with the earcups because of the way they are attached.
Since the earcups are only attached to the headband via a very slim piece of metal, the cord needs to attach to both earcups. The cord is flat and tangle free. At the end of the cord is the same ZoundLasso as is on the #4 earbuds. I extolled the virtues of the ZoundLasso in that review, but just to recap, the ZoundLasso allows you to wrap up your cable in a way that keeps it together and prevents it from getting wrapped around anything else in your bag, on your desk, etc. when the headphones aren’t in use. It’s really a pretty great feature for wired headphones.
Sound
I just want to say up front that on-ear headphones aren’t usually my preferred style. I’m generally drawn more to earbuds or over-ear headphones for the increased immersion that they provide. On-ear headphones have their place though, and I’m sure plenty of people like this form factor.
My main knock with on-ear headphones is, as I alluded to above, the reduced immersion. There’s just a greater possibility for outside noise to get in and disrupt your tunes, games, or video watching in these instances. This would be good for some uses though, as if you’re walking down the street, you’ll want to be able to hear traffic, other pedestrians, other street noise, etc. while you are walking. Of course, with the volume up loud enough, ambient noise won’t be an issue anyway.
In a controlled environment though, without too much outside noise the #8’s do have pretty good sound. You won’t be overwhelmed by bass, though it is definitely present. Mids and highs are relatively clear. With a slightly bigger driver, the #8’s are a bit better in the overall sound department than the smaller #4’s, and for a pair of budget-priced headphones you’re getting more than what you’re paying for.
Call Quality
I was able to hear callers without issue, and callers were able to hear me clearly as well.
Price/Value
A pair of Coloud #8 on-ear headphones will only set you back $29.95. For the price you’re getting a quality pair of headphones with good sound. The price may be budget, but this is an instance where you seem to be getting more than what you’re paying for.
Wrap Up
Well, that’s two Coloud reviews down, with only one to go. If you’re a fan of the on-ear style of headphones, and want a decent pair at a good price, you should check out what Coloud has to offer with the #8. Be sure to check out our review of the Coloud #4 ear buds if you’re looking for something in-ear, or keep an eye out for the over-ear #16 review.
[button link=”https://amzn.to/2SJ3NnQ” icon=”fa-shopping-cart” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Purchase from Amazon[/button]*We were sent a review sample of the Coloud #8 on-ear headphones for the purposes of this review.
Last Updated on February 20, 2020.
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