The Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones bill themselves as the world’s first Lightning powered earbuds with adjustable noise cancellation. How well does the noise cancellation work? What is the sound like? We test all aspects of these earphones in the following review. So please join us as we put the Libratone Q Adapt earphones through their paces.
Specifications
- Four level CityMix Adjustable Noise Cancellation (ANC)
- Lightning connector
- Braided tangle-free cord
- Weight 0.7 oz
- Four button remote
- Powered from iOS device
- Interchangeable eartips
- Four colors available
What’s In The Box
- Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones
- Three eartip sizes
- Transport pouch
- Quick guide
Design
The Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones that I reviewed were in the color that Libratone calls Stormy Black. The Q Adapt are also available in Elegant Nude, Rose Pink, and Cloudy White. All the colors look great on their website, and you get quite the chance to fit your individual style. The Q Adapt are oval shaped and have an arm that sits outside the ear and connects to the cord. They are quite comfortable, and there are a variety of different eartips to fit most ears. However, if I used the Q Adapt while working out, they came a bit loose. Of course, in-ear earphones will fit everyone differently, what is great for one may not work another.
The cable is a braided, tangle-free cord that does resist tangles in everyday use. One problem I had with the cord was that it sometimes got hung up on my clothes when I moved. This had the tendency to tug on the earphones, loosening them in my ears. I think the cord did this because the material they are made of has a bit of grip to it. Not a deal breaker by any means.
Software/App
The Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones come with a free app that you can download. You can access your music, control the amount of Adjustable Noise Cancellation and there is also equalizer presets that allow you to fine-tune the sound.
Sound
The sound of the Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones is very neutral. The highs are bright, the mids are full and the bass booms without rattling your teeth. Overall the sound is great, and everything comes through loud and clear without any hint of muddiness. The only issue that could arise would be the bass. If you like to feel the bass pounding through you, the Q Adapt may leave you wanting. If you like things more balanced, these earphones are great.
Another aspect of the Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones is the CityMix Adjustable Noise Cancellation (ANC). There are four levels of ANC on the Q Adapt. Level 1 lets 80% of outside noise in, allowing you to talk to people while still listening to your music. Level 2 lets 60% of outside noise in, level 3 lets in 30% of outside noise and finally level 4 which lets in only 10% of outside noise. To my surprise, I found that the ANC works brilliantly. While listening to someone talk, I cycled through the different levels, and the difference was astounding. At level 1 I could hear everything the person was saying and by the time I got to level 4 they were just a whisper in the background.
One minor problem I noticed was that even though I could hear the person speaking at level 1 ANC, to talk to them with the music playing was a bit distracting. It was as if I had music playing very loudly in the room, so I tended to speak loudly while the other person was speaking at a normal level. I remedied this by lowering the volume, and that made the conversation more normal. It is possible to talk to someone at level 1 ANC, but level 1 is better suited for times when you need to hear what is going on around you while playing your earphones. I would say pausing the music for a conversation would be advisable, as well as more polite.
The Libratone Q Adapt CityMix ANC also works when you do not have music playing. It is not as effective at blocking voices when used without music, it does work, just to a lesser degree. It does, however, do an excellent job of cutting ambient noise. I tested this with a sound machine and someone talking. While using the Q adapt, noise from the sound machine without music was cut significantly, and voices were cut to a lesser degree.
Reception/Call Quality
You may use The Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones for making calls should you wish. The Q Adapt works very well for calls; the voices are clear on both sides of the line. There was no echo, and the ANC also helps with clarity.
Price/Value
The Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones have a price of $149USD on their website. I think this is a reasonable price when you consider the quality of the sound and the effectiveness of the Adjustable Noise Cancellation, but there may be some who feel it is a bit high.
Wrap Up
The noise cancellation works exceptionally well, they sound great and are comfortable to wear. So if you are looking for a set of earphones that have effective noise cancellation as well as great sound, you should take the time to check out the Libratone Q Adapt in-ear earphones. They not only function very well, but they also have good looks and a variety of colors from which to choose.
