[Review] iSimple SymPhone ISHP31 Active Noise Rejection Headphones

iSimple is one of the companies that specialize in car audio particularly in iPod connectivity solutions. As headphones are becoming more and more popular, iSimple jumped into the personal audio market. Rockford Fosgate and Kicker were car audio manufacturers but they also joined the personal audio bandwagon by introducing different types of headphones that mimic the sound signature of their car speakers. The iSimple ISHP31 SymPhone Active Noise Rejection Headphones is part of iSimple’s first foray into the portable headphone market. The series includes the in-ear earphones, earbud earphones, Bluetooth headphones, on-ear headphones, and this particular active noise canceller we are reviewing which is considered as the top-of-the-line model of the series.

For $150.00, will the ISHP31 win the hearts of travellers who would like to relax while flying but would not want to put a big hole to their wallets? This price is what consumers consider as the sweet spot when it comes to active noise cancelling headphones. It is where consumers expect a balance of performance and budget. This is also where most noise cancellers from manufacturers such as Sony, JVC, Philips and Audio-Technica compete. (Sennheiser, Bose, Denon and the other compete in a higher category. I’m not going to include Monster Beats even though they are of the same $300+ price –- those things are just overpriced.) So how do these noise cancellers perform? Check out the full review!

Manufacturer's Description

HIGH PERFORMANCE NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES WITH SURROUND SOUND AND PSYCHOACOUSTIC BASS ENHANCEMENT
Designed specifically for music lovers, the iSimple SymPhone is an innovative noise-cancelling headphone system that comfortably isolates you from distractions and background noise, while offering a perfect harmony of deep bass, natural vocals, smooth mid tones and sharp highs you’ll have to hear for yourself to believe.

• Product Features Include:
• Phitek Active Noise Rejection (ANR) technology creates a pristine listening environment
• Noise reduction up to 18dB
• Soft, padded headphone cups for a great fit and maximum comfort
• 40mm dynamic Neodymium speakers
• Virtual stereo surround sound and psychoacoustic bass enhancement for amazing audio playback performance
• 3.5mm plug adaptors for dual-pin aircraft or 6.5-mm inputs

US MSRP: US$ 150.00

Pros

·         Good noise cancelling performance

·         Clear and balanced sound that can rival higher priced models

·         Very comfortable to use

·         Removable cables with standard jacks which can be easily replaced with 3^rd party connectors

·         Nice semi-hard carrying case which is very good for travel use

·         Standard AAA battery slot with decent battery life

·         It works even if the ANC processing is off

Cons

·         Songs with complex instruments tend to sound muddy

·         Bulky and not foldable

·         Battery tend to come out easily from the slot

·         No versions with in-line mic for iPhone, Android, etc.

iSimple is one of the companies that specialize in car audio particularly in iPod connectivity solutions. As headphones are becoming more and more popular, iSimple jumped into the personal audio market. Rockford Fosgate and Kicker were car audio manufacturers but they also joined the personal audio bandwagon by introducing different types of headphones that mimic the sound signature of their car speakers. The iSimple ISHP31 SymPhone Active Noise Rejection Headphones is part of iSimple’s first foray into the portable headphone market. The series includes the in-ear earphones, earbud earphones, Bluetooth headphones, on-ear headphones, and this particular active noise canceller we are reviewing which is considered as the top-of-the-line model of the series.

For $150.00, will the ISHP31 win the hearts of travellers who would like to relax while flying but would not want to put a big hole to their wallets? This price is what consumers consider as the sweet spot when it comes to active noise cancelling headphones. It is where consumers expect a balance of performance and budget. This is also where most noise cancellers from manufacturers such as Sony, JVC, Philips and Audio-Technica compete. (Sennheiser, Bose, Denon and the other compete in a higher category. I’m not going to include Monster Beats even though they are of the same $300+ price –- those things are just overpriced.) So how do these noise cancellers perform?

Construction

The headphones are primarily built with plastic with a metal headband wrapped with pleather. Even though plastic dominates the bodywork, the build quality is very good. I will not expect this to snap randomly like some Monster Beats and Bose Triports. The earpads used are of high quality which will not see any tearing under regular use. The headphones are very comfortable to use which is a boon to those who frequently fly long-haul routes. Some would find the headphones too big though and it doesn’t fold up for easier storage. Also, while it is a huge plus that these noise cancellers only need one AAA batteries, I find that the battery compartment is holding the battery loosely.

The headphones come with a semi-hard carrying case which I find very useful for travels. The case is large enough to store the headphones, the accessories (1/4” jack, cable, and airline adapter) and your portable media player. Unlike many headphones that come with a soft case or even without any case, the semi-hard case will effectively protect the headphones from shocks and bumps. The removable cable is also a huge plus because it can be replaced with a third-party cable with 3.5mm male jacks at both ends. This can also reduces cable strain during storage which helps make the headphones last longer.

Performance

The company claims that these headphones can reduce low-frequency noises of up to -18 dB which is comparable to most noise-cancelling headphones. The ANC system is made by Phitek which is known to produce noise-cancelling electronics for other headphone brands such as Audio-Technica, Able Planet and many others. I tried the ANC system of the headphones in our office and it effectively muffled the noise produced by the old and noisy air-conditioning unit. With the music turned off, I was able to doze off at my desk. I also tried using the ANC system while in campus and it effectively muffled the background noises that would otherwise hinder me from listening to my music. While I do not expect this to reduce the noises produced by obnoxiously loud jeepney engines and music (which can be considered very harmful since it exceeds 100 dB), I expect this to be very effective when you are in the plane or in the (air-conditioned) bus.

Now how do these perform sonically? With the ANC system turned off, you can still listen to music. However, the sound quality is very much congested. But as with almost every ANC headphones out there that can still work without the ANC turned on, this is expected. Still this is an advantage if you ran out of juice at the middle of a flight. At least it will still help keep your sanity intact during those long, droning hours in the air.

Now it’s a different story when I turned on the ANC system. The sound signature of the headphones became balanced. The bass, while it is not really hard-hitting like a sub, is tight, adequate and clean. Midrange comes out nice and clear, and the highs, while not the brightest around, is decent. What I like about these headphones is that the vocals do come out and there are hidden instruments can be heard. Play some hip-hop, R&B and dance music with these and it also induces foot tapping. The soundstage of the headphones is also very good especially in live music; I can determine where the horns, the drums, the guitars, and the shouts from the crowd are coming.  However, complex instruments in a mix will tend to muddle together. Still, I am pleased with what these headphones can do.

I had a chance to listen to the Bose QuietComfort 15 and I still prefer the iSimple. One thing I noticed with the Bose set is that it is bass-skewed. While the Bose sounds good, the problem is that it too expensive for its performance. The iSimple can also produce more details than the Bose. I also had a hard time driving the Bose set as I have to turn up the volume of my iPod Nano and LG P500 to around 70% just to get a decent volume -- and this is to think that I did the test in a quiet room. For the iSimple, I only have to put the volume to 45% while walking around our campus.

The battery life of the ANC system is quite good. I’m using my AAA-size Kodak 850 mAh Ni-Mh rechargeable battery and it will not need the charger for two days. Use a rechargeable battery with higher capacity and expect the ANC system to stay on for more days. The headphones also do not exhibit excessive pressure to the ears like the Bose QuietComfort 3 (the huge reason why I was turned off with the Bose) so I had no problems using these during the whole day in the office.

Conclusion

For $150, these headphones have a really good price-performance ratio. While it will not rival the performance of headphones without ANC system, these headphones are performing like the offerings of Bose. For those who are looking for a good sounding noise-canceller but on a limited budget, I highly recommend the iSimple ISHP31.