Wireless headphones are nothing particularly new. Even before Bluetooth came along as a recognized standard we’ve seen a multitude of different wireless incarnations, all of which have for the most part brought less than ideal results to the table. Whether it be a problem or battery life, hideous compression or just plain impracticability there’s usually a good reason I’ve given them a wide berth to say the least.
That, coincidentally, may be all about to change. Korean based DigiFi have partnered with US based semi conductor gurus “Kleer” have developed a new wireless audio chipset designed specifically to tackle the aforementioned faux pas. Promising Losless CD-quality (16bit, 44.1kHz) stereo audio over a range of 10 metres and a battery life of up to 10 hours of play time the DigiFi Opera S5 sound too good to be true but do they live up to the hype?
What’s the deal-e-o?
The Opera S5 is designed to specifically work with Apple’s iPod with support for nearly every model since the 5th generation iPod Video up to today’s iPod touch. Coming early 2010 is a new version designed specifically to work with the iPhone (I presume to be adding a microphone) but just so you know it worked fine with my iPhone. There is also a lower model (Opera S2) that uses a 3.5mm connector for the transmitter to work with other non iPod devices but in doing so you’ll lose the controller functionality.
In the box are your standard wireless in-ear headphone paraphernalia, three different nubs for a range of ear sizes, a carry pouch, USB cable to charge things up, the headphones themselves and lastly the transmitter that you’ll attach to your iPod’s dock connector.
Getting down to business
My review unit was flat out of the box so after giving them a good charge for a couple of hours, the time it said would allow for a maximum charge. It took a whole five seconds from that point to connect the dongle to my iPhone, press the button on the headphones to link up and music to begin blaring. Each ear is adorned with a controller meaning you never have to get your iPod out of your pocket, the left ear to toggle between tracks, the right overseeing volume.
Tunes pumping I began to amble around my shoebox apartment to try and lose the signal. Fifteen minutes later having tried every extremity of distance I could in combination with cordless phones and microwaves turned on I barely heard a hiss. It took a trip down my elevator before things started to drop and a floor down when the connection ultimately dropped; all in all it left me impressed, on the connectivity & set up fronts at least.
What didn’t impress me so much was just how terribly the ear pieces sat in my ears. After trying each of the three sizes and having no luck at all I put it down to poor design. The receiver unit is weighty, designed to sit on the back of your neck and not move, small leads then running from it to each ear. The problem with this was, for me, that each time I rotated my head the receiver didn’t move an inch on my neck and the cords to the ear pieces were so short and tightly wound they’d pull the ear pieces out. In the end I put the whole thing on backwards so that the receiver actually dangled in front of me. I looked like a tool but the seal in my ears and movement was golden.
In terms of audio quality I think Kleer are on a winner here, the actual transmission of audio was solid which leads me to think it may be DigiFi’s speakers that are letting the team down. Call me crazy but Apple’s 2nd gen in-ear headphones are still the ones to beat in the average consumer’s price range and these just weren’t up to that level. They weren’t by any means terrible you just need to be aware that whilst you’re getting the freedom of wires you are losing out a little on quality, more specifically a good lower end.
Give it to me straight... are they any good?
In a nutshell, “it depends”. I know that’s hardly a rock solid opinion but it’s the truth. I can honestly say I’ve never heard wireless audio (within this budget range) that sounded as clear and had such good battery life, but, like with all in-ear headphones if they don’t fit your ears right they’re as useless as a couple of Milo cans. Take in to account the added weight of the receiver (or your vanity if you wear them back-to-front) and that may be a deal breaker for you. That said they’re a solid set of wireless headphones and if you need to be untethered they’re definitely worth a hard look at.
The DigiFi Opera S5 Headphones are available from Wicked Digital for $179.
Links:
Digifi Korea - DigiFi Digital Fidelity
Kleer - Wireless Headphones, Earphones, Earbuds with Kleer Wireless Audio Technology Inside
Review: DigiFi Opera S5 Wireless In-Ear Headphones