Meters has delivered a pair of headphones with a singular look within the OV-1-B-Join, and whereas they carry out nicely in a number of areas, at this worth there are higher all-round performers from the likes of Bose, B&W and Sony, plus they’re cheaper than the Meters, too.
Execs
- Clear, spacious audio
- Distinctive appears to be like
- ANC reduces low-frequency noises
- Gentle on the top
Cons
- Cumbersome look
- Earpads may cause discomfort
- ANC not as efficient in noisy areas
Key Options
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Distinctive looksVU Meters dance when music is performed and lightweight up at night time
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Stamina16 hours of battery with audio places the Meters on the low-end of the market
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BluetoothThe OV-1-B Join help aptX-HD Bluetooth for high-quality audio playback
Introduction
The final time we reviewed a pair of Meters headphones was again in 2017. Regardless of giving that unit a 7/10, we weren’t too disposed to a few of their quirks.
Little has modified within the intervening years within the case of these quirks. The Meters OV-1-B-Join proceed the ‘look-at-me’ facet, with their distinctive and classy built-in VU meters.
What has modified, although, is that the headphones have joined the Bluetooth age. Given the value, they’re not wanting compelling rivals. So what causes does Meters supply for selecting the OV-1-B-Join over different illustrious pairs?
Availability
- UKRRP: £349
- USARRP: $349
- CanadaRRP: CA$429
- AustraliaRRP: AU$621
The OV-1-B-Join are priced at £349 within the UK, which places them amongst the likes of the comparatively still-new Sony WH-1000XM4, and so they’re a costlier different to the older Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 and Bowers & Wilkins PX7.
Design
- Distinctive look with VU meters
- Cumbersome design
- Comfortable construct high quality…
- …however earpads can really feel uncomfortable
Little has modified with regards to the looks of the OV-1-B, which is nice if you happen to love quirky appears to be like. The built-in VU meters stay the stand-out facet of the headphones’ design.
The dial twitches as music is performed (the louder the music, the extra it twitches), and the VU meters mild up (the colors may be customised within the app). Just like the AirPods Max they’re conspicuous, with three finishes accessible: black (this assessment pattern), white and tan brown.
They’re a giant pair of over-ears and the oval-shaped earpads include a beneficiant stage of padding. Regardless of this, the best way through which the earpads sit on the ear leads to some slight discomfort.
The scarf is nicely padded, and regardless of all the flowery accoutrements, the Meters OV-1-B-Join are surprisingly mild for a pair of headphones that weigh 380g; helped by a plastic development given a metallic-looking sheen.
The design is collapsible however the earcups don’t fold flat. They do swivel barely for some extra maneuverability when affixing the Meters to your head, and ‘affix’ does really feel like the appropriate phrase given their dimension. There’s a tough carry case for retaining them protected from scratches, too.
On the appropriate earcup is an ANC slider with a ‘Bluetooth’ slider on the left. There’s no precise energy button, since both slider can carry out that operate. They’re a bit stiff and don’t show fairly the standard anticipated from a £350 pair of headphones, however no less than Meters has tweaked the design so the sliders aren’t hidden behind the metal-alloy cup anymore. On the left cup sit the controls – though, like me, you could miss them at first.
Playback, calls, observe skipping and quantity are built-in, however discovering the buttons isn’t all that straightforward with the headphones in your head – you would possibly end up jabbing on the glass that protects the VU meters at first. You’ll know you’ve discovered them once you hear a click on – though, once more, the texture of it doesn’t translate to a way of premium high quality. The position of the USB-C connection and three.5mm jack continues to be a bit odd, however much less of a difficulty with Bluetooth connectivity current.
Options
- ANC targets low-frequency noises
- Non-adjustable noise cancellation
- AptX-HD Bluetooth
- App is bereft of options
- Battery life not the most important
The place the Meters has gone huge on the appears to be like, the corporate has chosen to go moderately minimalist on the characteristic entrance. Different than simply wanting fancy, there’s a sensible utility to the VU meters. They’re a line-level sign indicator to point out how loud music is enjoying. After all, the wearer gained’t see it – however, in accordance with Meters, it’s designed to make others conscious of how loud the music is and may be seen as a security characteristic for “mother and father and guardians”.
Given the month of Might is Higher Listening to Month, you’ll be able to see the positives of getting the meters onboard (even when it’s essential take the headphones off to see it). The meters dance from 55dB (protected) to 110dB (not a lot), so that you’ll need to dial down the quantity if you happen to’re listening loudly over extended intervals to guard your listening to.
Bluetooth 5.0 is par the course lately, however extra curiously, the Meters OV-1-B-Join help aptX-HD. That’s 24-bit/48kHz playback, opening the Meters for use with the likes of the Tidal and Qobuz music streaming providers. Battery life is a moderately paltry 16 hours in comparison with the competitors, doubtless due to these VU meters. In standby mode, when no music is performed, that stretches to twenty-eight hours.
There’s an app within the Meters Join (Android/iOS), however the onus is on customisation over options. There are EQ settings to tweak the sound, plus the color and brightness of the VU meters may be customised. Cute, however if you happen to’re in search of extra performance then you definitely gained’t discover it right here.
With regards to the OV-1-B-Join’s noise cancellation, I’ve been up and down when it comes to how I really feel about it. Given the value, there are speedy expectations – and if you happen to’re in search of Apple, Bose or Sony stage of efficiency, then sorry, however no cube. That’s to not say it isn’t efficient.
The main target of the headphones is on diminishing low-frequency sounds. Having used them in central London, I didn’t discover it to be preferrred when coping with the hustle and bustle of the town. The realisation of their ‘strengths’ got here on the journey dwelling. All of the bumps and knocks because the prepare chugged and grinded its approach to every cease have been smoothed out, and that made for a much less intrusive expertise.
The noise cancellation additionally has the impact of creating exterior sounds extra distant, so you’ll be able to nonetheless hear them however with decreased depth. Seen on this context, the Meters OV-1-B-Join are fairly efficient. Should you’re in search of one thing extra complete for related cash, then two of the three manufacturers I’ve already talked about will do a really wonderful job – and for much less cash, too.
Sound high quality
- A spacious and detailed pay attention
- Nice, balanced sound
- Good vocal presentation
- Spacious, vast soundstage
You’d count on high quality for the asking worth, however when model is as a lot a spotlight because the sound, there’s the worry the audio could possibly be left behind. This isn’t the case with the Meters OV-1-B-Join.
They bear all of the substances for a very good audio soup, because it have been – assured from the primary be aware. A take heed to Outkast’s Roses (Tidal), the Meters give the observe a spacious soundfield through which to reside. The piano that opens the observe is portrayed with wonderful element and readability, with vocals pitched within the centre – I really feel a bit additional again for the impression of depth – with Andre 3000’s intonations expressive and dynamic.
The OV-1-B-Join come throughout as nicely balanced throughout the frequency vary with bass tight, but in addition diverse. The low-end avoids going ‘huge’ or explosive, expressed with an unerring sense of confidence.
Each observe I performed by means of the Meters felt prefer it had the required room to breathe. The Meters’ rhythmic capability involves the fore for its sense of timing and stream enjoying Speaking Heads’ As soon as in a Lifetime (Tidal Masters). The beat by means of the headphones was persuasively toe-tapping.
Excessive frequencies keep away from being uninteresting or harsh – extra refined and sharper in GoGo Penguin’s Raven (Tidal Grasp), or expressing a way of sparkle and brightness in Alexandre Desplat’s Snow within the Backyard from his Little Ladies soundtrack (Qobuz).
The headphones’ sense of dynamism is given a very good platform to showcase itself within the rising construct of drums in Gustavo Santaolalla’s I Know What You Are, or extra overtly in Ripley’s Rescue from James Horner’s Aliens. It isn’t far off the Shure Aonic 50, though the Meters are a bit weightier in tone and never as clear, however the soundstage has extra width.
Throw in convincing stereo imaging and depth, in addition to an adeptness with energetic and sluggish tracks, and there’s little to dislike. With their satisfying sense of transitions between fast and sluggish tempo and an ANC efficiency that doesn’t color the sound, the Meters OV-1-B are a proficient pair of headphones. Their appears to be like could pique your curiosity at first, however these headphones have the substance to go along with the model.
Conclusion
The addition of Bluetooth has introduced the Meters OV-1-B-Join extra updated. They’re nonetheless huge in dimension and conspicuous when it comes to appears to be like, with efficient sufficient ANC in sure conditions that doesn’t alter the sound because it did with the earlier mannequin.
With aptX-HD Bluetooth, the sound they produce is superb. However there are alternatives from Bose, Bowers & Wilkins and Sony – and all are cheaper, too – that put a dent within the OV-1-B-Join’s ambitions.
Must you purchase it?
If model is what you search for in headphones, then few are as distinctive as these Meters. The VU meters are conspicuous, however contemplating how bland ‘normal’ headphone design may be, the Meters are a sight for sore eyes.
There are higher choices at this worth. A £349 RRP places the Meters up towards Bose, Bowers & Wilkins and Sony, and so they all have higher options and higher noise cancellation, too.
Verdict
Meters has delivered a pair of headphones with a singular look within the OV-1-B Join, and whereas they carry out nicely in a number of areas, at this worth there are higher all-round performers from the likes of Bose, B&W and Sony – and so they’re cheaper than the Meters, too.
Trusted Rating
FAQs
What do the OV-1-B Join’s VU meters do?
The VU meters a) look fashionable and b) additionally point out how loud the music is enjoying. Publicity to loud quantity over extended intervals just isn’t advisable
