The TaoTronics SoundSurge 55 headphones are a good selection for these on a finances. Construct is stable and the specs are surprisingly first rate. Nevertheless, they’re let down by audio that’s bold for its worth but slightly common by way of high quality.
Execs
- Surprisingly first rate treble
- Stable construct
- First rate ANC
Cons
- Restrained bass
- Mid-range lacks element and readability
Key Specs
- Evaluation Value: £104.99
- Hybrid ANC
- Quick-charging
- Twin 40mm driver
- 30hr battery
- AAC, SBC, aptX
The TaoTronics SoundSurge 55 are reasonably priced ANC headphones from the audio/residence tech model.
TaoTronics specialises within the value-added space of the headphone market, producing Bluetooth cans which can be wallet-friendly.
The SoundSurge 55 are one of many model’s costlier choices, retailing just a few kilos over £100. For that, you get Bluetooth, ANC and an audio presentation that TaoTronics lessons as “hi-fi”. Too good to be true, or a pair of headphones which can be proper on the cash?
TaoTronics SoundSurge 55 worth and availability
The SoundSurge 55 initially went on sale in late 2018 and might nonetheless be discovered on-line. There aren’t additionally known as the SoundSurge 55, however may be indentified by the TT-BH055 UK mannequin quantity. RRP for the headphones was £105/$109, however you could find them for a lot much less on-line
TaoTronics SoundSurge 55 design – stable seems, comfy to put on
- Huge, cozy earpads
- Black is the one color choice
- Unremarkable seems
The vast majority of TaoTronics’ full-sized headphones look pretty related. The SoundSurge 55 aren’t any totally different, sporting a matte-black end and conventional design.
Whereas they appear unremarkable, the SoundSurge 55 fulfil most listeners’ wants. The generously sized ear cups are lined in a superb quantity of padding, with out the fear of the smooth protein reminiscence foam materials heating up your ears. These headphones are on the cumbersome aspect, however nice for put on while travelling. The ear cups may be twisted to put flat within the accompanying laborious case, or folded up and put in a bag.
Construct is predominantly plastic and, regardless of weighing 286g, they’re slightly mild to put on.
Padding on the scarf ensures it doesn’t dig into your head. And whereas the stress on the ear is mild, I’d encourage twiddling with the match from time to time for elevated consolation.
Management buttons are discovered on the precise ear cup. These embrace the facility button, which operates for playback alongside activating your cellular machine’s voice assistant, plus ANC and quantity buttons, with a USB-C connection and three.5mm jack.
The buttons are properly spaced and responsive, and most shouldn’t have an issue working the SoundSurge 55. Simply word that powering off the headphones requires an extended push. Any shorter and the voice assistant will probably be activated.
Whereas the SoundSurge 55 have a reasonably commonplace design, they get the fundamentals of usability and luxury proper.
TaoTronic SoundSurge 55 options – ANC efficiency is stable
- Surprisingly good ANC
- Lengthy battery life
- aptX assist
ANC efficiency isn’t all the time a given at this worth, however TaoTronics appears to have discovered a solution to embrace it. In contrast to the SoundSurge 86 – which, regardless of the upper mannequin quantity, price half the value – the SoundSurge 55 characteristic Hybrid ANC. This makes use of inside and exterior microphones to dam out sound.
TaoTronics say the SoundSurge 55 use a Sony digital noise-cancellation chip, however don’t state which one. Regardless, ANC is surprisingly first rate for the asking worth.
There are three ANC modes, with a faucet biking between Journey, Workplace and Ambient. Journey is the default choice and the simplest.
Workplace is alleged to cut back “super-low frequency” sounds and it actually appears to suppress keyboard faucets (though Journey mode can carry out the identical operate). Ambient mode can be fairly first rate, permitting some noise by so you may hear what’s occurring round you. There’s a reasonably noticeable hiss with ANC on, and we observed a wierd tone whenever you take the headphones off. So whereas ANC efficiency is sweet, these points cloud the efficiency.
In any other case, a run-through of all of the specs sees a decent listing of options. Battery life is 30 hours; audio codec assist consists of SBC, AAC (for iOS gadgets) and aptX (for Android); Bluetooth is 5.0; plus, to grease the wheels the SoundSurge 55 embrace fast-charging, with 45 minutes filling up the tank fully.
TaoTronics SoundSurge 55 audio high quality – Admirable restraint, however lacks refinement
- Makes an attempt for a ‘hi-fi’ sound
- Good treble (for the value)
- Disappointing mid-range efficiency
To date, the SoundSurge 55 meet and exceed expectations. However the actual meat and potatoes is the audio efficiency, and on this regard, the TaoTronics are much less achieved.
This isn’t for need of attempting. You’d half count on a finances pair of headphones to be unrefined, however the SoundSurge 55 sound admirably restrained, confirming TaoTronics’ declare of a minimum of approaching a “hi-fi” sound.
It’s a extra grown-up method, but it surely’s additionally compromised. Treble is sweet: detailed, clear and gratifying. Bass, then again, feels undercooked and ill-defined in locations. Issues crop up within the mid-range, too, with Radiohead’s No Surprises. It lacks readability and separation, and timing feels off. You get the broad strokes, however not the nitty-gritty element.
A hearken to the Foo Fighters’ My Hero and related points rear their head. The drum hits sound a bit distant, and Dave Grohl’s vocals sound like he’s singing in some kind of cavernous set.
Invoice Withers’ Simply The Two of Us fares higher. A slower-paced, much less hectic tune helps stereo imaging and timing – though, once more, one thing appears off about how the devices sound.
Dynamically, you could find higher alternate options in case you go up in worth. The SoundStage 55 are first rate by way of quantity, however the soundstage is slim, and that impacts organisation as devices really feel squashed and hemmed in.
Regardless of all these points, the SoundSurge 55 stay pretty listenable. The headphones are an honest choice in case you’re on the lookout for cheap items that supply good specs, however there are better-sounding choices accessible.
You should purchase the TaoTronics SoundSurge 55 if…
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You’re after an affordable headphone
These headphones are squarely for many who need one thing reasonably priced. TaoTronics has delivered an achieved pair of headphones by way of design and options, however there are better-sounding choices elsewhere.
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You’re after reasonably priced ANC
The ANC efficiency from these headphones is a lot better than anticipated.
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You need a comfy pair of cans
The construct high quality is stable, if unremarkable, however what the TaoTronics get proper is the consolation ranges with a beneficiant quantity of earcup padding.
You shouldn’t purchase the TaoTronics SoundSurge 55 if…
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If you’d like higher sound
You’d must pay extra however there are better-sounding efforts north of £100, particularly by way of midrange copy, which is the TaoTronics greatest weak point.
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You need higher noise cancelling
It ought to be apparent that although the ANC is fairly good for the value, higher may be discovered in case you beef up your finances. That stated, the TaoTronics are about nearly as good because it will get for his or her worth level.
