Sony SRS-NB10 Review: Getting it right, on the neck
Verdict
A quirky audio device with some disarming strengths and definite weaknesses.
Pros
- Quirky but comfortable blueprint
- Decent microphone quality
- Long battery life
Cons
- Average sound quality
- Design isn't adaptable
- Impossible to listen completely privately
Availability
- Great britain RRP: £135
- Europe RRP: €150
Key Features
- Touch controls Mute microphone with a tap on the neckband
- Splash proof design Rated at IPX4 to resist splashes of water
- Battery life Can last all-twenty-four hours with twenty hour battery
Introduction
The field of audio hardware is more often than not a bourgeois one when information technology comes to the question of design. Between open and closed backs, wired and wireless earbuds and on or over-ear headphones the general shape of the things I utilize to listen to music hasn't changed very much in the by few years.
Enter the Sony SRS-NB10, i of the latest attempts by the veteran Japanese manufacturer to differentiate itself from the competition. This quirky customer doesn't sit anywhere nearly the ears (contrary to received wisdom) but instead rests on the shoulders, while however providing a private listening experience.
Only is there plenty mileage in this new form factor to make the NB10 a product worth considering, and moreover does the execution do it justice?
Design
- Low-cal design
- Comfortable to wear for long periods
- Synthetic from soft matte plastic
There is trivial else on the market quite like the Sony SRS-NB10. Synthetic of a soft cease, matte plastic, information technology sits around the neck, resting on the shoulders, resembling for all the globe a pocket-size toilet seat cover. At 113g it is somewhat substantial in the hand, but on the neck feels side by side to weightless. Indeed, it is disconcertingly easy to forget you are wearing information technology.
The intent behind the design is simple. Equally Piece of work from Home continues to aggrandize as an option for an increasingly large portion of the workforce nationally, more and more people are teleconferencing as an integral function of their daily routine. For some, this tin mean upward of twenty hours a week on calls with headphones in their ears.
That is a lot of strain to place on the average ear and raises the potential for irritation of the ear canal, especially when using 'normal' buds. Enter the NB10, which avoids this situation past sitting on the shoulders and using directed speakers to aim sound at the ears.
Everything in the preceding paragraph will probable determine whether you lot retrieve this is a good idea or not, and the design certainly proved to be divisive when introduced to others. Some hailed it every bit the best thing since sliced bread, others aren't then convinced.
If you are someone who does spend a lot of time each day on calls, the deviation in comfort compared to in-ear buds is palpable. It is much easier to just keep going and going, every bit there is no irritation, heat, or discomfort to contend with.
A disadvantage of the design is clear however, sound leakage. If you lot use the NB10 with someone else in the room, they'll exist able to hear every word and/or note of your work routine. As such the potential utility for those who share a home-working space, or piece of work in an open up office, is diminished considerably. This is really a product for those who work solo.
From a pure blueprint perspective, the band doesn't quite await worth the toll of admission. It is grey and like shooting fish in a barrel to forget, but this is an advantage on calls. Working with a multitude of different calls in differing situations, no one was able to run into the audio accompaniment or comment on it. This is a product that is definitely suited, from a pure looks' perspective, for part use.
Another positive is the use of hardware buttons. The book controls, power push and Bluetooth connexion Ire all piece of cake to notice and activate past feel alone and responded chop-chop when used. In that location's no gestures or touch controls to content and wrestle with, which is only a good matter here.
The jury will exist out for quite some time on whether the likes of the SRS-NB10 will prove to exist a striking with the wider public (catchy proper name aside), but for a certain subset of users information technology volition be a lifesaver.
Features
- 2 axle-forming microphones
- Upward firing positional speakers
- Multi-point Bluetooth connectedness with 2 devices
Beyond its shape, the NB10 has i further peculiarity to its proper name, that existence a general lack of 'assault' in its marketing. There are no great claims regarding its sound or microphone quality, which is either a proficient or a bad thing depending on your perspective.
That isn't to say that information technology doesn't come with a bevy of features in tow that need to exist discussed, indeed quite the opposite is true. The first point worthy of discussion are the microphones, for in that location are ii and these are described equally 'beam forming'.
What this should hateful is that the device will pick upward the direction your voice is heading from and compensate commitment accordingly, so that listeners on the other side receive a clear signal. Whether this included tech made a difference or not is hard to discern with any bully accuracy, callers across multiple calls on laptops, smartphones and an iPad commented that I came through conspicuously. This is an essential for a device marketed equally good for briefing calls, so this is a big win for Sony on that forepart.
Bluetooth connectivity was as well rock-solid working through walls and in areas with lots of other signals to argue with. The ring does have the ability to connect to ii separate devices at one time via multi-point, though I found this a little fiddly to work reliably. That may be a complication of Windows ten'southward slightly fraught relationship with Bluetooth, the nature of the multi-point tech used ways that 1 device can be used for voice and some other for audio. There'southward none of the seamless switching available on more expensive options.
As might be expected on the device, its speakers are aimed at the ears, with the audio coming from behind them. It is marketed as something which can be used at domicile and in the part, only given the amount of sound drain I experienced, only the erstwhile is realistic. If you work by yourself in the office, or indeed at home, the NB10 makes an excellent companion, but co-workers and co-homeworkers will soon notice cause for complaint.
Lastly, the device is IPX4-certified, meaning information technology volition be able to take a light splashing of water and keep on going, which is a pleasant extra and adds a needed layer of durability. Battery life is claimed at 20 hours, and in general I found this to exist authentic. The device charges via USB-C and a cable is included in the box.
Audio quality
- On-device audio controls
- Supports AAC and SBC
- Bluetooth 5.1
Much of the SRS-NB10'southward appeal lies in its course factor and convenience, and this is reflected in its marketing. About every feature mentioned details comfort and convenience, the sound quality is dealt with equally an afterthought.
This, unfortunately, shows in the device itself. It isn't to say that the sound coming from the NB10 isn't good, only that it isn't versatile. Every bit it is a device primed for both content and voice calls, information technology has something of a sonic residue to strike. And to continue that residuum, it has mostly invested in treble at the expense of bass.
Which is to say, that this device has nigh no bass of which to speak. No matter the music genre, in that location is no rumble or free energy at that place. While it might not thing so much for fans of classical music or spoken word, it leaves the sound profile of the NB10 a picayune thin.
Not that this matters much on calls, where voices came through clearly. On some devices I did experience a small issue with call volume, as before this may be a quirk of Windows 10 rather than a error with the NB10.
So, if you work from home, solo, the sound quality of the NB10 will probable be good plenty generally. Indeed, for working in general it is sufficient. But for those who would like to heed to music while working, or who are looking for a hybrid device to comprehend both times of piece of work and leisure, dedicated options will exist a better investment.
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Should you buy it?
You work from domicile If you lot want to protect your ears from being overworked, then the SRS-NB10 is a smart culling
You work in a infinite with others The very nature of the speaker's design ways anyone nearby will be able to hear your music and call conferences
Terminal Thoughts
The Sony NB10 is a product unlike almost annihilation else on the marketplace at the moment. Its unique design allows for comfy utilise over extended periods of fourth dimension with none of the irritation and bug typically found when using conventional earbuds.
For this reason solitary, it will exist a valued companion for those who work regularly at home. With a solid pair of microphones onboard, it is particularly good for video conferencing and calls.
But for those who work with others at abode and/or in open up offices, the audio drain will badger others. Moreover, the complete lack of any kind of bass limits the potential for the ring to work Sick as a medium for listening to music.
If you piece of work from abode and dislike wearing earbuds for long periods, the NB10 might Ill exist a lifesaver, merely for the rest there are amend dedicated options bachelor for vocalization calls and for content consumption.
How we test
Nosotros test every headphones we review thoroughly over an extended menstruation of fourth dimension. We use industry standard tests to compare features properly. We'll always tell yous what we find. We never, always, take coin to review a product.
Find out more most how we exam in our ethics policy.
Tested with real globe use
Tested over the course of several days
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FAQs
Tin can I use these speakers with a figurer?
Yes, if y'all connect the NB10 via a Bluetooth connection.
Full specs
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Source: https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/sony-srs-nb10
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