I appreciated the Cleer Enduro 100 headphones the second they emerged from their barely sophisticated, however stylish packaging. The styling and colours are distinctive and engaging, and extra importantly, they sound very, superb. The characteristic set can also be state-of-the-art.
My one caveat is that one tester—the one with the massive head within the image subsequent to this assessment’s byline—discovered them somehwhat uncomfortable to put on for very lengthy listening periods.
This assessment is a part of TechHive’s coverage of the best headphones. Click that hyperlink to learn critiques of competing merchandise, together with a purchaser’s information to the options you need to take into account when buying.
Design and specs
The Cleer Enduro 100 are full of the newest tech options, together with Bluetooth 5 with its longer vary, higher bandwidth, and native dealing with of Apple’s AAC codec; aptX HD codec assist for high-resolution and low-latency audio playback; and Google Fast Pair 2.0 for fast connections with Android gadgets. You can even invoke Siri on iOS gadgets with the push of a button.
Throw in a Type-C USB port and NFC pairing, and I can’t consider something—aside from lively noise cancellation, which might put these cans in a special class—that the corporate missed. I’m certain I’ll hear from you if there’s.
Style is consistent with one of the best of the instances as properly. Cleer opted for 2 uncommon however elegantly engaging coloration schemes: slate and putty, and putty and tan. The headphones are decently mild at round 10 ounces, a 10-minute cost by way of the USB-C port guarantees 13 hours of playback, and a three-hour cost will supposedly see you although 100 hours. I can let you know they acquired darn near that simply sitting round switched on with out me listening to them; actually, after two weeks below mild use, they had been nonetheless working on the cost that they had proper out of the field.
As far because the precise sound-producing gadgets, the audio system are a 40mm non-ferrite design. For extra on that, and the hysteresis not utilizing iron supposedly prevents, learn my Dali Rubicon 6 loutspeaker assessment.
Cleer outfits the Enduro 100 with three management buttons and an influence button. The outer two are used to extend and decrease quantity, whereas the middle multi-purpose button is used to change to the subsequent monitor in your playlist (double-click), the earlier monitor (triple-click), and to invoke Siri on an iOS machine (press and maintain). There’s additionally additionally a standing LED, and whereas the unit will pair robotically for probably the most half, it’s also possible to pressure pairing by holding the facility button, or use the NFC floor on the again of the left ear cup.
Cleer’s Enduro 100 are state-of-the artwork technically, style-wise, and by way of options.
While the Enduro 100 don’t have a devoted 3.5mm jack for a cable, they do provide wired listening by way of the USB-C port, and Cleer places a Type-C-to-3.5mm cable within the field. There’s additionally a USB-Type-A-to-Type-C cable for charging. Cables may appear quaint, however they’re a should for airplane leisure methods and for listening to uncompressed audio—be it within the studio or elsewhere. You additionally get a drawstring pouch to hold the headphones and cables in.
Speaking of airplanes, the Enduro 100 don’t provide lively noise cancellation, as I discussed earlier, they usually don’t block as a lot ambient sound as in-ear headphones will. I personally take into account lively noise cancellation, which tends to negatively have an effect on total frequency response, low on the options totem pole. I’ve performed simply wonderful with common headphones on planes. If that’s a must have characteristic for you, cross these off your record.
Sound and luxury
I already described the Enduro 100 as sonically pleasing, however to take it a bit additional: There’s an ear-saving dip within the mid-range, stable if not spectacular definition in that very same vary, good prime finish, and pleasantly exaggerated bass. Pleasant as in not imitating a subwoofer, however bumping tastefully to the extent that I, and many of the world get pleasure from. That stated, the opposite tester did level out the shortage of an “extra bass” change. Kids.
CleerDepending on the scale and form of your head, you would possibly discover the Enduro to be uncomfortable for log listening periods.
To me, the Enduro 100 sound nearly as good as something of their worth vary, they usually’re arguably nearly as good as various way more costly opponents. I’ve a number of succesful headsets at this level, and there are none that I’d rank as supremely higher for informal listening.
My solely slight challenge with the telephones was with the match and total consolation. The Enduro 100’s stiff headband pressed the cups towards my head with a bit an excessive amount of pressure for the quantity of padding and ear properly depth offered. My ears had been touching the speaker grills in a number of spots from the get go. For 20 or so minutes, the sonic goodness reigned, however my outer ears and the highest of my head slowly began to take discover.
By means of comparability, the Sony MDR-XB950’s that I usually use sit on my ears like butter. The strain from their band is delicate, and the cushions are additional tall and tender, so my ears infrequently make contact with speaker grill. Hear me, Cleer?
To be honest, the second tester that did a couple of days testing for me had no challenge with the consolation, so people with smaller heads—or maybe simply extra hair—will little question discover them completely comfy.
Great appears, nice sound
When it involves model, sonic goodness, run time, know-how, options, and worth, Cleer completely nailed it. They stand out from the gang, and you can pay much more for headphones that don’t sound almost nearly as good or final almost as lengthy on a cost. My solely delicate caveat is the match, which gained’t be a problem for everybody. Buy a pair from a retailer with a very good return coverage and provides them an extended pay attention to seek out out.