Edict of 30 April 2013: Firmware v1.04 enter all the little problems reconnect /, tic-tic, and break on touchpad soared since this update
> My experience closed headphones: Sennheiser HD25
> My use: listening to music on the go, in transport (for some months now)
Edict of 16 October 2013:
- Switch to firmware v1.06, connections / reconnections sotn perfect and the touch pad and my self paused when leaving the headphones without turning it off.
- Also works perfectly with Asus Memo Pad tablet FHD10 (Me302c) Android 4.2.2 (Asus MeMO ME302C-1B003A Smart Pad Tablet PC 10.1 "(25.65 cm) Intel Atom Z2560 1.6GHz 32GB Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 Wi-Fi Dark Blue)
With hindsight, I'd say this headset audio noffre not made at the top level. However it offers a very good sound, but must be seen as a full sound object qualities whose residual defects forces us to make some compromises to feel full satisfaction with its use and its listening.
THE SOUND:
What it takes to know this is quen active mode with active noise reduction (ANC), the Zik generates a noise breath or very slight background hum, perfectly audible if no music nest disseminated. Once the music started, the buzz is still there, but no longer receives really quiet except on music with little dinstrumentation or white.
After several test tracks, Zik give much detail, a good separation of the instruments, a nice soundstage. Where Parrot is strong and surprising, this is in its ability to deliver an enjoyable listening, exciting, warm, alive with a very good feeling denveloppement. Further tuned the Zik nest absolutely exhausting!
For cons, the stamps do not always sound very natural on guitars and piano, but it depends pieces and style. The minutes may seem sometimes metal which may be due to the signing of the helmet, but I would tend to compression effects induced Bluetooth transmission.
And confirm a very good dynamics Zik, it knocks and when to pat it, but with a more rounded made personally jaffectionne bassesque.
THE BLUETOOTH:
The wireless this is the first feature of this headset, this is what justifies the purchase. I take this formula and worn boat up the rope "when we tasted it, we can not go sen" or "this is ladopter try." It's true that this is a real treat, an additional sense of freedom.
Every day, I havent almost no cuts (including the studio master tested up 24bit / 96Khz) ride in the jacket pocket, or when I'm in the same room. At home to 6 meters distance it works well, the signal penetrates walls 2 of plasterboard, but not three.
INSULATION (active mode):
It greatly reduces ambient noise and conversations. The ability to filter the Zik deaf and acute noise is impressive, it makes sen particular account in stations, metro, RER.
It creates the bubble, no doubt!
THE TOUCH PAD:
The find, this is the touchpad (very sensitive) that is on the entire surface of the right ear and that works even with gloves (hum that this is good winter!). The controls up / down adjusts the volume finger and slid in front / behind to go / return to the previous / next song.
A finger support pauses the music, another support Recovery (each time preceded of a "tick" to mean that the touch control has been taken into account, a tic that annoying hair in the long run)
Ca lair stupid but it's a really fun experience, dautant lajustement volume that is really the end and with great amplitude. No need to go stick his hand in the pocket to act on the device's behavior.
IN SUMMARY:
Most:
+ Very good sound once equalized, warm, makes the music very lively with a nice dynamic bass very clean and detailed message => only in active mode (activated ANC!)
+ Bubble effect thanks to excellent insulation in active mode
+ Design and ergonomics, the touchpad is fabulous
+ Quality of materials and quality manufacturing / assembly
+ Smooth atria with real leather
+ Smartphone, it can take calls and has integrated microphone
Parrot + application for Android and iOS
Cons:
- In active mode, its not really a basic balanced (too much bass, treble too present in another) => you understood you have to play on the "equalizer" of music playback application or use EQ provided in Parrot application.
- Passive mode, a disastrous sound ...
- Limited autonomy: 6 hours max in the active (even a little less with my setup)
- Bundle a fair bit: no charger, no rigid transport case, good point for the braided USB cable.
- BT reconnect some problems (but that might be due to my player more than Zik)
- Headset settings only from the Parrot application not available on Windows or MacOS
Frankly compared to the competition for a price roughly equivalent to other BT headset, Zik has serious assets!
My recommendation:
>>> Imperative to listen before you buy!
(That's what I've done in a specialty store and stereo headphones)
If you want more details, check the forum owendia.
