Genius HP-02NC headphone review

Written by me for ComputerActive magazine India

Swanky, folding noise cancelling headphone

Taiwan-based Genius has announced the launch of its Genius HP-02NC noise-cancelling headphones. The first active noise-cancelling headphones from Genius, the HP-02NC is designed to eliminate any ambient noise for improved music listening.

Amidst so much bustling activities, enjoying good music against a quiet background has been rendered virtually impossible, unless you lock yourself in a room. PMP’s have been struggling to keep terms with acoustic interferences. However, blocking out external noise by cranking your portable audio device’s volume is a bad idea as it decreases our hearing acuity.

Noise cancelling headphones helps to reduce external sources of aural aggravation and enable you to hear every note in your personal soundtrack without blowing out your eardrums.

The entire package, excluding the manual, essentially includes three components; namely, Headphones with Noise Cancelling attachment, a connecting cable and an in-flight dual plug audio adapter. The ear phones are adjustable with comfortable design and adjustable head straps to suit individuals comfort. The attached noise cancelling device comes with two custom functions, a power toggle and wheel based volume control. The power indicator turns red indicating that the Noise cancelling system is turned on. When the power is turned off, the Noise cancelling feature is deactivated and the device functions just like any other head phone.

The company claims that Genius HP-02NC reduces ambient noise up to15 decibels at 300 Mhz using an anti-sound signal produced by the noise cancelling circuit and provides a quieter environment to enhance audio entertainment. Being well aware that physical limitations make absolutely perfect noise cancellation impossible, however, we did not find the acoustic cancelling system very effective. Considering that a whisper amounts to approximately 30 decibels and normal human conversation sums up to 50 decibels, the noise reduction system incorporated herein offers very minor benefits. It does soften the sound quality and are smooth on our ear drums; effective up to some extent.
To keep you in-sync with airplane audio system, HP-02NC comes with with an in-flight dual plug adapter. A very conveniently designed folding model and a protective carrying case to dock the device in your luggage are other features worth mentioning.

The HP-02NC is a eco-friendly headphone that covers the whole ear and adjustable straps for different cephalic measurements, yet folds up for compact storage in the soft pouch supplied. The active noise cancelling technology is easy adjusted using controls that are integrated into the headphone shells.
The device is powered with AAA battery and has a battery life of ten hours. Exhausted batteries can punch the Noise cancelling technology hard and render the device like any other headphone available in the market.

Priced at Rs. 6499, Genius HP-02NC Genius definitely scores a point when pitted against Bose QC 3 headphones, which cost a whopping 18900 thousand rupees. However, the Noise cancelling technology is better equipped in the latter and also it comes with a rechargeable battery life of 20 hours. Battery and wall-socket charger are included with the Bose product..

We say:
Good Points: Easy to use; conveniently folding; portable and adjustable headphones
Bad Points: Noise cancelling technology is not up to the mark

Rating: 3 starts out of 5

Price: Rs. 6499