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Parrot Zik headset review: wireless Bluetooth headset with noise reduction for iPhone and Android smartphones

French society
Parrotis present on many
original products often connected to the iPhone and iPad.

We will of course cite theAR.Drone, and
quadcopter equipped with a camera controlled with the iPhone, but today, we are going
take an interest in one of the latest products to emerge from the overflowing imagination of
engineers of the company. This is “Zik”.

Andwireless Bluetooth headphoneswithmitigation
active ambient noise,touch controlsand design
signed Starck! We also had the opportunity to dowin a
this week(winnerhere and already
notified by email).

Onward to the discovery of an unparalleled headset,stuffed
tips and electronics, designed for use with a
iPhone :

!Presentation and unboxing

The Zik is delivered in a very protective box which highlights the design
particular thought by another well-known Frenchman: Stark.

A design combining theblack and aluminum enhanced with light
touches of orange color, the least we can say is that it
will surprise and please, or not. But one thing is certain,no
flashy, we are not in the flashy helmet type fashion accessory,
seeking more discretion despite a relatively imposing size in terms of
headphones.

It arrives with a micro-USB cord which is not a common plastic cable
since it is protected by a weave and takes up the orange notes of the helmet,
rather original and pleasing to the eye. It is used for recharging and we will appreciate
this use of a largely standardized socket, which will allow
the use of other cables if this one was lost or that of a smartphone
using the standard USB standard (the headset is iOS compatible but also
Android)

A fabric pouch for storing, protecting and transporting the
Headphones when not in use are also included. The helmetwith
fold flatand then naturally finds a place there.

A very compact battery completes the package: it slides
in one of the "ears" after lifting the hood which is him...
magnetic! This allows easy, quick opening and above all the absence
of fixing mechanism which could have appeared to the eye, we remain in the
search for aclean line. The implementation is
easy.

The headset has a power button, it is again discreet but
Eastindicated by a pin which allows you to find it with your finger without
having to look for it with your eyes: very practical when you have the
headphones on the ears.

On the side of the flexible protection which rests on the ears, we note
two small squares which surprise at first glance. In fact, it is about
sensors which are used todetect if the headset is positioned on the
ears or around the neck. In the latter case, the music is
automatically stopped: good idea, which generally works quite well
(I sometimes had a few cases where the music did not cut off)!
%

Holes are visible around the edge of the earpieces, some hide
microphones intended to capture ambient noise. It is thanks to them that the
active system produces an "anti-noise" intended to reduce the sound arriving from
the exterior, in addition to the natural insulation of the helmet.

No volume buttons, forward, stop for music... Normal, in fact
cescontrols are present, but they are tactileet
therefore hidden in one of the “ears”, the right.

The helmet can adapt to different head sizes thanks to adjustment
very well thought out: it is done in notches on the left and right side and
above all has numbers that will allow you to memorize a particular setting
if you have to fold the helmet for storage

For listening, when the headphones are placed on the ears, they are
well surrounded, the "bonnets" are comfortable and the whole generates a
good first level of sound insulation. The hoop is him
protected by an imitation leather covering. As we have seen, it can be adjusted in width
thanks to notches which are very tight, so as not to come out of adjustment even when
putting it away: perfect on this side! On the other hand, once on the
head,comfort is not extraordinary, we often have
the impression that the helmet is going to move forward or backward, which happens
sometimes when you lean over, it is certainly linked to its weight of 325 g which
is not negligible on the head. It is advisable toso try
before purchasing to see if it is suitable for your body typeand especially to
his habits.

The headset is used with aapplicationto install on
l’iPhone, iPod or iPad, this one is free, is called

Parrot Audio Suite and can be downloaded here on the App Store
for free. It allows you to adjust many parameters related to
listening to it.

Connection and application

TheBluetooth connection is easywhether it is the
first time or during subsequent uses or it isquasi
immediate. Result, the use of the headset is intuitive: we
puts it on the head, we start it with the button (a small noise indicates its
startup) and that's it, the headphones are ready to play music.

Then simply press once with a simple tap on the ear
right (anywhere on the surface, everything is touch) to start the last
playlist or other song that was previously playing on
the iPhone. This sequence of commands takesa few seconds
only, is really intuitive and practical.

The sound adjustment is done in the same way, with a simple press of the finger
on the right ear going up or down, it works again
perfectly and is really natural, difficult to go back to other systems
or you have to look for the button on the wire for example.

While listening it is possible to adjust the ambiance and other parameters
with the settings available in the application. However, it is important
note that the settings are retained and therefore itis not
necessary to launch the application each time you use it, more
only when you want to modify one of the parameters among:

  • activation or not of active ambient noise cancellation
  • The musical ambiance among four different ones, with adjustment of the angle of the
    stereo for each
  • The equalizer: this is offered with several profiles but more
    still interested, it is easy to define your own profile (named
    "user) by playing on 7 frequency ranges.

Other functions are also managed via the application: the name of the
headset used for the Bluetooth connection so as not to connect to the one
neighbor, automatic Bluetooth connection or not, automatic shutdown of the
headset when not in use and important, the battery level of the
helmet. For this one, we simply regret not having this information
via an indicator or information spoken in the headset on demand by
example.

Finally, the app indicates the firmware version used by the headset and
allows it to be updated when new features become available.

The sound appearedbonwithout being extraordinary, in connection
with the connectionBluetoothand perhaps the characteristics of
headphones, but I prefer to make it clear that I am not audiophile enough
to judge. Those looking for HiFi will absolutely have to go
try it on in store before purchasing to ensure it suits their needs.
listening wishes and habits.

Which is on the other hand very effective and pleasant, one of the
key featuresof this helmet, it is
active attenuation of external noise. This is achieved by
the headset by capturing external noises and generating frequencies
intended to “erase” this noise. This is very effective on noise
regular, background noises such as those of a car driving,
by plane and this generates an extremely pleasant and relaxing listening quality,
like in an isolated bubble.

The headset can also be used forcallgrace
to an integrated microphone, knowing that Parrot indicates that it has also implemented a
specific “bone conduction” device at the level of the jaw
specifically for phone calls. Is it this or not, always
does the telephony function work very well, the noise reduction
allows you to hear your interlocutor perfectly. As for him, no problem
the sound is also clear. Finally, during a call, the iPhone offers to answer
with or without the helmet.

Last clarification before moving on to the conclusion of this essay, in case of
empty battery, the headset continues to be usable as a passive headset
standard, via a double jack cord provided. In this case, the sound is good
best. The battery recharges in approximately 3 hours and ensures autonomy
which varies from 6 to 7 hours depending on the volume used when listening.

Conclusion

This helmet is definitely a smallwonder of
technology, a seamless and successful integration of both the
wireless connection, the tactile aspect for control but also
ambient noise attenuation. Everything is aggregated into a design package
worked, easy to store and transport. We can only blame him for one
perfectible comfort on the top of the head and its price which places it in the
top of the range of headphones, without providing sufficient sound
for lovers of perfect HiFi. But let's be clear, there is nonone
equivalent on the market which makes it such a practical companion for
l’iPhone!

The Pluses:

  • effective noise attenuation
  • convenient to store
  • very convenient touch controls
  • application allowing you to adjust different listening parameters
  • quality materials

Cons:

  • comfort not always there
  • missing battery level indication on the headset
    himself
  • high price

Other tests to discover:

 Test : la batterie iPhone 5 "Mili Power Angel 2" avec câble USB intégré

i-nfo.fr - Official iPhon.fr app

By : Keleops AG

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