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Review: Philips PH805

Philips is back with affordable headphones

Philips PH805 sounds good for the price even if they didn't have noise reduction.

Karakter
Philips PH805
forfatter
Published 2020-09-04 - 12:40 pm
Our opinion
Very fast charging despite micro-USB. Good sound quality. Comfortable on the head.
Feels like plastic. Micro-USB charging. No app. Sensitive touch controls.
Specifications
  • Type: over-ear, closed, wireless, active noise reduction
  • Connection: 3.5 mm, Bluetooth 5.0
  • Microphone: yes
  • Element: 40 mm
  • Frequency range: 7 Hz – 40 kHz
  • Battery life: up to 30 hours
  • Weight: 281 grams
  • Web: philips.com

After a period of absence, Philips Audio is finally back in the game, now supported by TP Vision, which has long been behind Philips TV. Partly with a pair of luxurious Fidelio headphones, partly with these noise-canceling PH805. They offer a proper case for the headphones that keeps them well protected in the bag. Of course, you also get an audio cable, as well as if you are sitting on the plane, an adapter that is sometimes needed there.

For once, you actually get a protective case. (Photo: Philips)

Construction and comfort

Oddly enough, the headphones are so discreet that they look dull. Philips could have come up with something that made them a little more interesting. As the watches can both be turned flat and folded, they take up as little space in the luggage as possible for such large headphones. However, they feel quite plastic-like, and it creaks disturbingly when you fold them together. More metal in the joints had made us less restless. On the other hand, they sit comfortably, thanks to a generous padding in the hoop and pillows.

A discreet design that could still have been made a little more exciting? (Photo: Philips)

Features and handling

Most of the handling is done on the right clock. A multifunction lever is used to turn on and off, pair, play and pause, change songs, and answer the phone. But it must be said that one has to look in the instructions a couple of times. To adjust the volume or change the noise reduction, use touch controls instead. It is easy to activate some of the functions when adjusting the headphones. Philips could have placed an extra button there instead. Charging is fast with just two hours for full charge, five minutes fast charging for 2 hours listening or 15 minutes for 6 hours.

They can be folded into two joints to make it easier to fit in the luggage. (Photo: Philips)

Sound quality and noise reduction

Just as we had hoped, Philips has surpassed itself in terms of sound quality. You get a controlled and summarized sound image without anything sticking out. Like most consumer headphones, the sound is on the hot side, but it’s as expected. If you turn on the noise reduction, however, the bass becomes a little intrusive and humming. It is also the noise reduction that is the weak point of the headphones as it is not better than most others in the test.

Conclusion

After a long absence, we finally get a pair of new headphones from Philips. And they do again what they do best, namely to deliver something that sounds better than you might think at the price. On the other hand, they feel a bit plastic-like, which makes us wonder about the durability. Fortunately, you get a nice case that protects them in the bag. The noise reduction is not something to write home about, but it is also the case with most headphones in the price range.

 

Also in this test

Supra Nitro-X BT

Superb sound quality

Supra Nitro-X BT passes competitor after competitor, but unfortunately stumbles on the finish line.

Brilliant sound quality. Very fast charging. Comfortable comfort with ventilating pillows.
Moderate noise reduction. Micro-USB charging. No mobile app.

Sony WH-XB900N

Good noise-cancelling has become cheap

Sony's budget model Sony WH-XB900N borrows from the luxury model and thus becomes impossible to beat.

Good build quality and convenience. Easy handling. Feature-rich app. Excellent sound and noise reduction.
Well dominant bass if you do not adjust down EQ.

Jays q-Seven Wireless

Best budget choice

Jays q-Seven Wireless: It is impressive that you can get both good sound and ok noise reduction at this price.

Comfortable thanks to generous upholstery. Clear buttons. Captivating sound.
Takes up space as they cannot be folded. Micro-USB charging. No app.

JBL Live 650BTNC

Headphones full of contradictions

With as many disadvantages as advantages, it is difficult to recommend JBL Live 650BTNC.

Sound settings app. Fast charging. Tough design that stands out.
Not good enough padding in the hoop. Mediocre noise reduction and sound quality. Micro-USB connector.

Pioneer SE-S6BN

More for commuting than long flights

Pioneer headphones Pioneer SE-S6BN works well on the street, but are not the most effective at reducing noise.

Neat size makes them easy to carry. USB-C fast charging. Nice colors.
The on-ear design is not good for flights. Moderate noise reduction.

Sennheiser HD 450BT

Reliable Sennheiser headphones

Sennheiser's most affordable NC headphones Sennheiser HD 450BT is a safe purchase.

Nice feeling of quality. Good sound and ok noise reduction. AAC and aptX support. USB-C charging.
Cannot be folded. A little uncomfortable. Too many confusing buttons.

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