Kicker isn’t all that well-known of a headphone model, however a fast Google search will present you that the corporate has been making headphones for not less than just a few years now — with combined outcomes. Its newest providing, the Kicker CushBT headphones, purpose to modernize the Kicker listening expertise with help for options like Siri and Google Assistant.
However at $150, these aren’t low-cost headphones — and there are many alternate options. Are they definitely worth the money? Learn on to search out out.
Design
While you first take the Kicker CushBT headphones out of the field, you’ll discover their design, they usually’re nice-looking headphones. They function an all-black colour scheme, however they don’t look overly boring, which is all the time useful.
The headphones have so much happening in terms of construct high quality. They’re largely constructed from plastic, however it’s not a low-quality plastic, which is good. There appears to be a great quantity of padding each underneath the scarf and on the ear cups, although the padding is a normal low-cost foam reasonably than the reminiscence foam many different firms undertake. Then, on the surface of every ear cup, there’s a form of fake leather-based, which helps make the headphones look slightly extra premium.
The left ear cup is comparatively plan, however the correct ear cup includes a central button, which is the Kicker emblem, plus you’ll see quantity controls and playback controls across the emblem. Normally, we favor switches on the underside of the ear cups to buttons on the facet, however these don’t look unhealthy, they usually’re comparatively simple to make use of, which is good. You’ll additionally get an aux port.
On the underside of the left ear cup, you’ll discover a MicroUSB port, which we had been disillusioned to see. It’s time to undertake USB-C in headphones.
Fortunately, the headphones are comparatively transportable too. They fold up decently, they usually include a carry bag, which is good. We might have appreciated a tough case, after all, however a bag nonetheless isn’t unhealthy in any respect.
Total, we fairly just like the design of the Kicker CushBT headphones. They appear good, and really feel good too — plus they boast a great variety of options.
Consolation
Once we first put the headphones on, we had been slightly frightened about their comfort-level. In spite of everything, the ear cups don’t swivel, they usually don’t lengthen so far as some would possibly like. Finally, nevertheless, we discovered that they weren’t too uncomfortable in any respect, particularly for shorter listening durations.
The clamp of the headphones was decently tight, however not too tight, and the padding, whereas low-cost, appeared to be comfortable sufficient for many conditions. Don’t get us incorrect, the Kicker CushBT headphones aren’t probably the most snug we’ve ever tried, however they’re completely satisfactory.
Sound
After all, in terms of headphones the sound high quality is crucial factor to think about, and these don’t sound unhealthy in any respect. They’re not the following Sennheisers, however they’re actually fairly nice-sounding headphones.
One factor that Kicker headphones have struggles with previously is their bass response, however that doesn’t appear to be a difficulty for the Kicker CushBT headphones. Bass is deep and highly effective, providing loads of punch for kick drums and a stable bass tone. If something, we’d say there’s an excessive amount of bass — it appears to overshadow different frequency ranges slightly. However some individuals favor prolonged bass, and people individuals might be pleased with what’s on supply right here.
The mid vary, as talked about, is a bit overshadowed by the bass, however it nonetheless sounds fairly good. The low miss are comparatively heat, and the excessive mids supply sufficient reduce for vocals and guitars to shine by way of a combination properly.
The worst side of those headphones is the excessive finish response. There definitely are highs, however the headphones aren’t particularly clear or detailed, and at larger volumes we discovered that the highs tended to distort simply. Most common listeners might not discover the distortion as a lot, but when something it proves that these headphones should not constructed for audiophiles by any means.
Total, the Kicker CushBT headphones sound discover, however there’s nothing too particular about their sound high quality. In case you like heavy bass and don’t care about excessive finish, these would possibly do completely effective for you.
Efficiency
The Kicker CushBT headphones connect with your listening gadget by way of an unspecified model of Bluetooth, and as such you’ll get a listening vary of round 10 meters, or 33 toes. We discovered that they did effective at retaining a connection by way of testing.
On the subject of battery life, the headphones do greater than effective — they’ll rise up to a hefty 20 hours, which is absolutely fairly good.
Conclusions
The Kicker CushBT headphones have so much going for them. They’re decently designed, fairly snug (with just a few quirks) and have stable bass response. Their value, nevertheless, lets them down. $150 is some huge cash to spend on a pair of headphones which can be good however not nice.
So what do you have to get as a substitute? Nicely, you possibly can go for the high-tech Even H3 headphones, which are available on the similar value however sound an entire lot higher, or you possibly can avoid wasting money and go for the $70 Audio Technica ATH-S200BT headphones — that are higher headphones in virtually each method.
Nonetheless, contemplating their respectable design and construct high quality, we’re awarding the Kicker CushBT headphones the Headphone Evaluate Bronze Medal. You may get the Kicker CushBT headphones straight from Amazon.