At the moment, we evaluation the most recent wi-fi noise-cancelling headphone from 1MORE: the Sonoflow Professional HQ51, priced at simply $89 USD.
Disclaimer: The 1MORE Sonoflow Professional was despatched to us, freed from cost, by the model for the aim of this evaluation, in change of or unbiased opinion in fact.
About 1MORE
Based in 2013, 1MORE is a model that rapidly gained consideration in recent times. Born from the minds of three Foxconn executives eager to problem the large gamers with extra inexpensive options, the trio acquired assist — and funds — from one other tech big: Xiaomi.
A lift that helped 1MORE broaden quickly, first by establishing its predominant firm in Shenzhen, China — arguably one of the crucial dynamic tech cities on this planet — after which a second headquarters in San Diego, USA, from the place they might unfold their magic.
Their motto? Premium audio, low value, all whereas sustaining a design and construct high quality that punches properly above its weight. And someway, they appear to have delivered, 1MORE incomes yr after yr awards from notable establishments like iF, Purple Dot, VGP, and even the CES.
That stated, I’ve to admit: earlier than this evaluation, I had no actual expertise with the model. But when, not like me, you’ve been following the buyer audio scene, the identify 1MORE ought to sound much more acquainted by now.
And so, when the model provided us to check their newest creation — the SonoFlow Professional HQ51 — I used to be fairly curious to see if, past the hype, this new headphone would actually tick all the proper containers, particularly now that the market has grow to be ever extra overcrowded.
A brand new go-to within the sub-$100 bracket? Time to search out out.
Design & Construct High quality
Shell
Design-wise, the 1MORE SonoFlow Professional doesn’t attempt to reinvent the wheel—and truthfully, that’s simply high quality. For a headphone priced below $100, you must admit it holds its personal. Matte black “delicate contact” plastic, a touch of crimson on the ear cushions, and people foldable, rotating hinges—it is a good piece of labor for the value.
The general silhouette immediately remembers the standard suspects within the section—assume Sennheiser Momentum or Sony WH-1000XM sequence—with clear strains and delicate branding. It’s not a head-turner, however the traditional look is sensible and works properly in every day use.
Construct high quality is definitely a nice shock for the value bracket. The headscarf and earcups really feel stable in hand, with no unpleasant flex or creaking, and the folding hinges make it travel-friendly. The entire package deal is remarkably light-weight, making the SonoFlow Professional a straightforward companion for prolonged listening periods or commuting.
And, over time, this streamlined design type of grew on me. Positive, you gained’t discover premium supplies right here—no actual leather-based, no brushed aluminum—however at this value, the SonoFlow Professional hits the candy spot: properly put collectively, sensible, and simply refined sufficient to really feel a step above the standard entry-level crowd, proof that inexpensive headphones can nonetheless feel and appear the half.
Would I select that over my conventional AirPods Max? To be frank, generally sure, the Apple being just a little bit too huge and overbearing in comparison with the SonoFlow Professional that merely folded proper inside my bag. That, and the truth that for 80 bucks, I’d be lots much less anxious to lose/break it throughout my commute…
Construct high quality
Truthfully, for the value, it’s onerous to be choosy, the 1MORE SonoFlow Professional delivering a stage of match and end that genuinely shocked me. The truth is, on some particulars, it even edged out my Momentum 4 Wi-fi—a feat I didn’t anticipate on this value bracket.
Ear pads? Tender and cozy, holding up completely regardless of my traditional “stuff-it-in-the-bag” strategy – no signal of wear and tear but, however let’s see in a yr. Headband? although made solely of plastic, feels sturdier than most, and that “delicate contact” coating on the earcups provides a premium really feel that’s uncommon at this value level.
Clearly, it gained’t maintain a candle towards the AirPods Max, however stack the SonoFlow Professional up towards the Sennheiser, and it’ll truthfully holds its personal – particularly once you do not forget that, at practically a 3rd of the value, the 1MORE really looks like a much better deal by way of construct high quality and on a regular basis sturdiness.
That stated, what actually set the SonoFlow Professional aside for me although, is how properly it held up in my every day (ab)use. After two weeks of being tossed in my backpack, squished between my laptop computer, digicam and charger, and even surviving a couple of unintentional drops, it nonetheless seems to be and feels model new. I had some concern that the soft-touch can be vulnerable to scratches, however someway, that by no means occurred.
Similar for the folding hinges, that haven’t loosened (but), however I by no means encountered a foldable headphone that aged higher than a standard one, so I’ll attempt to be extra cautious within the subsequent few months.
Lastly, a fast phrases in regards to the I/O: all buttons and ports (USB-C, jack) have been completely flush and gave stable impression, with not one of the looseness or rattling you generally get at this stage. To date, so good!
Consolation
Over the pinnacle
As soon as extra, 1MORE (see what I did there?) shocked me, in a great way.
The plushy ear pads lined my complete ear and because of the reminiscence foam, I used to be capable of put on them with glasses, and by no means felt pressured by the department – which isn’t all the time the case with me. The engineers selected the proper stage of clamping, and the medium strain utilized by the swivel, made positive that the headphone stays the place you need.
I used the Sonoflow Professional for hours, and up to now, they have been amongst one of the crucial snug bluetooth headphones I attempted this yr. And if each day, I’d persist with my Audeze Maxwell – for gaming objective – on the go, the 1MORE was a significantly better choice. It by no means felt heat on my ears, I couldn’t really feel the headscarf on my head, and if a bit too light-weight for my style, I gained’t complain.
Bonus level for the truth that, not even as soon as did the headphone picked my hair up – one thing that just about all the time occur with sliding headband.
Isolation
Shut again and embedding an ANC chipset, the 1MORE SonoFlow Professional proved to be a stable contender int this subject. Positive, the “AI ANC” is likely to be an overstatement by the model, attempting to surf over the magic increase of “AI”, however even in comparison with priced resolution, I discovered the noise-cancellation to be surprisingly efficient in loud environments.
It’s nonetheless missing within the higher vary – keyboard proved to be a bit a lot – however for the prepare, or aircraft, they might be a extremely stable choice. Similar for the transparency mode, which was very very spectacular, even in comparison with my Devialet Gemini 2 – a lot that I needed to obtain the app to test if I had rightfully activated the transparency mode, and never cancelled every thing out.
Contained in the field
The 1MORE Sonoflow doesn’t include an intensive bundle, however for the value, you’ll be able to’t be choosy
Contained in the field you have got :
- the 1MORE Sonoflow Professional
- a journey bag manufactured from darkish cloth
- one USB-A to USB-C cable
- a 2.5mm Jack to three.5mm Jack cable
- some documentation
Nonetheless greater than sufficient to cowl each main want for audiophile vacationers and commuters.
The article continues on Web page two, after the press right here
