Music

Review: 808 Audio's Performer BT Bluetooth headphones

Review: 808 Audio's Performer BT Bluetooth headphones
Gizmag reviews 808 Audio's Performer BT Bluetooth headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
Gizmag reviews 808 Audio's Performer BT Bluetooth headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
View 6 Images
Sound quality is a mixed bag: disappointing in Bluetooth mode, but they sound good when wired (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
1/6
Sound quality is a mixed bag: disappointing in Bluetooth mode, but they sound good when wired (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
The 808 Audio Performer Headphones are available in two models: Performer, which ships without the Bluetooth functionality for $79.99, and Performer BT, which includes Bluetooth and a detachable cable with in-line Mic for $99.99 (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
2/6
The 808 Audio Performer Headphones are available in two models: Performer, which ships without the Bluetooth functionality for $79.99, and Performer BT, which includes Bluetooth and a detachable cable with in-line Mic for $99.99 (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
The built-in microphone is serviceable for Skype calls, etc, but that's about as good as it gets, which is fair enough on a budget pair of headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
3/6
The built-in microphone is serviceable for Skype calls, etc, but that's about as good as it gets, which is fair enough on a budget pair of headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
Build quality is good and the headphones click satisfyingly when adjusted (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
4/6
Build quality is good and the headphones click satisfyingly when adjusted (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
Gizmag reviews 808 Audio's Performer BT Bluetooth headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
5/6
Gizmag reviews 808 Audio's Performer BT Bluetooth headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
We can confirm that the headphones are very comfortable (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
6/6
We can confirm that the headphones are very comfortable (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
View gallery - 6 images

The sub-US$100 Bluetooth headphone market is pretty crowded, but 808 Audio recently unveiled some new budget cans that it hopes will make a splash. The Performer BT Bluetooth headphones boast the firm's new Flex Fit ear cup suspension technology, which promises to make even the longest listening sessions comfortable. Duly intrigued, Gizmag gave them a whirl – read on below to see how they fared.

Out of the box, pairing them to a device is as simple and straightforward as you'd expect from Bluetooth headphones, and throughout the review we didn't have any issues with the connection dropping. However, the notifications which play when turning the headphones on or off are annoyingly loud. Not quite painfully loud, but on the verge of it, and certainly louder than such notifications have any reason to be.

As far as styling goes, our black and brushed metal review unit is vaguely industrial looking, and not really to our taste, though perhaps you'll like the look – each to their own. The headphones are also available in white, which softens them somewhat.

Build quality is good and the headphones click satisfyingly when adjusted (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
Build quality is good and the headphones click satisfyingly when adjusted (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)

Sound quality is a mixed bag. The range is pretty good, with decent highs and better bass than we expected. However, when in Bluetooth mode, the headphones have a noticeable digital hiss at lower volume, meaning that on the quieter parts of some songs, it became more annoying (we tried this on multiple devices to be sure). Now, to be clear, such hiss is expected on budget wireless headphones but, in our wholly subjective opinion, it seemed just a little louder than we would have hoped, especially when listening to quieter sections of mellower songs.

Plugging the headphones into a music player with the supplied lead (and therefore not using the Bluetooth connection) proved a much better listening experience, and we couldn't hear the noise any more.

The built-in microphone is not great but serviceable for answering calls. Again though, this is improved when using the supplied lead (which also sports a microphone and button for answering calls). Battery life is good, and while we didn't actually time our use with them to double-check the claimed 15 hours from a charge, this sounds about right. The headphones are charged with a Micro USB lead.

The built-in microphone is serviceable for Skype calls, etc, but that's about as good as it gets, which is fair enough on a budget pair of headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
The built-in microphone is serviceable for Skype calls, etc, but that's about as good as it gets, which is fair enough on a budget pair of headphones (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)

Build quality is also good and the headphones feel solid. The Performer BT headphones sport 90-degree vertical ear cup rotation, meaning that you can rotate each cup upwards, freeing one ear easily (handy for budding DJ's), and adjusting this or the size of the headphones is met with a satisfying click. There are also controls on the side of the ear cups to configure volume, answer calls, and stop or start your music.

The big draw with these headphones is their supposed comfort, owing to 808 Audio's Flex Fit ear cup suspension technology, which is inspired by the mounts found on studio microphones to dampen vibrations. The ear cups are supported by a springy cord that's interwoven into the body of the headphones and allows them to rest on your ears comfortably, even for a long time. Indeed, we reckon these are probably the most comfortable pair of budget headphones we've yet tried, and they don't leave us with the sensation that our head is being slowly squished in a vice after a full day's listening, which some other similarly-priced cans have in the past.

We can confirm that the headphones are very comfortable (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)
We can confirm that the headphones are very comfortable (Photo: Adam Williams/Gizmag)

In conclusion, the Performer Headphones offer a somewhat uneven experience and come close to a really good budget product, but fall frustratingly short. They're not bad by any means, and we liked how comfortable they felt, the battery life, and the build quality. Plugged in, they sounded good for the price, but we were ultimately disappointed enough with the level of hiss when the headphones were used in Bluetooth mode that we'd recommend checking out the cheaper non-Bluetooth model instead.

The 808 Audio Performer Headphones are available in two models. There's the lower-priced Performer, which ships without Bluetooth functionality, and will set you back $79.99. Performer BT (our review model), meanwhile, includes Bluetooth and a detachable cable with in-line mic for $99.99.

Availability is currently listed at Spring 2015 (Northern Hemisphere).

Product Page: 808 Audio

View gallery - 6 images
4 comments
4 comments
Chris Maresca
I have a set of Nakamichi BT304 BT headphones that cost slightly less. Bought them after trying out a whole series of BT headphones from very cheap (circa $35) to expensive ($350).
These were the best combination of comfort & sound. They are comfortable, sound great (no hiss) and have days of battery life. Highly recommended - they are currently around $65 street price. They don't look hip, but I'm not really walking around with them.
DonGateley
That suspension is a radically good idea. The Bluetooth hiss is a show stopper though. If they fix that and step up to AptX I very well might give these a chance.
At least it's not a KickFrauder pipe dream. :-)
uksnapper
I'm from a generation who desired function before form,an age when getting out of a car did not take a struggle and when sound was far more important than looks. I don't actually care what they look like,after all the only time I will look at them is when I'm not using them. I've purchased and discarded numerous sets of headphones during my 60+ years of Hi-Fi use and am still searching for the elusive combination of comfort and true Hi-Fi. Looks like another miss.
Attar
Not worth the price until BT headsets stop lowering the audio quality when the mic is activated, which unfortunately they all do.