This Dyson doesn't suck and blow, but sounds good
Clean Performance: Dyson OnTrac is a Comfortable Headphone, Not Just for Its Unique Interchangeable Design
Last year, Dyson surprised us with the headphone-vacuum hybrid Zone, which looked like a prop from a Science-Fiction movie. Surprisingly, the futuristic headset impressed in practical testing with excellent sound quality and effective noise cancellation. On August 1st, the British manufacturer will release its first headphone purist, Dyson OnTrac, which looks almost normal. ntv.de has tested it.
Like a Zone without Filter System
The new headset is not a complete innovation, as seen in the significant resemblance to its air purifier predecessor. The headband, hanger, and speaker shells have been adopted almost unchanged. The control elements are nearly identical, except for the ventilator button, which has been replaced with an on/off switch. The interchangeable ear cup cushions are also unchanged, and the Zone's cushions can be screwed onto the new headphone.
Without ventilators and filters, the OnTrac weighs around 450 grams, significantly lighter than the Zone's 560 grams. Given that its predecessor proved surprisingly comfortable despite its high weight, it's no surprise that Dyson's new headphone excels in comfort.
Comfortable and High-End
This is due in part to the large central cushion on the headband and the clever weight distribution. Dyson has hidden the batteries on either side of the hinges and disguised them as cushions. The fact that they are not soft and do not touch the head is irrelevant. Additionally, the ear cup cushions allow for plenty of air around the ears and are covered in a pleasant microfiber fabric instead of sweaty leather, like the headband cushion.
Despite its comfort, the Dyson OnTrac sits securely and firmly on the head, and not just due to the ample use of metal. The high-end feel is also evident in the compact travel case, which requires minimal space in luggage when the headphone is flattened.
Attractive, but Expensive Interchangeable Design
Initially, it's not necessary to remove the outer casings of the ear cups to change them. Dyson hopes to conquer a fashionable niche in the headphone market with an interchangeable design. Accordingly, the manufacturer offers both the aluminum covers and the ear cup cushions in various colors, allowing for numerous personalized combinations.
However, one must pay around 50 Euros for a pair of metal caps or cushions, making the swapping process quite an expensive endeavor - especially since the headphone itself costs nearly 500 Euros.
The Dyson OnTrac is controlled via a joystick located on the right ear cup, conveniently reachable for the thumb. A press starts or pauses playback. Pushing it up or down adjusts the volume, and pushing it left or right skips a track forward or backward. Controlling calls is just as simple. Annoying is the fact that one must press the left ear cup firmly to switch between noise cancellation (ANC) and transparency mode. This is unpleasantly loud in the ear.
The App Has Little to Offer
The Dyson Headphone App offers limited functionality, focusing primarily on firmware updates and battery status. There are no advanced sound customization options, which is a disappointment for those seeking a more personalized listening experience.
This can be seen in the corresponding app as well, which displays the sound level, both inside and outside of the headphones. Tapping on the shell causes it to reach values of 100 Decibels (dB), which is above the recommended limit of 80 dB.
The sound behavior can be checked through graphs that show the sound level over different time periods. The volume level can be limited to 80 dB upon request.
Impressive Sound, Robust ANC
One doesn't necessarily need a more extensive equalizer for this, as the sound quality of the Dyson OnTrac is excellent. It seems to have improved once again. The basses, in particular, are impressive, as the headphones do not excessively emphasize them, but they reach very deep. Up to 6 Hertz (Hz), to be precise. One can't really hear that, as the limit is usually around 20 Hz. However, one might be able to feel it. With 21,000 Hz, OnTrac also reaches the audible limits and beyond.
OnTrac doesn't overdo it with the basses, clear and well-defined mids give the tone. The highs are detailed and clear. If one wants to listen at high volumes, they could be slightly sharper at times. Ultimately, that's a matter of taste. In general, the sound is rather neutrally set, and the headphones make fun of every music style.
The active noise cancellation is at a very high level. It hardly lets even background noise of a consistent hum have a chance, and it noticeably dampens clattering keyboards and other background noise. Strong wind is no problem for the ANC at all, and the self-noise is very low. The Transparency Mode was also convincing in the test. It feels natural and is set up in such a way that the ambient sound level is accurately reproduced.
A True Endurance Runner
The OnTrac performs well during phone calls as well, one gets along well with conversation partners and understands them effortlessly. The only minor criticism: The microphones are located directly under the buttons. If the thumb rubs against the buttons in search of them, the sound is very loud.
Another highlight of the headphones is their immense endurance. Dyson claims up to 55 hours of battery life, even with ANC activated. Three test days were not enough to fully understand this. Based on the displayed charge level, however, the statements can be assumed to be roughly correct.
Conclusion
The OnTrac is a great success for Dyson. Sound, ANC, and battery life are top-notch, and there's also a high wearing comfort and a successful design. The individual adjustment options are also a nice touch, although the price for the headphones themselves is quite high.
The Dyson OnTrac underwent technology-tests for its sound quality and noise cancellation capabilities, demonstrating impressive results. To further evaluate its audio performance, the headphones were subjected to technology-tests during audio tests, showcasing clear and detailed highs, well-defined mids, and deep, balanced bass.
