Hey gang, Valkor here. And Naztech is back for round three in
the Val-Cave with their latest Bluetooth audio product – the XJ-500
Wireless headphones. This one is different than the
Alloy earphones, since these are over the ear cans. So, what
does it bring to the audio dinner table and why is it worthy of
your purchase bucks? Let’s find out.
On the outset, the XJ-500 looks pretty similar to Audio-Technica’s ATH-SR6BT; the difference would be is the name and the indicator lights on the back of the earcups. All of your controls and ports – including the volume, pause, MicroUSB (for charging), and 3.5mm port – are available on the right cup. Yes, the XJ-500 gives you the option to go wired as well as wireless, whatever your preference. Next, the earcups, as well as the adjustable headband, feature a soft, foam, leather lining, which when added to the lightweight of the headphones, means you’ll be able to go the distance without discomfort. Included with the headphones, you get a microUSB charging cable, 3.5mm cable, and a carrying case, which is slim enough that it easily fits in size most bags. Lately, I’ve been carrying a smaller messenger than what I’m normally used to carrying. And the XJ-500 carrying case, surprisingly, fits perfectly inside. Finally, the XJ-500 touts a 20-hour battery life, which is ten less than the ATH-SR6BT, but they got me home and back a few times before I needed to recharge.
Until the Samsung Galaxy S9+ enters the Val-Cave, I’m sticking with the S8+ for giving the XJ-500 a run as well as the Playstation Vita. Both of which provide music and gaming fun. So how does Naztech’s latest fare? Let’s find out in the TOV Breakdown!
The Bang:
The XJ-500, while fairly basic in its appearance, gives you the 1-2 combo of amazing sound quality and comfort that’ll get you through a relaxing day at home or while you’re out and about on your commute. The headphone’s bass is exceptional that you can not only hear but also feel. A good audio reference would be Kendrick Lamar and The Weekend's “Pray for Me” or Bruno Mars “Finesse”, which truly shows off just how rich the bass is. There is some distortion at higher levels, but that can be evened out with volume adjustments on both the headphones and whichever device you use. On the gaming side, I’ve been playing some Metal Gear Solid collection and even dipped back into Ys Oath of Felghana, to see how well the XJ-500 can handle both of their soundtracks. And I’ll admit, gaming with these headphones combined with my commute has caused me to miss many stops. That’s how immersed I was in what I was playing (thankfully it was on the way home). Finally, as I explained above, the XJ-500 is mad comfortable, allowing me to wear them for long hours without them feeling heavy. Thankfully, the battery also went the distance. And while I didn’t do 20 hours in one sitting, the headphones did last a good while before I needed to charge them up again. Overall, Naztech’s XJ-500 wireless headphones are a solid effort in both performance and comfort; and you can also make and receive calls with them too if that’s still a thing. It is, right?
The Slack:
The XJ-500 serves up an exceptional bass and clear audio, but it does come across a little canny. Again, it isn’t anything distracting but it is noticeable.
The Naztech XJ-500 wireless headphones are available now. And if you’re looking for a sweet pair of cans for any reason or season, then you’ll be hard-pressed to pass this one up. Not only are you getting great sound quality, but excellent comfort as well. So, out of TOV 5 stars, I’m giving the XJ-500 a solid 4.
