Wireless headphones: g1 tests 4 ‘big’ models for less than R$ 300

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Almost all bluetooth headphones offer good sound quality, but they only do the basics, without extras like noise cancellation or offering voice commands. Shopping Guide: Ighor Jesus/g1 Bluetooth headphones “Big” headphones are an alternative for those who don’t like models that go into the ear canal – like Apple’s AirPods. Its main advantages are better sound quality and longer battery life compared to small “phones”, which are also easier to lose. 🎧 These ′′ big ′′ headphones are divided into two categories: the over-ear, which cover the entire ear, and the on-ear, which are over the ears. The Shopping Guide tested four wireless headphones with Bluetooth connection found in online stores in July in the range between R$ 200 and R$ 300. Two models from each category were evaluated. They are basic devices, without advanced features such as noise cancellation, quick access to digital butlers (like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa) and sophisticated finish with higher quality materials. They play music well, at least – with one exception. They are: Geonav AerJoy JBL Tune 520 BT Gshield Flex Philco PFO01BTP See the test results below and, at the end of the report, the conclusion. Geonav AerJoy The Geonav AerJoy is an over-the-ear bluetooth headset. The model offers integration with a mobile app, which allows you to locate the device, and has very good sound quality. The product was found for BRL 200 in online stores consulted in July. The AerJoy’s design is quite simple, with white plastic temples and a light brown rubberized finish in a faux leather. The model weighs only 150 grams – the lightest of the four evaluated – and has a black version. The headphones have height adjustment on the head and indications in English on the right and left sides on the shells. Despite the format that puts more pressure on the ear, using the headphones does not cause much discomfort in the long run. The model comes with IPX4 type protection, which protects the equipment from light rain, sweat and splashes. It is an advantage over competitors, which do not have similar protection. There are only three buttons on the product: one that turns the headphones on and off and controls connectivity and another for volume control (more or less). Geonav controls detail AerJoy Henrique Martin/g1 The sound quality of the Geonav headphones is very good. I could listen to podcasts and calls with clarity and sharpness. For music, the bass is boosted with a noticeable bass thump – as good as the JBL headphones in the test, which are in the same on-ear category. Beats from Tame Impala or classic jazz from Miles Davis sound great on headphones. The application compatible with AerJoy is Hi by Geonav, which works with other connected products from the brand, such as light bulbs with Wi-Fi and digital scales. The app allows a more detailed adjustment of sound equalization, but its most interesting function is “Find the headphone” – which emits an alert sound if the headphones are lost somewhere in the house. But it doesn’t work if the device is turned off. According to the manufacturer, the battery has autonomy of up to 52 hours. It’s something around using a whole week for 8 hours a day and counting on the charge for the end of the week. Recharging is done via a USB-C connector, the same used on most cell phones. Gshield Flex The Gshield Flex enters the category of over-ear headphones, which cover the entire ear in a very comfortable way. The phone, however, has a low sound quality and a very high volume. In internet stores, the product was sold for R$ 270 in mid-July. The Flex is the heaviest model among the four evaluated, with 200 grams. Its design is the most attractive of all, with a matte black plastic finish and cushions covered in a synthetic material, looking like a more expensive product than it really is. The indication of the correct sides is easy to see, just above the shells. Gshield headphones are also the ones with the most command buttons, including volume, on/off/bluetooth connection and the only one to have dedicated keys for forward and backward music. Detail of Gshield Flex controls Henrique Martin/g1 It doesn’t have an FM and MP3 player like the Philco, but it comes with a P2 connector for wired devices. The sound quality is very low, with nothing standing out. Listening to Rosalia or Calvin Harris, it felt like an extra layer of fabric over the headphones. Changing musical genres (and even connected cell phones), the experience was similar. Even with voice-only podcasts, the audio was muffled all the time. The volume at the lowest level is bearable. Increasing it a little leaves it unusable, too exaggerated. The manufacturer does not offer an app for controls or equalization adjustment – ​​which could slightly improve the sound quality. According to the brand, its battery lasts 10 hours, recharged by a USB-C cable. JBL Tune 520 BT The JBL Tune 520 BT is also an on-ear headphone, with a mobile app and great sound quality, the best among the products in the test. The headphones were sold for BRL 250 in July in internet stores. The product’s finish is made of plastic, with synthetic material covering the cushioned shells and the upper part of the rod, which has height adjustment. During use, the headphones squeezed the head a little, but just move the shells to make the experience more comfortable. As with the Geonav headset, it features markings on the right and left side of the headset in English (L and R). But it doesn’t have location features via app. The headphones weigh 157 grams and JBL also offers versions of the product in blue and white. The manufacturer does not indicate protection against water or sweat. The controls are basic – just an on/off/connect to cell phone button, one to play/pause music/answer calls and volume control. Detail of the controls of the JBL Tune 520 BT Henrique Martin/g1 The sound of the JBL Tune 520 BT is great for those who like bass, something common with models of the brand. The JBL Headphones app allows sound equalization control with two levels of bass (normal and extreme), which leaves the beat of any funk very strong. For other rhythms – electronic or classical, rock or sertanejo – the other pre-selected settings (club, studio, vocal and jazz) make the tones more pleasant and less exaggerated. It is also possible to switch between an intelligent audio mode (for voice calls and listening to music) with higher sound quality in video, to improve voice synchronization in internet calls. A feature found in other models of the brand allows quick pairing with cell phones with Android system. Just turn on the headphones and the smartphone already recognizes the accessory automatically, without the need for additional settings. JBL says that the Tune 520 BT’s battery lasts up to 57 hours with a recharge, and that five minutes in the socket (USB-C) allows using the product for up to 3 hours. Philco Wave The Philco Wave is an over-ear headphone (which covers the entire ear) with good audio quality and features that the evaluated competitors do not offer: FM radio and MP3 player on the microSD card. The model cost R$ 150 in the online stores surveyed in July. It is the cheapest headphone among the evaluated products. Due to its larger format, Philco’s headphones are heavier than the on-ear ones, weighing 185 grams. But its use is more comfortable, as it does not press the ears directly. The trim is plastic with faux leather on the cushions, all in a light pink and gold. The manufacturer also offers a version of the product in black. The headphones do not have protection against splashes of water or sweat or a large indication of the correct side of use – which is located in a smaller part of the inner part of the shells. The controls are similar to the other headphones, with an additional “M” button to select the mode of use – bluetooth connection, FM radio or microSD card. Detail of part of the Philco Wave Henrique Martin/g1 controls As with the Gshield headphones, the Philco model also has a P2 connector to connect the product to other wired devices. JBL and Geonav do not have this connector, due to the smaller size of the product. The sound generated by the Philco headphones is good – it doesn’t have the exaggerated bass of the JBL nor the clarity of the Geonav, but it is much better than the Gshield. It was good for listening to podcasts and music in general, no matter the rhythm. Philco does not offer additional features via the app. But the presence of the microSD card, with a capacity of up to 32 GB, and the FM radio allow different use compared to competitors. Tuning radios requires a lot of patience to adjust the controls and the chance of hearing hiss is greater than music or news. The manufacturer’s estimated battery life is also shorter than that of the JBL and Geonav models and longer than that of the Gshield. Philco says the model ranges from 12h to 22h depending on the volume being used. Wave is the only one to use a micro USB cable to recharge the product. Conclusion COST/BENEFIT RATIO: for on-ear headphones, Geonav is the best option for sound quality, features and lower price compared to JBL. For over-ear headphones, Philco’s (cheapest model in the test) is the safest choice due to better audio quality and more features compared to Gshield’s. BETTER SOUND: Among the four headphones, the JBL audio quality is the biggest highlight. EASE OF TRANSPORT: All headphones are foldable to make it easier to put in a bag or backpack, but the models from JBL, Philco and Gshield seem to have a better finish and fit with the equipment closed, as you can see in the image below. Geonav’s is a little misaligned when folded. Headphones folded, clockwise: Geonav, JBL, Philco and Gshield Henrique Martin/g1 All plastic frames seem strong enough to stay closed for a long time and withstand transporting in a backpack or purse. How the tests were carried out The Shopping Guide asked the manufacturers for the most recent models of on-ear bluetooth headphones (which cover only part of the ear) or over-ear (which cover the entire ear) in the range of R$ 300 or less. The devices were sent on loan and will be returned. Philips did not have a model available for testing. Edifier did not respond to the shipping request. Ease of installation, available resources and smartphone applications (or not) were considered. After that, there were hours and hours of music of different styles heard at the end of June and the first half of July to assess the sound quality. This report was produced with complete editorial independence by our team of journalists and specialized collaborators. If the reader chooses to purchase a product from the links provided, Globo may earn revenue through commercial partnerships. We clarify that Globo does not have any control or responsibility over the possible shopping experience, even from the links provided. Questions or complaints regarding the product purchased and/or the purchase, payment and delivery process should be directed directly to the responsible retailer.

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