Bluedio might not be as well-known as ‘famous’ brands such as the Sennheiser or Bose, but it has become of the most dynamic headphone companies that offers quality Bluetooth headphones, and its users will be in for a surprise with their R2-WH Wired Stereo Headphones. Affordable price aside, they deliver with a solid audio performance, comfort and durability; making them a great bargain without having to burn a hole in your pocket.
Audio Performance
The R2-WH houses not one, not two but a whopping eight driver units - a pair of 50mm, 50 ohm woofers, as well as six pieces of 32ohms 3D speakers. The result is a deep bass, coupled with clear and detailed mids and highs – like having your own stereo sound system on the ears. The independent bass and tweeter speakers ensure that the different ranges do not bleed into each other.
As they were designed for monitoring purposes, the headphones have a flatter response than bass-heavy models such as the V-Moda M-100s or the Beats. They have a wide frequency range, between 5Hz to 25,000Hz, and are able to bring out the low, velvety tones of deep sub-bass without overwhelming the mid-range vocals and trebles. Even with boosted low frequencies, the overall effect is well-balanced across all ranges, and the flat response means that audio is non-fatiguing on the ear even after long listening sessions. Equipped with PPS8 technology, the headphones stimulate a surround-sound effect, so other than listening to music,they are great for watching movies and gaming as well.
Aiming for high fidelity audio, the headphones do away with digital sound processors for lossless transmission. Speakers play directly from the audio source for a more accurate reproduction –so users will hear music as intended by their sound engineers and producers. The total harmonic distortion is a miniscule 0.2%, so audio sounds crisp and clear even at high volumes. While some headphones are only as good as their audio source, the R2-WH delivers with Hi-Fi stereo sound quality that is almost CD-like, regardless of format; whether the files are FLAC, WAV or APE.
With a high speaker sensitivity of 114dB and low impedance, they work best with small and portable audio devices such as MP3 players, tablets, smartphones and PCs. Volume turns up fairly high, but for those craving a bit of oomph, pair the headphones with an amplifier.
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Design and Build
Design wise, the headphones are quite basic-looking., with an over-the-ear look inspired by DJ headphones. At just over 7 ounces, they are light and the ergonomic design distributes weight evenly over the head for long hours of wear.
The headband is of average thickness, and can be adjusted to fit different head shapes and sizes. Usually, adjustable sliding mechanisms are the bane of headphones as they break easily, but there does not seem to be such a problem with the R2-WH headphones. The band seems quite sturdy, the construction is robust and should be able to handle being opened and closed multiple times.
Meanwhile, two large rectangular ear cups with rounded edges envelop the ears completely for better noise isolation – so users should not have to worry about listening loud music in a public space. The cups have a closed back design which further helps with passive noise reduction by blocking out environmental noises. Unfortunately, the cups do not swivel around for a customized fit.
For added comfort, both earpieces and the top of the band are padded with soft, pleather cushions. The only downside is that the material tends to build up heat in warm environments.
Designed with portability in mind, the headphones are average in size at 7.48 inches by 2.28 inches; and thanks to foldable hinges, should fit into bags and storage nicely. There isn’t much choice when it comes to color scheme, as they are only available in black and grey, but the sombre tone lends them a modern, minimalist touch.
Additional Features
The R2-WH comes with two cables. The general audio cable measures 1.5m and comes with an in-built mic for making and answering calls. The cable ends in a standard 3.5mm audio jack and is compatible with both Apple and Samsung devices. Also included is an extension cable measuring 1.5m for plugging into PCs. Both cables are detachable and connect through a single side to avoid tangling. Having an extra cable is always handy in case users misplace the first one.
Meanwhile, a soft fabric pouch keeps the headphones safe from the elements, and it even has extra room for iPods and small MP3 players.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Eight drivers – a pair of 50mm subwoofers, six pieces of 3D speakers
- Flat response, well-balanced sound across all ranges
- High fidelity audio
- Works well with a variety of audio formats
- Good noise isolation and noise reduction
- Portable and lightweight
- Comfortable cushions and padded headband
- Adjustable to fit different head shapes and sizes
- Affordable price
- Multiple cables
Cons
- Cups build up heat in warm environments
- Basic design and color scheme
Verdict
While audio performance is good on the R2-WH, the headphones are not the best in their class, despite their impressive number of drivers. They are outperformed by some mid-range models such as the Gemini HSR-1000. If you’re looking for bass, then these headphones are not for you since they have a flat response. But for their price point, they far exceed expectations and are a solid choice for casual listeners as well as professional users.
