We had forgotten it a little this summer, the noise of the city, of buses and subway trains. To stay zen, and isolate yourself from the ambient tumult while enjoying its best sounds, a solution: headphones with active noise reduction. And among the new items for the start of the school year, “20 Minutes” has spotted and tested three pairs of these “100% wireless” headphones from Sony, Jabra and Huawei which combine excellent audio reproduction and effective noise reduction.
The lightest: LinkBuds S, from Sony
After its funny LinkBuds in hollow circular format (a priori, the manufacturer abandons the concept), Sony returns with its LinkBuds S, more classic, but with noise reduction. With their fairly reasonable price, they are positioned well below the WF-1000XM4 (229 euros) which remain the headphones premium from the Japanese manufacturer.
Made in part with recycled plastics (hence their slightly grainy feel) and delivered in compostable packaging, the LinkBuds S have the privilege of discretion and lightness. Weighing just 4.8 grams, these are, according to Sony, the lightest noise canceling headphones on the market.
Intra-auricular (they sink into the ear canal), they have configurable touch controls from the Headphones application, with four functions per earpiece (Play/Pause; Next track/Previous track; Noise reduction, etc.). It is also in this application that we find a five-band equalizer, with eleven settings (Vivid, Enthusiastic, Calm…), two of which can be personalized. The LinkBuds S, which are resistant to water and perspiration (IPX4 standard), offer up to 21 hours of autonomy without noise reduction.
Noise reduction and Transparency mode (to stay aware of surrounding noise) are orchestrated according to different levels. A little extra, the “Speak to chat” function immediately interrupts the music as soon as you speak. 149 euros.
Our opinion : On trial, the LinkBuds S diffuse a suave, round sound with comfortable bass, as observed by extending the summer with the drunk by Gecko Turner. But a sound that may lack a bit of brilliance. The possibility of listening to songs with spatial sound (with subscription to Deezer or Amazon Music) is a plus. For its part, the noise reduction is effective, even if the LinkBuds S still let some frequencies pass, especially for high-pitched sounds. The annoying basses are perfectly muzzled. Downside, however: these headphones are not multipoint.
The most complete: Jabra, Elite 5
More discreetly than some competitors, the Dane Jabra imposes its know-how on nomadic sound. Evidenced by its new Elite 5.
The bass of cozy by Beyoncé; the dynamics of Stupid Love by Lady Gaga, from the remix of Hot Stuff by Kygo and Donna Summer; the voice of Tom Wlaker on Leave a High On… convinced us of the very good performance of the Elite 5 which, by their sound signature, are aimed at a young audience. But not only. The restitution of the finesse of Lou Reed’s guitar on Walk on the Wild Sideor even the chiseled voice of Stevie Nick for dream from Fleetwood Mac testify that the Elite 5 can expand their audience with pure, detailed sound.
With this model, Jabra also inaugurates a new noise reduction system. Based on external microphones, but also internal to the headphones (six in total), it takes advantage of a new Qualcomm chip to optimize telephone conversations in particular by reducing wind noise to virtually zero. Which is very convenient in conversation.
IP55 (they resist dust and water), multipoint (they can connect to a smartphone and a computer without having to repair them), the Elite 5 also claim up to 36 hours of autonomy without reduction of noise. Finally, they can be recharged by induction. Arguments that distinguish them. 169 euros.
Our opinion : The Elite 5 (in black or beige) confirm not only the mastery of the manufacturer to offer audio products of excellent quality, but also a very relevant noise reduction at this price level. Customizable with the Sound + application and controllable using physical buttons, these headphones should find a wide audience.
The most powerful: FreeBuds Pro 2, from Huawei
Developed in partnership with the hi-fi brand Devialet, the FreeBuds Pro 2 are semi-intra headphones (they only partially sink into the ear canal). Controls are located on the small pinch stalks, and customization of settings is done through the Huawei AI Life app.
In the absence of lightness (5.9 grams per earphone, against 5 grams for the Galaxy Buds 2, from Samsung, for example), each earphone incorporates two speakers. This allows the FreeBuds Pro 2 to cover a wide frequency range (14Hz – 48kHz). A piece like Even After All by Finley Quaye (on an old album drunk jazz from 1997 to rediscover!) takes advantage of the real assets of the FreeBuds 2 Pro: muscular bass, precise treble and voice with an incredible presence. Particularly immersive… The ten-band equalizer present in the application (iOS and Android) allows you to finely adjust its settings, in addition to those offered (Default, Amplification of bass, treble, Voice).
For its part, the noise reduction operates on four levels, including one, called “Dynamic”, which automatically adjusts it according to the environment. The FreeBuds Pro 2 claim up to 30 hours of battery life without noise reduction (up to 4 charges are possible in their case). 199 euros.
Our opinion : Chrome finish (in blue, gray or white), small exposed rod: Huawei’s new FreeBuds Pro 2 are not discretion incarnate. The Chinese manufacturer signs here however excellent headphones, a nothing bling bling, of course, but with an undeniable comfort of use and a canon sound. Tested during phone calls in the middle of the street, they are distinguished by crystal clear conversations, without being (too) inconvenienced by the surrounding noise, and in particular the noise of the engines.