Ask More of Your Audio
Why you shouldn’t settle for mediocre sound quality, even if you are not an audiophile.
2 October 2019
Whether you’re getting to work on the rush hour train or having some downtime at a cafe, you’re likely to find many with their earphones on, totally tuned-out from their surroundings and tuned-in to their quirkily-named playlists. Chances are, you’ll be plugged into your jam too.
You see, with YouTube and Spotify making our favourite tunes more accessible than ever, music has become an essential – even indispensable – part of our lives. It gives us rhythm, good vibes; takes the edge off a bad Monday morning. And it helps put us in our comfort zones.
But here’s the thing. Music is in almost every part of our everyday lives, yet so many of us still ask so little of our audio accessories. It’s a bit like settling for a phone with clearly inferior features. You simply wouldn’t. If you’re someone who spends hours daily listening to music, it probably makes sense for you to invest in better gear.
Take noise-cancelling headphones. If you need music to focus; if music helps you get into your zone, or if it helps you get inspired; then noise-cancellation is the least you should expect from your gear. With so many budget-friendly options available, there’s really no reason to let your chatty colleagues disrupt your sessions with Sam Smith or Queen B.
Of course, there are different levels to this. Case in point: Jabra’s super-smart Elite 85h. This sleek, AI-powered pair of headphones allows you to customise the ambient sounds that get filtered out, so you don’t have to worry about missing your subway stop – which can happen easily when you are immersed in world-class sound during your commute. Furthermore, the Elite 85h comes with plush, ergonomic ear cups, 3-hour battery life and eight built-in microphones that greatly enhance call quality, so we’re looking at a real all-rounder here.
Now, on to audio accessories for exercise. If you run or gym regularly, and you need your Drake or Ariana Grande to help you keep the tempo, this writer highly recommends investing in a pair of wireless earphones. Because, if you’re training for the year-end marathon and trying to focus on your breathing, do you really need wires bouncing off your neck? And isn’t it true that your earphones fall out the moment you make a big movement and the wires tug at them?
Here’s an option well worth considering: The Jaybird Vista. Designed especially for the athlete, the Vistas are lightweight, durable, waterproof and fit securely in your ears. The wireless buds also come with a range of different-sized tips and wings to help you find the perfect fit. And if you’re someone who’s all about that bass, these buds will give you all the boom you need without any distortions. Long story short, the Jaybird Vista ticks a whole lot of boxes.
Devialet Reactor
Speaking of boxes, have you seen how some of today’s home speakers look? Sure, you will still find your fair share of boxy, old school types that just give you world-class sound. But if you’ve come across Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay A9 or Devialet’s Phantom Reactor, you’ll understand why we say that the modern home speaker is as much designer furniture as it is audio equipment.
With all that said, there’s no denying that good audio doesn’t come cheap. But it’s really not as expensive as you might imagine either. There is probably something within your budget that will take your music experience to a whole new level.
They say music is food for the soul. We say don’t let your utensils spoil it for you.
