Blaupunkt has now started selling its headphones in India. We look at two devices on either end of the spectrum -
BLAUPUNKT CN-112 - CUTTING THE NOISE
Rs 9,990
Rating: 4.5/5We had to test the Blaupunkt noise-cancelling headphones as this is one company that is known in India for its car audio more than anything. Also, we wanted to see if the noise-cancelling headphones were really any good.
The CN-112 looks like a regular
closed on-ear headphone, covering most of your ears. It has very soft ear cups that can fold flat if needed. The cord is detachable making it even easier to pack into its neat case. On the left ear cup is what differentiates this device. Here you find a toggle button to switch on active noise cancellation and a dial to control its intensity.
The audio quality of the CN-112 is quite good, especially if you really like listening to something with heavy bass. We felt it lacks a bit of loudness if your source is a mobile device. But it is always better to hear a soft volume that something that blasts into your ears. The sound reproduction is full spectrum, especially with the vocals really coming out clearly.
Switch on the noise cancellation and you can
really make out the difference. It really cuts out most of the sounds. We say most because when we tried it out in the office we could hear some of the chatter happening in the background. Adjust the ANC dial and you can cut out this noise too. We tested the headphone during a train journey and noticed that it cut off all of the noise. It was only after we had been lulled into a sleep that we realised this is the sort of environment in which noise cancelling is a real game changer. The one dampener here is that you hear some static kind of noise if you increase noise cancelling beyond a point.
The good thing about the CN-112 is that you can hear music without noise cancelling and use noise cancelling without the music. The noise cancelling works even without the headphone being plugged into a source, though it
does not keep out all sounds. It is definitely better to keep this on with some music running.
Overall, the Blaupunkt CN-112 is a good headphone with the added advantage of noise cancelling. At its price point it definitely does its task to good effect.
BAG IT OR JUNK ITGood sound quality, decent noise cancelling
BLAUPUNKT PURE: THE ORIGINAL WHITE
Rs 2,490
Rating: 4/5At first sight the design of the Blaupunkt Pure in-ear headphones might look very familiar. That is because Indian market is flood with cheap imitations of this popular model.
This is not an imitation and is the real thing. Blaupunkt calls the Pure "maximum sound in minimum form" and that seems to be the best way to discernible this
piece of audio equipment. The one we tested had an all-white chord and earpiece with a metallic blue band around it. This piece of chrome is enough to differentiate the fakes from the original. The ear adapters come in three sizes and that should cover most ear sizes.
We tested the device during a short train journey and were impressed that the ear plugs block out all external noise with some music running. These silicon pieces are also very easy on the ear and you will have no problem using it for long hours.
The sound quality depends to a large extent on what your are listening to. The sound is pure and balanced when your are yearning something like a ghazal, but for a full spectrum orchestral music this piece seems to lack the oomph required. For instance, in comparison with the Blaupunkt on-ear CN 112 this seems the Pure feels like a set that costs a fourth of the former.
It is not about the cost, but this just does not have the depth for you to enjoy the Lawrence of Arabia OST or the Kronos Quartet. But then, not many of us listen to that kind of music.
If you want a good earphone to enjoy the FM while on the metro or to lull you to sleep after a long tiring day, the Pure will do just great for you. If you are more choosy about your music and what y listen it on, looking for something with more depth.
BAG IT OR JUNK ITNot for audiophiles
