REVIEW – Noise-cancelling over-the-ear headphones are a great investment for this time of year. If you’re traveling, you’re probably needing the soothing envelope of your own sounds, whether it’s a podcast, an audiobook, music, or something calming like a neutral soundscape. Corded is fine, but if it’s wireless, so much the better. Cowin recently sent us a set of their E8 model Over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones, and I’ve been testing them. Come into my quiet place and let’s talk about them.
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What is it?
The Cowin E8’s are a very nice looking, well-built set of over-the-ear headphones. They arrive in a hardshell, form-fitting protective zippered case with all the cords, cables, and adapters you can imagine.
Hardware specs
- Impact-resistant materials
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel headband spring
- Premium listening experience with Adaptive Noise Cancelling (ANC)
- 18 Month Warranty
- Cushions feature advanced venting and ergonomic pivoting
- Advanced mic system with HD Voice on calls
What’s in the box?
- Headphones
- Hard-shell travel case with net pocket for accessories
- USB charge cable for battery
- 1/8″ – 1/4″ adapter
- Proprietary audio cable to connect to AUX
- Airline audio adapter
- Velveteen drawstring bag for above adapters
Design and features
The Cowin E8’s are a premium-look and feel in the NC Headphone space. Leather earcups, nicely stitched headband and padding around the earcups, and a soft, springy mesh over the actual speakers inside, as well as firm, sure switches make every touch a positive experience. There is no creak, squeak, or groan when you bend and adjust the unit to your head. The wide steel band that slides into and out of the headband for adjustment is etched to give you a place to reset to, should you share them, or pack them away and the adjustment gets changed.
Like most over-the-ear headphones, the E-8’s fully cover your ears and seal against your head. This prevents much background noise from permeating your soundscape. But sometimes, say, in my office right now, there may be a machine running that is distracting. Like, say, a dehumidifier. Turning on noise-cancellation reduces this noise from a low roar to a slight whoosh. A tiny bit of background music or sounds will remove it entirely.
All controls for the Noise cancellation and the Bluetooth connection, as well as phone and playback controls, are on the right earcup. The top brass round button engages or disengages the noise-cancellation, while the power button turns the Bluetooth radio on or off with a long-press. A short press of the power button while connected will stop or start music playback, or connect/disconnect a call. At the very bottom below the buttons, there is an open microUSB charging port, and the 3/32″ proprietary audio input jack.
Performance
The headphones work well to isolate unwanted sounds from the environment without using noise cancellation technology. If there are really loud or irritating sounds, turning on noise-cancellation will produce an anti-wave to cancel it out. Plane engines, loud machinery, or other loud, repetitive noises will simply disappear.
What I Like
- Nicely padded ear cups with sound-isolating properties
- Comfortable band and adjustments
- Nice travel case with a net pocket for cables
- Easy to find and use controls
- Rechargeable battery for Noise Cancelling feature
What needs to be improved
- Small, non-standard AUX cable for headphones (difficult to replace)
- Not stereo when using cable
- Battery has short shelf-charge life
Final thoughts
I love over-the-ear headphones. Whenever I’m sitting at my Mac, I’m usually wearing a set, since others in the house are rarely in the mood for whatever sounds and music are coming from my virtual environment. The other reason I love them is the immersion you get from being fully surrounded by the soundscape of whatever you’re listening to. The E8s from Cowin are a well-made set of headphones that have a decent sound profile but are hampered by a few little electronics issues. First, they went with a cheaper 3/32” connector into the headphone for the wired connection. Why? The 1/8” jack cannot possibly be that much larger. and you know what? As a result, when operating with the noise cancellation and only the wired headphone, only the right side gets sound. How special is that?
The battery only lasts a few days when not being used or charged. Before you leave for a trip where you’re expecting to use this, make sure you have it freshly charged.
Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Cowin
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The COWIN E7 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth Headphones are a great alternative. Battery life is 8 hours and the cost is so much less. I have 2 of these sets of cans and they work great. Definitely worth a look.
Wow I am shocked they changed to a propriety aux cable. I absolutely love the E7s and see these as a downgrade for doing that!
I have a different brand of headphone that has a proprietary aux cable. It has a standard jack on both sides but sounds terrible if the wrong side is plugged into the headphone. Apparently, it has a phone mic so that it can be used with a cell phone, and the mic signal goes to that jack. Confusing!
I bought E8 from their Cowin website directly (order no 1784, 5-10-2018) and below are the reason I regret my purchase:
1) Sound is just below average
2) There is pain in my ears when I turn on the sound cancellation feature
3) Most important– non existence Cowin customer support, Only with 4 months of low usage the left cup is sliding free & I cannot adjust it, Since them I am contacting Cowin customer support but received no reply from them.
I wish I had purchased some other brand.
The noise canceling is pretty decent. It’s not Bose quality but it’s plenty powerful to muffle a mower, vacuum or grinder. It almost entirely mutes plane noise. Like I mentioned, it doesn’t take much jostling to make it crackle, but if it becomes too annoying I just turn the NC off.
Its duration is exceptional. As a music lover, I listen to music for 4-5 hours per day, and I only charge it twice a week. I use it for music during commute, and I enjoy myself so much with it on for gaming. I never doubt its battery life and I have recommended it to my brother’s daughter who is turning 18 this June, and she loves music so much