Tuesday, February 3, 2015
UltraFocus 8000 - Polk Audio: Polk Audio ULTRA FOCUS 8000 | High performance ove...
UltraFocus 8000 - Polk Audio: Polk Audio ULTRA FOCUS 8000 | High performance ove...: I was criticized recently for having an average of mostly positive reviews; well I just entered a 2 star on another product. I take reviews ...
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 Review 2015 | Headset Overview
I will compare the Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 to the Bose QC15 and Beats Studio, all of which I currently own. I listen to these headphones with the iPhone 5 un-amped.
Build: The Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 is much better constructed than the Bose, and also the Beats Studio. I still cannot get over how cheaply constructed the Bose is with plasticky construction and thin "glued-on" fabric inside the earcups. The Beats is also plasticky. The Polk is a bit heavier than the Beats and Bose due to better construction.
Comfort: The Bose and Beats are equally very comfortable to me. The Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 is a bit less so due to weight and the fact that it clamps the part of my head above the ear lobes more than the other two. However, I've worn the Polk for over 1 hour without any fatigue and could have probably continued to do so for several more hours. A word about the "on-ear" controls of the Polk: It takes some getting used to, but works fine. Still, I would have prefered iPhone controls on the cable.
Noise cancellation and isolation: The Bose is simply the best in NC. The Polk is better than the Beats in NC. The Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 is MUCH better than the Beats in sound leakage. With the Beats, my wife sitting 4 feet away in a quiet room can clearly make out what I was listening to, even though the iPhone volume is at 40%. With the same or slightly louder volume, no one can hear my music with the Polk.
Sound quality: The numero uno criteria of a headphone. The Polk simply trounces the other two in this department. The Bose is the worst sounding to me mostly because of the "muffled" sound; I usually have to crank up the iPhone volume to listen with the Bose. The Beats amplifies the bass and is somewhat "muddy" overall. The Polk has great detail in the vocals, mid-range, and very good bass (just not as thumping as the Beats). I am able to hear details in the strings and vocals with the Polk that I can barely make out or not even notice with the Beats Studio. There is better separation and more natural sound compared to the Beats. Soundstage is average for all 3 headphones.
Overall, I like the Polk best and will be keeping it. BUY NOW FROM AMAZON
Build: The Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 is much better constructed than the Bose, and also the Beats Studio. I still cannot get over how cheaply constructed the Bose is with plasticky construction and thin "glued-on" fabric inside the earcups. The Beats is also plasticky. The Polk is a bit heavier than the Beats and Bose due to better construction.
Comfort: The Bose and Beats are equally very comfortable to me. The Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 is a bit less so due to weight and the fact that it clamps the part of my head above the ear lobes more than the other two. However, I've worn the Polk for over 1 hour without any fatigue and could have probably continued to do so for several more hours. A word about the "on-ear" controls of the Polk: It takes some getting used to, but works fine. Still, I would have prefered iPhone controls on the cable.
Noise cancellation and isolation: The Bose is simply the best in NC. The Polk is better than the Beats in NC. The Polk Audio UltraFocus 8000 is MUCH better than the Beats in sound leakage. With the Beats, my wife sitting 4 feet away in a quiet room can clearly make out what I was listening to, even though the iPhone volume is at 40%. With the same or slightly louder volume, no one can hear my music with the Polk.
Sound quality: The numero uno criteria of a headphone. The Polk simply trounces the other two in this department. The Bose is the worst sounding to me mostly because of the "muffled" sound; I usually have to crank up the iPhone volume to listen with the Bose. The Beats amplifies the bass and is somewhat "muddy" overall. The Polk has great detail in the vocals, mid-range, and very good bass (just not as thumping as the Beats). I am able to hear details in the strings and vocals with the Polk that I can barely make out or not even notice with the Beats Studio. There is better separation and more natural sound compared to the Beats. Soundstage is average for all 3 headphones.
Overall, I like the Polk best and will be keeping it. BUY NOW FROM AMAZON
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