Design and features:The headphones work with or without the noise canceling feature being turned on. You can use the noise-canceling feature without listening to music. These headphones can be used wirelessly with Bluetooth devices or can be cord connected. When cord connected they have medium sensitivity when the noise cancelation feature is turned on so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and all but the lowest powered portable audio devices. When the noise cancelation feature is turned off they have medium high sensitivity; they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and even lower powered portable audio devices. The Life Q20 has built-in microphones and integrated volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls. Additional features include a bass boost EQ setting, support for Apple Siri and other unspecified digital voice assistants when used with Bluetooth devices that have those features, and earcups that fold and swivel for ease of carrying and storage. This model comes with a detachable 47-inch long standard audio cable, a USB charging cable, and a carrying pouch.
Sound quality: We found the Life Q20 delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks and excellent active noise reduction. With the noise canceling mode engaged and the Bass Up feature set to "Normal" the bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) goes deep, but is very prominent and boomy, and has excessive impact. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even, but is a bit hazy and grainy, and somewhat overwhelmed by the bass. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but is a touch prominent and a bit smeared (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred). The sound also has a good sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears. It does a good job of recovering room ambience (the sense of the acoustic space in which the audio program that's being listened to was recorded). Good dynamics. Mixed character - warm bass with a neutral midrange and treble. The overall sound can be summerized as very bassy and a bit grainy. The Bass Up feature makes the bass muddy and even more prominent. Noise Canceling: Excellent noise reduction across the entire frequency range with the low frequencies reduced the most. Very faint rushing noise can be heard when there is no audio program to drown it out. When cord connected to AC powered devices may produce a noticable humming noise when the noise canceling feature is engaged (no hum when NC is off or with portable devices that are not connected to a charger.)
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a sense of moderate pressure around the ears. As typical of over-ear models the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use. Users with larger ears might find that the over-the-ear fit of the ear pads might feel cramped, or that the ear pads sit on, rather than around their ears; in that case the less-than-ideal fit around the ears might interfere with the earpad seal and reduce the noise reduction capabilities of the headphone. Users with larger heads might find that the headband does not have enough adjustment range to allow the earcups rest properly over the ears and/or that the headband presses uncomfortably on the top of the head. Some users may find that when they lean far forward the headphones feel unstable and shift forward, but not to the point of falling off except for smaller heads possibly to the point of falling off. When wearing this model while walking the muffled vibrations from each foot step can be heard through the headphones. When the audio cord is used the sound of it rubbing on clothing may be faintly heard through the earphones.
