Noontec Zoro Headphone comes to town

We’ve seen and used a number of Noontec products before, from the media players to the portable battery packs, but this headphones certainly brings Noontec into sensitive territories.

It goes without saying that in the very competitive headphone market, Noontec is obviously a new player.

So if brand recognition is not a strength, we look at performance and sound quality. This is the only way for the Noontec Zoro to effectively slug it out with the other brands and models in the market.

The design and packaging of the Zoro is commendable — very well set, simple yet well designed. Noontec gave me three units in various colors — red, white and black. I picked one to use and review while the other 2 units will be given away to readers (more on that later).

The Noontec logo on a glossy, red finish of the ear cups reminds me of Beats by Dr. Dre. It might just be a coincidence but the striking similarity with Beats Solo HD is undeniable (even the folding mechanism is the same).

Noontec Zoro headphone:
Wearing fashion: Supra-aural
Plug type: 3.5mm
Driver diameter: 40mm
Input impedance: 16 ohms
Transducer principle: Dynamic, Semi-open
Frequency response: 15-22,000 Hz
Sensitivity at 1 KHz SPL: 110±3dB
Audio cable: 1.2m，OFC+TPE
Net weight: 150g

The 3.5mm audio jack is found on the bottom end of the right ear cup. The 1.2 meter cable is flat and detachable, which is nice, but there’s that tendency to misplace it (the cable feels a bit short though). The ear cups are soft and comfortable although I wish there were bigger to cover the entire ear lobe and not just sit on top of it (my ears felt a bit warm just after 30 minutes of wearing them).

Sound quality is pretty, almost even on across the entire range. Bass is good and not ear-shattering even at the top of the volume. The tolerable level is around 70-80% of the volume and beyond that, it’s already little uncomfortable. It’s not tinny or distorted at the top but there’s some sort of abrupt change in sound profile at the 70% mark.

Pinoy Ako by Orange and Lemons sounded cool and clear although the base wasn’t that solid; Postcard from Heaven by Lighthouse Family is very smooth and Tubthumping by Chumbawamba is pretty even. I prefer using this headphone when listening to podcasts though (voices are really solid and clear). Since the cups sits on top of your ears, don’t expect the headphone to isolate ambient noise that much.

The Noontec Zoro should be available in witch stores around Metro Manila with a suggested retail price of Php3,200USD 55INR 4,623EUR 52CNY 397. I must admit it is a bit on the pricey end for a fairly new brand of headphone but prices should normalize as a function of demand. In any case, it is something to consider when you’re out for a new one. So far, I’m pretty satisfied with it. My suggestion is go try it out in the stores and check them for yourself.