TechLife Australia

Pendulumic Stance S1

- PAUL TAYLOR

PREMIUM WIRELESS CANS WITHOUT THE PREMIUM PRICE TAG.

A STAGGERING RANGE of Bluetooth headphones exists, with a pair to suit just about every budget. Pendulumic prides itself on ‘studio-level’ quality, something you wouldn’t expect in a wireless set of phones, and a claim like that’s usually an indication that the price is sky high. But that’s not so here. Instead, you’ll nd an upbeat but engrossing soundscape -- even without wires -- in a pair of comfortabl­e and stylish headphones.

In wireless mode, the Stance’s favour the mids and high end, giving a crispness to everything on our usual playlist, from Arcade Fire, to Da Punk with Sia and e Prodigy in between. It’s a little harsh at rst, but dipping into the equaliser to push the bass out proved that they’re also very responsive, and able to hold a high volume without distortion. OVer Bluetooth, the volume can be adjusted with a knob on the right ear phone, but when used with a cable the volume knob is entirely redundant, and the soundscape actually tilts the opposite way once the wire with its inline remote is plugged in. Here, you’ll nd warmth with clarity -- a sound you could listen to all day. However, you do need to have them powered up in either mode, using AAA batteries or a rechargeab­le battery pack.

And you well might want to wear them all day. e adjustable headband is married to a oating cushion (the bit that goes between your scalp and the sti band) that makes them feel lighter than they are. We’re lopping a star o for the plasticky, cheap-feeling switches on the cans that control power and function.

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