PLAY, a new Indian start-up launched the PLAYGO BH70 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones a few months back. It has features AI Algorithm and Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation with five microphones, Smart Sensor Control for Autoplay & Pause and more. After using it for a couple of months, here is the review.
Box Contents
- PLAYGO BH70 Headphones in Graphite Grey color
- Carrying Case
- Type-C Cable
- User Guide
The carrying case is sturdy and also comes with a small pouch inside that holds the USB Type-C Cable.
Specifications
- Driver Unit: 40mm Dynamic
- ANC Type: Hybrid ANC
- ANC Peak Value 35dB
- ANC Bandwidth: 20Hz-1000Hz
- Frequency Range: 20 – 20,000 Hz
- Impedance: 32 Ohms
- Sensitivity: 100dB ±3dB/mW
- Bluetooth Version: 5.0
- Audio Codec: aptX,aptX LL, SBC, AAC
- Dimensions:82 x 171 x 187mm; Weight: 305 Grams
Design and build
Starting with the design, the headphones has a familiar design with foldable earcups for easy storage. The headphones feature adjustable headband to fit your head. Even though it weighs 305 grams, it doesn’t feel heavy when holding or wearing it. It comes with IPX4 ratings for water resistance.
The outer side has Play branding and microphones for noise cancellation.
The ear cups are made of soft foam and the inner finish are made of cloth-like material so that it doesn’t strain your ears even when you wear it for long hours. In the left ear cup you can see the sensor that detects when you wear and remove the headphones for autoplay and pause.
The headphones feature several buttons. On the left ear cups you can see the ANC and power buttons. Both the ANC and Power buttons have built-in LED indicators that glow in Blue and Red colors. On the right side there are play/pause and volume control buttons. You can long press the volume buttons to move to previous or next song or double press the play/pause button in the middle to launch voice assistant on the phone. Next to these buttons is the USB Type-C charging port, and there is also a tiny microphone. There is no AUX port to listen using a wired connection when the battery runs out, Overall the build quality of the headphones is good.
Audio Quality
Coming to the audio quality, these offer brilliant audio output, thanks to 40mm drivers with a frequency response rating of 20 – 20,000 Hz. Hardware specifications aside, highs and treble performance is clear and detailed and the mids sound perfect. Vocals are full-bodied and dynamic. Coming to the bass, this offers more steady or smooth bass signature, which sound fantastic. Soundstage is decently wide for a closed back headset.
Since it packs the Qualcomm Bluetooth Audio SoC with aptX LL codec, you get high-quality audio the experience compared to normal headsets without it. There is also less latency when playing games, but there is no gaming mode for ultra low latency. The headset has a built-in microphone which is good even in most conditions, but it is not the best in crowded and noisy environment.
Active Noise Canceling and app
Coming to the Active Noise Canceling (ANC) feature. The headphones let you control the amount of environmental noise you want to let in or block out with ANC Toggle to choose between ANC ON /OFF Modes and Transparency Mode. You get a voice feedback when you switch between them or turn it off. This works well, and you can also adjust the levels of Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) in PLAYGO App for Android and iOS. There are 2 ANC levels (Bus/Train and Normal), for personalization. You can simply cup the left ear cup with your hand that will temporarily lower the volume (but doesn’t pause) so that you can have a quick conversation with others.
The app also lets you turn on or off the auto pause & play feature, transparent mode and the fight mode, which when enabled doesn’t turn off the headphones automatically when no music is playing, while the noise cancellation is on. The company says that this is useful for in-flight sleep. There is also equalizer feature that lets you pick between different EQ presets – Pop, Rock, Jazz, Hi-Fi, and also create your own custom equalizer to suit a favorite genre.
There is Personalize Hearing Curve mode. After a simple test, built-in AI algorithm learns and creates your own sound profile according to your sound sensitivity. You just have to follow the instructions on the app to complete the process. Once done, it will automatically take the feedback and modify the sound effect of the headset, according to the company.
Connectivity and Pairing
The Bluetooth headset supports Bluetooth 5.0, so you can connect it to Android, iOS devices along with MP3 players with Bluetooth support. It pairs to your phone quickly when you press connect option on the phone after the LED lights in the headset blinks blue and red when you turn on.
Battery Life
The headphones feature a 1000mAh battery promise up to 24 hours of music playback with ANC and 30 hours without ANC. We got over 20 hours of battery life with ANC and about 28 hours without ANC with about 80% volume. The headset automatically turns off when it’s not in use for about 5 minutes. Charging the headset takes about four hours using the Type-C cable, which is long since it doesn’t come with fast charging support.
Conclusion
Priced at Rs. 14,999, the PLAYGO BH70 is a good Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones with a good build quality, crisp audio with Qualcomm aptX support, customizable Active noise cancellation and long battery life. Wish it had fast charging support and AUX port for wired listening experience. It is available on Amazon.in, Flipkart and Play website in Medallion Brown, and Graphite Grey colors.