”Music and dreams let music burn”
Author: Roderick
Information:
- Publication year: 2021
- Price: ~150 € (RRP 155 USD)
- Design: Closed
- Dynamic driver: 50 mm with beryllium coating
- Impedance: 32 ohm
- Sensitivity: 100 dB / mW
- Weight: 264 g
- Connector type: 2 x 2.5 mm
- 5. Cable: 1.5 meter cable with a 3.5 mm connector
- Accessories: Protective pouch
Review sample: Self-purchased product
Chinese Blon is probably best known for its acclaimed BL-03 in-ear headphones, which I myself have found to be excellent affordable headphones. However, the manufacturer has also released several full-size headphones, such as the B8 model, which many consider one of the best closed-back headphones under 100 euros. I have never had the chance to test the B8 model, but I have owned the B7 with wooden cups – unfortunately, it looked better than it sounded. However, that model is already old, and Blon seems to have significantly developed its products since then. For this reason, it is interesting to find out whether the manufacturer has succeeded in transferring the BL-03's rather balanced sound to the new B60 over-ear model (link to the product page in the Linsoul online store).
Product packaging
Structure and comfort
The Blon B60 is made entirely of wood and metal, without plastic parts. This is impressive considering the relatively low price of the headphones. The use of plastic parts is often justified by the lighter overall weight of headphones, but the 264-gram B60 is good proof that lightweight headphones can also be built without plastic.
Although the headphones look great and are relatively sturdy, their construction is not entirely refined. In my opinion, the cups wobble a bit too easily when handling the headphones, and the headband hinges creak faintly when turning the cups.
The headphone earpads feel high quality and are comfortable. The sides of the pads are made of synthetic leather, and the part that rests against the head is fabric. There is a reasonable amount of space for the ears inside the pads, but the ear opening is not particularly large. I still believe there is enough space for most listeners, except for those with the largest ears.
The pads attach to a groove between the faceplate and the wooden cups, making them easy to remove if needed. This type of attachment mechanism allows for the use of many different brands of alternative pads. Several oval-shaped pads should also fit the headphones easily, even though the B60 is more rectangular in shape.
The B60's braided cable is exceptionally nice for headphones costing $150. The cable has a fabric covering, and its connectors and splitter are made of metal. The cable also folds well and doesn't tangle. The 1.5-meter length is, in my opinion, suitable for both desktop and mobile use, and the 90-degree angled 3.5mm connector works well when connected to a phone or mobile player.
In the B60, comfort successfully meets material quality. Unfortunately, there is one problem in the headphone's construction that detracts from the overall impression: the B60 is extremely ”noisy”. If you tap the headphone cups, the sound resonates in the structure made of very thin wood, continuing its journey to the steel headband, where the sound intensifies even further. Similarly, the cable rubbing against clothes causes an exceptionally strong rustling sound that carries to the ears.
The aforementioned problems don't bother me much, especially when listening to music. However, many others might be bothered by such microphonics. The problem is truly obvious, so leaving it uncorrected, in my opinion, shows considerable indifference from the manufacturer.
Soundquality
As can be seen from the frequency response above, the B60 is quite peculiar. The headphone's bass reproduction may not necessarily seem particularly emphasized, but it sounds that way because there is a severe deficiency in the lower mid-frequencies. The headphone's upper midrange, on the other hand, is truly overemphasized. There is also a really generous amount of energy in the highest treble frequencies, but the treble doesn't feel very fatiguing because it is largely in line with the upper midrange.
What does such a tuning sound like then? – as one might guess, almost unlistenable. Although there is bass, all instruments and vocal performances lack foundation. The reproduction is truly bodiless and thin! The singer often sounds whiny. Regardless of the singer, the music sounds as if it were performed by a mosquito, a wasp, or Axl Rose. The timbre is always truly colored, as if it had been lightened with helium and a suitable timbre sought by listening to an unlubricated hinge.
The headphone's soundstage is at least reasonably good, and instruments are structured quite precisely within the sound field. The sound is unclouded, and the detail retrieval is even excellent, partly due to the peculiar frequency response. The airy treble also sounds excellent in places.
Unfortunately, these positive aspects are not nearly enough to compensate for the B60's dismal frequency response. The headphones sound dismal at best and grating at worst. I often find myself turning down the volume because my ears get tired very quickly when listening to the B60.
Summary
In terms of technical performance, the Blon B60 could have potential if an enthusiast is willing to do the work that should have been done by the manufacturer, i.e., tuning the sound correctly. I believe that the headphones could be made acceptable by equalizing or modding them. However, there are better headphones available for such a purpose. In addition to the sound problems, the owner would also have to solve the issues of the strongly resonating structure.
The B60's appearance is certainly nice, but several other headphones made of wood and metal can be found on Aliexpress and Ebay, which are also cheaper than the B60. These more affordable options are also likely to sound better, as it doesn't take much to achieve that.
Pros and cons:
+ Handsome appearance and a nice cable
+ The headphones are light and comfortable on the head
+ Airy and resolving treble
– Incomprehensible frequency response, which makes the headphones almost unlistenable
– The headband and cups ”ring” very strongly if the headphones are touched or the cable hits clothing
– The price is too high, as there are several more affordable wooden headphones on the market implemented with a similar driver. Nothing in the B60's construction or sound justifies its higher price compared to competitors.
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