Geek Review: OneOdio A70 Bluetooth & Wired Headphones

Headphones are a dime a dozen these days – everyone thinks they can tweak an OEM device, slap a label on it and make bank. While established brands have the legacy, it doesn’t always translate to quality and there have been the occasional unit from a newcomer that impresses.

In the case of OneOdio, the long and the short of it is that this is not a pair of headphones for audiophiles looking for something that can push the audio frontier. At about US$50, the OneOdio A70 wasn’t built to impress with spanking new technology or exquisitely premium quality, because it’s not trying to. Instead, the OneOdio A70 is a solid, affordable option for anyone looking to get a pair of wireless headphones with a robust battery life.

Out of the box, the OneOdio A70 comes with a 3.5mm to 6.35mm coiled cable, a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable, a USB to micro-USB cable, and a leatherette string pouch. The pouch is a nice touch that makes it easy to carry the entire headphones set around, while the cables mean that the headphones are not solely Bluetooth-reliant. The cables make it clear that the OneOdio A70 is a versatile pair of studio monitor headphones meant to be a convenient go-to for users.

The headphones are made using mostly light plastics, with metal being used to reinforce the headband. Weighing in at about 250g, it’s not the lightest but even after long hours of use, the weight isn’t something that is an issue and is barely felt, with the build quality ensuring that the weight distribution isn’t lopsided.

The battery life is one of the headphones’ biggest strengths. On a full charge, which can take between two to three hours from flat, the A70 can run for between 35 to 45 hours of play time. If it’s used for five to six hours per day, be it for calls, music, or videos, it will only require charging about once every week. Of course, when it comes down to it, sound quality is the most important factor for headphones. In this aspect, the OneOdio A70 does surprisingly well with its 40mm drivers. There is an emphasis on the bass and the highs, with the mids being a bit recessed. This means that when listening to songs, the higher the singer goes, the clearer it gets. This is the type of balance that makes the listening experience feel like a rollercoaster ride, since the lows and highs come through much stronger than the mids. However, this also means that the balance isn’t exactly, well, balanced. For music that has heavy focus on the mids, or for those looking to really listen closely to every detail in every note, the OneOdio A70 will likely not be enough. It lends itself to fun listening experiences over critical, percipient type of listening.

Which does make its status as a studio monitor headphones interesting, because it is more suitable for an average user’s daily use rather than a professional who needs to master tracks for various clients. For musicians, it depends on the type of music they want to make, and if this mid and high-heavy balance is the type of sound they are after, the OneOdio A70 will be a suitable and affordable choice for them.

When it comes to comfort when wearing the OneOdio A70, it is not going to be great for those with bigger heads. The slider arms for the headphones don’t extend enough to afford enough adjustability. This is a bit of a shame, as the earpads and headband do feel pleasant to the touch with their leatherette paddings, despite the tight, awkward fit becoming uncomfortable after about one and a half hours of wear for someone with a big head.

As for call quality, the in-built mic is decent, and sound quality is clear on both sides of calls. This again makes a case for the OneOdio A70 more as a versatile pair of headphones rather than a dedicated studio monitor. This really is a versatile pair of wireless headphones that is geared towards those who are looking for something affordable and convenient. At US$49.99, it won’t be outdoing the higher range headphones, but it’s not trying to be. Just make sure you’re not someone with too big a head.