Noontec Hammo Headphones Review

Today we are taking a look at Noontec's Hammo Fashion Hi-Fi Headphones. Aimed at music enthusiasts with a penchant for style, these on-ear headphones boast 50 mm drivers, a detachable audio cable and ship with a protective case. The big question we aim to answer today ... can Noontec convince the discerning audiophile to pay the £99.99 asking price? Specifications: Driver type: dynamic Plug type: 3.5mm Driver diameter: 50mm Frequency response: 5~30,000 Hz Sensitivity at 1 KHz 1mW: 105dB Input impedance: 32Ω Max power: 100mW Performance: High definition Cable-microphone: yes Audio cable length: 1.2m Weight: 240g The Noontec Hammo headphones ship in a white box with a clear image of the headphones on the front. The back features a clear image of the headband and lists several key features in a variety of languages. Inside the box we find the headphones, the detachable audio cable and a small manual. Here we can see the headphones hinges which allow it to be folded. Also included in the box is a protective hard cover case. The zipper features the Noontec brand name and there is a hook to attach the case, for example, to a backpack. Opening the case reveals its soft inner lining and an additional sleeve to store the audio cable safely. Taking a closer look at the headphones we can see its combination of aluminium and plastic. The headband has received a smooth leather finish covering its thin padding. The outside of the cups feature the Noontec logo prominently and offer a minimal amount of swivel. In the bottom left corner we can see the audio cable input. The cups themselves have soft pads with a leather lining whilst the insides have received a cloth cover lining. On the inside we can also see Noontec have clearly marked the left and right-hand sides. Over the course of several days we continuously used the Hammo headphones whilst listening to a variety of music, watching videos and gaming on mobile devices and a PC. The first thing we noticed was that Noontec deliver on their promise of comfort. The headphones fit snugly without excessive pressure on the ears. In fact, after a short while I almost forgot I was wearing them while listening to music. The only issue we could really mention are concerns over the relatively small ear cups. Those with smaller ears will find these headphones perfect, but if you are blessed with bigger lobes then the Hammo may prove slightly uncomfortable. In terms of sound quality the headphones performed very well indeed. High frequencies were reproduced without a sign of sibilance and the bass response was commendable, courtesy of the large 50 mm drivers. Even the action sequences in The Dark Knight, notorious for their excessive bass were clean without a hint of wooly distortion commonplace with other competing headphones. Although Noontec is targeting music lovers with the Hammo headphones I found they worked very well in Battlefield 3. From subtle environmental audio clues, such as the antenna starting to fall on the Caspian Border map, to rumbling tanks passing by and jets flying overhead, the Hammos delivered an enjoyable, immersive experience. In our opinion the use of a detachable audio cable is a clever move on Noontec's behalf. Users who often wear their headphones in more rugged conditions can use a braided cable. Additionally, people can add a personal touch to stand out from the crowd. We value the inclusion of a hard cover case, adding to the headphone's premium feel while helping to protect the investment, long term. Although the Noontec Hammo's audio quality is undeniable, we do believe its relatively high asking price of £99.99 puts it in a tough spot when compared with competitors such as Sennheiser, Audio-Technica and entry level Grado models. Pros: Very comfortable fit. Excellent sound reproduction. Replaceable audio cable. Protective case is well-made. Cons: Ear cups are relatively small. High asking price pits the Hammo's against fierce competition. KitGuru says: The Noontec Hammo Fashion Hi-Fi Headphones offer excellent sound quality and are a worthwhile consideration for those who want to combine style without compromising on audio quality.