One of the biggest problems in finding a great pair of budget-friendly headphones is comfort. There has to be enough cushion, but not too much, and the ear cups must be big enough. Fortunately for me, having big ears aren’t the problem. In fact, my ears are ridiculously small and, in turn, ache very easily. The cups for the wired headphones I previously used fit over my ears perfectly, but after an hour or so of use – they have to be taken off. Not only do I have cats who are in love with string and anything resembling rope – it was time to find a wireless headset. After some basic research and roaming Amazon, I found the August EP650 and received a pair in the colour black. Especially considering the price range at around 60 dollars a pop – it’s tough to beat.

The overall look takes on a minimalist design aspect, stylish and sleek. No fancy LED littering every line and crevice. On the right side, however, the plastic lining bordering the play/pause button blinks frequently. Per standard to most Bluetooth devices out there, it lets the user know that the Bluetooth has been initiated and is currently in use. However, this can easily be a problem for those with sensitive eyesight.

The packaging for the August EP650 is bare and, frankly, not professional. The headphones were covered in an opaque plastic bag in a simple folder-style box. Underneath, was a shallow compartment, encasing the User Manual, USB charging cable, and audio cable. Yet, I digress. The headset itself doesn’t feel cheap, but it’s lightweight for heavy use. Plus, this isn’t a hundred dollar plus item we’re talking about it, and nor is it an exclusive release of any kind. Apart from that, there is much, much more to love about the EP650. It also comes in 6 different color schemes – black, blue, gold, red, silver, and white. Below, you can observe the hardware specifications, and further details on pros and cons.

Specifications and Features

• Dimensions: 7 x 2.8 x 7.4 inches (176.6 x 188.6 x 71mm)
• Weight: 8.2 ounces (235g)
• Bluetooth: v4.1 and aptX
• Operating Range: up to 32 feet (10m)
• Frequency Response: 60Hz to 20 KHz
• Speaker Output: 30mW
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): ≥ 85dB
• Distortion: ≤ 1.0%
• Battery: 3.7V/220mAh Built-in Li-Polyme Battery
• Working Time: 10 hours
• Charging Time: 2 hours
• Standby Time: 30 days
• Accessories
  • USB Charging Cable
  • 5mm Audio Cable
  • User Manual (in English, French, German/Deutsch, Italian, and Spanish/Español)
• Built-in Microphone
• NFC (Near Field Communication) Connection

Pros

Sound quality and comfort are the main features that need to be critically analyzed. Is there enough bass? Is there too much? Thankfully, the sound quality is superb, but if there’s anything not to your liking – a simple fix with an equalizer will do the trick. The sound is clear and crisp, for the most part, especially if you enjoy listening to music genres with lots of high notes and sounds. If you’re looking for headphones with plenty of room for heavy bass – you’re in luck too. Come standard, the August EP650 has doesn’t lack in that department. Be warned, however, as you increase bass on a song – the more muffled the other sounds become. Thus, mutilating the sound quality. Not to mention, this baby can get loud. The volume button can get up to 30 clicks before it reaches the max. For those with partial deafness or hard of hearing? These are awesome.

The plug-and-go feature, or sync and go in this case, is fantastic. Simple and easy to set up, there is no installation process necessary. If your desktop isn’t Bluetooth ready, but you have some extra USB slots, consider an adapter. Most will run you less than fifteen dollars.

Noise cancellation is a plus, especially when you want to buckle down and concentrate on a task. Whether it’s going to the gym, or writing a paper while listening to music – it blocks the world out.

If you plan on using these headphones for your daily commute, it’s compact enough to fit into a purse or a small backpack. Folded down, the EP650 reduces down to 7 inches in length and 4.5 inches in width (177.8 mm x 114.3 mm). Though it isn’t an amazing difference in size, but because it folds into itself – it’s easier to fit into a bag in comparison to its’ full extension. Then again, one can always hang it around their neck like a scarf. Rock those headphones like a true accessory!

Cons

The list of cons are much smaller, in comparison to the good things about the August EP650 – with a sound leak problem being one of them. As you increase volume toward the middle – anywhere between 10 to 15 clicks, the extent of sound leak becomes relatively noticeable to those around you. If your intent is to use it around town, whether it is your daily commute via mass transit, or walking – it won’t pose a problem. Typically, the noise levels in cities cancel it out. However, if using at home, and the walls in your home are thin? It may become an issue.The battery life for this product gloated toward a 10 hour “working time”, though that estimate may be a tad bit gracious. This entirely depends on your expectations and needs, in any case. When using it continuously, and for an extended period of time, you can safely expect approximately 6 hours of use.

The blinking LED button can bother those with sensitive eyes, especially when using them in the dark. Though it won’t bother the person wearing the headset, roommates and partners may comment on it.

When switching applications on the computer, there’s a bizarre popping sound which occurs, but this can easily be dismissed after a number of times. Eventually you may tune it out, or become accustomed to it. Sometimes, the August EP650 won’t instantly connect between applications either. In other cases, for example, when playing a game on full-screen mode – I need to manually switch the Playback Devices in the lower right hand corner of the PC or exit out of the game entirely to do so.Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, wireless headset – the August EP650 is a must-buy. The overall quality is amazing and design is sleek and modern. Considering the price range, it is at? Beautiful. The sound is smooth, and crisp, but bass-heavy songs will hit hard – in the best way possible. It may be wise to get your hands on them sooner than later. Electronics are known to increase and fluctuate in pricing, depending on the reception and reviews from users especially. If you’re a name brand like Razer or Turtle Beach, reviews don’t affect the pricing nearly as much, but they’re typically held to a different standard.

My only recommendation for August would be, for future lines, to include a custom sound balance and equalizer. It won’t hurt to create better packaging, which may do well for brand representation. An installation disc may become necessary, at that point – taking away the sync and go installation. The sound leak will need to be considered in an updated version of the EP650 as well. Otherwise, they’ve got this wireless thing in the bag.

Will you be purchasing the EP650 for yourself? What do you think of wireless headsets in general? If this doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, take a look at the other headphone and tech reviews we’ve done here at Don’t Feed the Gamers!

• DFTG Reviews the SADES A7 7.1 Surround USB Gaming Headset
• DFTG Reviews the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard
• DFTG Reviews the Alienware Steam Machine i3 500GB

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