Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset (iOS) – in-Ear Headphones with Binaural Audio - Active Noise Cancellation, Transparent Hearing and 3D Sound Recording - Black

I am relatively savvy on technology, but not so savvy on apple products. I want to enhance my work phone (iPhone) experience, not only conference call clarity but also other perks iPhone offers. Provided earphone was okay, but not the best nor comfortable for long conference call. I was looking around for affordable yet comfortable headset for iPhone (any other features would be bonus). Thanks to Apple, there is not much choice unless you go wireless. Strangely, I still prefer the wired ones over wireless (it's just me). Then, I have noticed Sennheiser Ambeo Headset was at the lowest price ever (dropped from $200s to $79.99). This was not my first choice due to little bit over my budget on work related stuffs, but I couldn't say no to extra features which not many products are offering - wired headset with active noise cancellation, transparent hearing and 3d recording all together. First, comfortness is par with provided silicon ear pieces. It does its job, but other ear pieces would enhance its features - I used Comply Foam tips from my other earphones, and it sounds much better (better isolation and comfortness - very personal observation, no technical backup data to prove these). Second, noise cancellation is superb. I have other ANC headsets/earphones and Ambeo is providing superb noise cancellation with other ear tips installed. I could hear my drum stick work noise (Roland V Drums) while ANC is off, all I could hear was low thud noise while ANC is on). Third, transparent hearing is great. I am always worried while riding my bicycle with music on since I couldn't hear my surroundings. This feature is not perfect to hear all from surroundings(not catching tiny noise), but it is very helpful to notice something nearby (like approaching a car from behind, or wife yelling at me to turn down the drum noise). Fourth, 3d sound recording is very interesting. Fair warning: this 3d sound experience would be working while you are wearing headsets, not thru speaker (at least, this was my experience). Not like stereophonic sound from LP recordings, this 3d recording did not provide the same feeling thru speaker (very difficult to describe this in writing). While you are listening sound with headset, you could feel you are in the middle of all sounds (like you are in the concert hall if you recorded the sound via Ambeo). This feature can be applied to Adroid phone with usb c (you need a sound adapter for thunderbold-to-USB c specifically, there are so far only two products known to the world). I recorded the sound early in the morning capturing the quietness with bird chirping, and it was awesome!!! APOGEE apps are great (only available to iPhone). Android phone could utilize any recording apps or default record app for 3d recording. Lastly, but not least, mic clarity is superb!! Sennheiser mic is very good (one for phone call). I am not sure whether two other omnidirectional mics on the earpieces would pick up any sound during the phone call. Things to consider: First, controller functionality is little awkward, but not a deal breaker. In order to switch from transparent hearing (amplified level) to Noise Cancellation Off, you have to click the button up or down all the way - can't jump directly to desired feature. Transparent hearing (amplified) - Transparent hearing (natrual) - Noise cancellation On - Noise cancellation Off... Second, provided silicon ear tips are not so good and not complimenting its features. Please play with other types of tips which would fit you well since no one's ears are same. Mine worked well with foam-type ear tips. Third, battery consumption might be a concern to someone. Yes, this might drain your phone's battery while using. However, I didn't see dramatic battery consumption - while mowing my lawns, I listend music with Ambeo (ANC on) for an hour and my phone battery was down about 5-6% from 100%. It might be different if you listen music louder. Lastly, mic volume control is not available. This might be my biggest concern actually - unable to control mic volume, no mute button. I used very low volume level on my iPhone (one click up from zero). With that setting, I could hear others well, but others could not hear me well (tiny sound only). If I raise the sound volume at 30% level, mic level also increased and communication went well. I do not have much knowledge on iPhone function. I couldn't find any instructions nor information how to adjust mic volume in iPhone. Overall, $200 ANC headset with 3d recording feature at $80 would be a steal. Little sad to see Sennheiser just ended their development (not introducing USB c version) and there is no Andorid apps. However, this would be a very special headset with great features not many products could offer. If you are an Apple user, I would highly recommend this. If you are an Android user, I would still highly recommend this with one condition - if you are okay to use a little pricey apple-oriented device thru an adapter (extra) on your android food channel. Thanks for reading not-so-professional review. Cheers!!!

If you’re after a stealth recording , this set is just what you need. The mics quality is surprisingly fine with quite low self noise. Don’t compare it with some DIY binaural sets made of DPA mics or bigger ORTF ones but it does the job and its in my bag all the time.

These are great. The customizable slider switch is real nice. Setting it to “Toggle Interact” basically gives you a toggle on the controller that lets you turn the rest of the universe on and off. My ONLY complaint is that the stock ear tips just don’t cut it at all. They are best utilized at the bottom of a trash can. I’ve made some ghetto foamies from some disposable yellow earplugs liberated from work for now (and even these make a mind boggling difference), but a nice set of Comply 400 series upgrade tips is on the way now. Swapping out the tips makes a good set of earphones absolutely mind blowing. The fact that they do the whole Binaural Recording thing is a huge bonus of course, and I’m going to really put that to the test over the next week while on vacation. Even the few tests I’ve done at home and at work sound amazing. The 3-D audio effect is great, and the sound quality is spectacular. 10/10, would buy again, but only if you throw the Comply 400 replacement tips in the cart too.

Unfortunately the box had been previously opened, despite the product being sold as NEW. The seller ClicknGrab has a decent feedback rating, so I'm not sure if this was just an outlier or something else. The headphones appear to be unused, and they work well, but the experience was kind of unsettling. A solid 4 for the headphones, but be wary of purchasing this product through ClicknGrab.

In a nutshell: I highly recommend these headphones/microphones if you want binaural audio recording capabilities (and use iOS devices). Though, you should probably look elsewhere if you just want a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Elaboration: I love these headphones primarily because of the binaural audio recordings it can capture. The only problem is that they aren’t well built (more below). The following probably tells you everything you need to know about how I feel about this AMBEO headphone/microphone: I just purchased two more because: 1. My first pair stopped working 2. I’m afraid these will get discontinued 3. Even with the poor build quality, I’m still willing to spend money on these things because of the binaural audio recording functionality. Additional notes on build quality: - It took 3 years for these things to stop working - DO NOT try to sanitize them with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. The thin rubbery coating will crack.) - No matter what you do, the module that’s attached to the headphones will likely start peeling a bit after the first few months of moderate use. It doesn’t affect the device’s functionality. The peeling rubbery coating will just make the device look worn/ugly. For what it’s worth, the binaural recording functionality works on devices with USB-C if you have a USB-C to Lightning adapter.

This was a gift for a relative. Within two days the on/off double click no longer advanced to the next segment. I learned of this when I visited, and he was not using the device. Upon checking to return the item, it said needed original box (had been discarded), but did go ahead and package it with return label. Also stated was multiple fees for returned items including restocking fee. Restocking a defective item? Would not use this company again.

I’ve been buying Sennheiser’s for decades. These fit a little niche with the 3d sound recording during video and audio. They have been dis-continued but I like them enough to have bought a 2nd setup. I sleep with them and they are very comfortable to wear. First set were$199. Git the 2nd set on Amazon fof$99 bucks. Love them and use them daily.

Extremely poor quality control! I mean realy bad. I got one and the connector war realy bent. So they sent another one and guess what‽ same think except this one has a scratch on one of the ear pieces. So I couldn't order another replacement and so I ordered another one and same think with the connector but this time the buttons seem too firm compared to the others. The worst part is that it's assembled in America. China definitely make the some of the best stuff but they also make the some of the worst stuff. America is becoming lazy and manufacturing is not what it used to be All that aside the mic does give you the feel of being there and is realy clear. The transparency mode is quite good as well (you can tell exactly where the sound is coming from) for $79 it's not bad but after spending the extra $30 on the anker ripoff usb c dongle I just can't look past the defects. If you don't mind the poor quality control and have an iPhone I thing it's still a good deal just be ware.

Damaged. Crackling and popping sound.

I have been looking for these for a very long time. Finally, I found it on amazon.ca for 99 CAD. These are the best. Noise cancellation is good for its class. Sound quality is good too. Comfort level is just OK. But you will get used to it. The best part is that it is binaural recording mic. Which means you can record your audio in 3D. Which can be reproduced by any type of headphones or stereo device. The only unfortunate part is that it is made only for iPhone. Which means when the mighty Apple decides to remove all ports, these headphones will be useless for then devices. These headphones have their own app using which you can fine tune and control how it behaves. You can also set what function you want to execute when you use the slider button. It also has a third mic for voice calls and they are good too. Over all I would really recommend this product. Just that as soon as I bought this product, the seller increased the price by 30%. That is from CAD 99 to CAD 130+.

I highly recommend these to anyone who is looking for a way to do stereo recordings on the go. Their spatial representation in recordings is amazing. If you want to also use them as a pair of headphones, their audio quality is superb and way better than I expected. Their noise cancelation is quite adequate, but not up there with the best of them.

Awesome

I'm a beginner just getting into field recordings. Bought this for its binaural mic which has worked well so far - nice, clear 3D sound. Controls takes some getting used to, but overall am happy.