Digital Trends

Logitech FreePulse Wireless Headphones February 5th, 2007 | by Justin Whitaker

Performance Testing

The performance evaluation of the FreePulse was done using two sources – an iPod Nano and a PC with a Creative X-Fi XtremeMusic sound card. MP3 listening of both 128kbps and 320kbps was done on both sources, as well as music CDs on the PC. A wide selection of classical, rock, alternative and hip-hop music was used in the evaluation.

To get the headphones connected to the wireless receiver is a straightforward process that only requires turning on each device, holding the “Connect” button each device and then waiting for a connection to be established. Once connected, a small blue light is emitted from each device that confirms a successful connection. Volume controls are found on the right ear cup and can be adjusted by pressing the upper section to increase the volume, and the lower section to decrease the volume. A bass boost function can be activated by simultaneously holding the upper volume section and the “Connect” button on the headphones.

By and large, the sound quality of the FreePulse headphones was satisfactory. Clearly transmitted music without static or background noise is truly the selling point of these headphones. Obstacles such as walls, cabinets or other electronic devices cause no problems for the FreePulse headphones. Within a 25-30 foot radius of the wireless receiver, the sound quality remained stable and free from interference.

Performance with the bass boost turned off revealed that the headphones provide only a limited degree of strong, punchy bass. For hip-hop and rock music the bass drum was adequate, but the low frequencies did not extend nearly as low as other competing models. Turning the bass boost on did result in stronger bass tones in all music tested, but the bass boost is obviously an artificial set of low-end frequencies that tends to muddy the low end. I prefer to listen to music as the recording artist intended and to leave the bass boost turned off.

Mids and vocals fared slightly better, with smooth vocal response while listening to classical music and faster paced hip-hop tunes. I was pleased to find that the headphones did not have any trouble keeping up with faster paced music. Instrument sounds were clearly separated and did not blend together, as they tend to do with less expensive headphones and ear buds. High frequencies were pleasing to listen to throughout my testing, although not smooth and easy to listen to as other high-end headphones.

Long-lasting battery performance is definitely a characteristic we all look for in mobile devices, and the FreePulse delivers in this area. Testing the time to drain the rechargeable batteries revealed that over 6 hours of music can be enjoyed before a recharge is needed, assuming that the wireless receiver and the headphones are in the same room. Once you start to move around to other rooms in your house or in your office, expect closer to 5 hours of playback time before needing to stop for a recharge.

Conclusion

Overall, the FreePulse wireless headphones are a viable alternative to wired headphones for general, everyday use. With 5+ hours between charges and clear, accurate music reproduction up to 30 feet from your music source, these headphones are an easy way to step into the mobile world of wireless music. However, in the $100 price range features such as a collapsible design for easy transport and some type of cancellation or noise blocking would have made these headphones an outstanding value.

Pros:
• Clear sound reproduction
• Easy to use and lightweight
• In-line volume control
• Good battery Life

Cons:
• Not easy to transport
• Not ideal for exercising
• Missing noise canceling features (not necessary though)