Hi-Fi: Blackbox M14 Noise Cancellation Headphones – 56

The M14 headphones are the first product from new Kiwi electronics brand Blackbox. They’re part of Phitek Systems, well known for its active noise rejection technology as featured in Singapore Airlines’ first class and business class headphones, so you’d expect the company to know something about cans for flyers. The M14s come folded flat in their firm, nattily designed carrying case. A zip-able pouch inside this case holds the detachable 1.6m cable, 6.5mm adaptor and airline adaptor for in-flight use.

The headphones are quite light (less than 180g) and very comfortable – the leatherette pads fitted neatly over my ears and the padded headband adds to the comfort. As passive headphones, the M14s perform very well, delivering a clean, tight sound with a smooth yet detailed high end, full midrange and well-controlled bass. I noticed a slight boxiness and airlessness, particularly on recordings of acoustic instruments, but this may be due to my habitual use of open headphones.

Thanks to their closed design, a good deal of higher frequency background noise is attenuated without switching in the noise cancellation, but the real selling point of the M14s is their noise-cancelling ability, they are, after all, “designed for the frequent traveller”.

A small switch on the left earcup enables the noise cancellation. Up is active, down is passive. I found this slightly counter-intuitive, but adjusted quickly. A blue LED shows the circuit is active, and flashes when the battery needs replacing. Battery life is 40 hours and the single AAA fits easily into its compartment in the left earcup.

The noise cancellation circuitry causes a large level boost (10dB or so) as well as bringing in an EQ circuit that emphasises the low mid-range and vocal frequencies. This colouration seems very unnatural when compared to the cans’ passive sound, but under combat conditions it makes sense, and renders most pop and rock music much more audible without having to crank up the level from the source.

Tone couldn’t, alas, get me a long haul flight, which is where these headphones would really come into their own, but I was able to simulate an airliner interior with some sound effects CDs. Despite uncomfortably loud noise levels, it was still possible to hear most pop/rock songs pretty well, although classical music and jazz didn’t fare too well under these conditions.

The M14s are particularly effective at reducing low-mid frequency background noise, so I was able to enjoy Nick Drake while walking beside heavy Auckland traffic, Goldfrapp on the train, and even some Webern quartets on the bus, though this was compromised by the EQ colouring. I even found myself wearing the M14s on their own, relishing the respite from traffic and other noises. I picked up the occasional stray cellphone signal but not often or loud enough to spoil my listening. It’s something that Blackbox needs to address, however.

At home, I listen to most music on my computer and was pleased that the M14s eliminated its fan noise. Although this was most welcome, the hiss caused by the noise cancellation circuitry was loud enough to mask reverb tails and other details. One hiss is centred around 6-7kHz and another sounds like distant surf, with most energy between about 500 and 700Hz. This, and the unnatural colouration of the EQ means that active mode is unsuitable for critical detailed listening. But this is a minor quibble; out in the field the M14s perform brilliantly with most music.

Now if this Kiwi company could just produce some cicada-cancelling cans…

James Gardner

Blackbox M14 Noise Cancellation Headphones $379

Contact:
www.blackboxonline.com
www.phitek.com

SPECIFICATIONS

Noise Cancellation: Up to 22dB Audio
Frequency Response: 20Hz to 22kHz  [NB - no reference level given]
Speaker: 40mm dynamic
Magnet Type: Neodymium
Speaker Impedance: 32 Ohm
Battery: 1 x AAA cell
Battery Life: Up to 40 hours
Cord Length: 1.6m detachable
Connector: 3.5mm stereo
Dimensions: 174 x 163 x 80mm
Weight: 180g

PROS

Very effective noise cancellation for most music while travelling
Tight, detailed sound in passive mode

CONS

Noise-cancelling circuitry introduces unnatural colouration and some hiss
Pricey if you don’t need the noise cancellation feature very often

VERDICT

A godsend for the frequent flyer

Aesthetics: 90%
Performance: 85%
Features: 90%
Functionality: 90%
Price Value: 75%

Overall: 86%