![[IGNORE THIS LISTING - OLD]nuraphone — Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71WbWykN5mL.__AC_SX300_SY300_QL70_FMwebp_.jpg)
Music has been my life. From playing in a rock band growing up to 32 years in broadcasting, it's been what I do. But, after so many years of loud headphones and concert promotion, time has caught up with me and I now have a pretty significant high frequency hearing loss that requires that I wear hearing aids. Because music is so important to me, I have been spending quite a bit of money chasing something that works for me for headphones. At this point in time, I'm tired of wires, and the quality of Bluetooth has vastly improved. Plus, with a lot of travel, noise cancelling is important to me.
There is a vast range of quality BT with ANC headphones out there, and I've tried many of them. I've had Bose, Sennheiser, JBL, Sony, Bowers and Wilkins, and B&O, as well as the Even H2's, which administer a hearing test. The issue is adjusting the EQ to compensate for my HF loss. With almost all of them, you have to either use the manufacturer app or an app like EQu or n7player. That's fine for music, but when you watch YouTube videos or movies, you lose the EQ. In addition, I have a couple last generation BT iPod Nanos loaded with different types of music for travel, and the only EQ available is what Apple gives you, which stinks. Prior to my purchase of the Nuraphone, I had settled on the B&O H9i, which I will deal with a little later.
In regard to the EVEN headphones, there are some advantages because you take a hearing test and it saves your settings into the firmware of the phones. The H2's are on ear phones which were very uncomfortable for me. Plus, the sound, while better EQ'd, still fell short of my expectations. After two sets also had stuck power switch issues, I returned them for a refund.
In ear phones have worked best for travel for me. The natural noise isolation of a good fit works well on airplanes. I have settled on the Jaybird X3 and Freedom phones, as well as the B&O E8s, which are my go to phones for domestic travel. Good noise isolation, easy to EQ, and the EQ stays in the earphones if you switch to video or other apps on the phone, including phone calls. But, I carry the Jaybirds with me because the battery life is just 3-4 hours and then you have to put them in the charging case. The E8s also have a transparency mode with is excellent for terminals and planes - a tap shuts off the music and opens the mike to hear announcements or to talk to an attendant without removing the phones. Jaybird EQs are saved to the earphones' firmware and are great for all listening sources, but you have to pull them out for outside info.
While in ear buds can sound good, and the form factor is convenient, they still can't match the sound (and battery life) of a good set of over the ears headphones. Thus my expensive search for the best headphones for someone who likes great sound and has HF hearing loss.
If you have normal hearing, there are so many options out there. Just find the phones with the sound profile you like and go! Even so, the Nura phones should be high on your list. For those with hearing loss, the options narrow for all around use with music and video. I commented on the EVEN H2 phones. They are a step in the right direction, but I felt they fell short on sound. With the way they keep the EQ profile active for each session, the B&O are close, but the H9i's were a step back in sound quality from previous versions and introduced a real sibilant sound when pushing the HF that is very distracting.
I looked at the Nura phones when they were a Kickstarter project. While the technology they were using was interesting, I shied away because I've also been burned a couple times with projects that were never delivered. By the time they came out, I had the B&Os. But, I've been so frustrated with the H9i's that I started looking again. Nura had just introduced the G2 upgrade. Several reviews talked about the "smoke and mirrors" of the headphones because the default settings were so poor. And there were comments about how the setup would vary so much for the same users. But finally, I pulled the plug and purchased a pair. This review will echo some of the reviews here, but are worth reporting from a hearing loss perspective.
I have worn these for several weeks to make sure my initial reactions held up. When I first got the phones, the app walked me through the initial setup, as well as the downloading of the G2 update. Prepare yourself to spend a little time getting these set up. Once the update was loaded, it walked me through the hearing process. I went into my bedroom, which was a pretty quiet setting for the test. When it was done, I was thrilled with what I heard. The A/B is not a good test, because the default sound of the phones is poor. But, the real world test of listening on several devices was clearly a home run. I was finally hearing clean acoustic guitar and good sound staging all around.
Having read the reviews about different results at different times, I went ahead and ran the test again, since you can save three profiles. This time, I went into a closet and closed the door. It was extremely quiet with clothes also deadening the sound. This time, the A/B was with the prior settings. Wow, the quieter setting for the test made a big difference! I immediately ditched the first settings and have been listening to the second settings since that time. For the record, over the next several days I did the test 2 more times, in the same closet. I could see very minor differences in the visual display, but could not discern any difference in sound. Very consistent. You owe it to yourself to lock yourself in a quiet closet for the setup of these phones to get the best profile. Dura's technology is the REAL DEAL! No smoke and mirrors here.
These are unusual phones. The combination of in ear and over the ear technology brings out the best in sound. Very clean mid and upper frequencies, and by using a separate speaker for the lows, you can dial in your bass fix clearly. When EQing normal phones, as you move the bass higher or lower you also force a change in the in the mids and highs. Not so with the Dura. They call the bass adjustment the Immersion mode. I call it a subwoofer for my ears. I have adjusted to listening at lower volumes. With other phones, as you reduce volume you lose bass volume more quickly than you do with mids and highs. With the Immersion mode, you retain a pleasing bottom end, even at low volume. Folks, these headphones are excellent and the sound and sound staging is incredible.
The comfort level is good, despite being heavier than normal in weight. I can wear these for a long period of time without a problem. Because you have the in-ear element of the Nura, lots of movement can shift them, so I wouldn't wear these for long walks or working out. These take a bit of time to get adjusted to, but hang in there, the payoff is great! Yes, you have to occasionally readjust them on your ears, but this is no big deal to get the quality of sound they offer.
I'm very pleased with the ANC, transparency mode (they call it Social mode), and the addition of double tap options. The sound isolation is great to begin with, so I've never used the ANC other than to test it. The transparency mode works well and has become something of a "must" on phones for me. The single and double tap options on each side give me plenty of options for adjustment without pulling out my phone. I purchased the phones after the update came out, but I can imagine the kudos you have received from the first generation buyers.
I want to echo the other positive comments in reviews here without going in depth. But, I do want to make a clear point about the commitment of Dura to their customers. It can be reflected in the following upgrade path:
1. B&Os. Great quality. H7 phones were $399. The H9 came out, introducing ANC, for another $499 purchase. Not long after I purchased the H9's, they brought out the H9i's, which introduced transparency mode and a couple other minor improvements (but degrading the sound), at $499 once again. I still have the H7s, which my wife and I would fight over at home (not now with Nura as my phones). I sold the H9s at a big loss to get the H9i's. Two additional features required two additional purchases. Lots of money invested $1,400 for three sets.
2. Nura. 1st Generation purchasers paid $399. Then they introduced Gen 2 with ANC, transparency and more tap options. First Gen purchasers had to pay how much to get these features? Absolutely nothing! It was a firmware update. How crazy is that? Nura is setting a new standard for their customers.
Now, a couple suggestions for the next physical version of the Nura:
1. Lose the proprietary cables. After I received these, I immediately ordered a second USB-A charging cable, because if I misplaced the original, I can't even recharge the phones. To get an analog or lightning cable also requires an additional purchase. I have a travel kit with a couple cables that each have lightning, mini-USB and USB-C connectors. That covers everything I carry with me, from iPhone, iPad, headphones and a USB-C portable BT speaker. On your next headphone, make the charging jack USB-C or mini USB, and allow for a standard analog jack.
2. Make the phones and case more travel friendly. Either a folded design or allow the phones to fold flat to reduce the size of the case, which is huge when you have to stick it in a carry on. I love your case, but how about a handle or ring that I can use to connect the case to the outside of my carry on or backpack with a strap or carabiner?
3. Give us a little more headroom. I never push the volume while listening to music, but because of the varying sound levels in movies and YouTube video, I've found that several times I wished I could push the volume higher.
4. Fix the default sound profile. Your phones sound every bit as good (or better) than high end B&O, Sennheiser, Sony or Bowers and Wilkens phones. As a Nura fan, I'd love to demonstrate these to others, but the default profile sounds no better than much less expensive phones. Wow them with a great default sound profile - the Immersion mode and other features will bring them in! Let us help you sell these phones! If they are so good for people with normal hearing that they don't have to use the hearing technology, that's OK. When they get around to it, it will sound even better for them. As it is, in the places I would normally share the phones, it is too noisy and time consuming to have them run the set up. Give us something great out of the gate.
Oh, and when you make these changes, and develop the next generation sleek design, I will not hesitate to buy a new physical set - I'll be first in line. In the meantime, keep the firmware tweaks coming. You are building a lot of loyalty with your customers.
As one who has spent too much money trying to find the right solution, especially with HF hearing issues, it feels good to finally find the final solution. I will still use earbuds for walking and exercise, but these are my go-to phones. Your hearing technology is excellent. I wish I could get my hearing aids set up the same way, rather than the "push the button when you hear the tone" technology.
I know this has been a long post, but I want to make some final comments. There are a lot of features packed into these phones. A few need a little refinement, but what I appreciate is the creativity and innovation that Dura brings. I really believe that this is the greatest advance in technology in headphones that we have seen in many years!!! They are a big step forward. The phones themselves are First Generation, with the firmware Second Generation. I can't imagine how awesome these will be as development continues. I believe this is a company worth investing in.
Both the company's site and Amazon offer a 30 day money back guarantee. That's why I felt comfortable buying them. My advice to you is to buy them and take the time to get them set up correctly. Whether you have hearing issues or not, I think you'll find these will exceed your expectations. The in/over the ear design might not be a fit for everybody, but I suspect that many of you will be greatly surprised after you use these a few times. You really don't have anything to risk, but you sure have a lot to gain. I look forward to being able to wear these and I'm listening to more music and watching more video than I ever have. Thanks, Nura.
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now
Frequently purchased items with fast delivery
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Compare with similar items
This Item ![[IGNORE THIS LISTING - OLD]nuraphone — Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414DUYGa9bL._AC_.jpg) [IGNORE THIS LISTING - OLD]nuraphone — Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones | Recommendations  |  |  |  | |
| Price | Currently unavailable. | $110.00 | -16% $229.95 List: $274.95 | $239.99 | $247.98 |
| Delivery | — | Get it Jun 3 - 5 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 4 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 4 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jun 4 |
| Customer Ratings | |||||
| Sold By | — | CellularStream | Amazon.com | beyerdynamic USA | Amazon.com |
| connectivity tech | Bluetooth, Wired | Bluetooth | Wired | Wired | Wired |
| headphones form factor | Over Ear | On Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear | Over Ear |
| connector type | — | wireless | 1/4-inch, 3.5mm Jack | 3.5mm Jack | — |
| headphones jack | 3.5 mm Jack | — | 6.3 mm Jack with 3.5 adapter | 3.5 mm Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
| cable feature | Without Cable | Tangle Free | Detachable | Detachable | Detachable |
| control type | Noise Control | Media Control | control | Volume Control | — |
| water resistance | waterproof | — | not water resistant | not water resistant | not water resistant |
| material | neoprene | Aluminum | Velour | Polycarbonate (PC) | — |
| model name | NUR01-000 | — | HD 560S | DT 700 PRO X | MDR-M1 |
| frequency range | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | — | 6 Hz to 38 kHz | 5 - 40,000 Hz | 5 Hz – 80 kHz |
Product information
| Headphones Jack | 3.5 mm Jack |
|---|---|
| Model Name | NUR01-000 |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, Wired |
| Wireless Communication Technology | Bluetooth |
| Included Components | Protective Case, Headband, Ear Cushions |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Material | neoprene |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Music |
| Compatible Devices | Various Bluetooth and 3.5 mm jack-enabled devices |
| Control Type | Noise Control |
| Cable Feature | Without Cable |
| Item Weight | 300 Grams |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Carrying Case Material | neoprene |
| Carrying Case Color | Black |
| Earpiece Shape | Rounded tips |
| UPC | 810009030003 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00810009030003 |
| Manufacturer | nura |
| Product Dimensions | 0.39 x 0.39 x 0.39 inches |
| Item Weight | 10.6 ounces |
| ASIN | B076X4KH11 |
| Item model number | NUR01-000 |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Customer Reviews |
4.1 out of 5 stars |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Date First Available | February 7, 2018 |
Feedback
Would you like to
tell us about a lower price?
[IGNORE THIS LISTING - OLD]nuraphone — Wireless Bluetooth Over Ear Headphones
Share:
Found a lower price? Let us know. Although we can't match every price reported, we'll use your feedback to ensure that our prices remain competitive.
Where did you see a lower price?
Please sign in to provide feedback.
Amazing headphones if new - appears to be repackaged used. Nura has corrected the issue.
Update 8/14 - The folks at Nura have went above and beyond to make sure this has been corrected, their service being even better than what amazon had provided me (which is usually a gold standard, but they were honestly very disappointing in this situation. I have never had as bad a customer service experience with amazon as I did with this purchase). I am going to leave my original text below - but Nura has taken steps to correct the problem and I am happy with their resolution despite the long timeframe it took. As far as continued impressions of the headset - I can't say enough good things about the quality of these headphones. I find myself using them over my surround sound setup at times and they have become my daily driver for both music and gaming. No other headphone I have used has ever reproduced the same listening experience as these and I am very happy I took the chance on these headphones. ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW Nicest pair of headphones I've ever owned were the monoprice planar headphones and my daily drivers are usually earpods/airpods with steelseries arctis 7 headphones used when gaming on PC. My home stereo setup is a sonos 5.1 setup (playbar, sub, two play ones). I have some significant tinnitus and minor hearing loss from a previous head injury. I was super intrigued when I first saw an ad for the nuraphones; a sound specifically tuned to my tastes sounded too good to be true. I am no audiophile but I did write/play music for years so I have a decent ear for sound quality/presence/levels/balance. I thought these headphones were going to be modern day snake oil - and I was fully expecting to send them back. I was completely wrong. The setup process is crazy easy - although it is misleading. The initial fit indicator gives you an image of the headphones - slightly transparent - and as each ear forms the 'proper' seal the earcup begins solid and has a check mark. I probably spent 5 minutes trying to get both to light up fully before I said screw it and skipped to the next step - only to realize I did it right and the indicators/directions are intentionally vague. At this point you hear digital blips at varying frequencies as it tunes. Once completed you are given a song to listen to in which case you can toggle from no eq to your personal profile. I feel like the flat setting is intentionally bad to give an extra placebo effect - but the personal profile is definitely awesome regardless. I also had my gf try to calibrate so we could compare profiles. We both liked our own profiles much more than the others - I can say firsthand that her settings sound nothing like mine. It is something you have to experience to believe. I've never heard bass/percussion recreated like this via headphones. EVER. For bass/percussionists - these things are the holy grail. Hot damn I can't say how great these are for EDM, Classic Rock, Jazz, R&B, Disco and Rap. Modern Rock is another story - just due to the nature of how mixing/mastering was done - you can really hear the difference between a high quality mix/master/recording experience vs low budget. It still makes indie/low budget efforts sound the best they can - it's just that now you can hear and easily discern what was cheap about those albums. The key to the bass/percussion quality is the immersion setting (which I usually leave at about 50%). You will have to fiddle around yourself with it to find what works with your profile. I wear headphones almost all day while working in an office to filter out ambient noises and replace them music; helps me concentrate. These headphones are both over the ear and in-ear, which is a strange combo at first. They were mildly uncomfortable after taking them off when I was done with a 3 hour straight set. There was no discomfort while wearing them for me personally, but I do feel that some people will have issues with the comfort. They are not for everyone. So music is impressive - without a doubt - what about other applications? Movies - these things sound amazing. The way they rumble and punch, an absolute dream to pair with action/adventure films. I did a sitting of Avengers Infinity War last night - so good, so very good. The bass rumbled, pulsed and hissed. The score soared throughout with dialogue crisp, audible and dynamic. These things are like a portable theater experience. I would argue that they are more impressive for movie use than music - these things truly left me smiling throughout the whole film. Gaming - this is the only place where they didn't make me say wow. They were solid and noticeably better sounding than my current setup, but they weren't that much more of an improvement that I would recommend them over a dedicated solution. I do have a sennheiser DAC coming this week to test them with virtual surround settings. I stopped using the headphones for a few days and thought about sending them back (even ordered a new pair of headphones to try) but the truth is nothing sounds quite like these things. I found myself trying to make every excuse possible to not send them back. These headphones are unique and for me personally, there isnt a comparable product. AND NOW FOR THE NOT SO GOOD... The nuraphones came packed in nuraphone box, within the standard amazon box. The nuraphone clearly had been shipped prior - the adhesive from the packing slip was still on their box (see my photos for proof). Inside the box is a clamshell style protective carton which also had been previously opened and tampered with. The carrying case for the headphones was new but the headphones themselves has debris/dust on them leading me to believe they had definitely been used. This is crazy and disappointing for such an expensive item - still debating if I should exchange or not since amazon is making this process extremely difficult (they wont refund until received and I would have pay out of pocket in the meantime for a replacement, they are refusing to exchange these for me). Overall love the product itself but incredibly disappointed with Nura/Amazon on how they are handling my issue.
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2018
- Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018
Top reviews from other countries
-
- faisal Chris JoyceReviewed in Australia on December 15, 2018
My most significant upgrade in Hi-Fi
-
-
