Design and features:Although this Bluetooth wireless portable ear-insert model lacks active noise reduction, the ear plug-like design helps to reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. When used in wired operation the headphones have high sensitivity, so they can provide satisfying volume levels even with lower-powered portable audio devices, as well as with home audio equipment. The Globe Cruiser AH-W200, which will remember up to eight Bluetooth devices, has a volume control plus an integrated microphone and player function controls, and integrated call connect/disconnect controls that work with Bluetooth devices. You can download a free Denon Travel smartphone app (for Apple and Android) that lets you tweak the sound of the audio from the smartphone or tablet. This model comes with a carrying case, five pairs of earpieces in various sizes and types, a detachable audio cable for wired audio use, a USB charging cable, and a mini-plug-to-airplane-jack adapter.
Sound quality: Denon's Globe Cruiser AH-W200 delivers good overall sound, with a warm character. The very pronounced bass has lots of impact, but it can be thuddy with so-so definition. As the program material gets more complex the midrange changes from fairly smooth but recessed to washed out, congested, and a bit grainy. Treble is a bit hard and peaky, and the upper treble is rolled off. Overall sound is closed in, with good dynamics. We found that sound quality was similar whether the earphones were used in wired or wireless operation, and was comparable to the Denon Exercise Freak, also in our Ratings.
Comfort: We found that these earphones produce a sense of pressure in the ear opening that might be uncomfortable for some. The ear hooks, which house the electronics and secure the earphones to the ears, are bulky and a bit heavy, and they can shift a bit with vigorous head movements. The earpieces stay in place fairly well, but it takes a lot of maneuvering to insert them properly to get the most stable fit. The articulating earpieces rotate on the ear hooks, but it's hard to get the same placement twice, which is important as sound quality is very dependent on earpiece placement, and the position for best stability might not correspond to the position for obtaining the best sound quality.
