Detailed Test Results
Design and features:
These headphones can be used wirelessly with Bluetooth devices or can be cord connected. When cord connected they have medium-high sensitivity so they can provide satisfying volume levels when used with home audio equipment and even lower-powered portable audio devices. The Positive Vibration XL has an integrated microphone and volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls for use with paired Bluetooth devices. Additional features include support for Apple Siri and Google Assistant digital voice assistants when used with Bluetooth devices that have those features, and earcups that fold and swivel to flat for ease of carrying and storage. This model comes with detachable 51-inch long audio cable with built-in mic and call answer/music player control for cord-connected smartphone and mobile device use, a USB charging cable, and a carrying bag.
Sound quality:
We found the Positive Vibration XL delivers sound quality that falls in the good range - it reproduces music and voice reasonably well despite the obvious shortcomings in its sound. In Bluetooth mode the Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is a bit prominent and somewhat boomy. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is somewhat thin, hazy, and grainy, is a bit harsh, and has a noticeable plastic resonance (something like what you would hear if you talked into a semi-rigid plastic cup). The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is fairly extended, but a bit smeared. While the sound has a good sense of liveliness, it is somewhat closed (sound-wise it's fairly obvious you have something plugging your ears). Warmish character. The overall sound can best be summarized as a bit bassy, harsh, and plasticky. In wired mode the bass has good impact and goes fairly deep, but is somewhat prominent and boomy. The midrange is somewhat nasal, muffled, and congested, and has a noticeable plastic resonance. treble is fairly extended, a bit subdued and smeared. Closed sounding it does a so-so job of recovering room ambience. So-so dynamics. Warm character. The overall sound can best be summarized as Bassy, muffled, and plasticky. Compared to the Bluetooth mode the sound is more Bassy and muffled, and the overall sound quality drops lower into the fair range.
Comfort and Fit:
We found that these headphones produce a sense of medium pressure around the ears. As typical of on-ear models the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use. Users with smaller heads may find they can't get a good earpad seal and that the bass becomes a bit subdued (earpads gap at the top). Users with larger heads might find that the headband does not have enough adjustment range to allow the earcups rest properly over the ears and/or that the headband presses uncomfortably on the top of the head. Users with larger ears might find that the over-the-ear fit of the ear pads feel cramped, or that the ear pads sit on, rather than around their ears. some users may find that when they lean far forward the headphones feel unstable and shift forward, but not to the point of falling off. When wearing this model while walking the vibrations from each foot step can be heard through the headphones, and when the audio cable is connected the sound of it rubbing on clothing may be heard through the headphones. earcup folding mechanism can pinch fingers painfully.
