Design and features:This Bluetooth wireless noise canceling portable ear-insert model provides very good sound and excellent active noise reduction. Its ear plug-like design and electronic noise canceling feature reduce both outside noise and sound leaking out into your environment. The headphones work with or without the noise canceling feature being turned on. You can use the noise-canceling feature without listening to music. The TAT5506 has an integrated microphone and player function controls. Additional features include - either earpiece can be used alone for one ear monitoring of Bluetooth streamed audio and telephone communications. Carrying case/charging cradle has built-in rechargeable battery that the manufacturer claims can be used to add an additional 21 hrs. of play time for a total of 28 hrs. with ANC on OR an additional 24 hrs. of play time for a total of 32 hrs. with ANC off. Can be recharged via USB cable or compatible optional Qi compatible wireless charging devices. Manufacturer claims water resistance (IPX5). The headphone noise cancellation touch control setting switches between ANC on, ANC off, and ambient sound monitor (Pass-through) modes by button control on Right earbud. Has touch controls for music player transport, call connect/disconnect, noise cancellation on/off, and digital voice assistant activation. Has Bluetooth pairing alert tones. Has quick charge feature: 15 min of charging will provide 1 hr. of playtime. Supports Google Assistant, Apple Siri, and other digital voice assistants when used with Bluetooth devices that have those capabilities and that, if needed, have the appropriate apps installed. Bluetooth connected Apple mobile devices using iOS Version 5 and above will show the battery level. Free Philips Headphones app download for Apple or Android mobile devices can be used to change the EQ settings between custom or four different presets, show battery level, change various settings such as deactivating the auto pause feature, choose between pausing and not pausing audio when the monitor function is activated, access user manuals and update the earphone's firmware. The TAT5506 comes with 3 pairs of ear pieces in various sizes, USB-C connector charging cable, charging cradle/recharger battery/carrying case, Warranty Booklet, Quick Start Guide.
Sound quality: We found the TAT5506 delivers sound quality that falls in the very good range - it reproduces music and voice very well although it does have some noticeable sonic quirks and excellent active noise reduction. With the noise cancelling mode set to high, and the sound effect set to off the bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is prominent and boomy and slightly distorted (slight warble - sounds like it is underwater) with some program material. The midrange (voices, guitars, horns, etc.) is fairly even but is a bit grainy and hazy and can be somewhat overwhelmed by the bass with some program material. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended but is a bit prominent, smeared, and sizzly (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer have a sound reminiscent of bacon frying). The sound also has a good sense of liveliness and is somewhat open--sound-wise it almost seems like you don't have anything plugging up your ears and does a decent job of recovering room ambience. Mixed character - warmish bass with upper midrange and treble tending toward neutral. The overall sound can best be summarized as bassy and a bit grainy. Noise Canceling: Excellent noise reduction across the entire frequency range with the low frequencies reduced the most. Orientation changes the noise reduction characteristic - when the noise is coming from the front a bit more high-frequency noise can be heard relative to when it's coming from the side or rear. A faint rushing sound can be heard in quiet environments when there is no audio program to drown it out.
Comfort: As typical of in-ear models they produce a sense of pressure in the ear canal opening that might be uncomfortable for some. Users with small ear bowls might find that the earphone body feels a bit bulky in their ear bowl and that they stick out too far and feel like they may lever out of place, but that they will stay in place during casual use and that they are stable during vigorous head movement. Users with medium and larger sized ear bowls will probably find that this model stays in place with no problems for casual use and that they are stable during vigorous head movement. Hitting the stem that hangs out of the ear can knock an earphone loose and cause it to fall out of the ear.
