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 Crossfade 2 Wireless has an integrated microphone and volume, music player function, and call connect/disconnect controls for use with paired Bluetooth devices. Additional features include earcups that fold for ease of storage. This model comes with a detachable 46-inch long audio cable with built-in mic and answer/music player control button for cord connected iPhone/iPod/iPad and smartphone use, a USB charging cable, a mini-plug-to-1/4-inch-plug adapter, and a carrying case.
Sound quality: We found the Crossfade 2 Wireless 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. The overall sound can be summarized as bass-heavy and somewhat muffled. Bass (as in bass drums, bass guitars, stand-up bass, etc.) has good impact and goes deep, but is prominent and very boomy. The midrange is somewhat soft, hazy, congested (think sonic traffic jam), and a bit grainy. The treble (cymbals, the upper range of violins, etc.) is extended, but somewhat subdued and a bit smeared (sounds that should have a delicate shimmer sound blurred). While the sound has a decent sense of liveliness it is closed-in (sound-wise it is obvious that you have something covering your ears). There was no significant difference between the Bluetooth and wired sound quality.
Comfort: We found that these headphones produce a sense of moderate pressure around the ears. When wearing this model while walking the vibrations from each foot step may be faintly heard through the headphones. The clearances are tight between the earcups and the "Y" shaped support that holds them to the headband; it's possible to pinch a finger when handling the headphones in general. As typical of over-ear models the ear pads might feel hot and/or sticky after prolonged use.
