ALPHA Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones

This was my second Cleer headphone set over the past year. The other one I purchased was the Enduro ANC, which was, and still is, great headphone with an adaptive app. So, since I had such a great experience with that purchase, I was extremly excited when it was announced that Cleer was coming out with another flagship headphone. Well, I have had these headphones for several weeks and there is one function that I have found not only annoying, but disappointing. It is the touch pad that is located on the right side ear cup. Since operating functions are solely completed by touch controls on the right ear cup, I found it missing the mark in terms of function. When it is connected with two devices, i.e., tablet and phone and a call comes in, it is almost impossible to touch the area where you are instructed to and stop what you are listening to and answer the call. You touch the center of the touch control, where it should stop want you are listening to and connect to the call, but it doesn’t. I had gone back several times to the manual to look at what was “approprate” touches to transition mode gestures. Very difficult! Also, when listening, the only gesture that seems to work is the back and forward movement to listen to music. I have also found that the up and down gesture that is suppose to increase and decrease volume, sometimes work and sometimes don’t.Some positives that I did find was in the clarity in sound. The app. is good and easily connected. These headphones are also very comfortable and can easily be worn for hours. Great battery life! The NC is excellent, along with the ability to use “surround sound.” There is a button on the left ear cup that allows you to change modes, from NC to ambient sound. The only thing that was very disappointing as mentioned, were the touch gestures (especially, since there are no buttons to replace those gestures). I found myself manually stopping what I was listening to and taking the headphones off (it does have audio stop), disconnecting the bluetooth from my phone and answering the call.I really wanted to give these headphones 5 stars, but sorry Cleer, I cannot.

In looking for a quality over ear headphone listening experience, I discovered the Cleer Alpha Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones. They are of quality construction and include a hard-shell zipper carrying case. I chose the Midnight Blue color, which is very attractive.As the product name implies, the Alpha headphones offer excellent noise cancelling. I tested them around a number of noise sources with superior results. I’m sure these would be perfect for use on an airplane or commuter train. There are three settings, Ambient Noise Control, Noise Cancellation plus a Smart Noise Cancellation setting, which automatically adjusts levels depending on the surrounding noise level.Using the Cleer+ app allows you to control all settings, including the noise control and noise cancellation settings and set the EQ, including a smart “Dirac Virtuo” spatial audio setting for an immersive sound and natural listening experience.These headphones are very comfortable to wear, both with a full range of head size adjustment. I also didn’t find my ears sweating, even with prolonged use.The app also reports the battery life, which claims 35 hours of use with Bluetooth and Noise Reduction enabled,Bluetooth setup was easy and the Alpha headphones support pairing two devices. I easily switched between my phone and laptop by just pausing and resuming audio feeds. While listening to a feed on my laptop, I can answer a call from my phone by just tapping the right headphone twice, then when the call ends my laptop content will continue to play from where it left off! With dual mics, the call voice quality is excellent.What is “cool” about these Alpha headphones is if you need to interrupt what you are listening to, just lift the right side from your head and it will instantly pause that you are listening; place the right side back over your ear, it resumes what you are listening to. By tapping your palm against the right ear, it reduces the volume and reduces the noise cancellation so as to engage in a conversation, tap again restores it. Sliding your finger up and down over the right-side acts as volume control.When powered off the Alpha headphones will operate when plugged into an audio source with a 3.5mm audio cable, which is included. Plugging in the headphones to recharge will turn off the headphone power.I recommend the Cleer Alpha Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones to any audiophile looking for a high-quality flexible over ear headphone with multiple noise cancelling setting options.

I have owned many $200-$500 Over the ear headphones, but these Cleer Alphas have better sound quality and features than all of them. Fit and finish is top notch, they do not have the saturated bass levels or the “plastic” finish of my Beats Studio 3’s. Noise Cancelling is better than any Bose model I have owned, including my buddie’s 45’s. I would put the sound quality on par with Sony’s XM4’s, but they cost $100 more.What I like most is that when you take them off, the music is paused, and the Ambient feature that lets you listen to anyone about 10′ around you, while still hearing your music. No need to take your headphones off.