Denon AH-C830NCW True Wireless In-Ear Headphones with Active Noise Cancelling, Water Resistant Earbuds with Crystal Clear Call Quality

Product Information

My final test comes in the form of Mac Miller’s “2009.” This is a sonically diverse composition that relies on tiny details and deep, sharp bass. Many earbuds struggle with these. Denon’s tuning has absolutely nailed it — highlighting tiny details like the reverb on Mac’s voice while keeping potential composition-spoiling sections like the 808 bass from distorting the entire thing. This performance is typical of similarly priced competitors, but to Denon's credit, we didn't notice obvious changes to the sound signature when we turned on any of the ANC modes, which is a plus. In any case, it's easy to switch between the three ANC modes, and the transparent listening mode works reliably when you need to hear your surroundings. Controlled, Detailed Audio Even experienced in-ear listeners have to apply pressure on the Denosn for a while before it seals tightly in the ear canal. And even if you’ve been listening for a while, you can’t help feeling that there’s something not quite secure here. Control it? Learn some Morse code The Denon use Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity, which is decent enough – but codec compatibility extends only as far as SBC and AAC, which really isn’t. Still, it’s efficient enough to deliver a battery life of near enough five hours from the earbuds with another four charges in the case – that with noise-cancelling engaged. Switch it off and the numbers rise to an all-in total of around thirty hours, with the ‘buds accounting for six hours of that. Charging is via USB-C – there’s no facility for wireless charging here.

For clear voice calls, Denon's AH-C830NCW Noise Cancelling Earbuds feature dual beamforming microphones working in conjunction, with a third mic taking advantage of the ear canal’s natural shielding against wind and ambient noise to bring additional voice clarity. The Denon AH-C630W Wireless Earbuds (above), meanwhile, use a single microphone for voice calls.

LIGHT AND ERGONOMIC DESIGN

But the fit isn’t secure enough to use them reliably during high-impact activities like running, although, with an IPX4 rating, they can certainly handle sweat and rain. They also have a tendency to work themselves loose when you talk — something that might prevent them from being ideal companions on long Zoom calls. During one recent video call, I found myself needing to readjust them multiple times. App-free simplicity? Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

However, every pro is negated by a con: superb audio quality vs. poor comfort levels. Useful Bluetooth support vs. mediocre battery life. Reliable touch controls vs. poorly integrated digital assistant support. You get the picture.The only thing missing is a volume adjustment, and there’s no way to switch between ANC and ambient mode without going through the off mode. Overall, calling on the Denon Noise Cancelling Earbuds is very good. External sounds are largely cancelled, and your voice will sound full, not thin and tinny, like it can with some earbuds. There were the occasional wobbles, as can happen with any earbuds, but I don’t think your callers will be bothered by it. Supplied with a charging case, the Denon True 830 earphones have a total of up 24 hours charge. Enjoy up to 6 hours charge from the earphones without ANC activated and up to 4.8 hours with it switched on. Given that there’s no facility here to tweak EQ settings, the pressure’s on Denon to get the sound right - happily, we think the company has done very well to create a natural, tonally even, full-range and coherent listen. I was content with their active noise cancelling capabilities, too. With ANC enabled, the whoosh of passing traffic when walking beside a busy road was reduced to a quieter grumble and the ANC system did a solid job attenuating low and mid-range noise. Higher-pitched squeals made by a police siren, my washing machine and the clinking of kitchen utensils weren’t attenuated as well but that’s not unusual for earbuds at this price point. I’ve got no complaints about their Ambient mode either – it allowed me to hold conversations effectively and piped in sound from the outside world in a natural manner.