Best List: NAD VISO HP30 Headphones
I thought I knew myself pretty well by now. Boxer briefs instead of boxers or briefs. Surf before turf. Toilet paper over and not under. And over-the-ear headphones well before on-ear or in-ear.
But the NAD Viso HP30s have me questioning my allegiances to over-the-ear.
Even before pulling them onto my ear, I was impressed with the compactness, sturdy build and optical appeal of the HP30 headphones.
NAD uses what it calls RoomFeel technology to create a sonic space intended to sound more like a live performance or at least a room filled with loudspeakers, and I have to say the company has done a pretty nice job with this pair of cans.
In some cases I had to move the headphones around a little bit on my ears to find the sweet spot, but when I did the audio left little to be desired. The 40mm drivers did an admirable job of making me feel something from my music, and after all that is why I listen.
They come with a three-button, tangle-resistant remote and a nice little carrying case they fold up into nicely.
After my time with the VISO HP30s, I am considering giving lima beans and the unicycle another chance. Well, maybe not.
Price: $149.99
Buy from: Amazon
NAD provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. Cult of Mac’s Best List is a roundup of products for those who want to pump up the jams. Read more Best List mini reviews.
Jim Merithew is director of content at Cult of Mac and Cult of Android. He is the former photo director of Wired and editor at large of Raw File, Wired’s photography blog. In more than 25 years as a journalist, including eight years at the San Francisco Chronicle, Jim has led award-winning teams and relentlessly spread the gospel of the bicycle. He also plays guitar in Pickle Horse. Follow him on Instagram (@tinyblackbox) and Twitter (@tinyblackbox).
