INTRODUCTION

   In the electronics industry nothing stays still for long and so although once upon a time bluetooth enabled headsets couldn't possibly compete with wired ones (not only in terms of audio quality but also due to signal issues and last but not least battery life) today due to several technological leaps this gap has closed just enough allowing manufacturers to release really impressive wireless headsets that can indeed rival wired ones. Signal issues and battery life are still in play (alas nowhere close to let's say even just 6-7 years ago) but at least as the former goes that's something, we all expect with wireless devices regardless of type. Teufel has been steadily expanding their operations to cover the entire EU region and after testing their quite interesting CAGE 7.1 Surround Sound Headset a few months back today with us we have their top of the line REAL BLUE NC Wireless Headphones.

   Teufel is among the largest German manufacturers of audio products. The company’s product portfolio extends from hi-fi, home cinema and multimedia systems to headphones, portable Bluetooth speakers and Wi-Fi streaming systems using proprietary Raumfeld technology. The company was founded in 1980 as a dealer in loudspeaker components and has grown into Europe’s #1 direct seller of audio products. Since its founding, Teufel has stayed apace of audio trends from stereo and home cinema to portable solutions and multiroom audio. Throughout, good sound remains the company’s top priority. Countless positive user reviews as well as awards from audio and technical journals underscore Teufel’s commitment to quality. Teufel Audio products are exclusively available via direct sale.

   Teufel announced the REAL BLUE and REAL BLUE NC Wireless Headsets (over-ear) back in late 2017 and as the name clearly suggest the latter model features hybrid active Noise Cancelling (NC) technology for clear, uninterrupted audio even while in very noisy environments. The REAL BLUE NC Wireless Headphones are based on two 40mm neodymium magnet dynamic drivers (20Hz-20KHz frequency response with 16Ohm impedance, 93.5dB sensitivity and 40mW max power) and feature Bluetooth v4.0 connectivity (10 meters wireless range, up to 6 profiles/devices), smart touch controls on the exterior of the right earcup, folding earcups, voice command support (compatible with both Siri and Google Voice), in-line microphone and a lithium-ion battery pack capable of powering the device for up to 23 Hours with active noise cancellation enabled and 30 hours without (up to 60 hours wired use with active noise cancellation enabled).

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

The REAL BLUE NC arrived inside a black box that has a product drawing at the front.

Contact information is printed at the rear of the box along with the product serial number and barcode.

Once you remove the exterior cover you will see the company logo printed on a red box.

The entire bundle is placed inside a thick carrying/storage case.

Along with the storage/carrying case and of course the REAL BLUE NC Wireless Headphones you will also get an aircraft adapter, 1.3 meter long 3.5mm cable, USB to micro USB charging cable and the user manual in English and German.

THE REAL BLUE NC

The REAL BLUE NC features a metal frame while its exterior is made out of plastic.

As you can see from the above picture the REAL BLUE NC is a medium sized model.

Teufel has placed their logo on the exterior of both earcups (the right earcup also features touch controls - up/down for volume up/down, front/back for next/previous song and center for pause/play track, answer/end calls and mute audio).

The company name is engraved on both ends of the headband.

You can turn the active noise cancellation feature on and off from a switch located on the base of the left earcup (if the headphones are charge you can use it even with wired connection).

The on/off power button and the bluetooth pairing buttons are both placed at the rear of the right earcup.

A plastic cover located at the base of the right earcup keeps the micro USB charging port and the 3.5mm port hidden.

Ventilation holes are located at the top of both earcups.

The earcups of the REAL BLUE NC can both rotate and fold making it easier to store and/or carry.

Teufel has used medium sized earcups with PU leather covered ear cushions (very comfortable ones at that).

PU leather is also used to cover the headpad.

Left and right markings are engraved on the interior just over both earcups.

As usual the company name is engraved on the exterior of the headband.

The headband extends up to 31mm on each side (62mm total) via 9 increments (8 visible on the interior).

A microphone is located on the 1.3 meter long cable which has two gold plated 3.5mm plugs on its ends.

The bundled storage/carrying case is thick and has enough room inside for both the REAL BLUE NC and its cables.

CONCLUSION

   We had the opportunity to test the REAL BLUE NC by Teufel in both wired and wireless mode for a total of 17 days with a wide number of devices (FiiO M6/M7 - Samsung S8 - SONY XZ2 - Yamaha A/V Amps). Starting with audio quality the REAL BLUE NC score very high in everything from crisp and detailed mids and highs to rich bass levels which are much higher compared to most models with 40mm drivers to ever pass from our office/lab. The good new is that even by using ANC (active noise cancelling) audio quality remains high and only bass levels take a small hit in some scenarios. Still ANC works better than expected so we think that the drawback is well justified. In terms of build quality Teufel may have used plastic for the exterior but thanks to the internal metal frame and their craftmanship the REAL BLUE NC feel very robust so I doubt anyone will have a problem in that area either. As for battery life although Teufel reports up to 23 hours for wireless use with ANC activated we were hardly able to surpass 21 which is quite normal since manufacturers use much lower volume levels when testing battery life (and still even 21 hours is a great result). If we had to change one thing about the REAL BLUE NC that would be its in-line microphone which lands far from everything else about this specific model. For the most part it does work as it should but noise suppression is not that good and on top of that we were expecting better audio quality for the other end. Of course, the good news is that if it happens to stop working after the 2-year limited warranty expires you can always get a replacement cable from Teufel (something which obviously couldn’t happen if the microphone was integrated) but that aside things could be better.

   Teufel now ships to many places around Europe and so you have two options if you decide to purchase the REAL BLUE NC Wireless Headphones, either grab them from their official website or through Amazon.de (in both the price is currently set at 229.99Euros). Bottom line the REAL BLUE NC may not be the best noise cancelling headphones in the market today (you can obviously find better ones if you have much deeper pockets) but we do feel that Teufel offers a very good price/performance ratio and that’s why they get our Golden Award.

PROS

- Very Good Build Quality
- Audio Reproduction (Deep Bass with Crisp and Detailed Mids & Highs)
- Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation
- Volume Levels
- Smart Touch Controls
- Foldable / Rotatable Earcups
- Battery Life (Up To 30 Hours / 23 Hours With ANC)

CONS

- In Line Microphone (Overall Audio Quality)