1More Sonoflow NC Headphone Review

[InSearchOf]

The Pro allows ANC when wired. Wired with ANC is something I've been looking for but is apparently a rarity these days (if anyone knows of others please mention them).

From the Pro manual:

Note: When you switch to the wired mode, please turn on the earphones so that the functions of noise
reduction switching and music media playback are available to use (In the wired mode, you cannot adjust
the volume or skip to the previous/next songs by pressing the volume buttons. If you want to do so,
please switch your earphones to the Bluetooth mode).

The non-Pro specifically says no ANC when wired. I wonder if the Pro when wired with ANC on will also be better than with it off. So I'll second the request to see measurements of the Pro.

The Pro is currently 20% off on their website, $70.40 US. Same on their AliExpress store, but there may be other stores at slightly less.

 

[dreamZ]

What I noticed with the Sonoflow Pro is that the workmanship isn't that great. Sure, it's made of plastic like even the expensive Sony or Bose models, but you can hear it crunching when you put a little more strain on the headphone brackets or move the ear cups.

The Q30 from Soundcore is better in this regard, although overall it seems ricketier than the Sonoflow Pro, but it doesn't crunch. But maybe I also caught a Monday model.

I got the Sonoflow Pro so I could use the LDAC codec. And yes, it really does make a difference compared to the Soundcore Q30. In the developer settings of my smartphone I set the LDAC codec to the best sound setting of 990 kbps. And it's sounds amazing with Tidal flac streaming. Significantly better than the Soundcore Q30 with AAC for the same Tidal Flac songs.

I didn't have the Sonoflow Pro's predecessor, so I don't know if the sound is better or not. In any case, I am very satisfied with the Sonoflow Pro and can only recommend it.

 

[dreamZ]

Do you use any EQ?

I use the default "Studio" EQ. It sounds great.

 

[Andyoms]

Hello.
I have Pro version (HQ51). It sounds good. It is great for movies in night.
But one strange thing - it does not work in wired mode while turned off. So You have to turn it on even in wired mode, connected to headphone amp... There is only recommendation to turn it on in wired mode in manual. Really strange )))

 

[Jimster480]

Hello.
I have Pro version (HQ51). It sounds good. It is great for movies in night.
But one strange thing - it does not work in wired mode while turned off. So You have to turn it on even in wired mode, connected to headphone amp... There is only recommendation to turn it on in wired mode in manual. Really strange )))

Well it kind of makes sense since it is noise cancelling. How else would it poll the area and understand how to do Noise cancelling? It can't just get that information from your Amp.

 

[Andyoms]

Well it kind of makes sense since it is noise cancelling. How else would it poll the area and understand how to do Noise cancelling? It can't just get that information from your Amp.

It would be great to have a choice to use it in true passive mode.
By the way the ANC feature seems not so useful here, because of very good isolation in cups. May be I don't have enough experience in noise areas, I've used this phones inside, in quiet places.

 

[Jimster480]

It would be great to have a choice to use it in true passive mode.
By the way the ANC feature seems not so useful here, because of very good isolation in cups. May be I don't have enough experience in noise areas, I've used this phones inside, in quiet places.

Yeah, it's hard to evaluate noise canceling if you haven't been somewhere loud like a racetrack or an airport or even on an airplane with it.

 

[Ronalyn]

I'm torn between this or the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE. I felt like the Galaxy Buds has a superior frequency response compared to this (smoother and easily EQ-able peaks).

 

[dreamZ]

Guys, quick update. I got the Sony WH 1000xm6 because the ANC on the 1more Sonoflow Pro HQ51 doesn't filter high frequencies like voices as well in the open-plan office where I work.

The ANC on the Sony really does a much better job.

But: The sound on the Sony is really terrible. The 1more Sonoflow Pro HQ51 sounds at least two notches better. I heard it via LDAC codec and Tidal Hi-Res streaming.

So guys, if you value sound and less ANC, get the 1more Sonoflow Pro.

A Sony WH 1000xm6, which costs seven times more, is only worth it if you get it exclusively for the ANC (i.e., if you need absolute silence without any sound). If sound is your priority, you're wasting a lot of money on the Sony.

 

[staticV3]

Guys, quick update. I got the Sony WH 1000xm6 because the ANC on the 1more Sonoflow Pro HQ51 doesn't filter high frequencies like voices as well in the open-plan office where I work.

The ANC on the Sony really does a much better job.

But: The sound on the Sony is really terrible. The 1more Sonoflow Pro HQ51 sounds at least two notches better. I heard it via LDAC codec and Tidal Hi-Res streaming.

So guys, if you value sound and less ANC, get the 1more Sonoflow Pro.

A Sony WH 1000xm6, which costs seven times more, is only worth it if you get it exclusively for the ANC (i.e., if you need absolute silence without any sound). If sound is your priority, you're wasting a lot of money on the Sony.

The XM6 has 10-band EQ in the App.

Once configured, this will be stored on the headphones so you can uninstall the App and use whatever Bluetooth source you want.

Two measurement-based reviewers from Korea have reviewed the XM6 and here are their suggested EQ settings:



Source:
https://youtu.be/Lyn23SEDHkc
https://youtu.be/bW6-mc0JeDo

Resolve has one as well: https://youtu.be/zv5SRa6M8f0?t=331


Give those a try

 

[Curupira]

Source:

Resolve has one as well:

Give those a try

Crinacle has one as well:

Source:

(video review of the Sony XM6 from Crinacle)

 

[Sgt. Ear Ache]

lol...for 7 times more I'd have to be pretty damn concerned about ANC silence to go for the Sonys.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Maybe flying on a 15 hour flight or sitting in the waiting area for a flight for 2 hours might change your mind. I don’t recommend ANC for sound quality. But having to fly long flights 6 times per year converted me. Imho, mentally and physically less drained as well as possibly getting a few hours of sleep. The constant drone of the engine as well as the ambient noise of kids screaming tires me out.
I carry a separate set of iems for sound quality

 

[Sgt. Ear Ache]

Maybe flying on a 15 hour flight or sitting in the waiting area for a flight for 2 hours might change your mind. I don’t recommend ANC for sound quality. But having to fly long flights 6 times per year converted me. Imho, mentally and physically less drained as well as possibly getting a few hours of sleep. The constant drone of the engine as well as the ambient noise of kids screaming tires me out.
I carry a separate set of iems for sound quality

Oh I like ANC. I just find the ANC on the Sonoflows does the job ftmp...$700 is alot of money.

 

[Luvchampagne]

Oh I like ANC. I just find the ANC on the Sonoflows does the job ftmp...$700 is alot of money.

Agreed. Hence I buy 2 or 3 gens old used. Still using the 4th Gen.

 

[Curupira]

Agreed. Hence I buy 2 or 3 gens old used. Still using the 4th Gen.

Good option if you care for sound quality are the AKG N9 Hybrid or the Bose QC Ultra, both are a little behind the ANC quality of Sony and Apple, but they are far above Sony's default FR quality.

Source:

(It's a review of the AKG N9 by professional reviewer and measurer Aregine)

 

[Miota]

Hi there!

I have been a proud owner of the 1More Sonoflow NC Headphone for several years now!
And this happened precisely thanks to this site, a review of these headphones from @amirm and recommendations for their equalization from @Maiky76

Some days ago I've found EQ setting for 1More Sonoflow NC from Oratory1990!
The link for his PDF is -> here

I noticed that in the studies by Oratory1990 and Maiky76 there are differences in equalization at frequencies between 1 and 2 kHz, and also between 2 kHz and 10 kHz.

Maiky1976's EQ on this page - gives a more ringing and accentuated airy effect at the high frequencies of 3.228 and 6.447 kHz.

It would be very interesting to receive feedback on this analysis from @Maiky76 and @amirm

 

[Maiky76]

Hi there!

I have been a proud owner of the 1More Sonoflow NC Headphone for several years now!
And this happened precisely thanks to this site, a review of these headphones from @amirm and recommendations for their equalization from @Maiky76

Some days ago I've found EQ setting for 1More Sonoflow NC from Oratory1990!
The link for his PDF is -> here

I noticed that in the studies by Oratory1990 and Maiky76 there are differences in equalization at frequencies between 1 and 2 kHz, and also between 2 kHz and 10 kHz.

Maiky1976's EQ on this page - gives a more ringing and accentuated airy effect at the high frequencies of 3.228 and 6.447 kHz.

It would be very interesting to receive feedback on this analysis from @Maiky76 and @amirm




View attachment 469029

I suspect the difference is due to unit-to-unit variation and the measurement protocol.
It’s also likely that your specific unit isn’t identical to either of the samples that were measured.

ASR data:
Score no EQ: 40.3
Score with Maiky76 EQ: 81.8
Score with Oratory EQ: 77.5

Oratory data:
Note that the scores hereafter are not exact because I scanned the data since I don't have access to to the original one... but only a (very) good estimation
Score no EQ: 52.5 (was on the original document 53)
Score with Oratory EQ: 90.2 (was on the original document 91)
Score with Maiky76 EQ: 91.8 (N/A)

There are significant differences.
That's all we can say without remeasuring on the same fixture.

In preamble of my EQs:

• The EQs are starting point and may require tuning (certainly at LF and maybe at HF).
• Not all units of the same product are made equal. The EQ is based on the measurements of a single unit. YMMV with regards to the very unit you are trying this EQ on.

 

[dreamZ]

Maybe flying on a 15 hour flight or sitting in the waiting area for a flight for 2 hours might change your mind. I don’t recommend ANC for sound quality. But having to fly long flights 6 times per year converted me. Imho, mentally and physically less drained as well as possibly getting a few hours of sleep. The constant drone of the engine as well as the ambient noise of kids screaming tires me out.
I carry a separate set of iems for sound quality

The Sonoflow has almost no problems with lower frequencies like the roar of an airplane engine. I've tried it on several flights. The ANC performance is good, even with traffic noise in general.

The Sonoflow has problems with higher frequencies like voices. Therefore, it's not very suitable for office use, and the Sony beats it by far.

 

[dreamZ]

The XM6 has 10-band EQ in the App.

Once configured, this will be stored on the headphones so you can uninstall the App and use whatever Bluetooth source you want.

Two measurement-based reviewers from Korea have reviewed the XM6 and here are their suggested EQ settings:
View attachment 468083 View attachment 468082
View attachment 468081

Source:
https://youtu.be/Lyn23SEDHkc
https://youtu.be/bW6-mc0JeDo

Resolve has one as well: https://youtu.be/zv5SRa6M8f0?t=331
View attachment 468084 View attachment 468085

Give those a try

I tried the app's equalizer, but it didn't change the truly awful signature sound of the WH1000xm6 much. I can only recommend these headphones for pure ANC. For sound, there are $40 headphones that sound better.