Macworld - USA (2020-09)

SEPTEMBER 2020 MACWORLD 109

to answer calls and speak with callers
using an onboard microphone in the right
earcup. That mic is independent from the
two microphones used by the ANC system.
The rechargeable battery lasts up to 12
hours with Bluetooth and ANC engaged; if
you turn off ANC, the battery life extends up
to 18 hours. With a wired connection and
ANC, the battery lasts up to 15 hours, but
without ANC, a wired connection does not
drain the battery at all. It takes about two
hours to recharge a fully depleted battery.

USER INTERFACE
Four buttons on the lower rear of the
right earcup provide all the controls. A
multifunction button is flanked by + and

• buttons, which are taller than the
  multifunction button, making them easy

The AV50 folds up to sit in a case that’s small enough to fit in just
about any carry-on bag.

to find by feel. The

multifunction button

turns the power on

and off, initiates

Bluetooth pairing,

and answers and

disconnects phone

calls. The + and

• buttons control
  the volume and skip
  to the next or
  previous track.
  The fourth button
  is separate from the
  other three. It turns
  ANC/AccuVoice on and off.
  At the bottom of the right earcup is a
  3.5mm jack for a wired connection to the
  source device. A mini USB port at the
  bottom of the left earcup lets you charge
  the battery. Finally, a multicolored LED
  between the ANC and other buttons
  indicates the status of pairing, ANC, and
  Bluetooth. A blue LED next to the USB port
  indicates charging status.

PERFORMANCE

The AV50 feel somewhat flimsy, and the

earcups are relatively small, but I got them

to seat well over my ears after some

fussing. Oddly, adjusting the position of

the earcups on my head while playing

music with ANC on caused some crackling

and distortion, but not with ANC off.