Review: Parrot Zik 2.0 wireless headphones

There are other things, too, such as a presence sensor that can work out when you’re wearing the headphones and when you’re not to pause the music, which is great if you decide to answer a phone through the phone and not the headphones.

You can do that if you want, but by taking the headphone off, the sensor kicks in and causes the phone to stop the music and let you pick up a call through the handset itself.

An automatic power down can also be engaged from a lack of use, and if you want it, text-to-speed for caller ID, with these things found in the settings screen for the headphones, not to mention an airplane mode.

All of these choices can be a little overwhelming, but you get through it, and you know quickly on that these headphones are made to let you get the most out of your music with your choices, your decisions at the helm.

These headphones are magic for sound, and magic for choice. We’re in love, we really are.

Battery life is a little less impressive, with around two days of regular use, which is likely close to the 18 hour mark Parrot suggests, though we’d air on the side of caution and suggest 15 hours is more likely. Thankfully, charging is easy via the microUSB port which doesn’t take too long for a full charge, with a little over two hours from zero.

Software is also another interesting story, and because you have such a capable app to use with the Zik headphones, you also find that Parrot can fix things like a phone company fixes a phone: with software.

Case in point, one issue that we noted during the review period actually cleared itself up with a firmware update, and that was a very finicky touchpad. When we first exhibited the problem, we found the slightest of finger swipes up and down would dramatically change the volume, but after a month of reviewing, that has gone away.

While we initially started writing this part of the review focused on some of the flaws and issues, the availability of an update for a pair of headphones actually highlights one of the positive features of the Parrot Zik 2.0, and that is an update.

Generally, firmware releases and patches are released when something can be fixed, and in the case of errant finger swipes, that is certainly something Parrot has spent time making better.

So add another positive for the Zik, with easy to install over-the-air firmware updates that make the headphones better.

That said, there are some rather unusual issues with the Zik, though some can even be fixed by the user, while others might even be fixed later on with a patch, just like we noted above.

For instance, if you leave the pressure sensor on for the auto switching of music, we found you couldn’t wear the headphones in reverse, with the control pad on the left side. That might be an issue for lefties, though we’d still suggest to get used to using the right side, as the headphones do fit better worn the way intended.

Another strange one is the 3.5mm jack, which is located in the slightly unorthodox location of the right can, a change from the left which is far more common. If you are using the cord, this means you’ll need the cord to stretch across your body, but we suggest not using the cord altogether.

Testing with the Parrot cable, we weren’t able to get a microphone working this way, and the sound was very, very flat, sounding insanely shallow and generally underwhelming. There’s no power when the cable is used, and it shows, with a sound that is far, fat less impressive than what the headphones can do when you’re running with power.

Overall, we’d keep a charge on the Parrot headphones if we could, because the moment you go for the cable, the sound isn’t likely to impressive.

Not surprising, though, is the price, which is still the same, setting a tag value of $499 RRP in Australia, and making it one of the most expensive pairs of wireless cans you can find out there.

In fairness to Parrot, that price does net you a headphone unlike any other, with adaptive noise cancelling, wireless communication, touch controls, and a driver that is truly dynamic and highly customisable, but not everyone will want to pay $499 for the privilege, so just be forewarned.

Conclusion

Parrot’s latest headphones are a little on the expensive side, but what you get for what you pay is quite staggering.

This isn’t a pair of overpriced celebrity endorsed headphones, and it’s also not so high end that audiophiles are likely to go insane and plug it into their amps.

What the Parrot Zik 2.0 headphones achieve, however, is a pair of wireless headphones that do more than just play your sound without the cable, they play sound both wirelessly and beautifully, with enough control that they will satisfy even the most demanding of customers.

Simply put, these are excellent, and we’re in love. Highly recommended.

Overall
Features
Value for money
Performance
Ease of Use
Design
Reader Rating0 Votes
Quite comfortable to wear; One of the most customisable sounds you'll ever hear from a pair of headphones; Active noise cancellation included, and a modifiable ANC at that; Custom music settings can be enabled on a track by track basis, loading automatically; Custom music settings can be shared with the world; Major international artists can share their music profile tastes, allowing you to listen to music the way certain artists believe it should be heard; Firmware upgradeable headphones can actually clear problems up (as noted during the review period);
Expensive; You have to wear them with right pad on right ear and left pad on left ear otherwise they don't work properly; Corded connection is in an unusual location of the right ear; Touchpad can be a tad finicky; Cable doesn't include microphone or remote and can't be used for Android phones to make calls; Parrot needs more artists to make profiles for its Zik 2.0 headphones;
4.6