Philips SHB8850NC Specifications, Tests and Review

The Philips SHB8850NC are wireless headphones that allow unrestricted movement and thus increase comfort while listening to music. Because of this feature wireless headphones are especially popular with casual users. On the other hand, the limiting factor of wireless headphones is a certain delay in sound transmission between the source and the headphones (almost indistinguishable for the average user), and they also need to be charged regularly. Unlike wired headphones, where the headphones are charged by the connected cable itself, wireless ones must be charged separately. The headphones use the Bluetooth 4.0 technology for sound transmission. The transmission range offered is up to 10 m. The maximum range represents the maximum distance from the audio transmission source that the headphones can be used for wireless audio transmission. However, the maximum communication range can be affected by obstacles such as people, walls, etc.

The headphones are designed as on-ear. On-ear headphones are generally lighter. However, their design has fewer isolation capabilities, and therefore, for example, more sound can be let in and out compared to around-ear headphones. The weight of the headphones is 232 g. Although these are over-the-head headphones that are normally characterized by their bulky nature, this model can be folded into a more compact form. This makes them easier to fit into a backpack or bag

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. For many users the frequency range is a key feature of headphones. The wider the range, the more detail and nuance you will hear while listening. However, every individual perceives frequencies differently, so the frequency range of headphones varies according to individual needs. The average person perceives frequencies in the range of 16 to 20,000 Hz, so headphones with a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz are most commonly available. If you are looking for headphones with a good bass performance, you should aim for lower range values (bass represents frequencies up to about 256 Hz), while high range values (frequencies roughly above 2,048 Hz) will be better for reproducing high tones. The frequency range of headphones Philips SHB8850NC is 10 - 22000 Hz. The headphone's sensitivity determines how effectively they can receive a signal from a source. The higher the sensitivity of the headphones, the louder they can play at lower power consumption. However, at high volumes, power consumption increases, which can be a problem when listening to music from a cell phone. A sensitivity value of around 85 dB is suitable for quiet environments, while a value of around 90 dB allows for quality listening even in noisy environments. Headphones with a sensitivity value of 100 dB and above are suitable for extremely noisy environments such as concerts. Headphones Philips SHB8850NC are designed with sensitivity about 105 dB.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 16 Ohm value. The maximum input power of these headphones indicates how many decibels they can receive from the device without any damage. For Philips SHB8850NC, it is 30 mW.

Headphones consist of many important parts, including the diaphragm, which is responsible for converting electrical signals into sound. The diaphragm, with a thickness of around 6 mm, is very sensitive to changes in high frequencies but less sensitive to bass. For a relatively balanced sound profile, a medium-thick diaphragm of around 10 mm is used, which can reproduce both bass and treble. A diaphragm with a thickness of around 20 mm is not as quick to respond to changes in the audio signal, and this results in poorer bass listening. However, it is very sensitive to higher frequencies. In the case of this model, the diaphragm is the PET - 32 mm.

For an even more undisturbed listening experience, the headphones have a special Active Noise Canceling feature.

In terms of headphone battery life as a significant factor in the purchase decision, it depends on what you want to use the headphones for and potentially how often you will be able to recharge them. Headphones with up to a few hours of battery life are more suitable for home use as they will require more frequent charging. Headphones with a battery life of around 10 hours or more are already more suitable for commuting and shorter journeys. However, nowadays you can also find headphones on the market that have a battery life in the higher tens to hundreds of hours. In this case, you do not have to worry about your headphones simply running out of power on longer journeys, and you will not have to deal with constant recharging. The battery life of the Philips SHB8850NC reaches up to 16 hour(s).

The standby battery life quoted by the manufacturer is 45 hours.