I am a child of the 60s and 70s. If it’s retro, I am there. When I was offered the Eskuché Control V2 headphones for review, I’ll admit the first thing that struck me was the cool retro vibe they put out. But, as I tried them out, I learned that this mid-range priced set of on-ear headphones had more to offer than just a funky Nixon-era look.
Overview
The Eskuché Control V2 are on-ear rectangular headphones with a serious retro look to them. Priced at an MSRP of $59.95, they’re available in 5 colors, (black, cream, rich chocolate, burnt orange and baby blue), any of which will possibly remind you of automobiles and appliances from the late 60s. And that is not a bad thing.
These headphones are made for use with Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. As such, they include a built-in mic and volume control in the woven cable. (I’m glad to see more manufacturers going with the woven cable covering, as it really does seem to help prevent tangling.)
After admiring the design of the headphones the next thing I noticed was the high comfort factor of the headphones. Let’s face it, if the headphones aren’t comfortable, it really doesn’t matter how good they sound. I wore these during a couple of hours long trials of listening to my iTunes library, iTunes Radio, and podcasts, and I found the comfort of the headphones to be superb. The tension of the metal headband on the headphones is enough to keep them securely against your ears, but isn’t so tight as to make your ears uncomfortable.
The sound quality of the Control V2, while not to be compared to higher-end headphones, is surprisingly good. I listened to music genres ranging from classic 60s and 70s rock, soul, R&B, even classic country music, and in all cases, the Eskuché Control V2 did a more than satisfactory job of reproducing the music. Highs were clear, while the bass lines came through clearly. You may need to play with the equalizer on your device a bit, but I’m sure you’ll find a sweet spot. I also enjoy listening to podcasts while I work, and the voices on the podcasts I listened to came through crisp and clear, with no muddling.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a pair of low-to-mid priced on-ear headphones, I would definitely recommend giving the Eskuché Control V2 a try. While they aren’t going to stand up against some of the higher priced headphones, they will definitely give any other set of headphones in the $40-$70 range a run for their money.
The Eskuché Control V2 are comfortable, well designed, and yes, just a bit kitschy. If you’re in your mid-40s or older, and can look at these without thinking of the Frigidaire you had in the family kitchen as a child, you’re a better man than me. For me, this is a plus. My review pair were burnt orange, and I loved the vibe they put out.
Rating:4/5[rating:4.0]
Price: $59.95 – Available online at the Eskuché website, and Amazon.com, as well in Apple and Best Buy stores nationwide.
Pros:
- Great styling. Love the retro look.
- Excellent sound for headphones in this price range.
- Sit comfortably on your ears. Perfect for extended listening sessions.
Cons:
- The styling. Yes, this is on both Pros and Cons. The 70s Nixon-era styling could be a drawback for some.
- I wish the cable was longer. Although for most, it may be adequate.
