Review | Edifier W240TN: headphones with unbeatable value for money

Over the past decade, we have seen the transition from wired headphones to the increasingly popular wireless headphones, which periodically improve their Bluetooth technology as well as active noise cancellation, ambient and immersive sound, incorporation microphones, touch controls, voice assistance, applications. player and other multiple features. This sophistication has not only made its use more complex, but has also impacted its price.

Gone are the days when headphones were only used for listening to music. However, it is difficult not to ask the question: could it be that the market is evolving much faster than the users? However, we cannot ignore that basic needs have increased after the pandemic. For many people, headphones are no longer just a bridge to fun and entertainment, but have also become an indispensable tool for teleworking and other telematic activities.

In this context, we evaluate the W240TN, one of the most recent models from Edifier, a Chinese company that since the mid-90s has stood out for the design and manufacturing of its audio devices, which range from the now classic high -computer speakers to audio systems. Modern sound for the home. Upon arrival in Chile, where they already have a warehouse and an online store, they released these headphones. Here is our opinion.

• Response frequency: 20Hz ~ 20kHz
• Sound pressure level: 92 dB ± 3d SPL (A)
• Bluetooth: Version 5.3
• Pilot diameter: 6mm dynamic tweeter + 10mm dynamic woofer
• Audio codecs: SBC
• Noise Cancellation: Yeah
• Ambient sound: Yeah
• Loading port: USB Type-C
• Battery with ANC enabled: 7 hours + 14 hours charging case
• Battery with ANC disabled: 8.5 hours + 17 hours charging case
• Helmet weight: Approximately 11.6 grams.
• Charging case weight: Approximately 39.6 grams.
• Water and dust resistance: Yes, IP55 certified

The W240TN quickly stood out with its particular design. Starting with the charging case, which, to the already standardized chest shape with vertical folding opening, adds edges and faces which give it a geometric appearance, a little rough, but quite distinctive.

From the front, just where the lid and base meet, a neat slot gives way to a subtle horizontal LED panel, from which it projects a white light that serves as a charging signal. On the back, meanwhile, is the USB-C output for the charging cable, next to the reset button.

The design of the headphones is just as special, if not more special. These, of type in the ear and wireless, they go from the classic vertical and elongated shape – with a tail pointed towards the ground – to offer an innovative horizontal design, of three circular structures, which describe a gentle slope towards the outside.

If we’re looking for similarities with the other models we’ve reviewed, the W240s are closer to Sony’s WF-1000XM4 than Apple’s AirPods.

Despite its distinctive design, Edifier opts for simplicity over sophistication in terms of usability. Something we were also able to capture in the W820NB Plus, another of their wireless models, albeit circumaural.

For example, no app download is required to pair the W240TN with your smartphone. However, as we will see later, having the Edifier Connect application, free in Google game And App store — presents a series of advantages, especially in the personalization of the device.

The fit in the ears is comfortable and firm, although less deep than in other models, which implies less airtightness compared to the environment. This may be more pleasant for those worried about the feeling of encapsulation than generating certain types of headphones. in the ear or intra-ural.

On the front side, facing outwards, each earphone of this model has a button from which its main functions can be controlled: play, pause, forward or rewind a track, as well as activate noise cancellation or ambient sound mode; in addition to those that correspond to telephone call mode.

This ability to control functions from an “analog” button bucks the trend toward touch controls, which can be a challenge for less experienced users. It usually happens that the high sensitivity of these controls, combined with poor motor skills, causes bad things to happen: you end up fast forwarding the song you like when you wanted to increase the volume.

Here however, there are certainties as to what is being commanded, especially if it is done while moving, such as walking or jogging. The button makes it easy to identify the “touch zone,” which requires pressure to generate an action. In doing so, it emits an obvious and reassuring “click”.

When it comes to audio, the W240TN has a distinct disadvantage compared to other models we’ve reviewed in this space: its audio quality limits the SBC codec, meaning it reproduces sound with some loss of quality. Unlike what happens with LDAC or aptX, programs that also allow data transmission via Bluetooth and reproduce high-resolution and lossless sound.

Despite this, this model manages to achieve very good sound, especially since most of the population listens to music on platforms like Spotify and the free version of YouTube, which do not broadcast high quality content.

The depth reached by the low frequencies is surprising: the bass drums appear with a thick but contained thud; Meanwhile, the bass has very good contour, is substantial, and produces quite a pleasant vibration.

For their part, high frequencies manage to carve out a distinctive space, making instruments like the guitar, piano or drum cymbals mark their presence with precise brightness. And the reason this happens so well is because the W240TNs have a 6-millimeter tweeter and a 10-millimeter woofer in each earpiece, which allows specific and independent processing of bass and treble. The overall result is a sound with good definition, depth and excellent balance.

Another interesting point is that, from the Edifier Connect application, you can make different sound adjustments, some from predetermined modes, but also with a very good equalization table: four adjustable frequency channels, four gain bands, and four more buttons of what is. called the “Q Factor” or “Quality Q Factor,” to determine the extent of adjustments you make to the frequencies.

These are clearly aspects that a more audio-advanced person can enjoy, but not so much the average user.

Another feature available in the W240TN is active noise cancellation (ANC), which allows you to reduce or, in some cases, cancel sound coming from the environment.

In this case, the model has artificial intelligence technology Deep neural network (DNN), based on an algorithm responsible for filtering ambient noise collected by the microphones integrated into the device, so that it does not reach your ears. Its effectiveness is quite good: even if it does not completely cancel ambient sound, it reduces it enough so that it does not become annoying.

This function works both when listening to content – whether it is music, a video or a podcast – as well as in call or video call mode, in which artificial intelligence does not load not only minimize external noise, but also enhance voice for clearer and smoother communication. Nothing worse than shouting and trying to make yourself understood. Fortunately, with the W240TN, this wasn’t necessary.

This model also offers ambient sound mode: unlike ANC, it accentuates surrounding noises so that you can be more attentive to what is happening around you, without having to remove the headphones from your ears. The strong point of this modality is that it can be adjusted from the application, with six levels of variation that produce a significant change. The objective of this function is fully achieved.

With the W240TN, Edifier offers a very good entry alternative to the world of wireless headphones, in which it manages to concentrate a very good balance between ease of use and updated technology, such as active noise cancellation and sound ambient, app functions and Bluetooth version 5.3. All these features are typical for seasonal, or even advanced, devices and are present in this budget model.

The lack of high-resolution and lossless audio is overcome by very good sound supported by the unusual integration of a tweeter and woofer in each earpiece, which allows for a solid, balanced and super musical result, which can be of great satisfaction especially for users who listen to music and other streaming audio content that do not have lossless technology.

This link between simplicity and certain cutting-edge technological properties is the greatest asset of this model. Although it is not the cheapest on the market, its quality-price ratio is quite adequate, especially since it can be a great ally in always demanding daily activities.

Note: ⭐⭐⭐⭐★

*Product prices in this article are current as of November 14, 2023. Values ​​and availability are subject to change.