Cleer has been trying to make a name for itself as a top-notch headphone player, and the company has done very well. So, we looked at the likes of the Cleer enduro 100 headphones, which scored 8,5/10, and the Cleer second thread, which scored 8.1/10. But the company also offers something a little weirder than the standard headphones - a clear halo neck speaker.
The clear halo of "headphones" is, in fact, worn around the neck, and offer speakers built into them, aimed at radiant audio right up to your ears. They are wireless, have an interesting design, and cost $130.
But are they more of a gimmick? Or should you pull the trigger on Cleer Halo Headphones for yourself? We put them to the test to find out.
Design
The design of the Cleer Halo Headset is slightly different from other headphones and personal audio devices. The device has a rubber rim that connects two main modules, each with a speaker housing with new buttons and controls on it.
On the left side of the module, you'll find the power button, the Google assistant button, and the so-called “sound es” button, which activates “extended stereo mode”. On the right, you get volume and playback controls, as well as a USB-C port for charging.
The headset is available in black and red - and we're revisiting the red model. The red model definitely stands out more, while the black one will blend in a little better and a little more graceful. They both look pretty good.
On the module of each appliance, you'll find an interesting gossamer-pattern designed to act as both a speaker and as an interesting design point - as if the device wasn't already interesting enough. Doesn't look bad by any means.
In the box, in addition to the headset itself, you will receive a soft carrying case and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. That's pretty much all you need - if we can't help but wish there was a true USB-c cable and adapter rather than a converter cable.
Comfort
The Cleer Corolla is worn around the neck, so there are different comfort metrics to consider. There are no issues with clamping or sufficient comfort, but things like weight and how it feels on the neck can affect comfort levels.
Ultimately, the Cleer Halo neckband is relatively light, and the rubber is not bad, by any means, on the back of the neck. You will find that all device settings, but this ultimately does not matter much.
Sound
Listening through Cleer Halo was actually quite a strange experience. The device is geared towards being able to “beamform” sound directly into your ears without simply acting like a speaker around your neck. That said, if someone else is in the room with you when you're using the device, they'll certainly hear what you're listening to - and as a result, we don't recommend using the device on things like public transportation. When it comes to raw sound-quality, ultimately we recommend just buying headphones if you really don't want something that blocks your ears.
The bass on this unit was good, but not too deep or powerful by any means. Deep bass would have made for a more immersive experience.
The mid range is the most pronounced frequency range on offer here, and that's not necessarily a good thing. The low-mids are relatively warm, while the high-mids are more pronounced, partly due to the lack of highs.
The highs are the most lacking in frequency range here. The cymbals just don't have the sheen that one would expect, and the vocals struggle to cut through the mix.
The Cleer Nimbus seems to be more of an experiment than a consumer-ready product, due to the sound quality here.
Performance
The Cleer Halo Neckband provides up to 12 hours of listening time, which isn't as much as you'd get with a pair of over-the-ear headphones, but still better than most wireless in-ear headphones. And, of course, it's hard to imagine wanting to use the device for more than 12 hours.
As far as connectivity, the device uses Bluetooth 5.0. We found that he maintained good communications throughout the trial.
Conclusions
So is Cleer Halo Neckwear Worth Buying? Well, it depends. This is an interesting device, and user rights, it can be perfect. This is especially true for those who hate wearing headphones or who really want something that can allow them to be aware of their surroundings.
For me, however, the device is not perfect. The sound quality could be much better, and ultimately you could go for headphones that offer "environment mode" rather than - like many modern headphones do.
| Shop | Price |
|---|---|
 |
$119.99 |
| Clear | $129.99 |
| frequency range | 20Hz - 20kHz | Active Noise Cancellation | No |
| Driver size | 32mm | Noise suppression | No |
| Driver type | Dynamic | On control device | Yes |
| Design |
N / A | Microphone | Yes |
| Sensitivity | Unknown | Ear pads material | N / A |
| Nominal resistance |
Unknown | Magnet Material | Unknown |
| Total harmonic distortion |
Unknown | Water resistance | No |
| Rated input power |
Unknown | Battery life | 12 hours |
| Maximum input power |
Unknown | Wireless distance | 10m (33ft) |
| Wireless connection |
Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity | Length of cable | N / A |
| Wired connection |
No | Case type | cover |
| Detachable cable |
N / A | In the box |
|
| The weight | 245g | Colours | Black red |
After the Cleer halo neck speaker comment first appeared on the headphone comment.