Earlier this year, Ministry Of Sound announced their next foray into personal audio, unveiling a range of new personal audio devices, most-notably the Audio In and Audio On headphone range, and it’s the ‘On’ that we’re testing here.
Coming in two guises (Audio On and Audio On Plus, the latter a bluetooth variant of the former), the foldable ‘over-ears’ mark Ministry’s strive for creating quality personal products – ultimately looking to match (and surpass) the affordable variants of undoubtedly the biggest supplier of mid-range headphones, Beats.
With an RRP of c.£99, the Audio Ons already have a one-over on Beats’ cheapest entrant, coming in almost two-thirds the cost of the Apple-owned Solo 2 range (the wireless Audio On Plus command an extra £50). But are they one for the gift-list? Here’s where we find out in our extensive review:
Audio On: Packaging
Whilst obviously not a feature as to why one would by audio equipment, the Audio On packaging is so striking that we felt it was worthy of a strong mention.
Ministry have certainly pulled out all the stops on this one, delivering their new range a complete sense of excitement before users even attempt to wear the damn things. There’s a massive aura of ‘premiumness’ about the way the Audio On’s are presented – from the initial box opening, to the handy Ray Ban-esque case that appears inside, opening the equipment gives you the same sense of anticipation that befell upon the first time you ever opened a smartphone. Everything just…. fits, and whilst not core to the headphones themselves, Ministry has presumed that gifting is where a majority of the range’s sales will be coming from; recipients will undoubtedly be excited from the word-go, and the brand have ensured that excitement around music need not be confined to just the listening.
Audio On: Build Quality & Design
Now here’s where things start to get interesting. With the Beats range as their core competition, Ministry needed to ensure that Audio On lived up with the quality one would expect from the aforementioned. Unfortunately, today’s tech scene sees too many products that are made to just to outlive their 12-month warranty, however Ministry’s attempt could potentially see them outlasting their peers.
However, whilst the Audio On’s do indeed have a solid look about them, there’s just too much plastic around for them to command the price-point that they do. Not to say this will turn prospective buyers away (it shouldn’t!), it should still be noted that on commuter journeys, users may likely feel too much outside interference than one would expect from a pair of Beats. Additionally, the headphone cable itself does feel flimsy, with the microphone/remote appearing too high up on the chord to have immediate access.
We do need to note though, that Ministry have still thought hard about the user – a triple-click to reverse the song; double-tap to fast-forward – they’re all present, and completely easy-to-use too. Additionally, both sides have AUX-in access; a handy feature for left and right-handers!
Audio On: Comfort
It’s unfortunately the overall comfort that let’s down Ministry’s new range. Whilst we have no research to back this up, we’ve based assumption that a majority of users will probably only wear their headphones for a specific amount of time at any one point (i.e. commute to school/work, commute back etc, maybe a break in-between).
First thoughts when placing the Audio On’s to wear are the snug fit, which of course can be adjusted, however the biggest fault lies with the lack of earcups in the design. The omittance of these (in favour of a padded out-ring), means that pressure on the ears can start to become almost-painful after a while. Sure when removing the headphones the pain quickly fades away, however the fact remains that for shorter journeys/wear-time, these are spot-on – anything longer than, say, 45-minutes, will become infuriating. Say goodbye to wearing these in comfort during a long flight.
Audio On: Sound Quality
Absolute plus point goes to Ministry for the sound; the brand have had decades of heritage in music as their core, and this has fully been carried across to the Audio On range, and is a feature that not only could match Beats, but potentially surpass too.
If you’re a rock or pop fan, you may be somewhat disappointed – these genres have never been Ministry’s focus, nor forte, however house/dance-lovers should embrace the Audio On’s with a sign of brilliance. Booming bass beckons with every track; you can almost feel the drop vibrating your inner-ear, and they certainly feel a complimentary product to Ministry’s club-based history. Whilst you may be listening to your music on a general mundane journey, the Audio On’s help to deliver a small party in your head – skip that 1D / Swifty stuff, throw on some EZ, and we’re certain you’ll be smiling from cheek-to-cheek (until you arrive at your destination, that is). Kudos!
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