Parrot Zik Wireless Headphones by Starck
Parrot Zik Wireless Headphones by Starck
Product Information
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Overview
Parrot, along with world-renowned French designer Phillipe Starck, have collaborated once again to create Zik wireless headphones. Integrating touch control, advanced technology, and sleek design, they deliver superb sound and comfort.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)
Four active microphones (two internal and two external) make this patented Parrot technology one of the best in its class in ANC. It provides up to 98% reduction, eliminating nearly all external sound.
Innovative Interface
An ultra-intuitive touch sensitive panel located on the right ear cup gives you easy control. When you're listening via Bluetooth, simply swipe up and down to increase and decrease volume, and forward and back to conveniently skip tracks. Also, a head-detection sensor automatically senses when you're wearing the headphones and when you're not. When you put the headphones around your neck, the music pauses and your call is switched directly to your mobile device. When you put the headphones back on, your music resumes.
Unique listening quality
When using a standard headset, your right or left ear can only hear music coming from the right or left side of the headset. To recreate true-to-life sound, Parrot has developed a unique specialization sound called the “Parrot Concert Hall” effect. So instead of hearing the music from the side, you feel as though the sound is coming from directly in front as if you were listening to a live concert.
Free yourself from wires
Listen to music or make crystal-clear calls seamlessly and wirelessly via Bluetooth. Choose to control your calls and music directly from your device manually or via voice recognition, earphone touch panel, or from Parrot's free Audio Suite App on an iPhone. Bluetooth streaming is available with all Bluetooth-compatible devices.
Simple pairing
Parrot has integrated NFC into the Zik headphones. NFC allows you to pair, connect, and play music from your NFC-compatible device with a simple tap to the Zik.
Parrot hands-free calling
Originally designed for Parrot car systems, hands-free calling is now part of Zik. It's specifically engineered for crystal-clear conversation. Equipped with two directional microphones and a Jawbone Conductor, the Zik captures the vibration of the jawbone and merges it with the sound of your voice for reliable calls. Thanks to the embedded head detection sensor, if you receive a phone call while listening to your music, you can remove your headphones and your call will be automatically be switched to your smartphone.
Free exclusive downloadable app
The Parrot Audio Suite is a free app you can download from the App Store for your iPhone. It lets you control all of your music wirelessly. For instance, you can adjust your audio settings to explore your favorite customized sound and simulate a virtual music scene creating your desired sound depth. The app also notifies you whenever there's a new software version so you can download it instantly.
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Highlights
- Active noise cancellation
- Innovative touch-sensitive control
- Head-detection sensor seamlessly plays music when headphones are over your ear or pauses it when they're around your neck
- Unique specialized sound through “Parrot Concert Hall Effect”
- Completely wireless, supports Bluetooth audio streaming and NFC
- Parrot hands-free calling expertise
- Exclusive downloadable free app to control your music wirelessly
- Rechargeable, removable Li-ion battery
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Did you notice?
Unique "Parrot Concert Hall" effect recreates true-to-life sound, so you feel as if you're at a live performance. -
Apple Recommends For
Hear all your music and calls wirelessly with superb audio. -
What's in the Box?
- Parrot Zik by Starck wireless headphone
- 3.5 mm mini jack cable, designed by Starck
- Micro USB cable for charging and updating
- Lined pouch to protect Zik
- Quickstart guide in eight languages
- Li-lon battery 800mAh
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Tech Specs
- Frequency Response : 10Hz-20kHz
- Connections : Bluetooth
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Manufacturer Information
Part Number
- Mfr. Part Number : PF560000
- UPC or EAN No. : 3520410007156
Warranty
- Note : Products sold through this website that do not bear the Apple Brand name are serviced and supported exclusively by their manufacturers in accordance with terms and conditions packaged with the products. Apple's Limited Warranty does not apply to products that are not Apple-branded, even if packaged or sold with Apple products. Please contact the manufacturer directly for technical support and customer service.
- Warranty : One year
Compatibility
iPhone models
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iPhone 4
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iPhone 4S
iPad models
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iPad (1st generation)
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iPad 2 (2nd generation)
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iPad (3rd generation)
iPod models
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iPod touch 3rd Generation
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iPod touch 4th Generation
Ratings & Reviews
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Works best with iPhone
I bought these mainly for use in my office where I listen to music on my MacBook Pro (mostly because my music collection will not fit on any other device). My conclusion is that they do indeed work with iTunes on my MBP but they don't work great. First, while pairing is easy, connecting is cumbersome at best. You must pull down the Bluetooth menu, select the ZIK, then Open Sound Preferences and make adjustments (mute internal speakers, turn up headphone volume). Then there is usually some initial BT rejection and after going through the process again it will connect. Unfortunately it doesn't always make the most stable connection so once in a while it will just cut out and need to be manually restarted. But when it works, it works well and sounds good.
In use with the iPhone 4s connection is flawless and simple. I actually once tried to connect to my MBP [right in front of me] but accidentally connected to my iPhone sitting on the charger in a room over 40 feet away and it sounded great. Of course the iPhone has the Parrot ap which allows dynamic adjustment to the sound along with battery monitoring. It should be clarified that there is currently NO software available to adjust sound nor monitor battery on the MBP.
Battery life is disappointing; about 6.5 hours with all the sound enhancement/noise canceling on. Considering I am working at my desk about 9+ hours a day, this is annoying (especially considering that while listening on the MBP there is no way to know the battery level... it just quits). I would get a second battery but there is currently no way to charge a second battery outside the headphones.
Like I said, when they work they sound really good and do what they are supposed to. My hope [and reason for keeping them] is that Parrot is paying attention to reviews like this and will offer firmware/software to amend the annoyances as well as an external battery charger or extended life battery unit. For now, I give them 3 out of 5 stars for being rather pricey headphones with great sound quality but poor battery life and slightly flawed functionality on a device they don't appear to be focused towards. …- Written by Gaberiel K from Byron
240 of 273 people found this useful
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Like being different
I've tried several headphones - Bang&Olufsen, Sennheiser wireless, Vmoda & a host of others.
I like Vmoda cross fade but annoyed by cables.
I love to ZIK concept & find performance and sound quality pleasing. I'm certain there will be s/w updates & offering of a spare battery soon. I'm still familiarizing myself with this product but purchased with the expectation of exceptional performance during phone conversations & reliable Bluetooth music enjoyment. I'm pleased so far. …- Written by Marcus C from new york
162 of 196 people found this useful
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Great Headphones!
I just received these headphones and they work very well. The sound quality is very good and the pairing is dead simple. I have n ot had them long enough to test battery life so I cannot comment on that. The touch control is slick and works as advertised. All in all I'm very happy with my purchase. …
- Written by Mark D from Lakeland
153 of 185 people found this useful
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Not the greatest!
I purchased these in Jan 2013. I liked the quality and the sound. For such an expensive pair they don't include a case or extra battery. Also noticed if looking down, sideways or moving suddenly there was significant distortion. They load up quickly but cannot pair to multiple devices simutaneusly. They are also tight on the head, my ears began sweating, and I needed a break from them after about an hour. I travel frequently anf need a good pair of headphones that are comfortable during flights. On short flights i have not been able to get through a movie on my ipad withou removing the headphones to take a break. i hate to see how they perform with flights longer than 5 hours. on a 3 hour flight i switched to earbuds to get a break.They are difficult to lay down and listen to music since they are quite bulky. I took them back to the store in May 2013 and looking for a good pair of noise canceling headphones with great quality. I have the Bose QC15 and looking for something to outperform them on longer flights. …
- Written by Stan B from Cypress
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Awesome Cans
LOVE:
Touch controls...volume and direction are on the right ear can
Bluetooth...Has a backup cable when batteries run down. Bl uetooth is better than what I've had in BEATS or PUMA BT headsets
Noise cancelling works with 4 onboard microphones.
Can tell when your cans are on your head and when their on your shoulders - great for when someone stops you for directions - pauses your activity
HATE:
The cans are great for phone usage but when your using the cable there is no microphone support or volume control when plugged in. You have to go to the Parrot app on your iPhone to control your sound and chat. BAD IDEA. …- Written by Christopher W from Chicago
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just buy them
OK i devoted months to reading online reviews of headphones to see what was best. Online, the Parrot Ziks scored well in the "wow " factor, but less on sound quality. I ended up buying a set of PSB M4U 2 cans which are corded and they are great. Great sound stage. I'm not sorry i bought them. But going to the Apple Store last week to buy another Cinema Display and seeing the Ziks in stock reminded me I had never gotten over my love affair with them...so i bought the Ziks. If i had to do it all over again, i would buy the Ziks right away. No problems with bluetooth. Sound is great. Portability with no cords is unbelievably cool at the office, commuting. And the wow factor! I use them every day. The ANC is stellar on the Ziks. Try putting them on your head with them turned off, then turn them on and hear the silence...it's like you're working from outer space. Just buy them! You won't regret. …
- Written by Roger B from Naperville
Questions & Answers
Answers from the community
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Is it compatible to iPod Classic?
- Asked by Angie C from Peoria
- Apr 2, 2013
Answer
You can use the standard wired phono-jack connector to an iPod or any other audio device. You will not of course have the ability to change tracks or volume with the touch control. You will not have the equalizer or concert hall effects unless the Zik is ALSO connected wirelessly to an iPhone with the Parrot app. And of course you will not be wireless. …
- Answered by David B from Fairbanks
- Apr 4, 2013
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iPad mini
- Asked by Michelle B
- Jan 25, 2013
Answer
Yes, you can use wireless bluetooth headphones with the mini just the same as you can with the iPhon e and regular iPad. …
- Answered by Amit T from San Francisco
- Feb 1, 2013
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How many hours will the battery last when it is fully charged?
- Asked by Ian W from Kelowna
- Nov 29, 2012
Answer
I get about 6 hours out of mine. When I was recently on a long haul flight I managed to extend the b attery life by plugging in the USB cable into the plane seat whilst still using them. It didn't charge the battery (I think they have to be off for this) but it did stop them going flat. …
- Answered by Jeremy S
- Jan 7, 2013
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Is it compatible with the iPhone 5?
- Asked by Miguel M from Brooklyn
- Feb 10, 2013
Answer
Yes the Zik is compatible with iP5 - once you do the firmware update for new iOS.
My use of Zik wit h my iPhone 5 is the following:
Once you tie the Zik to iPhone 5 via Bluetooth,
* You can control the Zik with Parrot's controller app (noise cancellation, equalizer, concert hall effects, and set whether noise cancellation is active during phone call by default).
* You can use the (Apple) phone and music player with Zik by choosing the Zik as the audio device in those apps; phone offers on-screen audio option, music player uses the same interface you use for AirPlay to choose output).
* if you listening, incoming phone call can be answered with tap or refused. (My experience is that callers prefer me to raise the volume somewhat in order to hear me well).
* Many other apps will also use the Zik for audio output, even those that may not offer a GUI interface to switch the audio output (that is, they will rely on your having set the audio output in phone, music, Pandora, or some other app). …- Answered by David B from Fairbanks
- Feb 11, 2013
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Are Ziks compatible with Siri, in the sense that asking Siri to play music will result in this music playing on the Ziks?
- Asked by Dan W from Pittsford
- Feb 2, 2013
Answer
Dan,
Yes, you can instruct Siri to play music, in my case from IPad3. If you are listening to mus ic already and want a new song, you can instruct Siri accordingly and you will hear your new selection on the Ziks.
However, Siri went into my contacts to search for the artist in one instance. No harm though after I restated the request. The Ziks and the iPad are a phenomenal combo!
Roger …- Answered by Roger P A from Avon
- Feb 5, 2013
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Is it possible to order a spare battery?
- Asked by Ken W from Woodside
- Jul 15, 2012
Best Answer
I asked the same question of the manufacturer and this is the response as of 22 July 2012.
Replac ement Zik batteries will be available to purchase from Parrot Shopping in the next few days. …- Answered by Marcus C from New York
- Jul 24, 2012
