Reviews for Parrot Zik Wireless Headphones by Starck

I didn't even try out the Bluetooth. Plugged them in, played some various rock and pop tracks. Huge amount of high mid range tone is missing compared to other headphones. Embarrassing sound for $400. They went right back in the box.

OK-

I received these headphones as a christmas gift this year. I knew that I was getting them, researched them and couldn't wait to tear open the box.

SO...

I paired the Parrot Ziks with my iPhone first, and started listening to music.

When I first started using them, I was severely impressed by the design and comfort of the headphones along with the noise canceling feature.

HOWEVER...

I immediately noticed that the "next/previous" feature was not working at all as advertised; however the volume touch gesture was in fact operating correctly.

I decided to let them fully charge and try them again later... This time by pairing them with my iMac and using them to listen to music/make conference calls via iChat (now "Messages")...

AGAIN... Disappointed.... The music started to cut out, the audio sounded horrible and thin, then I started picking up random television program audio from god knows where!?!?

I WAS ON MY LAST NERVER WITH THESE POLISHED CRAPHONES...

UNTIL---

I updated the driver to version 1.03...

Instantly I fell in love with the Parrot Ziks.... No more audio problems, no more dropped bluetooth connections, call quality is great AND all touch gestures are working!


BATTERY LIFE---

A great deal of people seem to be complaining about the battery life... I don't think we can expect much longer battery life than what is currently availalbe with this much technology built into wireless headphones....

I used my Zik's a solid day through use of wireless music listening around the house, making phone calls to about 2-3 people.... AND listening to my "Ambiance" app on my iPhone while sleeping....AND they didn't die until the next day around noon.... To me that isn't bad considering the high quality design of this product.


SOUND QUALITY--

I am an audio hi-fi nut. I own a small audio/visual production studio and own loads of high end audio gear (current setup is Apogee Quartet through KRK Rokit 8 studio monitors with Sub)... So you can imagine that being impressed by sound quality to me is hard to accomplish. I also own a BOSE surround sound system in my home that is all digital and sounds ridiculous for movies and 5.1 channel audio localizations. I owned a pair of BOSE Quiet Comfort Headphones (I think that's what they were called?) Anyway, those were my real first 'personal noise canceling' headphones that I used on the go and was always bragging about how good they sounded and how you couldn't hear anyone talk while using them. Those were great until the cheap connector on them broke right off and the wires to either can developed a weak connection... Pretty disappointed in Bose's parts as of late...

ANWAY... YOU GET THE PICTURE.

Parrot has outdone themselves as far as SOUND Quality goes with the Ziks. The bass is truly responsive and doesn't have any sort of unnecessary gain boost like the majority of headphones do nowadays.

The ability to control the binaural localization through Parrot's "Concert Hall" app is AMAZING.... Way too often headphones are made and produced by companies (or designers) who produce/listen to one type of music.... This app gives you the ability to place the frequencies in the right POCKET for the type of music that YOU enjoy....

ALSO the ability to simply drag and drop the EQ frequencies and make your own USER EQ is amazing...


OVERALL 4 STARS...

Only because Parrot undershot the product lifecycle on this one....

Never release a product with faulty firmware... ALL customers have high expectations from the GET-GO... if they are let down during the initial use of a product.... THAT'S IT.... return city, bad mouth bash.... you get it.

These headphones have two important differences from most that may affect your satisfaction:

(1) Audiophiles are used to the paradigm of pure unvarnished reproduction of sound. The ideal amplifier is "a straight wire with gain;" the perfect transducer produces sound waves exactly as input electrically (no harmonics, no variation with frequency or level). Audiophiles typically find fault with any sort of "addition" or processing of signals, even compression and tone controls. These headphones in contrast have digital signal processing at their core. Digital signal compression over Bluetooth, active noise cancellation, equalizer and "concert hall" effects are built in (the latter three can be switched off). As many reviewers have noted, listening with the headphones' DSP off is disappointing. They are not designed to - and do not - reproduce accurately without the DSP (that is, as passive headphones).

Noise cancellation does a good job on droning air handlers and motors, but also colors music subtly. In an otherwise quiet environment you might prefer to switch it off. I find the equalizer and concert hall effects intriguing and use them on some recordings, but purists are bound to find the effects introduce artifacts. These headphones are well designed for listening in non-ideal listening environments (office, commuting, airplane, busy household) but not for critical audiophile listening.

(2) The headphones have a sophisticated digital controller: the Parrot Zik app on your iPhone. Do not think of the app as an optional add-on, but rather a key component in listening with these headphones. But also do not confuse the role of the app as the music source. You might get the impression from some reviews that the headphones only work well if using iPhone as the audio source, but that is incorrect. Using the standard audio cable with 3.5mm plugs, you can listen through any source with an audio jack. The three components for listening are audio source, headphone, and controller (iPhone app). Listening to a source other than the iPhone via the cable, the app still controls the noise cancellation, concert hall effects, and equalizer (so long as still Bluetooth paired with the iPhone).

Quibbles:
- the headband is heavy enough to slide back and forth as you move
- every change on the controller (iPhone app) generates sharp audio "click"
- the cans are not fully around the ear, but largish on the ear

If you are looking for a pair of bluetooth headphones, look no further. I have had the beats wireless, and the Harman/Kardon which are two of the most popular brands on the market. Both of them are good solid headphones but they are missing something. The Parrot's have it all. They are Wireless (which sounds amazing) Has wired play back wich some bluetooth headphones do not offer. There is a Application to control the noise cancelation (other bluetooth headphones don't have this feature) and other features (base ect) of the headphone. The Mic for calling sounds good not great. The Headphones themselves are comfortable. These headphones have so many features once you try them you will want to buy them. They are a little pricey but if you use the Headphones daily youll def get you moneys worth

In the first few days of owning these well-designed headphones, I'm on cloud nine. I'm a user experience (UX) designer, and these are AWESOME - the sound quality is truly excellent, and the sound and call controls are easily grasped and work as designed.

The headphones have paired easily with all my mac products (including an older 3GS iPhone I use in Canada, despite it not being officially supported). My 2006 MBP, my iMac, my iPad, my 4S and my 3GS all work beautifully with these headphones (as soon as someone provides a more interesting UX than Apple, see how quickly I go there instead). The only "issue" I've discovered is that to change the device I want to use the headphones with, I have to turn off the bluetooth for the last device I used, and turn ON the bluetooth for the device I want to use. But I don't particularly consider this an issue - how else are the headphones to "know" which device you want it to use with, other than the last one you used, if you have several all in range?

I've had Bose ear buds, Dr Dre headphones and other brands of listening devices (Apple ear buds I've never liked at all). Many expensive and many of good quality to begin with. But each suffered wear and tear issues (despite me taking care of them) after daily use for less than 2 years. I'm hoping these last longest.

No case
No wired playback and volume controls
No wall charger
No battery life
Looks better in photos

The Ziks sound great and the iPhone app allows you to tweak the audio to your liking but after a few days I wished I spent $400 on a different set of headphones and returned them to get something with a little more bang for the buck.

Overall I don't think the Ziks are that stylish. The matte finish on the ear cups and the weird asymmetry of the microphones make them look awkward. One ear cup had a chrome finish at the bottom while the other didn't. The bright power light at the bottom does help the look. The yellow accents shown in photos are not that noticeable unless the Ziks are on a table and someone is taking a photograph of them with perfect lighting.

The touch controls work well although I found the auto-pause feature would get in the way while laying down or adjusting the headset. It was nice to have a dedicated reverse action. Unfortunately the audio cable for wired use does not have controls for playback and volume like other headsets, wired and the once included for passive mode on Bluetooth headsets. In passive (off/dead battery) mode the touch panel does not work and you need to use your phone or player to control all playback and volume. Annoying is an understatement.

It was difficult to size the headphones. Not great for sizing up to fit around your next and then back on your head. Also, they are on the heavy side, so your neck should give out before the battery life which wasn't great.

The Ziks do not include a wall charger. Just the USB cable. What you really want for under powered headsets is to charge them by USB for days.

The audio and USB cables are of a rope or shoelace type fabric. Looks perfect for making knots. I don't think I liked it.

Finally, the Ziks do not include a case, just a pouch. They do feel solid enough to survive a trip in a backpack but why not include a case already. Also, the pouch feels cheap. Almost like a potato sack.

So overall, after two weeks of use I decided to swap them for another $400 headset and I'm much happier.

I just bought them at the Apple store on the Upper West Side. I wore them out and got 10 blocks away and the bluetooth started to short out. The touch gestures weren't responding quickly either, 5-8 second delay. I turned around and exchanged them for the Bose noise canceling headphones.

First let me start by saying.. I love music, I love sound... I been looking for some Bluetooth headphones after my Phiaton's failed on me. I wore those headphones around my neck daily, and I was just thinking of simply just getting another because they sounded great. And the convenience of not having it tired with a headphone jack to any of my device were great as well.. But on the other end, I wanted something different.. A completely wireless experience..

Now, it brings me to the Parrot Zik... I'm rather a techie when it comes to gadgets and everything. And, I researched plenty of headphones.. Compared it to the Harmon's wireless headphones and Beats wireless headphones, the features for the Zik's just out weigh those headphones.

Pros...
Amazing Sound
NOT overwhelming bass, a completely wholesome sound
Wireless Touch Controls
Incredible Design
Noise Cancellation
Syncs with an App

Cons...
BATTERY, BATTERY, BATTERY

There's simply no comparison in regards to the features with these Zik's, the battery is my main concern. I do have a Mophie Powerstation, but I plan on buying a spare to keep with me while on the go, because 6 hours is just not good enough. I'm satisfied with these Zik's.. The price is expensive, but when I looked at other headphones and the features Zik's has.. I get it. I'll recommend them just make sure to get a spare battery...

Not a big fan of long reviews, so I will get right to the point:

PROS:
- Unbelievable sound and control of sound (amazing)
- Super high-quality materials used
- 'Feel' like an expensive piece of equipment should
- Work extremely well with the iPhone, almost flawless in all uses

CONS:
- Only work so-so with a Macbook Pro or other laptop with bluetooth
- 6 hours of battery life is really short once you start working
- No external battery charger available (although they sell extra batteries)
- Do not work as a 'headset' on a laptop with Skype
- After a while, the headset feels 'heavy' on the top part of the head, almost have to take them off to give your scalp a rest

The sound quality and the controls the iPhone App gives you make these headphone sound amazing. However, I am seriously considering taking them back. The battery life is just way too short and not being able to fully use them with my MBP is a killer. I have about 10 days before I can't return them.

after using it for 5 days, touch-sensitive control doesn't work anymore, i returned it and got the new one but i got same problem again, very disappointed