Niceboy is one of the youngest brands that has managed to establish itself on the market recently. It started its operation only three years ago and during that time it managed to offer some of the best-selling action cameras. With the same success, Niceboy has also become one of the most popular brands in the category of bluetooth speakers and headphones, which we will cover today. The completely wireless headphones Niceboy HIVE pods, which boast interesting parameters and a favorable price, welcomed us to the editorial office.
Design, pairing and control
The HIVE pods are very similar to the new ones Galaxy Buds and in a way actually tries to compete with them. In the black-and-blue box, in addition to the USB charging cable and spare rubber plugs, you will mainly find a box in which the headphones are stored and at the same time charged using magnetic pins. The black, glossy finish of the box looks elegant, but it is prone to fingerprints. The headphones themselves are plug-in, which brings the particular advantage that, thanks to the replaceable plugs (you will find two more pairs of different sizes in the package), they fit everyone's ear.
HIVE pods communicate with the phone via Bluetooth 4.2 at a distance of up to 10 meters. A2DP, HFP, HSP and AVRCP profiles are supported. The pairing process is unusually simple – just take the headphones out of the box, wait for the LED to light up, and then just connect them in the settings on the phone.
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Connecting to the phone during normal use is also very simple and user-friendly. HIVE pods do not need to be turned on in any way. As soon as you take them out of the box, they automatically activate, connect to the phone and are immediately ready to use. In the same way, it is not necessary to switch off the headphones and to disconnect them from the phone, it is enough to put them back into the charging box. Such simple use is not usual for similar headphones, in this respect Niceboy deserves only praise.
Even when playing music, there is no need to reach into the pocket for the phone, as the headphones have buttons. Through them, you can not only start and pause playback, but also answer/end calls, skip between songs and even control the volume, which is also one of the main positives. The button is relatively easy to operate, but when operating it, you cannot avoid driving the plug deeper into your ear.
Sound reproduction
Niceboy HIVE pods boast quite good technical specifications in their category – frequency 20Hz to 20kHz, impedance 32 Ω, sensitivity 92dB and driver size 8mm. The first time you listen, you will be surprised by their really high volume, which I personally often had to set below 50%. But for many, it can be an added value, especially when traveling by means of public transport.
The second feature that you notice immediately when you start the first song is the really strong bass component. Bass lovers will definitely find something to their liking, but according to my preferences, it wouldn't hurt to cut back a bit in this regard. In other aspects, the sound reproduction is at a decent level, especially considering the design and price of the headphones as such. I was surprised by the highs, which are pleasant even with more demanding songs, and the headphones cope with them fairly well.
You can also make calls through HIVE pods. The microphone is located on the right earpiece and I would describe its quality as average. The other party can hear you from a distance, which is a toll on how the headphones are designed. However, it will serve well for handling a short call.
Batteries and charging
One of the main added values of the HIVE pods is undoubtedly the battery life. For the headphones themselves, which have a Li-Pol battery with a capacity of 50 mAh, the manufacturer declares a playback or call time of up to 3 hours. I reached a similar endurance during testing, sometimes I even exceeded the three hour mark by approximately 10-15 minutes.
However, the biggest benefit lies in the charging box, in which the 1500mAh battery is hidden, and is thus able to extend the headphones' battery life up to 30 hours. In total, it is possible to charge the headphones 9 times through the case, with one charge lasting approximately 2 hours.
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Niceboy HIVE pods boast one of the best price/performance ratios in the field of wireless headphones. The truly user-friendly connection to the phone and the extended control options via buttons, which can be used to regulate the volume, deserve praise. The box is also well-made, which ensures up to 30 hours of battery life for the headphones. The only weak point is the overly strong bass, on the other hand, the high volume of the headphones pleases.
Action for readers
HIVE pods normally cost 1 crowns. However, we have provided an event for our readers, during which the headphones can be purchased for 1 CZK. Just enter the discount code after adding the product to the cart jab33, which, however, is limited to only 30 pieces and is only valid at the Mobil Emergency e-shop.
