’s guitar amps are used by professional and aspiring musicians across the globe and their bright orange case designs, along with high build-quality and advanced audio-engineering, has led the amps to develop iconic status. Now turning their eye on the wider musical market, the new O Edition headphones are the fi rst release from the Orange team’s new Consumer division, and I jumped at the chance to put them through their paces. 8800 Although aimed at the music-loving masses, the fact that these headphones have been conceived and designed in the UK by Orange to provide studio-quality sound while offering robust and reliable construction means that they are also worth consideration for use by professional mobile DJs.

On paper they have all of the prerequisites: 40mm drivers, good frequency response, padding for comfort and an on-ear, closedback design; so I was keen to try them out in the flesh. The first thing that struck me when I unboxed the O Series headphones was the quality feel of the packaging, these are audiophile cans and it is clear that Orange has tried in every way to create a premium product. When I actually got in to the headphones themselves I was surprised to find that the stylish design only makes minimal use of Orange’s namesake colour.

The tough ABS moulded speaker enclosures are black, as are the cushioned ear cups. The signature orange has been used sparingly, but effectively, in the form of a bright flash of plastic around each can and fabric covers for the drivers inside the ear cups. The padded headband is also finished in black and decorated with a subtle ‘Orange Headphones’ logo embossed black on black across the top. The premium look is completed by brushed stainless steel plates, etched with the Orange crest, that cover the adjustable arms.

When it comes to putting on the O Series headphones they are both lightweight (218 grams) and comfortable to wear. Their slimline design means that they don’t feel as bulky as some closed-cup headphones can, yet their padded cups still envelop your ears with sound. Their relatively small cup size means they are comfortable to wear around your neck and they are also easy to slip on and off as and when they are required. In terms of sound quality, I have to say I was impressed.

Orange’s sales literature quotes a Frequency Response of 20HZ – 20KHZ, fully covering what is generally considered to be the range audible by humans, but also a ‘purposefully neutral EQ response for an open and revealing sound stage with detailed ORANGE O EDITION orange o edition layers of separation in the mid Three separate cables range’. This is exactly what I experiwith the O Series enced. Both listening to electronic is a straight-forward and live instrument-based record- 3.5mm jack lead, ings, I found that more nuances two are intended in the sounds were audible when smart phone.

One has compared to my current DJ headmic and Answer push phones. I also experienced punchy the other also offers bass response, clear top end and ume slide-switch. very detailed mid-range. The bass feature durable beats were clear when I was beatcords and gold-plated matching at a gig, but equally the to ensure good signal overall sound was detailed and imresistance to corrosion. mersive when I used them at home of a 6.25mm (1/4”) to listen to music while relaxing. concern some DJs, days lots of mixers I did find that despite the closedoffer a choice between back and ear-enveloping design, 6.25mm connectors external sound (such as my main doesn’t, adaptors are PA when at a gig) wasn’t deadable (in fact I’m ened very much.

That said, with ange didn’t include the volume turned up to the level that I usually use on my mixer, the A definite bonus sound in the headphones was more spective is the fact than adequate for cuing and beat- Series headphones matching. standard, with a 82 are provided style carry case. The design of this headphones; one is again sleek and understated; it is 3.5mm to predominantly black but highlightwhile the other ed by a bright orange zip and an for use with a orange ‘0’ on the front.

Inside the an integrated case there is a useful pouch for the button, while cable(s), but the outside is void of a built-in Volany sort of handle or strap – which All three leads I felt was a little bit of an oversight. fabric wrapped connectors While more robust headphones are transfer and available in the DJ-specific arena The lack for the same, or considerably less, jack plug may money that offer an acceptable although these level of audio quality for DJing, I and controllers think these headphones will appeal 3.5mm and to the audiophile mobile DJ.

If you and, if yours value good quality sound and you’re readily availlooking for a pair of headphones for surprised that Orlistening to music while at home one). and travelling, as well as for use out on the road as a DJ, these are well from a DJ perworth considering. that the O are supplied, as zipped clamshell- ORATNHGE EE AOR ELDY IDTIAOYNS