OneOdio Focus A5 Review – Budget Active Noise Canceling Headphones

The OneOdio Focus A5, which costs $69 in the US, is one of the more affordable over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that are packed with premium features like LDAC support. Is this a good value? Here is an overview of my experiences with them.

Revelation: We received the headphones as a courtesy for review purposes. However, the review is intended to provide honest, unbiased insights about the product, based on personal experiences and observations.

Design and comfort

The OneOdio Focus A5 headphones make a strong visual impression, with soft ear cushions with an elegant design and a subtle logo. However, despite their sturdy construction and satisfying clicky buttons, the headband feels somewhat heavy, which can lead to discomfort during extended listening sessions. Many people would complain about the lack of a carrying case, but I often throw the headphones in my backpack and have no problem. My backpack has several compartments to protect the headphones; Moreover, the headphones are quite flexible, as the earcups can be folded up or flat, so you don’t have to worry much about durability.

All controls, including a power, ANC switch, volume controls and a USB-C port, are placed under the right ear cup. They are intuitive and easy to use.

The ear cushions of the A5 headphones are soft and comfortable, making them initially pleasant to wear. However, they can cause your ears to sweat after about 30 minutes of use, even in lower temperatures. This often leads to me taking breaks for relief during longer listening sessions.

Features and connectivity

The inclusion of LDAC compatibility was a promising feature on paper, but most average consumers listen to music through Spotify or other streaming services where the audio is heavily compressed. Therefore, there is absolutely no benefit to using LDAC.

Active noise cancellation (ANC) is another key feature and performed well in my test. It managed to reduce ambient noise by about 60-70% when I took the bus. While it does not completely eliminate all external noise, it significantly reduces the low-frequency rumble of the bus engine, as well as much of the ambient noise and noise from fellow passengers. The result is that you can enjoy a more focused and immersive listening experience, even in a noisy transit environment. However, some higher pitched sounds or sudden noises can still filter through, but overall the ANC does a commendable job of creating a quieter soundscape during bus rides.

Call quality and battery life

The Focus A5’s built-in omnidirectional microphone works well enough for indoor conversations, but background noise remains a challenge outdoors. Battery life is a highlight though, offering up to 75 hours of playback time (45 hours with ANC enabled). Fast charging is another plus: after just a few minutes of charging you get five hours of use.

Audio quality

At $69, it’s unrealistic to expect audiophile-level performance. The Focus A5 delivers decent, but not extraordinary, sound. Listening to bass-heavy songs revealed a lack of punchy bass and noticeable treble. The audio profile of the OneOdio Focus A5 headphones relies heavily on bass, which can overwhelm other frequencies and lead to a muddy listening experience. While bass enthusiasts may initially appreciate the pronounced low-end punch, it lacks balance, leaving mids and highs somewhat subdued. This lack of clarity can lead to listening fatigue, especially during longer sessions, as the overwhelming bass becomes tiring and reduces the overall richness and detail of the audio.

The sound lacks clarity in the finer details compared to more expensive models. The Focus A5 is best suited for casual listeners who aren’t too picky about sound fidelity.

Pronunciation

The OneOdio Focus A5 headphones offer a sleek design, commendable battery life, and a budget-friendly price. They’re a great choice for casual listening or for those concerned primarily with battery life, but they can’t match audiophile headphones in terms of sound quality. For listeners of casual or retro music, they may be sufficient; for audiophiles, it’s best to look elsewhere.

If you are interested in the headphones, you can buy them Amazon (use coupon code FOCUSA5PRO for 10% discount) or official website (use coupon code XMKGFG for 20% off).