House of Marley is an audio brand that continues the musical legacy of Reggae legend Bob Marley by marketing a range of headphones, earbuds, speakers and turntables with a sustainable ethos. The House of Marley products are made with sustainability in mind.
All the brand’s products are manufactured with sustainably sourced materials and shipped in recyclable packaging made from recycled fibers to reduce the impact on the planet. Proceeds from the sale of House of Marley audio products go towards the brand’s global give-back give-back, Project Marley, which supports global reforestation through One Tree Planted.
The latest product to launch from the House of Marley is a pair of wireless headphones in the traditional over-the-ear style. The Positive Vibration Frequency headphones are incredibly comfortable because they only weigh 212g. Soft pleather ear cushions cover the ears entirely without creating a sweaty feel that so many other headphones can. The fabric-lined headband also sits comfortably on the wearer’s head and can wick away moisture or sweat.
These new headphones use 40mm high-definition drivers for bolder bass response and one of the loudest volume levels I’ve ever heard on Bluetooth headphones. If you like your music loud, the Positive Vibration Frequency are the headphones for you. The aluminum yoke and use of recycled plastic give these headphones a robust feel, making them ideal for listening on the go.
A full charge of the Positive Vibration headphones’ battery will provide up to 34 hours of continuous listening. The adjustable headphones have a clever fold-up design that collapses into a small size that won’t take up much space in a work bag.
The Positive Vibration Frequency headphones work over Bluetooth with both Apple and Android smartphones, but there is only support for the basic SBC codec. It’s a shame House of Marley didn’t include support for the AAC codec, as that would have provided a better sound quality on both iOS and Android devices.
Each earcup has a microphone built for taking and making phone calls or joining video meetings. The microphones are also handy for using voice commands with Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant.
Music can be controlled using the trio of buttons on the right earcup. The control cluster’s center button turns on the headphones’ power, and a long press of that button invokes Bluetooth pairing. The two buttons on either side of the center button can be used to raise or lower the volume; they can skip or repeat tracks.
I should stress at this point that there’s no analog wired connection on these headphones, so they can’t be used in passive mode if the battery charge runs out. That shouldn’t be a problem, as the batteries should play for at least 30 hours, even at a loud volume level. The batteries can be recharged using the supplied USB-C cable and there’s a burst mode that can yield a couple of hours of listening time with just a 10 or 15-minute charge.
The sound quality of the House of Marley Positive Vibration Frequency headphones is big and bold. If you love plenty of bass and volume, these headphones are for you. The treble range is detailed, although the midrange feels very slightly recessed. That sound profile will suit rock music but may be a bit distant for vocals and classical recordings.
Verdict: If sustainability matters to you, then the entire ethos of the House of Marley range will chime with you. The use of sustainable and recycled materials and some of the proceeds going to environmental causes close to Bob Marley’s heart make the Positive Vibration Frequency headphones a popular choice with many people. The fit is very comfortable for the price, while the sound quality offers bags of bass and volume to spare. I would describe the House of Marley Positive Vibration Frequency headphones as the most hi-fi-sounding pair of headphones I’ve ever tested due to Bluetooth audio support limited to SBC, but they rock and offer plenty of battery life. However, if you want an ANC version of these headphones, the Positive Vibration Frequency Vibration ANC headphones are available for an extra $50.
Pricing & Availability: The House of Marley Positive Vibration Frequency headphones are available now in Signature Black, Rasta and Copper from Amazon, The House of Marley website and selected retail partners. The price is $99.99. Additional colorways will roll out soon.
More info: www.thehouseofmarley.com
Tech Specs:
- Model: EM-JH143-SB.
- Battery life: 34 hours.
- Charging time: 2 hours.
- Drivers: 40mm.
- Frequency range: 20Hz – 20kHz.
- Impedance: 32Ω.
- Ear cushions: ultra-comfort foam.
- Bluetooth: v5.2.
- Range: >15m.
- Codecs: SBC.
- Compatibility: iOS and Android.
- Weight: 212g.
- Warranty: 2 years.
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