Fresh ‘n Rebel Clam ANC

These robust over-ears are well manufactured, with their plastic construction reinforced with metallic components for added stability. The size adjustment elements are one such component constructed of metal, giving these headphones a sense of durability. The oval-shaped earpieces are not straight, but rather diagonal in their suspension, with the ears enclosed by luxurious artificial leather upholstery. This results in a certain amount of natural shielding against external noise, although there’s a slight tendency for heat to build up whilst wearing them. The overall fit is firm, allowing for fairly rigorous movement while wearing them without the worry of the headphones slipping free. However, the tighter fit may cause some discomfort for those sensitive to pressure-related problems.

A lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 600 mAh powers this wireless headphone model. In combination with iOS systems, battery status is displayed alongside the Bluetooth symbol. Battery life varies considerably, depending on the volume setting selected and whether or not ANC is enabled. With ANC enabled and a higher volume selected, you can expect average battery runtime of around 15 hours. Disable the ANC and opt for a more moderate volume, and you can up this runtime to approximately 20 hours. A full charge via the USB cable takes around three hours. Alternatively, these over-ears can be used conventionally with the 3.5mm audio cable that’s included, with gold-plated ends as standard to stave off corrosion.

Device Controls

In practical tests with various Android and iOS devices, the Clam ANC delivered stable wireless connections over a range of around seven metres. When compared to other Bluetooth headphone models, this is on the lower end of the spectrum. Pairing itself is user-friendly and easily done. Simply holding the power button on the right side switches the system on and can be used to control the Play/Stop function, as well as to answer and end calls. The plus and minus buttons can be used to adjust volume and select titles for playback. Device controls work pretty flawlessly overall, with the remote buttons clearly defined and pressure points responsive in all the right ways, with no delays. There’s also a satisfying level of speech intelligibility for call applications, with both ends of the conversation benefiting from clarity of communication.

Sound

These over-hears have a high output, offering enough reserves to enjoy music, even amidst noising surroundings. Many contemporary productions benefit from an impressive bass foundation, extending down deep into the bass range. The midrange also has a definite presence, producing sound that’s rich and powerful. The treble has a tendency to be harsh, with drops in the upper frequencies, however. The vibrancy conveyed by the direct acceleration is definitely appealing, while the stage is wide-ranging, suggesting a lack of structure. All in all, the voluminous sound has a blurred reverberation, which doesn’t necessarily impress when enjoying more complex arrangements.

The ANC mode of these headphones can be activated by a switch on the left. Ambient noise is already well shielded against by the design of the headphones themselves, while the active noise suppression itself is rather modest in performance. Another negative aspect is that the ANC function emits a background noise when in Bluetooth mode, with conventional cable connections not displaying the same trait. An advantage worth noting, however, is that the ANC improves the sound performance of the headphones by eliminating reverberation. The sound becomes more direct, more detailed and richer in clarity. This leads to a significant improvement all round and is particularly noticeable with classical music pieces. However, volume and depth are compromised, as the lower mids suffer a noticeable reduction.