JVC HA-A25T

The concept of the HA-A25T, available in white or black, is comparatively straightforward. These ergonomically shaped dynamic in-ears have touch-sensitive outer parts that cover their entire functionality, including a pre-set equaliser and a noise-cancelling circuit. Consequently, there is no need for an app.

The package also includes the essential USB-C charging case with a connection cable and an attractive selection of adapters. Both the charging case and the earphones have status LEDs.

In practice

These headphones fit securely, comfortably and without pressure in your ears. This is enhanced by the silicone (S/M/L) and memory foam (S/M) ear tips. However, a large foam mould was omitted from the package, and only the manufacturer would know why this was the case. The lightweight plastic construction weighs 5.2 grams on each side. Thanks to IPX4 certification, the headphones are also suitable for use during sporting activities.

The touch control surfaces respond to single and double clicks as well as long touches. This makes it possible for you to control music playback including skipping tracks, volume control, phone calls, a voice assistant, a pre-set equaliser and switching between noise cancelling and ambient sound. Voice announcements provide feedback on each change of status.

The manufacturer claims a battery life of 28 hours in combination with the plastic charging case (depending on levels). One earbud alone lasts up to 7.5 hours, and even with noise cancelling switched on it will still last for six hours. The time required for a full charge is between two and 2.5 hours, although the quick-charge function can also be used to quickly top up the capacity. An automatic switch-off function, which kicks in after five minutes of inactivity is a practical addition to the functions. Unfortunately, there is no provision for inductive charging.

Due to their good fit, the HA-A25T have quite a high level of external insulation, especially when used with memory foam pads. Integrated noise cancelling is also provided. This was rather moderate but still created an extended noise distance, which intensified the enjoyment of music when in mobile use. However, I wouldn’t call this an intensive isolation of your surroundings. The circuit was, however, somewhat sensitive to wind noise.

Sound

The HA-A25T are rather inconspicuous, but in a positive fashion. Their dynamic drivers with neodymium drive enable these headphones to deliver a balanced sound – it is not emphatically transparent, not boomy but definitely powerful. I would classify this tuning as practical for mobile use and, at the same time, suitable for pop, rock, EDM and urban genres. On the other hand, I would say that these headphones are not specialists for listening to classical music or explicitly dynamic styles. However, in this price range, this was not to be expected, and they are restricted to the standard codecs SBC and AAC. At least these headphones can be switched to a low-latency mode, which was an advantage for playback when playing games and watching films.

In the bass range, the HA-A25Ts were powerful but not exaggerated; they can even reproduce deep bass. This was rather full-bodied and warm. Tonality and dynamics were not necessarily these headphones’ strengths in this frequency range, but the contours always remained comprehensible.

These headphones were also rather rounded at the other end of the frequency spectrum. Compared to more expensive designs, they lacked airiness and detail resolution. The stereo panorama was nevertheless confidently constructed and illuminated. I did not notice any harshness.

In the central mid-range, they delivered a natural reproduction of acoustic instruments as well as both female and male voices. If required, you would be able to find the necessary intimacy, but there was still a spatiality in the reproduction. However, you shouldn’t expect real depth from headphones in this price range.

Tight mixes such as “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk were well resolved so that the relevant details remained recognisable at all times. This also applied to electronic compositions such as “Arthur Spark” by Yello. When listening to rock, the sound was appealing and distorted electric guitars didn’t sound unpleasant, even with extreme styles but stayed in keeping with the mix. Conversely, I found that I somewhat missed the final level of bite in the upper mids.

The three unchangeable EQ modes (Normal, Bass, Clear) are tastefully tuned and not overdone. This allows you to moderately increase the pressure in the bass range or to add a little more sparkle to the treble. No more, no less. Our tests were carried out with the settings on neutral throughout.

In terms of voice quality, I had only positive feedback from the different conversation partners I called during our tests. The decreasing volume of the ringtone during outgoing calls was somewhat irritating, but this did not affect the conversations. It made sense to use a single earpiece, particularly for phone calls.

Conclusion

With the HA-A25T, JVC offer a wonderfully uncomplicated, pleasantly comfortable and balanced-sounding pair of True Wireless headphones with discreet noise cancelling. With these features and an attractive price, currently 50 euros, this device turns out to be a practical accessory for mobile use, that enables you to make phone calls with good voice quality. You shouldn’t expect audiophile masterpieces and exuberant functionality, but they deliver a non-nonsense standard package of features.