Kygo E7/900

The ergonomically designed in-ears feature earhooks that provide additional support inside the ear so the buds won’t fall out, even during fast, jerky movements. The fit is comfortable and does not cause pressure problems, even during long listening sessions. This is aided by the low weight of 5 grammes per side. Since the in-ears embed themselves well and do not stick out too far, their appearance is discreet and will fit under a cap. Also practical are the water- and sweat-repellent properties of the robust and well-made system. This provides protection against rain and splash water, enables use during sporting activities and simplifies cleaning.

Battery Life

The E7/900 are powered by two 45 mAh lithium polymer batteries that provide two to three hours of battery life. In combination with iOS devices, the battery status is indicated by a display next to the Bluetooth symbol. If the battery of the in-ears is empty, they can be fully recharged within two hours in the accompanying travel case, which also serves as a charging station. The handy case offers an additional capacity of 460 mAh, which gives a total runtime of approximately twelve hours. Although the case, like the in-ears, is primarily made of plastic, it looks robust and gives a well-manufactured impression.

Bluetooth Connection

The wireless system supports the Bluetooth standard 5.0 and offered stable ranges of over ten metres in practical tests with various Android and iOS devices. Pairing takes place automatically when the headphones are removed from the case; they are switched on and go directly to pairing mode. Likewise, automatic shutdown happens when they are placed back in the case. Manually, the in-ears can be switched on by holding down both integrated buttons at the same time. Switching off, on the other hand, is done by holding down a button on one side for a long time.

Device Control

When a radio connection is established, playback starts with a simple key press, while a double-click on the right-hand side is used to stop the playback and a double-click on the left-hand side activates the voice control. Title navigation is also possible by holding down the right button, and skipping to the next track can be done by using the left button. In addition, the volume can be reduced on the left side and increased on the right side by pressing a button during playback. This basically results in a coherent control system, which works well in and of itself. However, the buttons of the in-ears have a rather high-pressure resistance, which can have a negative effect on wearing comfort. The fact that the buttons are very large and there is virtually no edge means that there is no way of holding the handset to soften the pressure when pressing down. For those with pressure sensitivity, this could lead to discomfort. Another drawback is the quality of the integrated microphone, which does not offer good speech intelligibility. In practical terms, incoming calls can be answered with the left button while the right button is held down to reject the call.

Sound

The in-ears have a rich, powerful bass foundation, which not only reaches into the deep bass range, but also finds a counterpart in present trebles. All in all, the bass-emphasised tuning sounds quite clear and open, has volume, and harmonises well with contemporary productions. Hip-hop, R’n’B and electro are particularly effective, as the existing depth in the bass range ensures a corresponding listening pleasure. The sound character is more earthy than bright and can also take on slightly dull characteristics. There is also a tendency to hear hissing sounds at high volume and the in-ears have no low output. A limited resolution capability is also not one of the strengths of the wireless system. On the other hand, it offers a lively, powerful sound that can easily assert itself on the road, even in noisy environments, and plays a multi-faceted role in a quiet atmosphere.