1MORE SonoFlow Pro
Summary
The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro headphones provide Hi-Res Audio with LDAC support, effective QuietMax™ ANC, and up to 100 hours of battery life. Their comfortable, lightweight design and multipoint connectivity enhance user experience. Priced affordably, they present a strong value proposition despite minor drawbacks like the lack of water resistance and occasional app issues.
1MORE SonoFlow Pro Review
With the $87.99 1MORE SonoFlow Pro wireless ANC headphones, 1More steps up its game from the original SonoFlow, but it also cuts costs on the case, which makes me wonder where else they may have reduced quality. The features look good on paper and work well in relatively quiet environments, but when testing on a plane, I had to switch to my Jabra Elite 10s to hear the content. Whenever earbuds outperform over-the-ear headphones in a place, it raises questions.
As headphones, the 1More SonoFlow proves capable of delivering long listening sessions at home and on the road, though the road may be better interpreted as a hotel room rather than a plane or train seat.
Specifications
| Headphones Weight | 246 g |
| Dimensions | 170 × 192 × 82 mm |
| Battery Capacity | 720 mAh |
| Charging Time | 80 minutes |
| Playtime(ANC Off/On) | 100 hours/65 hours |
| Speaker Impendance | 32 Ω |
| Bluetooth Version | Bluetooth® 5.4 |
| Bluetooth Protocols | HFP/A2DP/AVRCP |
| Frequency Range | 2.400GHz – 2.4835GHz |
What we like
Pros
- Hi-Res Audio with LDAC support
- Effective QuietMax™ ANC technology
- Up to 100 hours of battery life
- Comfortable, lightweight design
- Multipoint connectivity
- Affordable pricing
- Improved app
Hi-Res Audio with LDAC support
The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro delivers exceptional audio quality, is certified for Hi-Res Audio and is equipped with LDAC codec support. As a reminder, LDAC allows for up to 990 kbps bitrate, ensuring minimal loss in audio fidelity when streaming over Bluetooth. It also requires end-to-end LDAC support throughout the listening experience.
The 40mm dynamic driver and DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) diaphragm provide balanced sound with deep bass, crisp mids, and refined highs, making them a top contender in the audiophile-grade wireless headphone category. However, there always seems to be a veil of muffle hanging over the audio. The audio is significantly better wired than when using the Bluetooth® 5.4 wireless connection.
Like many 1More products, the 1More Sonoflow Pro sound profile was tuned by Grammy winner Luca Bignardi.
Effective QuietMax™ ANC technology
1MORE’s proprietary QuietMax™ Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) technology effectively reduces ambient noise across various environments. The SonoFlow Pro can suppress up to 40dB of external noise, allowing users to focus on their music or calls. The ANC system intelligently adjusts to different soundscapes, ensuring consistent performance without compromising audio quality.
Unlike many combo wireless/wired headphones, the SonoFlow Pros support ANC in both modes.
Up to 100 hours of battery life
Battery life is a standout feature of the SonoFlow Pro, offering up to 100 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC off. Even with ANC enabled, users can enjoy up to 70 hours of uninterrupted listening. A quick charge option provides 5 hours of playback with just 5 minutes of charging, making these headphones ideal for long listening sessions.
Comfortable, lightweight design
Designed for long-term wear, the SonoFlow Pro combines a lightweight build with plush ear cushions and an adjustable headband. Weighing just 250 grams, these headphones are easy to wear for hours without causing discomfort. The memory foam ear pads are covered in soft protein leather, offering a snug yet breathable fit, ideal for listening sessions or long workdays.
The earcups swivel for storage and additional comfort for neck-wear when not in use.
Multipoint connectivity
The SonoFlow Pro supports multipoint connectivity, allowing users to pair the headphones with two devices simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for those who frequently switch between devices, such as listening to music on a laptop while staying connected to a phone for calls. Bluetooth 5.2 ensures stable connections with minimal latency, enhancing the overall usability of the headphones.
Affordable pricing
Priced competitively at $87.99, the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro offers premium features typically found in higher-end models. The headphones deliver good value with its advanced audio performance, robust ANC, and extended battery life, making it an accessible choice for both casual listeners and audiophiles on a budget.
The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro can be purchaed in black or blue.
What could be improved
Cons
- Volume issues in loud environments
- No water/dust (IPX) resistance rating
- Lack of verbal queues for ANC and power
- Cheaper case and plastic construction may feel less premium
- Non-standard audio cable
- Sustainability of packaging
Volume issues in loud environments
In my office, I find the sound and the noise canceling work well. When I tested the Sonoflows on a plane, I was very disappointed. The well-messaged proprietary ANC wasn’t necessarily the failure point, it was low volume, which the ANC may have caused, but I don’t know. What I do know is that no matter what I tried, I could not get the headphones to produce enough volume for me to hear what I was listening to.
Because of the low volume, I felt like I needed to pull threads of sound out of the headphones with my hands. I tried wireless and wired, and the audio volume would not reach above the background noise that leaked despite the headphone’s attempt at suppression. I put them in the case and back in my bag and switched to my Jabra Elite 10s, which had no issue dealing with the noise or delivering audio from my iPad.
No water/dust (IPX) resistance rating
While the 1More SonoFlow Pros made no claims to sports use or as companions for long walks in the rain, many headphones now come with some IPX water/dust resistance rating. These headphones don’t include any rating for those features.
Lack of verbal queues for ANC and power
I appreciate 1More’s sonic flourishes, which they use as queues for ANC and connectivity, but I would rather be guided by verbal queues. Battery life upon start-up says, “battery high,” but the other features offer several sounds that do not clearly message their intentions. If verbal is used in one feature, it should be used throughout.
Cheaper case and plastic construction may feel less premium
As I was testing the 1More SonoFlow Pros on a recent trip, I swapped out the case for the non-pro version, as those headphones came with a better case, one with recessed earcup areas to hold the headphones in place and a little mesh area inside the cover the manage cables. This was clearly a cost-cutting choice that did no favors to 1More SonoFlow Pro’s value proposition. Those not familiar with the older model would not know about this. As a reviewer, I feel obligated to point out this design inconsistency that reduces the quality of what should be a Pro experience throughout.
The general construction is OK, with a metal band for fit, but everything else is plastic.
Non-standard audio cable
The supplied 2.5mm to 3.5mm Audio Cable is a bit short, but beyond that, it would be ideal if it were standard 3.5mm to 3.5mm so it could not only be replaced but would not require buying another non-standard cable should I want a longer one. It’s not an expensive buy, but it’s also not helpful (see the Mr Rex 3.5mm to 2.5mm Aux Cable Cord on Amazon as an example). 1More, however, follows in the footsteps of Bose and others in keeping the electronics side of the headphone diminutive.
Sustainability
One more can do more for sustainability. The boxes still come wrapped in plastic. There are now many examples of headphones that have greatly reduced their plastic footprint—1More needs to invest in sustainable packaging design.
1MORE SonoFlow Pro: The bottom line
The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro headphones offer good audio quality, mostly effective noise cancellation, and outstanding battery life at an affordable price point. While there are areas for improvement, such as build materials and verbal queues for functions, the overall performance and features make them a solid choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking headphones with long battery life and LDAC support.
1MORE provided the SonoFlow Pro for review. Images courtesy of 1MORE unless otherwise noted.
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