OneOdio Fusion A70 Review: Headphones Designed for Work and Scratching

Review

Budget pricing doesn’t always mean budget features in a world of components that can be mixed-and-matched to create new products. The OneOdio Fusion A70 headphones cut across the normal lines of headphones, leaning into those who want to connect to power amps and decks. But keep in mind, they are still sub-$50 and that translates into missing features like active noise cancelation.

Specifications

What we like

There is nothing special about the basic design of the OneOdio Fusion A70 headphones, and they certainly don’t feel high-end from a build materials standpoint, but I’m putting that in the “things we like” category because the A70s don’t confuse with a bunch of weird features, and they don’t weigh down heads. Audio controls are not on the headphones but on the non-coiled cable old-school button fob.

Some of the differentiated features include dual cables for input to laptops, mobile devices, amps, guitars, and decks via the 3.5mm to 6.3mm coiled cable. If you happen to share a pair of A70s with a friend, the cables can be used to share Bluetooth® music by tethering the headphone together via the cable. Unlike most headphones, the A70s accept input from both 3.5mm and 6.3mm cables. Flipping the supplied cable serves both input types.

I have used these headphones mostly for video and video conferencing. They are not my go-to headphones for music, though I will say they are better wired than not.

A key feature for some will be the long battery life, advertised at 50 hours from the 950mAh battery. I did not push that limit as I think the headphones perform best wired, but long-lasting Bluetooth® is a positive, especially for those who work in hoteled offices.

OneOdio does include a travel pouch for the headphones that fold flat for travel.

What could be improved

Let’s be real. The OneOdio Fusion A70s are sub-$50 headphones. Something has to give. And while lower-end materials would be expected, the sound should be the focus. And it really isn’t. The bass overwhelms. Avril Lavine’s Sk8tr Boy sounded muddled. When I switched to my Jabra Elite 85ts, it illustrated that sound isn’t all cups and speaker size. Jabra’s t85s derive from auditory research derived from the company’s hearing aid business.

While I get the locking cable for keeping the OneOdio Fusion A70s connected, as with computer connections, too much of a good thing…Suffice it to say that a dog getting wrapped up in my headphones cable nearly pulled a MacBook Pro to its doom.

The headphones charge via micro-USB, which makes them look dated out of the box. All charging should be via USB-C at this point.

Like all less expensive earphones (and some expensive ones), I wonder how the earcups will wear over time. I remember sadly ending my relationship with my Blue headphones after the earpads flaked into an unwearable mess. The model I owned was discontinued, along with the replacement earpads. But again, these are sub $50, so by the time that happens, you will likely get your money out of them.

Larger earcups would also be a plus, though the clear R and L printed in light-colored type against a black background should be a headphone requirement. I can’t tell you how many hours I have wasted figuring out headphone orientation for headphones with nearly hidden right/left indicators.The smaller earbuds also work against passive noise isolations as they don’t seal well, at least on my ears.

OneOdio Fusion A70: The Bottom Line

The OneOdio Fusion A70s have their purpose. They aren’t for audiophiles despite the marketing to DJs. Their price betrays that high-end listening. But for streaming video they work just fine, and that application is likely to keep them more out of harm’s way than walking around with them outside. They offer no environmental rating, so water and dust so inside use is recommended.

I have to say I enjoy seeing the big 6.3mm that kindles nostalgia for my old tube reel-to-reel recorder.

I certainly won’t recommend the OneOdio Fusion A70 over the other highly-rated headphones reviewed on Serious Insights, but I won’t dismiss them entirely, either. At sub-$50, they could have a role as a basic set of cans to listen to a Netflix flick on days when the afternoon just never seems to end.

OneOdio provided the Fusion A70 headphones for review. Images courtesy of OneOdio.

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