Core77
- Topics
- Features
- Awards
- Jobs
-
Firms
- Firms
- Search Firms;
- Firm Projects
- Forums
-
More...
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- About
- Terms of Use
Incase Audio: In-Depth Review
The question is: Does the sound deliver? At $200, is the price point met with what is to be expected sound-wise? You can score a good set of Grado cans for $150, albeit they suffer from less "designiness", but they still deliver what is to be expected, and then some, to your ears. They are first and foremost intended to deliver sound, are they not?
After you've tasted the quality sound of headphones like Grado, AKG K701 (with amp), Monster Miles Davis Tribute and Turbine Pro series, it's hard to expect sub-par sound from any headphone as you realize that is what matters the most. If Incase were to make sound quality an initiative and made significant improvements (whilst keeping the price point around $200), the Sonics would kick-serious-ass. But it appears as if they usability features I mentioned above are the main focus and selling feature. Not horrible for a first try though and totally what I expected from Incase brand ethos.
On a side note, I have the empty Sonic box on a scale and it weighs 2 lbs. None of the packaging is recyclable and although it has a nice "revealing" that is oh-so-popular these days, it gets a D- for being excessive and completely non-recyclable. Totally unacceptable in today's "conscious" design world. I know they are trying to be like Apple, but even Apple has put much more thought into the sustainability of each package. Incase should take a note from their own iPhone 4 Snap Case packaging which was totally recyclable/compostable.
We appreciate your interest in our design - thanks. But, we also respect the philosophy of incase and have always done.
Adam Hjorth
Brand Manager at AIAIAI
Looking at the series, I also think that they have found a quite clear "inspiration" from AIAIAIs Tracks and TMA headphones' features, all the way from the "no overbranding" policy and minimal design approach, to the materials and the cord remote etc.
Guess this is kudos to AIAIAI in way, because as you say "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", right?
I'm a fan of incase backpacks. These headphones look like a natural offshoot of their design philosophy - which existed before aiaiai started.