Parrot Zik Review | 93 Data compared

This review from the Swiss magazine annabelle provides a first-hand tester experience of the Parrot Zik by StarckGo wireless headphones. The author initially tests them using a wired connection with an iPod and is immediately impressed by the premium audio quality. The headphones deliver exceptional depth, handling heavy bass tracks from artists like Jay-Z and complex orchestral frequencies from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack with ease, proving to be a massive upgrade over standard budget gear. The core of the review highlights the high-tech features discovered when switching to wireless Bluetooth mode. Prominent pros include an intuitive touch-sensitive outer panel on the right ear cup that lets users skip tracks, pause music, and adjust volume seamlessly—even while wearing winter gloves. Additionally, the built-in motion sensors automatically pause playback whenever the headphones are taken off the head. Advanced customisation like active noise cancellation, software updates, and equalizers are also highly praised via the free companion app. On the other hand, the primary con mentioned is the absolute necessity of reading the instruction manual to uncover and understand these advanced touch...

This 2012 review evaluates two premium Bluetooth headphones priced at €350 each: the Parrot Zik (designed by Philippe Starck) and the Logitech UE9000. The Parrot Zik stands out for its innovative touch-pad controls on the right ear cup for volume and playback, automatic play/pause when putting them on or taking them off, and a highly customizable companion app featuring active noise cancellation and digital sound processing. Its primary pros include a striking design, excellent out-of-the-box sound, and highly effective noise cancellation. However, its cons include occasional touch-control freezes, a subpar battery life, a thin headband that slightly compromises comfort, and very limited emergency functionality once the battery dies. In contrast, the Logitech UE9000 offers a heavier but more robust and perfectly balanced fit, featuring a wide, flexible headband that does not pinch. Its standout feature is a dedicated button on the left ear cup that pauses the music and uses external microphones to pass ambient voices through to the wearer. Its main pros are a rich, balanced bass response, robust build quality, a highly secure fit for mobile use, and...

The Parrot Zik, designed by Philippe Starck, is a high-end Bluetooth headphone packed with innovative tech features, though it targets casual gadget lovers rather than audiophiles. Its biggest advantages are its intuitive, touch-sensitive ear cup controls for volume and track skipping, and a built-in sensor that automatically pauses music when the headset is removed. Setting up the device and its companion Parrot Audio Suite app is seamless, and the app offers useful equalizer and concert hall audio effects. Furthermore, the premium build materials look elegant, and the active noise cancellation (ANC) works very well at blocking out environmental noise outdoors. However, the headphones have notable drawbacks, particularly regarding audio transmission and mobile use. Instead of using the high-quality apt-X codec for lossless Bluetooth streaming, the Zik relies on the lower-quality SBC standard, which—despite providing a decent subjective sound—may disappoint audio purists considering the high €349 price tag. For phone calls, the call quality is mediocre, marred by a slight voice echo and delayed notifications. Additionally, when ANC is turned off, there is a persistent, distracting background hiss, and a structural...

The Parrot Zik is a feature-rich, high-tech noise-cancelling headphone that delivers excellent performance when properly configured through its dedicated Parrot Audio Suite app. The reviewer notes that out of the box, the headphones can sound unbalanced or extreme due to previously saved user profiles. However, using the app's comprehensive 7-band equalizer (ranging from 60 Hz to 150 Hz and up to 15 kHz) completely transforms the audio experience into a well-balanced, clear, and dynamic soundstage tailored perfectly to the listener's preferences. Standout features include an intuitive touch-sensitive ear cup control for volume adjustment, automatic playback pausing when removed from the head, and a highly effective Concert Hall sound processor that successfully expands the acoustic spatial depth outside of the listener's head. Additionally, its highly efficient active noise cancellation introduces no noticeable audio degradation. The product's notable drawback occurs when the battery drains; operating the headphones in passive wired mode results in a severely degraded sound signature, characterized by dominant mid-tones, an absent bass, and nearly non-existent overtones. On the positive side, the headphone cleverly retains its last app settings internally....

The original Heise review evaluates the Parrot ZikGo, a premium, feature-packed set of over-ear Bluetooth headphones designed by Philippe Starck. Pros highlighted in the assessment include an elegant, comfortable design utilizing high-quality materials, highly effective active noise cancellation (ANC), and intuitive touch controls on the right earcup for seamless volume adjustments and track switching. The integration of advanced sensors—such as a jawbone conduction sensor to isolate the user's voice during calls and a head-detection sensor that automatically pauses playback when removed—provides immense technological convenience. Additionally, the companion Parrot Audio Suite app gives users detailed acoustic customization via equalizer profiles and specialized spatial simulations like the "Parrot Concert Hall" effect. However, the review surfaces several notable cons that impact daily usability. The battery life is highly restrictive, delivering a mere 6 hours of runtime when all wireless, ANC, and DSP functions are running simultaneously, forcing users to carry spare batteries or rely on a wired connection. Sound quality also proves to be a double-edged sword; while the audio is impressive when tweaked within the app, the default sound signature can feel...

The Parrot Zik is a premium, relatively slim over-ear Bluetooth headphone that delivers a high-quality build and a stable fit, though its integrated battery brings the weight to a noticeable 330 grams. Tested in a unique steampunk-inspired grey and copper leather finish, it features a highly intuitive touch control panel on the right ear cup for volume, track skipping, and calls, alongside a movement sensor that automatically pauses music when taken off. The overall package includes essential accessories like a branded transport bag, a 1.3-metre fabric cable, and a removable 800 mAh battery offering up to six hours of active playback. However, when the battery drains, the device loses all advanced capabilities, including its active noise cancellation. In terms of performance, the headphones score high on audio quality, rendering clear, undistorted highs and warm, full mids. Its active noise cancellation uses four built-in microphones to effectively isolate environmental noise, while the companion Parrot Audio Suite app allows deep customisation, such as adjusting acoustic environments (e.g., Concert Hall or Jazz Club) and managing a built-in equalizer. On the downside, the bass...

The Parrot Zik is an innovative and highly versatile Bluetooth headphone designed by Philippe Starck, offering premium build quality, exceptional voice clarity for calls, and unique app-driven customisation. Key highlights include a highly responsive capacitive touch panel on the right ear cup for playback controls, reliable auto-pause sensor when removed from the head, effective active noise cancellation (ANC), and a powerful DSP-enabled smartphone app that includes a 7-band equalizer and spatial audio effects. While the audio performance is highly impressive and customisable over wireless connection, the headphone bypasses all digital processing when used with the included 3.5mm line-in cable, resulting in a noticeably thin and underwhelming wired sound profile. Pros and Cons Pros: Great customizable sound profile over Bluetooth, excellent material and robust construction quality, flawless call quality with effective ambient noise filtering, and a feature-rich companion app. Cons: High retail price, weak clamping force causing the headset to easily slip off when lying down, significantly diminished "thin" sound quality when using the audio cable, a basic fabric transport pouch instead of a protective hard case, and sub-optimal battery life.