Lola.
Lo lo lo lo-Lola!
Better
known for making quality microphones (like these), Blue also make
some awesome headphones. Widening their range of cans, Blue have
recently released this new set, designed for true audiophiles, with a
similar look of their existing pair, the Mo-Fi. We test the Blue Lola
Headphones.
Check
out out the above link to our Mo-Fi review and you'll see just how
much they impressed us, even making it to our Top 5 of 2014 feature.
Now the Lola have landed, looking... well, just the same, but
weighing in with a (slightly) reduced cost. So what's the difference,
eh?
Well,
the first thing you'll notice about the Lola, when comparing it the
Mo-Fi that is, is the lack of the physical amplifier switch on the
left can. To be honest, we weren't all that fussed about it as a
feature on the Mo-Fi, as the headphones worked just as well (for
modern, digital uses, that is) without it. It seems that the Lola
might be a pair of headphones designed specifically for the more
mobile, and – potentially – less snobby audio fan. We say that
because the Lola sound just as loud and as clear as the Mo-Fi with
the amp switched to 'On+' position.
From
what we remember of the fit of the Mo-Fi (as they had to go back to
Blue, unfortunately. Boo!), that seems to have been replicated on the
Lola. As far as we can tell the shape of the cans, cushions, and
flexible head strap are all the same. But why change what was already
perfect? Sure, they look weird, but the fit is as comfortable as
over-ear headphones can ever get, and because your ears are
completely enveloped by the cans, you can wear these for hours on end
and not get squashed-brain headphone syndrome. Which is a real thing,
seriously.
The
Blue Lola boast 50mm drivers, and boy can you tell. Every last drop
of sound and noise is squeezed out of them, and ambient sounds are
cut to almost non-existent levels due to the seal of the cushions.
They aren't, but the Lola almost felt like noise-cancelling
headphones because of it. Blue products are never cheap, but the
quality and consistency of the sound was more like that from
headphones twice the price of these.
Everything
sounds... ('good' is insufficient here...) luxurious. Even when
listening to music on low-end devices such as budget tablets, it
still sounds great and makes you want to tinker with the levels to
experiment with what you can hear. There is so much depth to the
sound through the Lola that you find yourself listening to the
'other' parts of the track; lesser instruments and backing vocals,
for example.
Although
the Lola come with a carry pouch and fold up relatively tightly,
these feel more like home-phones; ones you'll use at night to unwind
with you favourite tracks, or connect up to your games console to
hear every footstep the enemy soldier makes as he creeps up behind
you. Whatever you'll be using the Blue Lola for, you'll quickly be
calling them your go-to favourites.
£229