Many people relate the brand Aiwa with nostalgic feelings, and it has made a comeback in the audio business, including headphones. Aiwa Arc-1 is one of the best headphones. When the newly formed company Aiwa Corporation launched the Aiwa Arc-1, an over-ear Bluetooth Headphone, it gained a lot of attention—making it a great choice if you are looking for budget-friendly headphones and want a wireless headphone experience. Its popularity is due to its better sound quality.
Important features and details:
Build Quality & Comfort:
It features a durable build, often utilizing protein leather (or genuine leather in select areas) and aluminum. Some people said the clamping force was slightly too powerful initially, but many others found the earcups to be soft and comfortable for long listening sessions. It generally came with a strong hardshell case for carrying.
Battery Life:
The Arc-1 was initially rated for 20 hours of playback, while later models, such as the Arc-1 ANC, offer longer battery life, ranging from 40-45 hours to 25 hours with ANC. Fast-charging – just 15 minutes of charging gets you a full 3 hours of playback!
Biocellulose Drivers:
This is the most crucial feature of it. The Arc-1 features 40mm dynamic drivers crafted from a biocellulose composite. This material is renowned for its rigid yet lightweight properties, which contribute to a clean, detailed, and low-distortion sound often associated with higher-end audio equipment.
Bluetooth with aptX (and aptX HD/LL):
It supported Bluetooth 4.2 (and later versions in some cases) and included aptX, aptX HD, and aptX low-latency codecs. This was a significant selling point, as these codecs enabled wireless audio transmission of nearly CD-quality sound and reduced the amount of audio-visual lag, a notable benefit for video watching and casual gaming.
Multipoint Bluetooth:
Some versions of the Aiwa Arc-1 headphones offer multipoint Bluetooth connectivity, allowing them to connect to two devices directly and switch between them seamlessly.
Wired Connectivity:
It offers a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening, but some reviewers noted that the sound quality is better with Bluetooth and that the wired connection may not sound as good or be as engaging due to the bypassing of the headphone’s internal DSP.
Active Noise Cancellation (ANC):
Later versions, such as the Aiwa Arc-1 ANC, added hybrid active noise cancellation. The ANC was generally decent due to its price point but not comparable to premium ANC headphones like those from Sony or Bose.
Controls:
There is a physical button on earcups for playback control and calls.
Qconnect Feature:
A special beta feature enables the Arc-1 to share its audio with another pair of Bluetooth headphones, regardless of brand, for shared listening.
Sound Quality Analysis:
The sound quality of Aiwa Arc-1 headphones is a beta feature due to its price point:
Bass Response:
Some “bass-heads” may have preferred a heavier focus on the bottom end, but for those who prefer a neutral or balanced sound, it was well-received. While not extremely bass-heavy, the bass was described as clear, punchy, and well-controlled, without any muddiness.
Clarity and Detail:
Reviewers praised its clear and crisp highs and detailed mid-range, attributing these qualities to the biocellulose drivers.
Balanced Tuning:
It provides a slightly warm and silky presentation. Many people have noticed that its sound signature is quite balanced and suitable for a variety of music styles.
Soundstage:
For a closed-back headphone, it frequently delivered a surprisingly better and open soundstage, contributing to a more immersive listening environment.