dyplay ANC Shield Pro: Budget ANC headphones done right
Over the last year, we have had quite a few different kinds of headphones hit our desks. With options ranging from the high-end to the budget-friendly, there are really some great Bluetooth headphones available for just about everyone and at every price point.
As technology continues to evolve at its rapid pace, that opens the door for more options to arrive with newer features at a lower price. That’s where the dyplay ANC Shield Pro aims to try and take over, with its fantastic set of features at a surprisingly-low price.
Specifications
- Active Noise-Canceling (up to 28dB)
- 9.2mm drivers
- Touch Controls
- Battery life: 6 hours per charge & additional 24 hours with the case
- Four microphones
- Wear-detect sensor
- IPX4 waterproof
- Bluetooth 5.0
Off the bat, there are two big features with the ANC Shield Pro’s. First of which is the 32-hours of battery life, which is much better than Bluetooth headphones that cost three times as much. Secondly, these have Active Noise Cancellation and even a Transparency Mode. This combination brings an experience that will leave you never wanting (or needing) to take your headphones out unless you’re driving.
What do you get with the dyplay ANC Shield Pro?
So what are you getting with the dyplay ANC Shield Pro? Well, in the box, you’ll find the headphones themselves, along with a little box with some additional accessories. There are already some medium-sized ear tips pre-installed on the ANC Shield Pro’s, but dyplay takes things up a notch. The company includes two additional silicone ear tips for those with small or large ears, along with three foam ear-tips, similar to the ultra-popular Comply Foam Tips.
Rounding everything out, there is some more promotional material along with a user guide to help you understand what touch gestures are available and a USB-A to USB-C charging cable. As for the headphones themselves, we received the White version, but these also are available in Black. To our surprise, the ANC Shield Pro’s case and the headphones both sport a matte finish, which is the way to go instead of the glossy finish.
The bottom of the case shows off some of the specifications and regulatory information regarding these headphones. On the front, below the lip, there are four LEDs to provide a better idea of how much juice is left in the case. Meanwhile, there’s a USB-C port on the back for your charging needs.
Using the dyplay ANC Shield Pro
Unlike options like the Pixel Buds, Galaxy Buds Live, or others, there is no third-party application available for download to customize the experience. Instead, you just pair these headphones to your phone of choice like you would anything else, and then rely on the music apps or a separate app for your EQ needs.
Due to the design, it’s recommended to place the earbuds in each ear and then rotate them until you get a snug fit. This helps with the Active Noise Cancellation, allowing the earbuds to be secured in each ear without the possibility of sound bleed.
Once they are connected, you can just start listening to your favorite music, podcasts, or sit back with some YouTube videos. The ANC Shield Pro immediately shows that you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars just to get a solid listening experience, although the sound profile may be a bit too flat for your liking. That’s not to say it’s terrible, it’s just that you may want to use an EQ application to pump up the bass or create a profile fit for some podcast listening.
One key feature for almost any set of headphones is how you can control your phone without ever picking it up. That’s where the touch-sensitive surface comes in handy, as you can perform various controls with either earbud, although there are controls that are specific to either the right or left earbud. Here’s a full list of the gestures available:
Gestures
- Answer Call – Short Press
- Reject Call – Long Press (2 seconds)
- Hang Up – Short Press
- Pause / Play – Short Press (right earbud)
- Volume Up – Double Tap (right earbud)
- Volume Down – Double Tap (left earbud)
- Previous track – Long press on left earbud (2 seconds)
- Next track – Long press on right earbud (2 seconds)
- Toggle Transparency / ANC Modes – Short Press (left earbud)
- Voice Assistant – Triple Tap (either earbud)
Once you have mastered the gestures, you can control everything from your headphones, and leave your phone in your pocket or on the desk. While the ANC Shield Pro’s don’t provide earth-shattering sound quality, the ANC and Bluetooth 5.0 combine for a great one-two punch. But perhaps the most surprising aspect is how well the ANC performs given that the ANC Shield Pro’s are just $80. These are much better than other headphones we’ve tested at similar or high price points, and it’s a great feeling knowing that you don’t have to spend a boat load of cash just to get a pretty great set of headphones.