Poly EncorePro HW520 Specifications, Tests and Review

The Poly EncorePro HW520 are wired headphones. In the case of studio and professional DJ headphones, a wired connection is a standard and a necessity. In this case, connecting via cable reduces audio transmission delays and prevents unwanted battery drain as it would be in case of wireless headphones. The same is de facto true for gaming headsets. In case of headphones for normal music listening, the cable is rather a relic, although it still has its fans. However, the wireless option is much more popular for everyday use in today’s world.

The headphones are designed as on-ear. On-ear headphones are generally lighter. However, their design has fewer isolation capabilities, and therefore, for example, more sound can be let in and out compared to around-ear headphones. The weight of the headphones is 74 g.

The sound quality can be affected by many factors. For many users the frequency range is a key feature of headphones. The wider the range, the more detail and nuance you will hear while listening. However, every individual perceives frequencies differently, so the frequency range of headphones varies according to individual needs. The average person perceives frequencies in the range of 16 to 20,000 Hz, so headphones with a frequency range of 20 to 20,000 Hz are most commonly available. If you are looking for headphones with a good bass performance, you should aim for lower range values (bass represents frequencies up to about 256 Hz), while high range values (frequencies roughly above 2,048 Hz) will be better for reproducing high tones. The frequency range of headphones Poly EncorePro HW520 is 100 - 6800 Hz.

The device connected to the headphones also plays a role most times. The lower impedance value (approximately 100 to 150 Ohms) is suitable for playback from mobile phones, laptops or other portable players that do not have a powerful enough amplifier. The lower impedance will ensure that the required volume level is achieved with less power, thus extending the life of the player. However, at the same time, with lower impedance, there is more distortion of the sound. Headphones with a higher impedance of around 250 Ohms and above are then more suitable for playback from really powerful signal sources or using a headphone amplifier, otherwise the sound coming out of them might not be loud enough. At the same time, higher-impedance headphones will also ensure less distortion in the sound. In the case of these headphones, the impedance reaches the 320 Ohm value.

Poly EncorePro HW520 has a boom–type microphone. The microphone sensitivity is -39 dBV/Pascal. A lower microphone sensitivity will generally ensure that even quieter sounds are caught. On the other hand, in noisier environments, distortion of the recording may occur. With a higher sensitivity, the microphone will not distort the recording even in noisy environments. On the other hand, the microphone will not pick up quieter sounds. So it depends on the environment and the purposes you plan to use the headphones for.