The NAD VISO HP50 are good critical listening headphones with a unique look and a decently durable design. They have a well-balanced sound and a stable fit good enough for sports, but they're a bit too tight on some heads. They also don't block a lot of noise so they won't be the ideal headphones to use on loud, noisy commutes. On the upside, they don't leak much.
Our Verdict
The NAD VISO HP50 are average mixed usage headphones. They have a simple, wired design with a well-balanced sound that's good for critical listening. They have a unique and decently durable design, and they're fairly lightweight and stable for over-ears. Unfortunately, their tight fit may be a bit uncomfortable for some, and they don't block a lot of noise, so they won't be suitable for commuting.
- Good audio reproduction.
- Easy-to-use and stable design.
- Poor noise isolation.
- Tight and slightly uncomfortable fit.
- Bass delivery varies significantly across users. Sensitive to glasses.
The NAD VISO HP50 are good for neutral listening. They have a well-balanced sound that packs a good amount of bass without drowning the instrumentals and vocals in the mid-range. Their treble frequencies are a little recessed, and the bump in high-bass/low-mid makes their sound feel slightly muddy and boxy overall. They also have a limited soundstage due to their closed-back design, but overall they should sound good enough for most listeners even the more neutral ones. Unfortunately, their tight fit may not be comfortable for very long listening sessions.
The NAD VISO HP50 are below-average for commuting. They have a simple and efficient control scheme, and they're decently lightweight. Their passive noise isolation doesn't block enough noise for loud, noisy environments and they're a bit too bulky and slightly uncomfortable at times.
Average for sports. The NAD VISO HP50 have a tight, stable fit that won't easily fall off your head but they're a bit too bulky for more strenuous exercises and sports. The ear cups also trap a lot of heat which will make your ears sweat rather quickly during workouts.
The NAD VISO HP50 are average for office use. They don't block that much noise, which isn't ideal for a busy office. However, they also don't leak much so you won't distract anyone in your vicinity if you listen to your music at louder-than-average levels.
The NAD VISO HP50 are average for gaming. They have a low latency wired connection but do not have an app or wireless capabilities which are typical for gaming headsets. They also don't have the best mic for multiplayer gaming. They're also a little tight on the head which may get a bit uncomfortable during long gaming sessions.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.1.
- Updated Nov 21, 2019: Converted to Test Bench 1.3.
- Updated Apr 03, 2018: Review published.
- Updated Apr 01, 2018: Our testers have started testing this product.
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The NAD VISO HP50 have a simple, wired design that's easy-to-use and decent for most uses. They have a good, well-balanced sound for critical listening and a unique look that stands out and feels sufficiently well-made. Unfortunately, they're a bit too tight on the head for some listeners, and their build quality doesn't feel as durable as some of the other closed-back critical listening headphones that we've tested. They also struggle a bit in loud environments so they won't be the best headphones for noisy commutes. See our recommendations for the best over-ear headphones, the best wired headphones, and the best audiophile headphones.
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