Teufel Real Blue NC 3 tested: More balance than before, but the joystick remains a matter of taste
The third version of the Real Blue with active noise cancellation takes another step forward in terms of quality. However, it remains true to certain habits - and these are definitely a matter of taste.
Teufel has finally established itself in the headphone sector. The manufacturer supplies me with noise-cancelling over-ear number 3 in the colour "Cosmic Blue" - which I really like.
No monotonous headphone monotony
The design is more angular than its predecessor. But only on the outside.
Source: Florian Bodoky
You don't feel it when you wear them. The Teufel Real Blue NC 3 offers well-padded ear cups and a comfortable headband with imitation leather application that ensures a stable fit. The headphones remain comfortable even during prolonged use without exerting excessive pressure.
However, people with glasses should note that the contact pressure can be slightly noticeable. While this is hardly an issue for short periods of wear, you may find it annoying after several hours. Teufel combines plastic with memory foam for the material, which makes for a robust yet lightweight design. While the model does not compete visually with the premium designs from Sony or Bose, it looks well made overall.
Source: Florian Bodoky
The size of the ear cups is fine, even if the over-ear products from Bowers&Wilkins may be more comfortable for particularly large ears.
Sound: bass-emphasised, but balanced
The Teufel Real Blue NC 3 is clearly tuned in terms of sound. This will appeal to you if you are a fan of a powerful yet clearly defined sound. The focus is on a dynamic sound image with present bass, well-resolved highs and a solid mid-range.
The bass range is the greatest strength of these headphones. It provides a powerful base, especially for electronic music, hip-hop and bass-heavy pop songs. Tracks like "Get Ready to Bounce" by Brooklyn Bounce benefit from this sound character: the voluminous and deep bass doesn't sound exaggerated. I was particularly impressed by the clarity with which the headphones reproduce the low frequencies - no undefined booming, but a cleanly structured bass.
House or techno tracks, such as "Pryda" by Shadows, also demonstrate the power of the bass range. The low frequencies have a pleasant fullness without dominating the other frequency ranges. However, those who prefer a neutral tuning may find the bass slightly overemphasised. If you are one of them, the Teufel Go app offers an equaliser with which you can adjust the bass as desired.
The mid-range remains well preserved despite the present bass. The headphones reproduce voices in detail and naturally, making vocals and podcasts sound pleasant. With acoustic and rock music such as "Amsterdam" by Imagine Dragons, guitars and vocals are easy to hear, although it is noticeable that the headphones produce a slight warmth in the sound. This means that instruments sound voluminous, but not quite as delicate as with neutrally tuned headphones. This tuning is advantageous for audio books and dialogue, as voices have a pleasant presence without coming across as sharp.
The treble is well balanced and adds detail without being overly sharp or strained.
With high-frequency sounds, with cymbals and hi-hats in jazz or rock music, the sound remains clear without sounding too sibilant or shrill. One example is "Take Ten" by Paul Desmond, where the drums remain well defined and don't hide behind the other frequency ranges.
In direct comparison with high-end headphones such as the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra, I notice that the finest details in the treble are not quite as pronounced. Nevertheless, the Real Blue NC 3 offers a pleasant tuning that doesn't tire even during longer listening sessions.
The headphones surprised me with a relatively open and wide sound stage. Instruments can be easily located in the room, which is particularly advantageous for live recordings or orchestral music. An example of this is "Empire of Angels" by Thomas Bergersen: the individual instruments are clearly separated from each other and the spatial depth is remarkable for closed headphones in this price range.
Active noise cancelling (ANC) and transparency mode: microphone amplified (too) firmly
The added value of Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) becomes apparent the first time you put them on. In an environment with traffic noise, a babble of voices or typical office noise, the headphones significantly reduce disturbing frequencies
Constant background noise is significantly quieter. However, I can still hear sudden, high-pitched noises such as loud voices or clanging crockery. In many everyday situations, however, the ANC provides a much quieter environment.
Source: Florian Bodoky
A transparency mode specifically amplifies external noises. This is particularly practical if you are having short conversations, for example, or want to be aware of ambient noise without taking off your headphones. For example, when making announcements at the railway station. Here, I still prefer to take my headphones off briefly. Firstly, I find it more polite, and secondly, the microphones amplify the sounds they pick up even more. I don't find that particularly pleasant.
Operation: joystick instead of touch control
While many modern headphones rely on touch controls, Teufel uses a joystick on the right ear cup. If you press it once, you can pause or restart the sound. If you move it up and down, you control the volume, with movements to the left and right you skip songs.
You can like this control or not. Even after wearing it for a long time, I still have to feel for the joystick and find it wobbly. However, it is reliable and - unlike touch surfaces - can also be used with gloves.
Source: Florian Bodoky
There is also a button to control the ANC. You can also use it to activate Conversation Mode. This turns down the music and amplifies voices. The Teufel Go app offers additional functions such as an equaliser, a battery level indicator and various ANC settings.
Battery life: above-average performance
A key advantage of the Real Blue NC 3 is its long battery life. With noise cancellation activated, it lasts 59 hours, 98 hours even without ANC. In comparison, a Sony WH-1000XM5 with ANC activated lasts around 30 hours. Off the top of my head, I can't think of any other headphones that achieve such battery performance. Thanks to fast charging via USB-C, you can use the headphones again for several hours in a short time.
Phone calls and Bluetooth connectivity
The voice quality during phone calls is good overall, especially in quiet environments. The ANC microphones ensure clear intelligibility, although the voice can sound slightly tinny.
One disadvantage for discerning listeners is the lack of aptX. Instead, the Teufel supports AAC and SBC. While this is not a limitation for anyone with an Apple device, everyone else would have benefited from higher-quality codecs. This is a shame and a bitter setback for headphones in this price range.
In a nutshell
Recommended with restrictions
The Teufel Real Blue NC 3 offers you well-made, comfortable over-ear headphones with a powerful sound and impressive battery life. If you like bass-emphasised yet clear sounds, you'll get your money's worth here. The mids and highs remain balanced and the wide sound stage ensures a lively, spatial music experience. Active Noise Cancelling effectively blocks out disturbing noises, even if the transparency mode sometimes amplifies the surroundings unnaturally.
Teufel uses a joystick for control instead of touch. This feels unusual and is a matter of taste, but works reliably - especially in winter when you're wearing gloves. The battery life is a real highlight: with up to 59 hours (with ANC), the headphones last longer than many competitors. If you are travelling a lot, you will also appreciate the quick-charging function.
Of course, there are also some minor weaknesses. If you're using an Android device, the lack of aptX codec could be annoying. If you wear glasses, the contact pressure can become noticeable after several hours. The ear cup design of the headphones doesn't quite match the premium models from Sony or Bose, but they still look sturdy and of high quality. Overall, with the Real Blue NC 3 you get powerful headphones with good sound and outstanding battery life - ideal if you value rich bass and long listening sessions.
Pro
- powerful, yet balanced sound
- Effective noise cancellation for everyday use
- Excellent battery life
Contra
- Joystick is wobbly
- No high-quality BT codecs
Header image: Florian Bodoky
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I've been tinkering with digital networks ever since I found out how to activate both telephone channels on the ISDN card for greater bandwidth. As for the analogue variety, I've been doing that since I learned to talk. Though Winterthur is my adoptive home city, my heart still bleeds red and blue.
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