Parrot Zik wireless release of active noise-canceling headphones in the original two years ago, and at that time engineers have started working for the development of the next version, Parrot reps tell us.

Say hello to Zik 2.0, which will come in six different colors when it launched in stores in November for $ 399 (no word yet on the UK and Australia, but it should not be long before we'll get it). Once again, Parrot worked with French designer Philippe Starck for the new model, and from the initial view that we have, it appears that this is a good upgrade. Parrot says headphones have been redesigned from the ground up where the user feedback seriously our priority, and the difference you will see is a rapid weight loss.

Thanks to the migration of iron aluminum and some other design changes, our newest headphones about 17 percent lighter, down from 325 grams to 270 grams (including battery). This is a very significant improvement, because the original models or first, though offering excellent sound and comfort are good, a bit heavy. Now it feels significantly lighter, and I also think the headphone itself feels a little more comfortable (Parrot said earcup wider inside).

The quality of finishing on the headphones also have changed from soft-to-plastic, faux-leather material to more luxurious. Overall, the headphones look slimmer and make more than a fashion statement, especially if you go with one of the brighter color options. That said, the design will not appeal to everyone.

Parrot Zik latest 2 weighs about 20 percen lighter than the first model.
Sarah Tew / CNET

Headphones increasingly high-tech high-tech

When released, Zik is one of the most high-tech headphones on the market and remains so. Where these headphones have touch controls on the right earpiece and a companion app.

With Zik 2.0, Parrot has an internal technology upgrade with higher grade DAC (digital-to-analog), which is said to create a more clear sound and noice canceling feature was enhanced and new applications that allow you to adjust the music settings you with advanced EQ settings, but can adjust how much noise-canceling that you want. You will also be able to download a custom EQ from various artists so you can hear their music "the way they were meant to be heard by you." (Parrot began offering this feature with the original Zik this year.)

You can fully perform the customization of sound profile (EQ​​) headphones by using your smartphone or tablet.
David Carnoy / CNET

I played around with the settings on the noise-canceling app. By simply sliding your finger up and down on the screen of your smartphone (iOS and Android applications will be available at launch with the following Windows applications), you can choose some settings NC, including features that could allow ambient sound to were really entered into available headphones and also designed for airplane travel.

Headphones is equipped with eight microphones. There are bone-conduction sensor in the right earpiece to help pick up low-frequency sounds better to you phone calls, NFC technology tap-to-pair, and a sensor on the right earpiece that detects when the headphones are not in your head and automatically stop the music when you put the headphones around your neck.

Adjustment levels for noise-canceling feature can be adjusted and changed directly from the apps.
David Carnoy / CNET

One thing that has not improved is the battery life. Where durability is still about 6 hours with Bluetooth and noise-canceling active (Bluetooth 3.0, by the way).But on a longer flight, you can listen to the headphones in wired mode or using a wired (cable included) with active noise-canceling and still be able to get up to 18 hours of battery life. If the battery runs out, you can also continue to use the headphones as headphones cable, although it will sound a bit hampered.

Competition of Beats Studio Wireless

Beats Studio Wireless is one of the premium Bluetooth headphones that are popular today. Where these headphones also have a noise-canceling, and quite light. These headphones are priced at $ 379.

I listened to Zik 2.0 briefly, but did not get a chance to put it through all sorts of serious testing. Of the few times where I could test it, these headphones sound pretty natural to Bluetooth headphones, which is one of the most important things we for us.

We hope to compare with the Beats Studio Wireless, which also sounds very good for the Bluetooth headphones. With Zik 2.0 which will launch in the Apple and Brookstone stores in the month of November, we expect to obtain a sample review in late October and will be posting our full review after using it for several weeks.