Just a few weeks ago, individuals in a certain online community speculated on why Kamala Harris performed significantly better than Donald Trump in the presidential debate. They dismissed the idea that she might have been better prepared or a more skilled debater. Instead, they suggested she must have been wearing a Bluetooth earpiece, cleverly disguised as a pair of pearl earrings.
Earbuds resembling this do exist. The Nova H1 audio earrings, as mentioned by the conspiracy theorists, bear a notable resemblance to the earrings Harris wore that evening. However, her earrings were actually from Tiffany & Co. and not from a 2021 Kickstarter campaign. Nevertheless, the concept sparked interest.
Investigating whether this so-called audio jewelry could serve as an ideal product for those who want to make calls or listen to music without bulky headphones or visible earbuds, the earrings were tested for a week.
Stylish … to a Point
Upon receiving the Nova H1, the first impression was positive. The earrings arrived in packaging reminiscent of a jewelry box, a stylish detail likely intentional. The inner packaging slides out like a drawer, revealing the headphones against a vibrant yellow backdrop and a charging case adorned with Nova’s branding.
However, the case felt plasticky, as did the panel presenting the earrings when the lid is opened. This was a nice touch but did not align with the premium appearance the Nova H1 aimed to present.
The earrings themselves were not subtle. Surprisingly, the pearl was a real freshwater pearl attached to either a clip-on or stud earring. While they were not delicate, they did resemble jewelry when worn. They appeared more like costume jewelry than fine jewelry, but were not out of place. The silver version was tested, though a gold option is available at a higher cost.
The clip-on version provided the right clamping force to be secure without discomfort, allowing the wearer to forget they had them on. They could be worn as earrings while being ready for audio use whenever needed.
Moreover, the earrings enter a dormant mode when no playback is detected and can last up to six hours in active use. The case offers three full charges, allowing nearly a full day’s wear.
Can You Hear Me?
When removed from their case, the earrings automatically enter pairing mode. They paired seamlessly with a phone within seconds.
Listening to a Tidal playlist, it became clear that audio quality was not a strength of these headphones, making critical evaluation challenging. Bass was weak, and the music had a distant, almost background quality, akin to hearing a radio across an office. While the experience was unique and not unpleasant, it was not as engaging as the sound quality from products like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds.
