GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones Review: Android/iOS Wonder?

The GranVela Conch are a set of hybrid driver in-ear headphones with an integrated microphone. However, they boast proper Android and iOS compatibility thanks to a handy switch – something few headphones can boast.

Are they any good though? Read my GranVela Conch headphones review to find out.

Thanks to GranVela for providing a sample to review. You can buy a pair from Amazon.

Check Price at Amazon

GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones Technical Specifications

  • Impedance: 12Ω
  • Weight: 15g
  • Microphone: Yes
  • Cable length: 1.2m
  • Sensitivity: 103dB
  • Plug: 3.5mm
  • Frequency Range: 20~ 20,000 Hz

What’s Inside the Box?

GranVela-Conch-In-Ear-Headphones-Review-Inside-The-Box

Inside the box, you get:

  • GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones
  • 3x Silcone Rubber Tips (S/M/L)
  • Carry Bag
  • Tool for Toggling Switch
  • English Instruction Manual

I liked the fact that GranVela have included everything you need inside the box. The carry bag is quite nice and helps prevent you losing everything.

GranVela-Conch-In-Ear-Headphones-Review-Bag

GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones Review: Design

The are interesting looking set of in-ear headphones. They’re predominantly white with a nice clear section that shows off the drivers. The earbuds are also pretty unique.

Rather than the button style rubber tips you’re probably used to, the GranVela Conch uses a small funnel-like design to keep the buds in place and funnel music right into your ear.

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They’re the typical soft silicone rubber like most in-ear headphones. The default set fit me well. However, those with smaller or larger ear canals can try the other included sizes.

I found the headphones to be quite comfortable when in, often forgetting I was wearing them. However, they’re not snug fitting headphones.

Whilst they stayed in place 95% of the time, excessive movement caused them to fall out. They’re still leagues better than Apple’s craptastic EarPods but these are not headphones for the active.

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The headphone wires are your typical thin rubber. It’s definitely functional, but compared to the fancy braided cables of my Xiaomi Piston Hybrids, it’s a little disappointing.

The controls and microphone are located where the headphone wires split. There’s your standard volume up/down buttons as well as a multi-function button that can be used for playing/pausing music as well as activating Siri/Google Now (depending on your smartphone OS of choice).

GranVela-Conch-In-Ear-Headphones-Review-08

The real magic comes from the switch located opposite the controls. If you’ve ever had to move between Android and iOS devices like me, you’ll know that the integrated controls on headphones rarely work on both platforms thanks to Apple’s unique way of handling in-line headset controls. However, the GranVela Conch have a clever toggle that switches between Android and iOS compatibility.

Oddly, the switch is flush with the body so you’ll need to use the included tool or a pin to move it. I guess it was done to prevent accidental switches but it doesn’t make it super convenient if you  change between iOS and Android devices often like me.

That said, only needing one set of headphones for both platforms is a godsend.

GranVela-Conch-In-Ear-Headphones-Review-07

GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones Review: Using Them

There’s really not much to say here. Thanks to the iOS/Android toggle, everything worked perfectly, regardless of my mobile OS.

All the volume and playback controls worked as expected on both Android and iOS. Holding down the multi function button triggers the platform’s corresponding virtual assistant too – Siri on iOS and Google Now on Android.

GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones Review: Sound Quality

The GranVela Conch are a nice sounding set of headphones. They’re definitely more “reference sounding”, resulting in a flatter sound with equal response across the lows, mids and highs. This is because the Conch features hybrid drivers, with separate drivers handling the lows and mids/highs.

I personally prefer flatter headphones as I like everything to sound balanced but those that love bass may find them a little anemic.

GranVela-Conch-In-Ear-Headphones-Review-03

As they’ve got a flatter sound signature, I found them pleasant to listen to regardless of genre. Bassy genres like rap and dubstep still had plenty of punch. Tracks requiring detail, like acoustic or death metal sounded fantastic, with nice separation between individual instruments and vocals.

Volume is good. I was able to crank them up to unbearable levels without any distortion.

That’s great as sound isolation is poor. Whilst the funnel-like ear tips work well directing sound, the flared section just doesn’t seal your ear like typical in-ear headphones. This means you can hear everything going on around you. This means they’d be useless on a plane but I can’t say this is definitely a con as it keeps you aware of your surroundings which is important in certain situations.

GranVela-Conch-In-Ear-Headphones-Review-04

GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones Review: Microphone

The included microphone was functional but not perfect.

Overall clarity was good. However, people on the other end of the call reported that I sounded quiet. The fact that microphone opening tends to sit against your body probably doesn’t help.

Verdict

GranVela-Conch-In-Ear-Headphones-Review-09

The GranVela Conch in-ear headphones are a solid set of headphones that leave pack-in headphones like the Apple EarPods for dead.

Though the cable and sound isolation are could be better, the GranVela Conch makes up for it with their excellent sound quality and proper iOS/Android compatibility.

Pros

  • Good sound quality
  • Balanced sound signature
  • Real iOS/Android compatibility
  • Comprehensive set of inclusions
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Cable feels flimsy
  • Poor sound isolation
  • Fit could be more secure

Where to Buy the GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones

The GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones are available from Amazon for under $20.

Check Price at Amazon

Join The Discussion!

What do you think of the GranVela Conch in-ear headphones? Are you going to get a pair? Let me know in the comments below

GranVela Conch
The GranVela Conch In-Ear Headphones sound great and the true iOS/Android compatibility makes them a winner for anyone who uses multiple phones,
Pros
Good sound quality
Balanced sound signature
Real iOS/Android compatibility
Cons
Cable feels flimsy
Poor sound isolation
Fit could be more secure
7.4

Michael

Michael is a technology expert with over 15 years of experience in IT, Home Theatre and Automation. Feel free to send Michael a message here.

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