Mis à jour le 26 April 2023.
French manufacturer deeBee has just arrived on the highly competitive wireless noise-cancelling headphone market. Sold for €279.90, the deeBee dB-Pulse Bluetooth headphones have solid specs concerning sound quality and design. These trendy headphones feature elegant and easily interchangeable ear pads. In addition to being stylish, they are equipped with Hybrid ANC technology as well as an ambient mode. Their 40-hour battery life is the icing on the cake! So, how do the deeBee dB-Pulse fare when compared to the market leaders?
deeBee: a new French audio company
deeBee is a new French audio brand founded in 2020 by high fidelity specialists and international artists. It is immediately obvious that the manufacturer – whose slogan is “Your sound, your style” – pays a lot of attention to the design of their devices, making them perfect for fashion enthusiasts. deeBee stands out from the crowd thanks to the customizable aspect of its headphones with their interchangeable ear pads.
deeBee dB-Pulse: packaging and accessories
The deeBee dB-Pulse headphones come in a rigid and compact carrying case. The box also contains a USB-C charging cable, as well as a 2.5mm to 3.5mm mini-jack audio cable. A quick start guide and a leaflet containing safety information are also included.
deeBee dB-Pulse: presentation
The deeBee dB-Pulse headphones are equipped with 40mm neodymium magnet transducers. The 5-layer composite diaphragm provides a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz to accurately reproduce any style of music. These headphones are also described as the perfect partner to reproduce the sonic atmosphere of video games.
Designed for listening to music wirelessly, the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones use Bluetooth 5.2 technology. The headphones support the Google Fast Pairing feature so that you can quickly pair them to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices.
They are also compatible with multipoint technology so that they can be simultaneously connected to a computer and a smartphone, for example. This way, you can be completely immersed in a video game soundtrack without having to worry about missing any phone calls or texts.
Note that these headphones are compatible with A2DP, AVRCP, HFP and HSP protocols, as well as the SBC and AAC codecs. However, it is disappointing that the aptX and LDAC codecs aren’t supported, as they guarantee hi-fi quality sound.
The deeBee dB-Pulse wireless headphones use a rechargeable battery that provides up to 40 hours of autonomy. The quick charge feature provides an extra 2 hours of playback after only 10 minutes. Moreover, these headphones can be used passively with their audio cable, allowing you to listen to music even when the battery is flat.
Another strong point: a proximity sensor automatically pauses playback when the headphones are removed, and resumes it when they are put back on. In addition to making sure you don’t miss any of your playlists or podcasts, this feature also saves the battery!
Interchangeable ear pads = custom design
One of the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones’ main strengths is definitely their design. In addition to their simple and elegant structure, the deeBee wireless headphones stand out with their optional ear pads. Easily interchangeable thanks to a magnetic system, these pads allow you to customize your style in only a few seconds. Available in 9 different colors, the deeBee dB-Fit ear pads can match your outfit or the event you are attending. The deeBee dB-Pulse headphones are a true fashion accessory!
Moreover, the interchangeable pads lengthen the lifespan of the headphones. Because they are easy to replace, you won’t need to buy a brand-new pair of headphones when the ear pads are worn out. The French manufacturer sets itself apart from its competitors by offering this option, a rare occurrence in the portable headphone market.
While many headphone models can be laid flat, such as the Sennheiser Momentum 4, the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones have an articulated structure with foldable ear cups. Once they’re placed in their case, the headphones don’t take up much space and can be easily carried in a bag. A very convenient feature.
Although the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones’ headband is adjustable, it is quite wide and may not be suitable for people with smaller heads. However, when properly adjusted to the shape of your head, the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones are very comfortable.
Active noise cancelling and transparent mode
The deeBee dB-Pulse Bluetooth headphones use Hybrid ANC technology. It is particularly practical for those who want to enjoy their music in a noisy environment, such as a plane, a train station or a busy street. It can reduce or even cancel certain background noises for total immersion in your favorite music.
deeBee’s Hybrid ANC technology automatically adjusts the level of noise reduction. During our review, we found it to be particularly effective with background noise. We were able to listen to our podcasts and playlists in a kitchen, an open space office and a busy street without being bothered by surrounding sounds. It is important to note, however, that the intensity of the noise cancelling can’t be adjusted manually.
An ambient mode is also among the very convenient features offered by these headphones. By activating this option, exterior sounds are amplified so that you can remain aware of your surroundings without having to remove the headphones or pause your music. We tried this feature for quick conversations. Despite a slight hiss and a muffled sound, particularly with voices, the transparent mode was effective.
Touch-sensitive controls and mobile app
The deeBee dB-Pulse Bluetooth headphones are controlled using the touch-sensitive interface placed on the right earpiece, along with three physical buttons. The first one allows you to turn the headphones on or off and launch Bluetooth pairing. The second one activates or deactivates the ANC, while the last one triggers the voice assistant of your smartphone.
The touch-sensitive controls are quite intuitive. They let you adjust the volume, change tracks, pause the music and answer calls. This interface is also very handy as it allows you to leave your smartphone in your pocket.
Moreover, the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones are compatible with Google Assistant to ensure a truly wireless user experience. Voice reproduction during calls was very good, even in slightly windy environments.
To personalize your experience with the headphones and optimize their performance, deeBee provides a dedicated mobile app (iOS and Android). The latter features all the essential functionalities. It allows you to control music playback and volume, but also to adjust the equalizer (5 band) according to your musical preferences. It is also possible to activate the noise cancelling, the ambient mode and the voice assistant. The app also provides access to the battery level and any available software updates.
deeBee dB-Pulse: key specifications
- Design: over-ear
- Transducers: 40mm
- Frequency response in Bluetooth mode: 20-20,000Hz
- Frequency response in passive wired mode: 40-20,000Hz
- Sensitivity: 105 ± 3 dB @ 1kHz
- Impedance: 32Ω
- Bluetooth 5.2: SBC, AAC
- Battery life: 40 hours
- Active noise-cancelling (Hybrid ANC -35 dB), transparent mode
- Weight: 305g
See all the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones’ specifications
deeBee dB-Pulse: listening conditions
For our review, we connected the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones to an Android smartphone via Bluetooth. We also connected it to a computer using Bluetooth and with the cable, alongside a USB audio DAC. We listened to Hi-Res music on Qobuz.
deeBee dB-Pulse: listening impressions
During our listening sessions, the deeBee dB-Pulse wireless headphones revealed a neutral sound signature which was suitable for a wide range of music genres. These headphones delivered particularly precise and controlled mids. However, the highs sometimes lacked precision and clarity. With the track “Love Of My Life (Remastered 2011)” from Queen’s album A Night at the Opera (Qobuz – 24/96), the artist’s voice was perfectly highlighted, but the highest piano notes could have been a little clearer. The soundstage also lacked some depth.
That said, these grievances are minor and can be easily corrected using the 5-band equalizer when the headphones are used in Bluetooth mode. The EQ is responsive and provides a sound reproduction adapted to your preferences or the musical style you’re listening to.
On the track Without Me by Eminem, the artist’s voice was properly integrated in the heart of the instrumental flow. Although we would have preferred deeper bass, the various instruments and effects were pronounced, without overpowering the rapper’s voice, making the listening experience very pleasant. We enjoyed the same sound signature when the headphones were used in passive wired mode (when they were switched off). In this configuration, the sound quality was almost identical to that of the Bluetooth mode, a rare occurrence.
deeBee dB-Pulse: compared to…
Sennheiser Momentum 4: €90 more expensive, the Sennheiser headphones are superior in several aspects, starting with a battery life that is 20 hours greater than that offered by their French rival. Their compatibility with the aptX Adaptive codec is also appreciated. Moreover, the noise cancellation is more effective on the Sennheiser model and is manually adjustable. In terms of sound, the Sennheiser headphones deliver cleaner bass and a deeper soundstage.
However, the deeBee headphones stand out with their interchangeable ear pads and foldable structure that allows them to be easily transported in their carrying case. Their passive mode scores another point for the French headphones, and provides a similar sound quality to that of the Bluetooth mode.
Technics EAH-A800: the Technics headphones, which cost about ten euros more, have a deeper soundstage with energetic bass and more accurate highs. Support for the LDAC codec and greater comfort are also real advantages in favor of the Technics EAH-A800 headphones. However, the French brand earns points once again with the elegant and customizable design of the deeBee dB-Pulse headphones, as well as their practical foldable structure.
deeBee dB-Pulse: who are they for?
The deeBee dB-Pulse are aimed at anyone looking for versatile, high-performance Bluetooth headphones. They are especially suited for people who travel a lot or work in noisy environments thanks to their active noise reduction technology. Music lovers will also appreciate their balanced sound signature with all genres of music. Finally, fashion enthusiasts will appreciate the dB-Fit ear pads, which are interchangeable in a snap.
deeBee dB-Pulse: conclusion
For their first headphones, this is a notable achievement for deeBee. The deeBee dB-Pulse Bluetooth headphones are a great option for those looking to enjoy their music in a noisy environment thanks to their Hybrid ANC technology.
Moreover, their touch-sensitive control and the deeBee mobile app make the headphones very easy to use. Although we regret the slight lack of precision in the highs and the fact that the soundstage could be deeper, these headphones offer a globally satisfactory listening experience. Finally, the interchangeable ear pads are a real plus!
We liked
- The simple, elegant design
- The easily interchangeable ear pads
- The foldable structure
- The reactive equalizer
- The ability to use them in passive mode
- The active noise-cancelling
We would have liked
- A deeper soundstage
- A shorter headband
- Compatibility with the aptX and LDAC codecs
