The Parrot Zik 2.0 wants to stir things up in the world of headphones. First, by requiring a smartphone app to unlock its many features and second, by charging a steep $399 (£299, AU$499). Despite these hoops, the Zik 2.0 are an excellent option for tinker-savvy listeners interested in a set of booming headphones with only a few nagging strings attached.
Design
Thanks to designer Philippe Starck at the helm, Parrot has whipped up an attractive set of headphones. The pleather-coated design is appealing, even with the subtle branding stamped on top.
Steel sidearms can adjust, but compared to the Bose QuietComfort 25, the Zik 2.0 doesn’t dole out much headspace. Only four adjustors jut out from the headband, contributing to just a knuckle’s worth of added wiggle room for my head.
Cleverly designed rails attach to the sidearms from which the earcups hinge. These extensions hug the curvy profile of the earcups and offer 90 degrees of lateral swivel, making the option to rest the cups on your neck an easy feat.
