Consumer Electronics, Gadgets & Accessories

1MORE SonoFlow Pro Review: ANC headphones with 100 hours of runtime

Powerful sound and modern features at an affordable price. 1MORE has already proven several times in the past that its own headphones have a lot to offer. Whether with the SonoFlow over-ear model (our test) or the Aero in-ears (our test). With the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro, the company is now entering the race with a new ANC headphone whose features are excellent on paper and which is available for less than 100 euros. Our test clarifies whether the purchase is worthwhile.

Technical data

The product SonoFlow Pro
Headphone type Over-ear (closed)
Bluetooth version 5.4
Bluetooth codecs SBC, AAC, LDAC
Maximum operating range 12m (without obstacle)
Battery life Up to 100 hours (without ANC);
Up to 65 hours (with ANC)
Weight 244 grams (without cable)
Connections USB Type-C, 2.5 mm jack
Color variants Black, blue
Special features Multipoint; Foldable design; Ambient sound
Price € 79.34 *

1MORE SonoFlow Pro Test: Detailed improvements in design

  • Elegant design in blue with golden details
  • quite high-quality despite plastic construction; but somewhat rickety
  • Successful wearing comfort for small to medium-sized ears

The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro hardly differs visually from its predecessor or the non-Pro model. The new model is also made of plastic, but has a high-quality finish.

Our test model in blue looks extremely stylish and provides a pleasant contrast to the black version, which is also available. The generous ear cups merge into a wide headband, which looks very high-quality with the gold-accented 1MORE lettering.

1MORE SonoFlow Pro

Particularly practical: the ear cups can not only be screwed in, but also folded up. This means that the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro can be folded up to save space and taken along with or without the enclosed hard case.

However, the folding and turning mechanism seems a little wobbly and the headphones rattle quite a bit on the left headband when moved quickly. We have seen much more robust headphones in this price range.

In the blue version, the padding on the inside of the ear cups is also blue in color, which is why this model looks a little more dignified than the black or dark gray version, in which the manufacturer again relies on a red fabric cover.

1MORE SonoFlow Pro

No matter which headphones you choose: The SonoFlow Pro looks absolutely elegant and also scores points for its outstanding wearing comfort. This is not only thanks to the soft, 2.5 cm high ear pads, which are relatively small at 6 cm x 4.4 cm and are therefore more suitable for small to medium-sized ears. But also the pleasantly soft padded headband, which distributes the headphones’ weight of 244 grams very well.

Features and operation

  • Bluetooth 5.4 with Multipoint
  • Jack connection available; but only 2.5 mm
  • No wearer detection

In terms of features, the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro are fine. In contrast to its predecessor, the new model uses the modern Bluetooth 5.4 standard for greater stability and range.

Bluetooth Multipoint is also supported so that the headphones can be paired with two devices at the same time. However, this does not always work perfectly in practice. Sometimes it is not possible to switch to the second device without having to restart the Bluetooth connection. Sometimes, however, it works without any problems – perhaps a firmware update can remedy this in the future.

Unfortunately, there is no wear or voice recognition. Unfortunately, the headphones do not recognize whether they are being put down and then pause playback.

However, wired use is also possible. This is because there is a 2.5 mm jack connection on the underside, which can be used to easily connect to most audio sources using the included 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm cable. The cable also has an inline remote control. Very practical, even if I don’t understand why a 3.5 mm jack connection wasn’t installed straight away.

Operation and app

The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro is operated via buttons, but the headphones do not offer touch control. However, operation is very simple:

One button each for increasing and decreasing the volume, one for the ANC or sound mode and one for switching on and off, which can also be used to start or pause playback or call up the voice assistant.

1MORE SonoFlow Pro
Operation is via buttons and is fine

The controls are extremely simple and don’t really miss much, although the call control via the power button only allows you to accept and reject calls. There is also a slight latency when adjusting the volume, with which inputs are implemented – but this is not really annoying.

The 1MORE app is used as a companion app, where the first thing that catches the eye is the extremely bumpy translation. Listening modes include the sound modes (ANC, Transparency or Normal) and the Abbreviation section includes surround sound and low latency mode.

But once you’ve got the hang of it, the app’s range of functions is fine. You can’t adjust an insane amount, but at least there are 12 equalizer presets and even your own 10-band EQs that you can use to influence the sound.

Intelligent burn-in is also possible, which I find very practical. After all, headphones need a certain amount of time to develop their maximum sound potential. With intelligent burn-in, the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro plays an annoying hiss for a whole 12 hours (!) to get the 40 mm drivers on track.

Apart from OTA firmware updates, there aren’t many other reasons to use the app. Especially as it is quite problematic: quite often, the app told me that the headphones were not connected – even though they were playing music. The only thing that helps is to switch them on and off.

Up to 100 hours of battery life

  • Up to 100 hours without ANC
  • Up to 65 hours with active noise cancellation

The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro make a huge leap in terms of battery life, which is of course also due to the more efficient Bluetooth 5.4 connection. Up to 100 hours are now possible if you do without active noise cancellation.

With active ANC, the headphones still achieve a very good 65 hours, putting them on a par with top models such as the Cambridge Audio Melomania P100 (our test). And if you use the headphones with a cable, you won’t have any problems with the battery.

However, the SonoFlow Pro take quite a long time to charge, and unfortunately there is no quick-charge function.

Audio quality, ANC and microphones

  • 40 mm drivers; LDAC codec
  • noticeably fuller, livelier sound than the SonoFlow, but…
  • … too narrow in terms of sound compared to the competition

In terms of specifications alone, not much has changed in the sound of the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro. Dynamic 40 mm drivers are still used and there is still support for Sony’s LDAC codec for Hi-Res sound at 990 Kbps.

But don’t let that fool you, because the Pro model is noticeably better in terms of the character of the sound. Another positive aspect is that there is hardly any difference when listening to music with or without active noise suppression. This was very different with the original SonoFlow.

In general, the sound of the Pro model is noticeably more balanced and fuller. While the SonoFlow was a little weaker in terms of bass and treble, the Pro sounds livelier in the treble and also offers slightly more detailed, fuller bass.

In general, the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro sounds much better, but you shouldn’t expect too much. Especially in comparison to other models in this price range up to 150 euros, such as the Edifier WH950NB or the Sony ULT Wear (our test), the 1MORE sounds comparatively muted and offers a narrow sound stage in which the treble – even with a boost from the equalizer – cannot fully unfold.

In the electro or hip-hop range, you hardly notice any of this. The SonoFlow Pro feel very comfortable here, although I would have liked to have heard more detail in the highs. With rock and metal arrangements, but also complex acoustic and classical pieces, the headphones clearly fall behind. The maximum volume is also much lower than that of many competitors, so if you like it loud, you won’t get your money’s worth here.

Improved ANC

  • Very good active noise cancellation
  • decent transparency mode

However, the biggest improvement of the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro is in the area of active noise suppression. This is where the new Pro model makes significant gains. According to the manufacturer, the headphones can eliminate ambient noise up to a volume of over 42 dB.

I was actually really impressed by the ANC during my test. Although they are not quite on a par with top models such as Sony’s WH-1000XM5 or Bose, the SonoFlow Pro is very close.

The headphones were able to almost completely block out the construction site noise next door, despite the window being open. The robot vacuum cleaner driving past was no longer audible at all. Pretty impressive.

1MORE SonoFlow Pro

The Pro model also improves noticeably in transparency mode, but the high level of noise suppression cannot be maintained here. Voices and important ambient noises in particular sound too muffled and lacking in detail. Competitors manage this better.

Microphone quality of the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro

We can tick off the microphone quality of the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro pretty quickly. Because it’s really not good, as you can hear from our test recording. Not only is there a noticeable lack of detail in your own voice, but a constant background noise and annoying background noises are also noticeable.

1MORE SonoFlow Pro microphone test recording:

Microphone test recording soundcore Space One Pro:

Microphone test recording Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4:

Especially outdoors, when wind and ambient noise are added, the headphones’ microphones are actually no longer usable at all. Too bad.

1MORE SonoFlow Pro Review: Conclusion

The 1MORE SonoFlow Pro are a successful further development of the SonoFlow and improve significantly in many areas. Up to 100 hours of battery life, improved sound and excellent active noise suppression.

The headphones combine this with an appealing design and good wearing comfort and also come with features such as Bluetooth 5.4 and Multipoint.

Nevertheless, there are a few things I didn’t like about the headphones. In terms of sound and maximum volume, the model struggles to really keep up in the price range up to 150 euros. The transparency mode is merely decent, the microphone quality is below average and the app is rather problematic.

And yet, with the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro, you really do get a lot of headphones for comparatively little money. Above all, those who value a long battery life and strong noise suppression will be very well served here.

1MORE SonoFlow Pro Test: Silver Award

1MORE SonoFlow Pro

Workmanship
Wearing comfort
Sound quality
Noise canceling
Features
Value For Money

87/100

Elegant over-ear headphones that score points with their long battery life and great active noise suppression. In terms of sound and features, however, the competition offers more for the money.

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