Bluetooth 5.4, high-resolution LDAC codec and 90 hours of battery life. And all this for around 60 euros? Sounds too good to be true? Well, the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 deliver a pretty impressive package. Read our test to find out just how good these over-ear headphones really are.
Technical data
| The product | SonoFlow SE HQ31 |
| Headphone type | Over-ear (closed) |
| Bluetooth version | 5.4 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Maximum operating range | 12m (without obstacle) |
| Battery life | Up to 90 hours (without ANC); Up to 60 hours (with ANC) |
| Weight | 273 grams (without cable) |
| Connections | USB Type-C |
| Color variants | Black, blue, white, pink |
| Special features | Multipoint; Foldable design; Ambient sound |
| Price | € 59.99 * |
1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 Review: Classic 1MORE look
- Modern, stylish look
- rickety, wobbly workmanship
- good wearing comfort
The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 rely on the classic look that almost all of the manufacturer’s headphones offer. Black, but fairly robust plastic housing, thin frame and a fairly unobtrusive but modern look.
Compared to the SonoFlow Pro (our test), the HQ31 has a rounder shape and therefore looks a little more modern, which should appeal to a younger target group. However, due to the thin and wobbly frame, the headphones don’t look too robust. The inward-rotating and hinged ear cups are far too wobbly for my taste.
The wearing comfort is at a good level, which is mainly due to the soft and quite generous padding. The ear pads are around 19 mm thick, while the padding on the headband is 16 mm thick. I find the latter a little too soft, which can cause some pressure when worn for long periods.
Inside, you have 65 mm x 42 mm of space for your ears – quite small. Those with large eardrums will not necessarily be served here. With a weight of 273 grams, the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 is comparatively heavy. The Pro model already mentioned is around 30 grams lighter despite its higher quality workmanship.
Features and operation
- 90 hours battery life (without ANC) / 60 hours with ANC
- Multipoint and Bluetooth 5.4
The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 are well equipped. They use the modern Bluetooth 5.4 standard, which enables an enormous range with excellent energy efficiency.
This gives the over-ear headphones a battery life of a whopping 90 hours – an absolute top value that is only surpassed by a few competitors. However, this only applies when active noise cancellation (ANC) is switched off. With ANC activated, the runtime is also reduced to a very good 60 hours.
Of course, this also means that ANC and transparency mode are supported. Bluetooth Multipoint is also included and allows connection to two audio sources simultaneously – but this must first be activated in the companion app under “experimental properties”.
Unfortunately, wear or voice recognition are not offered. But I think that’s a good thing. In contrast to the Pro model, the HQ31 also lacks a jack connection. Wired use is therefore not possible.
Operation and app
- Simple button operation
- somewhat imprecise
- Clear companion app
The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 are operated using the buttons, all of which are located on the right ear cup. The power button switches the headphones on and starts or pauses playback. If you double-tap it, you can call up the voice assistant.
The two volume buttons reduce or increase the volume and switch to the next (louder) or previous (quieter) song when you hold them down. This works quite well, but should be a little faster. Use the “ANC” button to switch between noise cancellation, transparency mode and normal mode.
The companion app is 1MORE, which also recognizes and sets up the headphones directly. However, the bumpy translation has not changed since our last launch in November 2024. Anyway, everything is still recognizable.
Select the options on the overview page: In the “Listening modes”, for example, you can choose between Off, ANC and Transparency mode. Under “Professional mixing” you will find the equalizer. Here you can choose from 12 presets in addition to the option of influencing the sound yourself using a 10-band EQ.
It gets interesting again in the settings, because here you can activate the high-resolution LDAC codec. In addition, spatial audio can be added here and a low latency mode can be activated, which is of course particularly interesting when gaming.
Audio quality, ANC and microphones
- 40 mm drivers with LDAC
- quite coherent sound image…
- … with weaknesses in the treble (sharp, too narrow)
Rarity value in the budget segment: The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 feature Hi-Res audio in the form of the high-resolution LDAC codec. If your (Android) smartphone is capable of this, you can enjoy music at a maximum of 990 kB/s at 32 bit and 96 kHz. In return, the headphones cover a frequency response of 20 Hz to 40,000 Hz, which is significantly wider than most inexpensive over-ear models. Dynamic 40 mm drivers are responsible for the acoustics.
Fortunately, the sound is hardly inferior to that of the SonoFlow Pro and is quite balanced and full with a harmonious, somewhat cool mix. The cheaper HQ31 version also produces pleasantly clear and detailed bass and mids, but is a little weaker in the treble range, which tends to become over-exaggerated and sharp.
However, the sound image remains as narrow as in the case of the Pro, which is only noticeable with certain music genres. The headphones are particularly strong with electro or hip-hop tracks.
Nevertheless, the sound is noticeably flatter and (subjectively) spongier than that of some competitors. In addition, the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 lack that little bit of maximum volume to really carry you away. Other models, such as the Edifier WH950NB (our test), are significantly louder and deliver a livelier sound.
Good ANC in the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31
Unfortunately, I no longer have the 1MORE SonoFlow Pro here to make a comparison. Subjectively, however, the active noise cancellation of the SE HQ31 is on the same level – according to the manufacturer, up to 95 percent of ambient noise is suppressed.
Of course, it is difficult to verify whether this is true, but the ANC suppresses low, monotonous ambient noise very well, while medium and higher frequencies such as voices or typing on the keyboard are noticeably muffled.
A slight background noise is always perceptible unless music is playing. However, this is not really disturbing. Transparency mode, on the other hand, is fine, but makes for a somewhat distorted representation of ambient noise. Nevertheless, it serves its purpose: conversations are perfectly possible with headphones on.
Microphone quality of the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31
If the Pro model was already weak here, you shouldn’t get your hopes up too high for the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 either, which is why we quickly tick off this area: The microphone quality is okay. It is sufficient for phone calls in quieter environments, but not much more is possible.
1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 microphone test recording:
Microphone test recording 1MORE SonoFlow Pro:
Edifier W830NB microphone test recording:
In a phone conversation with passing cars, my wife had significant problems understanding me. In quiet environments, on the other hand, it was fine, although I was told that my voice sounded a little quiet and “far away” and lacked detail.
1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 test: Conclusion
For the price of around 60 euros, the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 really have a lot to offer. For up to 90 hours of battery life, Bluetooth 5.4 and LDAC, you normally have to dig deeper into your pocket. They also offer good active noise suppression and a very coherent sound.
However, the headphones are not without their weaknesses. Some competitors are much better in terms of treble and the level of detail in playback, and the shaky workmanship also leaves something to be desired, while the microphones are not really usable.
If this doesn’t bother you and you’re looking for reliable and durable ANC headphones for on the go, the 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 is a good choice. An interesting alternative in the same price segment would be the Edifier W830NB, for example.
- Strong battery life
- Good ANC
- Quite good sound
- LDAC
- Wobbly workmanship
- No wear detection
- Narrow, sharp sound image
- Average transparency mode
- Mixed microphones
1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31
Workmanship
Wearing comfort
Sound quality
Noise canceling
Features
Value For Money
83/100
The 1MORE SonoFlow SE HQ31 deliver a coherent overall package at an attractive price and impress above all with their long battery life and LDAC. However, the rickety workmanship, weak microphones and narrow sound stage tarnish the impression.
