Meters OV-1B: we just hit Peak Bluetooth noise cancelling

Because they have a peak meter on the ear cups, you see? Also Apt-X HD for improved wireless sound

Duncan Bell
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We're currently in the middle of an explosion in noise-cancelling, Bluetooth headphones. But you probably can't hear it, because the noise cancelling is so effective.

Meters' OV-1 features in our ever-changing guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones you can get but they felt a bit passé even at launch because they're wired rather than Bluetooth like the Bose QC35, Bowers & Wilkins PX, and the rest of the new, racket-quelling breed.

So guess what? Now there's a wireless version and it's packing Apt-X HD Bluetooth for 'better than CD quality sound' from compatible devices.

The OV-1B is visually very similar to its totally wired daddy, the OV-1. It's got the same plush leatherette ear cups in tan, black or white. Very similar, machined aluminium with rose gold or silver accents.

It's got that one other, very subtle detail too. What was it again? Oh yeah…

Absolutely massive, backlit peak meters on BOTH ears.

Yes, that was it. Meters may not make the best known headphones in the world, but they do probably make the most distinctive, even compared to Marshall.

The peak meters really are fully functioning; they flick up and down to reflect volume changes in your music. We at T3 love this, because we are fly individuals who are very self-confident about our personal image. If your style is a little more muted, maybe it's not for you. We don't know.

What we do know is that the wired Meters OV-1 had generally excellent sound with the active noise cancelling (ANC) turned off, but took a bit of a sonic dive with it turned on.

The OV-1B features Apt-X HD compatibility so audio should remain impressive despite snipping the wire (well, not entirely – you can revert to wired connectivity via a plug-in 3.5mm cable if you prefer). 

If Meters have also buffed up the ANC a bit, these flagship cans could hit new – aha-ha-ha – 'peaks'. But we'll make a call on that when we get a pair to – ho ho! – re-'VU'. Zing! 

Meters OV-1B is available from November for an only slightly wince-inducing £329.

Meters OV-1B: full spec

• Closed-back design with 'dynamic' ANC and Apt-X HD wireless Bluetooth

• 40mm dome driver

• Impedance: 32 ohms

• Sensitivity: 94db/w/m

• Battery Life: up to 8 hours listening, 16.5 hours standby

• Cable: 1.5m straight cord with in-line mic and 3.5mm stereo gold-plated plug

• Weight: 380g

• Finishes: Black, Tan and Rose Gold

• 'Fully-functioning VU Meters!'

Duncan Bell
Duncan Bell

Duncan is the former lifestyle editor of T3 and has been writing about tech for almost 15 years. He has covered everything from smartphones to headphones, TV to AC and air fryers to the movies of James Bond and obscure anime. His current brief is everything to do with the home and kitchen, which is good because he is an excellent cook, if he says so himself. He also covers cycling and ebikes – like over-using italics, this is another passion of his. In his long and varied lifestyle-tech career he is one of the few people to have been a fitness editor despite being unfit and a cars editor for not one but two websites, despite being unable to drive. He also has about 400 vacuum cleaners, and is possibly the UK's leading expert on cordless vacuum cleaners, despite being decidedly messy. A cricket fan for over 30 years, he also recently become T3's cricket editor, writing about how to stream obscure T20 tournaments, and turning out some typically no-nonsense opinions on the world's top teams and players.

Before T3, Duncan was a music and film reviewer, worked for a magazine about gambling that employed a surprisingly large number of convicted criminals, and then a magazine called Bizarre that was essentially like a cross between Reddit and DeviantArt, before the invention of the internet. There was also a lengthy period where he essentially wrote all of T3 magazine every month for about 3 years. 

A broadcaster, raconteur and public speaker, Duncan used to be on telly loads, but an unfortunate incident put a stop to that, so he now largely contents himself with telling people, "I used to be on the TV, you know."

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