Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?

[![Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?][1] ][2]

You do know that [Parrot][3] makes more than just the [AR.Drone][4], right? It was at CES earlier this year that we first [caught a glimpse of][5] -- and subsequently began geeking out about -- the Parrot Zik by Starck. For those unfamiliar, these headphones are jam-packed with enough technologies to make even the geekiest audio lovers smitten. Priced at about $400, they feature [Near Field Communication][6] (NFC), Bluetooth connectivity, on-board capacitive touch-control, active noise cancellation, head detection, a jawbone sensor for speech and Parrot's audio-enhancing DSP app for iOS and Android -- not to mention a striking design by the renowned [Philippe Starck][7].

This isn't the first time Parrot and Mr. Starck have worked together, but this does mark their debut in the portable audio market (as opposed to home-based speaker systems). In the case of this review, not one, but two Engadget editors spent some time testing the product. So, do they impress? More importantly, are they worth the $400 asking price? You know the drill: meet us after the break where we'll lay it all out.

**Gallery: [Parrot Zik by Starck review][8]**

[![][9]][10][![][11]][12][![][13]][14][![][15]][16][![][17]][18]

[Continue reading _Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?_][2]

Filed under: [Wearables][19]

[Parrot Zik by Starck review: Is $400 worth it for the fanciest, techiest headphones around?][2] originally appeared on [Engadget][20] on Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds][21].

######

[Permalink][22] | | [Email this][23] | [Comments][24]

[1]: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dsc03202-1343307624.jpg
[2]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/
[3]: http://www.engadget.com/tag/Parrot/
[4]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/28/parrot-ar-drone-2-0-shipping-in-may/
[5]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/parrot-reveals-starck-designed-zik-bluetooth-touch-enabled-heads/
[6]: http://www.engadget.com/tag/NFC/
[7]: http://www.engadget.com/tag/philippe+starck
[8]: http://www.engadget.com/photos/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/
[9]: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dsc03178_thumbnail.jpg ()
[10]: http://www.engadget.com/photos/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/#5175720
[11]: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dsc03179_thumbnail.jpg ()
[12]: http://www.engadget.com/photos/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/#5175721
[13]: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dsc03180_thumbnail.jpg ()
[14]: http://www.engadget.com/photos/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/#5175722
[15]: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dsc03182_thumbnail.jpg ()
[16]: http://www.engadget.com/photos/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/#5175723
[17]: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2012/07/dsc03184-1343322537_thumbnail.jpg ()
[18]: http://www.engadget.com/photos/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/#5175724
[19]: http://www.engadget.com/category/wearables/
[20]: http://www.engadget.com
[21]: http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/
[22]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/ (Permanent link to this entry)
[23]: http://www.engadget.com/forward/20283977/ (Send this entry to a friend via email)
[24]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/#comments (View reader comments on this entry)

URL: http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/02/parrot-zik-by-starck-review/