HAYLOU S40 Wireless Headphones Review: A High-Performance, Cost-Effective Gem Under 10,000 Yen #PR

Although "HAYLOU" is a brand I haven't been very familiar with personally, I have encountered a product that makes me realize this manufacturer is putting out products with exceptional cost performance. That product is the "HAYLOU S40" wireless headphones, which I will be reviewing this time.

I have been provided with a sample unit from HAYLOU Japan for this review. #PR (I have stated my honest opinions, especially regarding sound quality and usability.)

The purchase price varies slightly depending on the color, but it sits in an accessible price range well below 10,000 yen, at approximately 6,980 to 7,680 yen.

Despite being in this price range, it covers features required of modern wireless headphones, such as Hi-Res support, active noise cancellation, and adjustments via a dedicated app. I would like to write down the appeal of this device and my actual experience using it.

What is HAYLOU? A High-Performance Brand Still Unfamiliar in Japan

First, I would like to delve a little deeper into the manufacturer of this device, "HAYLOU".

Unless you are a gadget enthusiast, I think the general impression in Japan is that it is still an "unfamiliar manufacturer." However, when I looked into its background, I found that it has a very solid technical foundation.

HAYLOU is a proprietary brand developed by Dongguan Liesheng Electronic Technology Co., Ltd., headquartered in Dongguan, China. The company is also a major manufacturer that has participated in the ecosystem (development and production partner) of Xiaomi, a global comprehensive home appliance manufacturer, since its earliest stages. HAYLOU was launched as an in-house brand, backed by long-cultivated high manufacturing technology and development capabilities.

In Japan, it is primarily sold through official online stores via authorized distributors. They offer smartwatches and sports-oriented bone conduction earphones at affordable prices, and their strength lies in "high cost-performance," providing technically reliable products at a low cost. The S40 I am reviewing this time is a product that fully utilizes that strength.

HAYLOU S40: Specifications and Package Contents for Peace of Mind in Japan

When using products from new overseas brands in Japan, the thing to be most careful about is the presence of the "Technical Conformity Mark (Technical Standards Conformity Certification under the Radio Law)." The HAYLOU S40 has properly obtained the "Radio Law Technical Conformity Certification Number: 220-JP9369," so it can be used domestically without any legal issues. The fact that these basic parts are made sincerely is an important element that earns user trust.

The manual also includes Japanese, making it a package that presents no problems at all.

Also, as a feature of this device, a "detachable boom microphone" that can be connected to the right side is included. It is designed to significantly improve voice chat quality in games and calls during telework, which can be said to be a unique strength for headphones in this price range.

Furthermore, another feature of this device is that the "announcement sound when connecting via Bluetooth" is a "symbolic sound" rather than the common English "power on" type of voice, which is a point that those who prefer it will appreciate.

HAYLOU S40: Impressions of Practical Connectivity and Functionality

Notes on Wired Connection and Charging

The Type-C port on the side of this device functions not only for charging but also as an external analog input (equivalent to a 3.5mm jack) using the included conversion cable. When playing games on a smartphone or similar device, it is very practical to be able to switch to a wired connection and use it without worrying about the latency peculiar to wireless.

However, as a note, "use while charging" is not possible regardless of whether it is wired or wireless. Also, it is best to view the wired analog connection as a "countermeasure for latency or a bonus feature." I get the impression that the device's acoustic tuning is performed on the premise of operation via wireless connection, so if your goal is to fully enjoy music, you will enjoy an overwhelmingly richer sound when connected wirelessly.

Usability of App-Based Controls and Unique Features

By linking with the smartphone app "Haylou Sound," more detailed settings become possible.

• High-quality audio playback via LDAC This device supports LDAC, a high-quality audio codec, but it is turned off by default. By enabling this in the app, you can experience higher-resolution, hi-res-grade sound quality on compatible devices. Additionally, according to the specifications, multi-pairing with two devices simultaneously is possible even when LDAC is enabled.

• Spatial audio feature Only when LDAC is turned off can you use the spatial audio feature from the app (two types: dynamic and static, with three modes within each: music, sports, and movies). However, using this lowers the overall volume and changes the sound to have a slightly artificial, three-dimensional resonance. While the atmosphere might suit watching movies, for pure music listening, you get a much more natural experience with spatial audio turned off.

• Equalizer (sound quality adjustment) feature The app includes a 10-band graphic equalizer (up to around 16KHz) and provides preset save slots, allowing you to try multiple settings like "Bass Boost" or "Acoustic Boost." However, after switching through various settings and listening, I found that applying the equalizer tended to make the sound feel cloudy overall. I feel that the "default" sound setting, without any adjustments, brings out the most potential in this device.

HAYLOU S40: Powerful noise canceling with minimal ear pressure

This device is equipped with a very powerful active noise canceling feature that reduces ambient noise by up to minus 50 decibels.

What was impressive after actually using it in various environments was that, despite its high level of sound insulation, there is "very little pressure or discomfort on the ears."

The unpleasant sensation of having your eardrums pushed or the unique feeling of blocked ears, which is common in models with powerful noise canceling, is suppressed. As a result, while it effectively cuts out ambient noise to create silence, it doesn't tire your ears during long desk work or travel, allowing you to keep using it with a very natural feeling. I feel this balance is a hidden charm that greatly enhances the practicality of this device.

HAYLOU S40 Sound Quality Review: Performance with default settings + LDAC

Sound quality evaluation was conducted with the app's equalizer set to "Default (Standard)" and using an "LDAC" connection, which allows for maximum sound quality.

The overall sound tendency is very soft and gentle on the ears. From high to low frequencies, I get the impression that nothing is overly assertive, and it sounds well-balanced without being lacking or excessive.

This device features "coaxial dual dynamic drivers" with 40mm and 20mm titanium-coated drivers arranged coaxially. Perhaps due to this luxurious structure, the low-frequency range has a rich, mellow thickness, and the high-frequency range also feels transparent and extended without being obstructed.

While there are parts where you can feel the resonance of the housing or a slight expansion in the deep bass, considering the price range of under 10,000 yen, the sound is sufficiently tight and clear. The attack (rise) of the low frequencies is somewhat soft and gentle, but because of that, the sound is designed to be less fatiguing, and it is a positive point that it is hard for your ears to hurt even during long listening sessions.

The soft sound character that does not make the edges of the sound overly sharp is different from the hard sound production of competing brands (such as SOUNDPEATS or Earfun), and if anything, it has a gentle comfort closer to the way Anker finishes its sound.

HAYLOU S40: Points that concerned me a little while using it

While the HAYLOU S40 boasts a high level of perfection overall, the only thing that concerned me while using it was that "the maximum volume during wireless connection does not get very loud."

It might be part of a safety design to prevent hearing loss, but when watching old audio sources with extremely low original recording levels or some video content, there were times when I reached the maximum volume when I wanted to turn it up a bit more, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. It is not a problem for listening to music at normal volumes, but caution is required depending on the source.

HAYLOU S40 Call Quality and Gaming Use

This device offers excellent call quality when the included boom microphone is attached to the right side. With active noise cancellation powered by five microphones and AI processing, your voice comes through clearly to the other party even in noisy environments. While basic calls are possible using the built-in microphone with the boom mic removed, I recommend attaching the boom mic for online meetings or voice chat during gaming.

HAYLOU S40 Summary: A Well-Balanced Device That Feels Worth More Than Its Price

This is a product with high cost-performance that I can confidently recommend even to those who are not familiar with the HAYLOU brand.

While it targets gaming use with low-latency wired connectivity, it also provides high-quality sound (when connected via LDAC) that is perfectly satisfying for casual uses like wireless music listening. With an overwhelming battery life of up to 90 hours and a comfortable, foldable design, it is sure to be a highly satisfying purchase considering the price range of around 6,980 to 7,680 yen.

If you are looking for an affordable, high-performance pair of headphones, why not consider this as one of your options?

I expected it to be a less polished product, but to my surprise, it was very well-refined.

Where to buy the HAYLOU S40

amazon.co.jp

AliExpress

At the AliExpress store for the Haylou S40,
it was 5,461 yen at the final price during the sale (depending on coupons and coin status).
At this price, it's even more compelling!