Aerial7 - Tank Azzurro Review

For the last few weeks I’ve been road-testing a pair of the Tank Azzurros from Aerial7, a set of self-styled, $80 mp3 player, phone and skype headphones that also offer cross-over potential for DJs while definitely making an impression in the fashion stakes too. So how did they fair, and what market are they really capable of making a dent in?

Brand: Aerial7
Product: Tank Azzurro Headphones
Price: $80

Well, first off we have to look at where they’re aiming the marketing crosshairs. These are not (or at least they certainly shouldn’t be) looking to nudge in close to Technics, Sony, Pioneer or Sennheiser for the high end audio pros, and nor do they seem to be. After a good look around the internet, Aerial7 appear to be targeting a younger, cooler crowd… people who want bright colours and funky designs, and are proud to sport them. They’re skater and boarder cans, and have a design to suit whatever threads you’re wearing or whatever statement you’re trying to make on any particular day!

But it’s not all about the look. The headphones are multi-functional, coming with an array of wires and connection options that make them far from one trick ponies. Sadly you just can’t have it all, and what the Tank Azzurro’s gain from a wealth of usage opportunities, they lose in the sturdiness, comfort and most importantly sound quality stakes.

Don’t get me wrong, these are not bad headphones. Far from it. They definitely do the trick, and if you’re blasting down a mountain or catching a rail on your board, they are what you want to be wearing. They look good, they sound ok and you won’t be afraid of destroying a pair of expensive headphones if you bail. However it’s been 10+ years since I’ve been on a board and I consider myself an audio snob, so when push comes to shove I need a little clearer response from my midrange, a little more delicacy from my bass and a high end that tickles my senses rather than slapping me across the face when it gets too lively.

I tested the headphones in several scenarios - mp3s, vinyl, CDs, while DJing, direct from a laptop and running through a mixer, then I gave them a whirl on my iPhone for calls and for listening to my iPod, and will definitely say they grew on me. They’re certainly a lot more individual than wondering around with those white wires dangling from your ears, and it’s a relief to be able to just hit the answer button on the remote when a call comes through on your iPhone, rather than having to fumble for your phone, unplug the headphones and catch whoever it is on the other end before they hang up on you. And I live in Southern California where it’s just a case of pulling my phone out of my shorts. If you’re up a mountain, with your phone inside a thick snow jacket, gloves on and a board strapped to your boots, then the phone attachment will work like a charm!

The bottom line… if you’re looking for a pair of great looking headphones to suit your individual style while working on multiple devices, these are perfect for you. They certainly beat the crap out of Skull Candy or any of the other sonic fashion headphones that I’ve tried. But if you’re looking for something with clarity for use in the studio, then some of the older statesmen of the industry are probably where you should be looking.

Sound Quality: 6.5/10
Build Quality: 6.5/10
Design Options: 8/10
Functionality: 9/10 (if there was a volume control it would be 10/10)

Overall My Cuppa T Rating: 7.5/10

Review by CheckPoint.

One Response to “ Aerial7 - Tank Azzurro Review ”

1. discodave says:

   November 18, 2010 at 1:52 am

   My good lady might like the pink ones for walking about with but as you say, I’ll be sticking with me Technics for DJing.

   

   Reply