Nu Republic is a relatively new player in the audio and wearable segments in India, but it has quickly accumulated an impressive product catalogue. The tech outfit consistently puts out value-for-money products that do not compromise on aesthetics. Be it the flashy Cyberstud X2 TWS that doubles as a chain accessory or the fidget spinner and TWS crossover Cyberstud Spin, Nu Republic always brings the X factor. Its newest pair of wireless headphones, Starboy 6, is geared towards gaming enthusiasts. It crossed our desks last week and we’ve been using it ever since. Here is our in-depth review of the Nu Republic Starboy 6 headphones.
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In This Article
Nu Republic Starboy 6 Review: Design
Here’s what you get inside Nu Republic Starboy 6’s retail box:
- Headphones
- 3.5mm aux cable
- USB Type-A to Type-C cable
The Nu Republic Starboy 6 headphones are made entirely out of plastic. However, the smooth matte finish lends them a premium feel. There is no flex to the panels and the headphones don’t feel cheap. The two earcups swivel to the sides and can collapse into the headband for easy storage. The plastic headband can be expanded to suit the size of the user’s head.
The earcups are padded with foam and covered in vegan leather. They provide comfortable cushioning to the ears. The headphones offer a snug fit and exert minimal pressure on the head. They weigh just 240g – one of the benefits of an all-plastic build. We did not face any kind of fatigue after wearing the Starboy 6 for hours on end.
The left earcup houses all of the physical buttons. The volume and power keys are easily accessible while you’re wearing the headphones. The 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C port, and LED indicator are placed next to the physical controls. The outer panel of the left earcup also houses the expandable microphone. Both earcups are integrated with RGB lighting, although their motion and colour cannot be customised.
Nu Republic has not specified the IP rating of the Starboy 6. We used them while working out and they remained unfazed by excessive sweat. We are happy to report that the fit remained consistent during the workout regimen. If you like putting on a pair of headphones while going on hikes and runs, this pair will suit you well.
Nu Republic Starboy 6 Review: Performance
Pairing the Nu Republic Starboy 6 to your PC or smartphone is an easy task. Pressing the power button for 3 seconds powers on the headphones and puts them in pairing mode. With Bluetooth 5.3 onboard, the whole process becomes seamless. There are 2 audio codecs on offer – SBC and AAC.
Producing the audio output on the Nu Republic Starboy 6 are two 40mm Neodymium drivers. The soundstage produced by the headphones is far from neutral but very enjoyable. The low-range frequencies are slightly boosted and add warmth to the output. Nu Republic’s X-Bass technology ensures that the mix has a certain thump to it. Even though the bass is quite prominent on the soundstage, it doesn’t muddle the mids and the highs. While playing Led Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy, we were happy with how the headphones reproduced the crunchy riffs and the subtle clapper hits.
Being a gaming headset, the Nu Republic Starboy 6 has a dedicated low-latency mode. This mode can be triggered by long-pressing the power key. The low latency rate of 42ms ensures a lag-free audio output while gaming. We played Call of Duty Mobile while wearing the Starboy 6 and were happy with the seamless gaming experience. The headphones deliver detailed in-game audio. Even the sound of faint footsteps lurking in the background is relayed perfectly. If you encounter a lag in low-latency mode, you can use the 3.5 aux cable provided in the box to pair these headphones with your smartphone, PC, or gaming console.
With multi-point connectivity on board, the Starboy 6 can be paired with 2 devices at once. The audio handoff is quick and seamless. The flip mic on the left earcup is a handy communication feature for those who like to game with their friends. The call quality while gaming was satisfactory. The microphone does a good job of extracting the voice of the speaker from the background sounds and relays it perfectly to the listener. This also applies to VoIP and cellular calls. However, in outdoor conditions, the call quality takes a hit.
The lack of a companion app is one of the big misses on the Starboy 6. This limits the ability to customise the equaliser and the RGB lighting strips. You can turn off the RGB lights by pressing the power button thrice, but there is no way of customising their motion, intensity, or colour pattern. The headphones lack Active Noise Cancellation as well, but it is a fair tradeoff when you consider its affordable pricing.
During the review period, we used the Nu Republic Starboy 6 for tasks like media streaming, gaming, and calling. We were able to get 25 hours of playtime out of the headphones. Nu Republic claims a 30-hour battery life on these headphones, but it requires turning the LED lights off. It took up to 3 hours to fully charge the Starboy 6 using a USB Type-C cable. You also have the option to use the headphones over a wired connection.
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Verdict
For a pair of wireless headphones priced at Rs 2,499, the Nu Republic Starboy 6 puts up a splendid performance. The rich soundstage pays special attention to the bass without overpowering the mid and high-range frequencies. The audio output is loud and detailed with very little distortion. The 42ms low-latency mode and RGB lighting make it appealing to gamers. Features like multi-point connectivity and 3.5mm aux cable support add more value to an already economical price tag.
Nu Republic Starboy 6: Pros
- Exciting design
- Support for wired connection
- Good audio output
Nu Republic Starboy 6: Cons
- No companion app
