Head Phones? Is it Bose and Then the Rest?

[blueboss]

https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/...reless-ii.html

Is there anything out there as good as Bose for less??


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[PedroDaGr8]

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/bose-qu...?skuId=5876115

Is there anything out there as good as Bose for less??


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Actually, Sony's newly released WH-1000XM4 are significantly better than the Bose QC35 II overall. At this point they are hands down the best on the market, though since they were just released they are very pricey ($350). Starting with the WH-1000MX3 (the previous generation), Sony has hands down the best active nose canceling on the market. Additionally, the out of the box sound quality of the Sonys MX3 and MX4 are essentially equivalent to the QC 35II; some like it more, some like it a bit less. To Sonys benefit, Sony includes an equalizer in their app so you can customize them to sound how you want. Last time I checked, Bose still does not offer this simple option. Even better, the MX3s can be found on sale (~$200-220), if you look around, since the new model was just released.

If you are looking for more budget options, the Razor Opus (<$200) and Sony WH-H910N h.ear on 3 (<$160 at Costco) are absolutely excellent alternatives that would impress all but the most demanding users.

My advice would be if your main focus is to save money, try the Sony WH-H910Ns from Costco and return if you don't like them.

If you want the best, either wait for the MX4 to go on sale or grab MX3. The MX4 has a number of new features: dnamic multi-device support (connect your phone and laptop at the same time and it will dynamically switch to the device producing sound), sensors that pause the music when you remove the headphones, fast charging, a battery that gives ~40h of real use, etc. To me these aren't worth the $100+ price difference but for you it might differ.

Let me know if you have any questions since this is just a broad overview.

[Darrell KSR]

I was going to chime in that I've seen a lot of articles on these accidentally, and there are a ton of high level headphones where the prices reflect it, too. You can kinda spend what you want, and I haven't heard of a bunch of the names.

I can assure you, that has no relevance to me. I am not an audiophile by any means, but randomly have looked at things like the best bluetooth headset for cell phone calls, wired headphones for Zoom video conferences, etc.

Occasionally I end up in the land of the audiophiles and try to exit as quickly as possible. Bose is always listed, though. To me they seem to be a staple that you can't go wrong, even if you might choose something else instead for various reasons.

[dan_bgblue]

I am with Pedro in the Sony camp

[blueboss]

I was at Target today and tried a pair of the Sony 1000XM4 and thought they sounded great. The stock items were in a locked glass case and the prices were somewhat jumbled so I was unsure of which price went with which headphones.

I’m glad you broke down the X3’s verses the new X4’s... good info. I think it was the Bose that had built in Alexa/Google Home, which is kind of appealing for quick info while wearing the headphones.

I think it ultimately comes down to Sony/Bose.


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[KSRdallen]

Curious if you guys have opinions on wireless earbuds as well. I prefer them when I’m working out which is when I listen to music the most. Thanks for any advice!

I’m using Powerbeats Pro now. I like them pretty well, but am not convinced they’re worth what I paid for them. I’ve seen all kinds of reviews and they usually end up at the top, but they’re clunky connecting sometimes and they don’t offer an equalizer which I’ve seen others offer.

[PedroDaGr8]

I think it was the Bose that had built in Alexa/Google Home, which is kind of appealing for quick info while wearing the headphones.

Both Sony and Bose have integrated Google Assistamt/Alexa, though Sony added that function via an update more recently.

I forgot to mention, full disclosure, back when I made my decision I went with the Sony WH-H900N h.ear on 2. It was released before the XM3 and it meets all my needs.

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[kingcat]

I use Sony MDR 7506's for reference and tracking in the studio. But AT ATH-M70x closed backs for mastering. Hard to beat Sony depending on your needs though.

The sound is more critical than the other stuff to me however. Bluetooth, voice, etc..

On a budget you can pair these wireless listeners with your smart phone apps and they are at a huge discount right now. The sound is awesome but they do not self contain google asst., Alexa or the like. Regular price was $199. Probably not the best if you are going to wear them while working out or running at almost 10 ounces. heck of a deal at 99 bucks right now.
I think all of them lose a little fidelity with Bluetooth though. Beware of dropouts!

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-XB950B1-...language=en_US

And JBL knows how to make smart headphones that sound good too. Like Bose and others, known for super noise cancelling technology. Although I have no experience with them, check these out..sounds like a deal.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109L65...TNC-Black.html

If money is no object and hi fidelity wired sets were the need I'd check out HIFIMAN headphones. I've read the Planar-Magnetic headphones are pure bliss.
https://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-Full-...%2C172&sr=1-14

[blueboss]

Okay, after reading around I’m leaning towards Sony.

I’m wondering what makes one of the Hifiman models worth $5999.99?? What makes them $5699.00 better than the Sony MX4.


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[Darrell KSR]

Okay, after reading around I’m leaning towards Sony.

I’m wondering what makes one of the Hifiman models worth $5999.99?? What makes them $5699.00 better than the Sony MX4.


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More money than sense?

[Doc]

https://www.bose.com/en_us/products/...reless-ii.html

Is there anything out there as good as Bose for less??


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Nope... I have had a pair of noise cancelling ones for about 6 years. Wont fly without them.

I am a bose man, and will contiume to be. Wife has the JBL...I prefer the Bose

[kingcat]

You get what you pay for most times. Sennheiser makes a tremendous phone too. Preferred by many engineers, as well as AKG's (wired) professional models.

At least as good as any "non boutique" phone discussed here. But they are pricey.

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/momentumwireless

[KentuckyWildcat]

You get what you pay for most times. Sennheiser makes a tremendous phone too. Preferred by many engineers, as well as AKG's (wired) professional models.

At least as good as any "non boutique" phone discussed here. But they are pricey.

https://en-us.sennheiser.com/momentumwireless

Love my Sennheiser for the cost. I bought some to watch TV with. If I ever watch TV, it is after everyone goes to bed. Sound quality is just okay on this model, but I bought these for the range and they do that very well. I've had them for 7 or 8 years now. No issues at all, not even the battery.

[PedroDaGr8]

Okay, after reading around I’m leaning towards Sony.

I’m wondering what makes one of the Hifiman models worth $5999.99?? What makes them $5699.00 better than the Sony MX4.


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A combination of different specialist technologies designed to extract ever more detail from the music and ever more money from the wallet. Honestly, in audiophile circles, the more "woo" you can spout the more your price costs (just look up Bybee Quantum Purifiers). Honestly, those headphones use a unique magnetoplanar technology to generate the sounds (rather than a traditional cone driver). Being a niche technology inherently means higher costs, whether it sounds better is debatable.

[PedroDaGr8]

FYI a huge YMMV (your mileage may vary) deal for two cases and the new Sony XM4 for only $272.97. Note that only the black model is in stock right now and there is chance your order gets cancelled. See the details here:
https://slickdeals.net/f/14358977-so...=4#commentsBox

[PedroDaGr8]

Curious if you guys have opinions on wireless earbuds as well. I prefer them when I’m working out which is when I listen to music the most. Thanks for any advice!

I’m using Powerbeats Pro now. I like them pretty well, but am not convinced they’re worth what I paid for them. I’ve seen all kinds of reviews and they usually end up at the top, but they’re clunky connecting sometimes and they don’t offer an equalizer which I’ve seen others offer.

These articles from RTings should do a pretty good job at comparing your options:
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/re...ear-headphones
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/music

[KSRdallen]

These articles from RTings should do a pretty good job at comparing your options:
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/re...ear-headphones
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/best/music

Very helpful. Thanks!

[Darrell KSR]

FYI a huge YMMV (your mileage may vary) deal for two cases and the new Sony XM4 for only $272.97. Note that only the black model is in stock right now and there is chance your order gets cancelled. See the details here:
https://slickdeals.net/f/14358977-so...=4#commentsBox

Funny. I have a Slickdeals app that I enjoy looking at pretty regularly. Just randomly saw this and rushed here in case somebody could benefit from it. I was actually looking to see if I could see the XM4 typed somewhere hand sure enough, you had already posted the deal.

[kingcat]

Ok this is my last suggestion..

One of the music industries oldest wireless tech companies and usually best bang for the buck is AT (Audio Technica). I was using guitar wireless back in the nineties and these were the guys making it affordable and practical.
They had their upper end also.

And now they offer a completely digital wireless headphone/. No sound-degrading digital to analogue conversion applied as they utilize a "Pure Digital Drive system"
I'd love to hear a pair as the AD/DA converters we use in music creation bares a huge discrepancy between cheap converters ($100's), versus superb ones ($1000's) And as far as wireless dropouts go, AT has always been an industry leader there.

Always loved the crisp sound of A.T. stuff.
https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us...ess/ath-dsr7bt

Or these with standard DA conversion and 35 hours of battery life.
https://www.audio-technica.com/en-us...s/ath-anc900bt

[Darrell KSR]

Any good?

[blueboss]

That’s a good deal!!


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[Darrell KSR]

Slickdeals this morning.

[Darrell KSR]

Apparently a bunch of Sony noise canceling Bluetooth headphones are on sale on prime day today.

Here's the link.

https://www.amazon.com/deal/c9e71d0e...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[blueboss]

I went with Bose QuietComfort 35 II...


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[bigsky]

A combination of different specialist technologies designed to extract ever more detail from the music and ever more money from the wallet. Honestly, in audiophile circles, the more "woo" you can spout the more your price costs (just look up Bybee Quantum Purifiers). Honestly, those headphones use a unique magnetoplanar technology to generate the sounds (rather than a traditional cone driver). Being a niche technology inherently means higher costs, whether it sounds better is debatable.

I loved my Martin Logan speakers but they ate amplifiers. Nothing better for human voice

[Darrell KSR]

For VirginiaCat...

[VirginiaCat]

For VirginiaCat...

I guess I had to spell HeadPhones like that in my search. No idea it was that picky.

[PedroDaGr8]

I'll repeat my post here so we can keep it all in one thread:
You can often find the Sony 1000MX3 on sale for around $200. They have extremely good sound quality, 30-40hours of usage time between charges, great bluetooth range (I often walk down the hall at work without losing connection), and their noise cancelling is incredibly good (better than Bose). You will miss on a few nice features from the 1000MX4 model and there is some decent bluetooth lag but that is true for both Bose and Sony.

[blueboss]

I’m satisfied with the QC 35II that got a couple months ago.

You should be able to buy replacement ear pads for the head phones you referenced in the other thread... at least, they have them listed in the accessories section of their website. Of course, they may not be compatible/ interchangeable with older models.


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[blueboss]

I guess I had to spell HeadPhones like that in my search. No idea it was that picky.

I guess I had to spell HeadPhones like that in my search. No idea it was that picky.

To steal a line from Les Nessman, as God as my witness I had no idea “headphones” was one word.


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