The headphones thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › The headphones thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

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Smpl Mnmlst
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#3233718 23-May-2024 10:57

Handsomedan:

networkn:

It says the Ace does Lossless. Do you interpret it's statement of requiring cabled connection on IOS to mean Lossless is only supported by Apple, and requires a cabled connection to do so, or that to do lossless with IOS, you need a cable, and therefore Android would not require a cable?

Is Lossless truly possible over a BT connection?
I was always under the (possibly false) impression that all BT audio was compressed - therefore not Lossless as such, despite the audio source.

I know little about all this but the What Hi-Fi article says:

[Sonos Ace] use the latest Bluetooth 5.4, and are capable of playing lossless audio from compatible sources thanks to Snapdragon Sound’s aptX Lossless and Apple’s ALAC codecs support.

The AirPods Max, on the other hand, don’t support lossless playback, and feature only Bluetooth 5.0, since they are that little bit older.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

networkn

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#3233777 23-May-2024 13:27

eracode:

I know little about all this but the What Hi-Fi article says:

[Sonos Ace] use the latest Bluetooth 5.4, and are capable of playing lossless audio from compatible sources thanks to Snapdragon Sound’s aptX Lossless and Apple’s ALAC codecs support.

The AirPods Max, on the other hand, don’t support lossless playback, and feature only Bluetooth 5.0, since they are that little bit older.

Of course, the issue will be, finding BT5.4 capable devices. I have the latest Samsung flagship phone and it's only 5.3. Annoying, to say the least, though, honestly, I am not spending $800USD on Sonos headphones. The main reason to consider Bluetooth headphones is portability, and if you are moving around, chances are, esp if you are being transported, you won't be able to hear the difference between lossless and Lossy. I'd even go so far as to say, I'd consider it unlikely that 99.99999 percent of the population would find that ANC itself would dimish the sound difference.

dafman

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#3261191 18-Jul-2024 21:54

From vacuum cleaners to headphones. Could be interesting …

https://www.whathifi.com/news/dysons-pricey-wireless-headphones-are-eye-catching-but-can-it-compete-with-apple-airpods-max

networkn

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#3261196 18-Jul-2024 22:38

Question is... Will they suck? 🤣

lxsw20

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#3261382 19-Jul-2024 11:15

I'm guessing they invested a bit in those stupid air filtration headphones, so it makes sense they would make some without it.

Jaxson

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#3261422 19-Jul-2024 13:16

networkn: Question is... Will they suck? 🤣

Wow they genuinely have the same design styling as their vacuum cleaner range?!!

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FineWine

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#3271104 13-Aug-2024 14:19

The best headphones I ever owned were Sony Sports Vertical In-Ear design MDR-W10 Headphones for my Sony walkman (those were the days). I presently use Tech.inc Soundwave wireless from The Warehouse. Paid $30. Whilst they do work reasonable well for music they are not really fully compatible with iOS and the cushions are falling apart now.

Having used Apples various in-ear buds I do not like them. I have different sized ext ear canals and they slip out all the time from my left one. The over-the-ear hook type are also not comfortable (two years ago tested). I also have excessive soft wax and I was forever having to clean the tiny grills on these sets.

We are a very Apple centric household and are looking to purchase Apple Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones — Black NZ599.95

We are off to Sydney in late October and of course we will be calling into the temple of Steve Jobs. Over there they are AU$529.95 then with TRS -10% GST = A$476.95)

I am not an audiophile, but I want total iOS benefits eg. siri plus over-ear cushions and fit. I will mainly be using them in the gym, walking and e-cycling.

I am interested in forum owners reviews on these headphones.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

FineWine

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#3283609 18-Sep-2024 16:25

So following on from my above post and after a weeks worth of research on around the $500 price range, I bought the Apple Beats Studio Pro Wireless Headphones — Black. NZ497.00 Noel Lemmings (yesterday 17/09/2024). Happy 70th Birthday me in October.

NOTE: just rechecked Noel Lemmings website, they are now $525.00 (today 18/09/2024) a $28 increase in 24 hrs - lucky me.

Anyway very happy with them apart from one very small niggle of the head band being a bit hard on my shiny chrome dome. Other makes Sony, Bose were softer. I just have to lift them up a fraction. The over ear pads are very comfortable with my glasses and my small loop earring. After one hour in the gym and a 2 km walk they did become a bit sweaty. You can buy replacement ear pads and fit them yourself. Just shop around plus look at Youtube for how-to instructions.

You also can get fabric covers for most brands ear pads. The good ones are moisture wickable and washable.

My research stated people were complaining about a lack of bass, I do not find that so. After experimenting with the EQ settings I have ended up leaving these settings off.

One-touch pairing and setup is child's play. The phone calling and answering feature is great - very clear both ends. Siri commands are my goto and work seamlessly. There is also transparency and ANC mode. It also has 'Find My' integration. Battery life, supposedly, is up to 24 hours of playback from 2 hours of charging, and up to 40 hours when you turn off ANC and Transparency mode.

The controls, all on the left cup, are very easy and tactile to use. But voice activation Siri covers most of them.

Beats registration was very easy via the Beats site. There is no iCloud integration therefore it will not show up with your other Apple devices. Also comes with 3 mths free Apple Music subscription.

These headphones can also be paired with Android devices after downloading the app. No app required with Apple devices. Easy integration with Apple TV, iPad and iMac. Any device with Bluetooth, including my Yamaha avr rx-v1085.

I was going to complain about the firmware not updating to the latest version of 2C301 from 2B68. But it did eventually. You just have to be very patient. The latest update brings Audio Share which is designed to allow two people to listen to music from an iPhone or iPad plus it includes some minor bug fixes and improvements not worth mentioning in the release notes.

Overall I am very satisfied with this my Beats Studio Pro over ear head phones. 🎧😀

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Jaxson

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#3283729 18-Sep-2024 21:55

Great write up, thanks and happy birthday from us all here at geekzone

Item

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#3285406 23-Sep-2024 12:21

Its "FS" Time again!

For Sale - Audeze MM-500 open back reference cans.

About 10 months old, NZ New from Addicted to Audio

https://addictedtoaudio.co.nz/products/audeze-mm-500-manny-marroquin-headphones

Really great cans - not the usual Audeze house sound, much more neutral as they are designed around mixing/mastering/critical listening, but they still take beautifully to EQ.

Tank like build, clear, punchy sound and in excellent condition. Comes with flight case and all gubbins.

Looking to downsize again due to current listening habits and looking for something a little less expensive and portable as my Open Back.

$3200 new - looking for sensible offers around $2100.

Batman

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#3314987 1-Dec-2024 21:05

mrgsm021:

Ok, so Sonos just announced the Ace cans, apparently it's been a long time coming.

The impressions videos on YT so far is that it's minimalist in design with some special tricks up its sleeves that the Sony's & Bose's don't have.

For me, the fact that it doesn't foldaway into a smaller footprint in the case is a deal breaker for me.

Still happy with my QC Ultra.

It's available for pre-order now on the Sonos website for NZ$800!!

What do you guys reckon?

good reviews for the Bowers and Wilkins Px7 s2e, and then i saw the price of the Px8 ... didn't dare to find reviews

sticking with Sony vs Bose, both on sale now

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Batman

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#3314988 1-Dec-2024 21:08

Comparing the Sony XM3 vs XM5, i can't tell the difference between the sound if I just play some songs at the same volumes

but if i really analyse section by section, the XM5 has a slightly wider sound stage and slightly more detail, and things sound more natural

might scratch the Bose itch, since it can be returned if it's not $100 better than the XM5

networkn

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#3314993 1-Dec-2024 21:43

Even xm4 to xm5 was pretty big jump in sound quality for me.

Having said that, in every generation I've tried the bose, and Sony and perhaps one other and it's always the sonys I keep. If money grew on trees I'd have the bose for air travel alone.

Batman

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#3317918 7-Dec-2024 23:31

networkn: Even xm4 to xm5 was pretty big jump in sound quality for me. Having said that, in every generation I've tried the bose, and Sony and perhaps one other and it's always the sonys I keep. If money grew on trees I'd have the bose for air travel alone.

for me, the QC Ultra has miles better noise cancellation than the XM5. serious. and the music sounds exciting, it's hard to put it down to something.

the XM5 has the more accurate and detailed sound, but it's boring as**. the band was also uncomfortable and the case was too big. but it has the best mic of the lot, you oculd be in a restaurant taking a call and the other party would think you're in your private office. not with the Bose but hey i don't need that feature heh.

**i felt the same with the sennheiser HD600 and HD650.

networkn

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#3318053 8-Dec-2024 16:26

Yes Bose hold the crown this generation for ANC, it's clearly better but sound quality is a consideration for me.and the Sony sounds far better to me and the Sony acontrols and App are superior.

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