The headphones thread! [Sorry about your wallet]

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#3120150 25-Aug-2023 16:35

Jaxson:

I'm kicking myself I didn't jump on that Bose sale recently that put the QC45 at around $320 delivered.

I actually really like the retro styling of the Sennheiser Momentum 3, and am not a fan of the full plastic vibe of many modern ANC wireless headsets.

Fully purchasing for travel use now and will be watching this thread for deals when something comes up.

Yeah, saw that deal also but I wasn't considering any Bose cans. I had their NC700 for a short while. The build quality was certainly premium but didn't like their sound profile or the short battery life.

If the rumoured spec is anything to go by for the Bose QC Ultra, battery life isn't going to be great and it won't be cheap so decided not to wait for it.

I've in the end gone with Sennheiser M4W, very happy with it so far.

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You will find anything you want at MightyApe (affiliate link).

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#3120153 25-Aug-2023 16:45

FYI seems to be a bit of a global fire sale on Focal cans currently - not sure if they are revamping the range or what, but if you ever wanted a pair at a stupid price, then:

https://addictedtoaudio.co.nz/collections/sale?pf_v_brand=Focal

OG Clears for $900AU and Bathys for nearly half price etc.

Jaxson

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#3120205 25-Aug-2023 20:23

mrgsm021:

Yeah, saw that deal also but I wasn't considering any Bose cans. I had their NC700 for a short while. The build quality was certainly premium but didn't like their sound profile or the short battery life.

If the rumoured spec is anything to go by for the Bose QC Ultra, battery life isn't going to be great and it won't be cheap so decided not to wait for it.

I've in the end gone with Sennheiser M4W, very happy with it so far.

Good to know this, thanks for the feedback.

I'm a big Sennheiser fan and honestly am a sucker for the M3 retro styling. Something about the metal headband/leather cups takes me back to my fathers gear back in the day. Those are almost impossible to find nowadays though for some reason, at least at a reasonable price.

The noise cancelling tech isn't the greatest at that older model point though but I prefer the Senn sound profile over the Bose.
I must admit the Bose sound was a big turnoff for me too, though the noise cancelling for on planes was the big drawcard, and the comfort isn't bad either (as I wear glasses too).

Price was right at the time though if you could sneak a student discount $50 off in the mix too.

Jaxson

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#3122463 1-Sep-2023 08:09

Anyone used the B&W PX5s before?

They’re on ear but seen another option in a similar zone.

networkn

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#3122464 1-Sep-2023 08:10

Jaxson: Anyone used the B&W PX5s before?

They’re on ear but seen another option in a similar zone.

I very briefly listened to them but don't like on-ears and the sound left me underwhelmed. YMMV

Jaxson

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#3122649 1-Sep-2023 12:25

networkn:

Jaxson: Anyone used the B&W PX5s before?

They’re on ear but seen another option in a similar zone.

I very briefly listened to them but don't like on-ears and the sound left me underwhelmed. YMMV

Yeah the sound profile reviews as quite manipulated in parts.
I'm not against on ears personally as I find the size of over ears looks a bit cyborg at times, but understand that's a personal thing.

Build quality looks to be good, but still think I'd prefer the sound style of the Senns momentum more than these PX5s or Bose.

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#3127053 13-Sep-2023 13:33

Looking to sell my Topping EX5 DAC/Amp (Black) - I am mostly using my A&K DAP for home listening now and it is going unused.

Great little unit - measures and sounds as good as you would expect from Topping.

About 2 years old and with original packaging etc - full working order and great condition.

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/shenzhenaudio-topping-ex5-review-dac-and-headphone-amplifier.24341/

Looking for $285 - can ship nationally at buyers cost & risk!

mrgsm021

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#3128170 15-Sep-2023 15:13

Looks like the Bose QC Ultra has just been announced along with OC Headphones and couple of earbuds:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-quietcomfort-ultra-earbuds-hands-on/

Battery life is rated for 24 hrs with ANC off and 18 with it on, glad I didn't wait for the Ultra and got the Sennheiser M4W instead.

alasta

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#3128182 15-Sep-2023 15:24

mrgsm021:

Looks like the Bose QC Ultra has just been announced along with OC Headphones and couple of earbuds:

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/bose-quietcomfort-ultra-headphones-quietcomfort-ultra-earbuds-hands-on/

Battery life is rated for 24 hrs with ANC off and 18 with it on, glad I didn't wait for the Ultra and got the Sennheiser M4W instead.

That's not correct. The lower battery life figure relates to Immersive Audio, not ANC.

Unfortunately the announcement of QC Ultra Earbuds is too late for me as I just bought the existing QC Earbuds II, but I might consider the Ultra Headphones as a replacement for my pair of NC700.

I'll share my impressions of the QC Earbuds II here as I imagine the Ultra Earbuds will perform similarly. The audio quality is comparable to Airpods Pro, although maybe a teeny bit more colourful, but that could be fixed in EQ if it's not your thing. Where Bose has an advantage over Apple is fit - the Airpods Pro hang from the silicone tips and eventually come loose whereas the design of the QC Earbuds II keeps the body of the earbuds fixed to your ear. The Bose app jammed up when I was setting up the earbuds and the fit test doesn't work at all, but I have also experienced operational glitches with the Airpods Pro so it's probably even on that count.

mrgsm021

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#3128191 15-Sep-2023 15:47

alasta:

That's not correct. The lower battery life figure relates to Immersive Audio, not ANC.

You are right, I misread that part, sounds like Immersive Audio will be battery draining.

Spatial audio/immersive audio sounds like might be the next new headline feature after ANC that all major manufacturers will be pushing for going forward.

No mention of what the battery life is rated for ANC on and off from what I can see in the article

ripjack

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#3138430 3-Oct-2023 19:43

Hi guys. I'm going on a long haul flight in a few weeks and in the market for some noise cancelling headphones.

I tried and friend's pair of Sony XM4s and I quiet liked those but unfortunately they are outside of my budget. Have read that the QC45 are also pretty good but unfortunately cost a bit as well.

I was wondering if you guys could recommend something around a $300 budget? I'm not a fan of in-ear/buds as I've never found them comfortable.

Thanks in advance

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#3138445 3-Oct-2023 20:04

If you can't stretch your budget to the XM5's (which I strongly urge you to do as they are absolutely fantastic), then in my opinion, the next best thing in the the less spendy section are the Technics A800. They sound superb, noise cancelling is very decent and they can be had for $250 from time to time.

I don't like in-ear either (Ear surgery a few years ago), but I recently got a pair of AZ80 Technics and did 4 hours of flying with them and I was blown away. I haven't travelled long haul, but I'll be taking them with me on my next LH flight along with my XM5's to see if they can be used LH and if so, will be getting rid of all my over-ear NC headphones.

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#3138447 3-Oct-2023 20:07

networkn:

If you can't stretch your budget to the XM5's (which I strongly urge you to do as they are absolutely fantastic), then in my opinion, the next best thing in the the less spendy section are the Technics A800. They sound superb, noise cancelling is very decent and they can be had for $250 from time to time.

I don't like in-ear either (Ear surgery a few years ago), but I recently got a pair of AZ80 Technics and did 4 hours of flying with them and I was blown away. I haven't travelled long haul, but I'll be taking them with me on my next LH flight along with my XM5's to see if they can be used LH and if so, will be getting rid of all my over-ear NC headphones.

Long haul in ears are wonderful except for managing the battery. I sleep way better with my airpods than I do with my XM3s.

I get sweaty ears with on ear so YMMV of course, it's very personal.

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#3138448 3-Oct-2023 20:11

Handle9:

Long haul in ears are wonderful except for managing the battery. I sleep way better with my airpods than I do with my XM3s.

I get sweaty ears with on ear so YMMV of course, it's very personal.

Sweaty ears for me was a XM4 thing, caused me to switch to the A800's which I didn't have that big of a problem with, however the A800's I got (and 3 pairs of replacements) is a feedback issue, so I ended up trying the XM5's.

Not sure I can manage a LH flight on the AZ80's in ear, but gonna try it. The AZ80's are easily my fav in ear at any price. They are exceptional.

I know lots of LH flyers with XM4's who say no issues with sweaty ears, so as you say, YMMV.

I can't cope with on ear headphones. Despite having no feeling in 1 ear, due to a cut nerve, I get 'pain', only in that ear. So weird.

Jaxson

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#3138456 3-Oct-2023 20:41

networkn:

Despite having no feeling in 1 ear, due to a cut nerve, I get 'pain', only in that ear. So weird.

The brain can do quite weird things with ears. A couple of odd examples, but I find i get most of the benefits of noise cancellation even if it's only playing into one ear. That makes no real sense to me.

The other was if you ever find yourself on a boat in swell and are getting queasy, putting a foam earplug in one ear helps. I can kind of understand this one from a control systems perspective, but it's almost like the brain detects a difference between the ear balance 'sensors' and writes off that input as being faulty. Again weird but have genuinely found that helps on several occasions.

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