Wireless headphones with ambient mode/passthrough/hear through while listening to music

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Wireless headphones with ambient mode/passthrough/hear through while listening to music

mohsenhs82

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#289533 11-Sep-2021 15:11

Hi there,

Hope everyone is safe in your bubble.

I am looking for wireless headphones with the ability to listen to surrounding while listening to music. Seems most headphones like QC 35II, PXC 550 II, P-HD610, Srgythm NC25 do not support this functionality and a few such as Sony CH710n and 1000XM3 and XM4 support this functionality. Is anyone aware of any other popular brand?

My budget is about $200 so only CH710 is within my budget but seems not everyone is happy with its built quality, so leave this as the last option.

This functionality, a good mic, and comfortable padding for big ears are my main criteria and I am open to any suggestions from local shops, Amazon or AliExpress.

Thanks

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#2776415 11-Sep-2021 15:52

I am very fond of the Huawei FreeBuds Studio. Great sound, very comfortable, good noise cancellation and passthrough as requested.

Huawei FreeBuds Studio prices here.

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mohsenhs82

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#2776416 11-Sep-2021 15:58

freitasm:

I am very fond of the Huawei FreeBuds Studio. Great sound, very comfortable, good noise cancellation and passthrough as requested.

Huawei FreeBuds Studio prices here.

looks great but unfortunately out of my budget

Dunnersfella

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#2776426 11-Sep-2021 16:31

For the money - the CH710 would be the best over ear experience I would think.

However, the comfort and sound quality is purely subjective and worth waiting for a trial prior to buying.

If you're buying something so 'personal' as headphones, I'd highly recommend trying them on prior to purchasing - which may mean waiting until COVID restrictions are lifted etc.

mohsenhs82

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#2776433 11-Sep-2021 17:00

Dunnersfella:

For the money - the CH710 would be the best over ear experience I would think.

However, the comfort and sound quality is purely subjective and worth waiting for a trial prior to buying.

If you're buying something so 'personal' as headphones, I'd highly recommend trying them on prior to purchasing - which may mean waiting until COVID restrictions are lifted etc.

Great advice, thanks.

hio77

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#2776562 11-Sep-2021 20:18

I use jabra evolve2 85s for work.

It's brilliant for in the datacenter. Tap of a button and it goes from active noise canceling to hear through mode.

Not cheap at all, particularly for the teams certified ones. But literally worth every cent.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

ANglEAUT

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#2776573 11-Sep-2021 20:54

hio77: I use jabra ...

Not cheap at all, ...

I have to agree with the as a very good choice, but outside of your budget.

Listen-in feature
Long press the ANC button to hear the outside world without taking off your earbuds

👍👍👍 I used the Jabra Evolve 75 for 3 years, every day. Regularly for 10+ hrs & twice I ran the 13hr battery to empty. At the purchase price, it worked out to +-$10 per month. 👍Weight balance could be better as they sometimes slipped onto my back, hanging directly from my ears.

Using the Evolve 30 Stereo for work & again good build & sound quality

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hsvhel

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#2776580 11-Sep-2021 21:26

I'm looking at these for an at home alternative

https://skullcandy.co.nz/collections/headphones/products/venue

Allows for outside word sounds at the press of a button.

Hesitate during lockdown though, would prefer to test out before buying as others have said

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Bung

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#2776681 12-Sep-2021 09:00

mohsenhs82:
My budget is about $200 so only CH710 is within my budget but seems not everyone is happy with its built quality, so leave this as the last option.

>

I made the mistake of going cheap. The JBL headset was ok but would fall off if you stood up and eventually that annoyed the snot out of me. Then 1 channel disappeared on Bluetooth but was there wired. I bought some xm4s after finding Sony's price was a lot lower than I thought and getting a price match. Invent an expensive vice you can give up for a few weeks. I haven't smoked for over 40 years. Today that would be $40 a day towards something else 😁

mohsenhs82

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#2776684 12-Sep-2021 09:11

Bung:
mohsenhs82:

My budget is about $200 so only CH710 is within my budget but seems not everyone is happy with its built quality, so leave this as the last option.

>

I made the mistake of going cheap. The JBL headset was ok but would fall off if you stood up and eventually that annoyed the snot out of me. Then 1 channel disappeared on Bluetooth but was there wired. I bought some xm4s after finding Sony's price was a lot lower than I thought and getting a price match. Invent an expensive vice you can give up for a few weeks. I haven't smoked for over 40 years. Today that would be $40 a day towards something else 😁

I made the same mistake a few years ago and bought one of the hyperX headphones, again was OK but the cushions cracked after a short while of use, my partner got an xm3 a few years ago, and still look new, so that is the reason I am looking for something durable but limited functionality (just MIC and possibly hearthrough). Thanks

mohsenhs82

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#2776749 12-Sep-2021 11:01

hio77: I use jabra evolve2 85s for work.

It's brilliant for in the datacenter. Tap of a button and it goes from active noise canceling to hear through mode.

Not cheap at all, particularly for the teams certified ones. But literally worth every cent.

Looks decent, I have 75t elite and love it, thanks for the recommendation

mohsenhs82

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#2776757 12-Sep-2021 11:16

ANglEAUT:

hio77: I use jabra ...

Not cheap at all, ...

I have to agree with the as a very good choice, but outside of your budget.

Listen-in feature
Long press the ANC button to hear the outside world without taking off your earbuds

👍👍👍 I used the Jabra Evolve 75 for 3 years, every day. Regularly for 10+ hrs & twice I ran the 13hr battery to empty. At the purchase price, it worked out to +-$10 per month. 👍Weight balance could be better as they sometimes slipped onto my back, hanging directly from my ears.

Using the Evolve 30 Stereo for work & again good build & sound quality

Thanks for providing me with your user experience (both + & -), this is very helpful.

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mohsenhs82

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#2776783 12-Sep-2021 11:30

hsvhel:

I'm looking at these for an at home alternative

https://skullcandy.co.nz/collections/headphones/products/venue

Allows for outside word sounds at the press of a button.

Hesitate during lockdown though, would prefer to test out before buying as others have said

Thanks again for this advice. So, I can hear the outside world while listening to music, right? as you said and showed in the video.

Found this video as well , a comparison btwn Venu and CH700 Sony,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOLruRop6PQ

mohsenhs82

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#2781645 21-Sep-2021 13:51

hsvhel:

I'm looking at these for an at home alternative

https://skullcandy.co.nz/collections/headphones/products/venue

Allows for outside word sounds at the press of a button.

Hesitate during lockdown though, would prefer to test out before buying as others have said

Thanks for the suggestion of the brand, I went for Skullcandy Hesh ANC, on sale from PBTech, $148 delivered & 2 Years Warranty.

This does not mean this is the best headphone/answer, but it seems a good choice based on my personal preferences. Hopefully will last a few years.

mudguard

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#2781675 21-Sep-2021 14:04

It's interesting requesting this feature. My Sennheiser headphones do this only while I'm on the phone, not when I'm listening to music. I hate it! I don't want to hear the outside world when I'm on the phone either.

There is probably a setting I should look for to see if I can change it.

mohsenhs82

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#2781683 21-Sep-2021 14:09

mudguard:

It's interesting requesting this feature. My Sennheiser headphones do this only while I'm on the phone, not when I'm listening to music. I hate it! I don't want to hear the outside world when I'm on the phone either.

There is probably a setting I should look for to see if I can change it.

If you are talking about 550 XII, I have checked it with the Sennheiser representative in NZ, and seems it does not have this feature. This is a handy feature for me as I need to know what is happening around me while listening to music, which may be useless for others.

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