Noise Cancelling Headphones

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#2916508 20-May-2022 14:30

Child-proof headphones?

And another request for feedback, please...

My son has gone through two pairs of Plantronic headphones in the last year; obviously, we didn't learn after the headband on the first developed cracks then broke, as the second pair (a more expensive model) are developing the same cracks after 4-5 months. Looking at reviews though it's clearly driven by poor manufacturing as there are many comments like "Over the head piece just cracked a bit in 2 months, and than within 2 weeks it broke completely."

So what would people's recommendations be for a pair of BT headphones that are robust enough to survive daily use by a 11YO? Ideally around $150 or lower, with ANC and with a decently strong headband. I've been looking out for pairs with metal headbands but haven't found many, and am aware that many of the more expensive ANC models have plastic headbands (some of which have had problems with cracking, eg the XM3s).

Thanks for any suggestions.

networkn

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#2916509 20-May-2022 14:36

Well, my 13 year old uses my XM4's every day and no adverse signs. You might be able to pickup a second hand pair of XM3's or 4's near that budget, though probably closer to $200+

jonathan18

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#2916533 20-May-2022 16:32

networkn:

Well, my 13 year old uses my XM4's every day and no adverse signs. You might be able to pickup a second hand pair of XM3's or 4's near that budget, though probably closer to $200+

Yeah, I've thought about this for him (as well as potentially a pair for me), but I'm surprised at what people are wanting for/willing to pay for these - this pair of XM3s just sold for $240! Will keep a look out though.

Looking through the new options under $170sh with ANC nothing seems to really stand out - PB Tech has a few with decent discounts in the current sale, such as the Sennheiser HD 450BT for $168, but these along with the JBLs et al on this page do not get particularly good reviews, whether in regards to comfort and/or effective ANC. I know I'm asking a lot for this price.

Is anyone aware of any 'alternative' brands/models of over-ear headphones that are considered giant-killers or do a decent job? I'm thinking of the equivalent of the various Soundpeats in-ear buds sold by Amazon, that well and truly punch above their weight.

The closest I've found thus far are Anker headphones, such as the Q20+ for AU$90 (though I think these are also ones that many report weak plastic components).

networkn

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#2916535 20-May-2022 16:37

I have a couple of pairs at home I'll see what might be suitable.

Handle9

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#2916633 21-May-2022 03:25

jonathan18:
Child-proof headphones?

And another request for feedback, please...

My son has gone through two pairs of Plantronic headphones in the last year; obviously, we didn't learn after the headband on the first developed cracks then broke, as the second pair (a more expensive model) are developing the same cracks after 4-5 months. Looking at reviews though it's clearly driven by poor manufacturing as there are many comments like "Over the head piece just cracked a bit in 2 months, and than within 2 weeks it broke completely."

So what would people's recommendations be for a pair of BT headphones that are robust enough to survive daily use by a 11YO? Ideally around $150 or lower, with ANC and with a decently strong headband. I've been looking out for pairs with metal headbands but haven't found many, and am aware that many of the more expensive ANC models have plastic headbands (some of which have had problems with cracking, eg the XM3s).

Thanks for any suggestions.

Not ANC but we got the kids Belkin Soundform headphones for Christmas. They are surviving very well with a couple of hours use each day.

jonathan18

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#2916798 21-May-2022 14:29

Re the Technics A800 - can anyone please confirm whether these have an equivalent to Sony’s “Speak to chat” function?

I had a play with the A800s, XM4s and XM5s at my local HN today, and think this feature would be a great benefit when using them at work (and even at home. While I get that the Technics will pause automatically when taken off, it would be much more convenient if they could be set to pause and change to ambient mode just when I talk. I’ve searched for a definitive answer on this but no luck; the closest I’ve got was the first result in my search for ‘technics a800 pause ambient’ which was a review by some guy called Mauricio - this seems to indicate the answer is ‘no’, but having this confirmed either way would be great.

A pity, as I like the look and build of the Technics, and think they’re better in both these areas than the XM4s - but I think this feature of the Sonys would be invaluable. Definitely prefer the looks of the XM5s over the XM4s, but really can’t justify spending $600. Is anyone who’s ordered or planning to order a pair of XM5s keen on selling their XM4s (or even XM3s)?

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#2916877 21-May-2022 16:59

Just my personal opinion but I turned off the talk to chat function. I found it annoying tripping in if I made any noise at all and taking too long to disengage. People also think you're weird that you couldn't hear then at all but don't take your headphones off to have a conversation, so I ended up taking them off anyway. I thought I'd use it a lot but it only lasted hours before I got annoyed with it.

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mrgsm021

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#2916896 21-May-2022 18:38

I can confirm the A800 doesn't have the Sony equivalent of 'speak to chat' function.

Loving the sound quality and clear voice calls on it and the battery just last and last.

ANglEAUT

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#2917039 22-May-2022 11:39

jonathan18: ... or A800s find these when walking? ...

I do a fair amount of walking & I don't hear my own stomping around. I'm more likely to hear myself chewing that walking. I don't do running with them, so couldn't comment on that type of fast & heavy impact mobility, but even fast walking is quiet.

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ANglEAUT

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#2917063 22-May-2022 13:21

jonathan18:

Re the Technics A800 - can anyone please confirm whether these have an equivalent to Sony’s “Speak to chat” function? ...

The "using external sound control" in the manual really is not helpful.

The Technics connect app has settings for noise cancellation & ambient sound

I've set the headset with the above settings & then a double-tap to activate noise cancellation & a tripple-tap for ambient sound. That allows me to have a conversation without taking the headphones off. Admittedly, voices do not sound their normal self.

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jonathan18

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#2917269 22-May-2022 17:50

Thanks, @ANgIEAUT, useful feedback and great to know the Technics are ok for walking. I think the above post may have had a screenshot that isn’t displaying? Unlike with Sony, I’ve not been able to find an online breakdown of how the Technics app works so seeing that would be useful.

I had another play with the three models again this afternoon - I think the noise cancellation was slightly better on the Sonys compare to the Technics, especially with the very low frequencies of HN’s aircon system (the M4s were slightly better with this than the M5s, weirdly!). But still much prefer the design of the Technics over both Sonys. Annoying not being able to listen to same music on the different brands as they’re limited to their own selection, but believe I’ll be happy with either.

Would have bought the Technics then and there but that store only had silver so will pick up a pair tomorrow. (JB wouldn’t be able to include the $40 gift card even if they priced matched, so guess it’ll be from HN.)

ANglEAUT

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#2917328 22-May-2022 18:42

For those that use multi-device connections, one thing I have found with the A800 is that the multi-function button to play audio often activates the other device.

If I'm listening to audio from my mobile phone & pause the audio, if I simply press the multi-function button, it resumes the audio from my PC instead of the audio on my mobile phone. I wish it would resume the audio from the last active device.

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nitro

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#2917403 22-May-2022 20:37

jonathan18: Thanks, @ANgIEAUT, useful feedback and great to know the Technics are ok for walking. I think the above post may have had a screenshot that isn’t displaying? Unlike with Sony, I’ve not been able to find an online breakdown of how the Technics app works so seeing that would be useful.

I had another play with the three models again this afternoon - I think the noise cancellation was slightly better on the Sonys compare to the Technics, especially with the very low frequencies of HN’s aircon system (the M4s were slightly better with this than the M5s, weirdly!). But still much prefer the design of the Technics over both Sonys. Annoying not being able to listen to same music on the different brands as they’re limited to their own selection, but believe I’ll be happy with either.

Would have bought the Technics then and there but that store only had silver so will pick up a pair tomorrow. (JB wouldn’t be able to include the $40 gift card even if they priced matched, so guess it’ll be from HN.)

i'll just add to the confirmation that the A800 (1) does not have speak to chat, and (2) doesn't transmit your footsteps when walking.

compared with the xm4 at default settings for both, i found the xm4 noise cancelling a tad bit better, and the bass more pronounced. the a800 sounded more transparent and/or less EQd, if you can imagine that. however, you can customise the sound of both of these to your preferences, as well as noise-cancelling levels. never felt the technics has any shortcoming as far as anc goes, and that's even when i'm in the equipment room with 250+ routers and their fans, as well as 3 ethernet testers and their ridiculous fans, with 2 huge aircon units pretty much at full blast trying to keep the temperature at a manageable level.

i do prefer the a800's design and the brand tugs on my sentimental strings, so went with that.

as for listening to the same music at the shops, you can connect your phone via bluetooth, right? i did that at jb with a bose and sony some years ago now.

networkn

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#2920467 30-May-2022 16:13

It took me longer than I expected but I took my A800's to the end of the driveway to take our rubbish bins out, wearing a pair of sneakers. I was actually pretty shocked.

We have hard tile floors at our entrance and I could clearly hear, albeit less audibly, my footsteps, and also the reverb in my skull/ears as sort of a bouncing feedback situation.

Mostly my noise cancelling is used when sitting in an office, or room with other people, and I might listen to music or something else like a webinar that I am muted for. I think the A800 NC is pretty good for that, and seems to get rid of the sort of sounds I commonly look to block (I haven't been on a plane with them but have similar environments that have been good).

I didn't get a chance to try the XM4's side by side but may try tonight if I get a chance.

mrgsm021

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#2960430 28-Aug-2022 11:56

Ok guys, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 ANC headphones are out, another one that can't be folded away for storage into the carry case.

Is this another unwelcome trend (at least for me) that was brought about by the fruit company airpod max, just like they did with 3.5mm headphone jacks on iPhones?

Had a listen to a demo unit at PB, am so used to the sound profiles of Sony and Technics, not used to how the Sennheisers sound. Physical build and material used felt premium enough, albeit no metal used this time round.

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