when a child decided to cry
You think kids and babies choose crying?
Sorry to derail the thread but this attitude pisses me right off. Poor kid is utterly miserable and you're blaming him/her? Lovely.
To be honest at the £100 mark I’d look at a decent pair of well isolated non-nc headphones. I used a pair of Beyerdynamic T51’s for commuting before I got the Bose and they were pretty good at lowering the ambient noise level and sound superb.
At the budget end I have yet to find a pair of NC headphone that perform as well (in all respects) as a decent pair of non-nc ones.
Returning to this thread as I'm also considering some. This might be a stupid question but how does bluetooth work for watching movies on planes?
I’ve tried some phillips nc ones from tesco, they were about £35 iirc, from a noise cancelling pov they were ok, definitely reduced the drone on a lh flight. I would still be using them quite happily if my cat hadn’t chewed through the cable.
BUT, after i replaced them with bose qc15 I wouldn’t go back.
i now have qc35ii, bought for me as a late xmas present from my wife, they are fantastic and all that, but so they should be. (At £330)
My advice would be to look for some qc15 ones, they are perfectly good, great noise cancelling, very comfy to wear, run on a AAA battery for about 35 hours.
This might be a stupid question but how does bluetooth work for watching movies on planes?
Assuming you mean watching the film on your phone.....dunno if it works on all phones, but on mine I just stick airplane mode on, then turn the Bluetooth back on and it works fine. You can probably try this without actually connecting headphones and see if Bluetooth on the phone comes back to life?
If you mean how do you watch a film provided by the airline, many (but not all) Bluetooth headphones can also be used by plugging an old fashioned cable in.
As above, airplane mode on, then Bluetooth on. Most airlines are OK with it, but worth checking in advance!
As to watching IFE, it's cables only I'm afraid.
Thanks. That's what I suspected and glad I asked as it would appear the Bose 30 doesn't have the cable.
You can get 3.5mm Bluetooth adapters. Might be worth a look
I had a pair of the Bose QC headphones but recently bought a pair of Plantronics backbeat pro noise cancelling headphones because I needed a pair compatible with Bluetooth.
I’d say the two are on par when it comes to sound quality and noise cancelling performance but the plantronics model has much better battery life and cost about £150 less - I went for the cheaper “tan” model which was on offer at amazon.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MFGYF3I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YMKXBb8KZSQEE
How do they compare to a decent pair of in-ear headphones? I’ve got some of these and put proper triple flange tips on them (actually double flange as I cut one off for comfort). These obviously keep out a lot of noise and I often wear them just as earplugs with no sound (though something gentle and boring like the kermode and mayo film review podcast puts me to sleep even quicker on flights).
I’ve done that for some years, I used to run an industrial folding machine, which when running was very noisy, especially in a long, narrow room with brick and sheet-metal walls - I measured it at a constant 92dB. My MeeAudio ‘phones with full triple-flanged eartips were as efficient as the industrial earplugs I was supplied with, and I often never bothered having music playing. When I did, I could listen at volumes around what I’d have set in a quiet room.
The first ones I tried were really cheap, the M6 Sport, I think, which were about £11. Stupidly good for the money, with far moor bass than should be possible, and a very flat profile, so they can be worn while sleeping, which I’ve done by accident when listening to music in bed.
Only real problem is the cables are fixed, but at that price they’re almost a consumable! I now use their Pinnacle P1 ‘phones, which have CCMX connectors, and the regular cables can be replaced with a Bluetooth version which costs about £55.
There’s an in-between version, the M6 Pro, which uses a different connection, and there’s a BT cable for that as well, the two together are £85 on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B4PR2GD/ref=psdc_10395651_t2_B0038W0K2K
I recently bought the latest top of the range Sony ones. Staggeringly good. Makes flying so much more pleasurable. Zero engine noise, zero passenger noise. Sound quality is fantastic too. I'm going to be flying 2-3 times a week so it was worth the £300 investment for the amount of use they'll get. 50 hour battery life apparently. Bluetooth with a cable if necessary. Definitely recommended
Surprised no one has mentioned AKG yet? I tried a lot of headphones before buying and found these to have the best sound (N60NC) for about £130.
I didn't try Bose though, wasn't prepared to pay that much, plus something about Bose gives me the pip.
I have had a pair of Sony WH1000XM2 for about 9 months now and they've rapidly replaced every other pair of headphones I have, including some very expensive Etymotics with custom ear moulds! They aren't quite as comfy as the Bose QC35ii (they press a bit tighter), but they stay put better and the sound quality and noise cancellation is better.
I picked mine up as refurbs from the Sony Centre for about £190 and took out a Sony extended 5yr warranty on them for about £20, which given my track record with headphones, should turn out to be good value!
Battery life is excellent, connection stability is 100% and I wouldn't fly anywhere without them now.
I've got a few noise cancelling headphones. Some good cheaper Panasonics and some crap cheaper ones. Bose are OK but I don't find mine to be the best at noise cancelling or playing music. The best for noise cancelling and music quality for me are my over ear Sennheiser Momentum M2 AEBT (as above) which I don't find too hot to wear (long haul to Denver last week). Also I much prefer wireless when flying.
I picked up a nearly new pair of Bose QC35 a few weeks ago for under £200 - Bose warranty is spot on and I've had friends who've had items replaced without proof of purchase years after buying them.
They're very comfy, and make concentrating in a noisy office environment much easier. Public transport is also a much nicer place to be when there's not as much noise going on.
Previously I'd used a cheap pair (they cost around £50 a few years ago) that we're no longer needed after a mate got a pair of QC35's a couple of years ago and the difference in quality was massive
I won a set of Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2 headphones in a corporate giveaway.
In that case, I would say quality to price ratio is ACE.
Hope that helps 🙂
I bought some Sony WH1000s since the mk2s are cheaper now the mk3 is out. Have only used them for my train communt, working in the library etc, but how do they fare for watching films? My TV doesn't have bluetooth so it's a moot point, but doesn't the audio lag?
Zero lag that I've noticed on my mk3 Sony headphones
I bought some Sony WH1000s since the mk2s are cheaper now the mk3 is out. Have only used them for my train communt, working in the library etc, but how do they fare for watching films? My TV doesn’t have bluetooth so it’s a moot point, but doesn’t the audio lag?
Both AptX and LDAC (Sony's proprietary codec) are low-latency. I often watch TV / films on my S8 with mk2 WH1000s and never have a problem.
The Sony wireless NC headphones (1000XM3) get some stonking reviews, but like speakers, only your wife will be able to tell what sounds best to her. The Sony XM2 are also great and a little cheaper now. I've been waiting for my wired Audio Technica 40x's to die so I can justify getting some wireless ones but the AT's are bombproof and will not die. Plus, they sound amazing played through a Dragonfly Black DAC.
Sony MDR-ZX770BN seconded for over-ears, £135 on Amazon now, more than I paid a couple of years ago. USB charge and Blu-tooth or wired which is handy if your forget to charge them.
I have the AKG ones mentioned above and love them. You can use a cable (which extends the battery life) if you want to. NC is ok not as good the the Bose I have tried but they are a third of the cost so if I drop, sit on, loose them its less of an issue. USB charge so just use a normal phone charger although the battery last very well.
Would but them again.
PSA: Bose QC 25 (wired) in Amazon deal of the day (Black Friday) for £129 down from £290 RRP (Although priced closer to £180 usually)
Just treated myself as heavy hints for my birthday earlier this week evidently fell on Noise Cancelled ears. Harrumph.
Ideally would have chosen QC35s, but dont look a gift horse etc.
Bose QC35s here, i demoed loads and as they were on sale in the airport @£235 and i was just about to get on a 13 hr flight I took the plunge. theyre ace.
Tempted by that Amazon deal.
Do these things block out other people's music in an open-plan office? This may soon be an issue for me.
Another vote for AKG N60NC, kept me asleep, and thus sane, in hospital...
I've ended up with the QC20 (I think). The wired in ear version. Very happy with them so far. In terms of office they don't completely cut out conversations etc especially if it's the person next to you but they certainly reduce the level to the point where a bit of music at sensible volume is enough to stop the distraction. Very effective at cutting out low frequency drone such as aircraft noise.
My Bose QC 35 IIs are great. Use them every day. The android integration is v. handy too.
Just seen this...
Good shout stoner. Just ordered a pair.
I have just been given Plantronics Voyager 8200s at work for my job and they are amazing - definitely beat my wifes Phillips circa £60 headphones (overear).
However would agree that they make my ears warm.
I've ordered those Bose QC25 too.
Don't mind a wire myself. Bluetooth gets on my tits sometimes.
I had in-ear passive klipach X1 pros. About the same cost a Bose. Sound was absolutely stunning. I found the on ear cans to have poor sonic reproduction. Sadly I have very small ear canals and psoriasis so can’t wear them now.
Sound cancelling when installed properly was awe inspiring. As was the HiFi
Had a good few weeks of using the mk3 Sonys on flights. As someone who's a slightly nervous flyer, they've been a revelation. All flight noise completely removed. Makes it a very serene and calm experience. Sound quality has been great, streaming it from my ipad and phone. Super comfy to wear. Battery life is fantastic at 50 hours per charge
Thanks stoner. Have been hankering for a while.
looks like a good price
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bang-Olufsen-Beoplay-Wireless-Headphones-Charcoal-Grey/dp/B01N6S83CL?tag=22
never tried any, but could do with something wireless in ear for work and sleep
I dont get on with normal cheape arphones that come with the samsung etc, they always fall out
Had a pair of £50 Sonys which I used to fly to Japan, West coast USA etc. They were fundamentally fine but my good did my ears start to hurt as they just crushed your ears. This summer I picked up a pair of Bose QC 35s (v1, to be found at a good price on the Bose outlet website) and it’s like night and day. I’m not an audiophile but wow they are so much more comfortable and block out so much noise. It means I can happily work on trains and planes. Plus the battery life is excellent (my old pair ment having spare AAAs in my bag they didn’t last that long and could easily be switched on by accident). Having lived with them for 3 months I think they were totally worth the money for me.
The new x3 Sony's are getting some good reviews - but it seems you need to upgrade the earcups as they sit very close to your ears. Might not be such an issue in UK but here in Oz, sweaty ears are not comfortable. Any the sound quality if you use them connected to your phone isn't great for some reason. QC35s seem to be the way to go but I'd audition a few pairs before shelling out 150+. I've been tempted but already got some AT 40x and a usb DAC so I'm not going to beat that combo for sound quality unless I spend a fair bit more.
Any recommendations for child friendly sets (clearly childmis not getting a £300 set!). We have volume limited ones for her at the moment but even on max she complains about them being too quiet with her tablet. Wondering if active cancellation would mean she can use a lower volumes (main use car and flying). Her tablet has a low volume output so not worried about her cranking them up.
I've used some decent in ears that were a cheap STW PSA on Amazon a few year ago coupled with a pair of over ear industrial ear defender's for long haul Oz flights.
Get some odd looks but don't care as it's quiet (and cheap)
The Bose ones are reduced again on Amazon - they are very good and a lot cheaper than normal
Bose QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Around-Ear Noise Cancelling Wired Headphones for Samsung and Android Devices - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VW7U8X4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_4jb8BbEXT635A
woohoo, just arrived. So confirmation that these come with the case, the airline headphone scoket adaptor, the phono cable with inline controller and even a AAA battery.
Off to go and test
First impressions.
Light headset, sits comfortably on the ears despite it looking like the left and right cups are orientated incorrectly. Nice detail is the printed large L and R inside the cups.
Cable feels good quality and the long straight phono connector to the phones sits deep inside the phone shell for good protection. Protected 90degree connector for the output end.
Noise cancellation is startling. Ive got the rugby on the TV in the background - the hum from the stadium completely disappears. All that's left is the higher frequency voice sounds of the commentators. All the bass notes from conversation are gone. Sitting in the kitchen it complete removes the sound of the refrigerator compressor! I'm impressed. I want to try these out in the landrover this week and see how much engine noise it removes from the Motorway trip...
Initially I thought that the speakers were a little suspect, then I realised that I was actually hearing the recording noise on the Slowdive track. The recording was actually dirty, not the headphone output. Flicked over to a cleaner piece of music and it's crisp and pure sound.
Google assistant opens automatically on "OK Google", just need to find the setting that allows me to wake google assistant when phone screen is locked. A reminder that there are two models of these headphones - Android and iOS and you need the right one. The android one even has a little Android logo on the back of the inline controller.
Press and hold the centre button to also launch GA
Battery door is stiff and closing/locking it gives me the fear that Im going to break it. Hopefully it will wear in and become softer/less brutal. Inline controller is right up by the earphone end so you cant see the buttons while pressing them.
Not necessarily noise cancelling, although using longer triple-flanged eartips will give a very good seal equal to industrial hearing protection, this is a review of a number of earphones costing $50 or less, so may be of some interest here:
https://gearpatrol.com/2018/11/17/best-earbuds-under-50/
On those cheap Bose - how do you connect with a phone that doesn't have a standard headphone jack? Are adpaters available for all phone types?
