Bluetooth headphones - looking for sound quality, comfort, durability

[Mzy12]

Hello all!

I'm struggling to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that don't cost an arm and a leg with a combination of good sound quality, comfort and durability. I tried my friend's Sony WH-1000XM4's, but I was blown away by how unexciting their sound was. I am by no means a bass head, but it felt like there was nothing fun happening under 150Hz. My go to song for testing sub-bass, Gorillaz' Glitter Freeze, left me feeling empty and hallow. For context, my most listened to genres are prog rock and alt rock, but I frequently dip into others, think King Crimson, Yes, Radiohead, Tool and anything Allan Holdsworth is on.

I am open to using eq curves that people have measured to 'correct' unpleasant or deficient sound signatures, and I'd really them to be close back as well (sorry Hifiman Deva) because I will be using them in uni to block out the outside world and enable me to concentrate on my work I don't care for ANC because it makes me feel nauseous and uneasy. The one exception to this I think was the Bose QC35, but I tried them around 7 years ago, so I could be misremembering.

My budget is around 300 euros, but I'm willing to go over it for the right pair of headphones, as I love music and will be using these almost everyday. I'm in the EU, if that's relevant for pricing/shipping. I do like Bluetooth dongles as a concept, but I have a very bad habit of breaking the 3.5mm jacks on them (I have a thread on that subject matter hahah).

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Somafunk]

Sounds like the Audeze Maxwell fits your wish list, I bought one for my mates kid xmas last year and was mightily impressed with it.

I’ve not read a bad review yet

 

[Mzy12]

Thanks for the rec, it does look like its right up my alley. Only thing I'd be worried about is weight - if anyone here could weigh in on (hah) wearing them for longer listening sessions, I'd appreciate it

EDIT: Damn. it's 370 - 430 euro from European stores.

 

[Timcognito]

1More Sonoflow NC Headphone Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ an detailed measurements of 1More Sonoflow Noise Cancelling Bluetooth headphones. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $99 although goes on sale for $79. The look and feel of the unit belies its low cost. The plastic seems stout and good quality...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Curupira]

The Sony's XM4 have a LOT of bass, they overshoot the "correct" targets you mentioned by quite a margin, specially considering they lack pinna, making everything darker perceptually. Did you make sure to get a proper seal when trying them?

Adjusting them on your head, considering you have a beard or wear glasses, is very very important because anything we recommend that has more bass than the xm4 will sound bloated if you get a proper seal on them.

 

[Mzy12]

Did you make sure to get a proper seal when trying them?

I can't say I did. I thought I did at the time but your comment about the bass response is making me second guess myself hahah. I wear glasses all the time (non-negotiable, my eyesight is about -11 diopter which is unconvertably poor for snellen ) and I might not have taken enough time to adjust the wearing position and headband. If it's even possible for them to seal correctly, as the ear pads didn't seem to have enough give in them to mould comfortably around my glasses arms.

 

[Mzy12]

1More Sonoflow NC Headphone Review

This is a review, listening tests, EQ an detailed measurements of 1More Sonoflow Noise Cancelling Bluetooth headphones. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $99 although goes on sale for $79. The look and feel of the unit belies its low cost. The plastic seems stout and good quality...

www.audiosciencereview.com

"We see that the noise cancelling mode has the flattest response so I chose to stay with that from here on."

Unfortunately I cannot use noise cancelling as it makes me feel quite nauseous! Thanks anyways.

 

[Curupira]

Getting bluetooth headphones without ANC mode today is tricky. Almost all of the ANC models do have a passthrough mode, but a lot of them rely on the ANC mode to apply the DSP correction so that they sound optimal. A possible solution for this is using a cabled headphone with a bluetooth adapter dongle like the Qudelix 5k or the FiiO Btr3k/15, that way you can get SOTA sound without the DSP hassle. If you're going that route, I wholeheartedly recommend the FiiO FT1s, they are a game changer on the budget closed ear space having good comfort, tuning and isolation. Another option are the Shure's 840A.

By the way, I do think the AKG k371s have a bluetooth model on their lineup, but I wouldn't trust its comfort for long listening sessions.

Another option are TWS iems. There are a ton of them out there, but I fear that without the ANC the isolation is poor. Going with the bluetooth adapter route you can get almost anything that is recced here.

One final option I see is getting ANC intented BT headphones and EQing their unprocessed "anc off" mode yourself. Oratory measures most wireless headphones with and without ANC and offer EQ profiles for each mode, just be mindful that these mass produced headphones do have looser quality control and unit variance, so his EQ profile might not match your potential unit.

 

[Mzy12]

Thanks Curupira. I would love if the Bluetooth dongle was a good choice for me. Unfortunately, it isn't, as (I think) due to my disabilities, I have a unique ability to put undue strain and stress on 3.5mm connections on those dongles. I actually have a Qudelix 5k in my house, which I loved until it broke in that fashion. I wish there was a universal option in a profile like what's found on Hifiman's Deva where the adapter plugs directly into the headphones, with the plug protected and with low and wide dimensions that prevent it from having force applied to it like a lever.

Looking at Oratory's profile, it looks like they have a lot of ground covered. Thank you for that link.

 

[markstein]

If in-ears are an option: I really much like my Samsung Galaxy Buds2 Pro. No EQ required. Very good bass. Very good fit. Basic noise cancellation (good for travelling).

At home I am using an Audeze LCD-X 2021 (equalized similar to amirms curve), just to put my preference for the Buds2 Pro into perspective.

 

[Mzy12]

If in-ears are an option

I generally view in ears as a backup option for Bluetooth, for me anyways. Why? Because my ADHD ass will lose at least one of the buds within six months to a year of getting a pair hahah.

 

[Somafunk]

I generally view in ears as a backup option for Bluetooth, for me anyways. Why? Because my ADHD ass will lose at least one of the buds within six months to a year of getting a pair hahah.

A few year’s ago when the AirPods first came out I spent 4 hours turning my house and wardrobe/jackets inside out for a missing airpod, eventually went for a pee and noticed it on the bathroom mirror stuck in my ear

 

[Mzy12]

At least you didn't leave it in another country while on holidays. Seen that happen way too many times xD

 

[markstein]

Haha, yes, that's one of the possible disadvantages of in-ears. There are also people that cannot use them as their ears simply react to the silicone

 

[WickedInsignia]

I would've recommended the JBL family of over-ears (Tune 710/720BT, 770NC) for their good tonality but they're all-plastic and the comfort is simply okay due to the small earpads and clamping force.
Most noise-cancelling headphones can be used without NC, and you may find something you like in the Sennheiser Accentum or Momentum 4. I loved my PXC 550 when it was still working.
If the AKG K371/361 BT fits your ears that's a fine option too, but the fit is infamously unreliable per-user.
The Beats Studio Pro also has a reasonable FR, not sure about the NC situation though.

You're not spoiled for choice with those requirements. It's like the price/speed/quality venn diagram: you can only choose two. In this case it's price/comfort+durability/sound.

 

[Mzy12]

It's like the price/speed/quality venn diagram

That's very understandable. If I was to push the boat out a bit (a lot) I could see myself spending enough money to get something around the Stax Spirit S5 mark. Yes, that is a big step up, but I can justify it given how much I will be using and relying on it. How much more do my options expand at that price point?

EDIT: I just spotted a pair of B&O px7 2se at a price that would be almost negligent to not jump on, so I think I've made up my mind in that regards

 

[Dazerdoreal]

A closed-back with bluetooth but ANC is not necessary -
I have heard a lot of positive things about the sound of the Edifier Stax Spirit S3 (graphs look accordingly).

Edifier STAX SPIRIT S3 Planar Magnetic Wireless Headphones Review

Edifier introduces the new STAX SPIRIT product line beginning with the S3 that uses custom planar magnetic drivers and Qualcomm technology to bring out a unique set of Bluetooth headphones. It boasts of excellent tuning and detailed sound with two sets of ear pads, a long 80 hour battery life...

www.techpowerup.com

 

[Jimbob54]

Sounds like the Audeze Maxwell fits your wish list, I bought one for my mates kid xmas last year and was mightily impressed with it.

I’ve not read a bad review yet

Just got a pair of these. I would ignore the "gaming headset" tag they get and just accept that if you can snag an open box set for less than £250 you get a great set of closed back headphones that can do LDAC Bluetooth OR be a standalone set plugged USB into a phone or PC OR use the dongle thingy to do wireless from the same. No DACs/ amps needed.

If you happen to be a gamer too- really a no brainer.

Bit heavy / non foldable/ no ANC for commuting but as a set for the office/ staying away or even just hassle free daily listening these are great.

 

[kekus]

A closed-back with bluetooth but ANC is not necessary -
I have heard a lot of positive things about the sound of the Edifier Stax Spirit S3 (graphs look accordingly).

Edifier STAX SPIRIT S3 Planar Magnetic Wireless Headphones Review

Edifier introduces the new STAX SPIRIT product line beginning with the S3 that uses custom planar magnetic drivers and Qualcomm technology to bring out a unique set of Bluetooth headphones. It boasts of excellent tuning and detailed sound with two sets of ear pads, a long 80 hour battery life...

www.techpowerup.com

I can confirm, they are the best headphone I've tried so far, lots of detail and great imaging (maybe not the widest soundstage but wide enough for me).
I also listen to a lot of rock (alternative/indie/prog etc) and they work well with that, they really pull you into the music.

 

[ehabheikal]

Hello all!

I'm struggling to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that don't cost an arm and a leg with a combination of good sound quality, comfort and durability. I tried my friend's Sony WH-1000XM4's, but I was blown away by how unexciting their sound was. I am by no means a bass head, but it felt like there was nothing fun happening under 150Hz. My go to song for testing sub-bass, Gorillaz' Glitter Freeze, left me feeling empty and hallow. For context, my most listened to genres are prog rock and alt rock, but I frequently dip into others, think King Crimson, Yes, Radiohead, Tool and anything Allan Holdsworth is on.

I am open to using eq curves that people have measured to 'correct' unpleasant or deficient sound signatures, and I'd really them to be close back as well (sorry Hifiman Deva) because I will be using them in uni to block out the outside world and enable me to concentrate on my work I don't care for ANC because it makes me feel nauseous and uneasy. The one exception to this I think was the Bose QC35, but I tried them around 7 years ago, so I could be misremembering.

My budget is around 300 euros, but I'm willing to go over it for the right pair of headphones, as I love music and will be using these almost everyday. I'm in the EU, if that's relevant for pricing/shipping. I do like Bluetooth dongles as a concept, but I have a very bad habit of breaking the 3.5mm jacks on them (I have a thread on that subject matter hahah).

Thanks in advance for any help

Sorry thought earphones and you want headphones
Soundcore liberty 4c
has wavelet correction and i have one based on rtings measurements very low distortion and ldac support 100usd in usa.
see the rtings review