Favourite Bluetooth Headphones?

[unpluggged]

Test was online, volume equalized and 3 formats per track: low quality mp3 (120 kbps if I remember well), 320 kbps mp3 and finally WAV original file

What is this test? Can you post a link here? And how do you know what was the source of the files and if they were manipulated in any manner?

The proper method is to prepare your own compressed files from the same uncompressed (or lossless) source, and then use the ABX Comparator plugin (you need to install it separately) in foobar2000. Besides, MP3 is an outdated and inefficient encoding by today's standards, and it does not represent the state of advanced audio codecs used today for Bluetooth audio.

One has to be aware also that most implementations of AAC over Bluetooth use LPF at about 16 kHz and rather low bitrates, so it's hardly can be considered fully transparent, but it's not the case for LDAC, for instance. Not an option for Apple devices, though.

 

[Miguelón]

What is this test? Can you post a link here? And how do you know what was the source of the files and if they were manipulated in any manner?

The proper method is to prepare your own compressed files from the same uncompressed (or lossless) source, and then use the ABX Comparator plugin (you need to install it separately) in foobar2000. Besides, MP3 is an outdated and inefficient encoding by today's standards, and it does not represent the state of advanced audio codecs used today for Bluetooth audio.

One has to be aware also that most implementations of AAC over Bluetooth use LPF at about 16 kHz and rather low bitrates, so it's hardly can be considered fully transparent, but it's not the case for LDAC, for instance. Not an option for Apple devices, though.

Sadly is true, I cannot believe why Apple don’t go on more high quality codecs. In fact I’m considering to buy a Samsung or Sony to benefit from LDAC, and use them as secondary device.

My girlfriend has a Huawei with modifiable BT codecs and their headphones sound way better than with my phone.

I don’t have the link to the test I made, was sent to me me in a discussion about Hi-Res 24/96 kHZ and the impossibility to distinguish from CD quality: also have performed another version of the test with Hi-Res against CD but this time I was totally unable to find any difference. Sadly I don’t even remember the thread, but perhaps you can find it.

 

[unpluggged]

Sadly is true, I cannot believe why Apple don’t go on more high quality codecs. In fact I’m considering to buy a Samsung or Sony to benefit from LDAC, and use them as secondary device.

My girlfriend has a Huawei with modifiable BT codecs and their headphones sound way better than with my phone.

I don’t have the link to the test I made, was sent to me me in a discussion about Hi-Res 24/96 kHZ and the impossibility to distinguish from CD quality: also have performed another version of the test with Hi-Res against CD but this time I was totally unable to find any difference. Sadly I don’t even remember the thread, but perhaps you can find it.

I see. LDAC can sound very good, especially on the go. At least I don't feel anything missing when I listen on the Qudelix 5K with any of my IEMs (see my signature).

 

[herr.jemine]

on the go - Moondrop Space Travel!
in the house if I don't feel like using cables - Moondrop EVO + IEM pick of my choice

 

[Miguelón]

What is this test? Can you post a link here? And how do you know what was the source of the files and if they were manipulated in any manner?

The proper method is to prepare your own compressed files from the same uncompressed (or lossless) source, and then use the ABX Comparator plugin (you need to install it separately) in foobar2000. Besides, MP3 is an outdated and inefficient encoding by today's standards, and it does not represent the state of advanced audio codecs used today for Bluetooth audio.

One has to be aware also that most implementations of AAC over Bluetooth use LPF at about 16 kHz and rather low bitrates, so it's hardly can be considered fully transparent, but it's not the case for LDAC, for instance. Not an option for Apple devices, though.

I tried the personalized equalization, and now sounds way better.
Apparently I had ear modes or pinna reflections…

 

[Snarfie]

I wonder after parametric correction is there a clear quality sound difference between let say my wireless Sony WH1000 XM2 NC headphone making use of LDAC driver or let say a comparable analog closed headphone let say a Sennheiser HD600 if needed with parametric correction.

 

[Miguelón]

I wonder after parametric correction is there a clear quality sound difference between let say my wireless Sony WH1000 XM2 NC headphone making use of LDAC driver or let say a comparable analog closed headphone let say a Sennheiser HD600 if needed with parametric correction.

Closed? If I remember well, the HD 600 is open.

Unless you connect your headphones to bluetooth or wired source you cannot compare properly: lot of differences between the Sony and Sennheiser that overcome the possible “clarity” issue.

LDAC is almost transparent, but Sony applies some modifications on its headphones to optimize response, and of course they are different headphones.

My girlfriend has Sony WF or WH … 4th gen headphones and I have Sennheiser hd 560S and I prefer the latest, but think bluetooth has nothing to do specially in LDAC

 

[Snarfie]

Closed? If I remember well, the HD 600 is open.

Unless you connect your headphones to bluetooth or wired source you cannot compare properly: lot of differences between the Sony and Sennheiser that overcome the possible “clarity” issue.

LDAC is almost transparent, but Sony applies some modifications on its headphones to optimize response, and of course they are different headphones.

My girlfriend has Sony WF or WH … 4th gen headphones and I have Sennheiser hd 560S and I prefer the latest, but think bluetooth has nothing to do specially in LDAC

Ah ok didn't know HD600 is open
So not directly comparable. LDAC has some advantages if you play high res files over bluetooth connection. https://audioengine.com/explore/complete-guide-to-bluetooth-codecs-what-is-the-difference-aptx-vs-aptx-hd-aptx-adaptive-aac-ldac-lossless-bluetooth-5-2/#:~:text=LDAC offers the highest bit,balancing high fidelity with compatibility.

 

[unpluggged]

LDAC is almost transparent

Why "almost"?

 

[Miguelón]

Why "almost"?

I’m “almost” sure that LDAC is transparent, I remember a post made by Amir.

 

[Limopard]

Over ears - all I tried had some flaws out of the box.

The Sony WH 1000 series (XM 3 and 4) are too bassy, you can tame it a bit with eq, but the sound is still too polite, lacking snap/attack. Quite comfy, but a bit sweaty on hotter days.

Sennheisers Momentum 3 - not too bad in the "high end tuning mode". Manufacturing quality is high, comfort acceptable, the headband padding is a bit thin. Rather mediocre NC, battery life isn't the best.

Bose QC 35: light, comfortable, quite balanced sound. Poor handling of wind noises.

Bose QC ultra: best compromise so far if EQ'ed. Otherwise to bassy. Has the advantages of the QC 35/45 + a wind block mode.

 

[jcarys]

First off, let me say that I'm not a fan of BT headphones. I've tried several and always either returned them or gave them to someone else who needed a pair.

However this year I've found a cheap pair that I can tolerate - the Earfun Air Pro 4. They are easy to live with, stay in my ears, sound very good with a little EQ (and even decent without it) and their software works on every device that I've tried it on. That said, I tend to use whatever Truthear is at hand and keep the BT for environments like airports only.

 

[Snarfie]

Over ears - all I tried had some flaws out of the box.

The Sony WH 1000 series (XM 3 and 4) are too bassy, you can tame it a bit with eq, but the sound is still too polite, lacking snap/attack. Quite comfy, but a bit sweaty on hotter days.

Sennheisers Momentum 3 - not too bad in the "high end tuning mode". Manufacturing quality is high, comfort acceptable, the headband padding is a bit thin. Rather mediocre NC, battery life isn't the best.

Bose QC 35: light, comfortable, quite balanced sound. Poor handling of wind noises.

Bose QC ultra: best compromise so far if EQ'ed. Otherwise to bassy. Has the advantages of the QC 35/45 + a wind block mode.

Can't listen to my XM2 without parametric EQ but when corrected it really sound good. Most important besides EQ, amplification, LDAC ( for using most high-res files), wireless housewide use.

 

[maximit]

Also another plus on the M3 vs M4 is you can adjust and turn off ANC. On M4 its permanently turned on.

 

[Snarfie]

Also another plus on the M3 vs M4 is you can adjust and turn off ANC. On M4 its permanently turned on.

For what it's worth i did choose for the XM2 because it was by far the best measured from the WH-1000 serie regarding Headphones ranked by Harman headphone listener preference scores with a score of 74 on https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/AutoEq/blob/master/results/RANKING.md

Listening without EQ is more or less acceptable but when it was EQ corrected you don't want to go back. Im using Wavelet which can linear change the amount of correction. For me 63% correction is more or less enough.
Click:

https://imgur.com/Qa89SX5

 

[sharock]

I own a lot of nice IEMs and headphones, but really they are all worthless on public transport without ANC. So I basically only use Galaxy Buds2 Pro or XM3 (both EQ'd with Wavelet) when out and about. The Buds2 Pro can't even stand up to the noise of the London Undeground really!

Does anywhere have a headphone ranking by measured ANC performance?

 

[Snarfie]

I own a lot of nice IEMs and headphones, but really they are all worthless on public transport without ANC. So I basically only use Galaxy Buds2 Pro or XM3 (both EQ'd with Wavelet) when out and about. The Buds2 Pro can't even stand up to the noise of the London Undeground really!

Does anywhere have a headphone ranking by measured ANC performance?

Wondering if you use the slider in Wavelet that linear can change the amount of EQ correction
If so how much in percentage are u using. As far as i know it is the only app that let you do that.

 

[sharock]

Wondering if you use the slider in Wavelet that linear can change the amount of EQ correction
If so how much in percentage are u using. As far as i know it is the only app that let you do that.

Can't say I've used the slider before.

I just create the PEQ I want to use with one of those Squiglink graph sites then import it into Wavelet. So I guess I'd want 100% of it.

 

[Snarfie]

Can't say I've used the slider before.

I just create the PEQ I want to use with one of those Squiglink graph sites then import it into Wavelet. So I guess I'd want 100% of it.

I change sometimes depended if i like the EQ on the recording so quite subjective. I really like this slider it let you compensate exactly how you want your transparency/ound based on the Harman curve.

 

[Miguelón]

Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Sennheiser Momentum 4 comes in at a close second.

How good is the samsung codec? Has been tested?
I recently changed from iphone to Samsung, was liberating in sound performances, iphone in Europe has a severe limitation in power USB output (even if I tell the phone is not speakers what I'm connecting) and nothing sounded good, even with a dangle...
With my galaxy s25 plus my little dangle shines and can even equalize it

Let's try wireless now...