Tag: headphones

  • Best All New Wireless Headphones for 2021

    Best All New Wireless Headphones for 2021

    Whether you’re looking for a good pair of headphones for working out or just something to wear while drowning out sounds during your commute, not having to fuss with wires is a huge plus. No one wants to worry about the tangle of wires in their pocket or bag, or their cord snagging on something and damaging their headphones. Thankfully, there are some stellar Bluetooth headphones on the market. Here are some of our top picks.

    Jabra Elite 75t

    If you like having wireless earbuds for sports activity, we can highly recommend the Jabra Elite 75t. These new earbuds fit snugly in most ears, and they have a great sound quality for their small size. The drivers are solid, offering punchy bass, good mid-levels, and decent overall sound: while these won’t be beating any dedicated audiophile headphones, they’re good for their price point and size.

    A notable draw to the Jabra Elite 75t is their microphones. They work incredibly well as a headset for taking phone calls, doing a great job of filtering out background noise. If you like wearing earbuds while jogging, cycling or other types of activity, this is a great draw. Taking a call while getting in your workout is a great two-in-one feature for busy professionals.

    Sony WF-1000XM3

    Sony has finally taken its wildly successful WF series headphones and put them into a smaller package. The WF-1000XM3 takes the quality of their full-size headphones and puts them into a smaller earbud form factor.

    Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless

    If you’re looking for the intersection of portability and sound quality, you’re looking for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earbuds. These wireless earbuds offer incredible sound quality and accurate reproduction of recordings. They’re incredibly light: you might even forget they’re in your ears. When you need a good set of earbuds for taking with you on trips or to work and back, these are a great go-to.

    While they’re not the best for sports or activity, the Sennheiser earbuds are great for daily activities like walking or commuting. For the person who wants portable wireless earbuds that can be tucked into a pocket but still wants the best sound quality, these physics-defying little earbuds are the best option.

    AirPods Pro

    If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, these are a no-brainer. Their intuitive gesture controls allow you to change the song, adjust the volume and answer calls quickly and without having to pull your phone out.

    The 2020 update brings even more useful tricks to the AirPods Pro. With Apple’s propriety H1 chip they feature snappier Siri integration. You can send messages, start playlists and ask for internet searches all while jogging, cleaning or whatever you’re doing while wearing the AirPods. If you love high-tech integration and cool fashion statements, the AirPods are a great pick for you.

    Beats Solo Pro

    Apple has finally stepped up the quality of their Beats headphones. The Beats Solo Pro is a set of over-ear, active noise canceling, headphones. They used the same noise-canceling technology featured on their more premium, over-ear, Studio3 Wireless. The H1 wireless chip makes sure they are easy to connect to your phone and feature full Siri support. They’re a bit more expensive than the average headphones, but their great technology integration and stellar sound quality on phone calls makes them great for people on the move.

    PowerBeats Pro

    If you love the idea of the AirPods but want a more fitness-oriented set of wireless earbuds, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are for you. The same technology that went into the second generation AirPods is on display in the PowerBeats Pro, just in a more fitness-oriented shape. The over-ear design on display here helps the earphones stay on your ears while your exercise, making them great for any active person.


  • Best Wireless Headphones for 2019

    Best Wireless Headphones for 2019

    Whether you’re looking for a good pair of headphones for working out or just something to wear while drowning out sounds during your commute, not having to fuss with wires is a huge plus. No one wants to worry about the tangle of wires in their pocket or bag, or their cord snagging on something and damaging their headphones. Thankfully, there are some stellar Bluetooth headphones on the market. Here are some of our top picks.

    Best Bluetooth Headphones

    Jabra Elite 65t

    If you like having wireless earbuds for sports activity, we can highly recommend the Jabra Elite 65t. These earbuds fit snugly in most ears, and they have a great sound quality for their small size. The drivers are solid, offering punchy bass, good mid-levels and decent overall sound: while these won’t be beating any dedicated audiophile headphones, they’re good for their price point and size.

    A notable draw to the Jabra Elite 65t is their microphones. They work incredibly well as a headset for taking phone calls, doing a great job of filtering out background noise. If you like wearing earbuds while jogging, cycling or other types of activity, this is a great draw. Taking a call while getting in your workout is a great two-in-one feature for busy professionals.

    Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless

    If you’re looking for the intersection of portability and sound quality, you’re looking for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earbuds. These wireless earbuds offer incredible sound quality and accurate reproduction of recordings. They’re incredibly light: you might even forget they’re in your ears. When you need a good set of earbuds for taking with you on trips or to work and back, these are a great go-to.

    While they’re not the best for sports or activity, the Sennheiser earbuds are great for daily activity like walks or commutes. For the person who wants portable wireless earbuds that can be tucked into a pocket but still wants the best sound quality, these physics-defying little earbuds are the best option.

    AirPods 2019

    The expensive and flashy AirPods are better than their reputation would have you believe. For their high price point, you get a pretty stellar product, as is typical for Apple. If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, these are a no-brainer. Their intuitive gesture controls allow you to change song, adjust volume and answer calls quickly and without having to pull your phone out.

    The 2019 update brings even more useful tricks to the AirPods. They now feature better Siri integration, so you can use your voice to call up the virtual assistant. You can send messages, start playlists and ask for internet searches all while jogging, cleaning or whatever you’re doing while wearing the AirPods. If you love high-tech integration and cool fashion statements, the AirPods are a great pick for you.

    PowerBeats Pro

    If you love the idea of the AirPods but want a more fitness-oriented set of wireless earbuds, the Beats Powerbeats Pro are for you. The same technology that went into the second generation AirPods is on display in the PowerBeats Pro, just in a more fitness-oriented shape. The over-ear design on display here helps the earphones stay on your ears while your exercise, making them great for any active person.

    The sound quality with the PowerBeats pro is excellent, considering their size and price point. They’re a bit more expensive than the average headphones, but their great technology integration and stellar sound quality on phone calls makes them great for fitness-minded users. If you love listening to music while you work out and like the idea of the AirPods, the PowerBeats are perfect for you.


  • Best Bluetooth Headphones: Top-Quality Audio

    Best Bluetooth Headphones: Top-Quality Audio

    Everyone loves rocking out to their favorite songs. The only thing better than jamming is jamming with no wires! Today we’re going to look at some of the best Bluetooth headphones money can buy. Let’s get down to some great tunes with these awesome Bluetooth headphones!

    Best Bluetooth Headphones

    Bose QuietComfort 35 II

    Bose is a leading name in audio devices for a good reason. They consistently release top-notch hardware, and the QuietComfort 35 II is no exception. Industry-leading noise cancellation makes these wireless headphones irreplaceable on long plane rides.

    The audio quality is spacious and superb, delivering pumping bass and great range. There’s an active equalizer going on here that is a little unusual at first, but it can be a good thing for certain songs. If you don’t mind the somewhat drab appearance, this is one of the best pairs of headphones $350 can buy.

    Sony WH-1000XM3

    You knew Sony was going to show up on this list. Their WH-1000XM3 headphones are top-notch, offering a ton of killer features. There’s noise-canceling, superb audio quality and a very long battery life all packed in here. Available for around $350, these aren’t budget headphones, but trust us: you get what you pay for.

    The audio quality on these headphones is stellar for a wireless, over-ear pair. The 30-hour battery life is great for frequent fliers and audiophiles alike. Likewise, the noise cancellation means you won’t hear that baby crying two rows over.

    Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless

    If you don’t mind paying a full $700, the Amiron Wireless headphones from Beyerdynamic are truly the best of the best. These headphones have unparalleled sound and best even some conventional headphones. Whether you’re a strict audiophile who wants the most accurate playback or simply a fan of luxury items, there’s a lot to love about these headphones.

    It’s worth noting that these headphones cost double what the other two sets on this list cost. However, they’re not twice as good. Both Bose and Sony’s headsets are killer options for a much lower price. Likewise, these Beyerdynamic headphones don’t travel well, making Sony and Bose better choices for commuters.

    However, if you’re looking for a wireless pair of headphones that has unrivalled sound quality, this is it. Impressing your friends or just people on the street is one upshot, and having the highest quality playback is another. The build is top-notch, the sound is spacious and breathtaking, and the price will knock your socks off. That’s Beyerdynamic for you.

  • AKG N700NC Review: A True Bose Competitor?

    AKG N700NC Review: A True Bose Competitor?

    Premium, noise-canceling headphones carry a hefty price tag. That means that when you look to buy a pair, you make sure it’s a good one. Top name brands like Bose and Sony tend to dominate the conversation when it comes to noise-cancellation. Can the AKG N700NC stand up to the big dogs?

    AKG N700NC Review

    Sound

    These headphones sound great, all said. The sound is open, wide and spacious, which is hard to do with noise-canceling headphones. Bass notes pack some serious punch, the high end is vibrant and the sounds are quite crisp.

    The noise-cancelation is superb, as to be expected from a device this expensive. These headphones offer an AmbientAware mode that lets some sounds through in the event you need to be aware of your surroundings. For instance, if you’re on a plane and want to hear when a flight attendant asks you a question.

    Design

    The headphones are made from a premium plastic material and the build quality is great. They’re not quite as solid as the competition from Bose, but they’re good. The earcups have a memory foam outlining that feels good, if not great, on the ear. Again, the edge in comfort goes to Bose.

    The AKG N700NC headphones are also a touch heavier than the competition from Sony and Bose. That’s not a huge deal, but it is noticeable. In any event, the build is great and reflects the high price, even if it’s slightly overshadowed by the competition.

    Price

    Coming in at the high price of $350 does a lot to discourage the curious, though. While Bose and Sony offer very premium and fantastic headphones at that price range, these AKG headphones don’t quite reach that lofty bar. If Samsung (who owns AKG, believe it or not,) wants to compete with Bose and Sony in a more direct way, something has to give.

    The next step for AKG needs to be either to drop the price of the N700NC to around $260 or to make a stronger pair of headphones. While the N700NCs are excellent, they’re not quite as good as, say, the WH-1000XM3 from Sony. What’s worse, the WH-1000XM3 is also $350.

  • Mobvoi Ticpods Free: True AirPod Killers?

    Mobvoi Ticpods Free: True AirPod Killers?

    Apple’s AirPod wireless earbuds have a lot of catching up to do. While they were some of the first truly wireless earbuds on the market, they’ve been largely outdone by some of their competitors. One such competitor is Mobvoi. Do the Mobvoi Ticpods Free have what it takes to dethrone the AirPods as best wireless earbuds? Let’s get into it.

    Mobvoi Ticpods Free Review

    Design

    There’s nothing crazy going on with the design of these earbuds. The Mobvoi Ticpods Free have the same standard “earbud with a long tail” look that the AirPods started. The tail is flat, unlike the AirPods, and allows you to use the touch controls. The left earbud controls volume with swipes up or down on the tail. The right earbud can be double tapped to skip songs or long-pressed to bring up the voice assistant.

    Largely, these are sleek-looking earbuds that seem to be designed to look almost just like their chief competitors. If you like the way AirPods look then you’ll like the Ticpods. If you don’t, well, maybe these aren’t for you.

    Features

    Unlike the AirPods, the Ticpods have a comfortable silicone tip that feels great in the ear. The seal these tips make with your ear make the sound quality that much better. Although the AirPods may have better drivers, they sit so loosely in the air that the sound quality is degraded. The Ticpods, on the other hand, suffer no such problem

    The only thing these earbuds don’t have on the AirPods is battery life. While the AirPods last an average of five hours on a single charge, the Ticpods only go for four hours. That said, most people will keep the charging case on hand, which offers an additional 14 hours of battery. You just need to remember to put them back in the case when you’re not using them!

    Bottom Line

    With the exception of battery life, these are tighter earbuds than the AirPods. The best part is that they cost a lot less, coming in at $130. We can recommend these Mobvoi TicPods Free to all but the most die-hard of Apple fans.

  • Microsoft Surface Headphones: Worth the Money?

    Microsoft Surface Headphones: Worth the Money?

    Microsoft is entering the headphone market with their new Surface Headphones. This is yet another move by Microsoft to compete directly with Apple as an electronics manufacturer. Priced at $350, are the Microsoft Surface Headphones worth their price tag? Let’s get into the specifics.

    Microsoft Surface Headphones Review

    microsoftsurface
    Microsoft

    Design

    The Microsoft headphones sport a sleek, white design reminiscent of Apple and Google’s preferred aesthetic. The clean lines and smooth curves are quite attractive, and the headphones look great as a fashion accessory. That’s a good thing since they cost nearly as much as high-end Bose headphones.

    The headphones are light on the head and noticeably comfortable to wear. They feel great on the ears and don’t pinch or cause headaches like some lower-quality headphones will.

    Features

    Notably, each earcup has a dial on the outside. The right ear dial is for volume, and the left is for the amount of noise canceling you want the headphones to exert. Additionally, there are touch zones that you can tap to pause or resume music. If you tap twice, the music skips ahead. If you tap three times, it skips back.

    If you take the headphones off, they automatically pause your music. When you put them back on, they resume. This is a neat little feature, but one that you will quickly be thankful for. In general, these headphones feel very premium in both design and features. Lots of small things make these thoughtfully-crafted headphones feel well-worth the price tag.

    Sound Quality

    The most important part of any headphones is the sound quality. The Microsoft Surface Headphones sound okay, but not quite as great as competitors in the same price range. For the price, they could be a bit clearer and crisper. Bass levels aren’t quite as deep as we’d like, and the sound isn’t as big or impressive as, say, Bose’s comparable headphones.

    Bottom Line

    If you’re a Microsoft faithful who enjoys using Cortana and wants a set of headphones to pair with your Surface device, these are for you. However, for casual music listeners, these are a bit too pricey. For serious audiophiles, Bose or Sony makes stronger headphones in this price range. That said, these are still solid headphones, and Microsoft fans will be pleased with them.

  • Budget Roundup: Headphones Under $100

    Budget Roundup: Headphones Under $100

    Beats headphones are wonderful, but they’re really quite expensive. Ironically, you don’t have to spend all that much money to get a solid pair of headphones. To be honest, unless you’re the type that just loves name brands, you should probably check out some of these options instead! Let’s look at some of the best headphones under $100.

    Klipsch R6

    If you’re looking for a great value on a great set of earbuds, we’ve got good news for you. The Klipsch R6 earbuds are a steal, running only around $40-$50, having been knocked down in price considerably. They were introduced around $100, but they were well worth that price too. The fact that they’re running for less than half that now is pretty mind-blowing. If you can find a good sale on these, pick them up. You’ll be glad you did.

    Shure SE112

    These come in right at $100, but they’re all-around great wireless earbuds. There’s a wired version, too, if your phone still has a headphone jack. If not, no sweat, the wireless configuration is also great, with excellent battery life and sound quality. These earbuds sound great on all registers, high and low, and do a good job blocking outside sounds. The sound quality is the real star of the show, and these earbuds cost about half what a product of their quality could.

    V-Moda Forza

    These comfortable, powerful and stylish earbuds will set you back $100. And man, they’re worth every penny. They have a wide variety of endcaps and fins, so you can customize yours until they fit in your ear perfectly. They’re also water-resistant, making them perfect to bring by the pool or take out exercising. These little workhorse earbuds sound great, too, bringing a big, wide sound despite their small size. The drivers are crisp, and all genres sound great with them. If you’re looking for a great, affordable set of workout earbuds, here they are!

    Our Favorite Headphones Under $100: Marshall Major II

    These fantastic over-ear headphones are our favorites that come in under $100. Marshall’s headphones are often stylish, and these are no exception. They have a classic appearance, looking like a vintage set of earphones. Importantly, they also have impressive sound quality, blowing headphones that cost twice as much out of the water. It’s really hard to justify buying more expensive headphones when these can be snagged for around $50 when they’re on sale.

  • Get Your Groove on With These Bluetooth Headphones

    Get Your Groove on With These Bluetooth Headphones

    If you love listening to music and don’t want the hassle of tons of cords and cables you’ve certainly tried out tons of Bluetooth headphones. And if your experience is like mine, tons of them are really sub-par! Let’s run down some of our favorite Bluetooth headphones and save you the hassle of picking a dud!

    Sony WH-1000XM2

    We love these noise-canceling wireless headphones from Sony. These have fantastic sound quality, with clear highs, crisp mids and deep bass, comparable to similar offerings from Bose. These headphones also come with some neat functionality: a Quick Attention mode allows for the sound canceling to stop briefly so you can hear someone trying to get your attention.

    Similarly, the headphones have an ambient noise mode to allow mid- to high-frequency sounds to pass through so that you don’t fully lose situational awareness. The only downside to these headphones is their luxury pricing: They retail for right around $300.

    Bose QuietComfort 35 Mk. 2

    It wouldn’t be a “best-of” headphones list without Bose showing up at least once! The sound juggernaut doesn’t fail to impress with the QuietComfort wireless headphones. These boast some of the best noise cancelation in Bluetooth headphones, comparable to the WH-1000XM2 from Sony, and with longer battery life.

    These also sport Google Assistant support, which is an awesome added bonus! As the name suggests, these headphones are very comfortable and great for long flights. Similar to the previous entry, however, the QuietComfort headphones are expensive. Coming in at $329, these are definitely priced for those who are serious about sound quality and audio canceling and have serious cash to shell out for it.

    Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

    If you’re looking for a more affordable noise-canceling pair of headphones, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 is a great choice. For about $150 you can pick up these headphones, making them desirable when compared to Sony and Bose’s offerings. These sport a handy auto-off feature when you take them off, helping maximize its already-excellent battery life, which makes these great for travel!

    While these headphones are high-quality and affordable, their style might not be for everyone: they have an almost-retro chrome style that is very distinct. This is a matter of preference, but when compared to more muted and understated designs they are very noticeable.

    Optoma NuForce BE Sports3

    NuForce’s wireless earbuds prove that you don’t have to be over-ear headphones to be a good wireless audio device! These stylish earbuds have awesome sound quality, great battery life and durability to spare! For a stellar $70 retail price, you can’t go wrong with these earbuds. Great for jogging, traveling, working and everything in between, the NuForce BE Sports3 easily slips in your pocket when not in use! If you’re looking for high-quality, no-frills headphones with no cord and good battery life, these are for you.

  • Best Wireless Headphones on a Budget

    Best Wireless Headphones on a Budget

    Whether you’re at the gym, work, traveling, or just relaxing at home, wireless headphones make life easier. These Bluetooth-enabled devices pair with your phone or computer, allowing you to listen to your favorite tunes—or watch a late-night horror movie without disturbing the rest of your household—free from the tangled tether of traditional wired headphones.

    While top brands such as Bose and Beats offer incredible sound quality in their wireless headphones, they also come with a hefty price tag. For the budget conscious consumer, here are 5 of our favorite wireless headphones under $50.

    Skullcandy Uproar

    These headphones combine the classic over-the-ears styling with Bluetooth connectivity and a built-in microphone so you can answer calls. They also come packaged with a remote to control volume and playback. The online reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with 93% of Best Buy customers stating that they would recommend the headphones to a friend.

    JBL T450BT

    Larger than the Skullcandy Uproar, these headphones have a more old-school look. However, they’re foldable for portability. They boast an 11-hour battery life and feature controls on the earcup for volume, playback, and phone calls. For listeners who are all about that bass, JBL delivers! They promise big, booming sound from these lightweight headphones.

    Samsung Level U

    These in-ear headphones are comfortable, lightweight, and last 11 hours on a single charge. The intuitive design has easy-access control buttons and a neck strap that manages not to look too ridiculous when you’re working out at the gym. One word of caution, however; the Level U is not sweatproof, so dedicated exercisers and serious athletes may want to choose a different option.

    Sound Blaster JAM

    These on-ear headphones are easy to use, thanks to the one-click feature that lets you switch between a phone call and your music with a single tap. You can also pump up your jams with the built-in bass-boosting option. The 12-hour battery life and ultralightweight design make these headphones ideal for travel or a long day at the office.

    Anker SoundBuds Slim

    The least expensive headphones on the list are also the best value. With a comfortable in-ear design, carrying pouch, and nifty magnetic earbuds that allow you to wear them like a necklace while not in use, these headphones are fantastic for tossing in your gym bag or purse. They are sweat resistant, but be aware that you’ll only get about 7 hours of use from a single charge.

  • Top 5 Premium Headphones for Audiophiles

    Top 5 Premium Headphones for Audiophiles

    After hearing the audio recently in a $4k pair of wired headphones I realized I am the know nothing John Snow of headphones. I have been quite content, even pious, thinking my Beats Solo and Bose Bluetooth Noise Reducing earphones where of high quality. I was wrong, so very, very wrong. It takes a lot to admit ones’ wrong, in this case these 5 blow your hair back, kiss your eardrums good bye headphones have indeed humbled me..

     

    1. Audeze LCD 4-$3999.99

    These High-performance planar magnetic headphones are truly the best of the best. The California-based sound experts have been on the cutting edge of planar magnetic headphone research, design, and development. Along the way, they’ve earned a stellar reputation among serious headphone enthusiasts for both their high-tech approach and high-fidelity results. The brilliant Audeze LCD-4 headphones are the result of all their hard work. Wait, what is planar mangetics? Just another fancy word for good? No, planar magnetic drivers offer low distortion, enhanced dynamics, and detailed sound.

     

    2. Final Audio – Sonorous X Headphones- $4999.00

    The Sonorous X is beautiful, and my favorite design among the top 5. Despite the more attractive appearance and truly amazing sound quality these head phones are taking home the silver. My first impressions was that Final  has got things nailed with its range-topping headphones, the Sonorous X. These arrived in an immaculately made fur-lined wooden box, bonus.  As I dug, in I found comparing it to the others on the list, mainly the LCD 4. To tell you the truth its sound lacks some drive and dynamic nuance.  My final opinion was  These headphones are excellent in many respects but don’t have the all-round ability required at this level to win the gold.. But Silver is yours Final Audio. 

    3. HiFiMAN – SUSVARA – Audiophile Headphones- $6000

    With a Similar look to the Audeze, the SUSVARA looks like a hand crafted beauty with a through back to the origins of 1900s radio. The advanced magnet design used for the first time on the SUSVARA is acoustically transparent, dramatically reducing wave diffraction turbulence which degrades the integrity of the sound waves.  The result is reduced distortion, yielding a purer, more harmonious sound that is audibly so. Detailed like an electron microscope, mostly flat frequency response, excellent sound stage height/depth/width, layering and instrument separation, incisive speed without excess, impeccable attack and decay, its like being there.The SUSVARA is perhaps the most revealing and neutral sounding headphones I have experienced, with a soundstage that is coherent yet open and spacious. The dynamics of the SUSVARA and its ability to respond to small signal changes depicting spontaneous fine gradation of sound differentiates itself from the competition. Its outstanding imaging and separation capabilities makes listening to well-mastered albums like St. Vincent a joy on the SUSVARA. However, there are areas for improvements to the accessories that came with the box as well as the overall finishing and workmanship of the headphones to make the asking price more, which is why it is taking the Bronze

     4. Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity- $3999.00

    These are the very Headset that set me on this quest for the ultimate sound, not thinking I would find any better. Yet here we are. The Focal Utopia Reference High-Fidelity contain full-range loudspeakers with unusual M-shaped domes made from pure beryllium. They’re designed in such a way that they can adjust to the size and contours of almost any head, offering supreme comfort.

     5. Sennheiser HD800- $1099

    Designed with a tight, closed-back ear covering intended to give you listening privacy when you take these cans out into the world. Their planar magnetic drivers produce a high-quality sound that should please the majority of listeners. Top-notch engineering and build quality; highly accurate sound; super comfy over-the-ear design; detachable headphone cable.The HD 800s sound a bit less like headphones and more like high-end speakers than any headphones I’ve heard. While they don’t have the same nostalgic, handcrafted feel of the others on the list at $1099 the best bang for the buck.

    The Final Thought

    For the purpose of this review, I  have selected the 4 album  by  musicians Led Zeppelin to compare all headphones because, why not?  These five headphones are the best of the best, they are the Olympiads of premium Headphones. Test with caution, nothing will ever sound as good after.