Discussion
I am a bit of a headphone nut but own both the Sony WH1000-XM5s and the AirPod Pro 2. I carry both with me daily and find that between themselves they cover off almost every use case amazingly. I also have Grados and other more expensive units but as a day to day proposition it is hard to top these. The XM5s I find are a marked step up from the XM4s (which I also own).
Edited by Notsureaboutthat on Sunday 4th June 23:31
I came back from Turkey yesterday on a TUI flight. Horrendous as we sat on the runway for over 1.5 hours then a 4 hour flight back.
The whole time full of kids, one of whom was crying almost the entire time.
Thankfully my headphones helped massive. Just put them on and couldn't hear anything
The whole time full of kids, one of whom was crying almost the entire time.
Thankfully my headphones helped massive. Just put them on and couldn't hear anything
I've always struggled to find headphones I get on with fit/comfort wise. For me the Bose QC35s were amazing. Comfortable, decent battery, good levels of noise cancelling.
Eventually migrated to the QC45s (over the NC700) and aside from what I feel is a shorter battery life (but gaining USB-C charging finally) I like them.
My originally QC35s must have done close to 300 odd flights in 5 years. I had to replace the earpads/cups as the material was peeling away. I've still got them and short of another earpad/cup replacement needed I suspect they've still got a few more years in them!
Eventually migrated to the QC45s (over the NC700) and aside from what I feel is a shorter battery life (but gaining USB-C charging finally) I like them.
My originally QC35s must have done close to 300 odd flights in 5 years. I had to replace the earpads/cups as the material was peeling away. I've still got them and short of another earpad/cup replacement needed I suspect they've still got a few more years in them!
GuyW said:
I've always struggled to find headphones I get on with fit/comfort wise. For me the Bose QC35s were amazing. Comfortable, decent battery, good levels of noise cancelling.
Eventually migrated to the QC45s (over the NC700) and aside from what I feel is a shorter battery life (but gaining USB-C charging finally) I like them.
My originally QC35s must have done close to 300 odd flights in 5 years. I had to replace the earpads/cups as the material was peeling away. I've still got them and short of another earpad/cup replacement needed I suspect they've still got a few more years in them!
Another happy QC35 owner here. I've also replaced the earpads which was far easier than I worried about in the end.Eventually migrated to the QC45s (over the NC700) and aside from what I feel is a shorter battery life (but gaining USB-C charging finally) I like them.
My originally QC35s must have done close to 300 odd flights in 5 years. I had to replace the earpads/cups as the material was peeling away. I've still got them and short of another earpad/cup replacement needed I suspect they've still got a few more years in them!
Surprised to hear the QC45s have a shorter battery life. I know it might sound a bit overkill to spend on a pair of the 45s just to get USB-C charging but everything I own now, except my 35s, use a C charging port. I really fancy a pair of 45s. My daughter can have the 35s.
Mars said:
GuyW said:
I've always struggled to find headphones I get on with fit/comfort wise. For me the Bose QC35s were amazing. Comfortable, decent battery, good levels of noise cancelling.
Eventually migrated to the QC45s (over the NC700) and aside from what I feel is a shorter battery life (but gaining USB-C charging finally) I like them.
My originally QC35s must have done close to 300 odd flights in 5 years. I had to replace the earpads/cups as the material was peeling away. I've still got them and short of another earpad/cup replacement needed I suspect they've still got a few more years in them!
Another happy QC35 owner here. I've also replaced the earpads which was far easier than I worried about in the end.Eventually migrated to the QC45s (over the NC700) and aside from what I feel is a shorter battery life (but gaining USB-C charging finally) I like them.
My originally QC35s must have done close to 300 odd flights in 5 years. I had to replace the earpads/cups as the material was peeling away. I've still got them and short of another earpad/cup replacement needed I suspect they've still got a few more years in them!
Surprised to hear the QC45s have a shorter battery life. I know it might sound a bit overkill to spend on a pair of the 45s just to get USB-C charging but everything I own now, except my 35s, use a C charging port. I really fancy a pair of 45s. My daughter can have the 35s.
Mammasaid said:
Or try the NC700s, IMO they have better noise cancellation than the Sonys, but lose out a little in the music quality. YMMV.
Yes, if my head size/shape would take them they looked good in terms of NC offered & tech, but sadly I'm clearly at the odd end of fitments & comfort. Mars said:
Surprised to hear the QC45s have a shorter battery life. I know it might sound a bit overkill to spend on a pair of the 45s just to get USB-C charging but everything I own now, except my 35s, use a C charging port. I really fancy a pair of 45s. My daughter can have the 35s.
Yes, it surprised me too. I need to confirm I'm not imagining it but I swear the battery life isn't as good, nor is there standby time. My QC35s could be charged and left for a week or two and still have near on the same level I left them. The 45s, no way. I'm SO close to a USB-C everything life, it's the only reason I'll be upgrading/changing my iPhone 13 this coming year. I was lucky and got my 45s when they were bundled with Google Pixels a while ago. Needed to order one for work, so took advantage!
gus607 said:
davek_964 said:
Another +1 for Sony - I have XM3s and the noise cancelling is superb
Same here too.I've had the XM2's, 3's and 4's over the years, and can only echo what has been said so far - they are superb headphones. NC pretty much eliminates engine noise during flights, and the sound quality is excellent too.
I haven't tried the 5's - I'm told they are another incremental step up in NC/Sound Quality, but the lack of fold puts me off massively. Well, that and the £329 cost to change
I think the 4's are still available new at a reduced price so they are probably where my cash would go - just turn off the automatic speech detection, as it's incredibly sensitive and doesn't really add much.
I haven't tried the 5's - I'm told they are another incremental step up in NC/Sound Quality, but the lack of fold puts me off massively. Well, that and the £329 cost to change
I think the 4's are still available new at a reduced price so they are probably where my cash would go - just turn off the automatic speech detection, as it's incredibly sensitive and doesn't really add much.
Ohio7274 said:
I usually like noise cancelling beats headphones for flights which connect using the 2.5mm cables…
If you want to connect wired headphones to a phone without a 3.5mm jack you can get a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter. From what I can see with mine it's essentially a tiny soundcard / DAC. The OS knows what to do so no need to install drivers etc.bodhi said:
I've had the XM2's, 3's and 4's over the years, and can only echo what has been said so far - they are superb headphones. NC pretty much eliminates engine noise during flights, and the sound quality is excellent too.
I haven't tried the 5's - I'm told they are another incremental step up in NC/Sound Quality, but the lack of fold puts me off massively. Well, that and the £329 cost to change
I think the 4's are still available new at a reduced price so they are probably where my cash would go - just turn off the automatic speech detection, as it's incredibly sensitive and doesn't really add much.
I thoughts 5 were supposed to be less good at NC than the 3/4'sI haven't tried the 5's - I'm told they are another incremental step up in NC/Sound Quality, but the lack of fold puts me off massively. Well, that and the £329 cost to change
I think the 4's are still available new at a reduced price so they are probably where my cash would go - just turn off the automatic speech detection, as it's incredibly sensitive and doesn't really add much.
I wish the cups were a bit bigger on the 3's and they were better built
I have Sennheiser Momentum over-ears for long journeys. Always there or there about in reviews compared to the equivalent Sony or Bose ones. Can be used wired or BT.
Galaxy Ear Bud 2's for day to day - and also for back up on a long trip. Excellent sound, good price. BT.
As a third option I have a set of Sennheiser Momentum in-ears - the one with the necklace set-up. More for the gym but great sound. BT.
Also have a set of wired Flare E-Prototypes - incredibly good sound.
WRT to the lack of headphone jack on your phone you can just get a USB C to jack converter. I do that with my over-ears on long journeys as it lengthens battery life.
Galaxy Ear Bud 2's for day to day - and also for back up on a long trip. Excellent sound, good price. BT.
As a third option I have a set of Sennheiser Momentum in-ears - the one with the necklace set-up. More for the gym but great sound. BT.
Also have a set of wired Flare E-Prototypes - incredibly good sound.
WRT to the lack of headphone jack on your phone you can just get a USB C to jack converter. I do that with my over-ears on long journeys as it lengthens battery life.
I recently switched from B&W PX (incredible sound but very heavy and not great noise cancelling) to Sony XM5s (I already had the XM4 ear bud version, which are really excellent but now lost them 
, and XM3 earbuds before that).
XM5s are excellent. Great sound, great noise cancelling and really nice and light so I hardly feel like I'm wearing them compared to the B&Ws. As others have said you can pick up the XM4s for a fair bit cheaper and probably not miss out on much, and they fold which is a nice feature.
, and XM3 earbuds before that).XM5s are excellent. Great sound, great noise cancelling and really nice and light so I hardly feel like I'm wearing them compared to the B&Ws. As others have said you can pick up the XM4s for a fair bit cheaper and probably not miss out on much, and they fold which is a nice feature.
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