ANC headphones that last
Discussion
So after 2 sets of failed B&O H9s and 2 sets of failed AirPods Max, I'm after something in that league but actually lasts more than 1 - 2 years!
Bose QC ultra? B&W PX8?
For context, both sets of H9s failed because of cheap crappy slide switches, and both sets of APMs failed due to internal condensation damage. Aluminium is not a clever material to use for a headphone casing.
Bose QC ultra? B&W PX8?
For context, both sets of H9s failed because of cheap crappy slide switches, and both sets of APMs failed due to internal condensation damage. Aluminium is not a clever material to use for a headphone casing.
None of my B&W’s made it out the warranty period, ended up with a refund.
Sony WH series sound as good, haven’t broken, but don’t look or feel very premium in comparison. Noise cancellation probably a bit better. 4 years old.
I followed up with Sony noise cancellation buds which are about £70, great sound and NC, but the case feels flimsy, yet hasn’t broken. 2 years old.
Sony WH series sound as good, haven’t broken, but don’t look or feel very premium in comparison. Noise cancellation probably a bit better. 4 years old.
I followed up with Sony noise cancellation buds which are about £70, great sound and NC, but the case feels flimsy, yet hasn’t broken. 2 years old.
I have over ear Sony WH-1000-xm3's which are still going well, but my WF1000-XM4's (2021) have recently started to have issues with them only charging to 70 or 80% but then the right ear dying after 30-40 mins.
So, I'm looking for some replacement in ear buds, maybe waiting for the XM6 release which may be this year sometime?
So, I'm looking for some replacement in ear buds, maybe waiting for the XM6 release which may be this year sometime?
I’ve had a pair of Sony WH-1000-xm3s since May 2019. I wear them in a workshop environment 5 or 6 days a week, often all day long. They’re comfy, lightweight and still going strong.
I also have an old pair of Plantronics Backbeat Pros which are cleverer than the Sonys but the noise cancelling is nowhere near as good.
I also have an old pair of Plantronics Backbeat Pros which are cleverer than the Sonys but the noise cancelling is nowhere near as good.
nordboy said:
I have over ear Sony WH-1000-xm3's which are still going well, but my WF1000-XM4's (2021) have recently started to have issues with them only charging to 70 or 80% but then the right ear dying after 30-40 mins.
So, I'm looking for some replacement in ear buds, maybe waiting for the XM6 release which may be this year sometime?
Exactly the same with me. Can't recommend WH1000 XM3's highly enough as had for years and have been faultless. WF1000 XM4's died after approx 2 years for the same reason a above. Replaced XM4's with Airpod Pro 2. These have been great....so far!So, I'm looking for some replacement in ear buds, maybe waiting for the XM6 release which may be this year sometime?
My huawei freebuds pro have survived years of terrible abuse and never cough, and sound great. They are fully submersible waterproof too, you can, and i have, worn them in the shower while on hold for an hour. 
As you can see these have been treated with kid gloves and well looked after.
Excellent sound quality too
As you can see these have been treated with kid gloves and well looked after.
Excellent sound quality too
Edited by OldGermanHeaps on Thursday 6th February 12:16
Oh yeah, I forgot about the Sonys! Cheers for the suggestions.
I think I tried a pair of XM3s in John Lewis 4 or 5 years ago and didn't like the bass. Too muddy and boomy compared to Apple/B&O. It reminded me of the Beats by Dre sound signature, which is nasty....imo.
Are the XM4 or XM5 an improvement in that area?
I'm struggling to be honest. 1 star reviews don't exist on HiFi review sites anymore due to affiliate link kick backs, so everything is 4 stars or above these days, which is just wrong, and makes it so much harder to decide.
Hmmmmm.... I might have another listen to the Sony XM5 and compare it to the Bose QC ultra in JL. They do at least do 2 year warranties vs the manufacturer's less than generous 1 year.
I think I tried a pair of XM3s in John Lewis 4 or 5 years ago and didn't like the bass. Too muddy and boomy compared to Apple/B&O. It reminded me of the Beats by Dre sound signature, which is nasty....imo.
Are the XM4 or XM5 an improvement in that area?
I'm struggling to be honest. 1 star reviews don't exist on HiFi review sites anymore due to affiliate link kick backs, so everything is 4 stars or above these days, which is just wrong, and makes it so much harder to decide.
Hmmmmm.... I might have another listen to the Sony XM5 and compare it to the Bose QC ultra in JL. They do at least do 2 year warranties vs the manufacturer's less than generous 1 year.
rottenegg said:
Oh yeah, I forgot about the Sonys! Cheers for the suggestions.
I think I tried a pair of XM3s in John Lewis 4 or 5 years ago and didn't like the bass. Too muddy and boomy compared to Apple/B&O. It reminded me of the Beats by Dre sound signature, which is nasty....imo.
Are the XM4 or XM5 an improvement in that area?
I'm struggling to be honest. 1 star reviews don't exist on HiFi review sites anymore due to affiliate link kick backs, so everything is 4 stars or above these days, which is just wrong, and makes it so much harder to decide.
Hmmmmm.... I might have another listen to the Sony XM5 and compare it to the Bose QC ultra in JL. They do at least do 2 year warranties vs the manufacturer's less than generous 1 year.
When I got my XM3s my kids had Beats and the Sony's were way better compared ( i agree i hate the Bass / boominess of Beats). However you do need to adjust them in the App for best performance. Definitely worth giving the 5s a tryI think I tried a pair of XM3s in John Lewis 4 or 5 years ago and didn't like the bass. Too muddy and boomy compared to Apple/B&O. It reminded me of the Beats by Dre sound signature, which is nasty....imo.
Are the XM4 or XM5 an improvement in that area?
I'm struggling to be honest. 1 star reviews don't exist on HiFi review sites anymore due to affiliate link kick backs, so everything is 4 stars or above these days, which is just wrong, and makes it so much harder to decide.
Hmmmmm.... I might have another listen to the Sony XM5 and compare it to the Bose QC ultra in JL. They do at least do 2 year warranties vs the manufacturer's less than generous 1 year.
rottenegg said:
Oh yeah, I forgot about the Sonys! Cheers for the suggestions.
I think I tried a pair of XM3s in John Lewis 4 or 5 years ago and didn't like the bass. Too muddy and boomy compared to Apple/B&O. It reminded me of the Beats by Dre sound signature, which is nasty....imo.
Are the XM4 or XM5 an improvement in that area?
I'm struggling to be honest. 1 star reviews don't exist on HiFi review sites anymore due to affiliate link kick backs, so everything is 4 stars or above these days, which is just wrong, and makes it so much harder to decide.
Hmmmmm.... I might have another listen to the Sony XM5 and compare it to the Bose QC ultra in JL. They do at least do 2 year warranties vs the manufacturer's less than generous 1 year.
Bought my Sony WH-1000XM3's in 2018 for 180 quid. Worn them daily (4 hours a day) in a very noisy, fairly dirty fabrication workshop and they have been superb. One morning a week before Christmas I dropped them (have done many time) and they switched themselves off. Turned them back on and thought nothing of it. The next morning though they wouldn't turn on so put them on charge and still no good! So in a blind panic (that's how much I rely on them) I was straight on my phone and ordered some XM4's for next day delivery off Amazon.I think I tried a pair of XM3s in John Lewis 4 or 5 years ago and didn't like the bass. Too muddy and boomy compared to Apple/B&O. It reminded me of the Beats by Dre sound signature, which is nasty....imo.
Are the XM4 or XM5 an improvement in that area?
I'm struggling to be honest. 1 star reviews don't exist on HiFi review sites anymore due to affiliate link kick backs, so everything is 4 stars or above these days, which is just wrong, and makes it so much harder to decide.
Hmmmmm.... I might have another listen to the Sony XM5 and compare it to the Bose QC ultra in JL. They do at least do 2 year warranties vs the manufacturer's less than generous 1 year.
I knew the XM5's were now market leaders (NC wise) because i'd researched a few months earlier to get Wifey a pair for the gym. Found out the 5's had changed the design as regards how they fold so the case was now much larger and that put me right off and She agreed and we bought the 4's.
So that evening it was straight onto the net and Youtube and bloody hell found an easy fix (strip down the left pad a shove a piece of foam on the main chip to 'fix' a loose connection) and they sparked into life and been fine since.
Decided to keep the 4's as they were on offer - in fact exactly the same price as my 7 year old 3's. They are better but I'm keeping them in the box for when my 3's finally give up the ghost........or might give them away to my apprentice when I leave.
I have the in ear version of the 4’s. Bought in rush at the start of a trip, so didn’t get to try them out at all or even the over ear equivalent.
They are decent. Not amazing but decent. Noise cancelling is great. I’ve had them 3yrs I think, no issues.
I bought px7 S2’s for the mrs last month and I thought they were better during a brief listen. Haven’t been able to prose them from her long enough for a longer test.
I then tried over ear 5’s in the duty free shop the other week with the intention of buying, but didn’t. They were absolutely terrible. I have read since that they do need to be eq’d so maybe download the app if you intend to try a pair, but otherwise I expect you’ll find them overly warm, woolly and very bass led.
Everyone’s ears are different though and they do win a lot of best of’s. Maybe I need to retry when I am less rushed.
They are decent. Not amazing but decent. Noise cancelling is great. I’ve had them 3yrs I think, no issues.
I bought px7 S2’s for the mrs last month and I thought they were better during a brief listen. Haven’t been able to prose them from her long enough for a longer test.
I then tried over ear 5’s in the duty free shop the other week with the intention of buying, but didn’t. They were absolutely terrible. I have read since that they do need to be eq’d so maybe download the app if you intend to try a pair, but otherwise I expect you’ll find them overly warm, woolly and very bass led.
Everyone’s ears are different though and they do win a lot of best of’s. Maybe I need to retry when I am less rushed.
I've had quite a number over the years. 2 sets of Sony's XM4's failed after 13 months and I also tried a pair of Orange ones - garbage.
My favourites are now my Soundcore Q20's (now replaced by the Q20i I think).
I wear them a lot, music, work calls, at the gym, even in the old landrover to keep my sanity sometimes.
Battery life is good, ANC is decent and at £31.99 they're 1/8th of the cost of the XM4s (now XM5) that they replaced. Not studio sound quality, but pretty good nevertheless.
My favourites are now my Soundcore Q20's (now replaced by the Q20i I think).
I wear them a lot, music, work calls, at the gym, even in the old landrover to keep my sanity sometimes.
Battery life is good, ANC is decent and at £31.99 they're 1/8th of the cost of the XM4s (now XM5) that they replaced. Not studio sound quality, but pretty good nevertheless.
I’m curious to know more about the H9s as I have H9i. What happened to the switch?
On mine, the switch feels decent enough quality but I’ve noticed that to pair I have to hold the switch in the up position until it is paired. It used to be I only held it until the light flashed blue and I could let go leaving the head phones in paring mode.
On mine, the switch feels decent enough quality but I’ve noticed that to pair I have to hold the switch in the up position until it is paired. It used to be I only held it until the light flashed blue and I could let go leaving the head phones in paring mode.
I've found the Sennheiser Momentum 4 that I bought to be pretty good. The noise cancelling isn't as good as the Bose/Sony offerings but I thought the sound quality was better when I tried the both back to back. Probably not quite as premium as you were looking but they seem to be pretty robust and have decent battery life.
I would buy them again if I was looking for replacements.
I would buy them again if I was looking for replacements.
I switched from Bose QC 35 ii this year to the Sony XM5 over ears. The Bose ear pads had disintegrated to dust.
The Sony's are to my ears a massive jump up in audio quality and as other have said before it is worth playing around with the EQ settings in the app and tailoring it to what you like. Noise cancelling is also better imo.
I considered the B&W to get that more premium feel as the Sony's are just high quality plastic but they seem pretty resilient.
The Sony's are to my ears a massive jump up in audio quality and as other have said before it is worth playing around with the EQ settings in the app and tailoring it to what you like. Noise cancelling is also better imo.
I considered the B&W to get that more premium feel as the Sony's are just high quality plastic but they seem pretty resilient.
Have both over ear XM2s and XM4s and they've been brilliant - 2s are still going strong after 5+ years and 4s after 3+. Both sets have been all over the world with me and just keep going.
No issues with the sound quality for me either, however I do tend to listen to more bass heavy music and listen to it quite loud which they suit well. They're also usually paired with a Sony phone so connect via LDAC, Sony's higher bitrate BT Connection. From memory LDAC is available in all Android phones now, not so much with those other phones people buy.
No issues with the sound quality for me either, however I do tend to listen to more bass heavy music and listen to it quite loud which they suit well. They're also usually paired with a Sony phone so connect via LDAC, Sony's higher bitrate BT Connection. From memory LDAC is available in all Android phones now, not so much with those other phones people buy.
For anyone with a set of XM4s with battery drain, mine were only lasting 5 minutes tops. You can buy replacement batteries, I got a set from eBay and also a replacement charging case battery. You need a hairdryer to soften glue, a set of small plastic tools to pry them open, some patience and a YouTube guide. I replaced mine and the battery life is better now than when they were new.
Don't chuck your old ones away. Give it a go.
Don't chuck your old ones away. Give it a go.
Edited by Silverbullet767 on Tuesday 18th February 09:52
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