20,000 Miles Later: Best Headphones for Travel Reviewed (and What to Avoid)
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- Looking for travel headphones? WATCH THIS VIDEO! I go over the headphones I've most commonly seen when traveling. Which should you choose? #Travel #headphones
NOTE: All product links below are affiliate links. I may earn commission from them. Using these links doesn't cost you anything, and helps me bring more videos to you.
PRODUCT PRESENTED
* AirPods Max Travel Case by WiWu - amzn.to/3qi68db
REVIEWED PRODUCTS
* Apple AirPods Max - amzn.to/3rS8FLr
* Sony WH-1000XM5 - amzn.to/3qhk1Zc
* Sony WH-1000XM4 - amzn.to/3qjBccy
* Bose QuietComfort 45 - amzn.to/3KrCZ64
* Bose NC 700 - amzn.to/3OH2kLP
* SoundCore Life Q30 - amzn.to/3OJ7UO0
* SoundCore Space Q45 - amzn.to/44VtNiv
* Beats Studio3 - amzn.to/44XkLlo
OTHER PRODUCTS MENTIONED
* Beats Studio Pro - amzn.to/3OIohdu
* Sennheiser Momentum 4 - amzn.to/47gF8eJ
* Focal Bathys - amzn.to/3DOo2ap
* Bowers & Wilkins PX8 - amzn.to/3DOo7Lf
* Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX - amzn.to/3Ykcoh4
PANDOPINIONS
* See my friend, Panda! / pandopinions
FULL REVIEWS
* AirPods Max - • AirPods Max Long Term ...
* Sony WH-1000XM5 - • Sony WH-1000XM5 Review...
* Sony WH-1000XM4 - • Sony WH-1000XM4: NorbR...
* Bose QuietComfort 45 - • Bose QuietComfort 45 R...
* Sennheiser Momentum 4 - • Ambitious update! But ...
* Focal Bathys - • Focal Bathys Review (o...
REAL PEOPLE REVIEWS
* AirPods Max (Real People Review) - • Apple AirPods Max (Can...
* Sony WH-1000XM5 (Real People Review) - • Real People Review, Ep...
* Bose NC700 (Real People Review) - • Real People Review, Ep...
* SoundCore Life Q30 (Real People Review) - • Real People Review, Ep...
COMPARISONS
* AirPods Max vs Sony XM4 - • AirPods Max vs Sony XM...
* Focal Bathys vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 - • A Sound Investment? Wh...
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro: What this video is all about
00:35 AirPods Max
03:42 Sony WH-1000XM5
06:05 Sony WH-1000XM4
08:26 Bose QuietComfort 45
10:06 Bose NC 700
12:00 SoundCore Life Q30
13:10 SoundCore Space Q45
14:11 Beats Studio3
16:12 Conclusions & Other Options
DISCLAIMERS
* Music is "Lose Yourself" by Drew Banga (RUclips License)
* Product links may be affiliate 
Наука
![Best Premium Headphones 2024 [Tested & Compared!] - AirPods Max vs Bose vs Sony vs Sennheiser..](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/l5qootmFQx0/mqdefault.jpg)
![Best Premium Headphones 2024 [Tested & Compared!] - AirPods Max vs Bose vs Sony vs Sennheiser..](/img/tr.png)
LOTS of links mentioned in this video, so posting in the comments for visibility. Listed in order of appearance, NOT recommendation.
*Note: Product links are affiliate and help me bring more of these reviews to you.
Minor notes:
1. Not all Android phones handle LDAC, but those that do are a treat.
2. Noise canceling on the Beats Studio3 is on par with the SoundCore Life Q30.
3. See my friend, Panda! twitch.tv/pandopinions
# AIRPODS MAX
* Product - amzn.to/3rS8FLr
* WiWu Travel Case - amzn.to/3qi68db
* Full Review - ruclips.net/video/lzr2xdykeBY/видео.html
* Real People Review - ruclips.net/video/YtLZ2QF9MLA/видео.html
* Versus Sony XM4 - ruclips.net/video/efdO1OpPDro/видео.html
# SONY WH-1000XM5
* Product - amzn.to/3qhk1Zc
* Full Review (vs XM4) - ruclips.net/video/FQeEHAIA3H4/видео.html
* Real People Review - ruclips.net/video/EgpnJANYlTs/видео.html
# SONY WH-1000XM4
* Product - amzn.to/3qjBccy
* Full Review - ruclips.net/video/NnaIRNdzIQk/видео.html
(This was one of my first reviews, so expect awkwardness.)
* Versus AirPods Max - ruclips.net/video/efdO1OpPDro/видео.html
# BOSE QUIETCOMFORT 45
* Product - amzn.to/3KrCZ64
* Full Review - ruclips.net/video/p-jja6SMhr4/видео.html
* Real People Review - ruclips.net/video/aQAt1mTuguk/видео.html
# BOSE NC 700
* Product - amzn.to/3OH2kLP
* Real People Review - ruclips.net/video/aQAt1mTuguk/видео.html
# SOUNDCORE LIFE Q30
* Product - amzn.to/3OJ7UO0
*Real People Review - ruclips.net/video/n3p1SoGBEhs/видео.html
# SOUNDCORE SPACE Q45
* Product - amzn.to/44VtNiv
# BEATS STUDIO3
* Beats Studio3 - amzn.to/44XkLlo
(I don't recommend them for travel, but great for looks)
# OTHER PRODUCTS MENTIONED
## SENNHEISER MONENTUM 4
* Product - amzn.to/47gF8eJ
* Full Review - ruclips.net/video/RtUq_6ifOSs/видео.html
* Versus Focal Bathys - ruclips.net/video/9xgFyJrHeWY/видео.html
## FOCAL BATHYS
* Focal Bathys - amzn.to/3DOo2ap
* Full Review - ruclips.net/video/S3miH54g1Wk/видео.html
* Versus Momentum 4 - ruclips.net/video/9xgFyJrHeWY/видео.html
# OTHER PRODUCTS MENTIONED
* Beats Studio Pro - amzn.to/3OIohdu
* Bowers & Wilkins PX8 - amzn.to/3DOo7Lf
* Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX - amzn.to/3Ykcoh4
Perfect timing. I'm supposed to fly on Friday and I feel pretty good about my Bose now. (Though they are 35 II and not 45, their differences aren't that important to me.) Thanks!
For timing reasons, I actually cut out info on the QC35ii. Basically except for battery life, style, and the ability to actually shut ANC entirely off, they’re effectively identical.
You made a great choice.
Great comparisons! Important to remember that context for use matters so much for a pair of headphones. Being good in one area and not in others doesn't suddenly make them bad, just need to consider what *you* actually want them for.
I have a question though: As someone with a large headphone 'collection' do you ever go about your day with more than one pair, for reasons other than testing? I value aesthetics and sound a lot, and am very happy with my new pair of HD450BT's for that. I also do a lot of travel on loud buses and trains, and while the ANC on them is an improvement over my old faithful bare-bones headphones, I know it's not as good as much of the field. I'm wondering how reasonable it may be to have two different sets of headphones for different contexts throughout the day.
Thanks for the kind words!
To answer your question: I switch ALL THE TIME. Mostly because I'm lazy and just go for the first thing I find. But often I favor one for a while. I do, however, tend to AVOID headphones I can't really use for later comparisons, which is sad because some of my favorites just aren't made anymore. (Prime example: the Know Calm. I *LOVE* mine, but Know Headphones went out of business, so I rarely use them, even though I adore them. Sad as it might seem, my brain is always "on the job" with this, even though this is more of a hobby.
I usually recommend that a second pair be earbuds, to be honest: extra portable and usually good for sweaty situations, like the gym. AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM4 or XM5, QuietComfort Earbuds 2... all great options. In all those cases, you'll get both portability and great ANC (plus transparency). But they're also expensive. If you're looking for great ANC at a solid price, something to pair with the HD450, I'd either do the SoundCore Space Q45 or go to eBay and find the Secondipity store, then look for refurb XM4's. (I've bought from them plenty of times and love them.) And if you just want a pair of earbuds you can sweat in, an older generation pair of earbuds can usually be found at a GREAT price: Sony WF-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, Samsung Galaxy Buds, and even AirPods Pro 1st Gen.
This all said, the HD450BT are a solid pair of headphones. If what you're looking at is improvement with ANC, you might just want to jump a price tier and get a good all-around headphone, rather than pair them with something else. And if you can find the Momentum 4 at a great price, I'd 100% recommend just jumping on that. ANC is decent enough, but the sound is just leagues better.
Best of luck and let me know if I can be of further help.
these Sennheiser's HD 450BT's are 129 ( Canadian ) 95 ( USD ) for black friday....i just need a set for watching netflix and my ipad for movies and utube....the noise cancellation and calls are not important but good sound is ....would these be a good buy ?....cheers from Canada
Great vid, I was wondering if you had any opinion on whether I should go with the xm4s or wait it out for any potential releases (I haven't looked into this). I currently have the sony mdr 100x and they have served me well, I don't find anything particularly wrong with them, the sound is good enough (not an audiophile by any means), and I love the anc. The xm4 seems like a good option, a familiar chassis with a few generations of improvements. Although I could just get some new ear pads for my 1000x's and wait for something more polished. I was really interested with the momentum 4s sound quality that I could be missing out on but it seems like they have an abundance of issues you mentioned in your videos, like the anc not being up to par amongst other things. Love the content.
Thank you for the kind words!
The XM4 is a great choice, if you’re already a fan of the Sony sound. I prefer the XM5 myself, but both are fantastic. If you can keep what you have by just replacing three ear pads, then the question is whether you want something new.
I don’t think Sony will be doing an update to their 1000X line for another year, at least. Even if they do, I expect there price of the XM4 to not drop much more than what you can find out already.
I don’t know if you caught out, but I did an XM5 review (ruclips.net/video/FQeEHAIA3H4/видео.htmlsi=WvwAXEvQvD2yQB8g), where I heavily compared the XM4. I hope you might find that useful.
Best of luck, and please let me know what you decide!
Appreciate the reply, I had a look at the comparison video and I think I'll get the xm5. Disappointed to leave some sound quality on the table compared to other options, but I guess you can't have everything. These seem to have the things that I value most, and if I really wanted the best sound quality I wouldn't be looking for a wireless pair of anc headphones in the first place😅
@@jamieyau9107 - this will help with improving the sound quality: ruclips.net/video/JqPn_S0nJ4s/видео.html It won’t do anything about things like resonance and detail, but it will help improve the overall sound signature.
And I agree, if you’re looking for the best quality, wired all day long.
Best of luck!
Nice video, what about hifi headphones for flying? you mentioned PX8, but what about connectivity on a plane of those?
Connectivity hasn’t ever been an issue for me. It’s true that other BT signals might interfere, so if you’re using something like LDAC then the bit rate might be a little lower. But I’ve never noticed an issue.
As for HiFi, I very often take my Focal Bathys, and I haven’t had any issues. (I haven’t been traveling as much lately and therefore haven’t had the chance to travel with the PX8, so I can’t speak to those.) The ANC is not quite as strong as something like the XM5, but if you watch my review on it, you’ll see that I felt it was decent, regardless. I don’t remember if I included an actual sample of the ANC while on a plane, though.)
Note: For this video, I was considering only the headphones I most commonly saw while traveling myself, which is part of the reason the Bathys are not on this list. I was also looking for travel-specific + bang for the buck, and given the noise level of a plane and the generally weaker ANC, I didn’t feel the gains in sound quality were worth the price difference IF you’re only looking at these for travel. But again, if you watch my review, you’ll see that I think VERY highly of the Bathys.)
Norb! Are there any alternatives to the XM5's? I just got those, but I can't stand it due to discomfort. It really presses my ears and the top of my head. I'm returning them today, which is so unfortunate, cause the ANC and features are just perfect for my day-to-day use.
I'm really considering the QC45's. Great ANC and comfort are a must for me. Do you have any other suggestions? Airpods are way too expensive to me, and I'm not part of apple ecosystem either. I thought of the Momentum 4's, but as i mentioned, i need top notch ANC because of my noisy work environment. What do you recommend besides the QC45?
QuietComfort 45 is a safe bet. Maybe consider the QuietComfort Headphones (yep, that’s their name) which just came out. I’ll try to do a review on this and the QC Ultra, but there may already be some reviews out there.
Another option might be the either the Sony XM4 (which has softer pads) or the Momentum 4 (which is my favorite sounding headphone at this price tier). I’m not a HUGE fan of their comfort because I get warm ears, but they are both comfortable. The XM4 is very different than the XM5.
Finally, consider the NC700’s, which have good noise canceling, somewhat better than the QC45, even if they’re older.
Best of luck, and I’d love to hear what you decide on.
@@NorbReviews Thank you so much for your reply. I will definitely let you know what i decide next.. Also, have you ever tried the Edifier WH950NB? I have had a pair for about 3 months and can't really complain about them. Seems like they compete at a similar price range to the Soundcore q45. Amazing sound, a lot better than the XM5's to my ears, but lack on ANC performance. If you have not heard them yet, i definitely suggest you give them a shot, you might love them, especially for it's price.
what did you go with or any input here i hate the xm5 headband@@miguelvieites4406
What I miss in your review of the Souncore Q30's, I personally think you should've mentioned that ANC does not work when the cable is attached. This is quite a crucial feature for (international) travel, where you make use of the audio/screen in the seats.
Seriously. He spent forever talking about comfort but missed a huge feature there. Thanks
Good call out, thank you.
I only really fly within North America, most often under 4 hours, so I don’t use my headphones plugged in during flights. (Most of my flights don’t even have screens, and for those that do, I literally never use the screens on those flights, just my phone or tablet.) The only exception was a recent trip to Asia, and I didn’t take the Q30 for that.
Sorry for the miss!
What do you think of the coming Bose QuietComfort ultras?
I think I’ll probably be buying them soon and testing them for myself :-). (But it will mean selling my QC45’s.)
Loaded with tech, but I want to see whether there’s more than just gimmicks.
@NorbReviews
Have you ever tried Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones?
Yes! ruclips.net/video/RtUq_6ifOSs/видео.htmlsi=uCJCo97uE3chtUvc
ruclips.net/video/9xgFyJrHeWY/видео.htmlsi=gwOMsVu2hi2s-IWW
i wanna get the bose qc45 but I listen to a lot of bass heavy music. ive heard they are not really good when it comes to the low ends. should i buy them?
The QC45 can handle bass well if you use the EQ to boost the bass. But if you love your bass - like love love and you want massive rumbles - the QC45 will be OK at best. I’d recommend considering the Sony WHXB910N, the Skullcandy Crusher 2, and the Urbaniata Miami or Urbanista Los Angeles.
The QC45 are better than all of these for every other range and for clarity but for bass, look at those three.
The Sony has great bass, but it’s more muddy than I’d like. I like clarity, even when I have my bass.
The Skullcandy is just plain fun, but when you turn the bass off, it’s pretty meh for the price. Not bad, actually very neutral, but lacking detail. (I’ve reviewed the Crusher, but not the Crusher 2.)
The Urbanista is weird. Fun sound, good presentation, a few technical flaws if you sweat on them, and a TIGHT fit (which helps with the bass). (I’ve done a review on these.)
If I had to pick one, I’d probably go for the Skullcandy: good build, fun sound, and all around good quality for the price.
@@NorbReviews thank you for the reply, i like bass but i would also prefer some clarity as well. i could buy the bose headphones for 180€ refubished. would you say that they are worth it at the price? i was also considering the airpods pro gen2 but they are about 80 euros more expensive and im afraid the soundstage wont be as good.
Thanks my dude for the vid
My pleasure. Thank you for watching!
Great review
Thank you!
Do you know how to get the best audio quality on a laptop? Or an iPhone?
Unless you’re plugged in via wire, make sure you’re using the best possible codec (AAC on iPhone/Mac, LDAC or AptX HD or Adaptive on Windows), and make sure you have a high quality file. If your headphones have an app, use that to EQ the headphones to your taste. (All the headphones in this video do, except for the AirPods Max and the Beats Studio3.)
What would be your fav for work (music sound and calls are priority)?
Not a wireless. I use the Sennheiser PC38X for my day to day work. I’ve tried wireless for work and not a fan.
If I had to choose wireless, of these, definitely the APMs if I had a Mac. If not… tougher question, but probably the Focal Bathys? I do like the Bose QC45, though. Multipoint is funky on pretty much everything, though.
Great video, just a note: not all android devices support LDAC.
That's a good point. My apologies for that oversight. Thanks for calling it out!
But the traveler that is going to buy one of this expensive headphones is either going to have an Iphone or the best of Android, so the user will not be lacking LDAC when using it on Android.
I thought LDAC was only for Samsung devices?
All Android smartphones with at least Android 8 support LDAC.
AptX has not helped themselves by having multiple similarly named specifications, but AptX Adaptive is arguably just as good as LDAC: www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/aptx-adaptive-vs-aptx-hd-vs-ldac-best-codec/
Look for an upgrade from my 5 years old Sony hear on 2 and don’t know what to pick. I can get the Bose QCSE (45) for 190$ or the XM4s for 220$ 🤔
If you like Sony, stick with Sony. It’s a fantastic headphone.
I happen to prefer Bose, and love the QC45, but either is good. Guessing the Bose comes from Costco? Maybe you can buy and test?
@@NorbReviews Thanks Norb! No it’s actually in Sweden. So what is better with the QCs? I guess I would be happy with either!
I have large ears I guess, and I dislike when they touch the driver or cushion.
Wich one(s) do you think is best for that comfort wise?
Obviously this will depend on things like how far they stick out, but I like the Focal Bathys a lot for this very reason. Another might be the Bose QuietComfort 45, which has an angled driver inside and thinner (but still supportive) pads.
I find the QC45 more comfortable because of the light weight and more compact size, but the sound on the Bathys is better.
From one big-eared guy to another, best of luck!
@@NorbReviews
Thanks for your input. I'll see if I can find a store nearby that has the Bose so I can test it out.
I used to have a Sennheiser HD595, Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro, Several Sony's and now a Philips Fidelio X2HR.
The Sennheiser HD595 was the most comfortable one as it was larger and my ears fit inside the cups. with all the others my ears touched the cups and/or the driver.
I can't remember if my ears touched the driver of the HD595 though, it's a long time ago.
Would you go with the Bose q45 or Soundcore q45?
I prefer the Bose QC45 because it’s more comfortable, better built, and I think it’s tuned better. But the Soundcore Q45 is 2.5x cheaper, and… well, that makes a difference.
If budget isn’t a problem, Bose.
Hi i am an android user and am looking for a compact and comfortable set that i will be primarily using for travel. I think that both of the bose headphones would work best for me but i am just wondering if the fact that i will be using them with an android device is a deal breaker. Thanks
The Bose QC Ultra will probably be your best choice. I didn’t have it when I did this video (it wasn’t out yet), but it has all the advantages of the QC45, better in every part that matters, and handles aptX Adaptive, including aptX Lossless, plus Snapdragon Sound. I’ll be posting a review in the next week or 2, but if you’re considering Bose on Android, that’s the way to go.
Shameless affiliate link here, since it’s at $379 right now: amzn.to/3ODaNiK
@NorbReviews awesome! thanks for the reply! I am looking forward to the review!
Yo! Yeah-amazing ~ 🤚
Thank you!
Why isn't the momentum 4 on your list? :(
I love the sound, but the relatively weak ANC makes it a bad choice for travel. (This despite the absolutely fantastic battery.) I put the ANC on par with the QC45, but the QC45 also has the advantage of being a more compact design. Finally, when it’s in the case, the power management features are still buggy, and will sometimes connect to your phone, even in the case.
I touch on this at the end of the video, but the above gives more context.
My rigth ear of my xm5 doesn't sound or work now so looking for one for my next flight 👀, your video really helps much
Glad you found it useful! One that wasn’t out when I did this video was the Bose QC Ultra. I’ve been using that for a while now and I very much it would be worth considering. (it would have made this list if I’d been able to use it when this video came out.)
The Air Pod Mac Sounds better than the Focal Bathys?
I don’t think so. But it does have better overall usability features and mics. If you’re just looking for music, go with the Bathys. If you want movies and are in the Apple ecosystem, the APMs are great.
@@NorbReviews last question how do the Mark Levinson’s stack up sound wise against the Gi Al Bathy’s?
@@jonathanbarnes7641 Unfortunately, I haven't been able to test the ML5909's, so I can't say.
The thumbnail shows the focal... but its not in the video. Was curious how it would stack vs the rest. Am still on the verge to buy a focal.
They are mentioned at the end and I mention why I didn't more deeply go into them. (Spoiler: cost to benefit ratio isn't there for travel because of the ANC, which is decent, but easily beat out by most items on the reviewed list.)
But you can find my full review here, ruclips.net/video/S3miH54g1Wk/видео.html if that's what you're looking for. (I do an ANC test during a flight partway through the video, and I spend time talking about my travel experience with it.)
Spoiler to that: I LOVE the Bathys. It’s fine for travel. It’s not the best ANC, and it doesn’t have a ton of features. It’s primary focus is a high quality, relaxing sound signature. FWIW, I’ve used it on flights regularly and have never had an issue, except that it doesn’t block out voices as much as something like the AirPods Max or Sony XM5.
Dre3 does not sound great, but honestly they are super light weight and have been the most comfy pair I've had. Got them as an addition with a laptop. If I were to purchase something now, I'd much rather get 700ANC or QuietComfort. Much better balanced sound quality, better ANC, better cold resistance---as the Dre3 turns OFF to save battery when it's really cold. Not ideal in Norway 😆
I only tested the Dre3 in a warm climate so I wasn’t aware of the shut off! I will say, if you’re going the Bose route, the 700 is a magnificent deal right now, with prices having dropped as low as they have. But if you’re going to pay close to full price, I find the new QC Headphones and QC Ultra are *magnificent*.
Just god the NC700 refurbished for 179 on the bose website!
That’s a FANTASTIC price! Enjoy!
New Subscriber
I am buying headphones for my father. He has an iPhone and iPad, and he needs things as easy as possible so I am tempted by the Apple product- but he is going to be using whatever I buy for a 24-hour train ride first. You would say a definite no for that?
I think the Apple product would probably be the best, to be honest. They did a really good job in the user interface, provided he sticks to just using the buttons and doesn’t really dive into the audio menus. (Although Apple is WAY better about this now: a few key updates have made this easier.)
For something even simpler, the Bose QuietComfort headphones. Super simple and sounds great. (Not the Ultra, because that introduces some features which are nice, but make things a little complex, I think.)
@@NorbReviews Thank you! That is very helpful! He has an updated iPhone but only knows how to take pictures and make calls and how to Google things. It will already be a challenge to get him music.
@@wishingb5859 best of luck. Please let me know if I can offer any other guidance.
@@NorbReviews Thank you, that is very nice. I have made my internal list for him. First, he is not technical at all and he is on Apple phone and Apple tablet. Second, he lives in Florida so it has to be cool to wear. He mostly will use it on walks outside, so I added in how they handle the wind sounds. He has tinnitus and I heard that Bose has a sound that people found annoying in some conditions. He is taking 2 24-hour train trips, so being able to wear them all day matters. My thoughts are that nothing will be perfect. So I am narrowing from there.
@@wishingb5859 ok, so this actually gives me a
LOT of good context. I’m very… VERY… familiar with FL, so I can speak from a lot of experience.
1. From a temperature perspective, both the Bose and the AirPods Max are good. I’ll also toss in the Beats Studio Pro. (I have my issues with them, but they’re simple to use, work super well with Apple products.)
2. The AirPods and Beats handle wind better than Bose.
3. The Tinnitus thing is *BIG*. When mine acts up because of ANC, it’s because of the pressure it causes. The new Bose QuietComfort Headpones have adaptive ANC, as do the AirPods Max and Beats Studio Pro, so they’ll do very well in adjusting to the environment.
4. As for comfort, that’s a very personal thing. I think the Bose are the most comfortable because they’re light has have big ear cups, but the AirPods Max aren’t bad. I just don’t love the headband and weight. The Beats are OK, but they have zero swivel, so they’ll press on the ears a lot. If he wears glasses, they’ll get exhausting. (Or if he has big ears.)
The tinnitus thing is what really gives me cause for concern with the Bose QuietComfort and that’s where I start thinking that the Bose QuietComfort Ultra might be the best choice, since you can turn ANC off with it. I just think the touch controls can get a little confusing if he accidentally switches ANC mode on and off.
Nothing is perfect, but some general recommendations, listed in my recommended order. Pick the most important areas and go from there:
- Comfort: QuietComfort (ultra or headphones)
- simplicity: (QuietComfort Headphones, Beats Studio Pro)
- Apple integration: (AirPods Max, Beats studio pro)
- Tinnitus prevention: (AirPods Max, QuietComfort Ultra, Beats Studio Pro)
- Heat: (AirPods Max, Bose)
My gut reaction: the AirPods Max, but maybe find him something that can provide extra head support, because the mesh in the headband loosens up and the bars end up making annoying indentations. There are covers for this that help.
What if sound quality and portability are primary, you have zero qualms with wired and you don't care "at all" about Bluetooth or noise canceling??
Look into Koss products.The Koss KPH30i and Koss Porta Pro are both fantastic options AND easily the best bang for the buck in audio. Buy a pair of Yaxi pads for them and you have exactly what you're looking for. For something a little more portable, the KSC75, which I talk about in some detail here: ruclips.net/video/G_5gnHfQ3eQ/видео.htmlsi=CabBy5vQhgv5Tdct&t=122
@@NorbReviews Hey, thanks so much!! Already have the KPH40s and love em! So the Yaxi pads do actually make a difference?? If so will order some pronto!
Also love the foldability (is that even a word? 🙂) & idea of the Porta Pros...are they comparable in audio quality?
@@cmln2413 (1) The Yaxi pads make them MUCH more comfortable. (2) It’s a word. If it’s not, then the dictionary is wrong and needs updating. (3) Yes, I feel they are, but I haven’t done any strict side by side tests with those.
@@NorbReviews Thanks again! Just subscribed!!!
@@cmln2413 thank you!
The Sony XM5 headset’s ANC is awesome BUT the headband cause pain on top of my head after an hour of wearing the XM5 headset. I do have a large manly head so proceed with caution. I returned them for a refund and will try the Bose Ultra headset
Yeah, the headband on the XM5 is very much a point of contention with a lot of people. Good luck with the QC Ultra: I’ll be looking to get the myself, but would love your thoughts.
20,000 miles? Those are rookie numbers you're putting up. I think my kids do that just going to school and back. :).
I'm still a fan of the AirPods Max. I've never noticed a change in noise cancelling during takeoff, but next time I fly I'm going to listen for it. The noise canceling changes depending on my position sometimes (maybe I'm breaking the seal).
The one thing that works great for me is switching devices with it. I used to have a pair of Bose QC35s and switching between my laptop and phone would never work right. The AirPods Max work perfectly almost every time.
Switching devices is fantastic, I’m 100% with you on that. As for ANC, I do wonder if it’s because a break in the seal, but it’s happened to me every time I’ve flown.
The big question is, what airline do your kids use when you’re send them to the South Pole for school? 20,000mi is a long daily commute!
I Have a blue pair of sound core space Q45 headphones. I think there great. I also own soundcore lifenote c bluethooth headphones ( look like airpods) black ones. there way better and i own an android
Bathys in your thumbnail but not review argh! Haha
They are mentioned at the end and I mention why I didn’t more deeply go into them. (Spoiler: cost to benefit ratio isn’t there for travel because of the ANC, which is decent, but easily beat out by most items on the reviewed list.)
But you can find my full review here, ruclips.net/video/S3miH54g1Wk/видео.html if that’s what you’re looking for. (I do an ANC test during a flight partway through the video, and I spend time talking about my travel experience with it.)
Nothing beats the Sony XM4s for travel, nothing.
Is the bass boomy ?
Ldac is not that great because it is unstable
Not so much instable as bandwidth dependent. It scales down quickly if the signal strength isn’t optimal. But when it works well, when it has an optimal signal, it really does make a difference.
Thta's strange, I see everywhere that the Bose has the best ANC but here the sony is much better...
A few things to consider:
1. “Best” is relative to conditions. Sony has been better for me on planes and with conversation around me, but I’ve heard that Bose tends to be better on trains and busy subways. (I don’t love somewhere with subways so I can’t test that out.)
2. This was before the QC Ultra was released. Yes, the XM5 *IS* better than both the NC700 and the QC45. But the frequent automatic adjustment of the ANC level on the XM5 drives some people nuts. (This doesn’t bother me all that much, but I 100% get and agree with the complaint.) I haven’t tested the XM5 vs the QC Ultra in a real-world scenario like this yet, but the Ultra is an improvement over the NC700 and QC45. (Of note: I did still find the XM4 to be better than the QC45, but on par for my needs vs the NC700.)
The point is, they’re both excellent for ANC.
Personal opinion: Between everything mentioned, I tend to prefer the QC Ultra, however: even if it might not the best for ANC, it’s still fantastic, and I find it more comfortable, easier to store, plus I like the sound a bit better.
@@NorbReviewsi so appreciate your reviews and feedback! this video is amazing. what i’m having trouble is figuring out which one to get - basically i don’t want anyone to be perceivable to me! for conversations & eating etc i need maximum noise cancelling. I’m going to fly in a few months and just want to pick a headset and be done. I used to have a bose set i loved but i could still hear people…
which one would you tell me to get? (i’m really asking to just be told so i can stop ho-humming! i’m not an audiophile, i just need to not hear people lol)
@@limeseller Hey first off, my apologies for not seeing this earlier. I just saw the notification. You've probably already chosen, but just in case:
You'll get max noise canceling from the XM5, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra are nearly up there. None of them will completely block out all voices -- ANC only works on lower frequencies and anything above a certain point will be entirely due to build materials, which is where XM5 has an advantage due to the ABS used on it (I cover this in my review of the XM5.)
That said, I would never call the XM5 an audiophile headphone. The Momentum 4 and Focal Bathys fit that description better. But the ANC on both is weaker than the Bose QC Ultra. In all honesty, my recommendation to you would probably be the QC Ultra, since it seems to strike the right balance of ANC + sound quality.
Again, sorry about the delay: YT is bad about telling me about responses, and the email notification about this got buried. Best of luck, and travel safe!
Personally for the AirPods Max sounds so sterile. It was offensive .
I can definitely see that. I found them crisp and clear, but yeah, if you want a warmer sound, the APMs are *not* it.
I assume you come from Canada... Talk in US measurements ... We dont know grams?
While I’m not from that magnificent nation, I do tend to think I grams when it comes to headphones. Google is very good at mathing up conversions.
In terms of the sound quality alone, the Focal Bathys trumps all of those.
I agree. They are mentioned at the end and I mention why I didn’t more deeply go into them. (Spoiler: cost to benefit ratio isn’t there for travel because of the ANC, which is decent, but easily beat out by most items on the reviewed list.)
But you can find my full review here, ruclips.net/video/S3miH54g1Wk/видео.html if that’s what you’re looking for. (Spoiler: I like it.)