Not the cheapest, but still a good price.
Black here.
Dont forget about cashback from shopback 1%.
Enjoy!
Deal ended prematurely as Microsoft has disabled the use of the code on their BOSE headphones
Not the cheapest, but still a good price.
Black here.
Dont forget about cashback from shopback 1%.
Enjoy!
Deal ended prematurely as Microsoft has disabled the use of the code on their BOSE headphones
I'd recommend trying them both on in store - even though the Sonys are better on paper, I just found the Bose more comfortable and that won it out for me
100% agree with this. Comfort won me over easily and I couldn't tell much quality difference with the sound anyway. The audiophiles might disagree with me however.
I do get that point too, fair. I've tried both, and I like the Sony's because they are much lighter, and since I have heaps of USB-C chargers and devices it's nice to be able to use the same cable for phone, laptop, power bank, headphones, etc.
But 95% of the reason I say go for the Sony's is that the sound (which is what headphones are for) is just far far superior, especially when you use the Sony LDAC codec.
The sound isn't far far superior, the headphones aren't even capable of showing all freq of LDAC either FYI. You have to tune the cans significantly to remove the crazy muddy bass by default. Also the very plastic build doesn't inspire confidence. If you are going for sound quality, neither of these are great anyway, primarily ANC.
Also worth considering how terrible sony support is compared to the incredible Bose support.
@onlinepred: Yes the XM3’s frequency response does end up cutting some of the top frequencies LDAC is actually producing in 660kbps (standard) and 990kbps (quality priority) modes; with 660kbps rolling-off @ 21.5khz (headphone only does 20hz-20khz in this mode) and 990kbps rolling-off @ 47khz (headphone does 4hz-40khz in this mode).
I think it is possible to get the (almost) full 4hz-22.5khz Redbook CD frequency response if you use 990kbps mode (to get the 4hz-40khz XM3 frequency response) and play a CD quality 44.1khz sample-rate file.
Although, the quoted figures for 990kbps mode may only apply when playing a ‘Hi-Res’ 96khz sample-rate file.
Here is a read-up I have linked before if you are interested in the details.
@thebadmachine: Oh btw, I bought the M50XBT a few weeks ago, really great set, but it's uncomfortable for me past a few hours. It's so close to being perfect for me, great controls too. Went to David Jones the other day and they had many headphones I hadn't tried, like the B&O ones. Have you tried the H9i? Gave them a good feel/listen and they seemed really good.
Also side note, a colleague got the Pioneer 7 wireless and man it's the flattest set I've ever heard haha, so boring IMO. Pretty comfy though, very flimsy.
@onlinepred: Yes I think you mentioned getting the M50xBT.
Pioneer S7 you mentioned being flat, it may sound flat when you compare to M50xBT’s for example, but with extended listening you might appreciate the extra details throughout the frequency range.
Of course it’s all subjective, I also prefer slightly coloured sound on headphones as well.
I posted a great deal on the H9i recently.
I still prefer wired headphones myself.
@thebadmachine: Yea so flat! Made me realise quick that I have no interest in flat or neutral. I was considering getting a replacement for my dt770 but I def don't want anything more flat than it.
Hopefully h9i will suit my travels and commute well.
Yea that deal was great! I got opened box new black for $420 so I'll see how it goes.
@onlinepred: The DT 770 Pro has been described (by-ear) as having a slightly wide U-shaped sound signature, with a emphasis on the top-end of treble, and some on sub-bass.
Again frequency response only tells part of the story but here is a link to the website I have been using recently.
What I look for in frequency response is always a downward slope, then I guess the ‘colour’ or ‘character’ in the form of spikes and dips which I think is a big guessing game (harder to predict how they will influence the perception of other frequencies) which requires listening in person mostly.
The V-Moda Crossfade 2 wireless you mentioned in another comment has this downward slope. With a bit of boost in the bass, and restraint in the highs.
I am currently looking for a tiny-bit more emphasis in the high’s so I passed on the V-Moda (also price and wireless function which would be wasted).
In typing all this, I really am trying to avoid the headphone game. Just research a lot though so I am always being tempted and keep convincing myself to play the long-game (get it as right as I can so I will stay with the product for a long time before needing to move on again).
@thebadmachine: Oh man a colleague got the Crossfade 2 from DJ for $345 and they didn't suit my music style at all, perhaps would be good for dub, rap and less so hop hop. Driven entirely by bass, it overwhelms everything which is shown in the rtings. I listen to live music so symbols and femail vocals are key, why the dt770 are perfect, and H9i seems so far to be the best wireless headset I've tried for my style of music.
I run an amp and dac with less high range for my dt770.
@onlinepred: Yeah the bass-hump is a bit much, but since some have reported it being less bass heavy than the Crossfade 1 / M100 models I thought it would be tasteful.
Well looks like I saved some time by deciding to pass on the V-Moda CF2W.
My current long-term headphones which I have owned for years is the wired B&O H6 (1st gen), got them from Rio when they were clearing them out for $199 ($699 or $799 RRP if I remember correctly).
I found a quick graph from google. Regardless of what it shows I have considered them to be great sounding for everything including instrumental / vocal, it’s only recently I wished for a little more detail in the top-end on some tracks.
Also they have always had great sub-bass so sometimes seems like mid-bass was tamed back. So I thought about trying some headphones with a bit of a hump in mid-bass and a tiny-bit more top-end.
@thebadmachine: Keep me updated if you get anything
@onlinepred: Yup will do. It’s interesting how your hearing changes (even for a occasional headphone user like myself).
Really the H6’s have been and still are a solid headphone (tasteful but very well done), it’s only after a two years or so I start noticing smaller things, and that’s got me researching.
@thebadmachine: Yep agreed haha
@onlinepred: Have an update for you. Since I have decided on skipping on the headphones purchase.
The headphone I have been looking for is the Beyerdynamic Custom Studio.
Here is the response & one for the DT 770 Pro 32 ohm.
- Custom Studio
- DT 770 Pro 32 ohm
I had been comparing it to the 32 ohm DT 770 Pro since I found it for ~$180 @ Melbourne HiFi if I remember correctly, and also wanted the option to be portable.
I passed on the DT 770 Pro due to its piercing metallic treble (which you enjoy on cymbals -I can understand this could be nice on Rock / Metal when there is a lot going on).
As you probably can see the Custom Studio are similar to the DT 770 Pro in some ways (I think they use the same driver) except less sub-bass and reduced peaks in the highs (more neutral and downward sloping).
Some have said they prefer the Custom Studio sound thanks to the reduced highs + more detail.
Here (Red - Custom Studio) is another measurement which shows the similarities and differences better.
In typing all this, I have followed up the AU retailers listing it as available, and it appears to have been discontinued (even Beyerdynamic’s official AU supplier Syntec has removed the ‘buy’ button). There is only one local place which ‘may’ have a pair to try, and they have it listed at $299. Even if they have a pair, they are so low in availability I assume they will refuse to budge on the price.
They are available on Amazon AU from out of the country, but the price is still too high ($280) and I am smart enough to skip any chance of buying before listening.
I am sticking with the B&O H6’s for now, they are still going strong and being a speaker person, my occasional listening rarely exposes the small issues I mentioned.
@thebadmachine: Hey! I was going to get the custom pro plus instead on dt770. But the studio has better velour padding. Loving my H9i actually. Entirely content with it except weird touch controls, but I can forgive that for everything else haha. Sounds like you could just keep on with them and save some money
@onlinepred: After a quick search I discovered there is a Custom One Pro. And a Custom One Pro Plus as you mentioned.
They are very similar to the DT 770 Pro in response, bass adjustment aside, they have the same 6k-7k treble peak, the only difference seems to be a lower 2nd peak in the 11khz-14khz range (which IMO would make the 6k-7k peak more pronounced / possibly sibilant).
The Custom Studio’s have the same peaks but both of them are lowered together, which I thought was very appealing. Too bad it seems the Custom series were slow to sell, and therefore got discontinued.
Regarding the H9i, one of the key features IMO is the replaceable battery.
So you can buy an extra battery, have it charged up and swap it out for long trips, or when the battery dies, you can buy / put in a new one in & the headphones have another life.
This feature alone is worth the extra $100 over the other options IMO. Since the others will be dead in the water when you put in a new battery in the B&O’s, you could probably have 3-4x the product life.
@thebadmachine: Yep this is true.
I saw custom one pro plus for around $249 on eBay. With the sale last week came down to $211.
@onlinepred: White is cheaper. $190 Delivered for eBay Plus members with PEACHY15 code I think.
@thebadmachine: Oh forgot to mention that after getting the H9i I found out they support USB-C audio too! Was a nice find.
Many good reviews out between 2013-2015, I think once DT770 became popular on the consumer side, it started to sell far more. I was taken aback when I went to a mates recording studio, was all DT770s haha. Even Triple J Like A Version, and BBC one (random example here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msgimk3mV6g, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wyYucOEqV8&list, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q_OBMFwN0s) still use DT770 for all the bands to record live in. Incredible how once you see it, it's everywhere!
@onlinepred: USB-C audio in some headphones (B&W PX) allows charging while listening (could be helpful when caught with low battery & need ANC).
Yeah I think certain DT series have been a workhorse product for the professionals for awhile. Consumer hype can be a thing, and at their (DT 770 Pro) price point I guess they are able to sell a lot.
Personally they have a bit too much emphasis in the top-end, I am a mid’s first person when it comes to audio. Also get slightly worried about damaging my hearing when the highs are like that on headphones.
Same! I tried both in store. Sony does sound slight better, but bose hands down so much better on comfort. That made the decision for me.
I think this is going to depend on head size and shape. I have a large head and surprisingly, the XM3s are more comfortable than the QC35. QC35s are pretty light but for me, the clamping was noticeable and the pressurisation from ANC seemed higher than the QC25 (go figure). QC25 are most comfortable as you don't feel anything at all (pretty much pillows on your ears). But the XM3s has the atmospheric optimiser function which I find really helps.
Yea I can't actually stand either QC35 or XM3 ANC due to the feeling I get from it, but the bose 700 has no sensation which is fantastic.
@onlinepred: You have an expensive head.
@spiff: Yep, wish I could just get apple earpod knock offs and be happy :-(
Don't update!!! They ruined the ANC in the new firmware update
didn't happen with mine
Just wondering what am I able to do if I've done the firmware update. i.e. is there a way to revert back to the previous firmware so that the ANC actually works?
Thanks! Reverted to 3.1.8 for now :)
I heard Bose purposefully downgraded the ANC on this just prior to the release of their new headphone. Some ppl found these completely useless after the update. Would highly recommend the Sony ones in light of that.
Not sure. I did the update on my wife's qc35s. Didn't notice any difference in ANC. My hearing isn't the best to begin with, but still.. Didn't notice any difference.
In saying that though. I tried the Sony ones when buying for my wife's birthday and the ANC seemed better on them. Just found them less comfortable with glasses and my ear would touch the back of the cup (not the edge). It annoyed me. So went thr qc35 which was more comfy.
Its to do with the Pink noise filter, noticeably less noise cancellation when running things like an air conditioner than before etc - plane cabin may get annoying too
Its all over the internet atm, but if you can't notice the downgrade it wont matter too much. There is a way to revert the firmware anyway
Must admit we haven't been on a plane since the update. Hopefully she won't notice, save the effort of reverting the firmware.
edit, old link.
Can't seem to get the code to work.
Code doesn't apply to these headphones….
Unless you make lots of phone calls on your headphones, I'd say go for the Sony WH-1000XM3 all the way in every other aspect