Earphones / Headphones: Where to try, what to buy?

I have the Shure BT cable and apart from sometimes having to re-pair it, it’s worked really well for me.

So my sennheiser HD-25s were stolen (along with loads of camera gear) and I need new ones. I loved the sound of those things but the wire always got caught on things so I’m thinking of Bluetooth. Does the sound on Bluetooth still suck?

From my recent research, Bluetooth is now pretty good, depending on the ability to transmit the newest version.

Where it isn’t quite sorted yet is in the proper wireless earbuds and their ability to connect with each other.

Nope. Go for it. Really pleasantly surprised with Bluetooth audio in most of the headphones I’ve listened to recently. So long as it supports, aptX, LDAC, aptX HD or AAC (the latter only for iPhones) you’re good. You don’t really want to listen over the SBC codec. It sounds awful.

loved the sound of those things but the wire always got caught

Just route the cable under your uppermost layer of clothing.

I’ve never been convinced by NC or wireless headphones in the past but faced with a 14hr flight back from Singapore, bought some Sony WH-1000XM3s in the airport. Wow. Sound quality is decent, form/fit is excellent and the NC is remarkable. Slight pressure on the eardrums but nothing compared to the assault of in-flight noise!
In the end the flight was over 16 hours of constant use and the headphones remained comfortable, with plenty of battery life at the end. Very impressed!

I used to be sceptical too but one flight with a decent pair of NC headphones will convert anyone.

I’ve used other models before and thought meh but these are something else.

I just got my XM3s have yet to fly with them but I’m really impressed with the connectivity and NC so far.

Does anything else in-ear come close to the QC 20 for flying? They seem to be on sale a few places, as I assume Bose are going to release a version with apple remote and lightning connector soon.

So I am thinking of going for the AKG on ear bluetooth. I register that there is little love for AKG on here, but I am so happy with the neat foldability of my non-BT AKGs that I would be hard pressed to go for something more substantial, i.e. something I could't slip into my jacket pocket.

However, before I drop my dosh on these, are there other very packable/portable bluetooth headphones I should know about? I potentially have a larger budget than what the AKGs cost.

EDIT: Perhaps these instead actually. Not tried them on tho'

The thing that struck me about those when I was looking them is that there aren't actually any pictures of them on people's ears in all the marketing bumpf. When I looked at them in person they were bigger than I expected so I'd have a look at them first.

The Sennheiser Momentum on-ear fold up small-ish but not really small, needs a decent sized coat pocket

My favoured small, BT headphones are these https://www.whathifi.com/sennheiser/pxc-310-bt/review but you have to get them second-hand now (I like them so much that I've stocked up on multiple pairs from ebay).

Alternatively you can get one of these and just use your current headphones (although still some wires) https://www.amazon.co.uk/FiiO-Bluetooth-Receiver-Built-Support/dp/B07D8K76F4

I bought the AKG Y50BTs as my first set of bluetooth headphones - they're alright, but have a really bad design in that the power button gets knocked when you fold them up so they're constantly turning themselves on when you put them in a bag etc...drove me mad trying to watch something on the phone once home and having to go back to my bag to turn them off so the sound would work!

As would be expected for on-ear they leak sound far more than over-ear. I've actually switched over to the Momentums that @aggi has mentioned and am much happier with those, but they certainly don't pack small either.

The in-ear Momentums could be an option if you want wireless and packable (that aren't as easy to lose as the totally wireless pod design)?

a really bad design in that the power button gets knocked when you fold them up

Very good point thanks.

Got some Send HD 4.50s in the end. Sound is nice – flat-ish but not as clinical as the HD25s. Noise cancellation seems to do what it says and they really block a lot of noise. Beats pressing earbuds deep into your ear canal when the tube gets loud and I wont miss getting tangled in wires constantly.

Sound quality was my main concern and they're really quite good in that area. 5/7.

Anyone want a Sennheiser case for their folding headphones? PX-100 case

If anyone is interested, there's a bose special on for THE iOS sports earphone and Q25 on their website.

I have a feeling Bose are going to release a whole load of lightning compatible headphones. They've been discounting a lot of their older Apple stuff recently. I got some QC20 very cheap a few weeks ago.

I wouldn't be surprised if lightning disappears in the next few years. Some of the iPads have already got rid of it.

Sounds like the perfect time for Bose to adopt it!

I must confess to being staggered by a £31 set of Sony WI-C300 BT buds for listening to MP3 and Youtube stuff

Lack of a headphone socket is to milk you of more sucky monies.

Sorry for not searching. Any recommendations for earbuds that clip over the ear for people whose ears reject normal earbuds? Lightning or Bluetooth. I’m guessing no shops would let me try them out.

I'm sure if you say what the budget is some people on here will be happy to give recommendations.

£0-£99