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

Before the update, the noise cancelling performance and battery life were really good. Now, the only way for me to get close to my previous experience, is to crank up the volume to the max. Something I don't prefer doing and wasn't necassery before. If I don't do it, I can clearly hear external noise (voices mostly) coming through. Batterylife has been reduced as well from my experience. I've tried all the different settings via the app and spent some evenings browsing the web for a possible solution but to no avail I'm afraid. If you're happy with its current performance, I'd suggest you not to perform any update. Especially not before (I assume) a potential long flight.

I'll let you know once I've update the firmware if there's been any improvement whatsoever.

I guess everyone’s experiences and ears are different. I have on-ears and they start to hurt after about 2hrs even without glasses. I like to lean against the wall of the plane whilst sleeping so over ears are a no go. I have not yet had any discomfort from in-ears after 6 or more 12hr flights.

anyone experienced these? Mrs EB after a set of NC BT phones but doesn't wanna spend loads

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cancelling-Headphones-TaoTronics-Wireless-Bluetooth-Black/dp/B07PF87V65/ref=sr_1_10?crid=38QL3EVCK82H6&keywords=noise+cancelling+headphone&qid=1574354453&sprefix=noise%2Caps%2C152&sr=8-10

Been after some decent over-ear headphones for ages. Live in the midlands so not got an abundance of places to try pairs out other than like PC world and John Lewis. Like to have the option of running them wired which is useful at work. Was hoping to spend £200 ish

Black Friday on Friday - hoping for something bargainous online. If someone sees a ridiculous deal, please can they post up in here?

Over budget, but I just purchased the Bose 700’s, as the price has dropped to £299 on Peter Tyson and they have a Black Friday price lock thing - so if they drop the price lower when their sale starts, you can claim a refund of the difference.

I’ll be keeping my eye out for any lower offers anywhere else, but not sure this model will get much lower than that. I’ll post here if I see anything though 👍🏻

Any tips on where the best place is to buy Sennheiser HD-25s from online?

Thomann

@fyoosh cheers will take a look. Also looking at these on Amazon Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9i Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones with Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency Mode and Microphone - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078HSVK7M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_t4d3DbQXQQQPS
And these Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H4 Wireless Headphones (1st Generation) - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072NY334R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_r5d3Db6GJ5BES.

Nice. I tried the H4’s a couple years ago and thought they sounded great.

This month I ordered the Sony 1000x m3, I thought the sound was pretty underwhelming and for some reason the faux leather on the pads made my ears sweat after just a few minutes, which was gross. The Bower Wilkins PX7, sounded really great but my ears touched the inside of the cups, I thought the clamp force was a bit uncomfortable and I wasn’t into the canvas material.

So I settled on the Bose, they sound great and they’re really light. Only thing that I don’t like is that you can’t switch the noise cancelling off completely without going into the apps settings, hopefully they change that with a software update.

Such a subjective experience for both sound and comfort though, just make the most of Amazon’s super long Christmas period return policy if you purchase from them. Anything you purchase now can be returned until 31st January.

I need a new pair of cheap and cheerful bluetooth in-ears. The battery in my current ones is giving up. I don't want anything fancy, I'll use them for the gym, listening to podcasts while I walk my baby. Mainly after decent battery life. Any recommends I should look out for on black friday tomorrow?
ETA budget around £30

@Fyoosh really struggling re reading this as everyone is recommending the Sony option you didn't get on with! Is the returns policy just if they are unopened?

Yeh I also read a lot of the reviews that said that. I think the consensus is that Sony’s noise cancelling is still better but there a lot of reviews out there that give Bose the edge for everything else.

Amazon’s return policy is valid even opened and used, you always have the right to change your mind or choose the “performance quality unsatisfactory” option when returning. I’d try both if you can’t decide, you might completely disagree with me!

Suggestions for cheap earbuds? Have Sennheiser Mx375, but starting to fail. I don't get on with pokey in ear ones.

VE Monk. Amazon.

Well they certainly get good reviews. Thanks for tip, will try.

Hello head fi-ers... My sister is after some decent sounding earbuds. She already has over ear headphones for home, but for the bus she wants portable and light earbuds. She doesn't like intrusive in-ears. I have looked at the above mentioned VE monk... Currently $37aud and senn Mx 365 for $30 AUD. Anything else I could consider? Happy to spend more on worthwhile suggestions. Or personal experience with the above mentioned earbuds? Thanks!

HiFiMan stuff is worth a shout? $37 aud is steep for the monk’s....

Edit: HiFiMan no longer make earbuds.

I have no first hand experience with them but toneking seem to get good reviews over at head fi after a quick look.

shopId=3216145&sellerId=231131153&spm=null&pagePath=index.htm

Received and tried the VE Monks yesterday. Good for earbuds, pretty similar to the Senn MX375 I felt although perhaps lows not quite as pronounced. Am perfectly happy with them, slightly cheaper too at £14 posted. With such a compromised design, can earbuds actually get much better than these pair?

Amazon’s return policy is valid even opened and used, you always have the right to change your mind or choose the “performance quality unsatisfactory” option when returning

Is this true, do you have experience o doing this successfully? I have a bunch of earphones in my basket and wondering about just ordering them all so I can decide.

Yeh I’ve done this plenty of times, with all kinds of different products. I’ve recently returned the Sony’s I mentioned and the Bose as I ended up getting a better price at Peter Tyson.

If you check out Bower & Wilkins site, they also offer a 30 day trial/refund period.

Great, thanks!

Was just thinking, the only thing to check when doing this is that you’re purchasing from Amazon. Some sellers on Amazon have their own return policies I think. So look for this on the product page: “Sold by: Amazon EU S.a.r.L.”

FWIW, this is doable but it's also subject to Amazon's discretion. If you're a Prime customer you're more likely to get away with it. However, if you abuse their returns they are well within their rights to not refund you, close your account and ban you from opening new accounts based on your home address.

So do it, but don't over do it. And yes, this^ has to be sold by Amazon to adhere to their very lenient returns policy.

Oh, I've bought 5 pairs all from different sellers, but fulfilled by amazon! Presumably I can still flex the 14 day right to cancel and they'll all be returned to Amazon, not individual retailers?

I think it generally applies to sellers who use Fulfilled By Amazon too, but it really shafts the sellers. In my experience (as a seller) you end up with stock that is marked as 'unfulfillable' because someone has fucked it up, returned it, and Amazon have refunded them. The seller than has to pay for the stock to be returned or (usually, coz I don't want to have it shipped back from the US) destroyed. The stock due to be destroyed is frequently then sold by Amazon at auction, so they get paid twice while damaging the seller's brand.

I don't sell through Amazon any more.