School me on: headphones

arof · Posted: Mar 10, 2014 6:56 am Post subject: School me on: headphones

I'm thinking about buying a pair of wireless headphones.

These would be used for the following:
- watching TV after wife is in bed (small apartment)
- watching movies/netflix or listening to music on iPad and iPod
- some travel
- using VOIP/skype type programs on my laptop for work
- potentially for xbox 360 gaming (not a requirement)

Noise cancelling would be great. The problem that I'm seeing is that most of these types of products are bluetooth which would make it tough to connect to my TV (and potentially my computer). Computer problem can be solved with an in expensive blue-tooth adapter but not sure about the TV. My stereo does have a 3.5mm headphone jack on the outside though; I'm sure I could purchase a 3.5mm to bluetooth adaptor as well.

All that being said, I guess I'm looking for a bluetooth headset that can easily switch between various devices. Would the Bose AE2w Bluetooth Headphones do the trick?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

arof, how do you like your sound? Do you prefer lots of bass or do you want something more balanced?

How important is the VOIP part (call fidelity/clarity)?

arof · Posted: Mar 10, 2014 7:13 am Post subject:

chavez - I'm no connoisseur of sound. More balanced as these would be used for many purposes.

They need to have some sort of headset capabilities - as long as it's decent, I'm happy; I don't need exceptional performance though.

Found a few other models:
Parrot Zik wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Harman Kardon BT

Broccoli B · Posted: Mar 10, 2014 8:59 am Post subject:

Just FYI, I don't think you can use wireless headphones on planes.

jryoung · Ladies Man Joined: 19 Mar 2004 Posts: 7664 City: Man Jose

Just a couple of random thoughts, don't get Beats by Dre and don't spend a lot of money on great headphones to play an MP3.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Here would be my short list, in order:

Noise cancelling:

1) Sennheiser MM550
2) ???

Non-Noise-Cancelling:

1) Jabra REVO
2) Creative WP-450
3) Beats

If noise-cancelling is a priority, it's hard to beat the Bose set. I know they would be a no-brainer for me if I was seeking that kind of device. If not, the Jabra set is very nice, but saving $100 and getting the Creative set would probably sway me.

Like you, I am not that interested in perfection when it comes to music (see: MP3 degradation). But I can tell you that after listening to the Beats cans, they just produce too much bass for the sake of producing bass. It would annoy me to no end to have to tune every device I connected it with to reduce the bass.

As for getting BT sound from the TV - I'd likely get something like this: Bluetooth Transmitter and add this:3.5mm to RCA Adapter. Plug it into the (audio) output of your TV (assuming it has one) and you should be in good shape.

Yes, you can use BT audio on flights: http://blog.bluetooth.com/faa-clears-bluetooth-technology-for-takeoff/

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

PS: the Parrot Zik is pretty darn fugly IMO. I saw a pair recently and man they are huge and gaudy. Expensive too. Wouldn't want something that large (same with Beats) being lugged around through airports. Heck, I get annoyed when I have carried just Bose QC's in my messenger carry-on bag. I tend to just use good earbuds with Comply Foam Tips for noise isolation.

FWIW: I've had earbuds in with Comply tips for the better portion of a 24 hour period once. I was on my M/C riding the entire time. They provided excellent noise isolation, and can make a mid-range set of earbuds perform like much more expensive models. Because they are foam they fit in my ear perfectly - so little to no irritation over time.

arof · Posted: Mar 10, 2014 9:56 am Post subject:

chavez - I'm not sure if the Bose ones are noise cancelling.

The only one that I could find that was noise cancelling and bluetooth was the Parrot one. Not sure if i want to spend that much $$$$ on it.

I can get the HK and the Bose one via work for no cash outlay, so does anyone have the HK one or other HK products that they can provide feedback on?

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

arof, I think you are right. Hmm. I assumed they were - I put them on in a quiet (Bose) store so the difference was not noticeable.

I was off on the Sennheiser model# - I listed the lower model, you'd want the M550x and yes they are noise-canceling.

The HK one I have not seen or heard.

Bambamski · Posted: Mar 10, 2014 11:42 am Post subject:

For my home theater i went with Focal speakers. They have the whole line up and my sales guy tried to get me to buy some focal head phones as well. They sounded amazing. If you want a really good set I'd take a look at them for sure.

Bambamski · Posted: Mar 10, 2014 11:51 am Post subject:

PS I'd stay away from anyting Bose unless you want overpriced $h!t. I'll never understand how anyone can buy anything Bose. Do they not compare the sound to anything else? What I will give cudos to Bose is they are the greatest markeing company ever.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

With Bose, I agree on their shelf units (speakers, etc).

But, as far as noise canceling tech goes, they do work really well. The sound from their headphones is not far off their main competitors. Most (non-studio-quality) headphones are a compromise, and adding a noise-cancelling ability actually degrades the sound at the same time it enhances it by noise-cancelling. It literally emits off-phase sound waves to counter the external sound waves, which might give the desired effect, but it doesn't do SQ any favors in the process.

Anyhow, it seems the Bose set doesn't noise-cancel anyhow, so the rec' for a noise-canceling set would be to go with the Sennheiser (known to be quite good) or the HK (might be great, dunno).

arof · Posted: Mar 11, 2014 7:41 pm Post subject:

how easy is it to switch which device you're pairing with? can I do it in 20 seconds?

wondering if this is something i can switch between my iPad and TV (if i buy a bluetooth converter) quickly.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

arof, depends on the device. You will likely have to initiate pairing from device to device. From the iPad it's simple, just click the AirPlay icon and choose the headphones, but switching it over to the TV may take a button press on the "send" side then a press on the "receive" side.

There is no real silver bullet in this area yet.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

Today only at Woot: Parrot Zik for $229

www.woot.com

arof · Posted: Mar 17, 2014 12:23 pm Post subject:

one day late. thanks for the heads up though.

chavez · RIP MHL 04/25/1958 - 01/11/2006

arof, here it is again: http://moofi.woot.com/offers/parrot-zik-bluetooth-anc-headphones-1

boardordie · Posted: Apr 02, 2014 12:04 pm Post subject:

Anyone have recommendations for a good pair of safety ear muffs with a radio/mp3 in them? Was cutting firewood last weekend and my ear muffs fell off the trailer fender and got ran over! Evil or Very Mad

Need to replace them before firing up the chainsaw again or getting on the riding mower in a few weeks.

RampageWake · Posted: Apr 03, 2014 7:06 am Post subject:

I have these Sennheiser 450's and I don't really care for them. I bought them to cover my ears and have music streaming via Bluetooth whilst mowing on my ZTR. They work ok, but the cups are too small and sit ON your ears instead of over your ears. After a while this makes my ears uncomfortable. If I were in the market again I would buy ones that comfortably fit over my ears. Fortunately, Jose runs the mower these days so I haven't had to wear them in a while.