The good: I like that it's rechargeable. No more AA batteries to mess with. Controlling the radio is very easy, only 5 buttons. The button locations are easy to remember so I can just reach up and push the desired button without taking the headset off. The headset seems well built and is comfortable. Audio is good. Radio works well.
The bad: I got this to use while running on the treadmill. However, I notice a click-click-click sound as I run, like there is a small loose part somewhere inside my right ear . Very annoying. I'm taking a star off. No problem when I use it on my exercise bike, only when I'm doing something like jogging.
Fit: the headset fits me perfectly when the earphones are completely retracted. I am a 185 lb male with a somewhat big head. People with bigger heads can extend the ear phones for a good fit. But if you have a smaller head than mine the headset may be too big for you. You can't make it smaller.
My final issue is with the volume control. Each button push increases or decreases the loudness. However, I find that the increments are too big. For example, I can adjust to a level that is a little bit too quiet, but one more button push makes it a bit too loud. There is nothing in between. Maybe this was designed for people who like to turn up the volume. Fortunately, when I'm on the treadmill I need it a little louder to offset treadmill noise, so it isn't a big problem. If I'm just sitting in my living room listening to the radio it could be annoying.
The last two issues don't affect me much so I'm not taking off another star. But the buyer should beware.
Edit 3/18/..
I like these headphones, so I took advantage of free return and returned the headphones to get a replacement. I originally thought the first headset was defective due to the rattling sound when I'm jogging. The replacement arrived quickly (great!), however the rattling sound is still there (sigh). So it's a design issue not a manufacturing issue.
I played around and discovered that the rattling sound comes from the 5 pushbuttons. It seems like there are cosmetic plastic caps used to loosely cover the electronic pushbuttons underneath. They rattle.
I don't really want to return these again, so my first idea of a fix is to smoosh a tiny dab of Funtac right up against each button. This allows the button to still work ok but stops the rattling sound. This seems to work, but it's not a perfect solution.
update 5/14/:
The Funtac has been working well to eliminate the rattle sound.
However, yesterday the unit was playing fine, then cut out. Screen was blank, nothing. Thinking it was the battery, I put it on charge over night. This morning it's still dead. I'm changing my review from 4 stars to 1 star.
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very time I fly, I&#;m reminded: air travel is loud. The noise begins with the airport&#;s busy energy and really takes off when the plane engine starts rumbling. Luckily, noise-canceling headphones are better than ever.
As great as the Sony WH-XM4s are for work, I find they really perform well for travel.
I&#;ve certainly put them to the test working from home &#; my makeshift office sits cornered between our loud, rumbling HVAC system and the kids&#; playroom. And as I ease into more of a hybrid work situation, I find that newer noise-canceling headphones are better able to silence office distractions.
That's because noise-canceling circuitry has gotten more sophisticated over the last couple of years and can knock out a wider range of sounds. On a plane, that means everything from engine noise to chatty seatmates.
Newer true wireless earbuds can hold their own against over-ear noise-canceling headphones. I used to say things like, &#;they cancel noise well, for earbuds.&#; But the best noise-canceling earbuds of don&#;t need a qualifier &#; they simply bring the silence.
In fact, earbuds from Sony, Bose, and Bowers & Wilkins all reduced my lawnmower&#;s engine noise so much that I barely heard it. Before I even turned on any music!
Of course, there&#;s more to consider when choosing headphones, like sound quality, comfort, and how you&#;ll use them. With that in mind, I'll provide some background info and buying tips, before diving into my top picks.
Noise-canceling headphones don&#;t simply seal out noise with ear tips, ear pads, or heavy-duty earcups. There is special, sophisticated technology at work.
They have built-in circuitry that counteracts exterior sound by emitting an out-of-phase sound wave. This wave effectively cancels out the incoming sound.
Many customers associate noise-cancelling headphones with Bose, because they pioneered and popularized the category. I recently had the chance to talk to Bose legend Dan Gauger, one of two engineers who helped create and develop their noise-canceling heaphones.
In , Dr. Amar Bose got on a plane and put on headphones, but they didn&#;t block out any noise! So he started scribbling equations for how to effectively cancel noise.
He gave me a deep dive on their history, and explained how a napkin drawing led to the development of some ultra-sophisticated circuitry.
But now there are some very formidable rivals out there &#; all with different strengths and features. That&#;s where I can help.
There&#;s a lot to consider when you&#;re choosing noise-canceling headphones. And perhaps above all &#; just like with any headphones &#; it really comes down to how you plan on using them. But here are a few specific features to keep in mind:
Over-ear headphones offer a plush fit and a tight seal to help keep out noise. Many of us here at Crutchfield choose them for work &#; whatever our current &#;office&#; setup looks like.
We know a thing or two about fit, thanks to our headphone comfort tests.
But for a daily commute, something smaller might be more convenient. Earbuds with noise cancellation have less bulk, but can still put distractions on mute. A nice in-ear seal is important for noise isolation, but can also help dial in the sound, particularly the bass.
Almost all of the noise-canceling headphones these days are also wireless. But even when they&#;re not, you have to recharge noise-canceling headphones. So stay aware of the listed battery life. These days, most over-ear models offer at least 25-30 hours of noise cancellation on a full charge. For true wireless earbuds you might get 5-12 hours.
True wireless earbuds, like the JBL Tour Pro 2, come packed in a case that can bank hours of power to recharge the headphones.
Listening with the noise-canceling circuitry turned off saves some battery life. And many over-ear models will let you listen with a connected cable. This wired &#;passive mode&#; comes in handy when the battery runs dry before you have a chance to recharge.
Many of the newer noise canceling headphones can tailor their performance to your surroundings. They use built-in microphones to &#;read the room&#; and adjust their noise cancellation to your environment &#; in real time.
Some noise-canceling headphones offer apps that allow you to choose how much ambient sound to let in.
Some noise-canceling headphones can also use those built-in mics to allow external sounds in. Different brands have different names for this feature, but it lets you hear ambient sounds or conversations, without removing your headphones.
Speaking of, all noise-canceling headphones offer some type of control over music and calls. But some take it even further, with control over the ambient features, sound EQ, and/or your 's voice assistant.
Now that you know what to look for, here's my list of top picks for :
There are few solid over-ear headphones under $200 that offer Bluetooth and noise cancellation. Even fewer perform as well as the Cleer Enduro ANC headphones. And I haven&#;t seen any of them that boast this much battery life &#; a whopping 60 hours.
I personally used them off and on for over a month before I ever had to recharge them. They hit my sweet spot for fit &#; relaxed, but they stay firmly in place. The noise cancellation isn&#;t quite on the Sony or Bose level, but it performs well against lower frequency sounds (like a plane engine). And they deliver a spacious, outside-the-head sound that&#;s clear and detailed.
These headphones sound incredible! Brings new appreciation to my favorite songs. Plus, calls are clear with no complaints from person on other end of call.
-Dale, Crutchfield customer from Bainbridge,IN
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the Cleer Enduro ANC
In general, over-ear headphones still cancel noise better than in-ears. Leave it to Bose to create a staggering exception to that rule. Just like their predecessor QC Earbuds II, I've been absolutely floored by the quieting effect of the QC Ultra Earbuds.
In fact, it was more powerful than a locomotive. I wore the Bose earbuds on an Amtrak trip, and was surprised by the sound of the train speeding over the track. Instead of the staccato clickity-clack I expected, it was more of an across-all-frequencies throb and squeal that's harder for noise-canceling circuitry to detect and cancel.
But not the Bose circuitry. I could listen to podcasts with the volume almost completely down and still clearly hear the hosts. Just as noteworthy: to my ears, these are the best-sounding Bose headphones ever.
Amazing noise cancellation!
-Charles, Crutchfield customer from Wilmington, DE
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the Cleer Enduro ANC
So far, I&#;ve focused a lot on the journey, but what the hotel gym at your destination? Or what if you run on the treadmill more than you hurry through the airport? If you need noise cancellation to focus during workouts, the JBL Live Free 2 true wireless earbuds are a strong choice. They are sleek, durable, and sweat-proof.
They include three sizes of oval ear tips meant to mimic the shape of the ear canal. JBL designed the tips to stay in place while you move &#; and lock in a proper seal for hard-hitting bass.
The active noise cancellation helps quiet the annoying yelps of an overzealous weight-lifter. But when you're out running or need to be more aware of your surroundings, simply tap the left earbud to enable JBL's "Smart Ambient" mode.
Love the sound quality. They fit snug and they don't seem to work themselves loose if I get sweaty. Very nice product for the price.
-Matthew, Crutchfield customer from Waukesha, WI
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the JBL Live Free 2
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The well-put-together B&W PX8 headphones are no slouch when it comes to sound, either. Their shrewdly angled drivers produce detailed highs along with omnipresent yet well-restrained bass. And I absolutely adore the charming midrange presence &#; and how vocals leap forward in the mix.
But the first thing you notice is their striking style. B&W used sturdy, high-quality parts and they look sculpted and elegant. They feel heavier in the hand than the other over-ears on this list, but the weight is distributed nicely when worn.
I thought B&W's earlier-generation flagship headphones fit a little too snug, but others loved how well they stayed in place. This time around, B&W provides a more consistent cushioning and seal for all sizes, even if you wear glasses.
And I think they've struck just the right balance &#; with the look, fit, and sound.
These sound fantastic and they are extremely comfortable. They also make a statement with their looks. I'm so happy with these headphones.
- Mashkoor, Crutchfield customer from Scottsdale, AZ
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the Bowers & Wilkins PX8
All noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones offer some type of control over music and calls. But for iPhone users, the AirPods Pro 2 take it one step further. The new H2 processing chip makes pairing and use with Apple gear even snappier. A one-tap connection syncs up the earbuds to your iPhone®, and then you're automatically paired to other devices on your iCloud account (like your Apple Watch®, iMac®, or iPad®).
My wife has an iPhone and said they were seamless and natural for calls, FaceTime, and watching videos. "They just seem to work," she told me, and there's something to be said for that. This generation also has a fourth "extra-small" ear tip that fit better for her.
And I found that these AirPods have stronger noise cancellation, a better transparent mode, and Apple's most sophisticated sound yet. They have a linear tuning that works well across several genres and styles &#; including spatial audio tracks on Apple Music mixed for Dolby Atmos.
They integrate seamlessly with my iPhone. The noise canceling function is great for drowning out my noisy gym.
- William, Crutchfield customer from Myrtle Beach, SC
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
The super-premium Focal Bathys over-ears represent a new class of wireless noise-canceling headphones, designed primarily for focused listening. The look, feel, and performance fit in with Focal&#;s storied line of wired audiophile headphones. But they sport a lighter design that's packed with on-the-go features.
Bluetooth 5.1 is on board, with hi-fi formats like aptX® Adaptive and aptX HD to better preserve musical details. And the active noise cancellation creates a low noise floor for the well-engineered aluminum/magnesium drivers to do their thing. Focal uses the same fast-attack diaphragm design developed for their top-flight headphones, like their flagship Utopia.
Of course, the Utopia headphones deliver a higher resolution &#; they're in the conversation for absolute best headphones in the world. But it is amazing how close Focal has gotten with a set of portable wireless 'phones. The Bathys headphones deliver an expansive, full-bodied sound with airy highs and a tremendous sense of space.
The sound stage is very open for closed back headphones, and I could hear more clarity in my music. [Everything from] classic rock, jazz, blues, to country. Vocals are scary real!
-Mel, Crutchfield customer from Juniper, FL
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the Focal Bathys
Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds offer the cleanest, most detailed full-range sound I&#;ve heard from a set of wireless in-ears. They somehow sound even better than their predecessor, offer cutting-edge wireless tech, and fit slightly more comfortably.
These small &#;buds deliver a large, &#;outside-the-head&#; sound. And Sennheiser's premium dynamic drivers nuanced mids and highs, deep, controlled bass, and a genuine sense of space.
Just received them today and they sound fantastic. % better than my [previous] earbuds. Crisper highs, better bass. Superior.
-JT, Crutchfield customer from Pittsburgh, PA
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4
No surprise here &#; the Sony WH-XM5 over-ears simply excel at everything they do. In fact, this top spot has been occupied by the previous two generations of Sony "XM" headphones, one of our best-selling headphone series of all time.
I did find that they weren&#;t quite the slam-dunk pick that their predecessors were. Not because Sony did anything wrong&#; these are excellent. But the competition is stiffer, both from the other headphones on this list and the WH-XM4s themselves.
But while those headphones are still a formidable option, Sony made some major advancements with the 'XM5s. The most obvious is the completely new redesign, but the changes don&#;t stop with the sleek, industrial look. The overall fit is more relaxed and the padding on the earcups and headband are thicker and softer.
Sony&#;s next-level noise cancellation is now better tuned to knock out higher frequencies and voices. They&#;ve included two of their ground-breaking processing chips along with a sophisticated new series of microphones and algorithms. And I found the out-of-the-box sound better balanced, with better overall clarity and less emphasis on the bass.
I owned Sony WH-XM3, WH-XM4, and this one so far is the best in response, comfort, and music quality... the response to turn, pause, and play is instantaneous.
- Vlad from Medford, NJ
Read all of the Crutchfield customer reviews for the Sony WH-XM5
Few true wireless earbuds have received such universal acclaim out of the gate as the new Sony WF- XM5s. The wire-free design is super convenient for travel &#; just pop them in to listen during your flight, then snap them back in the pocket-sized charging case when the plane lands.
To be clear, their over-ear 'XM counterparts do cancel noise better. But you don&#;t sacrifice much in terms of noise-canceling prowess thanks to Sony&#;s cutting-edge processing. Soft foam ear tips contour to your ear canal for a more secure fit and a consistent sound. I dig how the rich presentation expands well beyond the head and is punctuated by quick, powerful bass.
Have questions about how these noise-canceling headphones compare? Contact us today.
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