So almost 2 years ago I asked about upgrading my plantronics backbeat pro 2’s and people suggested I hold them until the wheels fall off
https://lemmy.world/post/23922174
Well, now the wheels are falling off. Headband is coming apart.
What would be a modern day upgrade you’d recommend?
Based on what I’ve seen… It would seem the momentum 4 (I’ve seen them regularly under 200 usd new on reseller sites) or momentum 5 from sennheiser would be a good choice but curious to know if this community has a different or better recommendation.
https://www.technics.com/ca/products/headphones/eah-a800.html
I don’t know exactly where they stack up, but when using a headphone jack the audio quality and volume are much better than just bluetooth. I’ve been very happy with them, also have a set of earbuds from them I use everyday and they’ve been around for about 3 years and are holding up very well compared to Sennheiser earbuds I had. I also only really bought them because it’s what a local shop sells.
I have the Momentum 4 and they sound good, but in my opinion the noise cancelling is really bad. I also really dislike the pressure they create on my ears, but i’ve been told all noise cancelling headphones do that so that might just be a thing i personally dislike. My friends swear on the Sony XM1000 series, though i remember them saying the older versions were better.
I’ve had a Momentum 4 and a WH-1000XM5.
I was not happy with the Momentum, and can’t recommend it. I initially had some kind of connectivity problems with Linux. Then, it had a tendency to l cut out, which I eventually discovered was a problem with the infrared sensor in one cup used to detect whether you’ve taken the hesdphones off. When it fogs up with condensed sweat, apparently not enough IR light gets through and it thinks that you’ve taken the headphones off. I disabled that feature with the Android app. Then some problem came up where when moved slightly, it would play back loud, high-frequency “squeaky” sounds. Some sort of problem with the noise-cancelling setup. Oh, and I had problems with bumping the side triggering touch controls.
The XM5 was fine for me when used as headphones—and better noise cancellation than the Momentum 4. But when used as a headset, sometimes, especially when resting my head against a chair, the other party would say that I suddenly became muffled.
I currently use it as headphones, but pair it with a USB lapel mic when I need a mic.
Interesting, i’ve got the disconnects too, never knew why. Moisture in the IR sensors, who would have thought ^^
Yeah, if you get the proprietary Android app, you can permanently turn that functionality off from an Android device. Took me ages to discover that. :-/
Had the exact same IR problem with the XM4. Bit disillusioned with basically all the brands.
I had the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and they turned into a creaking mess of cheap plastic after some months. I also had the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, which broke and got replaced for the 5 on warranty by Sennheiser. Which was great until they also broke in the exact same way. Occasional high pitched tweeting in the right bud. They didn’t want to replace them again and now I am actively avoiding Sennheiser.
Currently I have Beyerdynamic DT 900 ProX. They are open back and I only use them at home. Amazing sound.
For on the go I now have Linsoul Zero 2 (The Crinacle colab ones) and they are cheap and sound great.
Sony MDR 7506 or similar are the best headphones I’ve ever owned. They are modular, designed to be repairable, and have great build quality. They’re wired and have no microphone, but they retail for a third the price of a bluetooth set that can match the sound quality. (~$100)
They are designed to be repairable, but iirc the parts cost enough to make it hard to justify repairing over just buying a new pair
Just hope that a different part breaks on the second pair and then you can put off ordering a third.
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I recently bought Senheizer HD-650’s. I’m very happy with them.
I was gonna recommend the same. Have been using them for 2 month and absolutely love them.
Probably gonna get hate, but why not Quietcomfort? If you’re an audiophile and your phone is actually playing lossless high res audio, of course go for Sennheiser. If you wear your headphones everywhere often, prioritize ANC and don’t mind the Bose sound, I’d go Bose every day and save the hifi listening for at home.
What is the Bose sound?
There’s a specific space or soundstage that it produces and lower mid punch with a little dullness in the mids and highs but still good color.
Looks like somebody mapped the sound profile. Not sure if it fits how I hear them.
People like to say stuff like “no highs, no lows, must be Bose”.
Bose has earned a reputation for selling high-priced devices that don’t always live up to the hype. That doesn’t mean they’re bad, but the fancy audiophile people like to piss on them.
Most people who don’t own $30k stereo systems are pretty happy and they still lead the pack with their active noise cancelling.
Adding another +1 from personal experience.
I’ve happily used the same wired, over-ear Sennheisers as my daily drivers for 15 years, but tried switching over to Sennheiser’s wireless noise-canceling line a few years ago. Horrible mistake: the sound quality was acceptable but the firmware, the fit, and the ANC were atrocious.
Couldn’t believe the two products were made by the same company.
Agree. There are some things that annoy me but my QC35 II are the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever had. I don’t like anything touching my ears and I am very very sensitive to pressure, so if this matters to you then look at the quiet comforts.
How big are your ears? I’m on Sennheiser 598 because it’s good stuff but also because they accept my big ears ☺️. They are definitely home only though so I’m looking for some sturdy nice ones for outside.
I completely agree with this. If I want noise cancellation, the quiet comforts are good, I am mostly playing music to mask sounds anyway, so the main exception is comfort, non-obtrusive sound, and good ANC. I also use them on flights, for podcasts when awake or background music when trying to sleep- so again, sound quality is secondary. My only problem with them is the faux leather cover of the ear cup flakes easily, needs replacing about every 2 years. For listening to music at home, I use open headphones.
I see a lot of good recommendations in here, but it would be more helpful if you said whether you want them wireless or not. I figured the answer is yes, but a lot of the (excellent) headphones people are recommending are wired and require a DAC/amp.
For wireless, you can do a lot worse than the Sennheiser Momentum line. The current best is the Momentum 5 Wireless, but I got my wife the 4, its over $100 cheaper and quite good. Not a fan of the Bose or Sony, but they have decent noise cancelling.
For wired, I’m not even going to recommend stuff because I’ll out myself as a weirdo that spent too much on audio.
I use Panasonic ergofit everyday, good luck
I like Crinacle’s headphone ranking list, check it out. If it’s not on here, probably not good
Beyerdynamic DT 150.
They are designed to be fixed and are built like a tank. I fully expect them to keep working for the rest of my life
I second the Beyerdynamic. I have the DT 770 myself, bought them 15 years ago and still going strong. I’d expect these to be the last pair of headphones I’ll ever need. Mine are however fully closed, which can lead to hot ears. They are super comfy and I get cold ears quickly, so I prefer them. I also really like the sound isolation and the sound quality is absolutely perfect.
A friend of mine has the DT 990 which are open backed, so they don’t suffer as much from hot ears. However the sound quality can be a bit worse as they have less isolation. It’s a bit of a trade off, both have excellent sound and in a quiet room there is no difference. So it’s just preference really.
Yeah, I’ve had two pairs of DT 770 Pros now, and they’re probably my favorite non-active-noise-cancelling headphones. Good passive isolation, comfortsble, durable.
I think that the cable used to be detachable and isn’t on current models, but my current model also cost significantly less, so…shrugs
Yeah, I’ve had two pairs of DT 770 Pros now, and they’re probably my favorite non-active-noise-cancelling headphones. Good passive isolation, comfortable, fairly light, durable.
I think that the cable used to be detachable and isn’t on current models, but my current model also cost significantly less, so…shrugs
If OP wants ANC headphones, though, which I assume he does if he’s looking at Momentum 4s, might not be what he wants.
I have some 770’s and fit a mini XLR socket on them. I then balanced them too. It’s nice to have cable options. It was years ago I did this, there were a few videos on how to convert them, probably more these days.
No particular model to recommend, but if you use it primarily for music/movies at home and don’t have anyone around you to bother, go for open-back or half open-back headphones.
I like my Sony XM4s
I’m still on my xm2 from almost a decade ago, if that helps anyone with the decision. Just had to buy new earpads from AliExpress a few years ago.
XM5 have hinge problems I hear, but my 4s have been great
Had an XM3 and now an XM5, these are top notch head phones indeed!
I haven’t tried the XM3, XM4 or XM5 but I would recommend the XM6.
They’re a little bassy and have that proprietary app. Good contender for wireless headphones though, but a cheaper wired will outperform instantly
Well sure, it’s wired.
If that’s an option for you, it’s still worth it to buy some quality wired buds too though. There’s some really great repairable ones for under $100 out there!
With IEMs, I don’t like them as much as they always fall out and feel uncomfortable.
That headset must’ve been crap if it only lasted 2 years…
8 Years. They just posted about them 2 years ago…
OH
Damn
I had a pair of Beyerdynamic DT231 in the late 90s, my first decent sounding headphones.
So I looked up last year what is their best, reasonable price, current model:
Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm
–
Own an ATH-M50 too, solid sound, no issues.
I have a pair of DT-770 Pro 80s that are 20 years old and still rocking. I just had to replace a few mounting pieces a couple of times for a few bucks and get a new pads every several years.
They sound sturdy as.
I blew up my 231s with DnB.
There’s only so much the budget model could handle.
I also pick this guy’s dead wife
