The Perfect Headphones Do Not Exist

[@FStoppers]

Soundcore Q30: amzn.to/3xreGhA Bose QC 35 II: amzn.to/3H9cBv2 Bose QC 45: amzn.to/3H9o3XA Bose 700: amzn.to/3H8CV8B Sony XM4: amzn.to/3H9AUsA Sony XM5: amzn.to/3HdUYKl Beats Studio 3: amzn.to/3xmZD8w Apple Airpods Max: amzn.to/39mNQPl 5daydeal: 5daydeal.com/partner/fstoppers Fstoppers store: www.fstoppers.com/store

[@samyfantis8086]

Test the Momentum 3 True Wireless from Sennheiser

[@saffakanera]

I own a pair of those Q30s, they are alarmingly good for the price!

[@oliverracz2686]

@@samyfantis8086 Right. The sound of the Momentum is leagues ahead of the Bose QC series.

[@ljeans531]

I'm a bit of a sony fanboy and I just got the Xm4 Wanted to know if you tested the app because I think that's a big part of the sound quality. The app allows you to customize to a sound that is for your taste. And you can easily get rid of that muddy sound.

[@alexsmith1207]

@@samyfantis8086 the momentum 4's are coming!!

[@brunohelenobarbosa5176]

"I thought I'd throw a pair of cheapos in there" me listening to this on my q30's

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Me too. But ... See my post 😜

[@ZarZar57]

@@rogerstarkey5390 Q30s sound amazing for their price (especially with ANC on). I’d go as far to say that they sound way better than the more expensive headphones in this video (except the AirPods max)

[@那人冷靜一點]

Well .. they're all very cheap tho

[@thewavefafa]

So since i have q35 is That mean in cheapos list too?

[@那人冷靜一點]

@@thewavefafa if it's wireless, it's mostly cheapos, mostly

[@JD-gc7lt]

In the Sony headphones app, adjusting the EQ even just a little bit (I tend to increase the 'clear bass' and the highs a little bit) can make a HUGE improvement in sound quality, and I'm confident it would put the XM4 in the top spot for you. I have the XM4 but I would imagine it's the same story for XM5. If you didn't try the sony headphones app, you might be missing a trick there. Also there's a specific anti-wind noise setting in the noise cancellation settings of the app, move the noise-cancelation slider to the 2nd notch! Makes a world of difference. Seriously play around with the app and you may change your overall opinion, there's a ton of customisation in there Great video though!

[@The_Calm_Chaos]

Yes, I was wondering if he'd looked at the app at all.

[@jerryzhang5455]

But if it was uncomfortable to him, it didn’t make sense to try the app.

[@kevineina6454]

Absolutely agree, I still have my V3 and honestly I do think they are way better than the rest, maybe the apple one is a bit better but it cost almost double….

[@sien9492]

@@jackd.ripper9216 i think 5 or older devices dont get support anymore

[@asuraKabuto]

wh1000xm s are very EQ sensitive . just make it bright laike +5 6 mid +3 treambles and it's night and day difference

[@dcaxeslinger]

An often forgotten about pair of headphones on the market that I own and absolutely love are the Microsoft Surface 2 headphones. I’ve had them for quite a while and I absolutely love them. You can tune the EQ to your liking (which saves to the headphones), the noise canceling is insane, physical dials on each ear for noise canceling and volume adjustment + touch controls on the side, long battery life and fast charging, great lowkey design, and a 3.5mm audio jack which I use at my desk plugged into my audio interface to remove latency while making music or gaming. Best headphones I’ve ever owned.

[@DDHDTV]

The Soundcore Q30 are surprisingly popular among audiophiles, BUT with an EQ. So changing it sound settings a bit completely transforms it to something accurate and balanced

[@MrJabinho]

And the price to sound ratio is the best.

[@elizabethr.9359]

I wonder if he played with the different ANC settings as well, I think that could've improved the experience in wind a bit

[@fezzes428]

if you have to eq a pair of headphones to sound good, they arent good (i own several pairs of audiophile headphones and a pretty decent hifi setup for reference)

[@MrJabinho]

@@fezzes428 With battery headphones it's a bit different thing. I own arroun 100pcs of corded "real" headphones. They don't come with EQ app.

[@fezzes428]

@@MrJabinho yea they dont come with an app but people do eq them. oratory is a great example of whats becoming the "standard" for headphone eqs

[@garyluciani1082]

This was a refreshing headphone comparison video. So many people talk about sound and comfort without understanding an obvious fact. Everyone has different head and ear shapes and sizes. What's comfortable to one person may be uncomfortable for another person. Sound is affected by these factors too. And let's not forget sound preference. Just like ear and head sizes; not everyone has the same sound preferences. This video is an excellent example of that.

[@DigiDriftZone]

I am so happy you covered wind noise, when I upgraded from the QC35 to the Bose 700, I was shocked how much worse they were outdoors with wind noise and nobody mentioned it, so much so I thought mine were faulty!

[@FStoppers]

and 45s are way worse than that!

[@DigiDriftZone]

@@FStoppers that's very disappointing. I like going on a nice walk with my headphones and the 700 are crap, my new AirPods max are... ok, not amazing, no where near as good as my old QC35 which unfortunately failed after many years of faithful service (right headphone has no sound at all).

[@WelcomeTooo]

QC 35 2s are still my favourite because of overall experience and volume but the Bose 700 is definitely a step up in sound quality.

[@FStoppers]

Patrick here, my biggest gripe was it took 30-60 seconds to disconnect and reconnect each set of headphones between listens and most of the time you'd forget what you were just referencing. Shocked Lee didn't mention this in his tests as surely I wasn't the only one who suffered from the connectivity issues. I didn't think the Beats sounded that bad but the strange thing is they had the worst/lowest bass of any of the options and I always thought Beats was known for TOO MUCH bass. Not sure what to make of that. -P

[@FStoppers]

Lee here. Nobody had as hard of a time as you. I easily got to hear each one within 3 seconds of the other.

[@mikalevalampi]

@@FStoppers 😂😂😂

[@nathan-clark]

That bass comment was very true many years ago - the sound was so unbalanced and though they had a lot of bass, it wasn’t particularly good. A lot of people have carried that view over the years but the reality Beats have gotten much much better over time.

[@joecerone]

While it was mentioned that the beats had issues with squishing people’s ears, I think it would be worth saying that having a good seal around the ear is important to sound quality for these type of headphones. Maybe it’s not unfair to judge them with an improper seal, due to it sorta being their own fault, but it does stand to be mentioned.

[@ohskynyrdlynyrd]

These reviews are so great. You really go in depth and notice things that don’t sound important when you buy headphones, but definitely have effect on listening experience down the road

[@HerrMeier007]

Funnily enough the AirPods Max are the most comfortable headphones I have ever used. I think that’s for one reason only. The mesh fabric adjusts so nicely to my head that my head doesn’t even touch the actual frame of the headphones. And I can actually feel through the mesh that there’s a pretty big bump on my head that is kind of sharp and that was the main reason why my head always hurt like crazy after an hour or two with headphones on. Well, now I know that my headshape probably wouldn’t look very nice bald and also I can finally sit down for a long time and just enjoy music 😅

[@jerry.cox.2003]

Quick note for anyone with xm4's. I had the original ear pads, and they did touch my ear fully. It was fine, until they got old and flat. I got wicked cushion ear pads, and they are BY FAR better than the original. They're deeper, much more padded, and a lot more comfortable than the original. Not sponsored at all, just a happy customer trying to spread the word.

[@רוןכהן-ב5ט]

Where I can find dose?

[@x3ko777]

I also prefer my old qc35 and qc35 ii over newer headphones i’ve bought, I don’t think I will ever part with them, for one simple reason, they are the most comfortable over long listening sessions.

[@markrome9702]

I have the QC35 iis as well and have been thinking about upgrading to the Sony's. I have a feeling I would end up buying a bunch of different ones like you did and still think the QC35s are the best in their own way. Saved me the time and money!

[@aes1373]

THANK YOU! Someone else mentioned how the XM4 and XM5 are uncomfortable. Everywhere I read a review, they talk about how comfortable they are. In both cases, and even worse in the XM5, the earcups are shallow and they touch and cramp your ears. They heat up super fast and get uncomfortable 20 min in. Other than that, they're amazing.

[@TacticalCactusMedia]

I’ve used the XM4s for years and love them, so much I decided not to even both upgrading to the XM5’s.

[@stevenc9207]

I agree. I hate the Sony headphones, they are sooooooo uncomfortable!

[@krio.]

I have the XM5s, and they sound very muddy indeed (default EQ preset). Good thing is that the equalizer can fix that to make them sound close to the Airpods Max's SQ.

[@FStoppers]

Hmm I'll have to try that before returning them.

[@shirakawanaoya]

@@FStoppers do tell your findings!

[@twosheafilms]

Watching thread this to hear your thoughts Lee.

[@chadpurser]

Agreed, I have the XM4s and the EQ did wonders.

[@rudolfburgaj]

To fix the wind noise on MX4, you need to activate ambient sound an then back to noise-canceling again. I don't know why but that fixed it for me.

[@vodwills]

Completely agree! The comfort is unparalleled in the QC 35IIs.. I got the xm4 and then returned them

[@Squidboyy]

I bought the QC45 and they're perfect for me in almost every single way, much clearer sound signature than the Sony headphones which sound so muddy in comparison but in my opinion the Bose sound better even than the airpod Max because the Max are more of a V shaped than the Bose which are by far the flattest sounding ones which is in fact nicer to listen to without overly emphasizing sounds which should not get emphasized. If the QC45 will get an update to allow us to lower the ANC or to completely turn it off which will fix the wind noise issue, then they will be unbeatable because they're also by far one of the few most comfortable headphones money can buy and I honestly wouldn't spend any amount of money on any headphones if they're not comfortable to wear for hours and hours on a plane, it would defeat the whole purpose of getting comfortable ANC headphones, which unfortunately the Sony's kinda messed up both on comfort and sound.

[@akashvirenprasad]

Plus with the new Bose Music app update, you can EQ them to your personal taste. Bose QC45 FTW.

[@bernd564]

Impossible to not give a like taking into consideration the effort that went into making this. Nice, informative video!

[@egheltzer]

I know he did kinda mention this at the very end of the video but something you have to remember when looking at the soundcores is that all the other headphones cost $300+ and those are only $80 so you have to look at the quality in context to the price.

[@arcticbear4083]

As someone who owns, and surprisingly enjoys their Beats Studio 3s, I have small ears, and compared to my friends and family, they certainly are designed to fit feminine heads like mine. I honestly enjoy them for their sound separation, and noise cancelling. I can't hear myself snap my fingers, and I have never gotten that same experience. There are cons however, coming from a fan of them: - Their micro USB port - They're a sweat collector - My ear cups haven't given out yet, but they are known for cracks and deterioration - Headband has little cushion at all - No transparency mode (you turn off noise cancellation via clicking the power button twice) I suppose I don't relate to most heads, but for mine, these fit great.

[@MINDTHEHEADPHONE]

Hey, Lee! Love your content! I agree with you that the AirPods are the best sounding among those but, as you found out in your test, audio is really subjective and, in any case, all of those headphones are very artificial sounding (even the APs, which I still love BTW). I'd love to see you try some proper reference headphones, such as Sennheisers HD600, HD560S or, better yet, a pair of properly driven HD800S. Maybe, even, a cheap but good sounding IEM, such as a Moondrop Chu or CCA CRA. I reckon they would give you a whole new perspective on headphones. The audio hobby is a rabbit hole. And I can already see a bunch of snobs coming to criticize this video, but in my opinion you're just giving your opinion and impressions as a regular consumer, not a hobbyist, and I loved the video for what it is. Keep 'em coming!

[@FStoppers]

I too am interested in this and I would do it at someone else's house/store but 99% of people today, including myself, want wireless headphones so that's why I didn't do a super high-end test.

[@brunohelenobarbosa5176]

Você por aqui!

[@MINDTHEHEADPHONE]

@@FStoppers I know! But experiencing those would almost certainly affect how you perceive the ones you tested in the video :)

[@sergioriedemann]

Add to the list some Beyerdynamic, like DT770, DT990, DT1990

[@MartinLeschinski]

​@@FStoppers just use a Bluetooth Dongle with a Closed Back Full Size Headphone or in Ears, which do "passive"Isolation like a Charm. For example Focal Elegia with Fiio BTR5 dongle

[@samsstuff1482]

Sound quality is incredibly personal and 100% subjective as it’s totally dependent on users prior experience and how they use headphones. Also short term impressions are usually wrong/different when compared to long term usage. But this is very informative video as it features so many test subjects and testers, so thank you for this. 👍

[@Mikey_Brewer]

I have had the QC 35s for about 5 years now and they are awesome and still work! They have some issues turning off but they were great. I recently upgraded to the Bose 700s and from the start I couldn’t tell too much of a difference in sound quality. Noise cancelation was much better on the plane with the 700s. But I wore the 700s for a couple months and I tried on the QC 35s again to see if I could tell a difference. The only difference I found were the 700s have a much better build quality. Both are absolutely great headphones.

[@Gamurboi]

ive had the og qc 35's since 2016 and in terms of sound and build quality, they are still great. i have the same problem as you with the on/off button not being consistent as well. the only caveat is that they arent made for well for computer compatibility, which is what i use them on 99% of the time

[@Rachel-bo1me]

The sound leakage on the q35s are terrible

[@KeraptisBlah]

Awesome review. I really appreciated getting the diversity of opinions on this, as the video showed headphones are super subjective, and getting multiple perspectives really helped lend some objectivity. I would love to see something similar with in ear headphones - I see more people using AirPods and such in their day to day life than any over ear headphones.

[@kiris_77]

Totally agree! I have the in-ear Sony 1000XM-4 and I totally hate them. Is the worst purchase I've made just by guidance on reviews and tech aspects rather than comfort and use case. All ears are different, so is a completely subjective topic

[@samo6083]

@Iris Rodriguez I can understand you might not have a use for them but hate? The noise cancelling is some of the best, and the battery life is top class too

[@iJamieM]

The Q30’s sound great but you have to apply a custom EQ setting to them with the app, before I realised that I thought they sounded horrible. Now I love them, I just wish they were more comfortable.

[@churchillcoins8519]

As a DJ, former music producer that enjoys many genres of music. I own all of these models, have used these for years. Overall, this is the order. AirPod Max Sony XM5 Sony XM4 Sennheiser Momentum 3/4 Bose 700 Bose QC45 Anker Q45 Beats

[@rausrufezeichen]

Thank you for your work. I honestly thought about replacing my beloved QC35 II - but after watching your video: never!

[@jonasezekiel3829]

Man you're the best reviewer I just wish you were a full-time tech reviewer I just like personal experience than collective opinions that gives a perfect sense of real life usage of a product.

[@Frankie_20c]

Bought the XM5’s noise canceling was amazing! Sound was amazing, lots of good mid/ low bass. The “ ambient sound” mode (transparency mode) was a little robotic for me, but still not too bad.

[@ljeans531]

I'm a bit of a sony fanboy and I just got the Xm4 Wanted to know if you tested the app because I think that's a big part of the sound quality. The app allows you to customize to a sound that is for your taste. And you can easily get rid of that muddy sound.

[@Frankie_20c]

@@ljeans531 Yes I did. The XM5’s right out of the box sounded OK, but once you start messing with the EQ settings in the app it really helps make the sound quality so much better.

[@rockkiller124]

I got mine as well and with few adjustment of EQ, it was perfect

[@MediaBuccLA]

You guys should have really considered ear-sound fatigue. Should have tried one each day or 4 everyday or something with gaps in between. Great video by the way! I own the old faithful Bose headphones and I love them. They also have a gaming version that comes with a extension microphone, good for gaming and working at home. Love them. ❤️

[@DavidTurner11]

Your review is the only one I've seen that discussed the size of the ear cups. Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuu.

[@rogerstarkey5390]

WHY can't reviewers simply place the headphones "cups up" and lay a ruler on them in both directions? Easy Informative.

[@Mori8636]

I’m with you man, big fan of my qc35 2, I love the physical buttons rather than sensored gestures, I’ve had them for years and still love them but have to agree AirPods Max have the best sound quality/noise canceling. Having said that don’t like how heavy they are or the “case” ( if you even want to call it that) so I’ll just stay with my qc35s

[@VanCamelCat]

😂 You'd expect this review to be the most confusing of them all, but it was actually one of the most helpful I found in that it made things MORE focused and LESS confused for me 😂 Well done.

[@JValek]

Man, I've had the Beats Studio 3s for a few years. I love them. I've traveled all over the world with them and I never hear crying children. I also work out in them and they've held up. I don't know why so much hate. Great video otherwise...

[@kane3681]

The space gray colour might have looked better. That’s the color I’m using and that is the best in my opinion. Also, the water resistance of these headphones is different. Sweat can complete kill Airpods max and luckily I’ve apple care plus and I got a new pair. You might want to mention that as well. Good review nonetheless.

[@NOTASCOOLASME]

This is so interesting to me! I wish there was a way to test out headphones without seeing the brand or label, just to eliminate any implicit bias one might about a certain company!!

[@60beats44]

Turns out that you do not 'hate them all', as hinted in your video thumbnail. Fair is fair and please no click baits from you and your respected site. I watched your interesting, informative and entertaining upload, having purchased the QC45 a few weeks ago. Never having tried these in windy conditions, I headed out today here in Sydney 🇦🇺 to recreate your experiences. Quite breezy during my 3 hours walk, wearing a jumper and a thin beanie. Turns out that you are correct and that the noise cancellation function did not work as expected. However and pulling the beanie halfway over the external ear cups did the trick for me as the wind noise instantly disappeared, with Bach's St. Matthews Passion now sounding as wonderful as ever. Hopefully Bose will fix this downgrade from the QC35 in another firmware update, as the 'beanie trick' will only be practical during the short local cooler months. Thank you again for bringing this 'flaw' to my (our) attention and for your reflection on your Windows to Mac journey, something I have also commenced a few months ago with only a few hurdles for me to be jumped.

[@Cleanblue1990]

You wouldn't believe where Sony hid the wind reduction option if you didn't know where to look. You have to go to the app, find the *slider* for the ambient sound and put it to the position*before* 1 out of 20. Such a shame, because the effect is quite good.

[@nvs_official]

Is it available for the XM4’s as well?

[@jasoncarvalho5295]

@@nvs_official yes

[@DiogoFilipeR]

The Sony ones have an option to prioritize wind cancelation that makes them a lot better when in windy places, I have the xm3 and that option helps

[@TanayHVora]

Exactly!!

[@somnathmishra2263]

I usually don't write reviews on KZbin, not because I don't like the contents, but because I am too lazy to type, and I am not fond of finishing the reviews in "very good", "okay", "excellent content" type statements. After watching this video, however, I am compelled to write a review. I can fairly state that this is by far the best video of headphone review. A completely unbiased, non-judgemental one. The way you have compared all these models is fantastic. A review should be like this- hell yeah, there's no perfect headphone, and that's the truth! Everything in this world is so subjective. I just bought a pair of Bose QC45, and though Bose is my favorite brand, I felt immediately uncomfortable with the wind pressure (cabin pressure / eardrum suck) with its quiet mode. I would love if you had discussed this topic as well, as no one usually picks up this important point. However, I felt good in the "Aware mode", and I sincerely wish Bose had added "ANC Off" feature in these. I am not a frequent headphone user, but I just love the detail Bose brings out of any music. I am not a boosted bass lover, so Bose is amazing for me. Wind Noise is not an issue for me, as in wind, I love to enjoy the sound of wind itself in nature, putting my headphones off. I have just one question, not sure if you'll know this- the eardrum suck that happens with Bose QC45- is that harmful for ears? And, which headphone, according to you, has least eardrum suck / cabin pressure in quiet mode? Once again. excellent content! Thank you.

[@FStoppers]

I think the "feeling" of it sucking your ears isn't actually happening, it's just a sense your ears are producing when all sound is being cancelled out. Glad you liked the review!

[@somnathmishra2263]

@@FStoppers That may be possible. I am feeling little more comfortable with time.

[@CraigMagina]

I bought the QC45’s and thought they were good, but after wearing them for a while my ears would get really hot. The AirPod Max’s were on a crazy nice sale, so I grabbed a pair and found them, like you, to sound amazing. As far as comfort, my ears don’t get as hot, but I do wish they offered a softer material. I returned the QC45’s and kept the AirPod Max’s. Someone has got to make a softer earcup eventually. Not sure what to do about the stupid case though. Here is to hoping they fix these issues with the next gen version.

[@xiaoabrose]

As a mild audiophile and nusician, I can say that the average people don't have s clue what they are listening to. Just generally a sound they like, cannot hear details in sound, or what it should sound like. Spend time is a music studio with a expert and be prepared to have your mind blown. Even record a live guitar and then play bskc through different systems in the same sound booth.

[@arthurised]

Yes, I’m 9 months behind everyone else but felt that I just had to comment. A different approach to headphones comparison which I really liked: a more natural and nuanced ‘storytelling’ approach that is really, really enjoyable. Additionally, you used British English spelling - e.g. two ‘l’s’ as in cancelling - a definite thank you and thumbs up for that 😊The down side (for me) is that I now have to reappraise my own search for the ‘perfect’ noise cancelling headset 😂. Great job Lee. Just one question. Any further reviews or follow ups on headphones in the pipeline?

[@akhilsunilkumargv]

Sony's have a dedicated wind noise cancellation, in the ambient slider just one slide right to noise cancellation. It works really great with wind cancellation.

[@mojoiam]

really enjoyed watching this. I wish you had included B&O H95 in there. I wonder if you’d think they sound better than Apple’s.

[@СергейКрамник-ы1ъ]

Wait for your comment

[@shaunbrady15]

From the reviews, the h95s are miles ahead of airpods max for sound

[@mojoiam]

@@shaunbrady15 I tried them.. I didn’t like them. bought the air max.

[@adamsapple7193]

H95’s were too quiet and I wasn’t wowed by sound for $900. Returned

[@VynZography]

I recently lost my airpods and went through a very similar experience trying to find a replacement. I only tried 3 pairs, Bose QC45, Sony XM4, Technics A800, and came to the conclusion that they all sucked in some way the manufacturers could have easily addressed. Its so annoying that in 2022 people pay so much money for devices made with such little effort. I made a couple of videos about them on my channel but then just got fed up.

[@AndyDay]

Big shout out for the Anker Soundcore Q30s. Bought them as a budget option a few months ago and it's been one of my best tech purchases of all time.

[@thecommenter578]

I bought them in Christmas and I want to love them but they sound too bassy. They sound kinda good after equalizing them but you better don't use them wired because they sound like trash!

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Keep your receipt!! Read my post. I would suggest that despite the look you put a strip of strong tape around the headband just above the sliders. My pair broke. Then the *replacement* pair broke. . Just sayin'

[@AndyDay]

@@rogerstarkey5390 Good to know. Thanks for the heads up!

[@Fanatic17]

It’s weird, my Beats Studio 3s are extremely comfortable, and I’m a pretty big dude, the noise cancelling works very well in my loud office (sometimes my colleagues talk to me and I don’t even notice them)

[@gabefernandez1]

This is so funny I still own the QC 35 and every time I’ve tried different pairs to see if they’re better I always return them so far my opinion is the QC 35s are still the best for me.

[@shmeagle]

I switched from bose qc25's to airpod max's and i found that they were pretty heavy at first and was honestly about to return them but after a couple long flights I got used to them and it didn't bother me nearly as much. I also found they were a lot more comfortable to wear when my head is resting on a pillow either on the side of my head or the back, that was something that annoyed me about my bose headphones as well. I think I might buy some leather earcups for the AirPods and that might fix the slight annoyances I have. The case is by far the most annoying part about them tho and still kind of a pain to put them in my backpack and honestly a little worried they might break cause of it.

[@fern8594]

FINALLY!! A video that talks about the stuff I care about with new headphones. Luckily the Bose 45s just got an update to turn off the NC! I'll be getting those! Thanks for the great vid!!

[@firstnamelastname7476]

I don't own the 45s.. is that update in software or firmware? does it help in wind? cheers

[@benjytickner-bellau7217]

Did they? I can’t find that anywhere??

[@fern8594]

@@benjytickner-bellau7217 Nope, I was fooled :D I did end up getting them and they're still really darn good

[@benjytickner-bellau7217]

@@fern8594 I’m glad to hear! I cant decide between them or the Sony xm4s! The mmmm it’s annoying that the qc45s cannot turn off ANC/transparency

[@fern8594]

@@benjytickner-bellau7217 I used to own the sony 4's and they broke on me after 3 months :/ I really like my Bose 45s , had em for half a year now and they are superb! The spacing inside the headphones really seal the deal for me. It's soooooo comfortable :)

[@cconstb21]

Thanks for the review. I have really enjoyed the X4M for almost 1.5 years.

[@Kyodaikuma]

My God how can you enjoy that sound firm. Too dark, no sound stage, horrible Metallic sounding treble...

[@MrHubyBuby]

1: Age is a big factor in sound preference, as we get older we hear high notes less and less, that is why young teens evaluate mega bass as good sound because they hear all the high notes that we ( I'm 32) don't, and that's why for us it sounds muddy, coz we can't hear those notes anymore. That's why your wife preferred the muddy sound, she has younger hearing. 2: You test them like gen Z, " I want it and i want it now", the thing is that you can change the EQ on the Soundcore exactly to your taste ( you didn't mentioned it ) and then you would hear the full potential of those monsters, this is a huge selling point from them, the others you just "plug and play".

[@jp.franke]

I did own the xm4, qc35II and returned all of them for my AirPods Max. Imo they have the best sound and also connectivity to my iOS devices. Also the build quality is high class and personally I even do like ‘em on my head.

[@samszanto7618]

me too!

[@aprilsky8474]

I love Bose. To me, especially for noise cancelling they're the best and most comfortable.

[@Slurkz]

Incredible test! Thanks so much. 💜 The Sony XM3 headphones are also still available, for cheap. Best bang for the buck, even if you factor in the two drops of super glue to (easily) fix the infamous design flaw of the XM3 (that was fixed with the XM4).

[@shadowscollide44]

What's the design flaw? I've had my pair for years and they still look brand new.

[@Slurkz]

@@shadowscollide44 Lucky you. The plastic caps on the headband legs have tiny plastic straps that hold the caps together. But (at some point) they can’t take the tension that builds up when the headphones are used on larger heads. Those tiny straps just snap and after that the headband caps start coming off pretty easily and frequently. This defect happens to lots of XM3 owners, including me and some people I know. But you can just glue the caps back on: problem solved: really. It’s almost unnoticeable. Or you can buy or even 3D-print replacement cap sets. On the XM4s these parts are (visibly) sturdier and won’t break. Chances are your straps have broken as well, but the caps just stayed on.

[@goobfilmcast4239]

I have had the XM3s for nearly 3 years and have beaten the crap out of them...recently replaced the worn ear pads for slightly thicker ones....I use them while cutting the grass, landscaping etc in FL and love 'em

[@nexuses1]

I have the Bose 35 i and ii and also the 45, just because of the comfort and the handling. The 35 i is still my favorite (I ride my bike and escooter daily) and I returned the bose 700 and sony xm 4.

[@BananaAllergy]

Never thought the best headphones review will come from photographers! Thanks!

[@PrashantMohan-seven]

so grateful for this video - summarising my own dilemma of moving on from QC35s and trying a lot of these out include the Bowers and Bangs which don't stack up to the reliable day to day working of the Bose QCs.

[@aerofart]

I love my Bose QC35 II headset. Sound quality is very good for consumer grade audio. They are very well built. The battery still lasts for hours and hours and recharges quickly. I’m on my second set of earcups which are very comfortable and durable. The built-in microphone is handy. The noise reduction is amazing. They are lightweight and you’ll forget you’re wearing them. Easy to select different sound sources (BT sources), pairing works well. Available for purchase almost anywhere. Got mine at Costco. Highly recommend.

[@pixelpusherbv4704]

Something you need to try, something that only the Max’s will do and that’s Spatial Audio. You may not watch movies on your laptop, but after using SA (on an appropriate movie, OR song), you may well change your mind. I now always watch movies at home (from an Apple TV) with the Apple AirPod Max’s. I was blown away when I first used them for this and I’m still blown away (watch 2022 Dune!)

[@torom86]

That's way too personal, and I totally agree with your wife about the Apple. I hate their accent on high frequencies, they just tear my neurons apart 😆

[@andreassakka3577]

❤️ the refreshing honesty and effort that's gone into this. Thank you

[@Viktor-kb4gf]

great review! thanks! I have Soundcore Q35 and I like it.

[@kentf.kruhoeffer9795]

Loved your cast of zany testers and laughed all the way through your review. Like you, I bought a pair of Bose QC 35 IIs a few years ago and have used them every day until recently, when the ear cups finally deteriorated so badly I had to make an upgrade. I bought the Sony XM5s a few weeks ago (roughly a month before the Sennheiser Momentum 4s came out, duh) and - like you - I'm not exactly thrilled with the touch controls. Or the comfort factor of the ear pads. It's not terrible but my ears do touch the earpads, as you mentioned. The Bose QC 35 IIs also had more high-end volume - and the bass sounded better. On the XM5s, I've managed to adjust the bass upwards a bit with my media player's equalizer, but the Bose just had better separation, whereas on the XM5s, it's a little muddled. Weird how tech companies seem determined to take one step forward and two steps back. Thanks for making me chuckle through one of the best headphone reviews I've seen in a long time. And you can probably forget about a Christmas card from Beats this year. 😂 lol Kind regards, Kent F. Kruhoeffer

[@neilgreen6553]

Just bought and returned the Anker Q20's. Cheap but sounded good. Downside is that both the q20 and q30 no longer allow noise cancelling to work when plugged in using the cable. Sooooo no noise cancelling when plugging into in flight entertainment systems (confirmed by Anker). Major reason for purchase in the first place.

[@andrewsartin]

Go to an audio show or a high-end audio store, and see if you can’t find something you like. There are three types of headphones: dynamic like most speakers, electrostat like Martin Logan speakers, and planar like Magnepan. Headphones have their own dedicated amplifiers and DACs, or they can go off a full-size amp. There are TRS to XLR connectors for them. They have detachable cables, so you can decide if you like a certain cable between the amp and headphones better. There’s a lot out there, it’s just not going to be cheap. Bonus: the high-end audio crowd always needs pro photographers.

[@zirak93-2]

I agree so much. It's just so sad that removed the ANC low on QC45. I just hope they bring it back.

[@djwolff_]

I thought I was going to replace my Bose QC 35II for my shiny new AirPods Max 🎧 but I guess I’ll keep them both. Best of both worlds. Thanks for the awesome review. Best so far.

[@soupafleye]

this is seriously such a nice review. i think i’m gonna go with the bose 700 i think they might have the best sound leak test from what i’ve found. (which would be really nice if you did a sound leak test for all of them 👀) also i like that they’re light and comfortable. and despite not folding they have a good profile case. i think the microsoft headphones are really cool tho with the round toggle things on both earcups

[@jay31415]

I've had Bose nc700 for 2 years. Honestly, I've given them way too long of a chance and now regret choosing them. (1) Never-ending Bluetooth connectivity issues, (2) the app absolutely sucks and is extremely unreliable, (3) frequent, randomly clicking/popping, (4) when placed around my neck, they literally bend the opposite direction of common sense, and, they randomly start/stop whatever I'm listening to due to capacitive touch.

[@CTOLARSSON]

As a fellow video creator I have to use wired connection when editing due to the Bluetooth ~150-200ms latency. How do they perform wired? Is the ANC as good? Can it even be on? How is the audio quality? Is there still a latency due to internal buffering? Someone mentioned a 80ms latency wired on some of those which would be bizarre and destroy the use case. Very curious about this. (Wired latency is usually 5-10ms from computer application to sound in your ear on an analogue pair of earphones, but they don’t have ANC.)

[@URBOYSUNNY]

I’ve used Bose 700 headphones for 2 1/2 years and using them 4hours a day they are so comfortable I forget I’m wearing them till I put my bike helmet on 🙊 I’ve got mine on bass 8 treble 9 mids on 0 perfect 🤩

[@GWJUK]

I’ve still got my Bose QC 35’s, I’ve just replaced the pads for peanuts off eBay. I was on my first flight for 26 months so I tried out my iPhone ear pods for the first time, not a patch on over ear for flying. It also seems that I am not missing out on any newer over ear units either. I always though Beats were just loud not good.

[@basa112]

huge difference if you're connecting your hp to an android/apple device. secondly if you're using the most suitable bt audio codec. 3rd if you're (can) using EQ. With the 2nd half I can agree. So the 1st half is very cloudy. the 2nd half is helpful.

[@giannicolaberaldo]

I totally agree with you and I deeply hate touch control too. You can image my life is deeply hard, yes. BTW thank you for your review, it's exactly what I was looking for to replace my old Bose QC35. Gonna buy the QC 45, of course.

[@DawgFL]

I bought the soundcore q30 and q35. haven't received them yet but after the good reviews, and the fact that I got the q30s for $77 CAD, vs everything else on the list being over FOUR times more expensiev ($400+), it was a no brainer for me.

[@kingBobdabuilder]

Have you gotten them yet? Can you tell me which one is better and is it worth it?

[@DawgFL]

@@kingBobdabuilder i did get them. both are great. The q35s have comfier ear pads but overall they're not too different. If you're looking for budget id probably just go with the q30s since they're a decent bit cheaper.

[@hhoebeke1]

The transparency mode (airpods Pro and Max) is for me the biggest game changer, compared to all other I have tested) they add so much use-ability in a social setting - I simply can’t go back. As to turning the air Pods max off, as far as I know, it has been a while now that they turn of completely a short while after you just put them down, no more need to put them in the sleeve for that)…

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Must say (in their defence) The Q30's have scrolling through.... Normal Active noise Transparency Via the left side button And switchable between "last mode" and transparency. "touch and hold" the right side.

[@HendrikEbber]

I have the OG Bose QC35's I bought them when they came out here in Australia, and they still go strong 5 years later. Just love 'em. Point to note: Cheap Chinese import replacement ear cushions last longer than the official ones. Go figure

[@krs48]

No Sennheiser momentum? Missing the best

[@marto787]

Its the worst

[@toshi7220]

To me, Sony for QC & Sound (with EQ), Bose for Comfort & QC, Apple for Sound & Ecosystem.

[@mathieuboyer1003]

Great video! Thanks for talking about the wind. I can not believe Bose can't work their way around that problem.

[@dkendall77]

Not surprised by your conclusion. I'm a pro audio engineer...I never thought I'd own a pair of Bose, but after listening thoroughly to the competition and reading more reviews than anyone should, I bought the QC35ii's a couple years ago...and haven't looked back.

[@rachelthornton6949]

Thanks for the comparison, Lee! I personally love my Sennheisers. Worth looking into!

[@IvanRiveraStagea]

Different people hear differently... that's just how it is. Unlike speakers in a well treated room that can be equalized to sound close to correct and provide a good experience for most people with just basic measurement devices, headphones need unique response curves for each individual. This explains the wide variation in opinion. Read up on Head Related Transfer Function.

[@rafaopen6844]

I agree with what you said about ears being different and not sealed similarly due to long hair, reading glasses, how they fit, etc. The AirPods Max, however, has a feature called Adaptive EQ that "... tailors sound to the bespoke fit and seal created by the ear cushions. Inward-facing microphones measure what you’re hearing, then adjust the frequencies of your music to deliver a rich, consistent experience that faithfully reproduces every note." Each ear cup contains an Apple H1 chip that can do a lot of magic and is firmware upgradable.

[@andrewtemme4471]

I actually bought a second pair of QC35ii One for entertainment and my other for working out!

[@adamdavis7520]

I believe that sound isolation and not "noise cancelling" may be the best solution when contending with wind noise -- at least this has been my experience. Proper sealing of an in-ear-monitor (IEM), (eg- Shure makes great IEMs for isolation) is best but with an over-the-ear headphone, I'd suggest disabling noise cancellation and see how you fair with the wind noise(s). Basically, this just cuts off the internal mics and lets the music play without any induced noise. If wind is extreme, then I go back to a good isolating IEM.

[@twosheafilms]

Fantastic review Lee!! Thanks for putting in all the work on this one. I know people give you shit a lot for your reviews. I love hearing your perspective. I also LOVE how wrong Patrick got it. Maybe his ear fitting into the Beats made a better sound experience 🤷🏻‍♂️? I own the QC35II and the NC700 for all the traveling I do. But I find myself just using AirPods 80% or the time in everyday life.

[@edmacfarlane9483]

You have to comment on the design of the Bose 700’s they look so different to any other headphones and feel and sound amazing.

[@CarlM408]

Great review, let me throw a dark horse into the ring if you're still on the hunt: Orosound Tilde Pro. The design focus is a little more office/home-office worker end, but along with that you get many levels active noise reduction to try with your wind troubles, manual buttons, replaceable on _or_ around ear muffs, fantastic mic that'll beat out anything including the AirPod Maxs, and if your battery is going down you can even use them as a wired headset unlike those Maxs and many other wireless headsets.

[@aramoix76]

Like you said at the beguinning of the vid, it depends of the use case, workout headphones are not the same as music production, and not the same as 8 hour work day daily driver. I work in the music industry and by experience there is a LOT of variables that goes into headphones design and manufacture, is literally a billion dollar industry (reached 85 billions on 2021). If you want to get you mind blown try the Nuraphones, they are for listening to music specifically (yes, just for music only, lol), and you will fall in love with them. Thanks for the great content. Cheers.

[@kevins8575]

Wish I had watched this before I bought, but went with best-value for acceptable performance: the Soundcore. Glad you agree.

[@brianstalter6569]

I have the QC-35 (original). Maybe not the best hip-hop music headphones, but they are great for working in a corporate office to cut out distractions.

[@lancemiller3304]

I think myself and potentially other 'audiophiles' in the comments section would be interested in seeing you do a video on some proper high end open back headphones through a dedicated dac/amp setup. Obviously there are dedicated audio channels that regularly review the products that i would be referring to, but seeing the average person's reaction to these high end headphones would be interesting. Some headphones I'd recommend in the test would be fan favorites like the HD650, HD560S, AKG K371, Hifiman Ananda, LCD-X, etc. Obviously this type of test might not be viable, but I thought I'd chuck it out there anyway

[@ViolenceWerkz]

I literally was just looking and scrolling for a comment like this. Im on every 2ch and Headphone Sub on Reddit and I completely agree with this comment. I moved to the high end world from the Sony XM3's and Beats Studios. And was completely blown away by something completely cheap. My first pair were Hifiman HE400se, paired with Schist Magni/Modi and I was blown the fuck away. The entire setup was $358 bucks. And then I introduced my own Custom DSP (Roon) and it's now even further down the rabbit hole and even better sound quality than I've ever imagined. I still own that very same setup and listen to it often. 3 years into the audiophile crazy and I now have 9 pairs of cans, to include Sennheiser HD6XX, 660S, HifiMan He400se, HE5XX, Sundara, Ananda, Audeze LCD2 Classic, Monolith M1060, and a pair of closed back Meze 99, along with SMSL SH9/SU8s, a Tube from Darkvoice 336L, and it has been a great journey. I think you sir at FStoppers, can do yourself a great service by even testing any audiophile grade setup from novice to advanced and link up with Z or Joshua Valour and take a gander at the high end, cuz you probably won't ever go back. Definitely agree with you Lance, great comment

[@BTJPyro-Woodburning]

I haven't tried high-end NC headphones yet, but compared to some $150 to $250 headphones, the Soundcore Q30 headphones are the most enjoyable to listen to after you EQ them, especially for the price. I could buy 4 or 5 of them for the price of the higher end NC headphones. They definitely need EQ, but it's easy in-app and it's saved across devices. I use them via Bluetooth on my PC for music and even for games and they're great all-around.

[@moazyagan9671]

hi, could you please tell me which EQ settings you use?

[@anbax]

I have seen many headphone comparison videos and yours was the best and most entertaining. Very well done! 🙂 I chose the Bose 45/SE. Best value for money.

[@AppleHelperITouch]

As an apple user in the ecosystem, the flawless connectivity it has plus the pretty good sound quality really makes it worth for the AirPods Max.

[@ljeans531]

Sony has good connection for almost half the price

[@AppleHelperITouch]

@@ljeans531 oh I bet, but its just the ecosystem is what gets me, dont get me wrong, the Sony does have good connection, its the Max’s is flawless.

[@slidestep]

@@ljeans531 Sony headphones don't have automatic switching, and they don't pair to every apple device that you're logged into. Also connectivity to multiple devices on the XM4s and the XM5s never work properly, and for "half the price?" XM5s retail at 400 and the xm4s at 350...

[@chihiroogino7464]

@@slidestep “half the price” might not be fully accurate but it’s an extra $150-200 you could spend on something else. If you feel that the ecosystem is worth that, power to you. Personally, as much as I want to like AirPods max, the margin of better sound quality just doesn’t justify the price. And honestly they look horrible on most people, and Apple… who came up with that carrying case?? Hope they improve the design over time though. They’re good headphones.

[@slidestep]

@@chihiroogino7464 if the ecosystem alone doesnt sell the product for you then alone they’re definitely not worth it, as they are apple headphones, though even if you have an iPhone, the noise cancellation and transparency mode are unmatched even in comparison to all the rest of the headphones in this video. To me, and many other users who want the best of the best in most categories and also appreciate close ties within the apple ecosystem, they are definitely worth their asking price of $549 but to MOST who do not need the best of the best on paper as well as deep ties with the apple ecosystem, theres no way the price is justified

[@VikasNiranjanBellary]

6 year old Bose QC35 IIs are still the best for listening for long periods of time for audiobooks and are comfortable than any of the others I've used. Have never used 'beats' and will probably never do

[@ambalina]

This is the best headphones review i have ever seen. Thanks a lot.