These Headphones FINALLY Changed My Mind About Bluetooth Audio!

[@jimlepeu577]

Got Bose quiet comfort for a similar price a bit back - never ever had an issue with Bluetooth with them or any of their predecessors.

[@SwitchedOnNetwork]

Ah cool, how do you find them? I was at Schipol airport last week and although I saw lots of Sonys I saw a fair few Bose as well, although I've never tried them out myself!

[@jimlepeu577]

@@SwitchedOnNetwork I had the original wired ones some years ago and was impressed, especially when I upgraded to the next generation and they took the old ones in part exchange for a very good discount. This is my first Bluetooth Bose and I use them a lot for audiobooks, music and watching TV. I’ve had them for about three years now and am well satisfied. Rgdz - Jim

[@AaronFreemanPowell]

Another thing, can these charge from a standard usb power outlet? The MDR-ZX770BN can _ONLY_ charge from a booted computer connected via USB. They do not charge from a standard USB wall outlet charger. It's absolutely maddening! No good when travelling unless you happen to have a laptop with you. Why Sony designed them like this I don't know!

[@SwitchedOnNetwork]

Whaaaaat? Why would that be? Is that by design or is it a fault? These will charge off anything you like!

[@AaronFreemanPowell]

@@SwitchedOnNetwork It's by actual design! The user manual actually states _"This unit can be charged using USB only. Personal computer with USB port is required for charging"_ And then it goes on to even state what OS is required for Windows or Mac! The charging LED doesn't illuminate from a standard 5V USB source, only from a running computer. Glad to see Sony have come to their senses with later models then, or at least not cut massive corners and presumably not wanted to certify them to charge from stand alone chargers....!?!?! I mean it requires more internal circuitry (and cost) to detect a full USB host than just accept a 5V/500 mA source!! ....okay, rant over.

[@SwitchedOnNetwork]

Can you build a defeat device? 😜

[@AaronFreemanPowell]

@@SwitchedOnNetwork I'd considered a specific value resistor between the data lines, but I think it needs actual driver handshaking. I guess I could try on a RPi, and take that travelling 🤨 Oh or buy a newer better pair....

[@SwitchedOnNetwork]

Links in the video description 😉

[@AaronFreemanPowell]

I have the Sony MDR-ZX770BN, and whilst they're good for listening to music, the noise cancelling is mediocre, and the "headset" functionality using them for phone calls is completely diabolical. The phone call sounds like it's going down a drain pipe to the 1960s, and the person on the other end can never hear what I'm saying at all. Very disappointing from Sony. What's the phone calling performance like with these?

[@SwitchedOnNetwork]

These are great for phone calls - you can hear the person really clearly (and nothing else, as the ANC is great) and the other person can hear you really clearly too. Not quite as clearly as if you were using a handset obviously, as the mics aren't quite as close to your mouth and the Laws of Physics will still apply (including the proximity effect if there is any) but overall yes they get a big thumbs-up for phone call use. I didn't go into great detail about phone call quality in the video as I wanted to keep it short and not crush audience retention, such is the life of slaving to an algorithm! 🤪