While I await new headphones to arrive! Here is my set of headphones
I have a new pair of headphones on the way due to Prime Day sale. Can’t wait. These forthcoming cans will be my “at home, best music experience” headphones. One might think that all headphones would be intended for “best music sound” - but not so. I’m an old man and I like headphones, so over time I’ve built a collection for various purposes.
Indoor, at home best for listening to music
Currently these are my Phillips Fidelio X2HR connected to FiiO Q3 amp. For about $150, or $230 with amp - they sound better than the Airpods Max for half the price. They are wired, and with the amp, ungainly. They are open back which is great when I’m at home and it doesn’t matter, but couldn’t use them at work or on a train/plain. I prefer open back to closed back for long listening sessions. My ears don’t get hot. No noise canceling either, and it’s not needed for this use.
Phone Calls and Out Door Walking - Best All Round Headphones
My Airpods Pro 2nd Gen are my “must have’s”. I use them the most, and when they are lost or stolen, I replace them immediately. If I could only have one pair, these would be it. Wonderful sound, great phone mic, small and fit in pocket. Excellent noise canceling and transparency mode (outside noise piped in, sounds natural). My phone can ring, and I pull these out of my pocket and have them in my ears and connected in time. They are also wonderful for all the Apple integration. Apple has added noise canceling to their regular Airpods - I don’t know if I need the Pro’s anymore. Would depend on my finances at the next time I lose them.
Outside Walking during cool/cold weather and Indoor movie watching
Air Pods Max are my most expensive headphones by far. I would not buy them again. They sound quite nice and they have all the Apple integration features. They have a wonderful mic which is why I like them for outdoor walks as I make calls when walking. But when the weather’s warm, they are too hot. They are very nice for watching movies when my wife wants to sleep. So easy to set the AppleTv to play to the headphones. They are a little too heavy and hot for me to want to have them on all day when working. They were a splurge, a “treat myself” purchase. I like them. I just wouldn’t pay this kind of money normally.
Air Travel
Shure SE215 PRO - in ear monitors. These were $200 when I bought them 11 years ago but $109 now. They sound fantastic. I’m not real fond of in-ear monitors, but for traveling on a plane they block out sound, and don’t need batteries. Many people might like them as their “best for listening to music at home” if they tolerate in-ear better than I do. You can’t wear them outside or anywhere you need situational awareness. If I lost them, I probably wouldn’t replace them at this point. I don’t fly that often and my Airpods Pro also do wonderful in this role. I have in mind the two times I flew across the ocean as to why I want “no battery” limitations.
Best Cheap Bluetooth Over Ears for Outside Walking
Before I bought the Airpods Max I had the Anker Soundcore Life Q20’s. They go for $37. The sound just fine for walking outside and listening to music or audio books. These are also my winter ear muffs when going into Chicago. I don’t like having expensive Airpods Max on when commuting or working in an open plan office. These don’t break my heart if I leave them behind or somebody swipes them. And they don’t yell ‘mug me!’. They have nice sound and decent noise canceling “for the money”.
