Bluetooth closed back under $500, Bose Ultra not really doing it for me, don't want ANC

Nov 14, 2023 at 5:59 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 4

gotcha640

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Hello Forum

I've been browsing here for years, mostly in the cheap section and oogling the awesome top end setups.

I was lucky enough to get the Bose QC Ultra headphones for my birthday last week. They sound fine, and I can see why my inlaws bought them for me (my Soundlink 2s look pretty ratty, and I've complained about the battery life 6 years on).

But. I mostly wear the full size headphones with one ear off so I can hear others in the house, when I'm eating because IEMs don't go well with chewing, and on the rare occasion when no one is home and I can put both ears on. The ANC tries to get in there even with one ear off, they try to pause when I pull an ear off, the buttons feel really cheap, the plastic shells make a horrible noise when touched, and powering them off (rather than letting them go to sleep) have needed a full reconnect every time on my iphone 13. Also they announce what they're connected to every time I wake them up.

So I want some dumber headphones I guess.

Content is 90% talk, mostly podcasts and youtubes, not a lot of music.

I have first gen airpod pros for planes and exercise, probably asking for gen 2s for christmas, so I'm set on the ANC front.

I know V-Moda used to be on the recommended list, but I haven't heard them. I had some Sennheiser ~$200 wired headphones about 15 years ago, remember they were fine, but nothing I could base a brand/tonal preference on. I do like some bass available, but mostly listen to punk or classical, so no need to focus on it.

I have really liked the soundlink 2s that I've had for years. They sound good to me, they fit well, they have a physical switch for on/off, and they reconnect quickly.

So, bluetooth under $500 without ANC and minimal extra features?
 
Last edited:
Nov 15, 2023 at 10:14 AM Post #2 of 4
I'd say the Audeze Maxwell are the best Bluetooth headphones under $500, though you might have trouble getting them, I think they're still backordered.

Another option would be the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless, but they're usually more like $550 or $600 unless you find them on sale. Excellent headphones if you cans stretch a little on the price though.
 
Nov 15, 2023 at 3:13 PM Post #3 of 4
Used Focal Bathys?
 
Nov 16, 2023 at 3:09 PM Post #4 of 4
I'm leaning toward the B&W px7 s2e. Not on the test rack at best buy, but youtube reviews suggest it has separate buttons for the different functions, and able to turn off ANC.

Off to read more reviews.
 

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