I am novice, with that said, here is my opinion.
First off, going with bluetooth, and trying to get the best sound quality in blue tooth, IMO, the phones SHOULD have apt-x coding.. The apt-X allows more whatever to be pumped through the bluetooth, in affect giving better sound. In my novice opinion, a non aptx bluetooth headphone going up against an aptx bluetooth coded headphone is like a battle between a rifle and a pistol. The rifle should win..
My experience with bluetooth headphones. First off, my two mobile devices, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, and a Samsung Galaxy 10.1 2014 tablet both have the aptx codec. First, I was on to a set of Bluedio headphone which supposed to have the aptx coding. They sounded pretty good for the money ($100 to $120), however, they didn't have the aptx coding like advertised..Sent those back. Enter the Sony MDR 10RBT, which is the little brother of the Sony MDR 1RBT. The little brother, the Sony MDR 10RBT has the aptx coding, and I caught it on sale at BestBuy for $149.95(it is on sale now but ends on Saturday coming up. IMO, for the $149.95.. The Sony MDR 10RBT is hard to beat, and mainly if you have aptx coded devices.. Lusting for more, and hearing good thing about the Sony MDR 1RBT, which cost twice as much as the Sony MDR 10RBT, I was going for that big brother. However, after reading, the big brother, the Sony MDR 1RBT does not have the aptx codec!!! No way. Then I starting looking at the Parrot Zik, Harmon Kardon BT-Z, and the Sennheiser MM 450/500/550 X, all have the aptx coding. In the meantime, reading all the time, Sony understood the importance of the aptx coding and came out with the Sony MDR 1RBTMK2. This baby improved on a lot of things the Sony MDR 1RBT didn't have, and then added the valued aptx coding. However, they only made that version available to Asian markets. To make a long story short, I now have the Sony MDR 1RBTMK2, and I am tickled pink. Also, in my ever searching and reading, I found that Harman Kardon is selling their model BT-Z, that retails for $249, they have the refurbished ones for $97 with free shipping from their online site. I quickly called them and verified their return policy (30days full refund) I pay return shipping, Also, it comes with everything. Needless to say, I ordered a pair. No way, I think these Harmon Kardons are going to beat or equal my Sonys, but if they come close, and they do have the aptx coding they will be keepers..
My advice to you, if you have not already made a choice, get the Sony MDR 10RBT from Bestbuy by this Saturday, that will cost you $149.95. Then order the Harmon Kardon BT-Z for $97 free shipping from Harmon Kardon.. IMO, you are going to have two good examples of over the ear bluetooth headphones for $250. Use them for a week, and return both or one. Then, try out the higher end boys, the 550 X, and if you want go with what I got, the Sony MDR 1RBTMK2.. Again, anything you get with bluetooth, at this stage of the game, shoiuld have the aptx coding..In the meantime, I am in "bluetooth heaven" with my Sony MDR 1RBT MK2s..
Luck to you,