Huge Comparison of [almost] all the Best Bluetooth Headphones - post your own comparisons here

[meanspirit]

Did anyone try out any 2 of the following 3 headphones?

-Sennheiser Momentum 2 wireless
-Definitive Technology Symphony 1
-Sony mdr-100abn (h.ear)

I'm literally down to these 3 headphones. I can't find 1ABT locally, but it is fine.

 
No doubt others will have more experience, but I tried the Momentum 2 and 100ABN in store, though the M2 was the on ear version, not the over ear. Also, I had to test them both wired so I can only comment on SQ and comfort. For someone that doesn't like on ear phones in general I thought the Momentum 2 was leaps and bounds above the 100ABN. If you have any more specific questions I'll do my best.

 

[bladefd]

No doubt others will have more experience, but I tried the Momentum 2 and 100ABN in store, though the M2 was the on ear version, not the over ear. Also, I had to test them both wired so I can only comment on SQ and comfort. For someone that doesn't like on ear phones in general I thought the Momentum 2 was leaps and bounds above the 100ABN. If you have any more specific questions I'll do my best.

Interesting. The over ear version of M2 is better than the on ear version of M2 based on the reviews I have read. That pretty much eliminates the 100ABN versus Momentum 2 Wireless over ear.

The Definitive Technology Symphony 1 does not seem very popular for whatever reason.

 

[meanspirit]

Interesting. The over ear version of M2 is better than the on ear version of M2 based on the reviews I have read. That pretty much eliminates the 100ABN versus Momentum 2 Wireless over ear.

The Definitive Technology Symphony 1 does not seem very popular for whatever reason.

 
Take it with a grain of salt though, it probably depends on what you're looking for, and also I only basically listened to each for a couple of minutes. I did listen to the same songs at the same volume though. I don't think the 100ABN are bad, but they didn't suit my taste at all. I feel like they are trying to basically match the Beats Solo Wireless, and in that they've probably succeeded at providing an equivalent (or slightly better) product for a much lower price point. Compared to the Momentum 2, they were quieter at the same source volume, and just sounded less clean in comparison. Despite being iffy on the level of bass, I'd still put the XB950BT over the 100ABN.

 

[bladefd]

Take it with a grain of salt though, it probably depends on what you're looking for, and also I only basically listened to each for a couple of minutes. I did listen to the same songs at the same volume though. I don't think the 100ABN are bad, but they didn't suit my taste at all. I feel like they are trying to basically match the Beats Solo Wireless, and in that they've probably succeeded at providing an equivalent (or slightly better) product for a much lower price point. Compared to the Momentum 2, they were quieter at the same source volume, and just sounded less clean in comparison. Despite being iffy on the level of bass, I'd still put the XB950BT over the 100ABN.

I see.

Well, I will buy the M2 Around Ear. Just spoke with BestBuy. They agreed to pricematch with Amazon for 389. $416 total after taxes. They have 15 day return policy for full refund if need be. We will go from there.

Has anyone tried the Bose QC35? I could buy both headphones and return 1.. QC35 would cost $375 after taxes..

 

[bladefd]

hmm, Giogio ranked M2AE #2 but didn't have symphony 1 to try.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/746519/huge-comparison-of-almost-all-the-best-bluetooth-headphones-post-your-own-comparisons-here/435#post_11420834
http://www.head-fi.org/t/746519/huge-comparison-of-almost-all-the-best-bluetooth-headphones-post-your-own-comparisons-here/435#post_11421629
cehowardNote3 ranked M2AE over Symphony 1

http://www.head-fi.org/t/746519/huge-comparison-of-almost-all-the-best-bluetooth-headphones-post-your-own-comparisons-here/540#post_11457995
n00b2 ranked Symphony 1 over M2AE

 

[Sonic Defender]

Interesting. The over ear version of M2 is better than the on ear version of M2 based on the reviews I have read. That pretty much eliminates the 100ABN versus Momentum 2 Wireless over ear.

The Definitive Technology Symphony 1 does not seem very popular for whatever reason.

I had the Symphony 1 for about a week. I thought it was excellent sounding, but I would have needed more time to be sure. It had a slight buzzing in the left driver so I returned it and at the time opted to not replace it as I had been going a little crazy buying BT headphones. I also encourage people who want a real portable BT headphone to consider the ONKYO H500BT which I reviewed. Depending on what signature people want in a portable headphone the H500BT is a solid contender in my book.

 

[bladefd]

I had the Symphony 1 for about a week. I thought it was excellent sounding, but I would have needed more time to be sure. It had a slight buzzing in the left driver so I returned it and at the time opted to not replace it as I had been going a little crazy buying BT headphones. I also encourage people who want a real portable BT headphone to consider the ONKYO H500BT which I reviewed. Depending on what signature people want in a portable headphone the H500BT is a solid contender in my book.

Never heard of Onkyo before heh. I decided to go with M2BT. I have 14 days to check it out before I have to decide to keep or return to bestbuy.

The M2AE wireless is very nice. Highs, mids, bass all sounds very nicely balanced. I will have to compare it to my Beyerdynamic DT880 but that's obviously an unfair comparison as DT880 is wired. Anyways, the sound is truly vibrant in typical Sennheiser style. Very comfortable too.

I still wish BT headphones had bit more clearance room for ears. My wired DT880 has SO much room for my ears! I don't understand why BT headphones all have such small clearance room. Bose QC35, Sony BT headphones I have seen, are all very close in earpad size. If I could only get a BT headset with sound as awesome as the M2AE but bigger pads! Can the pads on the M2BT wireless even be removed+replaced with something more fuller? I won't be traveling with these anyways. These are for home use. For travel, I would take my $30 in-ear plugs. Not taking $400 headsets around with me!

Will listen a bit more for few days and go from there. I like them so far!

 

[Sonic Defender]

Never heard of Onkyo before heh.

You must be pretty young compared to me I suspect; ONKYO has been making audio components since the 1970s, not sure when their first headphone was made, but it would be at least a decade ago. The H500BT is on ear, which normally I hate, but the H500 is so comfortable, zero clamping pressure yet stays in place nicely. It is however a true portable and at 40mm driver size it may be a little small for full on home use, but that does depend on the user. Anyway, sounds like you found a good match for your tastes.

 

[RadarJammer]

I discovered two new Bluetooth aptX Low Latency transmitters worth a look:
 
August MR270
 
http://www.augustint.com/en/productmsg-38-292.html
 
This one offers dual headset connection and an optical TOSLINK input beside the usual 3,5 mm input. So any optical output source can convert digitally to bluetooth, a rare alternative to digital USB input. But no headset profile, this one is just for listening. Price at Amazon Germany is currently 32,95 €.
(I ordered it already)
 
Avantree Leaf DG50
 
http://www.avantree.com/product-bluetooth-usb-audio-adapter-avantree-dg50-828.html
 
This usual USB dongle is very much like the Creative BT-W2, but without its limitations regarding the headset profile, and it is cheaper with 29,99 € at Amazon Germany.

 

[bladefd]

I discovered two new Bluetooth aptX Low Latency transmitters worth a look:

[COLOR=333333]
Avantree Leaf DG50

http://www.avantree.com/product-bluetooth-usb-audio-adapter-avantree-dg50-828.html

This usual USB dongle is very much like the Creative BT-W2, but without its limitations regarding the headset profile, and it is cheaper with 29,99 € at Amazon Germany.

I wonder if that would work with headsets.. I emailed avantree asking about that

"I'd like to recommend you our DG50 as in below link. But you'd better use a headphone that also support fast streaming. Or you need to double click the MFB button of DG50 to switch from talk mode to listening mode or vice versa. Otherwise, the sound quality will not be good. Thanks."
I don't know what fast streaming is and whether my sennheiser M2W has it.

 

[elektron]

   
I had to test them both wired so I can only comment on SQ and comfort.

 
The 100ABN are notorious for their inferior wired sound.  Pair them with an AAC, AptX, or better still LDAC compatible device and they'll hold their own against any bluetooth headphone on the market.
 
Giogio also described them as having the best clarity of any bluetooth headphone he'd ever heard, which is a big call given that he'd compared over 100 of them.

 

[Sonic Defender]

   
 
 
Giogio also described them as having the best clarity of any bluetooth headphone he'd ever heard, which is a big call given that he'd compared over 100 of them.

That is a very subjective thing and who knows if anybody else would hear it the same as Giogio. I for one didn't find the sound on the ATH WS99BT got much better with the HM5 pads on, I barely noticed a difference, but Giogio thought the difference was night and day.
 
Edit: as well, comparing large numbers of headphones is almost impossible to do, no matter how hard we try. Science has shown that audio memory is very innacurate and short-lived so if the differences in character are subtle it really is hard to go between headphones and have great confidence in detecting/describing subtle differences. Now if the differences were very obvious, as some of them would be, yes we can detect those and remember them very easily, but taking notes and trying to compare 100 headphones  is not going to yield any increase in accuracy, if anything it is simply too much.
 
I think even Giogio said as much and that he was going to describe the sound more than compare.

 

[RadarJammer]

I wonder if that would work with headsets.. I emailed avantree asking about that

"I'd like to recommend you our DG50 as in below link. But you'd better use a headphone that also support fast streaming. Or you need to double click the MFB button of DG50 to switch from talk mode to listening mode or vice versa. Otherwise, the sound quality will not be good. Thanks."
I don't know what fast streaming is and whether my sennheiser M2W has it.

Faststream is a kind of better quality headset profile codec which some Creative Bluetooth headsets support. The BT-W2 only supports Faststream for the headset profile and nothing else.The question is: does the Avantree Leaf support more usual codecs or is it limited like the BT-W2?
 
I tried the Creative BT-W2 last year and it did not support any of my existing Bluetooth headsets for voice calling. And being able to use Skype calling is a basic rquirement for me.

 

[bladefd]

Faststream is a kind of better quality headset profile codec which some Creative Bluetooth headsets support. The BT-W2 only supports Faststream for the headset profile and nothing else.The question is: does the Avantree Leaf support more usual codecs or is it limited like the BT-W2?

I tried the Creative BT-W2 last year and it did not support any of my existing Bluetooth headsets for voice calling. And being able to use Skype calling is a basic rquirement for me.

Same. I tried BT-W2 with my old backbeat pros. Mic didn't work.

If you find 1 that works and supports aptx, let me know!

 

[meanspirit]

I just have to find a BT adapter to connect it to my pc and be able to listen+use mic at same time for skype. Most adapters can be used as either a transmitter or receiver but not both together for headsets. All I see right now is Sennheiser BTD800 but it is 75 bucks and no aptx :/

 
So the one I use is a Bluetooth 4 dongle by IOGear. https://www.amazon.com/IOGEAR-Bluetooth-Micro-Adapter-GBU521/dp/B007GFX0PY
 
Pretty cheap, works on Mac OS and Windows. I just got my Sony MDR-1ABTs (which are fantastic btw, absolutely the perfect choice for me). I can't tell the difference between that and pairing with my MacBook Air in terms of audio quality, which AFAIK uses AptX. I also did a Skype test call and, yes, the microphone and headphones work simultaneously during a call. However, the microphone is horrendous so I wouldn't ever bother using it for that purpose. I suppose it might be better with a different set of bluetooth headphones, but I can't compare unfortunately. All I can say is that it is definitely possible to use both the mic and headphones at the same time, though the quality is questionable.