October 31, 2024
Best wireless headphones with HiRes quality
In an effort to provide detailed insight into the best wireless headphones with HiRes quality, I reviewed seven different discussions from Reddit and an article from Tom's Guide. The sources varied in their relevance to the original query, with some focusing on wireless headphones and their sound quality, while others discussed more general headphone recommendations without specifically addressing HiRes quality. The discussions largely involved personal user experiences and opinions, leading to a lack of consensus on the absolute best wireless headphones for HiRes quality. However, several brands and models were recurrently mentioned, such as Sony WH-1000XM3, Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless, and Sony WF-1000XM4. These repeated mentions suggest a level of user satisfaction with these particular headphones. Despite the wealth of information, there remains some uncertainty due to the subjective nature of the discussions and the rapid evolution of headphone technology .
Have an opinion? Send us proposed edits/additions and we may incorporate them into this article with credit.
Confidence
75%
Words
583
Time
2m 17s
Contributors
304
Words read
69.7k
Sony WH-1000XM3
Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM4
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2
Focal Bathys
Sennheiser HD 560S
Other Recommendations
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Research
"https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-audiophile-headphones"
- The article discusses the best audiophile headphones for all kinds of activities- Best overall, Best value, Best for most people, Best audiophile headphones available right now, Best audiophile headphones high-end wireless, Best audiophile headphones step up, Best luxury audiophile headphones with wires, Best audiophile wired earbuds overall, and Best audiophile wireless earbuds.
- The models in the article major on the best sound quality.
- The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are recommended for audiophiles, with support for LDAC ensuring the best performance over Bluetooth.
- The Sennheiser HD 560S wired headphones are recommended as the best value headphones for budget-conscious audiophiles, with hi-fi levels of insight and engaging overall presentation.
- The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2 ‘evolved’ version headphones are beautifully constructed and effective with ANC, being the very best under $400 for those who care about sound.
- The Focal Bathys headphones are recommended as the best high-end wireless headphones for audiophiles, offering high-performance and practicality while on the go with flagship features and full hi-res audio support.
- The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 advanced noise-canceling headphones are a confident addition to the luxury headphone market with improved sound quality across the frequency range.
- The Focal Elegia closed-back, over headphones produce rich and accurate audio that is hard to beat for serious listening at home, but their massive form and lack of controls may not be suitable for everyone.
- The Sennheiser IE 600 wired earbuds offer exceptional build quality and great sound shaping in low and mid-range frequencies, but they are wired.
- The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds are recommended as the best wireless earbuds for audiophiles, with LDAC support, dynamic and engaging sound, noise-canceling performance, and improved call quality with noise reduction engine with AI.
- The article provides reasons to buy and avoid each of the recommended headphones along with a full review.
"What are some of the best headphones (in your opinion) of all time?"
- Reddit user discussion on the best headphones of all time
- Users mention various headphones and give reasons why they love them
- Many mentions of Sennheiser headphones across the range
- Koss ESP/95X - electrostatics headphones with a unique sound signature
- Several mentions of Focal headphones, with the Focal Clear loved by some
- Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones are mentioned and loved for their great all-rounder abilities
- Hifiman HE-500, HE-400 - planar magnetic headphones that offer great sound quality at a reduced price point.
- Emu Teak - bass-heavy headphones that still sound clean and clear
- Sony MDR-7506 - mentioned for its affordability and good enough performance
- Koss PortaPro - good value for money, easy to mod and a good entry-level headphone
- BeyerDynamic DT770, 880 and 990 Pro - a classic pair that literally stood the test of time and are popular among professionals in live music and broadcasting
- Mention of an open soundstage in Philips Fidelio X2HR headphones.
- HD598 and 600, also a gateway headphone for those looking for the best audio quality - is highly recommended.
- Audeze LCD-4 - luxury headphones with a great build, sound quality and high comfort levels
- ZMF Eikons - dynamic headphones that have a deep rumble and great mid and high levels.
- References to the comfort levels of headphones and importance thereof.
- ETY er2xr - comfortable, secure, and great sounding tutorial headsets that still require taking off after a few hours for comfort levels.
- HD650 and HD 6XX highly recommended
- Superlux HD668b with brainwavz pads is the least favorite of a user, but they mention it works well with an EQ.
- A couple of users mention the Audio Technica ATH-M40x as a gateway audiophile headset.
- Several redditors mention Beyerdynamic and give reasons why they love them, including DT1990.
- Some references to differences in sound quality among headphones based on personal opinions and set up.
- The conversation is centered around wired headphones with no direct mention of wireless options.
"AirPods Pro review - an audiophile perspective"
- The transcript contains a review of the AirPods Pro wireless earbuds from an audiophile’s perspective.
- The build quality of the earbuds is praised, with the earbuds being lightweight and well-constructed.
- The comfort of the earbuds is also praised, with the silicone tips being super soft and not itchy after long sessions.
- The seamless integration of the earbuds with Apple products is highlighted, with the reviewer owning an iPhone, an iPad, and a MacBook.
- The Bluetooth connectivity is average, but the earbuds automatically switch between connected devices.
- The noise cancellation capabilities are impressive, with fans and AC noises being completely drowned out, and other intermittent abrupt noises being filtered out.
- The transparency mode is also praised as a great feature for being aware of surroundings.
- The sound quality of the earbuds is described as fairly neutral and non-offensive, but disappointing when compared to similarly priced earbuds from China and a cheaper pair of Sony earbuds.
- The bass is well-extended, but lacks impact.
- The mids are vocal-centric, with lower mids being a little elevated, but upper mids rolling off leading up to the treble.
- The treble has little detail and rolls off quickly after the 5-6k region.
- The earbuds lack overall resolution and detail, which is attributed to the DSP factor and the earbuds being restrained.
- The earbuds have a good soundstage and imaging, but lack resolution and treble extension.
- The reviewer overall praises the convenience and comfort of the AirPods Pro, as well as their noise cancellation capabilities and seamless integration with Apple products.
- Some Reddit comments also discuss sound quality and compare the AirPods Pro to other earbuds, with some users ranking the AirPods Pro slightly below the Moondrop Starfields in terms of sound quality.
"Best headphones of 2024: Top picks tested by experts"
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"The 23 Best Audiophile Headphones Of 2024 - Ultimate List"
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"Best audiophile headphones 2024: the best-sounding pairs for music fans"
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"What GAMING Headphones do AUDIOPHILES Use?"
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"Best Premium Headphones 2024 [Tested & Compared!] - AirPods Max vs Bose vs Sony vs Sennheiser.."
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"Wireless Headphones with best best sound quality"
- Reddit user seeking recommendations for over-ear wireless headphones with excellent sound quality
- Currently using Audio Technica M50x, but wants similar quality in a wireless model with ANC as a bonus
- Sony WH-1000xm3 suggested as an option for a similar sound signature with elevated bass and treble, but XM3s muddy with bass bloat that extends into the mids
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Other options suggested include:
- AKG N700NCM2: an excellent deal with a faithful in a sound signature that’s pretty faithful to the Harman Curve; rich bass that doesn’t bloat, solid mids, a bit of harshness in highs lead to listening fatigue at times, and mids and highs can collapse into distorted mush
- Master & Dynamic MW40 Wireless: gorgeous cans with warm, rich bass and detailed treble, veiled mids, no support of AAC, but if on Android, supports AptX, no ANC, but passive seal is excellent
- Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless: user’s recommendation for rich bass, detailed mids, and shiny treble without being fatiguing, making it the M50x on steroids, with a lot more control; decent ANC, quality build with retro look; $295
- Audio-Technica makes a Bluetooth version of the M50x with no ANC
- Some users experienced discomfort with some models, such as the Audio-Technica M50x and Sony XM4, while other headphones such as the Bose QC35 II and Sennheiser PXC 550-ii are known for their comfort.
- The Momentum 3 Wireless pads are leather, more plush and deeper; they seal pretty tightly around your ears to aid with ANC. The padding works well, but the firm clamping force is probably to get a good seal on the earcups to assist ANC.
- The M3 Wireless aren’t svelte but don’t feel too heavy; they have a fun, warm sound with those famous Sennheiser mids. They’ll never be mistaken for a Bose QC35 II or a Senn PXC550-II, but they don’t crush your skull and neck.
- The Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless is highly recommended for its rich bass, detailed mids, and shiny treble without being fatiguing, making it the M50x on steroids, with a lot more control. It also has decent ANC and quality build with a retro look.
- The user
"What are the best wireless, noise cancelling over-the-ear headphones someone can buy right now?"
- The video text is a transcript of a post on reddit, discussing wireless headphones with noise-canceling functionality that would be suitable for music and television consumption. The author mentions that they already use AirPods for daily phone use.
- The author is not an audiophile, but they are capable of discerning audio quality.
- The user is open to spending money on a new pair of headphones, indicating a willingness to invest in a quality product.
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Some of the recommended headphones in the discussion are as follows:
- Sony XM4
- Bose 700 series
- AirPods Max
- Shure 40
- Sennheiser 550
- Soundcore Q30
- CIYCE headphones, under 90$, with ANC support and mobile phone and Nintendo Switch support.
- The AirPods Max offer good noise-canceling functionality and sound, while also having an impressive build quality. However, some people have random complaints about the AirPods, and it can be hit or miss. The NC 700’s are solidly built, but they do not sound amazing. They are still an upgrade from AirPods.
- The Sony XM4s do not have a great build quality to some users, and they do not sound as good as the Bose 700’s, although many people like them. Some individuals find the XM4’s comfortable.
- The Bose QC45’s have better ANC than the 700’s, are newer, and are similar in quality to the 700’s. A user also finds that the QC45’s sound better than the 700’s and are some of the most comfortable headphones available.
- Some negative feedback was provided regarding the Sony WH5, which drop their connection after about five minutes.
- The Shure 40 and Sennheiser 550 are two headphones with balanced sound. The Soundcore Q30 is a good value headphone for under $90.00.
Overall, there are plenty of highly recommended headphones available on the market, many of which are listed in the video text. Several are wireless and offer noise-canceling functionality at different price points, and the recommendations in the discussion reflect a wide spectrum of users, from budget-conscious individuals to those willing to invest in a premium experience.
"The best wireless headphones in 2024 - Tom's Guide"
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"Recommendations for most comfortable wireless headphones; audio quality not ver important; budget ~$200USD"
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"Spreadsheet of The Headphone Show's 2023 tier list including average ratings and pricing"
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"How much sound quality does wireless actually lose?"
- One user in the discussion suggests that the main reason some wireless headphones/earphones suck is not because they are wireless, but because they are poorly tuned and have crap frequency response.
- Bluetooth technology isn’t quite as much of a bottleneck as one may think, thanks to LDAC.
- There are two issues at play regarding Bluetooth technology and sound quality: signal loss which can be disrupted by something as simple as running water, and resolution, which depends on individual hearing ability. LDAC resolution set to the highest quality lands somewhere between lossless CD quality and 96k24b hi-res.
- Users give recommendations on the best TWS earbuds Bluetooth adapters that can turn any wired IEM into wireless/Bluetooth, such as the FiiO UTWS3/5, KZ AZ09 Pro, TRN BT20S Pro or BT30. Users suggest that these are a good investment as they may help eliminate some of the issues with fully wireless headphones and give users more control over sound quality.
- One user warns that the ceiling is not as high with sound quality due to limitations in Bluetooth codecs.
- The majority of the manufacturing budget for wireless headphones tends to go towards Bluetooth components, amps and dacs, and batteries that need to be in each earpiece.
- Many companies are not very competent at tuning their wireless earbuds, unlike proper audio companies, causing sound quality to suffer.
- There isn’t much space for drivers left after the Bluetooth receiver, dac, amp, battery, and additional wires have been put into place.
- Bluetooth technology uses run-of-the-mill ISM band radios for short-range transmission, which can cause issues if the RF environment is not optimal.
- The headphone’s internal DAC/PA stages are not usually touched when using a wired connection. How the acoustics are tuned in Bluetooth mode is also a matter of concern.
- The codec and encoder used also plays a role in sound quality, with Android having a reputation of having bad AAC encoders built into the default bluetooth stack.
- Firmware and bells and whistles such as ANC can add to the uncertainty of sound quality. One firmware update or faulty driver can cause plenty of issues, and firmware updates should be held off until tested by other users.
- If one gets the right, reputable pair of wireless headphones, then the convenience of Bluetooth is well worth it. There is no single answer to whether wireless headphones can match the sound quality of wired headphones, but a good pair of wireless headphones can be an investment that will last.
"What is the BEST true wireless earbud?"
- The transcript is from a Reddit post on r/HeadphoneAdvice from two years ago.
- A user asks for recommendations on the best true wireless earbuds and mentions that they are struggling to choose due to multiple factors such as sound quality, ANC, looks, fit, and battery life.
- A bot comments on the post explaining a “thank you” system for helpful comments.
- Some comments mention that there is no single “best” true wireless earbud and suggest that it depends on individual preferences and budgets.
- Several users recommend different models of true wireless earbuds and mention their personal experiences with them.
- One user recommends the Sony WF-XMF as a great option with good sound quality, effective ANC, and a comfortable fit.
- A few users recommend the Sony WF-1000XM4 and comment on its great ANC quality, sound, and comfort, although one user mentions some issues with the transparency feature.
- Another user recommends the Soundcore Liberty 3 Pro for its EQ in the app, good sound, ANC, independent use for left and right, and good mic with ANC for calls.
- A user recommends the Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX.
- A user recommends the Sennheiser TM3 for its clear and high-quality sound and good ANC quality.
- One commenter shares their experience with the Sennheiser Momentum and mentions that the fit was not great for them and they did not like the sound of the XM4 either.
- Another user recommends the MPOW M12, Boltune 020, and EarFun Free Pro 2 as good options for cheap but reliable wireless earbuds.
- One commenter recommends a pair of earbuds from an online store called Yousumi, which functions like AirPods and comes in different colors.
Note: No specific mention of headphones with HiRes quality.
"The Best Headphones for 2024 | Reviews by Wirecutter"
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"Best wireless headphones 2024: tried and tested by our in-house experts"
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"Best Wireless Headphones (2024): Tested By Experts"
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💭 Looking into
Major benefits of using headphones with HiRes audio
💭 Looking into
Top 5 wireless headphones that support HiRes audio