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[MERGED] Best Bluetooth Headphones [for Apple Watch]

Wow! Had a pretty loud exclamation when I read this title.

Isn't this a funny/awful phenomenon? I'm already putting $1,099 on a new Watch, and then I realized how cumbersome the cord on my current headphones is, and how they aren't portable at all. And I want headphones that can be used with the Watch.

So I went out and bought the Powerbeats 2 Wireless. Wasn't really happy with the sound quality so I got the new Space Grey Solo 2 Wireless ones, and while I love them I'm wondering if the noise cancellation and over the ear design of the Studios would be worth trading up for the extra $80.

This purchase isn't something I would have gone through with before the Watch. But alas, we're living in a wireless world. Better get with the times! :)
 
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Finiksa said:
I haven't done any actual tests but I've had mine for months and I'd say it's dead on or pretty damn close to 8 hrs. I mostly use them for daily bike rides and at the gym and only have to charge a couple of times a week.

The biggest downside is they don't power off when not used so If you don't turn them off it can drain the battery.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's not bad, if they get 8 hours and don't start giving you an annoying warning at 4 hours I may try them out if these Tones don't do it for me. So far I'm liking the Tones, just playing around with them anyway. The retractable cord is nice, just not so sure about the real rigid back band it has.

I'm really hoping to get some feedback on the Samsung Gear Circle, those seemed really cool.
 
jjk454ss said:
Thanks. That's not bad, if they get 8 hours and don't start giving you an annoying warning at 4 hours I may try them out
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I've only run them flat a couple of times. You seem to get a single spoken battery warning when there's about 30 min remaining.
 
Finiksa said:
I've only run them flat a couple of times. You seem to get a single spoken battery warning when there's about 30 min remaining.
Click to expand...

That's perfect, better than every 15 minutes after using them for only 3 or 4 hours:D
 
So, you may be interested to know that Apple does in fact support Apt-X... on Mac OS X on the desktop/laptop computers :)

The reason it's likely not supported on the mobile devices is that Apt-X is a high complexity compression algorithm with low complexity decompression. Essentially, the sending device eats a ton of CPU time and thus power to do really effective compression that can be easily decoded on the low power receiving device. Of course, this is all in relative terms.

Even with just AAC LC profile streaming from iPhone, using it with bluetooth makes a noticeable hit on my battery life compared to not using bluetooth. With Apt-X, it would be 50% more of a hit or worse. I wish there was something that would work without dropping battery performance to sub-par levels, though. Bluetooth audio with iOS devices is just a huge drop in audio quality compared to a wired connection. I mean, I guess some people won't notice, but, for those that can, it's kind of depressing. I try not to think about it while taking advantage of the convenience factor.
 
fibrizo said:
So I have been living happily with my corded music... now I ordered an aluminum apple watch, and hey it plays music over bluetooth.

So I think to myself, hey I should get some bluetooth headphones... But all of them seem well... not so appealing. I am spoiled by my history, I've owned/own Etymotic ER-4Ps, Shure SE530s, UE Triple-fis, and the Sony XBA-H3... and I'm not satisfied with the caliber of headphones that use bluetooth.

To top it off, apple doesn't support aptX... But they do support AAC streaming to the headphones.

So began my quest... which unfortunately has lead me to the following.

http://store.sony.com/hybrid-3-way-in-ear-headphones-zid27-XBAZ5/cat-27-catid-All-Earbuds?_t=pfm%3Dcategory

The Sony XBA-Z5s... which yes are actually corded... and 699$.

But wait. I see that I can import this for it.

http://www.sony-asia.com/product/muc-m1bt1

Which will convert them into bluetooth headphones... which support SBC,aptX... and AAC streaming! All for the low price of 185$ in addition.

So my ideal bluetooth streaming solution is now ~900$... And the watch is only 349$... I guess I'd feel less silly if I got the stainless steel watch about now.

I tried to make myself just pick up the LG infiniums, or the sol republic shadows... but I can't seem to do it. First world audiophile problems right?
Click to expand...

As someone who considers himself an audiophile (TF10s were my favorite universal fit monitors, but now I own a small collection of custom monitors: 6 driver UMs, JH16s, CosmicEar dual micro monitors and a couple pairs of TF10 remolds), I can tell you if you didn't mind full size headphones, the latest generation of Beats Studio Wireless sound fantastic. Unfortunately, Beats have earned a poor reputation among the more informed listeners due to their overemphasized bass and the latest generation has erroneously inherited this reputation, when in fact Beats has updated the sound signature with each generation to create a more "studio reference" sound signature.

I purchased a pair of the NEWEST Studio Wireless because I wanted a pair of full size wireless headphones for convenience and I've always liked the way Beats looked, but I was actually expecting to be underwhelmed. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well they sound. Honestly, I wouldn't change anything about the sound signature. I love them.

Of course, the iPhone and watch don't support aptX (the Beats do and your computer likely does. I have an old iMac that didn't use the aptX codec by default so I had to download this bluetooth utility app to force the codec to be used), but AAC isn't bad. It's CONSIDERABLY better than SBC. It doesn't bother me at all. As for battery life, I used my Beats regularly at work and I barely noticed a difference in battery life using my phone for music throughout 90% of my shift.

Plus, Apple owns Beats now AND they've recently released them in iPhone colors. I couldn't find pics of the Studio versions, but here are the Solos in gold, silver and space grey (or whatever).

mkld2-feature-group-e1428681819609.jpg
 
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I don't understand why, is it because you want to do workouts without your phone? Because that's the only possible reason I can think of as to why you wouldn't just use headphones (Bluetooth or not) with your phone.
 
If your entering the world of audiophiles , I'd say your problem is the source ;)

First of all, depending on your usage, battery might be tight, also limited space.

I'm not sure what your current source is, though if is an apple product , I would recommend putting thay money into another source that will make those highend headphones come to life. Something supporting HD tracks. Just a thought.

----------
mistertomlinson said:
As someone who considers himself an audiophile (TF10s were my favorite universal fit monitors, but now I own a small collection of custom monitors: 6 driver UMs, JH16s, CosmicEar dual micro monitors and a couple pairs of TF10 remolds), I can tell you if you didn't mind full size headphones, the latest generation of Beats Studio Wireless sound fantastic. Unfortunately, Beats have earned a poor reputation among the more informed listeners due to their overemphasized bass and the latest generation has erroneously inherited this reputation, when in fact Beats has updated the sound signature with each generation to create a more "studio reference" sound signature.

I purchased a pair of the NEWEST Studio Wireless because I wanted a pair of full size wireless headphones for convenience and I've always liked the way Beats looked, but I was actually expecting to be underwhelmed. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well they sound. Honestly, I wouldn't change anything about the sound signature. I love them.

Of course, the iPhone and watch don't support aptX (the Beats do and your computer likely does. I have an old iMac that didn't use the aptX codec by default so I had to download this bluetooth utility app to force the codec to be used), but AAC isn't bad. It's CONSIDERABLY better than SBC. It doesn't bother me at all. As for battery life, I used my Beats regularly at work and I barely noticed a difference in battery life using my phone for music throughout 90% of my shift.

Plus, Apple owns Beats now AND they've recently released them in iPhone colors. I couldn't find pics of the Studio versions, but here are the Solos in gold, silver and space grey (or whatever).

Image
Click to expand...

This is a valid point. Based on the earlier versions of Beats, I could not think of a worse headset for the money, though I have heard the new versions are actually very good, and that's from reviews in the audiophile community. Might be time to try a pair.
 
Dang Watch! Making me want to spend money on the best bluetooth headphones po...

MH01 said:
If your entering the world of audiophiles , I'd say your problem is the source ;)



First of all, depending on your usage, battery might be tight, also limited space.



I'm not sure what your current source is, though if is an apple product , I would recommend putting thay money into another source that will make those highend headphones come to life. Something supporting HD tracks. Just a thought.

----------





This is a valid point. Based on the earlier versions of Beats, I could not think of a worse headset for the money, though I have heard the new versions are actually very good, and that's from reviews in the audiophile community. Might be time to try a pair.
Click to expand...


I have a pair of the newest wireless Beats Studios and I think they are great. Excellent sound, noise cancellation and battery life! They did gain a bad rep from the first gens but in my opinion the current quality is leaps and bounds improved.
 
Apollonian said:
I have a pair of the newest wireless Beats Studios and I think they are great. Excellent sound, noise cancellation and battery life! They did gain a bad rep from the first gens but in my opinion the current quality is leaps and bounds improved.
Click to expand...

I'm going to order a pair so to try them out. Thanks for the heads up.
 
Chipping in here as someone who has practically collected headphones for the last fifteen years.

The new Beats Studio 'phones ARE an improvement, but there's still better quality headphones on the market, most at a lower cost.

The Plantronics Backbeat Pro would be my pick of the bunch, but the Sony MDR10RBT are also exceptional - and superior sound quality to the Studio Beats at half the price (many in the audiophile community will confirm this for you).

However I'd like to give a mention to the PENDULUMIC Stance S1. I was sceptical about them with the brand being relatively new, but wow, they sound way more impressive than Bluetooth headphones have any business doing.

Also if you're willing to spend Beats Studio money, just get some Sennheiser Momentum Wireless. Can't go wrong.

The bottom line is: yes, Beats are improving. But they aren't the best headphones on the market by a long shot. I get the brand draw and appeal, and it's fine paying for that, but there's still plenty better options out there. Not that Beats aren't good. You're still getting a decent set of headphones. Just an overpriced set.

Really though, if there's one thing I've learned over the last fifteen years, I'd recommend trying a few on. What works for one may differ for another.
 
You could always go to WalMart (I'm guessing other retailers have demo units) and try them out, if sharing headphones doesn't seem odd to anyone.

Honestly, I never intended to peddle Beats products and was absolutely prepared to respond to my Studio Wireless with a "meh," but I couldn't be happier with my purchase.

And I agree with the OP that they certainly aren't the BEST for the price. I had seen a few places selling some HD650s (wired) for under $300 that were hard to pass up. But, as much of a toolbag as this makes me sound, I did factor "style" into my purchase price when settling with the Beats. If aesthetics aren't important, then there are certainly better choices, but I've always been a sucker for the minimalistic, seamless design of Beats.
 
I just went to my local :apple: store and bought a pair of PowerBeats 2! I have a set of Yamaha HPH-Pro 500's for day to day use at my desk at work, around the house, etc.

However I have been thinking of getting decent bluetooth headphones for use when running for a while now. Ordering the watch has just pushed me enough to go and actually take the plunge on a set.
 
I keep going round and round on Bluetooth headphones. I have Bluebirds but on the wired side have reaaly grown fond of Bowers + Wilkens P3's. While P3's aren't the end all be all of headphones, they strike a good balance for sound + portability for me. I'm really looking for something about that size that is wireless. I haven't found anything yet in all my searches.

I've tried on both the Studio wireless which just seem large and the solos which just seem uncomfortable.

Parrot Zik 2 are expensive and don't always get gushing praise for the $400 price tag.

Does the watch usher in a new era of improved bluetooth offerings?
 
After hearing some dodgy reviews about battery death on beats powerbeats 2 in ear headphones, I recently bought a jabra Rox instead, best Bluetooth headset I've ever had, loud, clear detailed sound. Love em. Just waiting for my Apple watch sport and my running equipment will be complete
 
Just bought two Bluetooth headphones.

Bought:
1) JayBird BlueBuds X Sport Bluetooth Headphones BLK - Strictly for the gym
2) Beats Studio Wireless Over-Ear Headphone Matte BLK - Leisure/Plane/lounge
 
mistertomlinson said:
As someone who considers himself an audiophile (TF10s were my favorite universal fit monitors, but now I own a small collection of custom monitors: 6 driver UMs, JH16s, CosmicEar dual micro monitors and a couple pairs of TF10 remolds), I can tell you if you didn't mind full size headphones, the latest generation of Beats Studio Wireless sound fantastic. Unfortunately, Beats have earned a poor reputation among the more informed listeners due to their overemphasized bass and the latest generation has erroneously inherited this reputation, when in fact Beats has updated the sound signature with each generation to create a more "studio reference" sound signature.

I purchased a pair of the NEWEST Studio Wireless because I wanted a pair of full size wireless headphones for convenience and I've always liked the way Beats looked, but I was actually expecting to be underwhelmed. But I was pleasantly surprised at how well they sound. Honestly, I wouldn't change anything about the sound signature. I love them.

Of course, the iPhone and watch don't support aptX (the Beats do and your computer likely does. I have an old iMac that didn't use the aptX codec by default so I had to download this bluetooth utility app to force the codec to be used), but AAC isn't bad. It's CONSIDERABLY better than SBC. It doesn't bother me at all. As for battery life, I used my Beats regularly at work and I barely noticed a difference in battery life using my phone for music throughout 90% of my shift.

Plus, Apple owns Beats now AND they've recently released them in iPhone colors. I couldn't find pics of the Studio versions, but here are the Solos in gold, silver and space grey (or whatever).
Click to expand...

The problem is that they are cans, I prefer the IEM style. Easier to carry also.

I think I will order the bluetooth adapter so at least I can have AAC transcoding. I know it will be somewhat lossy, but the idea of an SBC device, with lower quality sound as well is 2 hits.
 
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