Headphone recommendation

[redcrow]

I'm looking for a set of wireless headphones for about $300. Any recommendations? I prefer over the ear cups. Open back - closed back either is fine. Aesthetics aren't a big deal to me, but I am somewhat put off by headphones make a person look like a propeller head

 

[wmgwizard]

Sony WH-1000mx4 are slightly above your budget($350) but are comfortable, sound very good, dont look too bad and get great reviews. You could probably find last years mx3 version under your budget. While the mx4 is an "advancement" over the mx3 there were only minor tweaks, not a night and day difference.

Keep in mind that as good as wireless headphones sound, wired headphones will typically sound a little better.

 

[redcrow]

Keep in mind that as good as wireless headphones sound, wired headphones will typically sound a little better.

I want to be able to move around a bit while listening without too much concern for what I might entangle. And my thought was an extension cord long enough to allow, say 10-15m of mobility would degrade the audio as much as a BT transmission. That's just a feeling I have. No information to inform that opinion.

That said, using a BT connection with my set up means spending significant $$ for the additional hardware, and that has to be accounted for in my headphone budget. So maybe wired/wireless isn't as big a deal as I thought at first.

Any recommendations for wired cans?

 

[wmgwizard]

I am rather partial to my HiFiman Sundara's, there are several others who agree. Once again, slightly over budget but well worth the investment.

IMHO you will get much less signal degradation with a wired connection than BT. Bluetooth requires the audio signal to be converted to a transmittable format, transmit the signal, receive the signal, decode than amplify the signal.....There is a lot more going on there than with a simple wired connection.

If you want portability and to HEAR music while doing "x", get a pair of BT earbuds(there are some very nice, inexpensive options) and pair them with your phone. If you want to LISTEN to the music, get a pair of wired cans. Just my nickels worth.

 

[redcrow]

I found the Sundaras at amazon for right at $30

I am rather partial to my HiFiman Sundara's, there are several others who agree. Once again, slightly over budget but well worth the investment.

IMHO you will get much less signal degradation with a wired connection than BT. Bluetooth requires the audio signal to be converted to a transmittable format, transmit the signal, receive the signal, decode than amplify the signal.....There is a lot more going on there than with a simple wired connection.

If you want portability and to HEAR music while doing "x", get a pair of BT earbuds(there are some very nice, inexpensive options) and pair them with your phone. If you want to LISTEN to the music, get a pair of wired cans. Just my nickels worth.

The Sundaras can be had at Amazon right at my price point. The Meze 99 Classics are also within reach, well rated, and close backed which I prefer. There are also some attractive alternatives offered by Sennheiser and Grado.

The sad part of this is there isn't one Audio Store in a 2 county area where I live so I can't just go and audition headphones and such. So the opinions of the knowledgeable folks here will have to guide me. BTW, many thanks for your input. The difference between hearing and listening is a point well taken

 

[wmgwizard]

I would be very suspicious of Sundara's for $30....you can buy them direct from HiFiman.com and be sure you are getting Sundara's with a warranty if you decide to go that route. They did just release a closed back version of the Sundara.

There are many great options available from HiFiman, Sennheiser, Grado, Mieze, Beyerdynamic and others; all will have their fans, and detractors.

 

[redcrow]

Thanks. The price I saw on Amazon was for $300.00, not $30.00. Sorry for the typo. Thanks again.

 

[wmgwizard]

No apologies, just $30 pegged the BS meter...$300 is right in line.