Tech isn’t there for its own sake. It’s there to help. My goal is to help you decide on your next mobile tech move and to help you understand the tech you own better. Join me as I look at smart headphones and related technologies. I’m also a bibliophile, so don’t be surprised to hear me talk about books and the book industry.
Looking to upgrade from my Momentum 3s. Love the sound on these but would like better battery life. Have about $400 to spend. Looking at the Momentum 4s, Cabridge Audio P100s, B&W PX7SE. Any recommendations?
very helpful video, I'm a musician and I never understood why I don't get the equlizer right. I thought the high pitch is where the cymbals are but apperntly its in the middle! It makes so much sense to me now that the high pitch are actualy the overtones and higher than the instrumants. Now I know where every instrumant is put. It helped me a lot. Thanks!
Yea but considering these are able to play lose less and high res assuming you have the right codec, this is a no brainer for the more casual beginner end for Audiophhiles, when on the move
The $9 Apple dongle is significantly better than many more expensive DACs. For the price, it does a pretty great job. Here’s a fantastic video on this very topic: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a3moaaOpYZM.html
Preferred the looks of the previous version and use of buttons. But audio quality and battery are great. Main issue is the headphones turn on themselves in my bag and connect my phone - a real pain. Really needs a proper off button.
I made a video on this! But here’s the short of it: 1. Get a Velcro strip and use it to Velcro that middle separator down. 2. When you put the headphones in the case, put them ear-pads up. That should prevent the auto-connect issue after you’ve turned them off.
My complaints from Momentum4. Plastic makes squeeking noises . and ANC mics are very sensitive to wind, making irritating wind related noise inside. wind reduction mode is useless at it cancels ANC effect; simply turns on transparency . ANC slider effect is not gradual. it has spots when it suddenly turns anc on/off. Right cup touch surface is over sensitive. it suffers from accidental touch gestures.
Yeah, they tried to be a little TOO magical with it. Pushing the middle flap down and storing them ear pads up instead of down will prevent this from happening.
Excellent review. I would add to the advantage of the mojo that the battery is easy to change (4 screws and a connector). It is also a standard battery format (identical to the 8 year old mojo 1) unlike the gryphon which is a specific model for this device. In addition, the mojo can operate without a battery. This is a major advantage for durability.
Can any of u help?? I recently bought the go link and can anyone tell me how to charge it or it dosent need to be charged and just works on phone power??
Doesn’t need to be charged. Just works off the phone’s power. That’s why I mentioned in the video that it shortens your phone’s battery life a little, though, because the amp part actually draws a noticeable (but small) amount of power.
@@Shanknwank123 huh. I never noticed that, but yeah, that’s weird. This doesn’t have an onboard battery, so I think charging just means powering? Regardless, enjoy it! It’s become my favorite way to drive some of my headphones because it puts out just enough power.
Thank you for watching. Yes, I have: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-RtUq_6ifOSs.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9xgFyJrHeWY.html I disagree wholeheartedly that they’re the best for traveling. Good? Sure. I like them and highly recommend them. (They’re probably my most recommended headphones outside of the Bose QC ultras.) But the ANC is relatively weak and they’re bulky. (I also find their ear heat to be bothersome and didn’t enjoy them in flights, but that’s very personal.) They also have a bug with the case that will cause them to turn on and randomly connect to a device even while still in the case. (I have a video on fixing that, too, though I found a better method.) All in all, good headphones (fantastic sound, great battery) but others are better for travel.
Audio quality drops, even with AAC. I suspect Apple might have an in-house version of AAC that’s different than standard. Doesn’t apply if you use them wired, though: they’ll sound good with anything then. (And it’s excellent sound that way!) Note they are one of my favorites, but if you’re on Android, you’ll get much better sound from other cheaper headphones (Momentum 4 immediately comes to mind, but also Bose QC Ultra if you have something that can take advantage of the codecs it offers. The design on both is…. Definitely different!)
This happened to me. I have a phone that doesn't support LDAC and I bought a headphone that highlights their LDAC support. 😂😅 planning to buy a new phone to enjoy better sound.
A decent review, which has raised a couple of concerns. I listen to classical or other instrumental music almost exclusively, and travel by plane at least a couple of times per year, including long bus rides to airports. I choose the S2e over Bose QC ultra because I didn't want any compromise (insofar as possible) to the sound/music quality; especially not having the option to turn ANC off. My headphones should arrive next week, and travel plans unfold early next month. I'll evaluate before, during and after my trip - my first ever with bluetooth/wireless, ANC headphones. I will of course use them both wirelessly and wired.
Best of luck. The Bose QC Ultra is one I quite enjoy, although I agree that the sound on the S2e is better. That said, if you plan to use them both wired and wireless, is it because you expect to use them wired to save battery? The S2e *must* remain on, which is a distinct disadvantage versus the QC Ultra. That said, have you considered the Momentum 4? Sound quality is on par with the S2e, arguably better, with the flexibility of the QC Ultra in being able to be used powered off (and like the S2e, USB-C audio is magnificent). Given what you’ve stated here, except for the inability to turn ANC/transparency completely off (although I guess you can sort of do it by putting transparency and noise canceling both to 0 in the slider in the app), it might be your best option: better ANC than the S2e, with sound that’s on-par, and better sound than the Bose. Plus a long battery. Anyway, best of luck on your decision. I don’t think you can go wrong with either, to be honest.
Being an audiophile and by the way congratulations for what you do I keep a wired semi open headphone for good sound.And I moved from a Sennheiser pxc 550 that started to die (but not it’s Nokia battery after 6 years of use)to a Momentum 4. 😊
The PXC 550-II is my wife’s daily driver and one of my own favorites. Moving to the Momentum 4 was a good choice. There’s an EPOS model that’s basically the 550-II by a different name, in case you’re ever interested. But I think the M4 will keep you happy for while!
@@NorbReviews thank you the Mom 4 is an amazing headset.I couldn’t believe how close he’s to the Bathys. After hours of breaking it it’s very open and I don’t feel like listening to a headset but to my favorite loudspeakers ☺️
Great review, congrats! I have the Liric II, and it’s my endgame. I think they are excellent all-rounders, especially notable for their layer separation, which is among the best at any price range. All the instruments are presented independently and precisely, coming together masterfully. I also have the 109 Pro, but I’m considering selling them because they have a similar profile, but the Liric II has the technical advantage. Do you think it’s a wise decision to keep the 109 Pro while owning the Liric II? Will I miss anything that the 109 pro can provide if I sell them?
Thank you for watching and for the kind words! So whether you keep both, that’s up to you. I find the 109 Pro a little thin in the mids, and the new tuning of the Liric 2 does definitely get closer to what the 109Pro offers. (When I recommended the Liric 1 to have a secondary headphone, the 109 Pro was precisely what I was thinking about.) Whether it makes sense to keep both… I think the only thing might be the spaciousness and imaging. It’s good on the Liric II, but the open-back nature of the 109 Pro gives it a distinct advantage here, and it’s exactly what I was thinking about when I talked about this in the video. I think it might be nice to sell the 109 Pro and grab something that offers a complementary sound, instead, if you feel you need it. But you’re right, the Liric II is such a good all-around headphone that I’m not really sure you need to UNLESS you want something for larger orchestral works. Then… maybe consider selling the 109 Pro and picking up something like a Focal Clear or LCD-X, something that will get you more presence with voices. Or if you want to get all fancy, pair the Liric with an Empyrean :-D Side note: the 109 Pro is *FANTASTIC* for video games. Ultimately, it’s really up to you: if you find yourself just not using the 109 Pro - and I can 100% see that - then yeah, worth selling. But with one being a planar and the other a dynamic, one closed and the other open… I think they might be different enough to justify keeping both.
Great Review! I've been eyeing these headphones for a while now, and I enjoyed how you dove into performance across various genres of music rather than just reading off the spec sheet and heavily adhering to the frequency response. Going to demo them this weekend, might be what I need to finally pull the trigger!
@@NorbReviews Tried them out two days ago now, and WOW! The feel, comfort, fullness, staging, imaging, and tonality blew me away. I always heard they were isolating, and I was pleasantly surprised by just how much noise they cut out. The dealer offered me a 15% discount on a new pair straight from Meze, and at that point I just had to buy them. I'll be getting my hands on them a week from now, I can't wait!
@@megmnd3525Fantastic! Yeah, in all honesty, the only reason I didn’t buy them for myself is because I just bought another expensive pair (notice the Meze Elite in the background?), but I am… still tempted. I also think I need to try the Focal Celestee again, which I really liked, but Meze > Focal when it comes to comfort every time.
I tried them today. The clarity compared to my Bose was huge (which now seem muddy), but the ANC was weak. They felt a bit heavy on my head (but not like my LCD-X cans 😬) As well, the clamping force was a little more than I prefer. For flying I want max noise cancelling even at the expense of sound quality. I do like them though and I think they’re worth another listen. I have a feeling the Beatles will sound great on them.
The LCD-X are a chonk! Their weight is literally the only reason I haven’t bought them (though I dream of one day buying the LCD-5). As for sound, they’re fantastic, especially if you use the sound personalization. But you’re right, they have a very specific overall presentation. The Beatles sound GREAT in them! For ANC, though, I like them well enough, but for max noise canceling… Bose or Apple, TBH. arguably Sony XM5, but I like the sound on that less than on the Bose or APMs: Sony’s advantage is technology across multiple platforms. Best of luck finding something great!
I currently have some Sennheiser Momentum 4 which I don't like at all and I will return them. Even with a custom EQ, I don't feel any immersivness and the sound isn't crisp enough. Everything seems smushed together. They just have strong (but too much exagerated if you don't set them properly) basses. Now, just to make me completely disappointed, they start to connect-disconnect every 30 seconds and sometimes audio goes completely off unless I hard-reboot them. I come from AirPos Max that were awesome for me but broke after 3 years. How do you compare the sound from Px7 S2e to them? I won't get back the ANC back from the APM (I don't even consider the one from M4 since the passive one from APM was better that the active one from M4) but I hope they don't sound as bad as the M4. I would like to avoid spending less than Focal Bathys/AirPods Max price
Hmm. This is tough. I like the sound of the Px7 S2e better for myself-it’s slightly warmer, less bass heavy by default, though not by much-but I’m not sure it’s objectively better, especially because the Momentum 4 has that great EQ and sound personalization software. I find it more relaxing and easier to listen to all day, but again, it’s tough because the M4 is, from a technical perspective, no slouch. If you really dislike the M4, I’m wondering if you’d be better served by something with an entirely different sound signature, like the Master & Dynamic MW75. Or even the Bose QuietComfort Ultra with the EQ set to low bass? But if you’re willing to go older… have you considered the Momentum 3? It keeps all the detail with none of the bloat. I really love the sound on those. But it has terrible ANC compared to what’s available now.
I haven’t used the Px8, so I can’t speak to that. Honestly, the Px7 S2e I think is fine. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 might also serve well, especially with the EQ.
What headphones under $500 do you recommend? I am looking. I recently got the Sony XM 4 they still work, but I got these because nice solo pros have been falling apart and they are the best sounding headphones. I’ve had so far I would like a very detailed resounding sound vocals. What premium headphones do you recommend that are really a work of art under 500 bucks?
Hey, So I’m actually going to be doing a set of videos on that (this will be a longer project, so expect that later this year). But to answer quickly: Assuming you mean wireless, the Px7S2e, Sennheiser Momentum 4, AirPods Max, Bose QuietComfort Ultra are the ones I’d recommend that are newer. I’ve done videos on all of these. (I know people will hate me for the AirPods Max recommendation, but I think there’s a lot of bias out there. But it’s definitely Apple Only.) If you’re ok with looking at stuff that’s a bit older, the Momentum 3, Bose NC700, and Master & Dynamic MW65. (Actually, the MW65 is probably my top recommendation for what you’ve mentioned here: their tuning is fantastic and the beryllium drivers are something special. And I’m literally wearing them as I type this.) The older HifiMan Divas might also do well, and they’re having a clearance sale, so you may be able to get them at a really great price. Finally, consider the Audeze Maxwell. The only downside with this one is that it’s *heavy*, but they are one headphones that does wired, wireless, music, and gaming *very* well. Finally with wireless, if you can find one used, the Focal Bathys would be a good option, but I don’t think I’ve seen them under $500. If you’re willing to go for wired headphones or earbuds then you get a LOT more bang for your buck. I’m a fan of the Meze Alba IEMs, for example, or the HiFiMan Ananda. But if we go this direction, the list gets *LONG*. (Sennheiser HD650 or HD6xx immediately come to mind, but if you’ve been using old Bose headphones, you may miss the bass.) If you’re willing to go with used, this list opens WAY up: you might be able to find something like the Focal Elex for this (and actually, looking now, Headphones.com has them for $499 in final clearance).
They added a hearing calibration, it makes sound brighter for me, I'm setting it to 50% and it's juuust perfect (100% is kinda too bright for me sometimes)
my feed when i am thinking about buying something: This is the best item that have every existed in the entire world, worth for the money. My feed after i bought the item: This item is dog shiiit, if you buy this you are brainless, garbage item.
So… which one is this video? I mean, I thought it was pretty even handed, but you might see it differently. That said, hit me up here if you have any questions. Maybe I can help you avoid garbage items (not that this is one. It’s quite good, even if flawed). It’s a big reason I stared this channel.
Soundcore is great! I would prefer my Life Tune/Q30 over my XM5 for long period of use. It may not come anywhere close to Sony XM5's ANC (the XM5 is still unbeatable when it comes to Active Noise Cancelation), but the Soundcore Life Tune is more comfy, and feels more lighter and balanced. It really is a big bang for the buck!
Thanks….. my big consideration is will the anc be anywhere near as good as Bose Ultra? I tried the Bathys in the shop and the arc didn’t seem very good and I could still hear people, traffic etc I haven’t been able to try the Bose though.
No, it won’t be. It’s good, but Bose is on par and arguably better than the XM5. Bose has a decades of research behind this, whereas Focal is new. Given the nature of ANC, voices will always cut through above a certain level. (That level depends on the headphones, ear pad seal, build materials, etc.) So whether it will also happen on the Bose depends partly on you. But at least to be, Bose is better at ANC. I also did a review on the Bose QCUltra, but short of it: the ANC was extremely good. Link: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-A9BbUIh6Xqs.html
I'm very happy with my Bathys. I have a bit of high frequency hearing loss, so the app's hearing test and Sound Personalization (based on the hearing test results) make this a truly unique product and my favorite headphone by far. I think the hiss you complained about in transparent mode is just the Bathys amplifying the ambient noise. This is what this mode is intended to do. If your Bathys lacks the Sound Personalization feature, you need to update the firmware and Focal app. I agree you get the best sound with DAC mode. However, if your Bluetooth transmitter supports aptX Adaptive, you may be happy with using the Bathys wireless only. A great match for the Bathys is the new iFi Zen Blue 3 High-res bluetooth transmitter/receiver.
That’s for the great comment! The personalization options weren’t there when I reviewed the Bathys, but super happy they went with the Mimi integration. The hiss might be amplification, but it’s something I don’t get with other feature headphones, like the QuietComfort Ultra, AirPods Max, or Px7 S2e, so I felt it was worth mentioning. Still excellent, though. Finally, thanks for the recommendation on the iFi Zen Blue 3! Cheers!
Thank you for the kind words. I wish I could help, but that I think this gets a bit more in the weeds than I like. BUT… this is where toying around with the EQ comes in: your ears, your rules.
Having owned Bose QuietComfort, QuietComfort Ultra, Px7 S2e, and Px8 (and my sister owning Sony XM4s), I'd say the Px7 S2es are the best in the premium ANC class ($300-$450). Haven't tried Momentum 4, which admittedly limits my experience and perspective, but the build quality on B&W is better than Bose, Sony. The sound clarity is more detailed and nuanced then either. Bose, Sony feel flimsy by comparison, and Bose is overpriced for the sound quality they provide. Bose, Sony > ANC B&W > Sound Detail B&W > Build Quality
@@NorbReviews Yes, I think when they said they took what they learned from Px8 and applied to Px7 S2e, they meant the bad and the good. The Px7 S2e benefits from the Px8s 24-bit DSP, but doesn't share it's frequency curve, so the bass boost and (some say bad) tuning on the upper end of the Px8 isn't present on the S2e. I'm not critical music listener or audio engineer, so I lack the resources to measure frequency responses of both, but I consistently see that press describe Px8 tuning as bizarre (if a positive review) or bad (if critical of the Px8). I liked both Px7 S2e, and Px8 (which I got recertified from B&W at $399), but even my untrained ear wouldn't find Px8's sound worth it's $699 retail price.
Such a good review. Got px/s2es today in Ocean Blue and been watching every review before buying them. Yours is definitly one of the best and most detailed.
When you like the Bathys than try the Celestee. It is the better headphone, is tonally better and more detailed, especially when you also buy the Dekoni Stellia pads for the Celestee. The thicker Dekoni pads give the Celeste a bit more air to breath and open them up which result in a closed back with extremely good pin point directioning and the headphone also gets a bit more deep bass.
I love the Celestee! Ended up getting the Clear some time ago instead, since I wanted an open back at that point, and have been considering also adding the Celestee, but the Meze Liric II (review upcoming) is definitely giving it a run for its money. Thanks for the recommendation on the pads!
I haven’t tried the Q20i enough to know if there was a substantial difference between that and the Q20, which I did test. They both let voices cut through, though: Above 500Hz, it starts being more about the build than the ANC itself in this case. The 820nb (or 830nb that just came out, I suppose) is bigger, so if it’s too big in you it might let more noise in. If you can find a used Sony XM4 or even a refurbished XB910N or ULT, the anc is MUCH better, and if you get them refurbished through Secondipity, the XB910N or even the ULT are not that much more expensive and like new. (I buy all my Sony stuff through them. No affiliation, they’re just awesome.) Check out eBay for them. If you can’t do that, I’d say, consider the SoundCore Q30 (which can be found at the same price as the 820NB).
I found the Bathys to sound better when bluetooth is on vs USBc DAC mode, it needs the system eq, usbc wired sounds clear but just kinda thin, I never find myself really into the music like I do with other fuller sounding headphones.
![[REVIEW] Are the Px7 S2 now the BEST VALUE in headphones?! Watch BEFORE YOU BUY!](/img/0.gif)