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Robdmb

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 5, 2008
246
28
Looking for a pair of truly wireless headphones (no cord from ear to ear). Unfortunately, I am one of those people that the Airpods just do not fit well - am looking for something that goes in the ear a bit more.

Any recommendations?
 
Looking for a pair of truly wireless headphones (no cord from ear to ear). Unfortunately, I am one of those people that the Airpods just do not fit well - am looking for something that goes in the ear a bit more.

Any recommendations?
Bose SoundSport Free are my favorite and have the best sound IMHO. They do stick out of your ear a little more than some.
https://www.cnet.com/products/bose-soundsport-free/review/
 
Over the AirPods you would take these? How's the pairing?
I have both. The SoundSport Free can pair to multiple devices but can only be paired to one device at a time like the AirPods. You can change pairing easily by pushing one button on the left earphone and it connects to another device. I tend to use the AirPods for walks when I want to be able to hear my surroundings, but the SoundSport Free have better sound and base.
 
I have both. The SoundSport Free can pair to multiple devices but can only be paired to one device at a time like the AirPods. You can change pairing easily by pushing one button on the left earphone and it connects to another device. I tend to use the AirPods for walks when I want to be able to hear my surroundings, but the SoundSport Free have better sound and base.
Hmm I am thinking of getting these

What about the soundsport the one that comes with the wire. The reason I am thinking of these is because I am less likely to lose these...
On the soundsport frees how do you find how much battery you have left? Is there an app you use?
 
Hmm I am thinking of getting these

What about the soundsport the one that comes with the wire. The reason I am thinking of these is because I am less likely to lose these...
On the soundsport frees how do you find how much battery you have left? Is there an app you use?
I also have the SoundSport wireless. They are good but the free have a little better sound but depending on if you watch video, they may have some lag depending on what device or app you are watching. All of my IOS devices do not have video lag except the YouTube app (YouTube through Safari works fine). The Soundsport wireless don’t have the video lag issue. When you put the Soundsport free into your ears, the voice announcement tells you he battery level. Since they have a charging case they are always at 100 % unless you let the case drain completely. The Bose Connect app helps with firmware updates and other enhancements.
 
I also have the SoundSport wireless. They are good but the free have a little better sound but depending on if you watch video, they may have some lag depending on what device or app you are watching. All of my IOS devices do not have video lag except the YouTube app (YouTube through Safari works fine). The Soundsport wireless don’t have the video lag issue. When you put the Soundsport free into your ears, the voice announcement tells you he battery level. Since they have a charging case they are always at 100 % unless you let the case drain completely. The Bose Connect app helps with firmware updates and other enhancements.
How do you find out how much battery you have in the case? How often do you charge the case?

Also is music loud with these earphones? I have the AirPods which I am returning because I find music too quiet especially on public transport. I use Apple Music and find I have to put my volume at max for some songs I listen too....
 
How do you find out how much battery you have in the case? How often do you charge the case?

Also is music loud with these earphones? I have the AirPods which I am returning because I find music too quiet especially on public transport. I use Apple Music and find I have to put my volume at max for some songs I listen too....
The case has a series of led lights to show the charge. I charge the case about once a week. I never put them at full volume, so I would say they are loud enough. Louder than the airpods.
 
Hmm I am thinking of getting these

What about the soundsport the one that comes with the wire. The reason I am thinking of these is because I am less likely to lose these...
On the soundsport frees how do you find how much battery you have left? Is there an app you use?

I have the wired version and AirPods and find the Bose to have better audio quality. Though not noise cancelling (I also have the Bose noise cancelling earbuds) the Bose do a better job than the AirPods of blocking outside sounds. The wired Bose are my favorite earbuds for sound, the AirPods for convenience.
 
With the Bose Soundsports, can you wear just the right one on its own? When I listen to podcasts, audio books I prefer just one ear so I am not sensory deprived outside walking the dogs. Has the right one got the mic for phone calls? Cheers

Edit: Just watched the review on CNET and it does says right mono for calls.
 
I have the wired version and AirPods and find the Bose to have better audio quality. Though not noise cancelling (I also have the Bose noise cancelling earbuds) the Bose do a better job than the AirPods of blocking outside sounds. The wired Bose are my favorite earbuds for sound, the AirPods for convenience.

Is the Soundsport free's better than the wired one? Would the free's be a better choice?
 
Is the Soundsport free's better than the wired one? Would the free's be a better choice?

My own view is that I would prefer the wired over wireless -- I've seen reviews talking about disconnect issues with the wireless (I have none with all my devices - iOS, Android, Windows - with the wired); price difference is $75; I believe battery life is better with the wired; I don't find the presence of the wires to be an issue at all.
 
My own view is that I would prefer the wired over wireless -- I've seen reviews talking about disconnect issues with the wireless (I have none with all my devices - iOS, Android, Windows - with the wired); price difference is $75; I believe battery life is better with the wired; I don't find the presence of the wires to be an issue at all.
When you talk about wireless are you talking about the frees?
Have you had an issues with yours because I have been reading reviews saying that they are too quiet and you have to put the volume at Max. One of the reasons I am returning the AirPods is that I find with most of my Apple Music library I have to put the volume at max especially when I am on the train or something...

The price difference in the UK between the two is £30 so it isn't that big.
 
When you talk about wireless are you talking about the frees?
Have you had an issues with yours because I have been reading reviews saying that they are too quiet and you have to put the volume at Max. One of the reasons I am returning the AirPods is that I find with most of my Apple Music library I have to put the volume at max especially when I am on the train or something...

The price difference in the UK between the two is £30 so it isn't that big.

Sorry - by wireless I meant the version that has no wire between the earpieces (the wireless wireless version). I have not found them to be too quiet and I'm older with some hearing loss. I just tried them at max volume and it was way too loud - painfully so.
 
I bought a pair of the Air Nano’s by Crazybaby. Their battery life is far worse than AirPods and pairing them can be a hassle, but they fit perfectly and once paired, they work like a dream.




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The Bose wireless are on offer near me......and I would say about £60 cheaper than the Bose Free's.....

Is it worth paying the extra for the 'Frees'?
 
The Bose wireless are on offer near me......and I would say about £60 cheaper than the Bose Free's.....

Is it worth paying the extra for the 'Frees'?

After trying both out, I kept the free’s. The free’s have more battery life (15 hours vs 6 hours). The free’s also sound better in my opinion and are lighter/more comfortable due there being no wires. The best feature is the charging case which automatically turns the earbuds on when removed from the case and turns them off when you put them back in the case.
 
After trying both out, I kept the free’s. The free’s have more battery life (15 hours vs 6 hours). The free’s also sound better in my opinion and are lighter/more comfortable due there being no wires. The best feature is the charging case which automatically turns the earbuds on when removed from the case and turns them off when you put them back in the case.
Hmmm I am debating which to go for
The wireless are discounted in my local store...but the free's still cost £180 which is obviously is a lot more....
The free's stick out a bit doesn't it?
 
Hmmm I am debating which to go for
The wireless are discounted in my local store...but the free's still cost £180 which is obviously is a lot more....
The free's stick out a bit doesn't it?

If your unsure which ones to get, I suggest buying both from a store that you can get a full refund and then try both out to see which ones fit your needs best.
 
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