Best wireless headphones for iPad

[TrueBlou]

Everyone's ears and more important preferences are different, but what the hey.

I had been using Beats Solo's for a while until I tried the Sony XB950-BT's. Holy hell they blew my beats out of the water on pretty much every front apart from street cred probably

Without the extra bass mode on they still sounded fuller and clearer than my Beats for everything from blues, rock, classical, pop (I like a lot of random crap) and when I'm listening to something like Tiesto and slap on the extra bass. Oh, goody, goody, goody. They may be making me deaf, but what a way to go

 

[silentbobie]

Hey all,

For those of you using the Bose AE II bluetooth, is there any audio sync/delay issues when using them to watch videos, particularly with streaming, youtube, netflix, etc?

I picked up a set of Marshall Major 2 BT, and the audio delay when streaming is terrible. Were as a pair of Plantronics Backbeats Go 2 are spot on.

Was thinking of getting the Bose AE II bluetooth, for a decent set of over ear headphones.

Thanks.

 

[yngrshr]

The new Bose QC35 headphones look great. Wireless + ANC? May be my next purchase.

 

[Night Spring]

The new Bose QC35 headphones look great. Wireless + ANC? May be my next purchase.

Just saw it at the store. Very light and comfortable, and the noise cancelling is amazing.

 

[gr4z]

Just saw it at the store. Very light and comfortable, and the noise cancelling is amazing.

Just tried these in the BOSE shop in Birmingham, UK. Very very good. I have pre-ordered them on Amazon.

 

[EDH667]

The new Bose QC35 headphones look great. Wireless + ANC? May be my next purchase.

Just purchased these yesterday from my local Bose Store. Fantastic upgrade. I was able to replace my SoundLink AE2's and QC25's with one set of headphones.

 

[mickeydean]

How is the sound quality on the QC35s?

 

[boston04and07]

Just read through this thread and it's all very interesting. I'm thinking of getting a pair of Beats Solos probably within the year. I've already liked what I heard when I listened at the Apple Store. I'm hoping they get updated to use a Lightning port for charging soon, as the Beats Pill+ already has. That'd make my life easier as I already have eleventy lightning chargers stashed everywhere around the house. Anyway, for those of you using these, how easy do you find switching between devices to be? Right now I'm using a pair of wired headphones and I'm constantly switching between my MacBook Pro, iPad mini 4, and iPhone 6S multiple times a day. If I get a pair of Beats I'd ideally like to add my two Apple TV 4's to the mix. So, is it a pain or relatively easy to switch them between so many devices? My dad has a pair of BT headphones (some random brand that I can't remember right now) but it's kind of a hassle to switch them between his MacBook and iPhone. I'm hoping the Beats would be a little easier...I'd appreciate any feedback you guys have on this!

 

[cdcastillo]

...Anyway, for those of you using these, how easy do you find switching between devices to be?... So, is it a pain or relatively easy to switch them between so many devices?... I'm hoping the Beats would be a little easier...I'd appreciate any feedback you guys have on this!

I'm currently using a pair of Wireless Studio while at work and commuting with my MBPr, iPad Mini and iPhone. It's relatively easy to switch between them. After the initial pairing with the devices, you have 2 ways to switch between them:

1. The easiest way is to press and hold during 2 seconds the play/pause button on the Beats, this disconnects them from the current device; then select them on the bluetooth menu on the new device.
2. The other way is to disconect in the current device from the bluetooth menu before choosing them on the new device

The beats remember what device they were last paired to and won't change by mistake when you turn them on again. When I get tired (it is only relatively easy, not super easy, to change between devices) of switching the BT source, I use them at my desk with the MBPr via the audio cable (when you plug the audio cable into the beats, they turn on without BT), and when I want to switch to the iPhone, I disconnect the cable and turn them on (this connects them automatically to the phone).

Hope this helps.

 

[boston04and07]

I'm currently using a pair of Wireless Studio while at work and commuting with my MBPr, iPad Mini and iPhone. It's relatively easy to switch between them. After the initial pairing with the devices, you have 2 ways to switch between them:

1. The easiest way is to press and hold during 2 seconds the play/pause button on the Beats, this disconnects them from the current device; then select them on the bluetooth menu on the new device.
2. The other way is to disconect in the current device from the bluetooth menu before choosing them on the new device

The beats remember what device they were last paired to and won't change by mistake when you turn them on again. When I get tired (it is only relatively easy, not super easy, to change between devices) of switching the BT source, I use them at my desk with the MBPr via the audio cable (when you plug the audio cable into the beats, they turn on without BT), and when I want to switch to the iPhone, I disconnect the cable and turn them on (this connects them automatically to the phone).

Hope this helps.

This does help a lot, thank you for that very detailed description!! So, just so I know I'm getting this right, do you not need to be in range of Device #1 before pressing the play/pause button and then pairing with Device #2? Say for instance I'm paired with my MacBook Pro and then leave the house without unpairing from my MacBook Pro first, taking my headphones and iPhone with me - would I just then hit the play/pause button and then pair with my iPhone, or would I need to make sure I'm still in range of my MacBook Pro before doing this? Thanks again!!

 

[cdcastillo]

That's right, you do NOT need to be in range of the previous device to disconnect, but you do need to disconnect, since as the beats remember (they must be from the north ), they will not connect to your phone until you "disconnect" from the previous source, even if that source is no longer in range.

 

[boston04and07]

That's right, you do NOT need to be in range of the previous device to disconnect, but you do need to disconnect, since as the beats remember (they must be from the north ), they will not connect to your phone until you "disconnect" from the previous source, even if that source is no longer in range.

Ok awesome, thanks again for clarifying this for me! For some reason my dads headphones need to be in range of the original device before they can be un-paired, but I was hoping that Beats would be a bit more user friendly. Thanks again.

 

[Perene]

Can you guys recommend any wireless model that is exactly like the EarPods? I only use that type of headphone.

 

[mickeydean]

Anyone tried the Bose QC35?

The audiophiles say Bose is only marginally better than the terrible beats for sound quality, I wonder if this new model remedies this.

Sony has a couple other new wireless headphones but they seem to be doing the beats thing with design and colours.

 

[Night Spring]

Anyone tried the Bose QC35?

The audiophiles say Bose is only marginally better than the terrible beats for sound quality, I wonder if this new model remedies this.

Sony has a couple other new wireless headphones but they seem to be doing the beats thing with design and colours.

Don't know about sound quality, as I'm not an audiophile, but Bose headphones are the most comfortable headphones I've tried. I tried the QC35 at a store the other day, and it was soooo tempting to get one. Price is a bit too steep for me at the moment, but it's really amazing how silent it is once you put it on.

 

[chabig]

Anyone tried the Bose QC35?

The audiophiles say Bose is only marginally better than the terrible beats for sound quality, I wonder if this new model remedies this.

Sony has a couple other new wireless headphones but they seem to be doing the beats thing with design and colours.

I got the QC35s as an upgrade from the QC25. My QC25s were 6 months old and the Bose Store gave my $300 credit in trade. I was out the door for $50 plus tax.

I'd say the new model sounds better than the old, which was already great. And the Bluetooth implementation is the best I've ever seen. The headphones will remember pairing with 8 devices, and can be connected to two simultaneously. Once set up, say I've got my iPhone and iPad with me--the QC35s pair to both without requiring any action from me. If I play audio on the iPhone, I hear it, if I stop the audio on my phone and begin playing on the iPad, I hear it, automatically. If I have my MacBook, and my iPhone is locked, it'll be active with the iPad and MacBook, again automatically. If I have three active devices and have to force it to switch to the currently unconnected device, I just toggle the spring loaded power switch once. It's easy.

The headphones have a microphone so they work great for phone calls, or with Siri. The have a three button control built into the right earcup that works exactly like Apple's wired remote. There's an easy to use iPhone app for updates in firmware and managing the Bluetooth pairings. All in all, I'm very impressed.

Here's a link to the product manual.

 

[cdcastillo]

Damn! Now I want to have he new QC35.

It's becoming expensive to use Macrumors forums

 

[WhoDatWayne]

I got the QC35s as an upgrade from the QC25. My QC25s were 6 months old and the Bose Store gave my $300 credit in trade. I was out the door for $50 plus tax.

I'd say the new model sounds better than the old, which was already great. And the Bluetooth implementation is the best I've ever seen. The headphones will remember pairing with 8 devices, and can be connected to two simultaneously. Once set up, say I've got my iPhone and iPad with me--the QC35s pair to both without requiring any action from me. If I play audio on the iPhone, I hear it, if I stop the audio on my phone and begin playing on the iPad, I hear it, automatically. If I have my MacBook, and my iPhone is locked, it'll be active with the iPad and MacBook, again automatically. If I have three active devices and have to force it to switch to the currently unconnected device, I just toggle the spring loaded power switch once. It's easy.

The headphones have a microphone so they work great for phone calls, or with Siri. The have a three button control built into the right earcup that works exactly like Apple's wired remote. There's an easy to use iPhone app for updates in firmware and managing the Bluetooth pairings. All in all, I'm very impressed.

Here's a link to the product manual.

Thanks! My QC25's are only three months old so I will make a stop by my local Bose store and do a trade in!

 

[gr4z]

Just bought the QC35s today so minimal testing so far. Sound quality is on par with the QC25s. Noise cancelling I haven't tested yet but will do next week. Build quality seems good and battery life is also a plus.

Only issue so far like the 25s is my ears get quite hot when using them

 

[cdcastillo]

Well, now it is done. I think these are one of the best wireless headphones for the iPad. Had to try the "listening with one device, switching immediately to answer a call in another" to understand it.

 

[cdcastillo]

Anyone tried the Bose QC35?

The audiophiles say Bose is only marginally better than the terrible beats for sound quality, I wonder if this new model remedies this.

Now that I have tried both (QC35 and Wireless studio) I have a couple comments:

1. Regarding comfort: Though the QC35 are more comfortable (I would give the beats a 7/10 and the Bose 8.5-9/10 in comfort), they are also way more prone to falling out in any more-than-light physical activity. This is particularly true when you lift up one of the cups over your ear to hear something/someone for a moment. I have never dropped my Studio wireless when perched on my head this way, the QC35 fall off every time.
2. Sound quality: the sound "signature" is different. There is definitely more punch to the bass on the Beats. I do not say the Bose are flat, but maybe I would define them as more "mellow". This is noticeable even on classic music, for example on Tchaikovsky's more energetic works, please note this might have something to do with the superb noise cancellation on the QC. I have to state that I still prefer the sound signature on my Sennheiser HD 598 when properly amplified, but on the go they suck (they are open, and the 3 meters of cable does not really lend itself to mobile listening)
3. Noise cancellation: QC35 wins hands down. I mean, the Beats are not bad at NC, but the Bose are even better at this.
4. Pairing/switching: The pairing is seamless in both, but the switching between devices in the Bose is as easy as it could be (they are always connected to 2 devices simultaneously, you just pause the music in one and start playing on another).
5. Mobility: Both the QC35 and the Beats come with a carrying case (semi-hard shell). The Beats are roundish/fat and can be clipped on to the outside of a Bag, the Bose are flat/slim but can not be clipped on, must be kept inside the bag.

So, when not in my house I still mostly prefer the sound signature of the beats, but the improvements in comfort and NC in the QC35 makes them my choice when I have room in my bag (but when my briefcase is full, I clip the beats on the outside) and will not be moving that much around.

 

[artfossil]

Thank you for the details! I have, and love, the Beats (used primarily when working in my studio) and hope to one day add the Bose for traveling and working in coffee shops, etc.

 

[TekkieWreck]

I have Beats Solos & tested them on iPhone 6S+ with various types of music. They feel very comfortable on my ears, are reasonably lightweight and fit well. They are great at reproducing acapella vocals, sparse instrumentation, bass and percussion but mine got muddy when guitars or additional vocal tracks joined in the mix. They were great at playing David Bowie's "Cat People" and N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" with clean bass & low distortion. With The Struts' "Roll Up," Hollywood Vampires' "School's Out" and Christina Aguilera's "Your Body," the sound became indistinct. I think they're very well suited for certain songs, but other headphones would probably do better with rock or heavy metal. I'd like to try out JBL Everest 300 Elites next, because my JBL Bluetooth speaker accurately reproduces sound for a variety of genres. YMMV depending on what you like to listen to.

 

[annk]

I have JBL Everest Elite 700 and I really like them. They have noise cancelling and wired connection as options as well. There's an app that allows you to tailor the audio settings to your liking.

I got them as a gift, didn't have to shell out the bucks for them.

 

[cargobrian]

Bose and Jaybirds!!!!