Quality Headphones for Watching Movies

I did some research but could not find one that is reasonably good. I already own a QC35 II. It is an awesome headphone for Audio Books, Podcast and Youtube. I still regret the days I lived without it. But, when it comes to Music, my apple earphones are better sounding than QC35 II. I don't know what is missing, but one of the reason is bass. I don't complain because it does its job as a ANC Bluetooth Headphone 100/100.

My checklist is

  • Under $400 (Can stretch to $500)
  • Better bass than QC35 II
  • Should not required amplifiers or any additional gadgets.
  • Should not require uncompressed raw audio to show a difference.
  • Doesn't require to be wireless
  • Must come with 3m audio cable.
  • Should be comfortable enough to wear and listen for at-least 2 hours continuosly.
  • Must be available in different colours other than black.

I read about
AudioTechnica M50X - It ticked everything except for the comfort point. :(

Any suggestions?

Comments

  • +3

    Looking at your checklist, it seems an Australian company can offer a more personlised solution.

    https://www.nuraphone.com/products/nuraphone
    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nura/nura-headphones-th…

    All products under warranty
    30-day money back trial
    Free lifetime support
    Worldwide shipping

    Disclaimer: Never used it. Not associated with the product or company. If you dare to buy it, please do post reviews here:)

    • +3

      Ah.. I have seen these guys in QVB on my way to work. Will give them a go tomorrow. I did not bother checking their booth as I have never head of them. Reviews look good.

    • The cans are gross. I base my opinion on absolutely nothing except looking at the in ear bits.

      • +1

        I've owned a pair for a coupla months or so.

        I like them but the ear inserts are wierd. Only used them outdoors and in gym.

        There may be somethihng to octoaccoustic tuning, shit sounds very good to me. They have thunderous, enormous bass which sounds like a subwoofer having no affect on other sound and you can adjust the bass like a subwoofer. It uses transducers to transfer bass to your head, it's excellent while being tuneable like a subwoofer so they're excllent for movies assuming you use them wired to avoid BT delay. They have aptx-hd capability.

        They only come with propietary connector to USB-A as a cable, other cables are available for most things but cost $20. I'm waiting for USB-A -> XXX adapters to arrive to sere f they work.

    • +1

      I tried them today at QVB. ANC, Sound quality and Bass are way better than Bose QC 35. Just brilliant. However, the inear tubes, though they are innovative, felt bit weird and felt like they are not placed properly inside my ears however I adjusted.

      If I have to pick this against QC35 again, I’ll definitely pick this.

      But, I believe they will not be suitable for TV watching, but just for music.

  • do you need closed cans/isolation?

    else koss porta-pro will do the job but don't think it has 3m leads though

    there is a new wireless version but bluetooth is never as good as wired

    • I have never owned a open headphone because people were complaining about ambient noise. Can give this a try. But, the product is very cheap.There must be a catch. Will read the Amazon reviews.

  • Sony 1000XM2 and XM3 are on par with QC35 but much much more comfortable. The app allows you tweak audio and increase bass. Sorted.

    • I have already tried this when I decided to buy a ANC headphone. Thanks for the suggestion though.

  • Sennheiser RS175

    Excellent prices at the moment ($310- $395)

    https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/sennheiser-rs175-wir…

    https://www.harveynorman.com.au/sennheiser-rs175-closed-circ…

    Meets all requirements except your request for a colour other than black, I honestly suggest you just give up on that.

    This phone is WIFI, so no blutooth sync issues

    Edit:

    This suggestion is for movies, as per your title, however later you talk about headphones for music. I would suggest getting different sets for each. Music headphones don't make the best movie headphones IMO. Eg in this sennheiser line there is the RS185 which is better for music.

    • Thank you so much for you input. I have decided to invest in a Sennheiser. Will read reviews and decide between RS175 and RS185.

    • ^ This

      Or any Sennheiser model with those black magic "Kleer" tech. Beats all BT tech out there in term of sound quality & power.

      • I assume RS175 supports Kleer tech. But, I have a question around how you use these headsets? Since these don't have a lead that could be plugged directly between Source and the headset, do you have to move the RF Emitter box around to listen from different sources? Or you guys keep these Headsets dedicated to your Movie Player or AV Receiver?

        • I dont own either models but I have RS160. So it should be same principle.

          From the looks of it, you can connect it with either RCA (3.5 stereo jack for RS175) and optic TOS link cable, directly from your source. The tower act as a stand charger and as a transmitter to the wireless headset. There is no wire connection between them.

          There is a switch to toggle between 2 inputs. But yeah its a hassle if you have to use it on different room so you have to move the transmitter. Hence they made RS160 model with portable battery powered transmitter, easy to walk around with. I used mine almost everyday, outputted from my PS4 -> AV receiver with no noticeable lag and can reach up to 50 meters, with 99.9% no signal dropping even there is an obstacle, eg: walls.

    • Today I tried RS175 and RS185 at Sennheiser show room in Martin place.

      RS175: Good Bass and surround sound. But, very uncomfortable and felt leathery around my years. I can’t stand this for more than 30mins. My ears could not be held inside the small cup, therefore not any advantage for being a closed back phone.

      RS185: Still its small cup sits on my ear, but was comfortable enough to continually listen for sometime. You will get the same feel as you were sleeping on a hard pillow. Can survive 2 hours with those on your head. Bass and sound quality are good. But, the issue is the leak.

      Since it is an open back phone, whatever you listen to is leaked outside. So, if someone is sleeping next to you, they will feel like you are using some cheap ear phones and playing loud music. I was able to hear everything when I kept the phone 10 cm away fom my ears, even in that xmas shopping havoc.

      I think I am more inclined towards RS185 for now. Will see.

  • You need to understand that BT (Bluetooth) is not good for video becaue of unavoidable audio delay.

    BT with APT-X has lower delay but only APT-X Low Latency is good enough for video. Headphones and transmitter have to support the APT-X profile to use it. Other APT-X profiles are lower delay than normal BT still.

    Although some people are OK with delay and don't even notice it or get used to it.

    • I do. That's why I am after Wired ones. But, Sennheiser seem to have some RF HeadSets that are working well.

  • I'd recommend Philips Fidelio X2's, although the price seems to of increased a lot recently (used to be able to pick them up for $200). Doesn't require amplification, has a long replaceable cable and you can wear them for days. Amazing for movies, music and gaming, if you are into those too.

    • Hmmm… One more to consider. Reviews look good. There seems to be a newer & comfy version out there X2HR.

  • with such budget can havbe enough of choices, i wuld suggest to use a wireless one, which helps to all the time enjoy the multimedia file even during the home cleaning.

    • Bose QC35 is helping me with house cleaning. Since I concentrate on the cleaning part, I don't get annoyed by the quality of the sound. Now, I am after something that is suitable to sit and concentrate on the Sound.

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