These headphones have great reviews everywhere! An older model now (Zik 3.0 is latest) that only uses Bluetooth 3 (no aptx) but still great sound and noise cancellation. Very doubtful you will find better wireless noise cancelling headphones at this price!
Yellow color also available in catch eBay store!
beware heavy and big
Thats what she said.
Who Jenny Craig?
She says that to EVERYONE.
Has same weight to QC35 @ 270 grams plus customisable sound.
The QC35 is 235g.
QC35 is 235g, Sony WH1000X is 270g tho. (just like Parrot Zik 2.0)
you are right but according to this
https://versus.com/en/bose-quietcomfort-35-vs-parrot-zik-2-0
QC35 is heavier.
And Bose site does not mention QC35's weight? Maybe it's lighter after all due to the plastic material used while op's posting is of metal construction?
Genuine question about wireless noise cancelling headphones: noise cancelling feature is normally for people flying, however every time I fly, there is instruction of no transmitter to be used inflight (I haven't had wireless noise cancelling headphones due to this). These and phones are technically transmitters in Bluetooth mode so how come these are allowed or these are just tolerated ie they can ask me not to use them.
They offer wifi on some flights now so I don't think anyone's gonna telling you off for wireless headphones. I've flown a fair bit since buying my QC35s (domestic and international) and have never been asked to turn them off at any point in a flight.
I've never had a problem with this personally. Otherwise you could try stick a cable in and let it dangle on the other end or tape a cable on your headphones if they don't have a socket for them.
This product and as most premium Bluetooth headphones supply a standard 3.5mm cord usually 1.2m in length. You can not use this 3.5mm cord in the plane but you can use an airline adaptor plug which is some times supplied by the headphone manufacturer or you can buy one for less than a cup of coffee.
You are right, technically you are not supposed to use any device with transmitters. The reasons for this is a whole other debate especially since many airlines provide a WiFi service which is higher power than BT..
Just did a Google and found this by Qantas which confirms it: https://twitter.com/qantas/status/726610361105805312
However in practice it's tolerated, you COULD be asked to turn them off but I've never been approached or seen anyone approached by an attendant. In Bose case, the wired QC25 (allowed) and wireless QC35 look very similar. I imagine if they started enforcing it, many of their high value business travelers wouldn't take too kindly to it.
I have never had issues using my QC35s while flying
I usually just plug the 3.5mm cable in on the flight all the time for my MDR1000x. First, it is because the reason you are talking about. If they ever ask me not to use wireless headphone, I can just be like look at my CABLE. Second, MDR1000x has annoying power saving features which it will turn off after a while if it is not connected to Bluetooth. But for some reason, if I plug the cable in my headphone, even if the other end is not plugged in in-flight entertainment system or headphone jack, it will stay on until it ran out of battery.
how do they compare to other good brands such as Bowers & Wilkins such as the P7 in terms of sound quality? Dont want to compare to Beats and Bose as they are just over price and not good sound quality.
Bose is the best for NC.
B&W & Beats are overpriced IMO.
Beats is just bass boosted and metal weights to feel heavier and more 'premium'. The B&W P7 is great sounding. Ive had B&O H6 and they are good too, very detailed.
But for this price I would like to try the Parrot Zik 2.0 if I get good feedback.
Yes Bose is good for NC, but music accuracy and sound quality not so much.
Bose QC35 sound quality isn't too bad. I also have B&O H6 Gen 2 and they are one of my favourite. But they are not NC.
@congngo:
yes the B&O H6 gen 2 had a massive improvement in Lower end. Then it was a perfect headphone and they feel super light too. I should have kept them.
If you want to pay that much, then you should really be looking at the Bowers & Wilkins PX or the Sony WH-1000XM2 but you'd be paying 2-3 times the price.
If the ANC is not that important to you, then the B&W PX have slightly better sound quality. Sony are the better package overall, including ANC, comfort and features.
If you want the ultimate bluetooth sound quality, don't need any ANC, and have money to burn - than look no further than the incredible Audio-Technica ATH-DSR9BT.
I currently have the B&W P7. I found a B&O H8 on eBay for a good price, so got that to try out. Would like to try the PX if I find one well priced.
Have you compared the P7 vs the PX?
No, my opinion is based on 'metadata', i.e. reading dozens of reviews and owner posts on head-fi, and giving more weight to the reviewers I've found to be more insightful over the years.
Keep in mind that if this was based on my own listening tests it would have been an subjective opinion of one person. I have been a bluetooth headphone user for the past 6 years though.
The P7 has more of a pleasant V-shaped signature but the PX is actually based on the wired P9 flagship and has a clearer and more natural sound. The ANC is inferior to the Sony or Bose and changes the sound significantly at the higher settings.
The B&O's don't sound as good as the B&W (either P7 or PX) and the Sony (not to mention Audio-Technica).
By the way, if you're an Android user I would definitely try to get a pair that's future-proof and supports either LDAC or AptX-HD.
@JH100: Not unless your TV will be updated to Android 8.0. But to be honest, I don't know. I don't think Sony Bravia TV's support LDAC and not sure whether this will change with Android Orio.
@JH100: I did buy a Sony blu-ray player with bluetooth, which has LDAC support. The UI is not Android though. Good luck.
Can you recommend a review site for wireless headphones? I don't need NC, like these ones, just for home TV use.
EDIT : It's ok, saw one below.
@JH100: In that case, you shouldn't limit yourself to bluetooth but should also check out the Sennheiser RS series, which were made specifically for the TV use. Just ensure that your TV you has a headphone line out, otherwise you may need to get an optical to analog converter.
If external noise is not an issue for you, I would definitely recommend 'open back' headphones (all of the bluetooth ones are 'closed back') as they offer better and more natural sound. The only problem with this design is that they will have a fair bit of bleed (i.e. other will be able to hear them as well).
I personally own Sennheiser RS180, RS170 and RS120 and they're all very good. As a matter of fact, I would have no hesitation recommending the RS120 as amazing bang for the buck for under $150 (or even less with a bit of haggling). They're a real workhorse and there's a reason they've been around for years with no changes.
There are a few sites that have many reviews of wireless headphones but none I would consider definitive on the subject. I used to spend a lot of time following the relevant threads on head-fi.org following the various relevant topics but it can get very time consuming.
Yes, time consuming … :-) Days turn into weeks ,,,
I think I'll go with what sounds like a good recommendation, the RS 120, from someone who obviously knows what he's talking about. I'll have a look around for them.
Thanks again … much appreciated.
I have the original and its great. You can tweak the EQ in the app and change the sound signatures.
Don't you hate the way the app has marketing material on the splashscreen?
I paid > $500 for my Zik 1.0's, and then they want me to buy more every time I open the app :(
Yea its annoying, but i keep to the one setting now so i never open the app lol
great reviews everywhere! … no aptx
Great reviews by (profanity) morons then.
Yes, because the reviewers who test hundreds of headphones and do this for a living with proper sound gear for testing and rave about these headphones have no idea what they're talking about….
Your sarcasm is uncalled for. If a reviewer is using an iPhone to compare two headphones one of which supports AptX and the other one doesn't, the former won't sound to its fullest potential. However, very few reviewers actually declare their source device, which is a sign of either incompetence of ignorance.
This will become even more important in Android 8.0 / Oreo, which brings native AptX-HD (up to 24 bit 48 kHz) and LDAC (up to 24 bit 96 kHz) support. We're talking hi-res wireless audio finally going mainstream on Android, while Apple still doesn't even support lossless over bluetooth, which is ridiculous, considering that they're the ones that got rid of the headphone jack.
This is $170 set of phones over 4 years old, not a new $1000 set. So your rant doesn't really mean anything in this context….
And easy buddy, we're all friends here. I can see you're calling me a fanboy further down as well even though I don't own a single Bose product so you are talking absolute rubbish. Your name calling is what is uncalled for……
@garethb: The Zik's (in any iteration) have never sounded great compared to other headphones on the market at any given time.
Yes, we're all friends and I'd like to think that I'm being friendly by informing people of facts, of which they may not be aware. You, on the other hand, are not doing anyone much good with your emotive statements.
I was referring to the statements you made, not you personally, as I don't know you. You're the one who's getting personal, and I could take offence at you calling my factual post a 'rant' without actually pointing out any flaws, but I can't be bothered.
@garethb: By the way, Ty from Inner Fidelity only described their sound as "decent" when they first came out. The sound of Bluetooth headphones has improved quite a bit since then.
Having said that, I have upvoted the deal as they still have a lot of cool factor on the looks alone and are decent value at this price.
I'd probably still pick these, which can also be price matched at Officeworks.
@elektron: Lol, I was just actually typing that you're not being helpful by not posting an alternative in this price range but you beat me to it!
I've heard the Backbeats and agree they sound better (not in the bass though), but they have far less effective noise cancellation. To hear the better sound you actually have to turn the noise cancellation off!
@garethb: I was merely correcting some of your statements - not once did I say that this wasn't a good deal. I certainly wasn't negging it (just the opposite in fact) so didn't have to provide an alternative, but I thought I would anyway.
You're right - in this price range there are compromises, whichever headphones you get. Sadly, this is still true if you spend twice as much. You'd have to go up to $400+ for something as well rounded as the WH-1000XM2.
The highly rated QC35 does not support aptx either. Granted, the sound quality of QC35 is not its strong suit, but for most people who use these headphones in noisy environments on the move, aptx is not such a huge omission.
Perhaps, but most people in general aren't fussed about sound quality full stop. For me personally, the biggest advantage of ANC is actually being able to enjoy the great sound quality in noisy environments.
True, most people don't, which is why QC35 (and especially Zik 2.0 at this price) are a good compromise between sound quality, isolation and convenience. My comment is more in relation to pointing out aptx is missing.
If sound quality is the top concern then a pair of Etymotic or Shure IEMs would blow these and any other wireless cans away in sound quality and the isolation might be better too depending on your ear fit, but they're not as convenient as wireless ANC day to day for sure.
Reviews on amazon showed that these headphones (Parrot Zik 2.0) suffer from poor craftsmanship), eg. the seams and leather fabric falling apart after few months.
How are these compared to QC35's? Are QC's worth almost twice the price of these one's?
The battery life is rather short. The Zik 2.0 gets 6 hours which isn't enough to get you to most international destinations. The QC35 gives you ~20 hours.
But they do have flight mode. Can get up to 16 hours with NC on but have to use wired.
I would say if noise cancellation is your number one priority, the Bose are worth the extra, but for most other things no. I've heard the NC on these and it's more than enough, up there with Sennheiser. Not Bose good, but nothing is!
Not Bose good, but nothing is!
The new Sony WH-1000XM2 seems better than the QC35 at NC actually, at least according to the test samples by jimsreviewroom on youtube. They cost more than double the price of these though.
@eug: Other reviewers who have compared the two are reporting the same thing. I agree that his last statement is ignorant / fanboyish.
I have the Zik 1.0. I paid a LOT more than this for it, so this is a great deal!
Pros:
- Sound quality (for BT headphones). It's not what you'd call "audiophile grade", but very detailed sound
- The captive touch buttons on the side.
- The noise cancellation on flights
- Can carry a spare battery (replaceable)
Cons:
- Really (profanity) heavy. I get a sore neck wearing them at work.
- Short battery life. I get about 8 hours with BT
- When running it wired (in-flight entertainment), morons on the plane can pair with your headset and play shitty music down it. Has happened to me 2x. Can't avoid it.
These days I use noise-isolating IEMs on flights instead (shure SE846) with the yellow foam tips. I find this blocks out sound a lot better than active noise cancelling headphones, the audio sounds much better (obviously) and you can fall asleep wearing them. I was going to sell my Zik's, but not if they're this cheap now.
I prefer IEM too. How are the Shure SE846 compared to others? Are they the best?
They are the best I've ever heard. Out of the IEM's I've had, I rate them in the following order:
SE846 ——-> SE535 -> Sony XBA-3 -> AT IM04
SE846 are worth the extra money over the SE535 imo. And if you're ever going to buy expensive, high-end gear, buy it NOW. Our hearing degrades with age :(
Thank you!
I tried them in Japan, I thought they were just OK, not mind-blowing compared to the other IEMs I've tried.
A good pair of headphones with a good source blow away any IEM I've tried in terms of sound quality though.
I've worn my IEMs on a plane but find that they definitely don't do as good a job as the QC35 when it comes to lows, where the majority of engine noise is. Either one is ok when listening to music, but when it comes to quieter songs or movies, the lows definitely get through my IEMs.
For sleeping, foam earplugs plus ANC headphones like the QC35 result in near silence. The earplugs blocks the mids and highs, the ANC headphones blocks the lows and mids.
If you use the yellow foam tips, they isolate very well and enhance the lows*
*That's the disadvantage of using them normally, the lows are too strong.
I'm talking about these: http://bit.ly/2hRotao
The Shure SE846's are more than $1,000 though, aren't they?
I got them for $800 online during an ebay sale. You can get cheaper IEMs which still sound better than the Zik's (eg SE535)
I have these. They are lighter than the Zik 1.0's.
Sound is great, not too heavy, high quality :D
The ANC for this headphone is quite good, it is perfect for people that don't mind the 6 hours battery life and don't wanna pay $300+ for the latest ANC headphone.
only uses Bluetooth 3 (so no aptx)
OP, that statement doesn't make any sense. There are plenty of BT 3.0 headphones supporting AptX, I even own a few.
Sorry, I meant no aptx. Updated.
Thanks. Sorry about the semantics but "only bluetooth 3.0" is also a bit misleading, as there are absolutely no improvements related to audio in bluetooth versions 4.0, 4.1 and 4.2.
Distance IS important when using wireless headphones.
v3.0 25 Mbit/s 10 meters (33 ft)
v4.0 25 Mbit/s 60 meters (200 ft)
I think I'll leave the post as is.
@garethb: 99% of bluetooth headphones and source devices use bluetooth Class 2, which is limited to 10 metres, regardless of whether it's v3 or v4. In order to get the maximum range you need to have both devices supporting Class 1.
This may sound like semantics, but people reading your post will think that by buying headphones with v4 bluetooth they will be getting some sort of a benefit. In reality, there is none.
From good headphone reviewers. Actually not that good sound. Sound rating 5.8/10
The isolation is good though 8.1
Commute/travel score 7.3
sports/exercise 6.9
So if you don't care that much about sound quality for music i guess it doesn't matter
They scored the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 wireless (which I own and love!) a 6.4 for sound and the Bose QC35's a 7.4! I've owned both and sold the Bose…. all in personal taste I guess?
yeah it depends "how" you like the sound of your music, bass trebles etc
How much were the Sennheiser Momentum phones?
$399 I paid, but see https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/340005#comment-5250347 if you're looking at getting some.
The Bose actually has the potential to sound better with an iPhone then the Sennheiser, since the former support AAC and the latter doesn't. Simple really. Which goes back to the point I made in another comment here.
Purchased. Many thanks.
I like its minimalist design.
have these and they work great
This is a great deal (I paid circa $350) and I love these headphones BUT…
I've had 2 pairs where the leather/vinyl/covering has peeled away on both the outside and insides of the cups and also the head band. And that's without any heavy usage or anything, only really using on the couch or when travelling. First pair of black ones did it, returned them and now about a year and a bit later the second pair (beige ones) are doing the same.
Sound amazing and are comfy but durability just not there (in my case anyways)…
Were you able to claim warranty for the second pair?
I haven't tried a second claim yet (this pair have only just started the peel) but am considering purchasing the QC35's soon anyways so think I might just write them off… sigh.
Well I'd ask for a full refund which would pay for your QC35s, or an exchange to the 3.0s. That's pretty average if you paid full price, though I might put up with it if it happens at this price.
I think i've bought enough headphones for one year. I'm obsessed with trying out different headphones, it's becoming a problem :P
Amen to that! I have absolutely no need for these as I have a few better sounding bluetooth headphones but I have to admit to having contemplated buying these to add to my collection…
Here is a super in-depth review of this headphones that go more than just sentiments.
Sadly received mine today and they wont charge or function at all off battery :(
Seems reported QC issues are not exactly exaggerated!
Thanks for that. I have one for a couple of years now and they work great.