Best Headphones for Phone Calls, Noise Cancelling and Music

geekcohen on 09/04/2021 - 06:29

Hi all,

I am looking around for the best headphones that meet a few requirements. I have had the Plantronics BackBeat Pro for years - https://www.amazon.com.au/Plantronics-BackBeat-Wireless-Over…

They are great and I do like them. They have become a bit warn but otherwise still working fine. I have used them on many iPhones I have had over the time and have always been very happy with them.

The only issue is, with phone calls (especially VOIP calls using Zoom Phone) I sound like I am using a telephone line! But when I use no headphones and the phone directly, the quality sounds a lot better. Hopefully that makes sense on what I mean.

I am looking for the best quality headphones that give great audio quality for phone calls (normal or VOIP) that are hopefully noise cancelling as well and are great for music. I walk every day before work for 6kms and need something that is good quality for music.

Any help or recommendations would be great. Budget isn't a huge problem, but around the $300 mark would be great.

Electrical & Electronics Headphones

Comments

  • 87percent on 09/04/2021 - 07:49

    I use Jabra Evolve 75. It looks a bit strange when the mic is flipped up onto the headband, but apart from that, they’re fine. I’ve also got AirPods, and you do feel like a bit of a idiot talking, but they’re good too

    • geekcohen on 09/04/2021 - 11:48

      Thanks I'll take a look. I like the idea of it, just a bit price. But I will definitely consider it.

  • hentabara on 09/04/2021 - 08:04

    Definitely check jabra evolve range.

  • garetz on 09/04/2021 - 08:11
    +1

    You can pick 2 out of 3.

  • tabz on 09/04/2021 - 08:27

    Sony WH-1000XM4

  • dartsahoy on 09/04/2021 - 08:51
    +2

    I have the Sony XM4s and Bose QC35 II and they're both fantastic for active noise cancelling, music and calls. There's deals for both very regularly on OzB so whichever one you think looks nicer go with that one. QC35 is more likely to be in your budget since it's a little older.

    • Christoshizz on 12/04/2021 - 09:18

      I went to a JB store and tested making calls from both. the QC2 was basically useless and people couldn't hear me at all, Sony was just passable for calls.

      not sure if this was because I was in a busy store and both might do better when at home in a quiet room for calls, but suggest people do some testing themselves to see if they are happy with these models for calls!

  • FoxJump on 09/04/2021 - 09:36
    +1

    I have Bose NC700. I bought wife Plantornics Backbeat pro2
    Bose NC700 isnt worth the extra coin.

    • geekcohen on 09/04/2021 - 11:48

      How is the Backbeat Pro2 for quality?

      • FoxJump on 09/04/2021 - 12:45

        *shrug. Had it one day so far. Wife has it at work.
        I have a friend who had one and it looks solid. He's head his for several years and he's also bought 2 more for his family.

        nb plantronics bbp2 has micro usb. But i'll have to live with that.

        • geekcohen on 09/04/2021 - 13:55

          Ah okay, no worries. I like the my current Backbead Pro but the phone quality I have just noticed that is poor lately. Listened to some of my phone recordings through work and they sound terrible when compared to using the actual phone.

    • FoxJump on 09/04/2021 - 12:47

      i downvote the bose because it cant really maintain 2 bt device connections and work reliably.
      if you dont want that featuer and only connect to one at a time, then it's great!

      most people hear me ok. some people struggle to hear me sometimes but i think thats cos they have ancient or silly voip/pabx systems

      • geekcohen on 09/04/2021 - 13:54

        2 connections isn't a problem for me, it is just the one device.

  • petry on 09/04/2021 - 13:57
    -2

    if budgets not a problem why are you wasting people's time on OZBARGAIN - just keep buying pairs till you're happy.

    • geekcohen on 09/04/2021 - 13:59

      When I say budget isn't a problem, it isn't saying I have an endless pocket of money and can just go around until I find one. I mean, I don't mind spending a bit to get good quality. The backbeat have done me well for like 6 years, so I don't mind spending $500 if I get a pair that last me another 6 years.

      • petry on 09/04/2021 - 14:31

        good to know

  • Indomietable on 09/04/2021 - 21:16
    +1

    Can you describe the environment where you make phone calls? Ie are they noisy / lots of other people / echoey?

    when I use no headphones and the phone directly, the quality sounds a lot better.

    Most headphones/earphones without microphone boom are terrible for calls since the mic is relatively far from your mouth and the sound wave direction is going away from the mic.

    Have you consider having dedicated mic? A $25 lavalier will be significantly better than most headphones mic.

    • typistinahurry on 10/04/2021 - 10:53
      +1

      Thanks for that suggestion! I am in the same boat as OP, using headphones for typing recordings but also need to have great quality when taking calls for extended periods of time where I need to type at the same time. I hadn't even thought of a separate dedicated mic for the task but had been pondering the issue of better headphones as I'm often told callers struggle with the sound quality when I'm taking/making calls hands free with the headphone with built in mic. I'm going to go check it out now as it looks like the solution without having to upgrade my current headphones. Thanks again :)

      • Indomietable on 10/04/2021 - 23:08

        Just keep in mind that the Boya M1 is an Omnidirectional mic that will pick up sound from all directions. If you have mechanical or loud keyboard it will pick it up.

    • geekcohen on 12/04/2021 - 11:36

      I am at home in my office area, so it is pretty quiet.

      I found it is codec related. I plugged my BackBeat Pros in and configured it to use the Skype CODEC for calls which is what Zoom Phone uses and I think it is better, I am going to do some further tests but it sounds better and not like I am using a PSTN phone line.

      I want a complete wireless solution, I don't want to have use a cable.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join