Earphones Recommendations That Don't Passively Isolate Sound Too Much, but Have ANC

Javascripter1 on 15/05/2022 - 18:09
Last edited 15/05/2022 - 18:16

Hey OzBargain,

I'm looking for some Bluetooth earphones to replace my Samsung Galaxy Buds+. I've found that the Buds+ isolate sound too much, and makes day to day use in social settings too difficult, where sometimes I can't hear people behind me which can be risky when walking around certain areas.

However, I still want the option to block out sound, so basically, I'm looking for earphones without heavy passive isolation, but still have decent/good ANC.

I use Android and I don't really have a budget. Bluetooth is a must.|

The Buds+ do have ambient sound mode as well, but the quality isn't that good. But if anyone knows earbuds with good quality, real-life sounding transparency mode, it would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Electrical & Electronics Earphones

Comments

  • Hybroid on 15/05/2022 - 18:14

    AirPods Pro have a transparency mode which is the half-way house solution you're looking for. Do the Buds not have the same feature too?

    • Javascripter1 on 15/05/2022 - 18:16

      They do have an ambient sound mode, but it's really not that good. I guess I'm looking for earbuds with good quality ambient sound mode.

      • Hybroid on 15/05/2022 - 18:18
        +1

        AirPods Pro then, works fine on Android, and nothing really beats them.

        Maybe the Sony WF-1000XM4 as close second if you don't want Apple.

  • mbck on 15/05/2022 - 19:00

    Bud live?

  • nismo on 15/05/2022 - 19:57

    ComfoBuds Pro if stem design is ok, or if you want bud style, go for soundpeats t2 (or mini pro).

    I have the first two and ANC has to be some of the very best under $100, they BOTH also have very decent ambient / transparent modes.

    Mini pro i believe are also good and have the features you want, I just haven't bought them (yet).

  • nismo on 15/05/2022 - 20:00

    https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B08V5FVVKK/
    These were $76 the other day on a lightning deal and is what I paid in early March.

    https://www.amazon.com.au/SoundPEATS-Canceling-Earphones-Tra…
    Can be had as low as $48

  • OMGJL on 15/05/2022 - 20:26

    I have bought OnePlus Buds Z2 (mine was from China directly when they just launch), it was better than what I expected, and does have a transparent mode (it feels like you had a cotton piece in your ear so not all that bad) the sound quality was quite good, I can hear lots of details, even more than my Bose QC35 ii.

  • iamherenow on 15/05/2022 - 21:04

    take out of one ear when required.

  • p1 ama on 15/05/2022 - 21:05

    However, I still want the option to block out sound, so basically, I'm looking for earphones without heavy passive isolation, but still have decent/good ANC.

    What you're saying here is contradictory. How are you going to get good ANC without good passive isolation? The (simplified) reason why ANC works is by pumping the "negative" of the sound wave into your ears (think of a sine wave reflected in the x-axis). This doesn't work without first having good passive isolation.

    Transparency mode can help, but it's not a long term solution for your problem. FWIW, if hearing what is around you is critical, the solution is just that you should either take one earbud out, or just not be wearing earbuds in general.

    • endotherm on 15/05/2022 - 21:52

      Or use the Sony LinkBuds donut-shaped earbud speaker, with a hole in the middle for real-world exposure.

      • iamherenow on 15/05/2022 - 22:05

        Your working day reduces to 5.5 hours with these:

        "You can enjoy a full working day of charge – 5.5 hours – from your headphones"

        • endotherm on 15/05/2022 - 22:06

          Isn't that a good thing? Most people want to go home early :).

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