This may be OT since strictly speaking it’s about hardware… I trust it is ok to post it given the spirit of the community, but have my apologies and feel free to remove it if it’s not.
I’m looking to replace my old Bose QC25, since they have recently died (after a long a fulfilling life), but it seems everything nowadays is bluetooth (which I don’t mind) and require some proprietary app to turn ANC on/off (which I do mind… are physical buttons/switches become too expensive to include in your overpriced earbuds?).
Anyway… do you know of any headphones/earbuds that meet the following?
- can be powered via wire or have batteries that last 12+hrs (long-haul flights)
- have decent noise cancelling
- don’t require me to install a apps or can be used with some open source app (possibly with full functionality and straightforward to setup)
- are not overly expensive (I have to buy 2 pairs and I’ll only use them a few times a year when I fly)
Take a look at Valco. They’re the best headphone you will get for your money! https://www.valco.fi/en
I wasn’t aware that any required an app. Weird!
I have a pair of Sony XM2s. While Sony does have an app, it’s not necessary for ANC. You only need the app to do ear shape analysis and atmospheric pressure adjustment – neither of which seems particularly important to me after using it for a few years.
From a quick review check, it looks like the latest one (XM5) is similar. From https://www.soundguys.com/sony-wh-1000xm5-review-71783/ :
Pressing the NC/AMB button will toggle the ANC mode. You can select either ANC, ANC off, or Ambient sound modes
You only need the app to do ear shape analysis
Does this require the app for operation or can you temporarily install the app for config and then use the feature without the app?
I think you need the app but I’m not totally sure. I just checked and it wants me to go through the whole process of taking photos of my ears and uploading them and…nah. Just nah.
The atmospheric pressure detection routine seems to revert, so I don’t think it’s stored in the headphones itself. Hard to test without going on a flight though.
Mine doesn’t require photos - it just does a series of weird sounds like I am at the audiologist.
I currently use Monoprice BT-600ANC headphones. They’re not too expensive and the ANC punches way above its price class, can be used with a wire if you want, have great battery life, and most importantly don’t require an app.
The Microsoft Surface headphones have a spinning dial on one ear that allows you to set the specific amount of ANC you’d like.
They have an app, but it’s only used for firmware updates and changing the action button. You don’t need the app at all ever if you don’t care about those.
The ANC was not as good as my Sony’s, but I can’t change the ANC on the Sony’s without an app.
Soundcore Q20 and Q30 have a physical button with no need for an app, I don’t know if their newer models are still like this. The Q30 also have a proprietary app to configure some things (like EQ), however a big plus here is the existence of an open source app on IzzyOnDroid’s repo that can also do this.
