Bluetooth headphones

[Blackbeard]

Got a pair of Otium for $10 with a coupon code on amazon a few weeks ago, which are like a clone/knockoff of powerbeats that many mfr's churn out. they are suprisingly good sounding, decent battery life and good range, pair easily with ipad.

after dipping my feet in the BT waters decided to try another cheapie, but over the ear set by Linkwitz, was like $15, but not crazy about the sound quality and the range is poor. the dont even have a mark for left or right printed on them so you have to figure it out yourself with a song(Hendrix for me of course) that switches channels and you listen on a pair of apple earbuds and say oh thats the left ear 

so wondering if anybody has a recommendation for a decent over the ear set thats not too pricey, Keep seeing these Cowins on amazon lightning deals for around $40, but not sure about sound quality.

[Blackbeard]

anybody own these?



https://www.amazon.com/COWIN-Cancelling-Headphones-Microphone-Comfortable/dp/B019U00D7K/ref=gbps_img_s-4_b4a2_81e496e7?smid=A10XDMRONAH0FW&pf_rd_p=9c98dce2-d305-4b3b-a624-49433f61b4a2&pf_rd_s=slot-4&pf_rd_t=701&pf_rd_i=gb_watching&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=G2DT3P68ECGSGFFHGCWJ

[Blackbeard]

[Blackbeard]

[Blackbeard]

[MadPlumbarian]

Sorry, I don’t know the first thing of them. Believe it or not I actually looked a set up myself today, but earbuds and not over the ear. I myself always liked the old school aviation big earphones but I just started using a diff style, where the earbuds have a unique point and I must say I really like them, they shut out all noise, but with a cord things kinda get a little clumsy, so I looked up wireless, and they do have them and not to bad of a price either, I just don’t know the first thing of Bluetooth..
JR

[Blackbeard]

these are the $10 ones I got, although this pair looks like an updated version, mine are slightly different

[MadPlumbarian]

They have the very same ends in wireless for only $15, not bad if they work if you ask me..
JR

[Blackbeard]

gotcha, I have an issue with that apple style though, they dont stay in my ears too good. this is the actual pair, pretty happy with them



this is the link, im guessing I got that coupon code from slickdeals cause these new versions were coming out

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y6KY3TL/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[MadPlumbarian]

Everything fits everybody diff, there like a custom tailored suit, it either fits or IT DONT! That’s why my one son can’t stand earbuds, he’d rather have actual "headphones" me I’d rather the same but I must say I’ve kinda fell for these Apple style..
JR

[Smashie]

I didn't reply to this yesterday because I was hoping someone would post something positive about BT 'phones. The times I've tried them in the past they have all had terrible battery life, wouldn't stay connected and sounded awful.

The sound has improved with the advent of BT 4, but you pay through the nose for them. Improved is a subjective thing though, there's a limit to the amount of bandwidth available and compressed audio files can only sound so good.

I'm wired all the way

[Mechanickal]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

[MadPlumbarian]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

[Mechanickal]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

Indeed! The wire runs to the module and that's it.
Which also means I can use the AUX input on a stereo/car radio and send music from my phone to that system if it hasn't got bluetooth by itself.

[MadPlumbarian]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

Indeed! The wire runs to the module and that's it.
Which also means I can use the AUX input on a stereo/car radio and send music from my phone to that system if it hasn't got bluetooth by itself.

Interesting, I looked up some of these adapters but I ain’t understanding them.
JR

[Mechanickal]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

Indeed! The wire runs to the module and that's it.
Which also means I can use the AUX input on a stereo/car radio and send music from my phone to that system if it hasn't got bluetooth by itself.

Interesting, I looked up some of these adapters but I ain’t understanding them.
JR

It's quite simple actualy.
It's a small module which receives audio through bluetooth from any device that can send audio through bluetooth (phone, computer, game console etc) and sends it to it's standard 3.5mm female audio jack.
In this audio jack you can put any device which has a male audio jack (headphones, speakers, car radio etc)

[MadPlumbarian]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

Indeed! The wire runs to the module and that's it.
Which also means I can use the AUX input on a stereo/car radio and send music from my phone to that system if it hasn't got bluetooth by itself.

Interesting, I looked up some of these adapters but I ain’t understanding them.
JR

It's quite simple actualy.
It's a small module which receives audio through bluetooth from any device that can send audio through bluetooth (phone, computer, game console etc) and sends it to it's standard 3.5mm female audio jack.
In this audio jack you can put any device which has a male audio jack (headphones, speakers, car radio etc)

Ok, so my iPad, do they make something that you just plug into a jack and that sends to a receiver? So if it’s not Bluetooth, it makes it into one and then you can plug a standard set of earphones?
JR

[Mechanickal]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

Indeed! The wire runs to the module and that's it.
Which also means I can use the AUX input on a stereo/car radio and send music from my phone to that system if it hasn't got bluetooth by itself.

Interesting, I looked up some of these adapters but I ain’t understanding them.
JR

It's quite simple actualy.
It's a small module which receives audio through bluetooth from any device that can send audio through bluetooth (phone, computer, game console etc) and sends it to it's standard 3.5mm female audio jack.
In this audio jack you can put any device which has a male audio jack (headphones, speakers, car radio etc)

Ok, so my iPad, do they make something that you just plug into a jack and that sends to a receiver? So if it’s not Bluetooth, it makes it into one and then you can plug a standard set of earphones?
JR

You mean from a 3.5mm output to transmitted bluetooth audio? Those exist too yes. There are sets with a transmitter and receiver so you can have the audio from, for example your Ipad, play through your car radio, stereo, headphones etc.

This diagram might explain it better.

So yes, you can combine both.

Edit: mine is an RX mode, but hasn't got an attached male connector.
It's got the female side so I can plug in headphones. If I want to use it as displayed in the diagram, I plug in a 3.5 male to 3.5 male audio cable:

[Blackbeard]

keep seeing lightning deals for these by manufactures/distributors named Meidong and ihard 

[derekmac]

I have a set of Powerbeats that I use and have been very happy with them.  My go-to headphones are a set of JBL over the ear ones that I've had for around 15 years.  They're starting to fall apart, but I have yet to find a set that sounds as good as these, and I've tested tons of different ones, some being very expensive.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have had a Plantronics pair for years.  They look like this:



I have been using these for a few years now, but in the last week or so one of the sides is starting to crap out and I am not happy about that.  I guess I will have to start looking for a new set.  I paid an awful lot for these ones and I like them a lot- I really don't want to give up on them so easily, but losing one side is usually the end of them.

I'll probably end up getting a new set off eBay or something.

Def

[MadPlumbarian]

I have had a Plantronics pair for years.  They look like this:

(Image removed from quote.)

I have been using these for a few years now, but in the last week or so one of the sides is starting to crap out and I am not happy about that.  I guess I will have to start looking for a new set.  I paid an awful lot for these ones and I like them a lot- I really don't want to give up on them so easily, but losing one side is usually the end of them.

I'll probably end up getting a new set off eBay or something.

Def

Yeah, losing stereo would drive me nuts,,
JR

[Grant Lamontagne]

The right ear isn't completely lost, it's just much quieter than the left.

Def

[MadPlumbarian]

The right ear isn't completely lost, it's just much quieter than the left.

Def

Huh, you sure it’s just not the hearing?
JR

[Grant Lamontagne]

The right ear isn't completely lost, it's just much quieter than the left.

Def

Huh, you sure it’s just not the hearing?
JR

Reasonably....

Def

[Archibald Tuttle]

Being a bit of a audiophile, and working around extremely noisy (industrial chill water and boiler systems) equipment, I try to protect my gift of hearing and have my hearing tested yearly. There are even online tests now. Don't know anything about those tests though.
I have several BT headphones. They run upwards of several thousand of dollars. One reasonably(under $100, IIRC) priced set is the SkullCandy Hesh 2.Very comfortable earpads, rechargeable battery and  great sound that many higher cost headphones can't deliver. The caveat may be the size .

[Blackbeard]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

Indeed! The wire runs to the module and that's it.
Which also means I can use the AUX input on a stereo/car radio and send music from my phone to that system if it hasn't got bluetooth by itself.

thanks for the suggestion I have picked up these 2 recently, use one for the car, very small and lightweight

[Mechanickal]

I've had a Nokia bluetooth headset for quite some years now and it has always worked fabulously.
I never used them extensively since I always noticed I forgot to charge them when I needed them. Got them before USB became the way to go and everything had it's own charger. Nowadays I use an "Ebode" bluetooth receiver with built in mic and 3.5mm connector which allows me to turn ANY headset into a bluetooth headset, has good battery life, is smaller then a AA battery and is USB rechargeable.

Hmm, so any headset, just plug in and your all set, so you’ll just have a loose wire but your not connected?
JR

Indeed! The wire runs to the module and that's it.
Which also means I can use the AUX input on a stereo/car radio and send music from my phone to that system if it hasn't got bluetooth by itself.

thanks for the suggestion I have picked up these 2 recently, use one for the car, very small and lightweight
(Image removed from quote.)

[Whoey]

I've been looking into this off and on for a while. I have a set of over ear Panasonic RF wireless headphones I use for watching TV when the wife goes to bed or vise versa.

Problem #1 - They lose RF sync every time I put them on the charger, so I have to retune using the dial on the headphones EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Problem #2 - The contacts on the volume control are dirty as heck, and you get a lot of crackle/noise loss of one side volume while trying to adjust it.
Problem #3 - After about 5-15 sec of silence from the TV (paused or media searching) they go into low power mode and I get a head full of static noise full blast, which means you have to pop them off and on again which wouldn't be so much of an issue if it wasn't for:
Problem #4 - Headphone band plastic creak. Move a millimeter, experience deafening headphone creak, or depending on the amount of movement, creak-symphony (which is so bloodly loud it almost defeats the purpose of using headphones)

I'm torn between getting a bluetooth transmitter and a receiver and using the skullcandy buds I already have and love or just a transmitter and getting some new bluetooth headphones like those otium. 

[Smashie]

I listen to a heck of a lot of music and I just can’t love Bluetooth headphones. Most of my music is ripped from my own cds onto my computer. Now that in its own right causes problems with sound. In general onboard sound is rubbish.

The solution, for me at least, is the schitt audio magni and modi (sons of Thor if you’re interested). The magni is a headphone amp and the modi is a dac (digital to analog converter). All the music is lossless so sound the same as the original.

I cannot go back to a wireless solution after hearing something this good!