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Which headphones are best? My 2015 Round Up

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Audio is a huge part of my life – whether I’m listening to Andy Weir’s “The Martian” audiobook while cleaning the house, getting turn-by-turn directions using Co-rider while cycling around rural Australia, joining in on a Sendle team Hangout in the office, blocking out ambient noise so I can concentrate, or falling asleep to Dan Carlin’s Horrible History – it’s everywhere!

Getting the right pair of headphones for the job is essential. Here’s what’s currently in my rotation.

Jabra SPORT Wireless+

This bluetooth headset is my current favourite headphone and the iPhone accessory I carry (I don’t even carry a wallet). It’s elegant design and durability are fantastic.

Jabra SPORT Wireless+
Jabra SPORT Wireless+

Pros

  • Great for running/cycling because you can hear what’s going on around you
  • Includes an FM radio for when you run out of audio content
  • Stays comfortably in the ears – doesn’t fall out easily at all
  • Packs away nice and small
  • Micro-usb charging
  • Easy to use controls
  • Best quality microphone of the bunch
  • Very durable so far – it even survived going through the wash!

Cons

  • On the expensive side (A$150)
  • Range: if it’s in my left pocket it struggles – but that’s the case with all my bluetooth headsets so far.

Plantronics Backbeat Go 2

These headphones are the slimmest of the bunch but I struggled to get a good fit.

ProsScreen Shot 2016-01-25 at 7.05.11 PM

  • Almost half the price of the Jabra (A$85)
  • Fits so snug that it blocks out noise
  • Packs away incredibly small
  • Micro-usb charging

Cons

  • Blocks out too much noise for cycling/running to be safe
  • Falls out far too easily, I tried many of the different sizes with no luck
  • Range: if it’s in my left pocket it struggles – but that’s the case with all my bluetooth headsets so far.

Avantree Jogger

These headphones are the slimmest of the bunch but I struggled to get a good fit.

ProsScreen Shot 2016-01-25 at 7.05.01 PM

  • Cheapest set (A$52)
  • Fits very comfortably and doesn’t get tangled!
  • Great for running/cycling because you can hear what’s going on around you
  • Great customer support

Cons

  • Not as durable (had to get it replaced a couple of times but the customer support were great). That was the old discontinued model so 4.0 may be better.
  • Range: if it’s in my left pocket it struggles – but that’s the case with all my bluetooth headsets so far.

Apple EarPods with Remote and Mic

This standard set is fantastic to get free from Apple but I can never bring myself to shell out the $45 once they invariable get broken or lost. The lack of bluetooth seems to make it hard to justify the expense but having a wired pair of headphones always helps.

Pross-l1000

  • Never need to charge it as it plugs right in!
  • Great quality for phone calls
  • Comes free with your (albeit almost thousand dollar) iPhone

Cons

  • Pricey (but I find all decent wired headphones to be pricey considering the little technology inside)
  • The cable seems bound to get caught with me!

Sony MDR-NC31EM Digital Noise Cancelling Headset

This is the newest addition to my collection and so far they’re going great.

Pros$_35

  • These were great for my flight back from Canada as they blocked out the loud engine and air conditioning sounds of the plane
  • Fits in so snug that it blocks out lots of other noise
  • Comfortable enough to wear all day in the office so I can concentrate (listening to Lovers in Japan on repeat, yes, yes I do)

Cons

  • The noise cancelling controls are half way down the cable which makes it a bit awkward
  • Another wired set and less portable than the iPhone ones so they stay at my desk
  • They’re only mildly noise cancelling (doesn’t block out voices etc) but that’s to be expected with earbuds at this price range.

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