JBL is one of the most popular audio brands in the world. Even so I have not had much opportunity to get hands-on with the company’s headphones. That changes now with the JBL Tune 710BT wireless over ear headphones. In this review I will try out a pair in my home, I’ll let you know what special features these headphones have and talk about how comfortable they are to wear and how long the battery life is. I’ll wrap things up with the pros and the cons overall and let you know if I think I can recommend these headphones for you.

What you get

Headphones are incredibly personal, and come with a boatload of features that you may think are must haves or mere extras. Similarly the cost of over-ear headphones can vary wildly from the price of a takeaway pizza to part of your monthly rent payment. The JBL Tune 710BT are positioned firmly on the budget side of the scale, and not just because they are now an older model.

Introduced back in late 2021 the Tune 710 often sells for under $60 USD / $90 CAD. Given their original release date it won’t be surprising that they are lacking some of the newer technology found in premium newer headphones; things like spatial audio and noise cancellation.

So are these a cheap and cheerful bargain hunter’s dream, or best left for the discount bin? Let’s dive in…

What’s in the Box?

The JBL TUNE 710BT might be older, but it’s certainly not outdated and what you’ll find in the box proves that. I was expecting to find micro USB charging in these but to my surprise they run USB-C.

The included USB-C charging cable is short, but it’s bright orange making it easy to find. You also get a 3.5mm cable for connecting your older devices as well as the usual quick start guide and safety sheet. In keeping with the budget audio theme, JBL didn’t include any protective case or sleeve with the product, which I’m not too fussed about since I personally don’t use that stuff much anyway.

About the JBL TUNE 710BT

Browsing JBL’s product catalog is a little confusing at first even if you narrow down the category to just over-ear headphones making it important to understand exactly how the JBL TUNE 710BT slots in the current lineup.
From a family perspective, the 710BT is the top tier model in the Tune series with a BT suffix. BT obviously means Bluetooth (version 5.0), but for JBL’s TUNE family, it also means lack of active noise cancelling which is key reason behind its price positioning.

Not having active noise cancelling is not necessarily a bad thing with the JBL TUNE 710BT because its over-ear design means that you can still expect some passive noise isolation from the thick padding and all-around cups. If you aren’t the frequent flyer type, you might just find the JBL 710BT sufficient for blocking most ambient sound.

Design and Comfort

The JBL 710BT feels a bit studier than your typical pair of $30 headphones and the extra synthetic leather padding adds to the comfort. You can fold the headphones as well for easy storage. While JBL is known for some flash, or even light shows on some of the company’s portable speakers, these headphones are way more discreet than that.

The subtle all black matte finish design means these are not going to stand out, so they might be ideal for those who are trying to focus in an office type environment. The adjustable headband has a small section of padding across the top middle where it meets your head; a lot less than many other over ear headbands, but again JBL is trying to save you money here.

Despite that, JBL has designed the headband well and the lack of all-around padding is actually not noticeable at all either via looks or feel once these are on your head.

For my personal taste and comfort, the ear cups are a little on the small side; they are only just as tall as my ears and barely as wide, meaning quite often my earlobes are sticking out. I don’t think I have particularly large ears, but if I’m being honest, these almost seem more suited to a child’s fit than a grown adult’s, particularly for you bigger-eared males out there. The headphones do you have a decent amount of clamping force yet even so, they don’t feel uncomfortable.

No app

Unlike most headphones sold today, the JBL 710BT do not offer a companion app. I am actually okay with this, particularly if it’s easy enough to manage what you need to do using the buttons on the headphones, and spoiler alert, I found it is.

Set up

Since there’s no app to fuss around with, set up is pretty straightforward. Press the power button to turn the headphones on and they will arrive in pairing mode. If not or you need to re-do it, holding the power button for five seconds should jump start this process. From there just head to your phone or device’s Bluetooth menu and look for the JBL 710 in the list. A small audio tone inside the ear cup will confirm your connection.

Controls

On the right your cup are the physical controls; not surprisingly no touch controls or tap pads here. There is a power button, auxiliary cable connection, a multifunction button teamed with volume up and down, and the USB-C charging port is cleverly hidden under one of the headband arms. Again; a nice subtle design touch.

JBL sells three variants of the 710BT – Black, Blue, and White.

Sound quality

Let’s get to where the rubber meets the road on these headphones and that’s the sound quality. I’m happy to report the sound on the JBL Tune 710 is outstanding. I was really surprised at the clarity and the full bass. The Tune 710s seem really well balanced, and at this price point I’m surprised and really impressed.

I listened to a bunch of different music from top pop to chill vibes, podcasts and phone calls. The headphones offer full and vibey bass, and the vocals are clear and clean.

I can’t make a single complaint about the overall sound quality and think these would actually impress even the snobbiest audiophones.

Battery Life

These headphones have a massively long battery life. You can get up to 50 hours on a charge which will take about two hours to fully recharge. During my two week review. Of intermittent listening I still had plenty of juice left over.
The only other small note I’ll make here is that figuring out how much battery life may be left isn’t that easy since there is no app and no dedicated battery bar. Just a small LED next to the charging port which will show either green orange or red when you plug them in. I would definitely wish for a bit of an easier way, but if I have to say it again; budget budget budget. They also have fast charging where five minutes of power will get you three hours of listening.

This is quite impressive in a pair of budget headphones.

Multipoint connection

A feature I truly appreciate in every set of headphones I want to keep around is multipoint connection which allows you to stay connected to two devices at once. This makes it easy to stay linked up to your laptop and your smart phone at the same time without lots of switching back-and-forth and reconnecting.

How to use JBL Tune 710 Multipoint

Linking up to a second device seems easy enough; the pictograph instructions tell you to connect to your first device then press the power button twice to initiate another connection. Except that did not work for me.
I did some surfing around and found recommendations for other button tap sequences but these didn’t work either. Finally I turned the headphones on and off a couple of times and tried the double tap of the power button again and it finally worked.

Oddly switching between my two devices I wasn’t able to hear certain things; for example while I could listen to a YouTube video on my laptop, when I would switch back to my phone and try to play music, there was no sound. After some research, I did pending software updates on both my phone and laptop and that fixed it, so if you seem to be having trouble with multiple connections, make sure your operating systems are up-to-date.

Finally, you get voice assistant integration allowing you to call up your phone’s default assistant without interacting with your device.

Overall Review: JBL TUNE 710BT Headphones

Overall if you need new headphones on a budget, the JBL Tune 710 is a surprise hit, delivering on more than you think it will.

Let’s leave the pros and cons so you can see. On the pro side the sound quality is outstanding, and the lightweight folding design is great for travel. The headphones are reasonably comfortable with a good amount of padding and feel secure on the head. The battery life is phenomenal particularly at this price range and the fact that it also has fast charging is a boon to commuters and travelers.

On the downside, I found the earcups to be very small side for me personally. I also found the battery life can be a little bit of a guessing game.

Aside from that, these are actually a very well-rounded pair of headphones that check many of the boxes most shoppers will have. For that reason I can definitely recommend the JBL Tune 710 BT over ear headphones for you.

They sell for about $79 USD though as of publication time they were not available on JBL’s website, but I was able to find them on Amazon.

Also Read:

1. The Best Wireless Earbuds Buying Guide: how to choose, plus our top recommendations
2. Review: Marshall Monitor headphones
3. Oladance Wearable Stereo Open Ear headphones: review

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Review: JBL Tune 710BT over-ear headphones appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

We all have vastly different reasons both for wanting headphones and for the headphones we choose. Some folks love the isolating power of over ear headphones while others find them smothering. There are people that prefer the subtle discretion of earbuds while others can’t stand having some thing in our ear canals. All that is to say that purchasing headphones can be a very personal experience that’s different for everyone. The best you can do is choose a reputable brand and try to find a pair that have good consumer reviews to. In this review I’m testing out the Sony WH1000XM4 over ear wireless noise cancelling headphones. I’ll take a look at the style and comfort, what you get with your purchase, how long the battery lasts and what it’s like to use for all kinds of listening experiences from music to podcasts, phone calls and zooms. I’ll wrap things up with the pros and cons and make an assessment about whether or not I think I can recommend these for you.

Many reviewers and customers have praised Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM over-ear headphones series for their exceptional comfort and listening experience and top-tier noise-cancelling options. Sony’s latest noise-cancelling headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5, continues that premium streak, but has a different design than its predecessors. The glaring omission of that redesign is its inability to fold, making the included case much bigger as well.

Fortunately, many retailers continue to sell the older Sony WH-1000XM4 which has many of the same features the current model has. But is buying a pair of $300 premium headphones launched back in 2020 a good idea given the sea of newer options available? Let’s see how they hold up in 2024.

What’s in the Box?

When you unblock the package the first thing you’ll likely notice is the hard shell travel case. I’m actually not generally a huge fan of these cases as they tend to be far bulkier than they need to be for simple safe transport. In this case, the case is actually extremely thin and very slim and flat on both sides making it quite unusually easy to slide into a bag or backpack. The back of the carrying case also has an elastic mesh pocket for storing any other small items you wish to add.

I’m very impressed. When you flip the case open you’ll see the headphones, a very short 6-inch USB-C power cord, an auxiliary cable, and a dual-prong airplane aux travel adapter. A felted divider keeps the cords and accessories in one place while also protecting the headphones, another very nice touch.

Design & Comfort

The WH-1000XM4 should be one of the most comfortable headphones $350 can buy thanks to the ample memory foam cushioning on the earcups and headband. (In fact, the WH-1000XM4 model has thicker cushioning than its successor making the former the better pick if you are after comfort and long listening sessions. The newer WH-1000XM5 feels a lot lighter though.)

The earcups feel very well made but they are on the thinner side. I don’t have particularly big ears or ones that stick out, but the inside of the earcup do come quite close to my ears. Those with bigger ears might find these uncomfortable or annoying. The covering on the cups is quite soft and feels feels neither leathery nor plastic. Just very comfortable. (I get the impression these would last years before you notice any signs of wear and once you do, you can easily replace the earcups with a third-party set like the popular stylish earcups Wicked Cushions make.)

When wearing the headphones, you can adjust the headband for a nice snug fit that doesn’t add serious pressure to your head and ears, in fact if anything I’d say these feel on the looser side when it comes to head compression. While I wasn’t worried about them falling off, sudden had movement did seem to allow them to move around just a little bit. Just bear in mind that Sony designed the WH-1000XM4 for casual listening so they’re not really meant to go jogging or exercising since the design also offers no waterproofing.

My preference is for a lighter and less constricting feeling over your headphone that doesn’t sound hollow or plasticky. I’d say this set checks all the boxes.

Using the Sony WH-1000XM4

Setup & pairing

There’s only two buttons on the left earcup, making things easy to operate and keep track of the controls.
Holding the power button on the left cup for a couple of seconds switches on the headphones and will immediately enter pairing mode if you are doing this for the first time, as mine did. Pairing the headphones with your device is pretty simple (just open your phone’s Bluetooth menu and tap to connect)

You can use the Sony Headphones Connect app to configure the headphones. From the app, you can adjust the noise cancellation levels, assign a function to the physical “custom” button next to the power button like toggling noise cancellation or triggering your voice assistant, and even pair the headphones to a second device.

Gestures

The right earcup’s surface is touch sensitive allowing you to perform quick actions through tap and swipe gestures. If the app or site supports it, double tapping the right earcup plays or pauses the active media. An alternate way to pause playback is to simply remove the headphones since it has wear-detection and putting the headphones back on resumes the playback.

When your connected device has an incoming call, the double-tap gesture can also answer it as well as end the call during a conversation.

Swiping up or down adjusts the volume while swiping left or right triggers “next” or “previous” actions. These gestures will work when connected to Android or iOS devices as well as Windows systems.

Noise Cancellation

The comfortable earcups provide some decent passive noise isolation, but you’ll get the best experience by activating the noise cancellation feature.
Sony’s QN1 noise cancelling processor and five built-in mics do a fantastic job in cancelling out background noise. The noise cancellation is also adjustable. If you go into the app and look for the sound tab, when you turn on ambient sound control it will give you a slider bar so you can adjust how much exterior noise gets through. You can also let the Sense Engine do its work by setting an appropriate level based on your current activity and the level of sound around you. I always test out noise cancellation both with some audio playing and without anything playing at all. Testing noise cancellation in quieter or environments is actually a bigger challenge since the headphones don’t hear anything to try to cancel out so it’s possible to get more noise bleed in advertently. I can say that these performed quite well in all my tests.

The noise cancellation quality is excellent and really allows you to create an excellent cone of silence.

Sound quality

I tried listening to a variety of music and audio with the WH-1000XM4 including spa sounds (soothing and non-distracting while working), pop, rock, podcasts and more.
The sound quality on these is outstanding, as it should be. Supremely well balanced, it’s easy to pick out multiple layers of sound. The bass, if all settings are left to factory, is a wee, wee bit on the flat side, which can easily be adjusted with the equalizer settings (turn on Bass Boost or Excited). The overall experience is full, head-filling and super enjoyable and it will be tough to find fault with the audio.

Connect to two devices at once

A feature I love and headphones is the ability to connect to two devices at once. While you have to toggle the setting on inside the Sony headphones connect app, it allows you to maintain connections to two devices at once meaning you can connect to your laptop and your phone and easily between them without needing to stop and reconnect. This does take a couple of steps to get set up and the app will walk you through it.

Battery life & charging

Having long battery life in quality headphones is really important. Nobody wants to have to charge them up every day or so, because of course you can count on them running out of juice when you need them the most; like when children are screaming at the airport and you just need to chill out. The WH-1000XM4 provide about 30 hours of battery life with a full charge. With noise cancellation off, you can expect about 38 hours of runtime. I’m happy to say these also boast fast charging where 10 minutes of charge can give you up to five hours of listening time. All in all this is outstanding.

Auto Power off

The headphones have an auto power off setting so that whenever you remove the headphones they will turn off after a short period of time. This is very handy for the forgetful types and those who want to prioritize saving needless battery waste.

Other Features

Like many noise-cancelling headphones models in its class, the WH-1000XM4 offers an ambient sound mode which utilizes the built-in microphones to transmit ambient noises to the earcups so you can hear your surroundings while enjoying your music. You may also temporarily activate this feature at will by covering the left earcup with your hand. This will trigger Quick Attention Mode which activates ambient sound while also lowering the volume.

Being a high-end Sony audio product, the WH-1000XM4 supports the high-resolution LDAC audio codec. LDAC improves the audio quality over Bluetooth connections which could come in handy if you have a large FLAC collection or enjoy lossless streaming services like Deezer or Tidal.

If your mobile device has built-in NFC, you can also initiate a quick Bluetooth pairing by placing the smartphone on the left earcup. Just look for the NFC logo.

My Places

These headphones allow you to adjust how they operate based on where you are. Registering locations you frequent with the Sony headphones connect app automatically switches your headphones settings when you were at each location. For example you may be able to hear your family speaking while listening to music at home, or block out colleagues using noise cancelling at your busy open-concept workplace. This feature will automatically adapt your settings based on your current location. Sony does take note that certain areas like subways and tunnels where GPS reception is weak won’t allow you to use this feature properly.

360 Reality Audio

Another key feature of these headphones is 360 reality audio which seems very similar to spatial audio in that it allows you to seemingly hear sound from more places around your head as opposed to simply straight into the ear canal. At the moment this feature is only compatible with a handful of music apps, none of which I subscribed to. As a result I was unable to test out this feature.

Speak to Chat

The speak to chat feature is another cool offering. If you turn this feature on the headphones will listen for your voice and then automatically kill noise cancelling so you can hear what’s happening around you and speak to others. The sound quality is rather strange in that it sounds truly like your voice in the room, I’ll be at with headphones still on your head. It actually sounds very true to life and doesn’t distort voices or add a buzz or hum. The only downside I noticed when testing this is there is a very slight delay when you first begin speaking before the ambient mode kicks in. And it takes quite a while after I finish speaking (about 20 seconds) before the noise cancellation comes back on. Not really a problem but just something to be aware of.

Equalizer

The Sony headphones connect app also offers you equalization settings so you can adjust the headphones to your liking. You can choose from some Sony built presets or make your own custom custom adjustments.

Overall Review: Sony WH-1000XM4

Despite the product’s age, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is still a compelling buy and will easily outperform other current midrange products in the audio quality and noise cancellation departments.
When it comes to the pros, the sound quality is great, the folding design and slim hard case make it really easy to travel with. The headphones are comfortable and light, and easy to wear for long listening sessions. The battery life is fantastic, the accessories it comes with are useful.

When it comes to the downsides it’s hard to find a lot to crack on here. I could complain about the rather plain design, but for some people that’s actually a pro. I think the biggest issue is going to be the price, and that it continues to stay high despite the launch of a newer iteration.

Many retailers still sell the WH-1000XM4 at over $300 which in my opinion puts it too close to the newer Sony WH-1000XM5. The Sony WH-1000XM5 offers better noise cancellation and audio performance, which is worthwhile if you don’t mind the bulkier case and slightly reduced comfort and flexibility. But if you can find a pair at under $300, grab the deal and you’ll have some great mileage with the pair.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Hands-on review: Sony WH1000XM4 over-ear headphones appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Apple may be infamous for its walled-garden approach when it comes to hardware and software, but its services are actually far more open than you may think. Take Apple Music for example; Apple actually wants to make it easy for you to choose it’s streaming service big players like Spotify, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music. And that’s great news if you like Apple Music but don’t want to splash out on a pricey HomePod speaker. In this post, we’ll take a look at how to play Apple Music on a Google Nest audio device.

How to play Apple Music on Google Home devices & speakers

Apple Music is compatible with Google’s entire range of Nest smart home products including the Nest Audio, Nest Mini, Nest Hub, and Nest Hub Max. You will also need the Google Home app to make the link.

If you’re living outside of the US or Canada, you might not be able to link your Apple Music account to your Google Nest device due to country restrictions. Based on Google’s past announcements, Apple Music support is only limited to the US, Canada, UK, Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, and South Korea. If you have any active VPN app running, disconnect it before performing the steps below.

Linking Your Apple Music Account

The following steps apply to Google Home 3.9.1.6 for Android and Google Home 3.10.103 for iOS. Future app updates may change the app design so if you need any help in linking (or we’ve fallen behind in updating this post), leave a comment.

Launch the Google Home app and accept any app permission requests if prompted. Login to your Google account if needed.

On the main Google Home page, tap the “Settings” tab on the bottom bar and scroll down a bit until you see ‘Services, then choose “Music” under the “Services” category. Under “More music services” look for “Apple Music” then tap “Continue.”

Review Google’s data safety information and tap “Agree and continue” to launch the Apple ID login page where you’ll need to enter your Apple ID login details. Once linked, Google Nest devices linked to your Google Home account can stream Apple Music.

Streaming Content from Apple Music

Playing Apple Music content on your Google Nest is as simple as calling up your Google Nest device with your voice (Hey Google!), then asking for the song, album, or artist you want Apple Music to play and end the command with “on Apple Music.” Apple Music offers other voice commands as well to enhance your Apple Music playback experience.

Shortening the Command

Not happy with adding the “on Apple Music” phrase after each command? Set Apple Music as your default provider. Just go back to the list of music services on the Music section and select “Apple Music” as the default audio service.

Working with Playlists

The Apple Music integration on your Google Nest device can recognize the names of Apple Music playlists. Just say its name such as “Play New Music Daily” and Apple Music will play that corresponding playlist.

You can also favourite songs while you listen to them. Use the phrase, “Hey G – I like this song” or “OK G – Thumbs up” while Apple Music is playing the track and Apple Music will add it to your song library. Once you have added a few songs, ask your Google Nest to “Play my songs” or “Play my library” and Apple Music will queue up those tracks. You may also randomize the order of any playlist by saying “Shuffle” instead of “Play.”

Controlling the Flow

While you are listening to Apple Music, you can also control its flow with a few basic commands. Use the “Skip forward # seconds” command to skip the track the exact number of seconds you specify. If you wish to go to the previous or next song in a playlist, use the “Back” or “Previous” commands. The “Play this song again” command can also repeat the song. Finally, if there’s a track you don’t like on Apple Music, use the “Thumbs down” comment.

Get your smart home working for you

As long as your Apple Music account remains linked to your Google Home account, you shouldn’t encounter any issues playing back Apple Music. However, you must understand that Google will always treat Apple Music as a second-class citizen since it encourages Google owners to use YouTube Music. This means you could expect some bugs and quirks when using this integration. If you ever encounter such issues, try unlinking your Apple Music account and relinking it.

Also Read:

1. How to play Apple Music on an Amazon Alexa device
2. How to set up Apple HomePod and HomePod Mini

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post How to play Apple Music on Google Home devices & speakers appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

But don’t resign yourself to a future of playing eternal hide-and-seek with them just yet. Apple has installed a couple of useful tools that’ll help you find them.

Why You Lose Your AirPods

Both versions of the current AirPods, with their IP54 ratings, are designed to keep the music going while we’re on the go. This means we’re constantly putting them in and out of our ears as we transition between home, work, gym, or wherever else we can find use for them.

Unfortunately, this go-anywhere nature that we love so much is also one of the biggest reasons they’re so easy to lose. The more often we remove them, the greater the chance we’ll walk off and forget where we last placed them.

The ‘Find My’ Feature: Your AirPods’ Lifeline

Fortunately, Apple was kind enough to include its Find My feature, popular in the iPhone, on their AirPods as well. Here’s how to use it on the AirPods you’ve already connected to your trusty iPhone:

Step 1: Setting Up

First things first, if you haven’t already, you’ve got to set up the ‘Find My’ app on your iPhone. It’s like feeding the birds before they can come home, you know? You’ll find it pre-installed on all iPhones.

Step 2: Call in the AirPods

Select ‘Devices’ at the bottom. You should see a list of all your Apple devices, including those elusive AirPods.

Step 3: Start the Search

Found ‘AirPods’ on the list? Tap on that, and the ‘Find My’ app shows you a map with the last known location of your AirPods. Maybe they’re still at the office. Or that coffee shop where you got a latte this morning. Who knows, maybe right there on your couch?

Step 4: Play That Sound

If your map proves unfruitful or you need more help, get the AirPods to play a sound. It’s like calling for your pet to come running – or, well, buzzing. On the AirPods page, press ‘Play Sound.’ If they’re in range and powered, they’ll start emitting a sound that gets gradually louder. Like a beeping Marco Polo game designed to guide you right to them.

Step 5: Use Those Nifty U1 Chips

No luck with the sound? There’s one more step to try. If your iPhone detects your AirPod is just around the corner, you can use the “Find” button. This should give you a more granular approach to finding your AirPods. It works like radar telling you if you’re getting closer to your AirPods. Unlike the map location feature, this method uses the proprietary U1 chips specifically integrated into AirPods, AirTags, and other Apple devices for precise short-range spatial tracking.

Remember, though, the ‘Find My’ app has its limitations. It relies heavily on the AirPods being connected to Bluetooth and having battery power. If they’re dead as a doornail or out of range, then it may be of limited use.

You may also find these articles helpful:

1. Why AirPods are crackling, popping, rattling, staticy and ways to fix it
2. Apple AirPods Pro Review: one year later
3. Beats Studio 3 Vs. AirPods Max

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post How to find your lost AirPods appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Bose has always been the unexpected cool kid on the audio block. They don’t have the most dazzling designs or earth-shattering bass but they do have some of the most balanced sounding audio equipment on the market. With their newest QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, does this still ring true? I recently received a pair of the new Bose QC Ultra earbuds to try out over a few weeks here in my home. I’ll share what they’re like in terms of fit and comfort, how they sound, what the noise cancellation is like and if overall I think I can recommend them to you.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: What you get

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are rechargeable wireless earbuds that come with a charging and storage case plus a custom Fitkit to help you find a truly comfortable fit. With ANC or Active Noise Cancelling, plus aware mode, they offer customization for how you want to listen. They have touch controls on the buds or you can access more features with the Bose Music app.

Fit and feel

One of the first things I noticed about the Bose Ultra is their size; these are not what you’d call small or discrete earbuds. The large size of the buds is going to be a turnoff for some, but getting a good fit, should help them feel less ginormous.

The FitKit is a clever combo of silicone tips and stability bands of different sizes that can help the buds feel more comfortable. This should mean no ear fatigue even after binge-listening to your favorite podcast all day.

I found the ear tips that came on the buds were a bit big for my ears, so I sized down a set, and immediately felt a lot more comfortable.

The Ultra buds are long and wide and do protrude out from your ear by quite a bit, so if you like to sleep in your buds, these aren’t going to be comfortable if you roll on your side.

Even so, the buds feel secure in my ear despite their size.

Bose Music App

To get the most from your buds, you’ll want to download the Bose Music app. In here you can pair your buds and adjust all their settings and change preferences

ANC & Aware Mode

One of the most raved-about features of the Bose QC Ultra Earbuds is its ultra-quiet ANC (Active Noise Cancelling) that Bose claims is on par with the best earbuds on the market. Whether you’re trying to drown out the thrum of airplane engines or escape from your neighbor’s drum practice, these earbuds should let you retreat into your own little world of music, podcasts, or just blissful silence.

Remember the time when you had to crank up your earbuds to maximum volume just to hear over the noise? Kiss this problem goodbye (and say hello to longer, happier eardrum lifespan!).

ANC works by digitally listening for sound around you and then canceling it out with another digital sound that you can’t really hear.
The ANC in these headphones is outstanding. You can definitely block oit most sound if you’re trying to work or focus and I’d say these get a 9/10 on ANC ability.

Aware Mode – flip side of ANC

On the flip side of ANC is Aware Mode where you can allow sound to come into your ears, handy if you’re listening for a delivery or a flight. Similarly this works extremely well

The thing I will point out about both ANC and Aware Mode are not adjustable; you’re getting either full ANC or full aware with no stops in between. At the price point these buds are at I would like some more customization of this setting, which you can find on competitor Jabra’s Elite 8 Active and Elite 10.

ANC quick access

Lastly, if you want to control ANC and Aware Mode from the touch controls on the buds, you need to go into the Bose app and make sure it’s on; mine was by default. By touching and holding the left bud you can cycle between Aware, ANC and Spatial Audio.
To access or change this setting, in the Bose app go to Shortcuts.

Touch Controls & Auto Pause

The touch controls on the buds work well; there’s no buttons on the sides of the buds you have to feel for; as long as you get someewhere on the side panel your commands will work. You can single-tap on either bud to play/pause, double-tap to skip or triple-tap to reverse, and swiping on an earbud up or down will adjust volume.

Pulling one bud from your ear will also pause whatever you’re listening to. This works great too.

Sound quality

The one place you can’t knock on the Bose Ultra buds is sound quality; there is absolutely nothing to complain about here. You’re getting an extremely well-balanced sound, with solid, well-rounded bass, clear vocals, and the kind of quality where you won’t want to listen with anything else.

EQ and sound preferences

Inside the Bose app are four sound pre-sets which lets you get less/more bass or treble quickly. There’s also a fuller EQ array if you want to make finer adjustments. For the most part, I kept my buds on the factory setting and found the audio quality was great.

Immersive Audio Feature/Spatial Audio

Bose is touting a feature called Immersive Audio. It seems this is actually Spatial Audio, so I’m not sure why they’re not simply calling it by the name everyone else uses, since if you go on Apple Music you won’t find an ‘Immersive Audio’ playlist but you will find content in Spatial Audio.

Spatial audio takes the music out of the side of your ear and sounds further around your head, mimicking the effect different voices or instruments are coming from different parts of your room. It can be a powerful experience, one that makes you feel as if you’re right in the middle of an orchestra.

How does Spatial Audio sound?

Battery Life

The earbuds play for up to 6 hours (only up to 4 hours if you’re using Immersive Audio) and the case holds up to 3 additional full charges (or up to 12-18 hours).

This is mediocre for buds of this price. Circling back to the Jabra buds I recently reviewed they get you from 36-over 50 hours of battery life, so the Bose Ultra seems a bit anemic by comparison.

A full recharge takes about 2 hours and there’s no fast charging noted.

Water resistance

These earbuds are not made for more active lifestyles in my opinion; with a water resistance rating of just IPX4, they’re only superficially able to resist sweat, they are not waterproof, and are not at all dust resistant, so you’re going to want to limit these it in home or in-office use. As long as you know what you’re getting, this shouldn’t be an issue

Not to sound like a broken record, but this does also seem like a bit of a disappointment in this budget class.

Connectivity

Now, let’s chat about Bluetooth 5.3. Remember those days of stuttering music as you wandered too far from your phone? Those are over. Bluetooth 5.3 offers a better, stronger connection.

Plus, the improved connection speeds with recently released Android phones makes it a clear contender for non-iPhone users. It’s also one of the first headphones made compatible with the new aptX Adaptive format present in most flagship Androids. These features should ensure class-leading latency and connection quality.

Overall review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds

Some people might think that Bose is just resting on their laurels here—using their established brand to sell headphones with a higher price tag. And true, they’re not the cheapest pair of buds on the market. But with the QuietComfort Ultra, you know you’re getting a high-quality, thoughtfully designed product that may be worth it for some. After all, Bose delivers on everything it promises.

While it ticks a lot of boxes on the pro side there’s enough features missing or lacking here that it might give you some pause. Let’s go over the pros and cons and tally things up.

They’re comfortable with a lot of options to customize the fit, the sound quality is amazing, as is the ANC, and there’s plenty of customizable features, including Spatial Audio.

On the less than stellar side, the ANC and Aware modes aren’t adjustable, the battery life is merely passable and the lack of water resistance does limit the use to indoors, and to be clear Bose isn’t promising you any more with these features; it’s me wishing they delivered better for the price.

That price tag may be the other major detractor for some; ringing in at about $379CAD/$299USD they’re not cheap, but for those who do think these check all their boxes, they’ll be a huge hit.

You can find Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds from Bose, Amazon or Walmart.

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Jabra Elite 10 (L) and Elite 8 Active (R).

Jabra’s lineup of wireless earbuds can be confusing as there are multiple choices: We have Pros, Actives, and the Elite variants all vying for your attention. The two latest ones, the Elite 8 Active and the Elite 10 are currently at the top of the list. So, what are you getting with each one, and which one should you choose? I recently received a pair of each to test and review in my home. I’ll take a look at what you’re getting with each option, how they sound, what they’re made for and what they’re not, and if overall I think they are a good pick for you.

I’ve had the chance to review many Jabra headphones since the company first broke away from military headset manufacturing to enter the consumer arena. I’ve always loved the brand since over time they’re consistently been innovating, and they’ve repeatedly made durable products that sound great, connect easily, offer cutting-edge features, and are comfortable to wear.

Jabra Elite 8 Active review

As the name suggests, the Jabra Elite 8 Active is made for more sporty and active use. It features a sweatproof design made to withstand workouts, while also being comfortable enough to wear long-term. These buds also boast best in market battery life too, where even if you wear them all day they can still last you a week on a single charge. We’ll get to more on that coming up…

 IP68 Rating

First on our list of features is the Elite 8 Active’s IP68 rating. That ’68’ signifies these buds can withstand water and dust like a champ, whether you’re caught in a sudden downpour on your run or accidentally drop one in the dirt on a trail run. They can even survive being dropped in over a meter of water.
Jabra even claims to have had the Elite 8 Active tested to meet U.S. Military standards for electronic devices, which makes it one of the toughest earbuds on the planet. Even saltwater, the bane of most electronics, shouldn’t be able to hurt these babies.
Worth noting, while the buds are IP68, the case is only IP54, so take care to protect it a bit more.

Jabra Shake Grip

One of the headlining features of the Elite 8 Active is the Shake Grip feature, which Jabra says ensures it’s never going to fall out of your ears.

The earbuds are coated with a silky yet grippy liquid silicone rubber that helps the earbuds stay in place even during intense workouts. So, even when the sweat starts to trickle down your ears, they feel like they’ll stay put no matter what.

Adaptive Hybrid ANC

Next up, we have the Adaptive Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). Now, this is as grand as it sounds and it goes back to what I was saying about Jabra being an innovator. This is noise cancelling made even better since it uses microphones both inside and outside your ear canal to listen to how much noise may be bleeding in, to better allow the earbuds to cancel it out.
By listening to not just whats’ happening outside the earbuds, but how much of it’s getting in, the earbuds can adapt better to block out unwanted noise.

HearThrough

Elite 8 Active.

On the flip side of ANC is HearThrough, which allows some sound to pass through. In the Elite 8 Active, you can toggle this setting on and off on the left earbud, but if you open up the Jabra Sound + app, you can actually dial the amount of sound coming in to your liking. If you need to be hyper alert for a crying baby or a flight announcement, you can open it all the way up so you don’t miss a thing. If you just need to hear sudden or loud noises; you can close your HearThrough window more. In my testing I found there’s a lot of latitude here, it works very well and the choice is completely up to you.

Sound Quality

Let’s talk sound quality. After all, what good is an earbud that doesn’t deliver top-notch sound, right? From the first moment I popped the Elite 8 Active in, I was impressed. With sporty headphones, you might assume they’ll be bass heavy, and focused more on durability and less on sound quality.

Fortunately, the Elite 8 Active delivers a hearty feast of audio with its 6mm drivers.

Whether it’s the pumping bass of your workout playlist, the delicacy of podcast dialogues, or the richness of symphonies, each tone rings clear and precise. The sound quality is impressive and makes me think these are made for audiophiles and music aficionados, not meatheads.

I loved the way these sounded right out of the box, but if you need a little more, the Jabra app offers not only audio presets to give you some other options, but a full music equalizer too.

With spatial audio compatibility you can also dial up an Apple Music Spatial Audio playlist and get all the 360-degree 3D sound benefits too.

Fit & comfort

I often have trouble finding good earbuds, as I find many are too large and cork-like for a woman’s ears. I was really happy to find the Elite 8 Active are super comfortable, soft and well sized to create a comfortable fit even during long meetings and listening sessions. Plus the soft, grippy silicone just makes them feel really nice too.

Battery Life & Charging

The travel and charging case is small and will easily fit in any pocket or small purse.
With 8 hours of listening time in the buds with ANC on and up to 14 hours if ANC is off, these are on the high end of earbud longevity. The case holds a further 32 hours (with ANC use) or up to an astounding 56 hours if you don’t engage ANC.

Overall review: Jabra Elite 8 Active

Overall I love these earbuds; they sound great, they’re wicked comfortable, the battery life is long and the ANC and HearThrough is killer. I don’t have any downsides that are obvious to me.

Jabra Elite 10 review

The Elite 10 is currently Jabra’s flagship all-around earbud that’s made more for at-home or in-office listening. Despite not having the ‘active’ tag, these will work just as well in a workout as the Elite 8 Active but they are missing the dust resistance, having an IP57 rating. Which is good but not as good as the Elite 8 Active.

What they lack only slightly in durability, they more than make up for in sound: they have the latest Advanced ANC with Spatial Audio paired with bigger 10mm speaker drivers.

The Comfort Factor: Jabra ComfortFit

Starting with the physical, the Elite 10 has been quite the talk of the earbud town, and a lot of that buzz revolves around its touted Jabra ComfortFit technology. Essentially, this techy term translates into a design that goes easy on your ears.

Jabra claims to have tested 62,000 ears and has come up with an oval-shaped EarGel that would fit all ear shapes and sizes without any of that annoying in-ear pressure.
A Symphony in Your Ear: Jabra Advanced ANC with Spatial Audio

Now let’s shimmy over to the Elite 10’s pièce de résistance – its Advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) paired with Spatial Audio. Like its cousin, it’s like having an invisible forcefield that zaps out outside noises.

Throw in the spatial audio with head tracking tech, and it’s not just a song you’re listening to; it’s an auditory experience. You can close your eyes and feel like you’re at a live concert right in the front row. It’s almost as if you could reach out and high-five your favorite band members.

Sound quality

Now, on to the nitty-gritty that makes these babies sing, or rather, makes everything you hear seem like it’s singing! The Jabra Elite 10 packs a 10mm driver in each bud— quite the powerhouse when it comes to sound quality. What will that mean for you?
Better power and loudness, in theory, and I can confirm these sound phenomental. It’s hard to say if they truly sound better than the Elite 8 Active, since both these earbuds are amazing. They are clear, vibrant, intricate and well balanced.

Jabra Boasts the ANC in these headphones is twice as good as its basic ANC offering. Not something I can accurately measure, so I’ll simply say it’s possible to create a big cone of silence while wearing the Elite 10. You can also activate adjustable HearThrough to let any amount of sound in that you want.

Battery life & charging

Elite 10 offer a little less battery life than the Elite 8 Active.

Here you get 6 hours of life with ANC on and 8 with it off. Still decent. The case holds 27 hours and up to 36 if you don’t engage the ANC.

Fit & Comfort

Much like the Elite 8 Active these earbuds have that silicone coating; here’s it’s not marketed as ‘Shake Grip’, but when I hold them both, it’s identical as far as I can tell. It provides a soft finish that keeps them from slipping.

The soft edges and reasonable size make these extremely comfortable even for all day wear.

Jabra Elite 8 Active vs Jabra Elite 10: An Earbud Showdown

Shake Grip vs ComfortFit

Elite 8 Active boasts an unshakeable fit, thanks to Jabra’s Shake Grip feature. It promises to stay put even while it’s covered in a marathon’s worth of sweat.

On the flip side, the Elite 10 is tailored for a comfortable fit via the Jabra ComfortFit technology. Its barely-there fit is comforting, soft, and made for leisure time.

My verdict: Both earbuds are supremely comfortable and virtually identical in fit and feel.

Adaptive Hybrid ANC vs Advanced ANC with Spatial Audio

Both the Elite 8 Active and the Elite 10 claim to pack a serious punch when it comes to noise cancellation, but they deliver different experiences.

My verdict: While technically speaking the Elite 10 offers ‘better’ noise cancelling, it’s only a teeny imperceptible step up fro the 8 Active, so for me these two are in a tie for great and greater noise cancellation and HearThrough.

The Sound Quality Showdown: 6mm Drivers vs 10mm Drivers

Moving to the heart of any audio device – the sound quality. The Elite 8 Active sports 6mm drivers that promise crisp, clear, and energetic sounds.
On the other hand, the Elite 10 punches the ticket with 10mm drivers. Imagine a complete symphony orchestra playing a sonata directly in your ears.

My verdict: Not to sound like a broken record, but both of these earbuds sound amazing, and even those with finely tuned ears will love the overall audio quality, whichever option you choose.

Battery life showdown

Where the choice will likely be made for buyers is in the battery life and here we do have a clear winner: the Elite 8 Active. With far more battery life, these will be the go-to choice for commuters, travellers or those who get constant use from headphones.

Other features

Clear Call tech with wind resistance

Both earbuds also boast clear calls thanks to what Jabra calls its ‘Wind noise protecting mesh and noise cancellation algorithm’. In my testing, both earbuds delivered on clear phone and video calls, even in windy or noisy environments.

Bluetooth multipoint/multiple device connections

Both earbuds also offer multiple device connections, allowing you to connect to a phone and laptop or tablet or switch between them. I love this feature and Jabra is one iof the few that gets it right and allows you to connect instantly to other devices without manually having to swap Bluetooth connections.

Soundscape sounds

One other feature I love from Jabra is that the app has a built in chill out feature called Soundscape which will play white noise, or a variety of nature sounds, all for free inside the app. I love putting one of these sounds on while I’m writing and trying to focus, and the fact it’s right inside the app is just a great gift from Jabra.
The app can also find your lost headphones too using Find My Jabra as long as you activate the feature first.

Overall review and which Jabra to pick

Overall I’m in love with both these earbuds and I can wholeheartedly recommend wither one to you. Both the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 are very similar in terms of features and benefits, comfort and sound quality. Where they have the biggest divergence is in battery life… and price.

Elite 8 Active sells for about $199USD/$249CAD and Elite 10 sells for about $249USD/$329CAD.

For my money, the extra battery life and similar features and performance makes the Elite 8 Active is your best value. You can check out some other headphone and earbud options like the Pixel Buds Pro or see why I’m not a fan of AirPods Pro in my reviews.

Also Read:

1. Jabra Elite Sport truly wireless earbuds review
2. Review: Jabra Elite Active 75t & Jabra Elite 85t truly wireless earbuds

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Review + comparison: Jabra Elite 8 Active & Jabra Elite 10 earbuds appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Active Noise Cancellation

A short press of the 450’s power button will activate the Active Noise Canceling, and a second short press will turn it off. You’ll certainly notice lower-frequency sounds being canceled or brought into the background. The “can” design also offers some natural noise cancellation. The high-end might have lower returns in this regard but should still suffice.  The 450 BT does a decent job of noise cancellation for its price range.

Sound Quality

Sennheiser  has built its reputation on providing top-quality sound, and the 450BT is no exception. While you won’t get the same performance as their higher-end headphones, the 450BT provides excellent sound for its price bracket. They offer high-quality wireless codec support, including AAC and aptX Low Latency, for gaming or using them with a screen.

Battery Life and Portability

The Sennheiser headphone wireless is charged via USB-C, should charge in under two hours, and will give you around 30 hours of usage. Keeping the volume lower will allow for more battery life. These headphones have a foldable design to make them more portable, and you can use the Voice Assistant button for Siri and Google, allowing you to leave your phone in your purse or pocket while on the move. The headphones come with a USB-C charging cable and a carrying case.

App/ Optimization

Sennheiser’s app (available for Apple and Android devices)allows you to customize the sound in your headphones with a number of preset sound modes. It will also give you an update on the remaining battery life. The app also uses a “podcast mode” that optimizes spoken word for audiobooks, podcasts, and other media types.

Wireless/Charging

One of the biggest selling features of the 405BT is that they are wireless and make use of Bluetooth. You’ll be able to connect to your phone or tablet and listen from up to 30 feet away. Multiple device support is available, though users mentioned that sometimes the headphones can switch from one to the other if a notification comes in from your desktop. Additionally, when you leave Bluetooth range, the headphones will notify you, which may become annoying if you’re working at the edge of that range. You can also use the headphones with a standard audio cable, and while doing this, you won’t be using the headphone battery (useful if you’ve drained the battery and are still on the go.) The sound quality holds up while using an audio cable, though you might need a specialized cable to use the microphone feature while plugged in.

Fit & Comfort

The Sennheiser HD 450Bt might seem a bit uncomfortable when you first start using them, but users have reported that these headphones are incredibly comfortable after a “wearing-in” period. The headphones are made with leather, so there’s no “cheap” feeling to be found here. Some users report that the rubber along the top of the headband can pull at your hair. The ear pads are not replaceable, but with this style of headphone, that’s not something you’d typically need to worry about. You shouldn’t have any worries if you’re not super rough with them.

Shop Sennheiser BT450 Headphones on Amazon

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Also Read:

1. Sennheiser RS175 wireless TV Headphones review
2. Review: Bose Quiet Comfort QC45 over ear wireless headphones

The post Sennheiser 450 BT wireless headphones review appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Having an iPhone or iPad makes accessory picking like a pair of headphones much simpler; just filter your selection to Apple products and pick the best headphones for your needs and budget. Sure, you can go outside of Apple products if a certain feature scratches an itch but the W1 chip found in Apple products eliminate all those pairing hassles and the spatial audio really bring out the magic when listening to Apple Music or Dolby Atmos content. However, you might still run into a fork in the road if you are looking for a pair of over-ear, noise-canceling headphones. That fork will likely include the vintage Beats Studio 3 and the luxurious AirPods Max. These are two products that have aged quite significantly, and you can buy both for a bit below their MSRP. Determining Beat Studio 3 vs Airpod Max is best for your use case requires a deeper examination in some key areas.

Build Quality

Comparing Airpod max vs Beat Studi 3 – The AirPods Max wins by a mile here as it uses all sorts of premium materials. The headband has a stainless-steel frame with a breathable knit mesh while the ear cups use aluminum and have a memory foam plush padding. The Beats Studio 3 makes more use of plastic although its headband has a flexible metal frame. I wouldn’t categorize the Beats Studio 3 as cheap feeling as it feels quite sturdy but once you feel the premium craftsmanship of the AirPods Max, it’s easy to look down on the Beats Studio 3. However, I don’t recommend treating the AirPods Max like a rugged pair of cans because that knitted mesh fabric is a bit fragile and could rip if you aren’t careful. Apple sells earcups separately as well, but they cost $69 USD a pair. Both the Studio 3 and AirPods Max headphones lack any IPX rating so avoid using them during strenuous activities.

Comfort

Both pairs of headphones feel very comfortable with the Apple AirPods Max getting a slight leg up because of the headband. Some may feel more comfortable wearing the Beats Studio 3 for a longer period of time as it weighs lighter at 260g compared to the AirPods Max’s 385g weight, but in Erin’s review of the Studio 3, she found the clamping force to be painful and constricting. The AirPods Max by comparison still have a good clamp, but they are much more comfortable to wear over the long-haul.

Performance

Talking about airpod max vs Beat Studio 3 sound quality ,  The AirPods Max cleans up the Beats Studio 3 in all aspects with outstanding mids, thumpy bass, and average treble. The Beats Studio 3 has decent mids although the bass can be a bit of a hit or miss depending on the track. The AirPods Max will definitly hold up to true audiophile headphones, and the listening experience is far more pleasant compared to the Beats Studio 3.

Features

Controlling music playback with the AirPods Max is a joy thanks to the digital crown. You can find it above the right earcup and you can rotate or click the button just like you would on an Apple Watch. This adjusts the volume, pauses or resumes the track, or summons Siri. The Beats Studio 3 has its own “b” button where you need to tap the upper or lower area of the button to adjust volume or tap the center to play or pause. You can also do things like double or triple press the button to cycle tracks or long press to activate the voice assistant.

Let’s discuss Beat Studi 3 wireless vs airpod max cables.

The AirPods Max has a Lightning port for charging and Apple does include a USB-C to Lightning cable out of the box.

The Beats Studio 3, on the other hand, uses the ancient microUSB port, and the power button is all but useless due to its tiny size and poor placement. However, the AirPods Max doesn’t offer an AUX port forcing you to buy a $35 USD cable if you want to connect it to a device with a 3.5mm jack or a plane. This is where the Beats Studio 3 can be a more appealing choice and you even get a TRRS cable.

Case

In this battle of airpod max vs beat studio 3 , Many reviewers found the AirPods Max case to be a joke and I’m firmly in that camp. As Erin said in her review, the case feels cheap and flimsy but it at least serves as a housing for putting the headphones into sleep mode. The carrying case you get with the Beats Studio 3 is a more typical hardshell case that gives ample protection to the headphones–even if it is a nightmare to pack due to its size and bulbous shape.

Price

One of the major aspect to look in while discussing Beat Studio 3 vs airpod max is price tag. The AirPods Max’s superior audio and build quality combined with its fancy Apple tech is what contributes to the steep $549 USD / $779 CAD price. Because the product is almost 3 years old, you could likely find it for $100 less across all colors but that still makes it nearly double the price of the nearly 6-year-old Beats Studio 3. The Studio 3 launched at $350 USD / $440 CAD, and it currently sells in the $170 to $250 range.

Our Verdict

Comparing two high-end products (Apple AirPod Max vs. beat studio 3) from different generations but still currently sold by the same company led to some interesting results. The Beats Studio 3 does share some DNA with the AirPods Max, and you could save a great deal if you are looking for a pair of over-ear noise-cancelling headphones that ticks those proprietary Apple boxes. The AirPods Max still remains the top-tier Apple-branded audio product that delivers the quality you get for its high cost and the sale price makes it far more accessible. But with both products being several years old, it’s easy to wonder if Apple is developing any successor which may push the prices of these products down even further.

Shop the Beats Studio 3 headphones on Amazon and Best Buy

Shop the Airpods Max headphones on Amazon

**A note about Affiliate Links: TechGadgetsCanada & TechGadgetsInternational is supported by our readers. Occasionally I will include affiliate links in my reviews. I do this partly for convenience of the reader (since I’ll almost always include a link to the company website or similar anyway) in case you want to read more or purchase, but I also may get a small commission from the click, which helps me keep the blog running. If you choose to use this link I thank you greatly for supporting the blog. There’s no obligation or cost to you for using these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Beats Studio 3 Vs. AirPods Max appeared first on TechGadgetsCanada.com.

Nine years ago, Apple made the big announcement to acquire Beats Electronics and Beats Music. Fast forward to 2023 and we still have Beats products on the market which is maybe surprising since Apple has their own lineup of headphones and speakers. Perhaps Apple wanted to keep their premium products with the usual Apple fit and finish and high price tag while Beats maintains its original hipster-rapper image. That subtle distinction may be step one in helping you decide if Beats headphones are for you, but there’s more to it than that. With its $349 USD ($439 CAD) price these are expensive, yes, and will fall into the premium headphone niche (but they’re still not as eye-watering as AirPods Max, or even Beats’ newer Studio Pro). Let’s see how this pair of headphones fares in a pretty crowded market.

What’s in the Box?

The Beats Studio 3 wireless headphones comes with a carrying case and a 3.5mm RemoteTalk cable. The included micro-USB charging cable is just a little reminder as to how long the Beats Studio 3 has been around, and it’s definitely giving me retro flashbacks—and not in the good way. You also get a quick start guide and a warranty card.

The power button on the headphones is small and incredibly hard to find with your fingers, which wouldn’t be a problem except it’s also used for engaging the noise cancellation.

On the left earcup you get a mercifully larger multi-function button which will answer calls, play-pause, and adjust volume.

Watch my video review of Beats Studio 3 headphones

Features

Apple released the original Beats Studio back in 2008 and Beats Studio 3 way back in 2017 and while headphones can grow into being timeless pieces if they have impressive audio quality, it’s still important to know what features you’ll be getting to see if you can squeeze out every ounce of performance per dollar.

Fit & comfort

The beats studio 3 headphones feel fairly sturdy and fold down to a smaller profile for travel. The hinges seem crisp but easy to maneuver, and not like they’re going to snap a day or two after the warranty expires.

The earcups feel a little on the small side, and though my ears are normally sized, the cups encircle them right to the edges, which for me became a bit constricting and uncomfortable. Ditto the tight headband: Beats have a strong ability to clamp around the head and while it makes them more securre, I felt the pressure in my jaw and found I was often nudging the Beast Studio 3 around my head for relief and a less constricting fit.

The ear cups have a visible seam and the faux-leather wrap on them feels quite dated when compared to newer over-ears I’ve worn.

In short, I personally am not a huge fan of the fit of these.

Apple W1 Chip

Having built-in Bluetooth, the Beats Studio 3 wireless headphones is a pair of headphones you can pair up with iOS, Android, and Windows devices. However, you won’t be getting your best bang for the buck unless you have an iOS device.

Borrowing from Apple’s older AirPods products, the Beats Studio 3 has a built-in Apple W1 chip. This proprietary chip improves power efficiency, Bluetooth stability and eliminates the occasional stutters you’d normally get from Bluetooth pairing as long as you pair it with a supported Apple device (running iOS 10 or later).

While the W1 chip is certainly better than nothing, the chip is a bit dated once you compare it with the H1 chip found in the AirPods Max or the H2 chip present in the AirPods Pro 2. I wouldn’t call the W1 chip a dealbreaker (and if I’m being honest, only about 2% of shoppers probably even understand what the chip does or why it might matter anyway) but if you can’t find the Beats Studio 3 on sale, you’ll essentially be paying a big price for something that lacks cutting-edge technologies like spatial audio and other audio improvements.

Active Noise Cancelling

Active Noise Cancelling or ANC of beats headphone studio 3 is the key reason why this is priced the way it is, so make sure you really need this feature. ANC uses digital signals to detect and cancel out ambient noise (while you also get passive noise isolation from the padded over-ear cups)

I’m glad to say the noise cancelling is okay for this vintage, and even if you are trading away some battery life. You can turn it on by double-clicking the power button, which is all but impossible to feel and I often had to take the headphones off to locate it.

I test ANC out in two ways; I engage it and use it with no music or audio playing so I can hear how well it’s working without competing audio. Then I try it with sound playing.

With audio off and ANC engaged I got an okay amount of noise blocking, but it’s actually not the greatest, mainly because ANC technology has come a long way since 2017. On its own merits I’d give the ANC a 7/10, but compared to newer gadgets like AirPods Max and others from Jabra, they’re lacklustre at best.

Sound quality

Let’s get to the key feature of beats headphone studio 3 you care about; the sound. Fortunately Beats Studio 3 sound great, which probably explains the long lifespan of these headphones. The musical minds behind the Beats brand created them to match tech used in the recording industry, and you can tell.

With an outstandingly balanced and finely-tuned sound, they sound exceptional.  The bass is both full and snappy on tracks like Beyonce’s Crazy in Love, and vocals simmer cleanly along the top.

Switching to Mariah Carey and Snoop’s Say Somethin it was easy to hear lots of the subtleties in the music, like the tight and raspy snare, or deep breaths.

Keeping up the old school tracks to match the vintage of the Studio 3’s, I rounded out my old school vibe listening test with St Germain’s So Flute, and caught all the buzzy, breathy peeps in detailed glory.

Coles Notes: Beats Studio 3’s have aged like fine wine in the sound quality department.

RemoteTalk Cable

The old school throwbacks continue: Beats Studio 3 headphone comes with a 3.5mm cable which might be a little useless considering most modern devices don’t even have a headphone jack. But if you are still rocking an older iPhone or iPad, you can take advantage of the added controls found on this cable. The RemoteTalk cable features dedicated volume buttons as well as a multipurpose center button for answering or declining calls. Holding that center button can bring up Siri too. But again, for most of us buying this product today, it will probably stay wrapped up in the box.

Battery Life

Although the microUSB port might put some potential buyers off, the Beats Studio 3 at least boasts decent battery life. With the ANC feature turned off, Apple claims you can get close to 40 hours. Using ANC cuts the battery life in half which is a significant cut but still a decent amount of juice, even for commuters or long haul travellers. Possibly a moot point since a short 10-minute charge can add 3 extra hours of non-ANC playback.

Overall Thoughts: Beats Studio 3

The real selling point of the Beats Studio 3 wireless headphone in 2023 is the retro-fresh design and kaleidoscope color options. Newer and similarly priced noise-cancelling headphones from the competition will outperform the Beats Studio 3 in the ANC department but if pure sound is all that matters to you, these are still a solid choice for current-day listening. Keep in mind they will also likely become even more obsolete with the expected launch of a Studio 4 at some point, but then you’re bound to see the remaining Studio 3 stock offered at fire sale prices, so I’m willing to bet this review will still be handy.

So on the pro side of beats studio 3 headphone; we’ve got great sound, fun colour options and included ANC. When it comes to the Cons, the fit isn’t the most comfortable, and the materials feel quite dated. Plus the ANC is no longer top of game.

My assessment is if you’re a Dr Dre fan and these are a must-have brand for you, then snatch them up, because they sound great. If you’re looking for the full package and modern technology with high end features that make you forget the high price, you’ll want to wait for the Studio 4.

Imagine a Beats Studio 4 with USB-C, the H2 chip, and other Apple-esque sprinkles thrown in. That could very well be something worth paying top dollar for, especially if you find the AirPods Max too costly to stomach. If you want a piece of history, the Beats Studio 3 is a decent buy if you have an iPhone or iPad and can find the headphones at half price.

Beats Studio 3 is available from Amazon.

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