I’m looking for some BIFL over ear (wireless Bluetooth, since I’m always breaking the wires by accident) headphones.
I haven’t had much luck with the earbud things. They’re always falling out unless I put them in real well. I want something you can just put in and forget about. Something good for working in the field, running, etc.
It’s annoying to have a pair of headphones you really like, only for them to break around the two year mark. Seems like nothing lasts these days.
I’d be willing to pay up to $200, but do tend to buy most things used.
Thanks.
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BIFL and Bluetooth are typically an impossible combo because Bluetooth means more batteries and electronics to break/be unreplaceable. Maybe modular systems will come in the future but they’d need to use a completely generic set of batteries.
My best suggestion, based on what you describe as your problem with wired headphones, is to get headphones with a removable cable, as those cables are generally pretty standard. I know sennheiser had a lock in mechanism but you can get third party cables. Also, I was able to take that out of my HD599s and use the headphones with a Bose cable.
That’s a bummer with the Bluetooth thing. The main thing that’s broken with all my pairs of Bluetooth headphones is the body of the headphone itself. Guess the battery wouldn’t have lasted much longer anyway.
I’ll look into those sennheisers.
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Batteries may last long enough to get a long lifespan out of something like headphones, they just can’t last forever, and generally won’t be very repairable once the batteries in them die. But if the main body of the headphones are what’s breaking, you’re probably getting too cheap of headphones. I’ve had a pair of Bose wireless headphones last a long ass time, I’ve heard good things about the audiotechnica ATH mX50s which have both a wired and wireless version, and if wired is okay, the Sony MDR7506 is commonly used as studio monitors and should last a long time, but they don’t have a detachable cable unless you mod them. Sennheisers are nice enough I would expect them to also last pretty well. Generally as things get nicer, the places that are likely to fail first are the wiring/the main cable (the wire bends until it no longer makes a consistent connection, making your music choppy) or the battery in Bluetooth headphones. And the earpads and headband will wear out. So make sure they have replaceable earpads (anything reasonably nice should), and ideally wired headphones should have a replaceable cable.
If you want Bluetooth make sure the battery capacity and battery life are longer than you need. The more excess you have, the less wear and tear your usage will put on the battery by cycling it deep into low battery levels over and over (or letting it die), and the more breathing room you’ll have before the battery life becomes too little to be useful, extending its life.
Between the wires failing and the body breaking, I think you should evaluate how you use and carry your headphones.
My additional tip is to avoid anything that has soft-touch or rubberised coatings on a part that’s not easily replaceable.
Lots of suggestions here already but if you want something truly BIFL then unfortunately Bluetooth is out of the question - look at things that have replaceable cables instead (such as the Philips Fidelio 2XHRs). Alternatively, for something actually rugged, maybe look into used genuine 3M Peltor Comtacs - the audio quality is surprisingly good for what they are.
Yep the older Bose Quietcomfort headphones are wired only so they sell really cheap on eBay.
You can get a Bluetooth adapter off Amazon for twenty quid
Fairphone make headphones, slightly over your budget but worth a look. I’ve had mine for two months and they’ve been solid performers so far. More importantly, Fairphone places an emphasis on ethically-sourced and easily-repairable products with a long lifespan. Their new phone comes with at least eight years of support, for example.
Edit: alternatively, find a decent pair of dumb headphones with a detachable cables, either USB-C or 3.5mm, so you’re less likely to damage the cable and, if you do, you don’t need to replace the 'phones.
I’ve had them for a couple of months as well. I just hope that they will sell some additional ear cushions eventually. I don’t find the stock ones as comfortable as other headphones I’ve had before. Not that they hurt but I could do with bigger ones
I like the AKG brand, I got 3 AKG headphones over the last 2 decades. One of them was stolen, one was gifted to my father after changing the pads and I still have the 3rd one.
They are lasting well and sound amazing.
The K371 might be close to what you are looking for, it’s wired but comes with multiple detachable cables and it’s a standard mini XLR so even if it break you can easily replace it.
Since 2017 AKG has been owned by Samsung - I don’t think they are the same company they used to be and the quality and focus on quality have dropped, in my opinion.
Hmmm, it’s a shame.
I’m unsure about whether prices fit in your range anymore, but if you want to have a wired headphone with Bluetooth, maybe the beyerdynamics DT 770/880/990 headphones and a fiio BTR5 Bluetooth module. I’ve daily driven the BTR5 for about 2 years for about 7 hours a day and they’ve been great, and the beyerdynamics seem really sturdy.
I have had 990s for about two years and they are solid.
they aren’t truly BIFL, i don’t think they’re particularly solid, but AIAIAI make modular over ears - so at least not the full unit needs to be replaced as they age. i use a pair and my only complaint is the bleeding - eg on a train, anyone in the adjacent seats is definitely hearing what you’re listening to. could be an issue with just the cups i chose though
I don’t know about BIFL, but Audio Technica ATH-M50x are pretty good quality in my experience. I have the wired version (~$150) but they have a Bluetooth/wired version for $200. I did end up replacing the ear cups with something more comfortable for extended use though.
I’d recommend them too. I’ve had a pair since like 2017 and I’ve changed the ear cups once and the cable a few times. In my experience, its usually the cable that goes bad with headphones, so its nice that these are replaceable. Completely stock, the cable is a strange one (its a 2.5mm with a locking mechanism to 3.5mm) and the Audio Technica official replacement cables work the best, but I’ve heard of people modding them to just take a normal 3.5mm to 3.5mm
I would recommend the ATH-M50x as well. I’ve been using mine daily for 5 years now and I only replaced the ear cups once. I take them to the office, I used to take them to the gym, I’ve dropped them and banged them around a bit (both on accident) and they’re still working great. The cord is removable to make it easy to replace
I got some Sony studio monitor style headphones with active noise cancellation for about that price. Sturdy, comes with a case, BT but also has a 3.5 jack and cable for direct wired connections. Although I believe when I got them, they were on sale. I’m not sure their regular price, but it’s probably a bit more than $200.
My Bose QC35s have lasted 7 years so far, and don’t show any sign of problems. I use them heavily, wearing them 5+ hours a day typically.
I replace the earcups once every year for about $15, that’s it.
Seconding the Bose QC35s. They may be a bit bulkier, heavier, and pricier than what OP is looking for, but the active noise-cancellation is a sweet relief on noisy trains and planes.
I’ve had my pair for about 3 years, they still work great. I wear them for three+ hours every day, and have replaced the ear cups once so far.
As mentioned before, bluetooth and ‘for life’ usually does not work together because of dyong batteries.
However, Beyerdynamic builds very repairable headphones. Therefore, even if your cable breaks with them, it is not so hard to replace. They kept their building stype for ~30 years and are still being bought, that tells you something.
That’s difficult to recommend. If wired were okay, I would say go with a pair of Sennheisers. They make replacement parts for purchase and some models have removable cables. I’ve had a set of Sony 1000m3’s that i gave to my kid and they have help up well for several years. We had to replace the pads once, and the batt doesn’t last as long as it used to, but they aren’t bad. They aren’t $200 though.
I don’t mind using wired, guess the main problem is if it’s able to withstand the occasional jerking/dropping out of my pocket. Any particular sennheiser model you recommend, or just any I can get my hands on?
I actually just had a pair of Sony WH-1000XM3 that lasted me a while, but just broke. The body itself has been falling apart in more and more places. Better than most I’ve had, anyhow. I’m gonna try to repair it for the 3rd time, but its time is limited now. RIP.
I have the 660s, but you can find the 6xx’s new or used in your price range. The body is plastic, but it holds up really well. I have dropped mine about a dozen times on a hardwood floor and they look brand new. These are not pocketable though. Someone might have a better recommendation for that need/want. The 500 range does not have a detachable cable to my knowledge, but otherwise are nice headphones as well.
As an alternative to the 1000xm3’s, you can check out the Bose 700’s. I gave my pair to my other kid and she has been using hers for a long time without issues. Battery is always going to be the limiting factor for BT headphones.
https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-sennheiser-hd6xx
I’ve had these for years, they’re fantastic.
They are open though. Nice headphones and portability aren’t usually things that go together.
The META these days is primarily chifi IEMs. Modular cable is bogstandard and there are a selection of bluetooth modules.
200 bucks is considered borderline top of the line. I dont think they will ever really need fixing if you dont screw around. I would even say they sound better than any alternatives as well.
Yep, this is the answer. I have chifi iems and a Qudelix 5k. The Qudelix is Bluetooth and has a battery, but it’s cheap to buy/replace.
Shokz aren’t quite over the ear in the sense that you are thinking as they are bone conduction. But they are definitely put on and forget. I don’t know about buy it for life but they apparently have great customer service. I’ve had mine for about 4 years now I think and I love them. My friend had his for quite a few years and then something went wrong with the audio quality so he called up the company and they just sent him a new pair with zero hassle. He’s now definitely a customer for life. I think you would probably need to buy new for that kind of customer service though.
I would go with something like I own, Bluetooth headphones where I can plug in a wire and use them without needing the battery.
Sony XB910N in my case, but there are other options.
You could try the new Fairbuds, they are user serviceable! They sell replacement parts and batteries from there own store. https://shop.fairphone.com/nl/fairbuds-xl
