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Go for the QC Ultra. The big reason is because of the codecs: Bose is set up with some of the upcoming codecs like AptX Lossless. Being on BT 5.3 also helps there. Here’s my full review: ua-cam.com/video/A9BbUIh6Xqs/v-deo.html

Oh, I think you’re in for a very merry Christmas!

Thanks for the tip! I have to say, I ended up selling these a while back and picking up the ANC Crusher 2 and... I think I actually prefer these! They're just SO FUN!

@@NorbReviews Crusher Evos are definitely my fun set. Feels like a movie theater with THX in my ears

Thank you for the kind words! A few notes: - I haven't tried the Space Ones, but I've been meaning to, so good to know! I love the Q30's and have been looking for a good successor. (I have the Space Q45 and it just doesn't quiet do it for me.) - I agree 100% that B&W hit a home run with this line!

It depends. I have big ears. I don't love them because I feel they get too hot, since my ears don't go inside, but instead stay on the earpads. Not uncomfortable, just a bit warmer than I'd like. As someone with big ears, I find the Bose QCUltra, the AirPods Max, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e/Px8, and the Focal Bathys to be some of the best because my ears fit inside. (With the Bathys they sometimes rub up against the mesh, though.) As for other options, for around that price... I don't know if you'll find anything better. I don't know what the price is in pounds, but consider the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e in recertified condition from B&W. It's about USD$230, but I'm not sure how much they price them for the British market. Best of luck!

@NorbReviews Appreciate it. I have owned the q35s for years and I've had to tape them many times lol. I've never owned headphones that your ears to inside but I have to try them. I bought the anker space one but the sound quality was unacceptable, these cost 4 times more but should be way better.

You and I have very similar ears, and now I wan to try the Sonos Ace. Except for the Sonos, everything you've tried I've tried and I agree 100% with your assessment. I will say, about the Sonos, I've heard they're similar to the AirPods Max which I find great for movies.

@ The Sonos Ace link with a Sonos soundbar so you can transfer the sound from the bar to the cans. It silences the bar and the cans sound great. Highly recommend if you have a Sonos soundbar connected to a TV and want to listen without disturbing others.

That is a HARD question and I might make a full video out of it. In fact, I wrote a really long answer, but I don't want to bore you, so instead I'm just going to narrow it down some: * out and about + gym - AirPods Pro 2 (well tuned!) * When I want something wired - Meze Alba (Best wired IEMs for me) * Traveling and relaxing at home - Focal Bathys (Incredible sound for a wireless headphone) * when I want to disappear into the music - Meze Empyrean (This is just luxury, full stop.) I say that, and yet my most used headphones are the AirPods Pro 2, the AirPods Max, the Px7 S2e, and the Bose QC Ultras. Go figure. Addendum: Now, for the heck of it, here's the annoyingly long answer. Basically, there are so many that I love that it's hard for me to say. For example: * The Focal Bathys - Amazing sound, great comfort, well built * AirPods Max - The most usable headphone (for Apple), FANTASTIC for movies. * Px7 S23 - I adore that sound and comfort * Bose QuietComfort Ultra - My travel partner. * Master & Dynamic MW65 - Amazing, amazing, amazing sound. * Sennheiser Momentum 3 - Not all that comfortable, but a nearly perfect sound signature. I wish Sennheiser went back to this. * JBL Tune 720BT - Something this cheap shouldn't sound this good. * Sennheiser PXC 550-II - It's my wife's favorite headphone and anything that keeps my wife happy is my favorite. For things OTHER than wireless headphones * AirPods Pro 2 - If I could only have ONE personal audio device, this might be it. * Sennheiser HD599 - These headphones taught me what good sound was, and they're what I use for work. * Focal Clear - Maybe the best headphone, dollar for dollar, period. * Focal Celestee - Oh, I just love this sound! * Hidizs M1-Galaxy - Super cheap, but GREAT sound. (Although it's between this and the Moondrop Chu II for the price.) * Meze Alba - Maybe the best IEMs for vocals. Incredible value. * Audeze LCD-X - The perfect sound. Period. I just wish it didn't weight 18 tons. I really want to try the LCD-5 but I'm afraid I'll immediately buy it. * Meze Empyrean - Possibly the perfect headphone for me, although I might consider trading it for an LCD-5. So yes, I'm terrible at this and sorry for the long, rambling response.

I think the M4 is probably better, just because it can be made to be livelier due to its tuning. The S2e is a little too relaxed for this, I think. I talk about this more in my full review of each, especially the S2e.

@ Okay, I'll watch that video too. Thanks for the feedback.

That’s a good question and I don’t know. Honestly, fear of that issue is one of the reasons I kept the S2e instead of the Px8: I’ve heard much less about that with these than with either the S2 or Px8.

TBH, a separate mic, if you can. But both have sounded good enough with people I work with. (I’m on Zoom all day long.)

@ which mic do you use? I have two dogs, so sometimes can be noisy

For my work, I picked up a Logitech / Blue Yeti for just under $100 and it was one of the best things I did. (Seriously, it might have saved my job.) I also had an extra mic arm, but it isn't necessary, since it comes with a great stand. As for the dogs, Zoom is good about noise rejection, and the Yeti allows you to change the pick-up pattern, so that helps, plus the software you download for it is great for tuning your voice some. For my videos, I use the Shure MV7. I've used it for work before, and it works just fine, but I find the Yeti software better for that specific use.

Great analysis!

By the way I really like your comparisons, please keep it up for the future, I will come back for more reviews! Greetings

Thank you!

Thank you for watching, your kind works and your feedback! It’s always good to have a fuller picture!

Honestly, the M4 and S2e are a good pair to keep around. Different enough that it gives you great options when you feel like something specific!

What do you mean by “heavy music”?

@@NorbReviews metal

I currently have both the s2e and Bose ultra headphones, it's almost impossible for me to decide which I prefer. Both sound really good and pleasing. Bose definitely has better anc and the immersive audio feature which does sound good for certain music. Bose is more travel friendly and lighter. S2e look and feel more premium. Each sound a little different but I can't really say one sounds better than the other, comes down to personal opinion. Bose I think sounds a little brighter with some more clarity and s2e is more relaxed.

Norb also had a video on this! But, when it comes to me, the sound of the B&W is absolutely perfect! When I tested the QC ultra in store, I immediately noticed how 'muddy/blurry' the headphones sounded. The B&W has a clear sound. With its premium feel, fantastic comfortability (for me as a glasses wearer), and their price of 250€, The B&W PX7E definitely is the perfect fit for me. I recommend just trying both of the headphones out and returning the one you are less happy about. You only know what you like when you try it!

As for me, BW would be better. Bose is….more about comfort, it’s great for work, meetings, flights, movies… but for music 😬 BW sounds way much better) (And there was a video-comparison on this channel)))

Thank you for the kind words! I love the QC45, but if you’re going this route, I’d just go with the QuietComfort Headphones (the ones released at the same time as the Ultra, but which have an unfortunately confusing name). Unless you can find the 45’s for a big discount, in which case I think they’re a great choice!

Sorry that it didn't work out for you! Yeah, if you have something that you love and that is working for you, I say just keep on with that! I prefer headphones to IEMs (for comfort reasons, mostly), but I love that IEMs keep innovating with dedicated drivers and driver types for specific frequencies.

​@NorbReviews The more I listen to the Annihilator 23, the more I can't believe what I am hearing out of my Cayin iHA-8 amp. The bass is SO powerful. Not the most articulate bass, but the iHA-8 seems to give it more nuance than straight out of my SP3000 DAP, and the whole presentation is crystal clear with micro details all over the place. But the thing that is blowing my socks off the most is the stage and imaging. It is the most 3D, holgraphic representation of music I have ever heard. Every instrument occupies a distinct location within the soundstage, with air clearly seperating them. Sounds on some songs seem to float and flick around my head, where as the Elite it just seems to come from one flat wall where all instrumentation seems to be touching each other with no air seperating them. It is a very boring presentation. This is where it feels like the music is coming from just one driver, as opposed to ths Annihilator with it's 7 drivers per side. The thing that Elite does better however, is keeping the treble from becoming too hot on some tracks. It is always kept within check, where as the high frequencies on some songs on the Annihilator can become peaky and shouty and uncomfortable. Not unbearably so, but enough to be noticeable, or make me turn the volume down a little. But yeah, the sound of the Annihilator on the iHA-8 is endgame❤. It is exciting and visceral and massive, summitfi level technicality and presentation You owe it to yourself to try and find an Annihilator or even just the Cayin iHA-8. Both components are freaking amazing on their own, but together they make magic happen.

Good to note! I don't have a 35 to compare it to, so glad you added this note! By the way, if you really want thumping bass I'd say check out the Sennheiser Momentum 4 (if you're in the market, I mean). "Bass" is definitely their game now!

You know, I haven't used the 99 Classic enough (I don't own them) to be able to make an educated comparison. My apologies! Jut looking at the FR's, it seems like there's enough of a difference in sound, and I remember from my use of the 99 Classic that the sound was somewhat different than the Alba, but I couldn't say more than that.

Oof! Yeah, I can definitely see why. Yikes!

None that I’ve heard. They did the Accentum in 2023 and the True Wireless 4 in 2024, so a refresh of the Momentum is reasonable for 2025, but I won’t be surprised if it’s pushed to 2026.

Hey there, good questions! First, my comparison between the M4 and XM5 is here. ua-cam.com/video/zXpoDTAm-UY/v-deo.html My thoughts on it are complex. I prefer the XM5, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. As for the AT m50x, I haven’t used that one for long enough of a period to draw a proper conclusion, so I can’t say. As for $200 and comfort (I’m assuming USD), there the XM4 (if found refurb/on special) which is VERY similar in feel to the M4. I also really like the feel of the 1More Sonoflow, but that’s more of a budget headphone. A more high-end for comfort is the Sennheiser Accentum (or Accentum Plus), which is similar to the M4, albeit more on-ear, and has a bit of a higher clamping force. Finally, there’s the Bowwrs & Wilkins Px7 S2 which you can get recertified (refurb) right now from Bowers and Wilkins for $150. That is a *GREAT* deal for those and it’s 100% what’s I’d recommend. Link for reference (not affiliated): www.bowerswilkins.com/en-us/category/recertified/

Would you say that the b&ws are more comfortable than the m4s

@anonymouskid4316 - I personally like them better. Here’s my full comparison of the Px7 S2e vs M4. When it comes to comfort, the S2 and S2e are identical. ua-cam.com/video/1_bPTRmt5w8/v-deo.html

As for aptX - Good callout! As for ANC - I tested side by side during flights and the M4 was better in my experience. The M4 was not anywhere as good as the XM5, AirPod Max, or Bose QCUltras, but, better than the S2. For me, my benchmarks are flights and human voices, since those are the issues I run up against the most. Now, there’s a very real possibility that we focus on different areas of sound, that certain parts impact us differently, which is why reviews like these should always be taken with a grain of salt, and our own lived experience should supersede all. So all in all, I’m glad you’ve found them to be better. Heck, the S2e are some of my favorite headphones, full stop. Just… not for ANC. (Or hybrid noise canceling, which is slightly different.)

@@NorbReviews I've had S2 for about 15 months and use them only for "fine music listening" sessions. I actually got myself M4 recently with idea to have them as all-around headphones. So my experience is still quite fresh. ANC was so bad that I seriously thought that I had transparency mode activated by mistake. Without any music engaged (silence with ANC on) - I could hear my refrigerator buzzing when standing next to it, my neighbors TV sound, or them talking - all those subtle background sounds that instantly disappear as soon as ANC is engaged on all other ANC headphones / in ears that I have (had). Even my 6 yr old Sony WH1000XM3 beats M4 in the ANC department! Ironically M4 was supposed to replace 1000XM3 in my collection. S2 ear cups are also more robustly built which isolates the sound even with without ANC - almost like hearing protection for construction workers. I've read somewhere that ANC on M4 might have degraded at some point by a FW-update. It apparently initially had that "vacuum feeling" which made some users feeling dizzy. This was removed eventually by a software update which might have degraded ANC. Dunno. I got M4 during Black Weekend (but now returned) with latest FW. Oddly, even S2 had "vacuum feeling" initially for me too, but it disappeared as I got used to it.

Yikes! That doesn't parallel my experience at all, but it sounds like you've found what works for you! As for "all-around" headphones, I find a good complement to the S2 might be the Bose QC Ultras. Especially with EQ, they can be different enough or made to sound a bit similar (to an extent). Plus, truth be told, I find them much more comfortable than the M4's. (I love the comfort of my S2e's so I'd consider those and the Bose "on par", even though they feel different.) For ANC, Bose is hard to beat, but when you're used to the B&W sound, the sound itself might feel like a bit of a downgrade (even though it's still competent).

I’ve never used them, so I can’t say.

It might not strictly be necessary. Try just storing them ear pads up. This might help by itself. You can also try tucking the middle flap down under the headphone.

1. It’s an older video, and they’ve fixed some issues. 2. My experiences are just that: my experiences. Yours may be very different. 3. What we like is probably different. More importantly, what we’re annoyed by is likely different. 4. Trust your own experience more than any person online, including myself. For what it’s worth: - I’ve done a bunch of comparisons on these vs others (they’re on the channel). In the later ones I even talk about how to fix the case issue. - I’m literally wearing them right now because I plan a few more videos and because, as harsh as I may seem, as a reviewer, it’s my job to point out all potential issues. The fact is that I still like them. Don’t regret what you’ve bought. Enjoy it!

@ thank you man! I’m gonna check out the other videos

Totally safe, assuming it’s from B&W directly. It’s how I got my pair of S2’s. (Not the S2e’s). I only returned them because I didn’t love them, but otherwise it was like new. I recommend it.

My Momentum 4 vs Px7 S2e comparison: ua-cam.com/video/1_bPTRmt5w8/v-deo.html. Movies I talk about toward the end of the Sound section.

Thank you!

I’ve done videos on all of those, plus comparisons, and the answer is, “it very much depends”. In short: - travel and ANC: XM4 - comfort and sound: Px7 - Sound and battery: M4 They all have their ups and downs.

@NorbReviews that's for responding! If you had to go for one mainly for studying, purposes so I'll have it on for long periods of the day, which one would you get? I'll be getting whichever you say this afternoon, just really wanna get the best for my money. Thanks

If you need it for studying and want quiet, I’d say XM4 or M4. The XM4 is also very durable and has great tech. The Px7’s ANC is very weak, which is why I’m not recommending it, but it’s also the one that has, at least for me, the least ear heat and the most enjoyable sound. The M4 may be the best general purpose: great battery, decent enough ANC, and great sound. You’re not going to go wrong with any of these. If I had to pick one, for me, I’d do the Px7 because of the ear heat.

Thank you, and glad it was useful!

First off, thank you for the kind words! As for vs the APMs: well, it’s not going to show up on every one of your Apple devices automatically: you have to pair them to each. As far as using it between my iPad, iPhone, and MacBook, I’ve had zero issues and it’s been almost as seamless as the APMs, but limited to two active connections at a time, instead of the APM’s everything is connected everywhere all at once approach. Also, I haven’t used these much with the Apple TV, though. (I rarely use headphones with my TV so I forgot to test that specific switchover.) I hope this helps.

I’ve honestly been shocked at how good the XM5 have been despite how light they are and how they feel.

This is awesome you’ve had such a great history! The QCU’s are good, but if you like the XM5, honestly, I don’t know if I see any reason to switch outside of curiosity. I 100% agree with the comfort with glasses, too: they really did that well.

Thank you!