Just so everyone's aware, there is an app for this headphone with different presets, but if you want to EQ it I recommend using something else because the customization isn't all that flexible with it.
It's always strange to me - why official apps for literally every wireless headphones in the market offer only such basic EQ? Is it really that hard to just add "advanced" option with an 8 (or 16) band equalizer?
@@zergadis0 With modern microcontrollers its EZ PZ, but does require a tiny bit of R&D that probably doesn't add any actual cost in the end, as it's reusable tech. It's basically just marketing B S. Not to mention that with a proper, high performance DSP (I'm talking like 100 band and stuff like higher order filters, phase correction etc) you can cancel so many imperfections that they would be making their high end headphones obsolete. Take any good car DSP and you'll see.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow I might have missed it in the video but you did not mention Captune, which is the app to mess around with all the PXC's setting. Like disabling the annoying tolking girl hahaha. I have to say that for having 20K subs you really have good quality videos! Keep it up!
I've tested both and returned the Sonys. The difference in the sound is enormous - the Sennheisers not only sound a lot clearer and richer, but have a fantastic, wide sound stage - feels almost as in open-build headphones. Plus - the Sonys have a bit better ANC, but it comes at a cost of a strong vacuum effect, which happened to be very unpleasant and disturbing for me.
Quite nice review but let me add few things as I am using the version 1 of them for last couple of years as daily headphones for both work and pleasure (that is supposed the have the same sound circuits and same driver). Comfort: it takes time to get them comfortable but good thing is: the band can be easily stretched if it clamps too much. Features: touchpad - quite responsive and working well. Turn off/on by rotating the right one: I love it and it is super intuitive. Battery: AMAZING Another feature to pause the music when you take them off (without turning them off) - super annoying and randomly working. Sennheiser used to have nice app with equaliser - new version is without it - super degradation. Noice cancellation: I used them in London tube for more than a year on daily basis - it was enough of cancellation for my taste - I am not sure if other ones are better. EQ presets that are switched by button: Director, Off, Club, Movie, Speech - I never was used speech and club - others are super ok and usable accordingly. Built in microphone for voice calls: AMAZING and not comparable to any headphones I have ever used (of course we are NOT talking about the specialised headphones with extra mic that extends to your mouth almost but rather built in mic). Sound quality: I bought this pair after long research and I always wanted something flat, natural sound as the type of music I listen is up to it (classic, jazz, vocals, but also podcasts) and these headphones are quite OK for my needs. Any hard rock, hiphop, bass heavy stuff - hmm, not really. These headphones apart from BT can be driven by audio cable as well - not much of difference for me from the SQ perspective. But you can also drive them via USB cable - they have DAC on board - this connection takes them to 1 level higher - I could really hear the difference. Oh, some time back, I wanted to do the upgrade for listening at home and I bought Sundara with iFi ZEN DAC - it is very difficult for me to go back to PXC-550. Like seriously. But, PXC-550 is remote, is BT, is ANC - so I am NOT going to sell them and will still use them when COVID is gone ;-) that was my 3 cents after probably 2 years of listening to them for about 5-8 hours daily.
I have version II for 1 year and agree with whats being said but I think the build quality and mechanically are fine. I use M/L helmet and have quite standard ears and those headphones are comfortable. I would be happy if the autopause feature worked as advised. I think they could be a little louder. Most of the time I am using around 70-80% volume setting but sometimes was as much as 90%. I think there are users who would want some decibels more. Using them with phone is nice and as they support multiple connection the can be used with PC together but most of the time its pain to setup the audio to have microphone for gaming, teams and also high quality audio output. You have many options (usb / BT / wired connection and regarding BT there is communication / listening mode). Thats probably more of the problem how the soundcard / BT protocols / drivers are designed and I hope this will be better in future.
@@LaggerSVK I agree. Sometimes when im absolutely in my element during a jam session I go to turn it up only to hear “volume max” haha but I never think about it as a big enough issue to regret the purchase. Love them overall
Ive been using PXC 550 first gen for the past few months now. Bought November 2, 2020. I wear them during Zoom calls in these COVID times and the audio cuts out periodically for no reason and I have to flip the earcup to turn them off and back on and wait for the bluetooth to reconnect to start hearing audio again. Quite frustrating... You mentioned calls and I’m wondering if you’ve experienced this as I’ve read other people who have also had this complaint. Also, the max volume could be a tad bit higher. I don’t use the Smart Pause feature as I could never get it to work but all I do is use the touchpad to pause when I lift my hands to take them off. My hands have to be there anyway in order to take them off, and I usually can hear well enough to just be able to pause (with ANC off) to engage in conversation without needing to lift one earcup to initiate Smart Pause. Headphones are great though. I agree that the touchpad is responsive and I use it way more than I thought I ever would. I bought these over competitors because I liked the style. Also why I chose first gen over second as I actually think first gen look more premium.
I bought the Sony WH...XM4 and i found them amazing... I preset the EQ as u showed in the vid and they sound really good for me. Would be amazing to try out those Flagships u have, as I understand they sound heavenly. Great Content!
After checking out the latest models from other brands, particularly listening to them at the store, I went with PXC. Hands down best neutral/natural sound. As per micro-USB I got cables which are universal at both ends micro/Type-C, don't see any or problems there. Just wish it had quick charge, and couple more notches for volume when used wirelessly, as via wire+DAC they are loud - but not a deal breaker.
Agreed! I have a friend who has the Sony WH-1000XM4 and, as much as I was blown away by the ANC quality, they really sounded weird to me and I couldn't enjoy listening to music with them. Now that I have a few different headphones, maybe I'd get the Sony ones because I'd only take them out when I require that ANC but the PXC-550 have served me extremely well and they're still the headphones I use the most!
Woah, XM4 having better soundstage than PXC -550 II ? This is a first. Worth to review it. Amazing review btw, I really hope you get more suscribers for your channel which it is overall pretty much amazing.
If someone is watching the review now, PXC 2 can be connected to PC/Laptop with Bluetooth button on the right ear cup switched off. The headphone keeps charging and you can listen to music using USB A cable. You still have access to touch controls for music pause play, volume up down, track prev/next. You can take calls too, and you can mute unmute by swiping left/right If you want to fast forward the video, you can swipe to the right and hold,
Solid review. The WM4's are currently $500 CAD and these were on for $279 so I'm willing to take some of the compromises for that wild price difference. I did love my WM3's until they broke yesterday so I'm hoping these will fit my needs.
I have PXC 550 II for two years. Its true that the ANC is good and that Sony WH-1000 has the top of the class ANC but it really depends of usage. I can use mine PXC in Subway and listen to music without much environmental sound. If someone has a wife that has "special" voice or a small kid and is working from home its maybe better to isolate yourself completely but for a standard homeoffice or office I found out that the ANC on PXC is really OK and overal sound quality, build quality and control goes more on PXC side. Generally I am happy but need to say that its true that when connected to PC some interesting things happens and its pain to setup audio but I would nt say its PXC problem. I think the current design of soundcards/ BT protocols / applications / Windows is maybe the real problem and hopefully this will get better.
Wow, i dont have a lot to say other than this review was fantastic. I actually REALLY enjoy how you'd describe and get into things, and I really appreciate the low-key casual presence you gave too - like, to the point i'd leave a comment. Anyway this review was super helpful! Thank you!
My company, Shadow Systems, Inc., does corporate transcription work. For the price, these headphones work very well. The noise cancelling feature was a must for us! We've had other Sennheiser noise canceling headphones (wired), that we used in our office for many years, and they worked out well for us (they were workhorses), and lasted a long time. Very dependable!
got missled since a long time by a lot of biased reviews... after testing all of them I found the Sennheiser PXC 550-ii to be the best headset. Yes the earcups are unbelievably small. no idea why all headset manufacturers have an obsession to screw up on basic things..
@@MildSatire Have you tried neutral/flat sound in general? Most people think balanced sound is tinny if they are used to the bass boosted sound found in most consumer headphones.
TalesOfGod # no actually I've been using Apple EarPods (the ones that come with your phone) for years now and wanted an upgrade. I guess I am not used to the flat sound signature, but I'm gonna give it another try. I ordered the HD 6XX which are supposed to be really good for classical music, which is what I listen to. Also, dumb question, but do you know what you're supposed to listen to music on? I read in threads people saying "of course it sounds bad if you listen to it through your phone"... Do I need an amp?
@@MildSatire The PXC 550-II doesn't need an amp since it runs on the internal amp on the headphones itself unless their battery is drained. Then again you wouldn't need an amp for it since it's only 46 ohms on passive mode and has a 110db SPL which means you can basically run it on a phone. For the HD 6XX however you're probably going to benefit with an amp since they're high impedance and needs some juice from a good amp to sound "good" or "right". Do not buy an amp/dac combo unless your DAC is not clean and producing unwanted noises. Just buy a good $100 amp and you're all good to go with that setup. As for the PXC 550-II sounding tinny, you're probably not used to a neutral sound signature; my Fiio Q1 MkII has a bass boost and it does make the PXC 550-II more lively without making the bass bleed into the mids like the Sony XM3 that I've tried.
I nearly bought the Sennheiser but I bought the Sony xm4 instead. I wanted the current best ANC. Its not the headphone I usually use for long listening but I am often surprised at how much I enjoy it's fun sound.
Had the first gen of these and here are a few cons not mentioned in the video which are still the same in the second gen 1. The apps equalizer settings do not work with apple music nor does the app intergrate with Apple music, meaning unless all the music you are going to play is either saved on your phone or you have a tidal subscription you won't have much control over EQ's on Apple music which is a bummer considering Sony's and Bose have Apple music support. 2. Repairs, this a big one because should your headsets get damaged or ever need repairs you might as well start saving for a new pair of headphones cause once these are opened the ANC on them changes, it no longer feels as crisp as it was when you bought them, the mics pick up external noise and causes distortion on your music (even a quiet environment), lag becomes more evident over time, shortly after a phone call you have to manually go and press play on your music in order for it to play. I had my repairs done by Sennheiser btw
Have you ever thought about reviewing the Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC? They are not the newest ANC headphones anymore but have been improved massively over time via firmware updates and are much cheaper now than they were initially. After you reviewed the Sennheiser Momentum 3 and now the PXC 550-II, I think it would be really (!) to hear your opinion on these as well (as they definitely are one of the best sounding ANC headphones around still, especially with the sound personalization aka "hearing test") :)
A slightly EQ'd Momentum (-2db in bass and +1 in highs) in the Sennheiser app is one of the best wireless (ANC) headphones around. Their stock EQ is pretty bassy though which is a lot of fun for modern music as well, as the bass doesn't drown out the mids like the Sonys do. The Momentum is the better all in all sounding headphone with more features as well. The PXC 550-II just have better ANC, are lighter and more neutral in their stock EQ. But they don't have a "proper" equalizer in the app, just a couple of switches and sound modes...
@@vincenzoraggio I owned both the pxc 550 i and the momentum 3. I found the M3's cups too shallow for me - it kept pressing into my ears. It was unfortunate, because i thought it sounded good (better than the pxc 550) and I found it much more stylish - but feeling the plastic inside the cups made it painful to keep on within an hour. The PXC550 was great too, but the sound quality was okay (still better than the Bose qc35 and the 1000xm3). I could keep the pxc 550 on basically all day, though it did make me sweat. With glasses on, the seal breaks which makes the sound isolation worse (and it already wasn't as good as the 1000xm3/4 - which somehow maintain good NC with glasses on). Unfortunately, with the PXC 550, the padding of the cups deteriorated far sooner than I expected (the sponge would show), and the texture/material of the ear cups also scratched easily and aged poorly. After about 1.5years, i didn't want to wear them out in public.
@@moltenbullet please, don't tell me this... Yesterday i have ordered the Pxc 550 ii. Did you use them a lot, or its a big problem also if you use them for a couple of hour, everyday? And about NC, what do you prefer?
Nice review. Thank you. These here in the UK are now selling for £159 from all major retailers (down from the RRP price of £299). However I ended up picking these up for £129 for a limited time only offer from Richer Sounds UK earlier this week. A definite yes for the money....😎
@@heynow3802 Yes, so far so good and very light. Use them via Bluetooth paired to my Android device and also Chromebook and also paired via USB-A to my Laptop and desktop windows PC. Mic quality is very good when I have taken calls via Bluetooth on my phone and when wired via my Laptop the mic quality has been good when using with Microsoft Teams. The sound quality is neutral which I like and noise cancelling is good enough for me, however I don't use mostly as I tend to use these headphones at home only and noise levels are very low anyway. For the price I paid, definitely worth it.
@@iar1980 Thank you for your detailed response, I'm still trying to decide between these and jabra elite 85. Would you say these would be comfortable to wear for 7 hours+ ? I too work from home so noise cancelling doesn't need to be the best, but it's nice to have as i have quite noisy neighbours!
@@heynow3802 For me yes, what helps is how light they are. However some reviews show that the inner earcups are too small for individuals with very large ears, fortunately I have not experienced that and fit me comfortably. If you're worried to make the jump on these, my advice is if there is a store nearby that still have these available to try, try them out for fit and comfort, the other alternative is to buy them and if not happy return them, This was one of the reasons I returned the Sennheiser Momentum 3 wireless headphones, mainly cause of the weight, hence why I went with these instead
@@iar1980 Thanks again, you've been really helpful in making my decision. I have just ordered these for good price. 👍 I have small to average size ears so hopefully they should fit comfortably.
A fairly accurate review. I don't agree with everything you said with regards to functionality but I'll leave that to personal preference. One thing that I will point out is that the Sennheiser's manage to contain the negative artifacts that ANC introduces better than the Sony's. I happen to be sensitive to ANC. I will also say that I live in a very busy metropolitan area where still being able to hear traffic is not necessarily a bad thing.
@E. O. Well, there could be that. But I find ANC artifacts to be a slight background burble that comes through. It's a similar effect to when you're running a denoiser in audio editing software. These days most ANC headphones are actually pretty good at this, but it can still be there very subtly. Arthur is right that the Senns do a really good job of this though.
I'm just deciding between Sony XM4 (XM3 are out of stock) and Sennheiser PXC 550 II..so I ordered both to try...its hard one to decide. Sennheiser pros: more comfortable, better touch controls. Cons: not loud enough, not the best sound. Sony pros: sound is perfect, NC is slightly better, you can adjust sound as much as you want (app). Cons: not as comfortable, price, touch controls not so accurate. I dont care which cable they use for charging or about microphone, because I use them at work because of loud environment. I kinda go for Sony because of sound and bit better NC. otherwise Sennheiser's are also very good!
Another fantastic review. I have the AirPod pros, and even though they might not cancel noise as well as these and definitely not as well as the XM4, they do well enough and they are so portable and convenient. I have an Ananda and a Yamaha stereo receiver for my hi fi fix.
Great review. I completely agree with you. Also I don't like that the pxc 550 ii are a little too low in volume. Out of the countless wireless headphones I tried I think the momentum 3 wireless sounds the best (bringing the bass slider down a few dB in the app). Would love if you compare them to the audeze mobius.
That's weird since I also watched and read reviews where the volume is too low for them. I personally am fine with this on like 50-60% volume on my phone and 40% volume when using it as a USB headset on my laptop. I find them adequately loud at those volumes and any more than that will lead to ear damaging volumes for me.
@@codetrain020 You must not listen to bass driven music. You need the volume at least 90% or more just to begin to sense and feel the bass. I have,any many headphones and these are the lowest in volume of all wireless kinds.
@@h1a8 I do listen to bass driven music and I'm honestly satisfied with how the bass on my PXC 550-II are. I guess I'm just not a basshead but if I ever want to hear the bass I just use my Fiio Q1 Mk-ii's bass boost for it but I seldomly use it though so I guess it really just vary for how loud a person think the headphones are.
The problem around 5khz of the PXC-550 II, can be lissen by using 10-band equalizer (like Viper4Android) ? And boost the bass a bit without making it ugly ? Otherwise, very good review.
Sennheiser wired headphones are probably one of my favorite headphones on the planet if you’re looking for noise canceling headphones that sound as good as you’re going to probably get just by the XM4’s But if you’re going to buy an audio file wired headphones the Sennheiser’s are amazing but with noise cancellation the XM fours are the king not perfect but they are the king
I'm still looking for a pair of wireless A.N.C headphones that have very good detail and track seperation in the music. I listen to a lot of hardrock, heavy metal, grunge, and indie/folk music. i'm not an audiophile by any means but I do just want the best sound I can get. I wanna hear the guitar picks on the strings, the breaths inbetween vocal lines, the volume inconsistencies of the drummer hitting his snare, just detail. As if i'm listening to a live concert. Currently looking at the Sony WH1000-XM4, Sennheiser Momentum 3, Sennheiser PXC 550II, Marshall Monitor II, ANC & Battery life wise i'm leaning towards the Sony. But what do you reckon? Can the sony give me what i'm looking for or do I need to look elsewhere in the corners of Shure or Audio-Technica?
Same here. What was your decision? I got the Sony WH1000-XM3s for my gf as a gift and I find them quite muffled-sounding. Of course the ANC and the rest of its features are top notch and the gf was ecstatic with them, but I need something better in terms of sound quality plus I need wireless plus anc, in order to obscure the annoying music in my gym...
Great review! I bought these for $180 in amazon and I'm waiting for them to arrive since I live overseas. How's the sound if the battery is completely drained tho? Is it the same where it has a bass bloat when you turn off ANC?
@@rishivanththulasiraman6272 I did that and the highs seems a little harsh for me but they still sound good though unlike the MDR-1000XM2 that my brother has.
I have the HD350BT's and im thinking of "downgrading" and getting the PXC550-II's is it worth the change? The biggest thing for me is the USB-C charging vs the old micro usb charging. That's the only thing im comparing the 2 models with, just the charging feature amd the fact the 550's are 3 years old too...
Why downgrading? I have both of them. The PXC-550II is in every category better than the hd350bt. The soundquality is so much better, the noise cancelling too. The hd350bt have Not even ANC. Better comfort etc... Its a Upgrade is every single way, but remember it has Micro USB. *cable is included* And last, the call quality is Just wow on These, imo. Or get the momentum 4, I have them too. They even better
Good review. On XM2, I found even with EQ the mids don't gain clarity. It just sounds like a louder muffle. PXC is also a lot lighter. Finally, I disagree with intuitiveness of features. Sennheiser's takes on how features work makes more sense, e.g., they pause the music in passthrough mode and you don't have to leave your hand on the earcups. This is exactly what you need during, say, meal service on a plane - your movie gets paused and your hands are free!
In all honesty, the 1000X was always too bassy. It was basically the choice they made for this series. Proper bass was applied in the previous 1R series. But people who buy headphones in this field want exaggerated bass. The difference between the XM2 and XM3 you're describing is not something I noticed as much from memory (didn't compare them one on one, but I always test headphones based on music I know very well)).
@@djoetma yes it is a bit bassy indeed, but when I tried out xm3 and 4 it is so overtly bassy it is crazy. Xm2 is bassy but if you eq anything from 200hz down around 3-5db it sound closer to normal (yes their mid is a bit recess too, but manageable)
Ordered mine today from amazon germany for just 125 euros pre tax on sale, from the original 350euro price tag that's an absolute steal and not worth comparing to anything else... I need the clarity to edit videos on macbook and monitor sound.
I just had the micro USB connector fail me on my gen one PXC 550, so seeing them still using such a poor connector on their second gen headset really is a shame.
Hi, thanks for the review. I want to share my thoughts on PCX 550 i not ii: I use it indoor connected to my 2 iPad Pro and it’s very confortable and sounds very good (for me). Regarding noice cancellation, it’s also great. I’m in the same room with my wife watching tv with home cinema and I hear nothing from the movie. I’ve also others headphones from Bose, B&W, Microsoft, Sony, ... and it’s easy to compare. With the Microsoft Headphone 2, they’re my preferred wireless for indoor. Best regards
How to enable or disable transparent hearing mode during calls? Usually I end up taking too loud as I am not hearing my own voice. Is there any setting to adjust the ambient sound ?
Could you give an initial reaction to the Apple Pro Max. Like what do you assume they will compare to. Do you suspect they will be over glorified Beats?
Better but still.. no high end codecs means there won't be that much resolving detail. Ik cause i have OP Bullets Wireless 2 & when tested with some of my friends who have true wireless & neckbands which only have AAC.. there's some extent of resolving detail like many instruments come through & there is nice seperation. Even my friends who tested mine felt the same. You should also consider reviewing Shure Aonic 50. They have all the high end codecs available. AptX, AptX HD & Sonys LDAC. Also Dali IO-6 which also have AptX & AptX HD. But no LDAC. But their drivers are something which is so interesting. 50mm free-edge paper-fiber cone driver with a neodymium magnet.
I really wanf a good noise cancelling wired headphone. It's really annoying how they're all wireless. I want to sit on my bed or use them with my computer without having to keep charging them. Wireless simply is not better than wired for home use, I don't get why everyone is shifting over.
Pedro Tavares personally I think they sound awful. I listen to classical music, piano and orchestral with them, and it just sounds tinny and not immersive at all. Idk.
I have the early version, they are fine for classical I definitely don't find them tinny (unless the eq preset is selected for speech). They may sound thin compared to the Sony. The ear cup shape and size is the biggest problem, otherwise they have good battery life, they're lightweight and the Bluetooth range is usually adequate. They're good for phone calls too. I don't really use them for the noise cancelling function, just for the convenience of wireless listening. I would look for something else that has better sound quality if and when these expire.
E. O. Yeah. I think the reviewers that like it listen to bass heavy or electronic music. Just ordered a pair of open backs, I think they are supposed to be really good for classical stuff.
My Mobius can't really compete with a QC35 in anything but SQ when mobile. Comfort, overall usability, looks, weight etc. easily go to Bose. The Audezes are kind of bulky and clearly not optimized for everyday use out & about. Also the original Sine sounds much better to my ears, although being wired obviously helps them a bunch there.
I need help...I work in loud enviroment so I need headphones with ANC..but also have problem because I use eyewear so which fit the best between Sony, Bose or Sennheiser?
I want to buy this ones but I don't understan your comparissons because I don't own any of those other headphones you mention. I wish the review could focus more on the caracteristics without the compare for us the newbies.
One thing thats got me pulling my hair out is trying to find an answer to the question; if i use aptX (non low latency) headphones, like the XM4's using an aptX-ll RX/TX, would it reduce the latency while connected to my PC to where it'd be barely noticeable? Id love a pair of quality BT headphones for every day use and for PC gaming. Thanks
@@TheHEADPHONEShow I thought i heard you saying " the earcups here are not particularly comfortable for me, i find them to be just a little bit on the small side". This was the reason i asked if it was about the earcups :)
I have the momentum 3 and ther seems to be a glitch with the iPhone 12 . The volume will not for all the way down , but doesn’t do this with my IPad . Thinking of trying the Sony or something else
Bought the pxc 550ii, 5 months later THEY STOPPED CONNECTING TO ALL DEVICES!!!! IM PISSED OFF!!!!!! yes the sound quality is great but 5 months and they are done? wtf!!!!!
I tried the MW65, if that’s what you’re referring to: www.masterdynamic.co.uk/products/mw65-active-noise-cancelling-wireless-headphones. I ended up returning them for several reasons: 1. Upper-bass hump around 200Hz bleeds into the midrange. Feels flabby and with no sub-bass weight to back it up. 2. Detail and presentation were no better than average. 3. Comfort was poor for me. Headband was stiff and didn’t fit the contour of my head, and the ear cups were small. 4. Noise cancelling was ineffective. I thought the MW65 had been vastly overrated and there’s a reason they’re not typically recommended in audiophile circles.
@@pimlicosound yes good thoughts . They came out as 499.00 wow , yes I have them got it for 3 bills . I'm going g to sell mine, all my new headphones are better...
Great video with detailed explanation. After using the PXC 550 II for over a year now (FYI : I did test Bose and Sony XM3 back then before deciding this) if you properly tune the Director's mode EQ in the sennheiser app this carries over the same settings to anywhere you connect. I use with Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (Dolby atmos setup) and HP Pavillion 15-cx0140tx (also with dolby atmos) the sound quality of PXC is outstanding. Whether it's gaming or movies it does live up to the expectation of the sound quality we expect from sennheiser. Also trust me the microphone of PXC 550 II is much better for attending business calls. It has 4 mics and absolutely cancels out most of the background noise where asXM3 muffles your own voice. Overall an allrounder at a cheaper price tag.
I have both headphone,. Sony is a little more comfortable. The bottom of the earcup hurt my ears. I do like both Sony and sennheiser's sound quality. I increase change the bass to rumble on Sennheiser and sound great and balanced to my taste. I just do not like the discomfort on my ear.
Guys, need some help here. How are these compared to 450bt for call quality and overall usage? I am looking for a good headphone for wired and wireless use. Call quality should be nice Good enough battery life And great for every day use with Android and windows laptop Thanks for any suggestions
I'm a newbie who's been learning from your discussions and this is something I don't quite understand: in general, since EQ adjustments can be easily done, is the default frequency response of a headphone really that important? For instance, with the Wavelet app on my android phone, I can pretty much set any connected headphones to the Harman target with just a few clicks.
Has anyone used these in gaming via AptX LL? I'm really considering them at $200 coming from a pair of SHP 9500 with a BT adapter, there just aren't really many wireless low latency options. Sent back a pair of Plantronics due to some popping issues and not reconnecting upon turning on.
Just a comment on the fit part, your entire ear is supossed to go inside the earpads, they have a space inside for that, so your ears can extend properly, putting them on-ear is the wrong way
@@TheHEADPHONEShow Srry man, I dont want to be a boomer, but, I have both Bose 700 and Pxc 550, the Pxc have the more spacious earpads of the two, you are just not putting them the right way, your earlobe goes inside the earpad, like, folded it is quite a rare but nice fit. The only discomfort of the pxc 550 is on the sides of the ears after long sessions (4-5hrs for me) the Bose 700 does have a better quality earpads overall, but size and fit is not it.
@@blackwolf616 I think it's the fact that the bose have more comfy pads that makes it more comfortable to me. It doesn't fit fully around my ear either.
No comparison in sound. I have tested both extensively, and the Sennheiser PXC-550 II's sound WAY better than the Bose QC35 II. The Bose sound is flat, lifeless, vanilla.
@@kellycny65 Too bad that Senn design seems way worse. To me it looks like mid 90's and totally plasticky. Bose does comfort & overall design much better. Here's an owner of HD600 and 800 btw :)
@@ZeBubba I get it if you're talking about the Bose 700. But the QC35 II is dull as hell and all plastic, too. No touch controls, either. No doubt the Bose QC35 are incredibly comfortable, but trust me, man: I've used both, and the Senns aren't far behind the Bose for comfort. Very similar earcup design and depth.
I had tons of weirdness with my Sony XM4s too. It looked incredibly sexy and the ANC was awesome, but I returned them :( When they cram so many cool features in headphones, they eventually go bonkers and do random sh*t I guess.
Just so everyone's aware, there is an app for this headphone with different presets, but if you want to EQ it I recommend using something else because the customization isn't all that flexible with it.
It's always strange to me - why official apps for literally every wireless headphones in the market offer only such basic EQ? Is it really that hard to just add "advanced" option with an 8 (or 16) band equalizer?
@@zergadis0 With modern microcontrollers its EZ PZ, but does require a tiny bit of R&D that probably doesn't add any actual cost in the end, as it's reusable tech. It's basically just marketing B S. Not to mention that with a proper, high performance DSP (I'm talking like 100 band and stuff like higher order filters, phase correction etc) you can cancel so many imperfections that they would be making their high end headphones obsolete. Take any good car DSP and you'll see.
Can you recommend a good passive EQ for the phone? Is that even possible to do?
It's worth noting that the director mode at least allows you to increase the sub-bass.
I just wish one of the settings would dull that 5k spice =\
Excellent review sir !! In comparaison with the momemtum 3, do you think that those one are better than the xm4? (Sound quality, soundstage etc)
Dude why isnt this channel bigger?? The detailed information and clarity of your videos is incredible!
We're just getting started haha.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow can’t wait to see the progress!
@@TheHEADPHONEShow I might have missed it in the video but you did not mention Captune, which is the app to mess around with all the PXC's setting. Like disabling the annoying tolking girl hahaha. I have to say that for having 20K subs you really have good quality videos! Keep it up!
I've tested both and returned the Sonys. The difference in the sound is enormous - the Sennheisers not only sound a lot clearer and richer, but have a fantastic, wide sound stage - feels almost as in open-build headphones. Plus - the Sonys have a bit better ANC, but it comes at a cost of a strong vacuum effect, which happened to be very unpleasant and disturbing for me.
I experienced the same..
Thanks, this helped me decide on wich one to buy
thank god, I sent my dad the wrong link and he bought these ones. Glad too know luck was on my side!
Solid point. That's where this review kinda lacks
Quite nice review but let me add few things as I am using the version 1 of them for last couple of years as daily headphones for both work and pleasure (that is supposed the have the same sound circuits and same driver).
Comfort: it takes time to get them comfortable but good thing is: the band can be easily stretched if it clamps too much.
Features: touchpad - quite responsive and working well.
Turn off/on by rotating the right one: I love it and it is super intuitive.
Battery: AMAZING
Another feature to pause the music when you take them off (without turning them off) - super annoying and randomly working.
Sennheiser used to have nice app with equaliser - new version is without it - super degradation.
Noice cancellation: I used them in London tube for more than a year on daily basis - it was enough of cancellation for my taste - I am not sure if other ones are better.
EQ presets that are switched by button: Director, Off, Club, Movie, Speech - I never was used speech and club - others are super ok and usable accordingly.
Built in microphone for voice calls: AMAZING and not comparable to any headphones I have ever used (of course we are NOT talking about the specialised headphones with extra mic that extends to your mouth almost but rather built in mic).
Sound quality: I bought this pair after long research and I always wanted something flat, natural sound as the type of music I listen is up to it (classic, jazz, vocals, but also podcasts) and these headphones are quite OK for my needs. Any hard rock, hiphop, bass heavy stuff - hmm, not really.
These headphones apart from BT can be driven by audio cable as well - not much of difference for me from the SQ perspective.
But you can also drive them via USB cable - they have DAC on board - this connection takes them to 1 level higher - I could really hear the difference.
Oh, some time back, I wanted to do the upgrade for listening at home and I bought Sundara with iFi ZEN DAC - it is very difficult for me to go back to PXC-550. Like seriously. But, PXC-550 is remote, is BT, is ANC - so I am NOT going to sell them and will still use them when COVID is gone ;-)
that was my 3 cents after probably 2 years of listening to them for about 5-8 hours daily.
I have version II for 1 year and agree with whats being said but I think the build quality and mechanically are fine. I use M/L helmet and have quite standard ears and those headphones are comfortable. I would be happy if the autopause feature worked as advised.
I think they could be a little louder. Most of the time I am using around 70-80% volume setting but sometimes was as much as 90%. I think there are users who would want some decibels more.
Using them with phone is nice and as they support multiple connection the can be used with PC together but most of the time its pain to setup the audio to have microphone for gaming, teams and also high quality audio output. You have many options (usb / BT / wired connection and regarding BT there is communication / listening mode). Thats probably more of the problem how the soundcard / BT protocols / drivers are designed and I hope this will be better in future.
Thanks mate ..i been using the same version 1 pxc 550 ..anyway any idea about the firmware update for it
@@hemb640banger5 forget - they will update it NEVER - they prefer to sell new version ;-)
@@LaggerSVK I agree. Sometimes when im absolutely in my element during a jam session I go to turn it up only to hear “volume max” haha but I never think about it as a big enough issue to regret the purchase. Love them overall
Ive been using PXC 550 first gen for the past few months now. Bought November 2, 2020. I wear them during Zoom calls in these COVID times and the audio cuts out periodically for no reason and I have to flip the earcup to turn them off and back on and wait for the bluetooth to reconnect to start hearing audio again. Quite frustrating... You mentioned calls and I’m wondering if you’ve experienced this as I’ve read other people who have also had this complaint. Also, the max volume could be a tad bit higher. I don’t use the Smart Pause feature as I could never get it to work but all I do is use the touchpad to pause when I lift my hands to take them off. My hands have to be there anyway in order to take them off, and I usually can hear well enough to just be able to pause (with ANC off) to engage in conversation without needing to lift one earcup to initiate Smart Pause. Headphones are great though. I agree that the touchpad is responsive and I use it way more than I thought I ever would. I bought these over competitors because I liked the style. Also why I chose first gen over second as I actually think first gen look more premium.
I bought the Sony WH...XM4 and i found them amazing...
I preset the EQ as u showed in the vid and they sound really good for me. Would be amazing to try out those Flagships u have, as I understand they sound heavenly.
Great Content!
Which video are you referring to that has the EQ preset for the Sony? Could you provide a link please?
@@docraheelc look herewww.headphones.com/blogs/news/sony-wh-1000xm4-review-but-how-does-it-sound
@@felipemontoyaalvarez1340 thanks will check it out. Have the xm4 arriving tomorrow!
@@docraheelc I should have mine in a couple days!
@@docraheelc 11:50
After checking out the latest models from other brands, particularly listening to them at the store, I went with PXC. Hands down best neutral/natural sound. As per micro-USB I got cables which are universal at both ends micro/Type-C, don't see any or problems there. Just wish it had quick charge, and couple more notches for volume when used wirelessly, as via wire+DAC they are loud - but not a deal breaker.
Agreed! I have a friend who has the Sony WH-1000XM4 and, as much as I was blown away by the ANC quality, they really sounded weird to me and I couldn't enjoy listening to music with them. Now that I have a few different headphones, maybe I'd get the Sony ones because I'd only take them out when I require that ANC but the PXC-550 have served me extremely well and they're still the headphones I use the most!
I think you're the first person I've heard say the XM4s have a wider soundstage than the PXC 550 IIs. That's interesting.
He said its faking
You need to use FLAC audio. There's only a difference in quality when streaming 990kbps LDAC though, which the 550s don't have.
Woah, XM4 having better soundstage than PXC -550 II ? This is a first. Worth to review it.
Amazing review btw, I really hope you get more suscribers for your channel which it is overall pretty much amazing.
This channel is underrated. Great review!
My PXC’s are sooo comfortable… I’ve tried almost all the modern headphones and always come back to my sennheisers!
If someone is watching the review now,
PXC 2 can be connected to PC/Laptop with Bluetooth button on the right ear cup switched off.
The headphone keeps charging and you can listen to music using USB A cable.
You still have access to touch controls for music pause play, volume up down, track prev/next.
You can take calls too, and you can mute unmute by swiping left/right
If you want to fast forward the video, you can swipe to the right and hold,
Solid review. The WM4's are currently $500 CAD and these were on for $279 so I'm willing to take some of the compromises for that wild price difference. I did love my WM3's until they broke yesterday so I'm hoping these will fit my needs.
I have PXC 550 II for two years. Its true that the ANC is good and that Sony WH-1000 has the top of the class ANC but it really depends of usage. I can use mine PXC in Subway and listen to music without much environmental sound. If someone has a wife that has "special" voice or a small kid and is working from home its maybe better to isolate yourself completely but for a standard homeoffice or office I found out that the ANC on PXC is really OK and overal sound quality, build quality and control goes more on PXC side. Generally I am happy but need to say that its true that when connected to PC some interesting things happens and its pain to setup audio but I would nt say its PXC problem. I think the current design of soundcards/ BT protocols / applications / Windows is maybe the real problem and hopefully this will get better.
Stumbled across your great reviews in the midst of my headphone hunt... Thanks!
Wow, i dont have a lot to say other than this review was fantastic.
I actually REALLY enjoy how you'd describe and get into things, and I really appreciate the low-key casual presence you gave too - like, to the point i'd leave a comment.
Anyway this review was super helpful! Thank you!
My company, Shadow Systems, Inc., does corporate transcription work. For the price, these headphones work very well. The noise cancelling feature was a must for us! We've had other Sennheiser noise canceling headphones (wired), that we used in our office for many years, and they worked out well for us (they were workhorses), and lasted a long time. Very dependable!
got missled since a long time by a lot of biased reviews... after testing all of them I found the Sennheiser PXC 550-ii to be the best headset. Yes the earcups are unbelievably small. no idea why all headset manufacturers have an obsession to screw up on basic things..
R S idk why you think they're good. They sound so tinny and distant. Any tips?
@@MildSatire Have you tried neutral/flat sound in general? Most people think balanced sound is tinny if they are used to the bass boosted sound found in most consumer headphones.
TalesOfGod # no actually I've been using Apple EarPods (the ones that come with your phone) for years now and wanted an upgrade. I guess I am not used to the flat sound signature, but I'm gonna give it another try. I ordered the HD 6XX which are supposed to be really good for classical music, which is what I listen to. Also, dumb question, but do you know what you're supposed to listen to music on? I read in threads people saying "of course it sounds bad if you listen to it through your phone"... Do I need an amp?
@@MildSatire The PXC 550-II doesn't need an amp since it runs on the internal amp on the headphones itself unless their battery is drained. Then again you wouldn't need an amp for it since it's only 46 ohms on passive mode and has a 110db SPL which means you can basically run it on a phone. For the HD 6XX however you're probably going to benefit with an amp since they're high impedance and needs some juice from a good amp to sound "good" or "right". Do not buy an amp/dac combo unless your DAC is not clean and producing unwanted noises. Just buy a good $100 amp and you're all good to go with that setup. As for the PXC 550-II sounding tinny, you're probably not used to a neutral sound signature; my Fiio Q1 MkII has a bass boost and it does make the PXC 550-II more lively without making the bass bleed into the mids like the Sony XM3 that I've tried.
Ajax01 thanks so much for the tips dude. Have a good day!
Didn't realize how recent this review is... I think I know what I'm getting for christmas
I nearly bought the Sennheiser but I bought the Sony xm4 instead. I wanted the current best ANC. Its not the headphone I usually use for long listening but I am often surprised at how much I enjoy it's fun sound.
Had the first gen of these and here are a few cons not mentioned in the video which are still the same in the second gen
1. The apps equalizer settings do not work with apple music nor does the app intergrate with Apple music, meaning unless all the music you are going to play is either saved on your phone or you have a tidal subscription you won't have much control over EQ's on Apple music which is a bummer considering Sony's and Bose have Apple music support.
2. Repairs, this a big one because should your headsets get damaged or ever need repairs you might as well start saving for a new pair of headphones cause once these are opened the ANC on them changes, it no longer feels as crisp as it was when you bought them, the mics pick up external noise and causes distortion on your music (even a quiet environment), lag becomes more evident over time, shortly after a phone call you have to manually go and press play on your music in order for it to play. I had my repairs done by Sennheiser btw
You are the best headphone reviewers on youtube.
Keep up the great work.
Have you ever thought about reviewing the Beyerdynamic Lagoon ANC? They are not the newest ANC headphones anymore but have been improved massively over time via firmware updates and are much cheaper now than they were initially. After you reviewed the Sennheiser Momentum 3 and now the PXC 550-II, I think it would be really (!) to hear your opinion on these as well (as they definitely are one of the best sounding ANC headphones around still, especially with the sound personalization aka "hearing test") :)
Great review! How do these compare soundwise to the Momentum 3's?
A slightly EQ'd Momentum (-2db in bass and +1 in highs) in the Sennheiser app is one of the best wireless (ANC) headphones around. Their stock EQ is pretty bassy though which is a lot of fun for modern music as well, as the bass doesn't drown out the mids like the Sonys do. The Momentum is the better all in all sounding headphone with more features as well. The PXC 550-II just have better ANC, are lighter and more neutral in their stock EQ. But they don't have a "proper" equalizer in the app, just a couple of switches and sound modes...
I was wondering the exact same thing. I didn’t even know these existed, I think because both came out at around the same time?
Someone bought pxc 550 ii or momentum 3? If yes, do you think that has been a good decision chose one instead of the other?
@@vincenzoraggio I owned both the pxc 550 i and the momentum 3. I found the M3's cups too shallow for me - it kept pressing into my ears. It was unfortunate, because i thought it sounded good (better than the pxc 550) and I found it much more stylish - but feeling the plastic inside the cups made it painful to keep on within an hour. The PXC550 was great too, but the sound quality was okay (still better than the Bose qc35 and the 1000xm3). I could keep the pxc 550 on basically all day, though it did make me sweat. With glasses on, the seal breaks which makes the sound isolation worse (and it already wasn't as good as the 1000xm3/4 - which somehow maintain good NC with glasses on). Unfortunately, with the PXC 550, the padding of the cups deteriorated far sooner than I expected (the sponge would show), and the texture/material of the ear cups also scratched easily and aged poorly. After about 1.5years, i didn't want to wear them out in public.
@@moltenbullet please, don't tell me this... Yesterday i have ordered the Pxc 550 ii. Did you use them a lot, or its a big problem also if you use them for a couple of hour, everyday?
And about NC, what do you prefer?
Nice review. Thank you. These here in the UK are now selling for £159 from all major retailers (down from the RRP price of £299). However I ended up picking these up for £129 for a limited time only offer from Richer Sounds UK earlier this week. A definite yes for the money....😎
How are you liking them?
Are they comfortable for for long sessions?
@@heynow3802 Yes, so far so good and very light. Use them via Bluetooth paired to my Android device and also Chromebook and also paired via USB-A to my Laptop and desktop windows PC. Mic quality is very good when I have taken calls via Bluetooth on my phone and when wired via my Laptop the mic quality has been good when using with Microsoft Teams. The sound quality is neutral which I like and noise cancelling is good enough for me, however I don't use mostly as I tend to use these headphones at home only and noise levels are very low anyway. For the price I paid, definitely worth it.
@@iar1980 Thank you for your detailed response, I'm still trying to decide between these and jabra elite 85. Would you say these would be comfortable to wear for 7 hours+ ?
I too work from home so noise cancelling doesn't need to be the best, but it's nice to have as i have quite noisy neighbours!
@@heynow3802 For me yes, what helps is how light they are. However some reviews show that the inner earcups are too small for individuals with very large ears, fortunately I have not experienced that and fit me comfortably. If you're worried to make the jump on these, my advice is if there is a store nearby that still have these available to try, try them out for fit and comfort, the other alternative is to buy them and if not happy return them, This was one of the reasons I returned the Sennheiser Momentum 3 wireless headphones, mainly cause of the weight, hence why I went with these instead
@@iar1980 Thanks again, you've been really helpful in making my decision. I have just ordered these for good price. 👍 I have small to average size ears so hopefully they should fit comfortably.
A fairly accurate review. I don't agree with everything you said with regards to functionality but I'll leave that to personal preference. One thing that I will point out is that the Sennheiser's manage to contain the negative artifacts that ANC introduces better than the Sony's. I happen to be sensitive to ANC. I will also say that I live in a very busy metropolitan area where still being able to hear traffic is not necessarily a bad thing.
@E. O. Well, there could be that. But I find ANC artifacts to be a slight background burble that comes through. It's a similar effect to when you're running a denoiser in audio editing software. These days most ANC headphones are actually pretty good at this, but it can still be there very subtly. Arthur is right that the Senns do a really good job of this though.
Great review. I really wanted to love the PXC 550-ii but the earcups felt a bit tight and the micro-usb looks really dated
In switzerland the pxc 550 II always goes for 250$. NICE
Thanks for the review. Very well done!
I'm just deciding between Sony XM4 (XM3 are out of stock) and Sennheiser PXC 550 II..so I ordered both to try...its hard one to decide. Sennheiser pros: more comfortable, better touch controls. Cons: not loud enough, not the best sound.
Sony pros: sound is perfect, NC is slightly better, you can adjust sound as much as you want (app).
Cons: not as comfortable, price, touch controls not so accurate.
I dont care which cable they use for charging or about microphone, because I use them at work because of loud environment.
I kinda go for Sony because of sound and bit better NC. otherwise Sennheiser's are also very good!
Will you test the AirPods Max?
Yes
Manfred Song yes I will! Thanks for asking
Another fantastic review. I have the AirPod pros, and even though they might not cancel noise as well as these and definitely not as well as the XM4, they do well enough and they are so portable and convenient.
I have an Ananda and a Yamaha stereo receiver for my hi fi fix.
Great review. I completely agree with you. Also I don't like that the pxc 550 ii are a little too low in volume.
Out of the countless wireless headphones I tried I think the momentum 3 wireless sounds the best (bringing the bass slider down a few dB in the app).
Would love if you compare them to the audeze mobius.
Have you tried the Drop Panda’s?
That's weird since I also watched and read reviews where the volume is too low for them. I personally am fine with this on like 50-60% volume on my phone and 40% volume when using it as a USB headset on my laptop. I find them adequately loud at those volumes and any more than that will lead to ear damaging volumes for me.
@@codetrain020 You must not listen to bass driven music. You need the volume at least 90% or more just to begin to sense and feel the bass. I have,any many headphones and these are the lowest in volume of all wireless kinds.
@@h1a8 I do listen to bass driven music and I'm honestly satisfied with how the bass on my PXC 550-II are. I guess I'm just not a basshead but if I ever want to hear the bass I just use my Fiio Q1 Mk-ii's bass boost for it but I seldomly use it though so I guess it really just vary for how loud a person think the headphones are.
I used to own the pxc550 1s and I regret getting rid of them…. I wonder what the difference between the one and two are?
Thank you for great reviews.
Amazon has the PXC 550-ii for only $187 right now, and the Momentum 3 for $299. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.
The problem around 5khz of the PXC-550 II, can be lissen by using 10-band equalizer (like Viper4Android) ? And boost the bass a bit without making it ugly ?
Otherwise, very good review.
Sennheiser wired headphones are probably one of my favorite headphones on the planet if you’re looking for noise canceling headphones that sound as good as you’re going to probably get just by the XM4’s But if you’re going to buy an audio file wired headphones the Sennheiser’s are amazing but with noise cancellation the XM fours are the king not perfect but they are the king
I'm still looking for a pair of wireless A.N.C headphones that have very good detail and track seperation in the music. I listen to a lot of hardrock, heavy metal, grunge, and indie/folk music. i'm not an audiophile by any means but I do just want the best sound I can get. I wanna hear the guitar picks on the strings, the breaths inbetween vocal lines, the volume inconsistencies of the drummer hitting his snare, just detail. As if i'm listening to a live concert.
Currently looking at the Sony WH1000-XM4, Sennheiser Momentum 3, Sennheiser PXC 550II, Marshall Monitor II, ANC & Battery life wise i'm leaning towards the Sony. But what do you reckon? Can the sony give me what i'm looking for or do I need to look elsewhere in the corners of Shure or Audio-Technica?
Same here. What was your decision?
I got the Sony WH1000-XM3s for my gf as a gift and I find them quite muffled-sounding. Of course the ANC and the rest of its features are top notch and the gf was ecstatic with them, but I need something better in terms of sound quality plus I need wireless plus anc, in order to obscure the annoying music in my gym...
I think they're on sale for $179 on Amazon. So tempting!
200$ as of today (1/18/2021), and I agree! Definitely much more attractive than the 350$ normal price tag it has.
Great review! I bought these for $180 in amazon and I'm waiting for them to arrive since I live overseas. How's the sound if the battery is completely drained tho? Is it the same where it has a bass bloat when you turn off ANC?
I find them to sound better when I use them as a wired headphone after the battery is completely drained out.
@@rishivanththulasiraman6272 I did that and the highs seems a little harsh for me but they still sound good though unlike the MDR-1000XM2 that my brother has.
thanks for your professional review
How different do these sound compared to sennheisers 4.40 bts or should I just save for the xm3s
Also how do they do for gaming like directionality
Senn 4.40 BTs are definitely more bass-heavy.
I have the HD350BT's and im thinking of "downgrading" and getting the PXC550-II's is it worth the change? The biggest thing for me is the USB-C charging vs the old micro usb charging.
That's the only thing im comparing the 2 models with, just the charging feature amd the fact the 550's are 3 years old too...
Why downgrading? I have both of them. The PXC-550II is in every category better than the hd350bt. The soundquality is so much better, the noise cancelling too. The hd350bt have Not even ANC. Better comfort etc... Its a Upgrade is every single way, but remember it has Micro USB. *cable is included* And last, the call quality is Just wow on These, imo.
Or get the momentum 4, I have them too. They even better
Good review. On XM2, I found even with EQ the mids don't gain clarity. It just sounds like a louder muffle. PXC is also a lot lighter. Finally, I disagree with intuitiveness of features. Sennheiser's takes on how features work makes more sense, e.g., they pause the music in passthrough mode and you don't have to leave your hand on the earcups. This is exactly what you need during, say, meal service on a plane - your movie gets paused and your hands are free!
After xm2 Sony tuned the xm line to be super bass heavy, that's the only reason I didn't upgrade my xm2, which I think is decent sounding after eq
In all honesty, the 1000X was always too bassy. It was basically the choice they made for this series. Proper bass was applied in the previous 1R series. But people who buy headphones in this field want exaggerated bass. The difference between the XM2 and XM3 you're describing is not something I noticed as much from memory (didn't compare them one on one, but I always test headphones based on music I know very well)).
@@djoetma yes it is a bit bassy indeed, but when I tried out xm3 and 4 it is so overtly bassy it is crazy. Xm2 is bassy but if you eq anything from 200hz down around 3-5db it sound closer to normal (yes their mid is a bit recess too, but manageable)
You can always eq it guy XM4’s bass is sweet af tho must be listening to some weird music.
@@FalseHoodx glad you are liking it, just not my taste. I own akg 712 and don't find it ear piercing, nuff said
Sony gets ear pressure with ANC. also sound stage better on pxc imo
In your honest opinion pxc 550ii, Sony 1000xm4 or Bose NC 700 sound over everything else!
Ordered mine today from amazon germany for just 125 euros pre tax on sale, from the original 350euro price tag that's an absolute steal and not worth comparing to anything else... I need the clarity to edit videos on macbook and monitor sound.
I just had the micro USB connector fail me on my gen one PXC 550, so seeing them still using such a poor connector on their second gen headset really is a shame.
same here, I guess I'll pass on this one too.
The delay when you shutdown the headphones is a problem for you? WTF
Hi, thanks for the review. I want to share my thoughts on PCX 550 i not ii: I use it indoor connected to my 2 iPad Pro and it’s very confortable and sounds very good (for me). Regarding noice cancellation, it’s also great. I’m in the same room with my wife watching tv with home cinema and I hear nothing from the movie. I’ve also others headphones from Bose, B&W, Microsoft, Sony, ... and it’s easy to compare. With the Microsoft Headphone 2, they’re my preferred wireless for indoor. Best regards
How to enable or disable transparent hearing mode during calls? Usually I end up taking too loud as I am not hearing my own voice. Is there any setting to adjust the ambient sound ?
Could you give an initial reaction to the Apple Pro Max. Like what do you assume they will compare to. Do you suspect they will be over glorified Beats?
How's compared to Drop Thx Panda?
Which one has the better mic though
Better but still.. no high end codecs means there won't be that much resolving detail. Ik cause i have OP Bullets Wireless 2 & when tested with some of my friends who have true wireless & neckbands which only have AAC.. there's some extent of resolving detail like many instruments come through & there is nice seperation. Even my friends who tested mine felt the same.
You should also consider reviewing Shure Aonic 50. They have all the high end codecs available. AptX, AptX HD & Sonys LDAC.
Also Dali IO-6 which also have AptX & AptX HD. But no LDAC. But their drivers are something which is so interesting. 50mm free-edge paper-fiber cone driver with a neodymium magnet.
I really wanf a good noise cancelling wired headphone. It's really annoying how they're all wireless. I want to sit on my bed or use them with my computer without having to keep charging them. Wireless simply is not better than wired for home use, I don't get why everyone is shifting over.
Amazingly, you can use the noise canceling feature while these are connected with the included 1/8" adapter!
Great video. Thank you.
Are we going to just ignore the fact that the Momentum3 exists? It's also Bluetooth with ANC and Sennheiser!
Chrono reviewed the Momentum 3 two weeks ago ua-cam.com/video/4DMN2YBFjTk/v-deo.html
@@rippinfreestyle you're right, I did see that review, but why no mention of them in this review? Send like it would be a natural comparison.
@E. O. The M3 is a similar MSRP to the Sony's
I don't have them here unfortunately
Different Price point. Momentum 3s are nearly double the price.
Kindly also review the newly announced apple airpods max headphones.
Will do when they get here
@@TheHEADPHONEShow If the airpod max can get anywhere near Focal Clear level I probably will never need another pair of headphones. lol
Looking at those 550-II FR am I wrong to think they'll be pretty good for classical music? Cheers for the review.
Pedro Tavares personally I think they sound awful. I listen to classical music, piano and orchestral with them, and it just sounds tinny and not immersive at all. Idk.
@@MildSatire thanks for your input :)
I have the early version, they are fine for classical I definitely don't find them tinny (unless the eq preset is selected for speech). They may sound thin compared to the Sony. The ear cup shape and size is the biggest problem, otherwise they have good battery life, they're lightweight and the Bluetooth range is usually adequate. They're good for phone calls too. I don't really use them for the noise cancelling function, just for the convenience of wireless listening. I would look for something else that has better sound quality if and when these expire.
E. O. Yeah. I think the reviewers that like it listen to bass heavy or electronic music. Just ordered a pair of open backs, I think they are supposed to be really good for classical stuff.
@@billedifier8584 cheers
I think that the delay from turning it on and off is fone because it’s faster or just as fast as a physical button
Been using them for a week now and it’s been very fast like you say
Did you hear hissing with them? I had them initially but returned because of hissing/electronic noise
My Mobius can't really compete with a QC35 in anything but SQ when mobile. Comfort, overall usability, looks, weight etc. easily go to Bose. The Audezes are kind of bulky and clearly not optimized for everyday use out & about. Also the original Sine sounds much better to my ears, although being wired obviously helps them a bunch there.
I need help...I work in loud enviroment so I need headphones with ANC..but also have problem because I use eyewear so which fit the best between Sony, Bose or Sennheiser?
I want to buy this ones but I don't understan your comparissons because I don't own any of those other headphones you mention. I wish the review could focus more on the caracteristics without the compare for us the newbies.
One thing thats got me pulling my hair out is trying to find an answer to the question; if i use aptX (non low latency) headphones, like the XM4's using an aptX-ll RX/TX, would it reduce the latency while connected to my PC to where it'd be barely noticeable? Id love a pair of quality BT headphones for every day use and for PC gaming. Thanks
XM4s don't support AptX. And no AptX won't reduce your latency to be good for gaming that it'd be not noticeable.
Can it be used wired and at thw same time so mic is working and without power and ANC?
Just bought a pair great
So you are saying that pxc's earcups are smaller than sony's? i have both and i find them to be the other way around... strange
No I have a harder time with the pads. Not the cups
@@TheHEADPHONEShow I thought i heard you saying " the earcups here are not particularly comfortable for me, i find them to be just a little bit on the small side". This was the reason i asked if it was about the earcups :)
I have the momentum 3 and ther seems to be a glitch with the iPhone 12 . The volume will not for all the way down , but doesn’t do this with my IPad . Thinking of trying the Sony or something else
Bought the pxc 550ii, 5 months later THEY STOPPED CONNECTING TO ALL DEVICES!!!! IM PISSED OFF!!!!!! yes the sound quality is great but 5 months and they are done? wtf!!!!!
Are the Shures Aonic 50 a step up from the Sennheiser PXC 550 ii ??
Nice to see that you also do those types of phones, have you heard of master and dynamic m65 , if so what did you think about them ?
I tried the MW65, if that’s what you’re referring to: www.masterdynamic.co.uk/products/mw65-active-noise-cancelling-wireless-headphones. I ended up returning them for several reasons:
1. Upper-bass hump around 200Hz bleeds into the midrange. Feels flabby and with no sub-bass weight to back it up.
2. Detail and presentation were no better than average.
3. Comfort was poor for me. Headband was stiff and didn’t fit the contour of my head, and the ear cups were small.
4. Noise cancelling was ineffective.
I thought the MW65 had been vastly overrated and there’s a reason they’re not typically recommended in audiophile circles.
@@pimlicosound yes good thoughts . They came out as 499.00 wow , yes I have them got it for 3 bills . I'm going g to sell mine, all my new headphones are better...
do all the touch controls work fine on these headphones?
Pxc 550ii vs momentum 3, please let me hear what yall think is better, I currently have the xm4s
Great video with detailed explanation.
After using the PXC 550 II for over a year now (FYI : I did test Bose and Sony XM3 back then before deciding this) if you properly tune the Director's mode EQ in the sennheiser app this carries over the same settings to anywhere you connect.
I use with Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (Dolby atmos setup) and HP Pavillion 15-cx0140tx (also with dolby atmos) the sound quality of PXC is outstanding.
Whether it's gaming or movies it does live up to the expectation of the sound quality we expect from sennheiser.
Also trust me the microphone of PXC 550 II is much better for attending business calls. It has 4 mics and absolutely cancels out most of the background noise where asXM3 muffles your own voice. Overall an allrounder at a cheaper price tag.
Does eq made in app work even with 3.5 or USB connection?
@@LovroSabljak Yes, as long as you're not completely out of juice which would run the headphones passively without any sound processing.
@@VeitLehmann I got them since that comment :) I just want to ask, do you use them with any setting in app or just stock?
Which headset is better as sound intensity? Pxc550 ii or momentum 3
The Momentum 3 do sound slightly better in my opinion but were not as comfortable for extended listening.
@@nathenoneptoh They told me both ears had the same volume.
I have both headphone,. Sony is a little more comfortable. The bottom of the earcup hurt my ears. I do like both Sony and sennheiser's sound quality. I increase change the bass to rumble on Sennheiser and sound great and balanced to my taste. I just do not like the discomfort on my ear.
When you are using a cable does it comare to the 650?
Is this pair of headphones a great deal at 200 dollars?
Those features playing up just turned me off + that delay is a deal breaker for me. Awesome review though
Guys, need some help here.
How are these compared to 450bt for call quality and overall usage?
I am looking for a good headphone for wired and wireless use.
Call quality should be nice
Good enough battery life
And great for every day use with Android and windows laptop
Thanks for any suggestions
Can I use these for my smart TV?
I'm a newbie who's been learning from your discussions and this is something I don't quite understand: in general, since EQ adjustments can be easily done, is the default frequency response of a headphone really that important? For instance, with the Wavelet app on my android phone, I can pretty much set any connected headphones to the Harman target with just a few clicks.
it's important because 90% of people don't know how or won't bother to do EQ.
Is it even worth upgrading from the Sennheiser PXC 550 > PXC 550 II?
idts mate, there wasnt any more improvements...
Can’t wait to see a review on apple airpods max
Finally someone saying that the Sony sounds bloated and muffled!
U have to fix the eq settings
I have a PXC 550. Died on me after only two years - won't turn on. SUPER frustrating. Liked it when it worked, wish I could get it fixed.
Buy a new pair on Amazon and swap in the return
What a voice....
Has anyone used these in gaming via AptX LL? I'm really considering them at $200 coming from a pair of SHP 9500 with a BT adapter, there just aren't really many wireless low latency options. Sent back a pair of Plantronics due to some popping issues and not reconnecting upon turning on.
What's a good headphone for listening to audio books, television and spending time on the computer? Especially in that order.
cool review of the 1000XM4
What about b&w px7?
What about the 550s low volume in comparison
Just a comment on the fit part, your entire ear is supossed to go inside the earpads, they have a space inside for that, so your ears can extend properly, putting them on-ear is the wrong way
No that's the problem, it's just too small for my ears.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow Srry man, I dont want to be a boomer, but, I have both Bose 700 and Pxc 550, the Pxc have the more spacious earpads of the two, you are just not putting them the right way, your earlobe goes inside the earpad, like, folded it is quite a rare but nice fit.
The only discomfort of the pxc 550 is on the sides of the ears after long sessions (4-5hrs for me) the Bose 700 does have a better quality earpads overall, but size and fit is not it.
@@blackwolf616 I think it's the fact that the bose have more comfy pads that makes it more comfortable to me. It doesn't fit fully around my ear either.
@@TheHEADPHONEShow yeah definetly those pads are comfy
Comparison to QC35 would be cool too. Cheers!
No comparison in sound. I have tested both extensively, and the Sennheiser PXC-550 II's sound WAY better than the Bose QC35 II. The Bose sound is flat, lifeless, vanilla.
@@kellycny65 Too bad that Senn design seems way worse. To me it looks like mid 90's and totally plasticky. Bose does comfort & overall design much better. Here's an owner of HD600 and 800 btw :)
@@ZeBubba I get it if you're talking about the Bose 700. But the QC35 II is dull as hell and all plastic, too. No touch controls, either. No doubt the Bose QC35 are incredibly comfortable, but trust me, man: I've used both, and the Senns aren't far behind the Bose for comfort. Very similar earcup design and depth.
Please compare the pxc 550 II vs air pod Max thanks 🙏
Yes please!
Plus the Shures Aonic 50 🙏
Thumb Rule: Never update firmware which you cannot downgrade.
I had tons of weirdness with my Sony XM4s too. It looked incredibly sexy and the ANC was awesome, but I returned them :( When they cram so many cool features in headphones, they eventually go bonkers and do random sh*t I guess.