My Search For The Best HeadPhones

Ok, this is a bit of diversion from the stuff I usually post, but I have been obsessed over the past few years to find the best listening device for my use. Now, I know, we each have our own preferences. But here is how my search has gone and where I ended up.

I have tried multiple types of over-ear as well as in-ear headphones of all types. I have spent literally thousands of dollars on brands like Bose, Apple, Klipsch, JayBird, Sony and more. I have focused on wired and wireless....all of this in pursuit of the best headphone for me.

Here is what I found:

For over the ear, after trying several expensive brands I ended up liking the Bose Quiet Comfort. Now I tried several others, but the Bose fits well over the head and is comforting to the ears, but the sound quality is what stood out to me. That being said, I decided I really do not like over the head - headphones. They are too bulky with the case and when traveling I like minimalist approaches and need to keep my briefcase as small as possible and after the IPad, files, folio, plugs, etc there is just no room for the big over head - headphone for travel. I also prefer something I can wear on the plane or the work out bike, and with the Bose approach I needed a second pair of in air buds for the gym. Too much for my style, but if you like that style and don’t care about the weight or the need for a different in air bud for the gym, these are really nice.

So...that leaves me....for all the reasons above....to isolate my search for in ear buds.

Apple Air Pods (older generation): Now for this search, as an apple user, I began with the older generation of AirPods. The old Apple Air Pods were fine except for the hard plastic shoved in your ear, the inability to adjust the size based on ear shape, and the fact that they fell out constantly during workouts. When you sweat the smooth plastic just wouldn’t hold in the ear, so I would spend all my time in the gym constantly trying to adjust them. Nope

Bose: I then went to a variety of Bose products. I tried the “Quiet Comfort” wired version that connected to my iPhone. Because Bose at the time did not have a recharging case for their ear buds I went wired. And these actually worked extremely well until Apple changed the iPhone and got rid of the input thus requiring use with ice cable adapter. They now make a wireless version like I had but no charging case. So, then I went to the “SoundSport” model, an in ear headphone with a charging case that is wireless. Again, like other Bose products, the sound quality is really good and the charging case is a plus. The only problem is that it is a bulky for in-ear headphone. It’s weighty and when I ran with them the pounding from my feet transferred into my ear - I think because of the tight almost airlock fit of the air buds. So I still have them, but they are sitting in my desk drawer. Nope

JayBird: I then went to JayBirds. These are a really nice in ear wireless head phones with the cable that goes over the ear and around the neck to the other side. These also have an app where you can select your sound style which is a nice feature. I really like the lightweight fit and sound quality - but - they do not have a charging case and require a plug that they provide. Honestly if you are on travel for a week, its nice to have a charging case so that you don’t have to constantly plug in. Nope

Apple Comes Through: So recently Apple released their “AirPods Pro”. These are similar to their previously AirPods with a critical change. These come equipped with soft tips and have two different size options for fit. I have been using these now for a few months, having travelled to South Africa and Mexico and around the country. They solved the problem for me. I can wear them working out, they are seamless with apple products, and the charging case is great. I purchased the leather case cover in the picture from Nomad along with a matching leather case for my IPhone 11 Pro. YES!

So my wasteful search for the perfect headphone ended up with my vote for the latest Apple AirPods Pro. They’re not balky, fit in the ear perfectly, light weight, have a charging case, and it’s seamless with my other technology. If you are an apple user, I really suggest you give these a try.

Note..I am not sponsoring or getting any benefit in any manner for this review. Also, these are personal choices and if you are not an Apple user, it may lead you elsewhere.