My bose ones were 500 and I felt like a fuckwit but my god they sound so fucking good lol
Get the airpods
Comment on Daily Discussion Thread: Friday, 14 February 2025
Nath@aussie.zone 1 week ago
Headphones! My work headphones for about six years have been a pair of Google Pixel earbuds that have been fine. No complaints, nothing to rave about. I’ve ogled a pair of Sony XM5’s for the longest time, but have never been able to justify buying a pair while I have a perfectly working pair.
The Pixels are starting to wear out. I’ll be getting replacement headphones this year.
Here the thing: If I wait a couple of months, I’ll have enough points for a free pair of Apple Airpods Max. Only, at work the only Apple device I have is the iPad. I have a Macbook at home, but these will be for work. The biggest strength of Airpods is their ability to seamlessly work with all your Apple devices. They’ll do regular Bluetooth, but they aren’t special for that.
The Airpods are stupidly priced at $900. Even getting them for free that pricetag is the biggest thing I have against them. I don’t really want to look like the sort of moron who would waste that much money on a pair of headphones. I thought of getting them, selling them and then buying a pair of Sonys. Only, Ebay seems to have Airpods going at around the price of the XM5’s anyway. So, that pathway looks like a hassle for no real gain.
Options:
- Buy a pair of XM5’s and claim them on tax like a normal person.
- Get the Airpods and cope.
- Get Airpods, sell them and get XM5’s. Put the remainder towards something I actually want.
- Get a free pair of cheaper Beats headphones and look like even more of an idiot who pays too much for headphones.
What to do? I don’t suppose anyone has had any experience with both XM5’s and the Airpods Max, do they?
Gibsonhasafluffybutt@aussie.zone 1 week ago
useless_modern_god@aussie.zone 1 week ago
I wear at least one in ear headphone most of the workday and a lot on weekends. I have used Apple, Sony, and Bose
To date, the Bose quite comfort ultra has been the best, no question. Comfort, volume, sound quality, ambidextrous controls, noise cancelling, etc.
dumblederp@aussie.zone 1 week ago
I got my XM3 cans May 2019 and they’re still going great. Somewhat grotty as I also use them as ear muffs. I’ve probably used them at minimum 4h a day 4 days a week in that time. Still finish the day with about 50% charge left in them. The XM5s don’t fold down which could be a travel concern but I haven’t actually folded my xm3s away very often. I went to Amsterdam for a few months so used the case on the plane. I have a big head so tend to prop them above my ears as required, vs my friends wife who can wear them as a bit of a necklace. I see the XM5s on sale on ozbargain pretty often.
- Claiming things on tax really depends on which tax bracket you’re paying. eg, I’d only be getting 30% back because I don’t earn a lot. If you’re paying 47% tax it’s a bigger discount.
- Ew, not for me.
- I’d probably do this personally, you can still claim the XM5s on tax.
- Ew.
I’d consider Airpods Pro Gen 2 as I hear great reviews of them. The sony cans can get hot in summer, I also have an Aftershokx bone conduction headset which are great in the heat, but don’t “block” any sound as they keep my ear canals open - for cycling.
Duenan@aussie.zone 1 week ago
Sadly don’t have any experience with either.
I used to be fairly big into the audio space, took me awhile but I worked out what sort of sound signature suited me best and went and experiments with a ton of headphones and stuff.
What are you looking for in a pair of earbuds/pieces or headphones?
Nath@aussie.zone 1 week ago
Headphones I can wear all day at work. Noise blocking is fine (it isn’t that noisy in the office). I need to take video calls a couple of times a day, so the mic quality is crucial. I don’t want to be raising my voice to be heard by other parties as that’ll annoy people in my area.
I love my Jabra in-ear headphones for running, but they’re not awesome for calls and they’ll go flat after about 4-5 hours of constant use. In fairness, they’re probably ok for wearing all day with a couple of charges in their case but the mic quality isn’t good enough.
imoldgreeeg@aussie.zone 1 week ago
Honestly I would do #1 or #2. No-one is going to know or care how much the airpods retail for so if you want them go for it. I would probably go for the xm5s just to avoid apple not playing nice with non apple but I haven’t tried them (I have Bose QC at home / whenever I need full on noise cancellation and pixel buds everywhere else). The Sony’s have a good name.
I don’t suppose you can try them both at JB Hi-fi like for over ear ones?
tone212_@aussie.zone 1 week ago
I have the XM4’s and they are fantastic headphones. I would go whatever path leads to you to having the XM5’s. The Airpods Max are so overpriced for what they offer in my opinion. They’re the new Beats - all looks, little substance. And this is coming from someone who owns multiple Apple products.