Headphones

Wireless earphones give you a ton of flexibility that is rare to find in other types of headphones. If you take wired headphones, you’ll have the wires dangling down and this could make it a little annoying while headphones can be clunky to wear.

This is why wireless earphones are most ideal for working out because they sit comfortably in your ears without bothering you in any way, and at the same time, you get to listen to your favourite music.

There are many companies out there that make good quality wireless earphones, but one of the best in this niche market is Beats. They have come up with two earphone models specifically geared for working out and for doing other activities, without having to alter your earphones in any way.

Today, we will be talking about two of Beats popular models, namely, Beats X and Powerbeats 3.

Beats X vs Powerbeats3

In this section, we will compare Beats X vs Powerbeats 3 to give you an idea of which of the two is better across different aspects and the reasons for the same.

1. Design

The design is an important aspect of earphones because that’s the first thing you’ll notice and you sure want to wear something that is appealing to you.

Both these earphones are distinct when it comes to design. Powerbeats 3 comes with ear hooks to give you a great fit.

On the other hand, beats X doesn’t come with hooks or wings. Rather, it is a simple pair of earbuds that give a good fit for your ears. It also comes with optional wings that help the earbuds sit firmly in your ears.

Also, the earpieces are magnetized, which means, they can stick to each other, back to back, when not in use. This makes for a comfortable storage when the earpieces are not in use. It reduces the possibility of getting scratched as well.

The earbuds on the right-hand side have a power and Bluetooth button with a tiny LED on it to indicate that the earphones are in use. The left earpieces have a lighting port and the rechargeable batteries sit on that side of the earphones.

When it comes to colour, Powerbeats 3 is black in colour and this means, you can pair them with any costume of your choice.  There is a multi-coloured one that will cost slightly more. Also, they are stylish and look cool in your ears.

But Beats X gives you a little more option when it comes to colours. You can choose from black, white, grey or blue, just depending on your personal preferences.

Another major difference between the two earphones is their form. The Beats X are long and wrap around your neck and they are also lightweight and flexible, so wearing them is never an issue.

In Beats X, the earbuds are connected to each other and to the other working parts of the earphone through that ribbon-shaped cable which Beats calls “Flex Form.” This cable can stretch up to 860mm from one end to the other, and the central section has a memorized bend which bends gently around your neck. This makes the Beats X ideal to wear almost anywhere, whether you’re out for a walk, in the office or just about anywhere else.

Powerbeats 3, on the other hand, have a completely different form factor. They come with a firm hook that will never fall off and this greatly helps if you want to use these earphones during a gym workout.

Powerbeats comes in four different sizes of earbuds. This is fantastic because you can get the perfect fit, regardless of the shape of your ears. Each pair comes with a small carrying case as well for easy storage, so there is no possibility of damage.

The build is quite solid and durable. The cord, though, looks a little fragile and thin, but other than that, everything else looks solid. On the other hand, the cord of Beats X is longer and thicker, so it feels more durable and lasting.

In terms of battery life, Powerbeats 3 is better as it has a 12-hour battery life when compared to the eight hours of Beats X. That said, it is rare that anyone is going to listen to music for more than eight hours a day unless you’re a professional working in a music studio. If that’s the case, then neither of these earphones are for you.

But for more casual listeners, this four-hour difference in battery life may not make such a big difference.  Also, the advantage is Beats X charges quickly, so you have to plug it in for just 30 minutes to get a full charge.

A cool aspect about both these earphones is that they come with a fast charging option, which means, you can get a few hours of play time from just a few minutes of charge.

In Beats X, you get two hours of playback time from just five minutes of charging while in Powerbeats 3, you get one hour of play time from the same five minutes of charging. This is most comfortable when you are pressed for time or have to rush out immediately and forgot to charge your earphones, or in just about any other emergency situation.

There is also a difference between the two earphones in the way they charge. Since Apple engineers designed Beats X from scratch, they have opted for a lighting port to charge these earphones.

The obvious advantage of this mode of charging is that you can use the same cable to charge both your iPhone and earphones. This saves you on cable and helps to save on carrying or managing different cables for different devices.

Powerbeats 3, on the other hand, charges via a micro USB cable which means you’ll have to keep track of another cable and should remember to carry it with you every time you travel anywhere.

Lastly, Powerbeats 3 is water and dust resistant while Beats X is not. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you plan to use it not just in the gym, but also for adventure sports or if you’re likely to get wet in the rain. Beats X will not withstand water exposure.

Going purely by design aesthetics, Powerbeats 3 is slightly better because it has a more retro look and the battery life is excellent. Of course, if you have colour preferences, then Beats X may give you more choices.

Also, if you’re one of those people who tend to forget to charge your earphones, then Beats X may be a better choice as you get two full hours of playtime with just a five-minute charge.

2. Comfort

If you’re going to be sweating away at the gym, Powerbeats 3 is a good choice. They come with ear hooks that clip firmly on to your ears and help the earphones to stay stable, even if you jump to the sky and back! In addition, they are also sweat-proof, so you don’t have to worry about sweat entering your earphones and causing damage.

The best part is you can take calls with these earphones too, so talk away to glory while doing a workout, if that is something you’d like to. In addition, you can also access Siri with the necessary cord controls.

Beats X is not exactly designed for gyms and workout sessions. They are more ideal for travel and casual listening. The cord is thick and sits nicely on your neck, thereby making it more comfortable when compared to Powerbeats 3 that most dangles down.

Also, with Beats X,  the area of the cord that connects with the actual earbuds is thin and doesn’t pull the buds out of your ears. In other words, it is a comfortable feeling to have the earbuds in your ears without a constant feeling of something pulling it down. This also gives you a great fit.

However, these earphones are just earbuds and come with no hook. This partly explains why they are not ideal for a workout session because it cannot sit firmly in your ears when you do exercise. Also, these earphones are not sweat proof, so they are not ideal for an intense workout session. But still, you can use them for walking or low-intensity jogging sessions.

In terms of a seal, the Beats X go a little deep into your ear canal and create a much better seal. So, there is no real chance of it falling off during normal activities.

Powerbeats 3, on the other hand, are smaller and do not give you that tight seal. But then, they have a flexible pair of ear hooks that more than make up for this lack of a tight seal.

Comfort is excellent in both the headphones. The earbuds in Beats X is tipped with soft silicon pieces that are soft and soothing to the ears. It doesn’t hurt even when you have these earpieces on for extended periods of time.

Using both these earphones is fairly easy as well. When you press the on button for a few extra seconds, it turns on and also pairs with your iPhone. Of course, you’ll have to accept the pop-up screen that comes on your phone. Connectivity is excellent and there were no drops in all the time that we tested, which is great.

Overall, when it comes to comfort, Beats X is the hands down winner. Much of this difference is attributed to the cable size and the comfort that comes with it. As said before, the cables of Beats X is thick, lasting and feels comfortable on your neck as against Powerbeats 3 cable, that feels like something is dangling off your ears.

Another aspect is the fit. Though Beats X doesn’t have flaps, it still sits comfortably on your ears during casual activities. The fact that it comes with an extra pair of wings adds to its comfort.

For these two reasons, Beats X is way more comfortable than Powerbeats 3.

3. Sound Quality

If you’re an iPhone user, you’ll love both Beats X and Powerbeats 3 because they are designed to work well with iOS or Apple products. This is sure to be a heartening news for iPhone users because most of the earphones available today are more geared towards Android devices than iOS devices.

If you’re wondering why, it is because Android uses a popular codec called aptX for sound output, and this is not supported by Apple devices.

Since Android is the most widely used operating system in the world, most manufacturers prefer to design their earphones and headphones for Android. This is why you’ll rarely see earphones that are designed for Apple devices.

Besides Airpods, Beats X and Powerbeats 3 are probably your best choices for iPhone.

Powerbeats 3 and Beats X even come with Apple’s WI chip that makes it easy and quick to pair with any iPhone device. Another convenient aspect is that when these earphones are paired with your iPhone, they will automatically pair with all other devices associated with your iCloud account.

This means you can easily switch from your iPhone to Mac without having to constantly pair your earphones.

Another cool aspect is noise isolation. Both the earphones do not come with active noise cancellation, but since the Beats X goes far deeper into your ear canal, it creates a much better passive noise isolation.

In fact, we can say that this is one of the best earphones when it comes to passive noise cancellation and this means, it is ideal for your morning commute to work, especially if you take the public transport.  Powerbeats 3, on the other hand, is relatively small, so they do not provide passive noise cancellation.

Now moving on to the sound quality. we tested many tracks across different genres, and Beats X sounds better in most of the cases. Beats X has a more neutral tone without adding colour and this kind of brings out the natural feel to every track. They are not flat, but at the same time, they are not as fun and lively as Powerbeats 3.

On the other hand, Powerbeats 3 scores high on bass. If you’re a bass head or if you prefer bass-heavy genres, then Powerbeats 3 is a good choice. But, if you’re more concerned about the sound quality, go for Beats X.

Now, we’ve come to the verdict. Which of these two is better in terms of the most important aspect of earphones – the sound quality?

We think both are winners here, so depending on your preference, you can buy the right earphone. If you love bass and tend to hear more bass based genres, then Powerbeats 3 is your obvious choice as Beats X scores poorly in the bass area. Powerbeats 3 gives you that punch that could take your listening experience to new heights.

Beats X is more for a neutral sound where you get a good output for lows, mids and trebles. The sound in Beats X is balanced and can make for a good listening experience. Of course, it lacks the punch of Powerbeats 3.

So, the choice is really up to you. If you love bass, go for Powerbeats 3. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral and balanced sound that will work across different genres, Beats X is your choice.

4. Cost

For many people, the cost is the ultimate deciding factor because everyone wants to get good value for their money. Absolutely right on that!

Beats X retail for a lower price while Powerbeats 3 costs a bit much. You can also get them at much cheaper rates on Amazon, as there is always some deal or the other going on there.

So, is the price difference worth it? In other words, should you spend the extra money for Powerbeats 3? Yes, if you love bass and want punchy earphones. Also, if you plan to use it for a workout, then the price tag is worth it.

If you’re more of a casual listener, Beats X is a good choice.

5. Advantages and Disadvantages

We’ll now take a quick look at the pros and cons of each product to get a quick idea on which one is better and in what situations.

Beats X and Powerbeats3 Advantages

Below are the reasons why you should buy Beats X or Powerbeats3:

These are the advantages of both earphones.

Beats X and Powerbeats3 Disadvantages

Here are some of the shortcomings of Beats X and Powerbeats3:

We hope this quick view helps you to make the right decisions when it comes to buying a pair of good quality earphones.

Closing Line

Now it is time to decide which of the two is a better choice. Is Powerbeats 3 better than Beats X or is it the other way around?

To be honest, we don’t have an answer as to which is better because both are good in their own ways and come with a set of shortcomings as well. So, the choice depends on what would suit you the best.

As we said before, if you love bass and/or plan to use it while running or doing other intense workouts, Powerbeats 3 is your choice.

On the other hand, if you’re more of a casual listener who likes to listen to music while doing everyday activities or if you tend to travel and want a pair of earphones for your morning commute, Beats X is your choice.

Both have an aesthetic design, well-balanced sound, good fit and are reasonably priced. More importantly, they are compatible with the iPhone, something that you don’t find often considering that the market is dominated by Android-powered earphones and headphones.

So, it is up to your expectations that determine the winner between these two earphones.

In our opinion, both are great choices.

Sennheiser is a German company that specializes in producing a wide range of high-end audio products such as headphones and microphones.

[Read more…] about Sennheiser HD558 (HD559) vs HD598 (HD599): Pros & Cons and Verdict

Headphones industry is dominated by a few big names and a handful of smaller names. Out of the big ones in this industry, Bose and Sennheiser are right at the top.

[Read more…] about Sennheiser PXC 550 II vs Bose QC35 II: Pros & Cons and Verdict

Bose is a name that has come to be associated with good quality sound products. Whether it is the sound system or headphones, Bose has carved a niche for itself.

In this post, we will review two headphones from Bose, namely the Bose QuietComfort 25 and QuietComfort 15.

Both these headphones have the signature Bose sound and are some of the best ones available in the market. Audiophiles in general love Bose headphones and these two are the favourites for a lot of people world over.

Now, if you have to buy one of these two products, which one will you buy? This is exactly the question that we aim to answer in this post.

Bose QuietComfort 25 vs 15: Pros & Cons and Verdict

Every headphone comes with its own unique aspects. While some may be good in design, others will score high on comfort.

This is why we will compare these two headphones across different criteria and will rate them in each category, so you can make your choice accordingly.

Design

The design of both the headphones is quite good and pleasing to the eyes. The ear cups of QC 15 is round whereas that of QC 25 is oval. Both have a metallic finish on the outer side of the ear cups. QC 15 is white in colour overall and comes with mustard coloured ear pads. The design is aesthetic and looks good.

QC 25 is equally good too. They come in black and its variations with a metallic finish and this kind of gives it a richer look when compared to QC 15 that scores high on elegance.

Bose has aimed to fix some of the flaws that were pointed out by users in QC 15, in their QC 25 model. One such drawback in QC 15 is that it was hard to identify which ear cup was for which ear.

In QC 25, that flaw is fixed as it comes with clear markings for both the right and left side ear cups. There is an “R” and “L” printed on the inner side for this indication.

When you compare the weight of both the headphones, you’ll be surprised to know that QC 25s weigh heavier. In today’s trend of going light, you would think that the subsequent version of a product would weigh lighter, but that’s not the case here. Though the difference does not impact your comfort or listening in any way, it is still something to make a note of because it is unusual.

One cool aspect about the design on QC 25 is that they are of a solid build, and at the same time, they can also collapse into a comfortable package. This flexibility is truly priceless, especially if you move around a lot and would like to take your headphones with you all the time.

Both the headphones come in a nice-looking case, though QC 15’s case is better than that of QC 25. The case of QC 15 is not really a case, rather it is a Velcro pouch. But it is super convenient to store, as you can keep the headphones in any way and it will be fine.

QC 25s, however, comes in a hard rectangular shaped case. To fit the headphones into this case, you have to fold it in a particular way and that is painful. In comparison, QC 15’s case is much better.

Lastly, let’s look at the chord. The chord of QC 15 feels cheap and flimsy and it almost looks like it will break down any minute. QC 25, on the other hand, has better chords, They are sturdier and thicker and as a result, less prone to damages.

Another aspect when it comes to cables is that QC 15 uses two proprietary cables, which means, if your cables are damaged, you’ll have to buy them from Bose.

There is no option for fitting generic cables. QC 25s are better in this aspect too as they come with a 2.5mm jack on the ear cup end which means, you can fit an adapter at the end for some measure of flexibility.

That said, they are still proprietary and you have no flexibility in this aspect.

Now, time to decide which of the two is better in terms of design. With respect to design, both are good. While one looks more elegant, the other looks more professional and rich. You can pair these headphones with any costume and you’re sure to look good.

With respect to the case, QC 15 is better while QC 25 is better with a cable. So, considering all these aspects as well as the convenience of having markings for ear cups, we can say that QC 25 slightly edges out QC 15, but only by a small margin.

Comfort

Bose is known to spend a considerable amount of time, effort and money in the comfort aspect of headphones, and rightly so because as a user, you only what something that doesn’t hurt you.

And because of the resources that Bose puts into the comfort aspect, both these headphones feel super comfortable.

QC 15s feel soft and comfortable because they are made of good quality pads on the ear cups. They have a great fit too and sits nicely on your head without making you feel uncomfortable.

However, one aspect that is a point of bother is that these headphones cause a weird pressure feeling in your ears and this makes them uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. It is hard to explain this feeling, but it is definitely not something you can wear for more than a few hours.

QC 25s, on the other hand, are super comfortable. The headphones are light and make it easy to carry them around wherever you go. The clamp feel is also just right on the ears. If you have the habit of wearing your headphones around your neck, QC 25s are great for you as they do not press down on the neck area.

The ear pads are made out of the best materials available as they are soft and give a cushioned-feel to the ears. The soft leather combined with a memory foam cushion on the outside makes for a wonderful feeling of comfort.

Also, the ear cups are large, so they fit well into ears of any size and this makes it more usable and versatile, especially if you are used to sharing your headphones with other members in your family. This means, you and your kids can use the same pair of headphones and both of you will feel comfortable wearing it.

There is a significant difference in the materials used for headband too. The headband of QC 15s has a faux leather type of padding. While this is comfortable, the material used in QC 25’s headband is much better and softer than the ones used in QC 15.

The material used in QC 25 is called Alcantara and this is the same material used in some high-end sports cars. It contains about 68% polyester and 32% polyurethane, and this makes it feel comfortable overall.

Coming down to the verdict. Which of the two is better. Though QC 15 is comfortable to wear, it is the QC 25 that shine in this category. They are just extremely comfortable and the feeling is hard to describe.

You’ll have to experience this comfort to understand what it is. Obviously, you can wear a QC 25 for any length of time without feeling any sense of fatigue at all.

The final word? Hands down QC 25 because its padding and fit are way more comfortable than QC 15.

Battery Life

Both the headphones require AAA battery to run. The noise cancelling feature specifically can consume more amounts of battery for you.

Though this use of AAA battery may seem a little outdated considering the many advanced rechargeable batteries that are available today, some users still prefer these batteries because they can use the headphones whenever they want without having to wait for the rechargeable battery to get charged.

We can argue that AAA batteries offer some measure of convenience, but for the most part, they are a real pain because you have to replace them often. Also, you always need to keep a set of batteries, especially if you’re a frequent user of these headphones.

Of course, this will also add to your costs as you’ll have to buy batteries and replace them say once 10 days or two weeks depending on how much you use. Generally speaking, each pair of battery comes for about 35 hours in both the headphones, provided you don’t turn on the noise cancelling feature. if you do, then the number of hours comes down.

In this day and age of the rechargeable battery, it is surprising that Bose preferred AAA batteries for both these models.

That said, there is no winner in this category because we believe rechargeable batteries are the way forward as they are simple, convenient and are better for the environment when compared to AAA batteries that end up in landfills after they are drained.

Bose could have averted this environmental issue with some diligence.

Sound Quality

The sound quality in both QuietComfort 15 and QC 25 are great. In fact, they are one of the best in the industry.

That said, there is a world of difference between how the same piece of music sounds on these headphones. In a way, it is a little surprising because QC 25 is supposed to be the next version of QC 15, so you’ll not be expecting such a substantial difference in sound quality.

But that’s the way Bose has made them and it could also be because Bose wanted each headphone to have its own sound signature!

QC 15 is slightly a toned down version of QC 25. It offers balanced and smooth sounds that make for a pleasant listening experience. There is nothing too jarring and out of place and everything blends well together in a nice way.

There is nothing significant about the lows, highs or the mid-range tones. These tones simply sound the way they should and this is why you hear the right note for every sound.

The bass exists, but again it is not something that is prominent. There are many headphones that ruin the experience of listening by going heavy on the bass. QC 15 does nothing of that sort, it simply relays back great sound, just like how the original sound was made.

If you’re expecting something outlandish or bright, then QC 15 headphones are not the ones for you.

QC 25 has an amazing sound quality as well. Every detail is well-captured and there is a degree of crispness in every note. All the sounds are crystal clear and it truly takes listening to new heights.

One of the complaints about QC 25 is the lack of bass. Once again, like QC 15, bass exists but it is not strong or overpowering. You can hear bass for average listening.

Another aspect about QC 25 is the highs are not as clear as they should be, especially when you listen to it at high volumes. At times, you can notice sharp transitions at highs. But everything in the middle and lower notes are to the point and make for an enjoyable listening.

Overall, QC 15 have a more “fun” aspect to their sound quality, and they also sound better in genres that require bass. So, if you like bass heavy genres, QC 15 is the choice because they really enhance the listening experience.

On the other hand, QC 25’s clarity in the mid-range and lower tones, as well as the lack of white sound, make it ideal for genres such as acoustic, jazz, pop, Indie and other forms of laid-back music, as they have a balanced sound output.

Out of the two, which is better? The verdict is too close to call because both sound great. QC 15 has an edge in bass output, so they are ideal for genres that have heavy bass while QC 25 is more detailed and is therefore ideal for laid-back genres.  The choice totally depends on what kind of music you prefer listening to.

Noise Cancelling

One of the signatures of Bose headphones is their noise cancelling feature. Over the years Bose has perfected it so well that today Bose is the leader in the area of noise cancelling technology. And this expertise reflects in its headphones as well.

QC 15 was one of the first headphones to come with noise cancelling technology. When it was released, QC 15 was the go-to headphone for anyone who wanted to listen to good music in a noisy environment.

But today, it is not one of the best headphones though some die-hard QC 15 fans will not agree to it! This is because newer models have made use of technological advancements to provide a better noise cancelling.

The perfect example of that would be QC 25. It is considered to be one of the best noise cancelling headphones available in the market today.  When you turn on the noise cancelling mode, about 85% of the surrounding noises fade away and you can hardly hear anything except the music that’s playing in your ears.

This aspect makes QC 25 the perfect choice for noisy environments. It is ideal if you travel by public transport every day or if you have to take calls in public places or just about anywhere else that tends to be noisy.

You can even choose to sing along with the music, and the best part – you’ll not be able to hear your own voice, only others can! That’s how awesome the noise cancelling feature is in QC 25.

To top it, the QC 25s have both active and passive noise cancellation, especially at the lower frequencies. Though the same feature is available in QC 15, there is a strange noise that comes out of the headphones when you turn on the active noise cancellation feature. Thankfully, that noise is eliminated in QC 25.

The winner in this category is quite obvious. It is QC 25. They are simply one of the best noise cancelling headphones among all the different models across different manufacturers that we have tested so far.

Cost

Both headphones are on the expensive side when it comes to cost. This higher cost of QuietComfort 15 can be attributed to the fact that the manufacturer does not make these headphones any more.

Which is better? Well, both are expensive considering the features they offer. But if you have to choose, QC 25 is definitely cheaper and more readily available than QC 15.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Every product comes with its own set of pros and cons. Though these aspects don’t make a product wholly good or bad, it is still good to know what they have and what they don’t, so you can decide based on it.

Bose QuietComfort 15 Pros and Cons

Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of QC15 to understand what to expect from this set of headphones.

These are the advantages and disadvantages of the Bose QuietComfort 15 headphones.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Pros and Cons

While the QC15 is strong, it’s essential to know where the QC25 stands and how it differentiates from its predecessor.

These are the strong sides and shortcomings of Bose QuietComfort 15 and 25. We hope this chart provides a broad understanding on what to expect from these headphones.

The Bottom Line

Now it is time to know which of the two is better overall.

For starters, QC 25 is the next version of QC 15, which means, it is created to overcome the defects of QC 15. Though not all the drawbacks were fixed, a substantial number of them were and this is why QC 25 scores high in many aspects. Bose could have done more, but maybe it did reserve the remaining changes for subsequent editions and models.

Added to it, Bose has discontinued the manufacture of QC 15, so QC 25 is the only one out of the two available now. This also makes QC 25 the obvious choice.

When all these aspects are taken into consideration, QC 25 is the better of the two, so go for it by all means.

Bose is a leading maker of headphones that are known for their great sound quality and build. One aspect that truly distinguishes Bose from other headphones of the same category is its noise cancelling feature. Bose is one of the best when it comes to implementing noise cancelling technology in headphones.

[Read more…] about Bose QuietComfort 25 vs 35 II: Pros & Cons and Verdict

If you love mid-fi headphones, then you’re sure to fall in love with Sennheiser’s products. Starting from the 600 series, this company has been coming up with stellar headphones that take listening to new heights.

[Read more…] about Sennheiser HD650 vs HD700: Pros & Cons and Verdict