BOSE QUIET COMFORT 35
PRICE US$350
BATTERY LIFE 20 hours
INFO The follow up to Bose’s highly successful Quiet Comfort (QC) 25 headphones has a lot to live up to – and it delivers in spades. Not only does the QC 35 retain the excellent audio performance of its predecessor but it also offers a number of convenient upgrades. First of all, the headphones are entirely wireless for ease of use and time-saving features. Bose has also decided to move away from the AAA battery configuration, and instead install an integrated rechargeable battery – allowing travellers to recharge their headphones on the go.
CREATIVE AURVANA ANC
PRICE US$130
BATTERY LIFE 40 hours
INFO At only US$130, the new Aurvana Anc headphones represent incredible value. In comparison, the cheapest over-ear headphones by Bose cost US$171 but lack the noise-cancelling capabilities offered by the Creative device. Battery life is also an impressive 40 hours, while the plush leatherette ear cushions make them extremely comfortable to wear. An inbuilt microphone and remote is is also provided to help users play, pause and skip tracks as well as answer or end calls. Click here for a full Tried & Tested review.
BEATS PRO
PRICE From US$400
BATTERY LIFE N/A
INFO The Beats Pro justifies its high price with an outstanding professional-studio sound quality. While it technically doesn’t have noise-cancelling technology seen in rival products, the heavily padded, pivoting ear cups are able to produce a similar effect. Structurally impressive, the headphones are made with a lightweight-yet-durable aluminium gunmetal frame. For an added touch of luxury, the headphones are available in eight colours – seven of which feature the use of Fendi Selleria leather – but they also feature the luxurious price tag of US$1,200.
SONY H.EAR ON WIRELESS NC
PRICE US$350
BATTERY LIFE 20 hours
INFO Sony’s latest offering, the H.ear On Wireless NC offers all the features that make an outstanding pair of travel headphones. The “Automatic AI Noise Cancelling” function is particularly impressive, as it analyses the ambient sound from different environment settings and automatically selects the appropriate noise-cancellation mode. Bluetooth and One-touch NFC functionality enables users to pair the headphones to their mobile devices wirelessly, while the titanium-coated diaphragm domes help to minimise distortion at loud volumes.
SENNHEISER PXC 550 WIRELESS
PRICE US$400
BATTERY LIFE 30 hours
INFO Like Sony’s H.ear On Wireless NC, the PXC550 Wireless by Sennheiser offers adaptive noise cancelling technology. The device is also fully compatible with CapTune – Sennheiser’s music player app, which also includes powerful sound tuning capabilities, giving users the freedom to adjust the feel of their music. Rounding things off is the touch sensitive trackpads that have been integrated into the earcups. A simple swipe of a finger can allow you to control the volume, skip a track or answer a call.
Clement Huang
