Don’t scrimp on sound quality when your iPhone goes wireless.
The new iPhone forces you to use wireless headphones, but don’t let that compromise sound quality
Cables are annoying, especially those attached to your headphones that have a particular knack for ending up in granny knots no matter how carefully you put them away. But perhaps a wireless utopia is within reach after Apple Inc. unveiled its iPhone 7 in September since it forces consumers to cut the cord whether they want to or not. Whether you picked up one of the iPhone 7 models or a competitor’s brand, there are some great options for wireless headphones that work with any modern tech gadget (phones, tablets and even computers).
Apple’s in-ear AirPods ($220) were also introduced in September. The company is using Bluetooth 4.0 technology, so it will work with most other phones, but part of what you’re paying for is the convenience of Apple integration. Apple devices will quickly recognize AirPods when you open their charging case and you are able to seamlessly hop around from device to device since it is synced to your iCloud account. Each earpiece has its own W1 processor, dual microphone and optical sensor to tell whether they are in your ear or not (when you take one out, audio is paused). You can double-tap to call up Siri, too. Strip away all the iOS integration though, and you’re left with just a merely decent pair of headphones that has pretty solid battery life for an in-ear set (about four to five hours, but the charging case gets around 20).
If money is no object, try Bose Corp.’s QuietComfort 35 over-the-ear wireless headphones ($450). Bose is doing its Bose thing once again by putting fantastic sound in such small speakers. Using Bluetooth 4.1, the QuietComfort 35 can also be connected to most devices and it even has a little microphone and remote that will work with certain Apple devices. The headphones are battery-powered for its noise cancellation technology, which works very well, and claims up to 20 hours of battery life (or 40 hours if you choose to use a headphone cable, but that’s clearly passé). There is an app to download, too, that will let you customize the QuietComfort 35’s equalizer or manage your paired devices (you can have two paired at the same time for easy switching). Bose’s QuietComfort 35 is heavier, bulkier and more expensive, but you get what you pay for in sound and you won’t miss your headphone cable.
Apple-owned Beats Electronics LLC also has a new line of wireless headphones that offers a few options in terms of pricing and quality. BeatsX ($180) is another in-ear option powered by Apple’s W1 chip, but it has a cable that goes around your neck to help you not lose them. Powerbeats3 ($250) are powered by the W1 processor, but are better designed for workouts thanks to plastic ear holsters. Finally, Beats Solo3 ($330) are overthe-ear headphones with up to 40 hours of battery life and Siri integration, but they don’t have the same audio quality Bose offers.
There are plenty of decent headphone options out there so cut the cable, free your phone and join the wireless revolution. Just expect to drop a lot of cash to do it properly.