Bluetooth headphones put to the test: the masters of all classes!

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Wireless headphones are now a familiar sight on public transport, when traveling and in the city. No wonder: With a great sound and a high level of comfort, on- and over-ear models are particularly popular, even on the sofa at home. Accordingly, the market is crammed with providers and products that often differ greatly in terms of sound quality and functions. So that you don’t lose track of things, COMPUTER BILD shows the masters of their trade in the “Bluetooth headphone test”. Looking for the best wireless in-ear headphones? COMPUTER BILD has also tested these for you.
  • Detailed sound
  • Long battery life (34 hours 35 minutes)
  • Bass slender in the lows
  • Slightly heavy (268 grams)

Audio specialist JBL surprises with the JBL Tour One. A high level of comfort, ease of use and the good sound earned it the top placement. He plays music very clearly and vividly. The bass form a strong base and the highs round off the overall picture with their fine resolution. The battery life is decent at 34 hours and 35 minutes and the noise-canceling effectively dampens ambient noise. The biggest surprise is the price: At the time of the test, the Tour One cost just 180 euros (as of December 2021).

Price tip: Sennheiser HD 250BT

  • Clean sound
  • Long battery life
  • Takes getting used to on the ears
  • No jack socket

The Sennheiser HD 250BT shows that good on-ear headphones don’t have to be expensive. In the test, it delivered unspectacular, but really good sound. It reproduces the music beautifully clear and unadulterated, only the bass lacks a bit of oomph. The battery life is decent and it sits lightly on your head due to its low weight. However, it has no jack connection, so it only works via Bluetooth. For just under 40 euros, the technology is almost unbeatable (as of December 2021).

This is how COMPUTER BILD tests Bluetooth headphones

COMPUTER BILD checks the sound distortions from headphones in the test laboratory with an artificial head from Brüel & Kjær.

COMPUTER BILD does not rely solely on the experienced ears of several testers: In addition to hearing tests, the editorial team carries out numerous measurements in the laboratory in order to objectively and reproducibly test headphones. In the center is an artificial head from Brüel & Kjær, whose rubber ears are equipped with sensitive microphones on the inside. With the help of a measuring device from Audio Precision, it is possible to find out to what extent headphones reproduce all pitches at the correct volume, i.e. have a balanced frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hertz. The artificial head and measuring device record any interference frequencies from the headphones, so-called distortions. Taken together, they are referred to as the distortion factor. Also important: How loud do headphones play on average smartphones? Values ​​over 100 decibels (dB) are considered to be hazardous to health and lead to devaluation.

This is how COMPUTER BILD tests Bluetooth headphones

When measuring the frequency response, the measuring device from Audio Precision plays tones from 20 to 20,000 Hertz to the headphones and measures what the headphones emit.

In the soundproof test chamber, the so-called loudness is measured – i.e. how high the noise level around the headphones is: A highly sensitive microphone is 1 meter away and “listens”. The determined value is given in sons; Volume levels above 1 sone disturb, for example, fellow passengers on the train. All of this data flows into the test table and results in the test grade with the hearing test.

Yamaha YH-L700A: 3D sound and head tracking

  • Decent sound
  • Great 3D technology with different profiles
  • A bit chunky and heavy
  • Fiddly Bluetooth connection

The Yamaha YH-L700A won an innovation award in the COMPUTER BILD test. Reason: the great 3D functions of the headphones for the exact location of instruments in combination with “head tracking”. The sound is more or less anchored in the room and plays from a fixed direction – like noises in real life. You don’t even need special 3D content for this, the YH-L700A can do this conveniently at the push of a button. But even without this feature, the over-ear sounds really good, the design is also chic and elegant – but also a little heavy. The price is also a chunk: around 530 euros are due (as of December 2021).

How does noise canceling (ANC) work?

Apple AirPods Max ANC

The Apple AirPods Max offer first-class noise cancellation for almost absolute silence.

How can headphones with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) reduce the noise from the environment? It’s actually quite simple: The headphones have microphones that pick up the noise around the wearer. The electronics record the sound waves, analyze them and reproduce opposing sound waves through the auricles. The signals generated in this way then meet and cancel each other out. The result: users hear the noise of the environment significantly more quietly. Second advantage: a lower playback volume is sufficient, as the songs do not have to drown out less outside noise – this is easier on the eavesdroppers. The effectiveness of noise canceling varies depending on the provider and headphones. In general, it reduces even and rather low-frequency noises such as (driving) noise on the train better than speech. In order to isolate oneself less in traffic, for example, more and more models allow a targeted weakening of the noise suppression. The function can usually be switched off anyway; alternatively, some manufacturers rely on a transparency mode that allows any noise to pass through for some time.

Apple AirPods Max: Absolute peace and quiet with ANC

  • Very natural sound
  • Outstanding noise canceling

Are you interested in Apple but not in the mood for in-ear headphones? No problem! For some time now, the Apple AirPods Max have been available, which actually combine all the advantages of the competition. The sound of the over-ears is very natural and without artificial effects and gimmicks, the noise-canceling is outstandingly good. Thanks to 3D audio, the sound always comes from the screen in conjunction with an iPhone or iPad, no matter how you turn your head. With 21.5 hours of battery life, the AirPods Max last a long time, and many functions can be conveniently controlled on the headphones. Although the weight is a bit high, the design is, as is typical for Apple, rather minimalistic. The price is less minimalistic: the AirPods Max cost around 440 euros (as of December 2021).

How long does the battery last on bluetooth headphones?

Bluetooth headphones put to the test: Marshall Major IV

The Marshall Major IV’s powerful battery can be charged wirelessly via a wireless charger.

The battery life of Bluetooth headphones can be very different. In addition to the built-in battery, this is also due to the functions. If ANC is on board, the technology often runs out of breath faster. The running time is practically unlimited upwards. The batteries in JBL Bluetooth headphones, for example, are often very durable. The Urbanista Los Angeles has some problems with the sound, but thanks to solar technology in the bracket, it lasts forever. The on-ear Marshall Major 4 is an absolute highlight without solar power.

Marshall Major IV: It can last forever

  • Easy handling
  • Excellent battery life (106: 52h)
  • Treble a bit emphasized
  • Voices a bit thin

If you don’t put so much emphasis on first-class sound, but on an eternally long runtime, you will find what you’re looking for with the Marshall Major 4: With a whopping 106 hours and 52 minutes of runtime in the COMPUTER BILD test, the on-ear headphones are a battery monster. Apart from the enormous playing time, the Major IV by Marshall scored points with its simple operation and high level of comfort. On top of that, it can be charged wirelessly. The price: just under 100 euros (as of December 2021).

Bluetooth headphones in the test: conclusion

Bluetooth headphones are a dime a dozen. That is why it is all the more important to find the right model. The offer is very diverse, as the test by COMPUTER BILD shows: You can find inexpensive on-ear technology for just under 40 euros in the form of the Sennheiser HD 250BT or the slightly more expensive, technically strong JBL Tour One. It can also be more unusual, as the Apple AirPods Max with pure noise suppression and the Yamaha YH-L700A with 3D sound and head tracking impressively confirm.

Bluetooth headphones leaderboard

How do you connect bluetooth headphones?

Have you found the right Bluetooth headphones? Perfect! But how do you connect? When a newly purchased Bluetooth device is switched on for the first time, it usually goes to the so-called Pairing mode. Then switch to the on the smartphone ideas and look for that there Bluetooth menu on. It generally already offers the headphones for selection. Tap it once to open the connection to manufacture. The next time the headphones usually connect to the cell phone automatically. If you want to connect the headphones to another device later, it is usually sufficient to hold down the power button for several seconds to switch back to pairing mode. You can also quickly connect your laptop or TV to your Bluetooth technology. Connections within an operating system, such as Apple AirPods on iOS devices, are particularly convenient.

Which is better: wired or bluetooth headphones?

Basically, headphones can be divided into models with and without cables. Both have their advantages and disadvantages: Headphones without wires work in most cases with Bluetooth radio. So there is no disturbing cable between headphones and smartphone that cannot break over time. However, the music fan always has to charge the headphone battery and this also wears out over time. Then there is the difference in sound, because only about Headphones with cord there is high resolution sound. In addition, the battery does not usually play a role here, because electricity is provided directly via the connected cable.

How far do bluetooth headphones go?

Depending on the Bluetooth class, there can be up to 100 meters between the transmitter and receiver. With Bluetooth headphones, however, this value is much lower. As a rule, manufacturers bid around for their technology 10 meter Bluetooth range. However, this value is influenced by various factors. Is there between the transmitter (e.g. smartphone or laptop) and receiver (in this case Bluetooth headphones) a free area, then more than 10 meters are also possible. There are in between, however massive walls, then the connection usually breaks faster.

Bluetooth headphones: on- or over-ear?

Whether on- or over-ear headphones is a matter of taste: at On-ear variants the pads rest on the ears. This can be uncomfortable in the long run, but on the other hand these models are comparatively compact and easy to transport. Over-ear variants usually completely enclose the ear with thick cushions. This is usually more comfortable to wear and seals off well against ambient noise. In addition to this passive shielding, more and more headphones are actively reducing ambient noise with electronic ANC. However, these models are often more expensive and not everyone likes the feeling of being isolated from the outside world.

What do bluetooth headphones cost?

There are bluetooth headphones in all conceivable price categories. There are already models well under 20 euros – but these mostly sound like metal screws in the washing machine are being spun through. However, there are also models such as the Sennheiser HD 250BT over-ear headphones, which offer great sound for around 50 euros. There is practically no upper limit: the high-end Stax SR-009S headphones, for example, cost around 5,200 euros.

Can you make calls with wireless headphones?

With most Bluetooth headphones, telephony is now possible together with a smartphone. Therefor are in the headphones Microphonesthat record spoken words and then forward them via cell phone or laptop. Many manufacturers bid for Phone calls even additional functions during operation to accept or end calls conveniently.



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