Noise cancelling headphones for teenager

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nutwood

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I'm chasing advice on a purchase.
Daughter (14) has two trips to Europe happening next year. Thinking this may solve the Christmas present question, I'm considering headphones. I have absolutely no experience in this area as I only fly domestically (earning money to indulge children!) and I read a book.
All suggestions welcome. I'm not overly concerned about price. I don't like paying for a brand name but don't mind paying for quality.
 
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Bose QC35ii are generally seen as the gold standard but close to $400.
Similar priced models from Beats and Sennheiser.
Teenager may prefer Beats over Bose.

As a cheaper, care less if they lose them, Beats also has some non-noise cancelling for about $150.

Also the Chinese brand bluedio that has notice cancelling for under $100. Sound quality is good but noise cancelling not quite up thrrr. T5s and T6 the latest models.
 
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Denali said:
The adult me says Bose but shes 14, you need to google what the kids think are cool these days as you would hate to ruin her life forever with the wrong brand. ;)
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How do you Google what's cool? By the time the question is answered the answer is uncool!
 
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Ha. No idea, Cosmo? I don't have teens in the family to ask but years ago those Dr Dre or Beats were popular with fashionable teens.
 
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From the adult viewpoint, there are probably three leading brands or models now: Bose (mentioned above), Sennheiser and Sony. My partner bought a pair and we test-listened them all in a well-known bright yellow electronics store chain which had suitably horrific levels of background beat playing plus people attempting to talk over it. All three brands performed nicely but the latest Sony's noise cancellation is amazing. Plus they have a cool 'ambient noise' feature which uses the headset's microphone to replay the surrounding sounds to you.
I'd see my teen loving this at home: total cancellation of nagging parents while they play online games and talk to their friends. :eek: Whether your princess would want those on her trip is, of course, up to the coolness factor of the set you end up buying.
 
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tdimdad said:
From the adult viewpoint, there are probably three leading brands or models now: Bose (mentioned above), Sennheiser and Sony.
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The Sony option is interesting. Somehow or other, we've become a Sony phone family. I'm no great fan of my Sony phone as I feel the design is aimed at a different generation to me, but it works, and continues to work, which is all I really ask of a phone. Very good noise cancelling I'm seeing as a big plus.
 
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If it's to (sensibly) double as a Christmas present I'd look at some wireless NC headphones. I've heard good things about Sony wireless sets. Don't own any myself but I do have a wired NC set (about 3 years old now) which I love.
 
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kermatu said:
If it's to (sensibly) double as a Christmas present I'd look at some wireless NC headphones. I've heard good things about Sony wireless sets. Don't own any myself but I do have a wired NC set (about 3 years old now) which I love.
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Thanks for that. Yes, I am looking at wireless. Now I have some suggestions, I can investigate a little further. Sony wasn't on my radar originally.
 
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I’ve previously owned Audio Technica who make a good product but aren’t as expensive as the “big” brands. They are well known amongst the audio industry so not a no name.
 
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I’ve had a couple of cheaper brands in the past (and was happy with them) but was given a pair of the Bose QC35s from my wife for Xmas last year. I absolutely love them!!! Couldn’t recommend them highly enough (if money is no object) and they also have a long battery life and recharge quickly. You’ll need to buy the two-prong adapter for airline use though as that is not included. Most HiFi stores have them for about $15
 
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The new Sony headphones are getting very good reviews and appear to be serious competitor to the Bose. There are often 20% off deals via eBay from reputable stores such as VideoPro. Two of my kids have purchased via these deals - one with QC25 and one for QC35. Have a look at the reviews of the new Sony NC headphones - they have some pros and cons compared with Bose QC35.
 
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NM said:
The new Sony headphones are getting very good reviews and appear to be serious competitor to the Bose. There are often 20% off deals via eBay from reputable stores such as VideoPro. Two of my kids have purchased via these deals - one with QC25 and one for QC35. Have a look at the reviews of the new Sony NC headphones - they have some pros and cons compared with Bose QC35.
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I'm looking very keenly at the Sony. Most of the reviews seem to think they have overtaken Bose. This of course leads to me to wonder what Bose have lurking in the wings!
The Sony appears to definitely have the edge as far as music reproduction goes. Opinions seem to divide on comfort and NC. Given the intended recipient, that's put Sony top of my list at present.
 
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nutwood said:
I'm looking very keenly at the Sony. Most of the reviews seem to think they have overtaken Bose. This of course leads to me to wonder what Bose have lurking in the wings!
The Sony appears to definitely have the edge as far as music reproduction goes. Opinions seem to divide on comfort and NC. Given the intended recipient, that's put Sony top of my list at present.
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May I ask the particular model(s) you are looking at?
 
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Right noise cancelling nothing but Bose.
Females want the SILVER Qc35ii
For audio before noise cancelling then Sony is one of many options.

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I have Over ear QC 15
Also QC 20'S In ear.

The latest QC's are Bluetooth and cord free.
Meaning airline may require Bluetooth adaptor if in economy to get sound of inflight movie!!

Get the Bose and if she hates them it's a win for you to enjoy!!!!!
 
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The Bose used to have superior NC, but Sony, Sennheiser etc the better audio quality.

Now it would seem Sony has the superior NC, and will certainly have better audio quality - I'd be going the new Sony's.
 
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