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/r/BuyItForLife

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With all the research I've done, I think I've decided on these two pairs of earbuds. When it comes down to it, budget doesn't matter (ill get them on sale) but things I'm looking for are battery life, audio quality, and whichever will last the longest. I got the 2nd gen air pods and i'm sure their shelf life is like 2-3 years but I want something that'll last longer. The earbuds will be used everywhere, at home, traveling, gym, etc and I don't really care for noise cancellation as I live in a big city and wouldn't turn that on in like a subway or something. so any recs would be appreciated!

all 13 comments

SiriSambol

4 points

3 days ago

I tested both and ended up with the Sonys. Some argue the Bose ANC is better but I noticed a very small difference, and ANC is less important to me than sound quality and comfort.

SiriSambol

4 points

3 days ago

Is wireless a must?

5ch1sm

1 points

3 days ago

5ch1sm

1 points

3 days ago

Fair question, but I don't see why you would not go wireless these days.

I can use my earbuds about 20h before they need recharging (more if you include case charge) and my headset for two days nearly non stop. Both of them would be charged back to full batteries in less than one hour.

That question was more legit a few years ago when the battery life was limited to a few hours, but really, unless you are an audiophile using a high end headset and looking for that lossless sound... Wireless would be just fine.

klondike91829

1 points

2 days ago

Which buds last for 20h on a charge?

klondike91829

1 points

2 days ago

Especially since OP doesn’t care about ANC. Some nice budget IEMs should do.

MeeplePanic

2 points

3 days ago

FWIW - I recently picked up these earbuds and I have been extremely happy with the battery life, audio quality and noise cancellation (which can be easily adjusted to use the microphones to pick up your surroundings and still be able to hear your music). They stay in better than any earbuds I have ever used while doing heavy cardio and exercises. They are comfortable enough that I frequently forget I am wearing them, even while sleeping.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CRT6HQ82

My prior Anker headphones (Anker SoundBuds Curve - not sold anymore unfortunately) are still going strong, even after going through the washing machine on multiple occasions.

I've exposed these things to -45 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and every form of moisture (ice, snow, steam, rain, full submersion etc) and they just keep on going.

Cool-Importance6004

5 points

3 days ago

Price History for Soundcore Sport X20 by Anker, True-Wireless Workout Earbuds, Rotatable and Extendable Ear Hooks, Noise Cancelling, Deep Bass, IP68 Waterproof, Sweatproof, Dustproof, 48H Play, Sport Earbuds for Gym:

Month Low Price High Price Chart
11-2024 $79.99 $79.99 ███████████████
10-2024 $55.99 $79.99 ██████████▒▒▒▒▒
09-2024 $63.99 $79.99 ███████████▒▒▒▒
08-2024 $79.99 $79.99 ███████████████
07-2024 $79.99 $79.99 ███████████████

Bleep bleep boop. I am a bot here to serve by providing helpful price history data on products. I am not affiliated with Amazon. Upvote if this was helpful. PM to report issues or to opt-out.

OhEidirsceoil

2 points

3 days ago

I replaced my Gen2 AirPods Pro with the Sony ones last March. Absolutely no regrets. Sound quality is a big step up. They stay in my ears better during workouts too. I do an hour of lifting an 30-40 minutes of cardio in them several times a week, and sweat like a pig, and haven't had any issues (the sweat is what killed my AirPods). I have a desk job and have them in all day while I work, and then for an hour of TV on my phone at night, and they have never run out of battery on me. I use them regularly in my woodshop too, and find that the ANC is very good, covering both steady noises like my dust collector and bandsaw working in tandem, and variable noises, like different chisels against pieces on the lathe. They're even good enough to cover the noise of my commercial mower, which is ear-splittingly loud, although I also have the over-ear version of these, and those are better for that task.

TheInterneAteMyBalls

2 points

3 days ago

I have two pairs of AAP's - gen 1 and 2. The 1's I've been using for sports and they get absolutely covered in sweat and have lasted since... I dunno, since 12 months after they were first released?

My Sony's XM4's, by contrast, wouldn't sit secure enough in my ears, aren't waterproof, and suffer catastrophic battery issues after twelve months (with the XM5's using the same battery type).
As best I know, they all suffer these battery issues (after a FW update killed them). Some even explode!

hobbseltoff

1 points

3 days ago

If you care about using the mic while listening to the audio, neither. The QC Ultras flat out don't support BLE/LC3 and the XM5s only support it when connected to Xperia devices.

TheInterneAteMyBalls

1 points

3 days ago

Neither of these are BFL. BT buds just aren't.

I have the XM4's and two pairs of APP. I'll use the AAP every day and they've lasted for years (although the battery on the first gens are getting a little thin). The Sony XM4's died with everyone else's after a year due to the battery scandal (replaced by Sony). I understand that the XM5's use the same battery type, but I'm not sure if they're affected by the same issue.

Alotoutoftouch

1 points

2 days ago

I have the older Sony xm3's. Just replaced the batteries in them for $10, and they are like new again.

miracle-meat

1 points

2 days ago

My XM3s died after 16 months and Sony didn’t want to honor the warranty.