Earphones recommendation - BT, button controls

ronz91

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Hi guys looking for any BT earphones recommendations.

To clear any confusion, I am referring to earphones as sitting in the outer ear, think Airpods, not Airpods Pro, as in-ears hurt my ears.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones#Ear-fitting_headphones

I am also looking for ones that have a physical button set up, preferably with volume control, atleast BT v5 and be stereo.

So over the last few years I have good through quite a few pairs of budget sets but none seem to last very long.

I most use them when doing other stuff or working out, so daily use.

I first started in 2018 with a BT receiver and plugged in the wired earphones I had. They worked well and I still have it today. I am actually using them now after the latest pair of BT earphones gave out. I would use them full time but the battery life now is ~1 hour which isn't enough and they are not stereo. I have also struggled to find a new version or something close.

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BT receiver

I then moved on to the neckband style earphones. After some really cheap chinese ebay specials, I got a decent pair of JBL 205BT. These brought good battery life and stereo audio. The only down side was no case it being less comfortable to use in some situations like on a bed rolling over etc. These lasted me the longest at 2 years before the battery life became unusable, still have these also lying in a drawer lol. Also unlike TWS ones I will get to next, these never had an issue syncing between the left and right for obvious reasons.
Tune205BT_Black_Silver_Main_All-1605x1605px.png
JBL 205BT

Then TWS tech finally got to the budget segment so I replaced the JBLs with some. It did not get off to the best start. I bought a pair of the common Airpods clones after the first 3 pairs were all dead on arrival (supplier replacements), I decided to go abit more premium. I got a pair of Philips TAT2236 TWS. These were decent until the one side volume became much lower after a couple of months, so I got them refunded. About a year ago I found the Ultra-Link TWS and decided to give them a try. I really liked this pair but in terms of the comfort, loudness, connectivity, battery life etc. However the usual problem of the volume on one side dying or the overall max volume dropping noticeably. So I got them replaced twice for new pairs. Now with the 1 year warranty nearing its end, and the max volume having dropped, I finally returned and requested for a refund (pending).
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Philips TAT2236 1691665152702.png Ultra-Link TWS

So now I am looking for something again, to hopefully last me a few years.

Any good recommendations based on what I am looking for are welcome.

I am back to leaning towards neckbands as they lasted me the longest in the past.


This is one that fits my needs and what I am thinking of trying next.
 
@FiestaST I feel like I have seen you recommend Dixon stuff before. Every tried these?
 
Hi guys looking for any BT earphones recommendations.

To clear any confusion, I am referring to earphones as sitting in the outer ear, think Airpods, not Airpods Pro, as in-ears hurt my ears.
Pity, cause Oppo Enco buds are brilliant.
 
very happy with Soundpeats fwiw, I have inner ear ones, but they do have outer ear too e.g.
 
I got the JBL 650BTNC about a year ago. Was great, until the battery started going. Don't even get a full day out of it now.

At least the sound quality is good and it came with a headphone jack, so it won't completely go to waste. But could have saved some money and went wired from the start...
 
I got the JBL 650BTNC about a year ago. Was great, until the battery started going. Don't even get a full day out of it now.

At least the sound quality is good and it came with a headphone jack, so it won't completely go to waste. But could have saved some money and went wired from the start...
Problem with wired is most phones nowadays are Type C :-(
 
Nope, no batteries on any AP’s can be replaced, it’s a closed system if you will.

Once the batteries are finished you dump ‘em.
I got the JBL 650BTNC about a year ago. Was great, until the battery started going. Don't even get a full day out of it now.

At least the sound quality is good and it came with a headphone jack, so it won't completely go to waste. But could have saved some money and went wired from the start...
The amount of ewaste this must be creating
 
I Have these two sets







The Volcano set seems to have better quality audio and better bass.
 
The amount of ewaste this must be creating
Yeah agreed, those wireless earbuds only last a few years, generally the case is the one to not charge any longer :-(
 
You realise the AirPods Pro have different sizes right?

If your ears are hurting from in-ears it’s because the size is wrong.
 
You realise the AirPods Pro have different sizes right?

If your ears are hurting from in-ears it’s because the size is wrong.
I also use them for jogs etc so I dont want the isolating effect, and with smaller tips they just fall out

Either way in-ears don't work for me.
 
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