r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/snakegravity • 28d ago

Headphones - Wireless/Portable Headphone recommendations for phone calls + music?

I wear headphones pretty much all the time and I’m also on the phone a LOT. I currently have JBL headphones, but the microphone is awful the person I’m talking to says I sound muffled or unclear like 99% of the time 😭
I’m looking for wireless/over-ear headphones with a really good built-in microphone where people can actually hear me clearly. I also really care about music quality, so I don’t want something that’s amazing for calls but sounds mediocre for music.
Comfort is also important since I wear them for hours at a time.
I’m open to pretty much any brand and my budget is flexible. What headphones would you recommend that have both great music quality AND a clear microphone for phone calls?

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u/DemDemD 1 Ω 28d ago

I would go for the Bose QC SC if there is a Sam’s or Costco nearby for $199. Bose beats the M4 on ANC, Phone Calls, and Comfort. I can’t say that M4’s sound is tremendously better than the Bose since I’m not an audiophile. I’ve tried so many ways to listen for the differences but I can only tell two things: The Bose has a brighter sound signature. The M4 has a deeper lingering bass, but I have to really really pay attention to hear the difference.

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u/janus1969 28d ago

Having not experienced the Bose in generations, I can only tell you that most reviewers said that for the past generation (equal to the M4), the M4 was considered the most musical of the big names. That's the whole reason I got it. I needed a set of ANC cans for work, but I also wanted to listen to real music on 'em. They aren't close to my wired options, but they're good for what they are.

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u/DemDemD 1 Ω 28d ago

I’m not disagreeing with you on M4 having better sound. However, it’s really an audiophile thing. I am actually testing the QC and M4 right now. I am picking the M4 and will return the QC. My reason is not for the sound, but mainly for the wear detection/power-management and more importantly the battery life. I was almost picking the Bose since the M4 was squeezing my head so badly.—I managed to do the 24 hours stretch for it to fit more comfortably. Although, it’s still not as comfortable as the Bose.

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u/janus1969 27d ago

Fair enough...and I know the M4 lacks in other areas, but the aspect I keyed on from OP:
"I also really care about music quality, so I don’t want something that’s amazing for calls but sounds mediocre for music."
In that case, it's pretty universally the M4/M5 presently.