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What is your favorite headphones to use while coding?

Xing Wang on May 28, 2019

We often work in open work environment, so headphones are a necessity. Even if you work remotely from home, headphones still helps a lot.

So what is the favorite ones that you use? Did you do some research?

Ben Sinclair • Jul 5 '19

I have a nice old pair of Sennheiser HD-25s at work, and cheapo Anker bluetooth earbuds for my commute.

I recommend both unreservedly. The Anker jobbies cost about 10% of things like Airpods, but come with a lanyard and magnetic clip. The Sennheisers sound bad unless you have a decent phone or PC to drive them off (my work MacBook Pro does fine)

Ben Web • May 31 '19

I have a pair of Bowers and Wilkins PX which are simply stunning. Wireless, selectable levels of noise cancelling and incredibly accurate sounds. They're expensive but B&W also offer cheaper wired versions.

I've had the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 too. They're lighter than the B&W so more comfortable to wear and the noise cancelling is a stronger but isn't variable. Sound quality isn't as good IMO, Bose have built in EQ that one can't disable and it doesn't always make for the most realistic or detailed sound. The other trouble I had with them was that they amplify wind noise when outside (caused by wind hitting the microphones used for NC). They really suffer from it.

Before that I had the Quiet Comfort 20, an older model which isn't wireless but I preferred to the 35 and doesn't suffer from the wind noise problem.

Hope this helps

Xing Wang • May 31 '19 • Edited

Thanks for all the tips.

I am not too much of an audiophile, decide to go to the cheap route, and ordered a $50 dollar one off amazon, that is overhead, active noise reduction, blue tooth, etc. so far, I am quite pleased in terms how much noise it reduces from the open office set up.

maybe will do the more expensive versions when Series A arrives. :).

Tyler V. (he/him) • May 28 '19

As a full-fledged member of the USB-C evangelical team, my go to headphones are the Google Pixelbuds - Wired edition. I find their fit to be great, and the adjustable earloops help make them a more "One size fits all" solution.

They're also only $30, so even if it turns out that you don't like them, it isn't a huge investment. (Which reminds me, I need to order another pair or two for at home!)

Jer • May 28 '19

Bose QC35 II. Killer noise cancelling so I can block out the world.

Phil Nash • May 28 '19

I also have these and it’s all about the noise cancelling. Perfect in offices and even better on planes.

I was a bit concerned to see this lawsuit against Bose for effectively spying on users though. Will be keeping an eye on the news coming out of that case.

Xing Wang • May 28 '19

wow, expensive though. $300...

buphmin • May 29 '19

I use some cheap xiomi headphones at work unfortunately. They work kinda meh and I have been considering upgrading. At home I have audio technica M40x headphones which are great, but they make my hair look goofy after wearing them for more than a few minutes xD.

Xing Wang • May 29 '19

lol. hair is important.

bluebob • May 29 '19

Bit of a headphone/earphone collector, so tend to chop and change, but my top four are:

Shure SE535 IEM's (wired)
Sony MDR-XB450 wired on ear headphones - bright red, so warn people off - and they were less than $15 from my local supermarket!
a-Jays One+ (wired)
KZ ZS6 (wired) - got them really cheap from a Chinese eMart site and although they look ugly, the sound is actually pretty decent.

Recently got a set of Sony WI-1000X neckbanded noise-cancelling earphones and they're pretty good at shutting all the office background noise, but don't bring them into the office much (great at home though!)