if you ask me, the correct thing to do is return to wired headphones. they aren't going to hurt you after a few years like every pair of true wireless headphones do. lately I've been rocking the Singolos through a lil Fiio Cable and the bass is life-changing again in a way that I haven't felt since everything went bluetooth. I've heard that the Hexa is like, as good as spending hundreds on earphones used to be, for like $70, although I haven't gotten to try them yet.
but that's not what I'm here to talk about. I got my pair of Space Travels for like, $20. they sound fucking incredible for $20 and I swear I never have to charge them. as someone who's had problems with most bluetooth buds I've owned, this is both the least I've spent on a pair while also being comparable to any of them performance-wise. the noise cancellation isn't great, so if you find yourself relying on that for travel or whatever, then this might not be for you. I don't really notice much once there's music playing! they absolutely punch way above their weight for their price, and are a good backup if you find the cabled life isn't the one for you
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what's more difficult: enduring fake airpods, or shelling out hard-earned cash to buy yourself quality earbuds? for an extremely frugal person (aka brokie) such as myself, the latter can be so daunting. however, carrying a pair of fake airpods which sounded like complete dogshit (hence why i instantly named them: Foop pods) was a lowpoint. it only got worse when the right side stopped working, so I was running on half a sound system for my ears during my 2 month solo stint in Europe earlier this year - yikes indeed.
enough was enough, i knew something had to be done. my eyes were set on noise cancelling headphones since i know the true power they hold. i lost a pair of bose QC45's (RIP) at the airport at end of last year, so the bar for shutting the world out was set pretty high. after some intense googling and a few suspiciously on-point targeted ads, i landed on the new airpods 4 with ANC. the lack of silicon cups - unlike the airpods 2 - improved technology featuring faster bluetooth connection and richer sound were all the green flags I needed. the price though? not exactly music to my ears.
thanks to capitalist western culture, black friday means the price-match fiends come out to play. this holiday season was no exception. armed with Amazon.com pulled up on my phone, i walked into Target feeling like this was a stick-up. my weapon of choice? a 22% discounted listing for the airPods 4. no violence necessary—just a polite conversation with the nice lady at the counter. and to my delight, she applied the discount.
the moment i walked out, i sat on a nearby bench and gave them a spin and boy oh boy... going from fake ass 'noise cancellation' to the real fricking deal? soul-stirring to say the least. music just hits different when the rest of the world shuts the hell up. but even beyond ANC, getting a true transparency mode experience was also mind-blowing. being able to hear your surroundings thanks to the built-in microphones makes me feel like i got superpowers - and definitely helps offset the tinnitus i'm lowkey getting from standing next to speakers at parties.
those Foop pods? may they rest in peace. the airPods 4 with ANC might be expensive, but trust me, they're one of the greatest investments you can make for your mental health. straight up.
Dec 17, 2024
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it has anc (people have to tap me on the shoulder because i will not hear them scream at me).
i like the sound quality a lot too, i'm a big fan of good cochlea shaking bass and these earphones satisfy me, though i am no expert in this area at all.
i mostly use them while running around at work for like 8h straight per day (and possibly more at home too) and only really charge with the case after 3 or 4 days.
also dropped them countless times (even into water) because i am silly yet they have persisted and continue to serve me well.
i think i got them for about €80 or €90 so not the cheapest but i think still quite budget friendly compared to others out there.
Jul 14, 2024
i needed new earbuds to alternate with my old airpods pro 2, so i picked these up, since they were on sale for $70, $30 less than their original price.
the active noise cancellation isn't up to par with that of the airpods pro, but that shouldn't be expected at this price point.
all i need in backup earbuds is good sound quality, and these deliver. i'm actually blown away by how good they sound for the price. not quite as good as the airpods pro, but nearly just as good.
Nov 26, 2024
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the simplicity of exploring around on Google Earth meets the infinity of local radio from every single pocket of the globe. the thrill of the hunt and the joy of just hanging out. it doesn't get better than this folks
Dec 4, 2024
it's only like 11°C outside in Dublin right now but the sensation of sunlight helps to elevate the cruel existence of Computer Work. so, fuck it! balcony season! allowing the Macbook to experience its true natural habitat of Somewhere That Isn't My Desk has made me a bit more appreciative of its possibilities. last summer I took the idea to its logical end point and brought my cheap usb dj controller out on the balcony with me, recording DJ sets for nobody in particular on my headphones as the sun sets. those days approach once more. now if only I could solve the glare problem
2d ago
Jan 7, 2025