Wireless/wired headphone please

[Burnside]

Hi, I’ve a nephew whose birthday is coming up soon. He has quite an eclectic taste in music, but tends to listen from his laptop to a pretty cheap set of OTE headphones, or via earbuds from his phone.

I’d like to get him better headphones that can be both wireless and wired, and maybe an inline DAC/dongle to improve his listening experience. He also does dj mixes with friends, so big and cumbersome ‘phones probably won’t cut it. I don’t think he’d be interested in a cabled desktop headphone amp as he tends to listen to music sitting in his bedroom or downstairs.

My budget is probably around £150 - is that doable and what would you suggest?

Thx

 

[Mr Ee]

Sennheiser Accentum Plus?
tbh, no idea what they are like, but they get decent reviews and seem to be on sale everywhere being a couple of years old.
And I quite like all my other Sennheisers!

 

[Wiimer]

Or, the Sony WH-1000XM4 might be a safe choice, but I haven't used it myself.

 

[Ronnie D]

what would you suggest?

Personally I would suggest you get him a gift token with the caveat that he should get a pair of headphones.
He will probably have some mates that have some that he fancies, plus we don't know what phone he has. Then if it's the wrong choice it's not your fault
Beaten by @Wiimer again but I think he is on the right track.
Morning @Wiimer !
Edit: Good evening @Wiimer

 

[Wiimer]

Personally I would suggest you get him a gift token with the caveat that he should get a pair of headphones.
He will probably have some mates that have some that he fancies, plus we don't know what phone he has. Then if it's the wrong choice it's not your fault
Beaten by @Wiimer again but I think he is only the right track.
Morning @Wiimer !
Edit: Good evening @Wiimer

Hi pal

I seem to have mixed up the euro and the pound...

 

[Ronnie D]

I seem to have mixed up the euro and the pound...

There's not much difference between the two anymore anyway. £130.39

 

[castalla]

There's not much difference between the two anymore anyway. £130.39

The actual designs of the Pound currency (the coins) are much superior to the euro coins (which are numismatically dull)

 

[Burnside]

I understand where you’re both coming from re the gift card, but I tend not to give such as I see it as a bit of a cop out I.e. I can’t be bothered researching or buying/wrapping them for you, so you go do that. My brother on the other hand always gifts cash but I think that’s just laziness
Anyway, with the hifi gear I have, I’m meant to know about such things, or at least know who/where to ask

 

[Burnside]

Sennheiser Accentum Plus?
tbh, no idea what they are like, but they get decent reviews and seem to be on sale everywhere being a couple of years old.
And I quite like all my other Sennheisers!

Those do look good, and I’ve always had a soft spot for Sennheisers myself…

 

[d6jg]

Hi, I’ve a nephew whose birthday is coming up soon. He has quite an eclectic taste in music, but tends to listen from his laptop to a pretty cheap set of OTE headphones, or via earbuds from his phone.

I’d like to get him better headphones that can be both wireless and wired, and maybe an inline DAC/dongle to improve his listening experience. He also does dj mixes with friends, so big and cumbersome ‘phones probably won’t cut it. I don’t think he’d be interested in a cabled desktop headphone amp as he tends to listen to music sitting in his bedroom or downstairs.

My budget is probably around £150 - is that doable and what would you suggest?

Thx

Bose Quiet Comfort SC - maybe slightly above budget but very comfortable

 

[FuckaZip]

Hi, I would say for this budget, Soundcore Space One Pro.

I've Philips Fidelio L3 and L4, Sennheiser Momenum 4, Soundcore Space One Pro and Q45.

Space One Pro is really good for this price range! I love it.

 

[hoohoohoo]

Bose Quiet Comfort SC - maybe slightly above budget but very comfortable

@Burnside -- I bought these for my business partner. He has them on when driving a tractor or doing carpentry. Music for relaxation, but he can also take a phone call without removing the headphones. Your nephew will love them.

 

[BMeek]

The Koss Porta Pro wireless is cheap relative to your budget, but I've really enjoyed them on long walks. Super comfy and fun if he can appreciate the retro look.

Mine came with a rather too-short USB-C to 3.5mm single-ended audio cable that allows one to listen using a proper DAC & headphone output. I've driven them with my "mobile DAC", a Qudelix 5K I use for its balanced output with more expensive headphones, and the [Koss] headphones can sound noticeably better when bypassing their BT chipset DAC. You could then add that decent dongle/DAC without straining your budget too much.

Porta Pro® Wireless

Porta Pro® Wireless delivers breathtaking high-fidelity, Bluetooth, USB-C charging, on-board microphone with audio controls and up to 20+ hours of battery life.

koss.com