Upcoming Trip


My wife and I are taking a trip this summer for our 25th anniversary. I am looking to buy some wireless headphones for the trip since we will be on the airplane for 8-10 hours and was wondering if any of you have experience with Sennheiser Momentum 4, PSB (I don’t remember the model but they are $399), or Focal Bathys (are they really worth double the price). I do have Focal home speakers so I am familiar with the house sound if the headphones have it. Although I am primarily buying the headphones for the trip, I am sure I will use them at home when we return.

Thank you for sharing your experiences!

bcool57

I don't know the ones you mention.  But on a plane it is very important to have noise cancelling.  not sure that matches well with audiophile phones.  you might just want to get bose for flying. that's what I use.

I’m not a big Sony fan, but these get high marks for both sound quality and for noise cancelling, which will be important on a plane.  I’d compare those to the Momentum 4 to see which is best for your needs.  Focal headphones have spotty reliability so I’d be cautious there.  Best of luck. 

https://www.amazon.com/Sony-WH-1000XM4-Canceling-Headphones-phone-call/dp/B0863TXGM3?th=1
 

I purchased the Sony headphones the soix mentioned above for the exact scenario.  I lost my Bose noise cancelling earbuds and needed a replacement for a trip to Europe.  The Sony's offer a higher SQ and excellent noise cancelling.  I went with these for the same reason of having a decent set of headphones for home use and the flexibility of noise cancelling for flights.  Good Luck and Happy Anniversary!

+1 on the Sony @soix !  I have the Bose for working around the yard (note, sweat ruins the surrounds).  the Sony are perfect for flying, sound great and great noise cancelling at this price.

I am sure I will use them at home when we return.

Had the same idea, now they sit in a bowl along with some miscellaneous audio stuff that never get used. This is definitely one of those situations where it might make sense to get something basic to see if it’s something you would use again and again. 

+1 on the Sony’s, but I have not compared. My wife had 5 pr that were unwanted by her employees, so I took a pair for traveling. In addition to flying I take them on my multi day tuna trips. The bunks are down below and those engines drone for hours. They work great at noise canceling, are comfortable for long periods of time and the SQ is better than expected. I stream Tidal and Qbuzz so I’ve downloaded music to my phone and I can listen out at sea without a signal. Also the battery life is excellent. Buy a couple different ones on Amazon and keep what you like. Cheers , Mike B.  

I used to travel two weeks out of the month, generally to China, Japan, and Europe. I have traveled for work for over 40 years... all the while with headphones. Bose QuietComfort. The good thing is the sound is great... they do not attempt to make it "audiophile" sound... which does not work in noisy environments, they make it sound great, punchy and satisfying. I put them on with noise cancelation when I walk into the airport... no music. And take them off when I get to the hotel. Huge impact on air travel. Great sounding, incredibly comfortable. Only Bose product I would ever recommend, but I do whole heartedly. 

I have the Bathys and travel with them often.  They do the job but the noise canceling is not on par with Sony or Bose.  The sound quality however beats them all hand's down and the ANC was still good enough to drown out the background noise (just not to the same extent as the Sony or Bose, of which I have owned multiple versions of each brand).

The Technics EAH-A800 is another candidate (currently on sale in the mid $200 range).  I use them frequently as well, mainly out mowing the lawn or doing other semi-dirty tasks (not wanting to subject the Bathys to such treatment).  They also do an admirable job of the ANC but the sound quality is not up to the Bathys standard (few headphones are) and are on a par with the Sony and better than the Bose.

If you considering wireless, at least get Hi-Res ready one with DAC onboard. Something like Edifier STAX Spirit S5 or Edifier WH950NB. 

Buy a couple different ones on Amazon and keep what you like. Cheers , Mike B. 

If you've got the time to test drive more than one pair, I'd Amazon at least 3.

'Bracket' by cost and the suggestions above, since it's the only way you can simulate the experiences  you'd subject them to.... ;)

...just don't 'sweat' the cups....*L*

Happy Trails...👍😎

In the day I primarily used Sennheiser noise-cancelling phones, although had one or two pair of Sonys as well.  Could never get over the 'phile bias to purchase Bose.  My recommendation: get the best pair of NC phones you can afford (foldable is also a bonus), and get a real pair of audiophile phones for home use.  Don't confuse the two, and you'll be better satisfied.

i'm familiar with the sony xm4, senn and focal bathys--the sony have the best anc and the bathys the best sound, although its anc isn't that far off. that said, as @fatdaddy2 suggests, even the best bt isn't going to trump good wired phones for home use--personally i'd get a cheaper anc phone for your flight like the <$100 1more sonoflow (which sound good enough and  have great battery life) + a good wired pair for home use.

@bcool57 

If you really just want to have a virtually silent flight use some 3M "yellow squishes with NC headphones.  I do that to protect my hearing during shooting...called "double muffing". Works great with my wife's Bose NC 'phones when I'm forced to fly somewhere.

Regards,

barts

+1 soix.  I have those headphone and they are great for flights.  
 

I have the momentum 4s too, which have been an upgrade over my AirPods pro