F-Droid @lemmy.ml gomp @lemmy.ml 1 yr. ago

ANC headphones/earbuds that require no proprietary apps?

This may be OT since strictly speaking it's about hardware... I trust it is ok to post it given the spirit of the community, but have my apologies and feel free to remove it if it's not.

I'm looking to replace my old Bose QC25, since they have recently died (after a long a fulfilling life), but it seems everything nowadays is bluetooth (which I don't mind) and require some proprietary app to turn ANC on/off (which I do mind... are physical buttons/switches become too expensive to include in your overpriced earbuds?).

Anyway... do you know of any headphones/earbuds that meet the following?

can be powered via wire or have batteries that last 12+hrs (long-haul flights)
have decent noise cancelling
don't require me to install a apps or can be used with some open source app (possibly with full functionality and straightforward to setup)
are not overly expensive (I have to buy 2 pairs and I'll only use them a few times a year when I fly)

41 comments

Holy crap! Thanks for making this thread, I learned that GadgetBridge works with my Sony WH-1000XM3 headphones. Confirmed that all the same settings from the Sony app are in there, and I can turn ANC on and off. I'd argue that you should probably install the official app sometimes (maybe once a year) to check for firmware updates, and then just uninstall it after updating. But this GadgetBridge app seems perfect to me.
- I recommend you also check out the Sony LinkBuds S. Cheaper than the 1000XM3 and usually a better fit for people as they are smaller and lighter while still offering ANC.
  
  Hard disagree. ANC of earbuds just isn't in the same league as a nice set of big over-ear cans. And earbuds that go inside your ear canal may or may not fit well depending on how your ear canal is shaped. Also, my big headphones are VERY repairable, unlike little earbuds. I bought these things used and have replaced a faulty power board and the battery in them that eventually went bad, all with a screwdriver. No soldering required.
  
  I'm sure the LinkBuds are nice, but I want to push back hard on the idea that earbuds are inherently better. There are pros and cons.
- The list of supported devices is there (and too short, none of my wireless devices work).
  
  Big sad, it looks like they're focused mostly on Amazfit devices. But they do allow requests: https://codeberg.org/Freeyourgadget/Gadgetbridge/wiki/Support-for-a-new-Device
  
  If you request a device and tell them you're willing to be a guinea pig, MAYBE they'll add yours. Your chances are better if it's a device that's already popular and they've received multiple requests.
Some headphones/earbuds are enabled in gadgetbridge.
- Yeah, gadgetbtidge was my first thought as well. I've never used it, but in theory it would allow you to control devices without the proprietary app. See the link below for supported devices:
  
  https://gadgetbridge.org/
- Oh shit, they support Galaxy Buds Live. I love those little things, I might try this out.
  
  Edit: to be clear, ANC on these buds is terrible. So they're definitely not an answer to OP's question, but they're the most comfortable earbuds I've ever used.
  
  Edit 2: and they support my Sony headphones! Holy shit! OP, there's your answer, assuming they support the ANC button. My XM3 cans have noise cancelling just as good as Bose (I've tested).
  
  I have XM4. Supports everything except DSEE as far as I can see. Oh. Not the stuff that links to Sony either like 360.
Why not just go with some classic wired closed backs (ex: audio-technica ath-m50x)? They tend to keep a lot of noise out. If ANC is a must, i cant really suggest anything as i find most implementations annoying, but im sure there are wired headphones with ANC.
Seems like going wireless would limit your options A LOT with that 12h requirement
- You can also increase the passive noise cancelling by replacing the earpads for felt / velour or fabric lined ones, though bear in mind it will also affect the "feel" of the sound as it reacts differently to the stock PU leather.
- Maybe OP works in noisy environments, or his device is a recent phone which doesn't have a jack input and using a adapter is not very convenient?
  
  Anyway, passive noise cancellation (typically, a closed back or in-ears) is more efficient in the higher frequencies: physically blocking short wavelengths is a lot easier, as any obstacle will act as a dampener. On the other hand, ANC is a lot more efficient on lower frequencies (on the opposite, it's easier to be precise on lower frequencies, longer wavelengths). On ANC devices, both are used in tandem. And I don't know if you've tried any good, recent ANC headphones these last few years, but they've become surprisingly good! Nothing to be compared with passive noise blocking.
  
  but im sure there are wired headphones with ANC
  
  I'm sure there are (although I don't know any), but ANC requires digital processing, which is performed by the headphones itself on the signal. If you're plugged in with a jack, that means you'll be needing a digital-to-analog-to-digital conversion, which is objectively a loss in quality, which would have to be handled by the headphones... Besides, ANC headphones usually have several modes which can be selected from the app. Anyway, all that to say that now that we have quite to very good Bluetooth audio codecs, there's no real upside to having a wired connection for ANC headphones, which is why most makers have moved to that.
I personally use two pairs that satisfy most of your criteria:

Jabra Elite 85t. You switch between ANC/passthrough by double-clicking the right bud; it doesn't need the app to do that. However, if your 12 h requirement is about consecutive hours, they won't work (buds last about 5 h, plus 20 h from the case). They're pretty compact and the case is magnetic, which I really like (coming from 65t model).

Sony WH1000XM5. Insanely good ANC and nice battery life. There's a physical button on the left cup to toggle between modes, which I believe are set to ANC/passthrough by default. The app lets you add a third mode (off), so you don't need it at all.

I had a similar approach about headphones as you had - I only planned to use them for work, specifically Teams meetings in a loud office. But XM5s have such great ANC and sound quality that I now commute and travel with them.

For gaming, I'm using HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. They have an unbelievable 300 hours battery life and decent passive noise canceling, though no ANC. They're using a proprietary wireless connection, making them fit for gaming without noticeable lags (Bluetooth sucks in this regard, I can't play with 300 ms audio delay). Not sure if you can connect them to a phone.
Pine64 sells ANC earbuds that (for the factory firmware) doesn't have a companion app at all.
I've never had wireless earbuds ask me to install an app.
- Do yours have active noise canceling? If so, please let us know which you have as that may help answer OPs question
  
  Actually, I currently have the pine64 pinepub pros. I would recommend them but they take a long time to arrive and aren't polished for the everyday consumer.
  
  I personally would just go to the store and buy the off brand earbuds. They may not have good anc but you can always return them.
  
  I also would look at the recommendations in other comments.
I wasn't aware that any required an app. Weird!

I have a pair of Sony XM2s. While Sony does have an app, it's not necessary for ANC. You only need the app to do ear shape analysis and atmospheric pressure adjustment -- neither of which seems particularly important to me after using it for a few years.

From a quick review check, it looks like the latest one (XM5) is similar. From https://www.soundguys.com/sony-wh-1000xm5-review-71783/ :

Pressing the NC/AMB button will toggle the ANC mode. You can select either ANC, ANC off, or Ambient sound modes
- You only need the app to do ear shape analysis
  
  Does this require the app for operation or can you temporarily install the app for config and then use the feature without the app?
  
  I think you need the app but I'm not totally sure. I just checked and it wants me to go through the whole process of taking photos of my ears and uploading them and...nah. Just nah.
  
  The atmospheric pressure detection routine seems to revert, so I don't think it's stored in the headphones itself. Hard to test without going on a flight though.
- The wm3 does not need software for the analysis.
Soundcore by Anker Life Q20+ headphones have been good to my family. Seventy bucks, has a detachable aux cord (wired only does normal though, no ANC), stellar battery life even with ANC, microphone, has normal and pass-through modes in addition to ANC, and a nice protective bag. I used them for months as regular headphones attached to my computer. The ANC is not the end all be all but definitely helps with plane noise, I could hear flight attendants much easier.

Edit - and no app required whatsoever!
This is admittedly not the answer you're looking for, but the Bose QC35 only needs the app to program the assist button on the left pad, specifically to toggle it between activating the voice assistant, or to toggle noose cancelling mode.

You could probably even program the button on some other device, and then either pair it to your phone or use it in analog mode.

Kind of annoying, I know. The app is riddled with trackers but you could leave it disabled for when you need it, and only enable it when the phone is in airplane mode.

I'm only shilling for Bose because I have a pair and I think they're great headphones, but I don't much care for their app.
Soundcore Q20 and Q30 have a physical button with no need for an app, I don't know if their newer models are still like this. The Q30 also have a proprietary app to configure some things (like EQ), however a big plus here is the existence of an open source app on IzzyOnDroid's repo that can also do this.
- The app: https://github.com/Oppzippy/OpenSCQ30
Sony's headphones at least up until the xm4 let you enable anc via long press of a button, not sure if they last 12 hours though
Take a look at Valco. They're the best headphone you will get for your money! https://www.valco.fi/en
Jabra is a good brand for headphones and earbuds. All the headphones I've gotten have aux support and buttons on the headphone for all the features.
- Can confirm, I have a Jabra Evolve 65 with AMC built in, controlled by physical button. Only app I've used for it is on PC to update the headset and (optional, headset also works as pure bluetooth) dongle firmwares.
The Microsoft Surface headphones have a spinning dial on one ear that allows you to set the specific amount of ANC you'd like.

They have an app, but it's only used for firmware updates and changing the action button. You don't need the app at all ever if you don't care about those.

The ANC was not as good as my Sony's, but I can't change the ANC on the Sony's without an app.
I currently use Monoprice BT-600ANC headphones. They're not too expensive and the ANC punches way above its price class, can be used with a wire if you want, have great battery life, and most importantly don't require an app.
TOZO NC9s. They're cheap, decent ANC, and no app.
Shure aonic 50 (gen2) while there is an app you can activate transparency mode and anv with a slider oob.
Campfire Orbits are dope.
Buy good wired planar IEMs for $20-70 with Spinfit eartips ($15) (bi-flange eartips if want more sealing). $20 range has options like Truthear Hola, Tangzu Wan'er, 7Hz Zero, Moondrop Chu 2. ~$70 you have the king Tin T3+, and other options like Truthear Hexa.

Pair it with maybe a Fiio Bluetooth DAC (BTR3, BTR3K, BTR5 under $100) if you want portability, and it can power even any expensive wired headphone.
- I was going to say this exact thing! I personally use Truthear Reds and a Fiio BTR3K. Best sound quality for the price, especially if your device supports LDAC bluetooth codec.
  
  I mean, you do not even need these fancy codecs, as long as you can push 192 VBR OPUS audio to your phone. It is fully transparent. What you need is ample power and clean throughput to the audio gear you have, and the sound signature you like, tuned accurately enough (yes stop listening to audio nutjobs claiming this or that graph is good). Comfort trumps everything though, which is why I love flathead earbuds so much, and for planars, Tin T3+ is just the most comfortable IEM I think.

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