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I really like.the sound of my H7’s: balanced, a musical bass, ‘open’ or ‘airy’ if that isn’t too subjective. I can listen for hours without fatigue.
I might be traveling soon - long air flights. Looking for headset with similar sound signature as the H7, but with active noise cancellation.
Thoughts? H9i? H8i? Or non-B&O?
My B&O Icons:
Sony - no comparison in terms of performance.
Depends whether you're more bothered about what they look like rather than how they perform.
You asked on a B&O forum to get opinions of B&O headphone owners, but just in case you're doing more general research, see:
https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/
Summary: They used to like the Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, but are switching to the Sony WH-H900N. Bose really did lots of R&D into noise cancellation and QuietComfort's reduce the most outside sound possible, but the Sony's just play music better. They did really like the B&O H8's, they just weren't the very best in any respect, save one: if you wear glasses! A good seal from the ear pads makes a huge difference when doing Active Noise Cancellation.
I would've said wh1000xm(2or3) are better than bose at both ANC and sound quality but conclusion remains same
Having owned the H7 and I use my H9s daily now for a couple years, traveled long distances with both, my personal preference for long flights is a set of H3 anc or E4s with purchased separately comply comfort tips. The H9s (yes, I know you asked about the H9i) have a different sound than the H7s and are not as open airy sounding as the H7s. I think the H9s put more emphasis on music quality than the ANC, but that is a balance I like. But in long flights they get hot and heavy and are hard to sleep with on. I think both versions of the earbuds do better with many noises of planes than the H9s and work better with eyeglasses for noise blocking. I’ll even put my E4s on without music just for the mega quiet earplug effect. I still get frequent compliments about the style of my H9s from strangers. They are beautiful.I really like.the sound of my H7’s: balanced, a musical bass, ‘open’ or ‘airy’ if that isn’t too subjective. I can listen for hours without fatigue. I might be traveling soon - long air flights. Looking for headset with similar sound signature as the H7, but with active noise cancellation. Thoughts? H9i? H8i? Or non-B&O?
Thanks, everyone, for the feedback. Some of the alternatives mentioned:
•Bose: my wife has ancient pair of QC over-the-ears. Hot, and I don't care for the sound.
•Sony: the 1000's are on a crazy Black Friday sale today. But reviews on (U.S.) Amazon reveal persistent build issue (cracking head band)
•E4: I hadn't considered in-ear, so thanks St. Beogrowler and Stan. Is there sufficient bass (a problem I had with an old pair of Etymotics)? Are you ok with ergonomics over multi-hours in flight - i.e. does the cable/ANC box assembly get in the way?
My B&O Icons:
trackbeo: thanks for the heads-up/reminder on the Wirecutter reviews.
Leogonewild - yes, I use the H7s on plane flights now. And agree! you can turn them up a fair bit (I didn't know about relative volume issues with the 9i's, thanks). However -- and this is just personal preference, and probably not applicable for most tastes -- I find
high-volume of ambient plane noise + high-volume of music = stress. Which is the opposite of what I want.
I'd prefer
low-volume of ambient noise and moderate volume of music = calm/restful. Hence the desire for ANC.
Everyone: thanks for all of these thoughts. I'm learning a lot before I buy!
My B&O Icons:
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