> here's hoping that someday headphones without pressure (e.g. active/passive noise cancelling) will make a comeback, too
replyWhat do you mean? There are tons of wired headphones that don't do noise cancelling at multiple price points.
I can still pick up a new pair of headphones that I started using 10 years ago (AudioTechnica m50x if you want the recommendation).
For wireless headphones I've gone to bone conduction and open-ear. Started with some cheap models from Ali-Express to see how I liked it. I did.
replyShokz had a black friday deal on Open-Run Pros and those are my goto. Admittedly, they are not as convenient as my Airpods were, but my ears appreciate not being bombarded with noise canceling.
Every headphone that has noise cancelling also gives you the option to turn it off, and also to enable audio pass through.
replyBose QuietComfort Ultra 2 at least just allows varying levels of passthrough. You can have noise cancelling or noise cancelling + sound from the outside mike. You cannot have noise-cancelling off for better battery life or to cope with windy conditions
replyThey're awful in several other ways too, which is sad for what should be their flagship model
Yep.
replyI prefer other technologies over noise cancelling in my ordinary use anyway. And my ears feel healthier. But that’s me, not you.
I avoid noise cancelling as well; I find that it very rapidly gives me a headache. I prefer a nice set of headphones that physically block outside sound.
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