{{ Stuff that just works }}

[idleprocess]

Having ventured into the office for the first time in almost 3 years well before any mandate is issued ... the 3.5mm stereo jack. Bluetooth bands are only going to become glitch-ier as more people show up with headsets and keyboards and mice.

 

[chillinn]

the 3.5mm stereo jack

aka 1/8th inch stereo connector, and, also,
1/8"/3.5mm balanced TRS. Tip. Ring. Sleeve.

Bluetooth audio fidelity is sufficient for phone calls, but I would not describe even the most recent Bluetooth version releases as high fidelity audio. It's still not quite even broadcast quality.

 

[desert.snake]

Folding Saw Silky. More precisely, its Chinese clone. They repeated the curve of the teeth line, the handle and the shape of the teeth. It cuts beautifully and for only $5. This was tested while renovating a friend's house, when suddenly an old saw from around the 50s broke in half and had to go to the store for a new saw. Then he came back and took 3 more pieces. Then I read on the Internet about the original and took 1 original, in case these deteriorate someday

 

[idleprocess]

aka 1/8th inch stereo connector, and, also,
1/8"/3.5mm balanced TRS. Tip. Ring. Sleeve.

Bluetooth audio fidelity is sufficient for phone calls, but I would not describe even the most recent Bluetooth version releases as high fidelity audio. It's still not quite even broadcast quality.

There's a quality hit on music that I find acceptable - can detect it without A/B comparison but just so. The connectivity flakyness and other user experience quality-of-life compromises less so.

 

[Duster1671]

aka 1/8th inch stereo connector, and, also,
1/8"/3.5mm balanced TRS. Tip. Ring. Sleeve.

Bluetooth audio fidelity is sufficient for phone calls, but I would not describe even the most recent Bluetooth version releases as high fidelity audio. It's still not quite even broadcast quality.

I recently bought a pair of Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds and I was pleasantly surprised at how good they sound. They're a huge step up from the (wired) Yuin PK1 they replaced and not that far off from my home setup that drives HD650s and DT880s.

I'm not sure what "high fidelity audio" and "broadcast quality" mean, specifically, but the XM4s make really excellent audio.

 

[Olumin]

Since I only listen to music at home, Bluetooth has no utility for me. My HD600s have been working fine for over a decade now & I actually got them second hand back then. I'll see for how long my new amp will work.

 

[chillinn]

I'm not sure what "high fidelity audio" and "broadcast quality" mean

Not everyone has ears that hear. Broadcast quality is easier to understand. It's the way stereo FM sounds. If you can't tell the difference between hearing Yes' Roundabout on the radio amplified as opposed to listening to it off 16bit 44.1kHz CD audio on decent speakers, then you'll probably not notice the difference between CD and 24bit 48kHz DVD audio, nor the difference between a 128kbit mp3 vs 320kbit mp3 or those compared to flac (actually, I can't tell the difference between 320kbit mp3 and flac).

Mostly the issues with audio fidelity are in the high end. Seems like audio accessory manufacturers are obsessed with low end, but nothing is defined in the low end. At a lower bit rates, cymbals sound not unlike glass breaking to me. It's the high end that gives audio definition. Too much high end, of course, is terrible, but as long as the high end has resolution, and there is some low end, everything will sound decent.

Try focusing on the cymbals with your wireless headset and compare to a CD being amplified in the room. If they sound like cymbals to you rather than fragile things breaking, you're lucky.

 

[bykfixer]

I recently bought a pair of Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds and I was pleasantly surprised at how good they sound. They're a huge step up from the (wired) Yuin PK1 they replaced and not that far off from my home setup that drives HD650s and DT880s.

I'm not sure what "high fidelity audio" and "broadcast quality" mean, specifically, but the XM4s make really excellent audio.

I have some nice Shure ear buds with option of bluetooth or cord. Yes the cord does sound a wee bit better. A set of $250 cords could sound even better but that really depends the medium of the broadcast and how acurate that is. So when I remove the cords and plug the transmitter in I know the sound will be pretty acurate. More inner ear monitor, than ear bud really. I'm sure the models David Bowie's band were more expensive but it is kinda cool to sport over the ear monitors that look like the ones his bass player wore.

I used some Bose that are pleasing even in less than good recordings or bluetooth broadcast radio. But Bose uses math tricks to cause them to sound nice. CD quality sound? No. I call them ear candy.

Now when the Bose gave me grief I tried the Sony you mention Duster. Once I figured out the best tips to use (large) I was impressed. Somewhere between the Bose and Shure for acuracy and soundstage pressence before tweaking with the app that keeps the changes chosen from device to device. Fairly acurate with a splash of pleasantry added. Well worth the coin in my view too.

 

[chillinn]

I used some Bose that are pleasing even in less than good recordings or bluetooth broadcast radio. But Bose uses math tricks to cause them to sound nice. CD quality sound? No. I call them ear candy.

Very astute. Bose sounds good, but Bose is not accurate. If you tried to mix a song using Bose as monitors, that song would only sound good on Bose. With monitors, you want accuracy, you want plain, you want something that is difficult to make sound good. That way when the track is reproduced elsewhere, either you'll know what it will sound like, or it will sound better than your monitors, or both.

 

[PhotonWrangler]

Analog hardwired audio just works in general. It has none of the frailities of bluetooth audio, which like Idleprocess said is constantly competing with other wireless gadgets for bandwidth in the 2.4ghz band.

 

[Chauncey Gardiner]

Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey.

I like it neat, on the rocks, mixed with some quality lemonade, and it’s 101 proof. 🤓

 

[Poppy]

Raindrops falling on a skylight is almost as good as on a tin roof. Either is soothing.

 

[Poppy]

Raindrops falling on a skylight is almost as good as on a tin roof. Either is soothing.

LOL Chance, maybe better with a glass of Wild Turkey 101.

 

[bykfixer]

Having ventured into the office for the first time in almost 3 years well before any mandate is issued ... the 3.5mm stereo jack. Bluetooth bands are only going to become glitch-ier as more people show up with headsets and keyboards and mice.

No doubt corded gear is good for the office. When surrounded with office dwellers who bluetooth everything including their opinions, it can be pretty annoying trying to get your ear bud(s) to connect at all. I keep in my desk a "company" provided set of corded for listening to classes and some corded Klipsch for music.