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Buying guide for the Best Wireless Headphones for Music Production 

 July 15, 2020

By  Tariq Taylor

We are at the golden era of wireless technology and the best headphones out there are the ones that you can mix and produce quality sound that can be played anywhere.

Hi there. Even if you are a casual listener, I know you wouldn’t mind having a headphone that gives you impressive sound in terms of the bass, rumble and the thump. Beside corded models taking over the music production market due to the latency factor, wireless headphones are quite the rage now as you are about to see.

In this article, I have sifted out the best wireless headphones for music production with latency close to zero from the ordinary wireless studio headphones. You should get to enjoy crystal clear sound as you produce music.

Comparison Table

Image
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones,...
Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth...
Bose Headphones 700, Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Over-Ear Wireless...
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphone,...
Product
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones,...
Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth...
Bose Headphones 700, Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Over-Ear Wireless...
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphone,...
Battery Life
20 Hours
30 Hours
20 Hours
30 Hours
Weight
235.31g
254.862g
254.012g
310g
Image
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones,...
Product
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones,...
Battery Life
20 Hours
Weight
235.31g
Image
Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth...
Product
Sony WH1000XM3 Noise Cancelling Headphones, Wireless Bluetooth...
Battery Life
30 Hours
Weight
254.862g
Image
Bose Headphones 700, Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Over-Ear Wireless...
Product
Bose Headphones 700, Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Over-Ear Wireless...
Battery Life
20 Hours
Weight
254.012g
Image
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphone,...
Product
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Over Ear Wireless Bluetooth Headphone,...
Battery Life
30 Hours
Weight
310g

Image
Jabra Elite 85H Wireless Noise-Canceling , Navy – Over Ear...
AKG Noise Cancelling Headphones N60NC Wireless Bluetooth - Black...
PHILIPS PH805 Active Noise Canceling (ANC) Over Ear Wireless...
Product
Jabra Elite 85H Wireless Noise-Canceling , Navy – Over Ear...
AKG Noise Cancelling Headphones N60NC Wireless Bluetooth - Black...
PHILIPS PH805 Active Noise Canceling (ANC) Over Ear Wireless...
Battery Life
36 Hours
15 Hours
30 Hours
Weight
296g
199.4g
235g
Image
Jabra Elite 85H Wireless Noise-Canceling , Navy – Over Ear...
Product
Jabra Elite 85H Wireless Noise-Canceling , Navy – Over Ear...
Battery Life
36 Hours
Weight
296g
Image
AKG Noise Cancelling Headphones N60NC Wireless Bluetooth - Black...
Product
AKG Noise Cancelling Headphones N60NC Wireless Bluetooth - Black...
Battery Life
15 Hours
Weight
199.4g
Image
PHILIPS PH805 Active Noise Canceling (ANC) Over Ear Wireless...
Product
PHILIPS PH805 Active Noise Canceling (ANC) Over Ear Wireless...
Battery Life
30 Hours
Weight
235g

Best Wireless Headphones for Music Production

Bose Quiet Comfort 35 (Series II)- Our top pick

Styled in black and white color the Bose Quiet Comfort 35 Series II are noise canceling headphones. This model is different from the other Bose models with the additional buttons on the left ear cup. They are also impeccable when it comes to comfort and functionality blocking all external sounds and noises.

Specs

  • Designed with fabric, nylon and steel
  • Dimensions: 6.7w x 7.1h x 3.2’’D
  • Weighs 235.31g
  • Recharge time is 2.3Hours
  • Comes with LED indicator

Aside from its noise-isolation features, Bose stands out because it can be paired to two devices via the NFC technology or the Bluetooth connectivity. The Bose QC 35 Series II also accepts voice prompts on various languages and with the Bose Connect app available on both Apple App Store and Google Play you always keep your device up to date.

To add, it has the side-tone feature that allows you to hear your own voice despite the three level noise reduction features. Once your device is paired you can interact with your phone through Siri, Google Assistance and also connect to Alexa via an additional app.

Pros

  • Comfortable and lightweight
  • Broad and clear soundstage
  • Outstanding 3 level noise cancellation
  • Strong connection

Con

  • Lows can become extremely heavy at high volumes.

Verdict

When it comes to noise cancellation, Bose QC35 II is top tier. Also, with the available assistant these wireless headphones easily become one of the best music production headphones.

 

Sony WH-1000XM3– Wireless noise-cancelling headphone for crystal clear music production

Over the years, Sony has been dominant in doing a tremendous job in the noise cancellation algorithms as well as spent time perfecting audio playback. The algorithm that Sony uses creates a single sterile sound barrier which adapts to whatever situation you are in.

Specs

  • Frequency response range is 4Hz-40,000Hz
  • Sound impendence: 47ohm
  • 3 hours charge time
  • Touch sensor volume control
  • Designed with neodymium magnet

Sony has improved the quality of the microphones such that when you have a call to pick, it is crisp clear. These headphones also shine out in its performance at high attitude even with the frequency flyers which take advantage of the atmospheric pressure optimizer to tweak the frequency response and the microphone sensitivity.

To add, there is a superb combination in the XM2s surrounded with subtle tweaks to make this pair comfortable and light enough for long sessions at the music studio. With the impressive noise cancelation, the audio quality of the Sony WH-100MX3 remains perfect music production.

Pros

  • 30-hour battery life
  • Top notch noise cancelation
  • Supreme comfort
  • Natural all-round quality sound

Cons

  • The hinges are rather fragile
  • Fiddle Touch control

Verdict

Sony WH-1000XM3 is among the best and with the top tier noise cancelation. It also shines out in its battery life because when it comes to music production you may find yourself working on a project for hours.

 Bose Wireless Headphone 700– Powerful noise cancellation pair

To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of Bose’s design but when it comes to its noise isolation features due to the powerful ANC, I am their most loyal fan.


Specs

  • Battery life is 20 hours
  • USB C charging port
  • Bluetooth range up to 33 feet
  • 11 level noise cancellation
  • AAC and SBC codecs
  • Pairs to two devices.

During the release of the Bose noise wireless headphone 700, Bose demonstrated its powerful voice quality advancements of the microphones and the results were overwhelming by the quality it delivers. With this pair, you also get 11 different levels of noise cancellation which highly respond to the Microsoft Surface Headphones.

As for its design, the whole headband has been made from stainless steel with plenty of cushioning for your comfort. It also does not lag behind in the kind of sound you get with it. It has synthesizer’s chips and chimes away with candor and sweetness producing a spirited listen. Bose has also set a modest expectation where the quality is top notch since the headphones uses new drivers bringing a feeling that is close to the flagship headphones like the Bose QC35.

The only imperfection with this pair is that the treble can be a tad too harsh at times. The app also does not have EQ adjustments for you to tweak.

Pros

  • Outstanding next generation noise cancellation
  • Crystal clear, upfront sound
  • Intuitive touch control buttons

Cons

  • A bit expensive compared to other competitors
  • Lacks class-leading insight

Verdict

Bose may not be the top choice for its design but it is an exceptional choice for its rather powerful ANC. The small sound imperfection does not justify the significant outlay of the headphone.

Bower & Wilkins PX7 Wireless Headphone– Engineered with Qualcomm’s APTX HD


The B&W flagship noise cancellation PX7 model is capable of rubbing shoulders with the very best corded headphones for music production. It supports Qualcomm’s APTX HD which is a high-quality codec that enables wireless transmission worth 24-bit hi-res audio.

Specs

  • 30 hours battery life
  • Weighs 310g
  • USB-C charging port
  • Driver size: 1.72’’/ 43.6mm
  • Foldable design

The PX7 wireless over-ear headphone for music production has been equipped with an adaptive noise cancellation technology that automatically responds to the environment taking you to a production world. The headphone can also be used to take calls and some playback music from smartphones, tablets, iPods or even the computer used during the production.

These headphones also feature smart sensors that enhance how you use them. The power button also initiates Bluetooth pairing mode as well as buttons to play, pause and skip tracks. As for its striking design it has been matched by an exhilarating sound that has been detailed, tonally balanced with a large rhythmic precision. All these features are just sweet music to the ears of music producers.

Pros

  • Lively and insightful sound
  • Great set of features for your comfort
  • Three-tiered noise cancellation

Cons

  • Rather expensive
  • Ear cups don’t fold completely inwards

Verdict

Bowers & Wilkins PX7 has produced a worthy headphone that has great sound and excellent features delivering more noise cancellation.

 

Jabra Elite 85h– Shines out with its long battery life for the music studio

Jabra Elite 85h headphones offer incredible battery life with outstanding noise cancellation in a very stylish package. 

It employs a sense of minimalistic chin design giving it a sleek design.

Specs

  • 36 hours battery life
  • Water and rain resistant
  • 40mm speaker size
  • 2.5hours charging time
  • Weighs 296g
  • Bluetooth 5.0 version

When it comes to ANC functionality the Elite 85h offers variety of modes that let the users choose from four levels of noise cancelation. Jabra has also employed a sophisticated intelligent adaptive technology that adjusts the level of ANC depending on the surroundings with its Smart Sound mode. There are modes that let in just enough noise for basic attention like getting phone alerts.

It has also been set to a default sound profile that offers a nice balanced audio that favors both warmth and clarity. It allows the instrumentals to shine without the muddiness heard in the mid-ranges and bass.

Another winning feature of Jabra is its battery life. The headphone’s full charge provides 36 hours of playback and a staggering 41hours when switched off. As for its drawback, the bass is rather too heavy and its overall design is also quite bulky compared to similar priced headphones.

Pros

  • Excellent ANC performance
  • Soft comfortable ear cups with Nano coating
  • Smart technology with automatic profile switching

Cons

  • Heavier punchy bass
  • No support on high end codecs

Verdict

Jabra Elite 85h headphones offer incredible battery life as well a compelling noise cancellation. It also works great when mastering sounds whether high or low in music production.

AKG N60NC– Lightweight with noise cancellation features for music production

The AKG N60NC wireless headphone is a perfect pick for music production offering a surprising combination of excellent sound quality and comfort. The headphones have been built with a better looking design than its competitors.

Specs

  • Dimensions: 66 x 118 x 216mm
  • Sound sensitivity is 111db
  • 30Mw maximum input power
  • Lithium-ion polymer battery
  • Bluetooth transition power: <4dBm
  • Frequency response range is 10Hz-22kHz
  • Weighs 199.4g

AKG has dominated the budget and mid-range headphone sector. It has been equipped with noise cancelation features which significantly reduce noise. Its downer is that it does not eliminate certain noises like engine and air conditioning. If you are sensitive to the increased pressure that has been generated by the ANC headphones, the N60NC wireless will be the best pick for you. Like most headphones the AKG N60 Wireless looks nondescript and sleek enough.

The NC60NC unfortunately does not match the compact form-factor making the headphones to look a bit disproportionally fat when sitting on your head. Despite that design mishap, the ear cups are easily foldable and do rotate making them easy to travel with.

Pros

  • Great noise cancellation and sonic performance
  • Portable due to the compact form
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Jaw movements reduces the noise cancellation’s effectiveness
  • One ear form factor gets uncomfortable

Verdict

Apart from the poor one ear form factor, it is hard to find faults with the AKG N60NC wireless headphone. It also produces refined sound with great noise cancelling performance and with the outstanding control scheme on the side; the headphone becomes a sophisticated competitor.

 Philips PH805– Premium on-ear noise-cancellers

Philips has strategized on packing most of the functionalities of the current market in this pair as well as wrapping it with design that is not far from the leading market headphones.

Specs

  • Bluetooth 5.0 version with range of up to 10m
  • Frequency response range is 7Hz- 40kHz
  • Sound impendence is 16ohm and sensitivity is 90Db
  • Maximum power: 30Mw

While it is sold at an affordable price, PH805 is jammed with premium quality features. First, the wireless connection comes via Bluetooth 5.0 which comes in handy when streaming hi-res audio from Spotify and Tidal. Secondly, the battery life claims a total of 30 hours of playback with the noise cancelling switched off. The headphone does not just negate as much external voice but plenty of other sounds find the way in.

The noise cancellation is helped by a number of tweaks on each ear cup and the system has been activated by tapping on the right cup. With three stages of noise cancellation; on, off and ambient sound which turn down the music enabling the user to hear the sound outside. To add, behind each ear cup there in a 40mm full-range free-edge neodymium driver that delivers top notch sound.

 

JBL Tune 750BTNC- Quality noise cancellation headphone for music production

JBL is a popular name when it comes to the world of headphones and Bluetooth speakers. The JBL Tune 750BTNC is an exceptional wireless headphone that can be used for studio production due the close to the zero latency.


Specs

  • Closed acoustic design
  • Weighs 220g
  • Frequency response range is 20Hz-20kHz
  • Battery life is 15-22hours
  • Sensitivity of 95db and impendence of 32ohms
  • Bluetooth version 4.2 with wireless range of 10m (30ft)

The Tune 750BTNCs stands out for a number of reasons. First, it has a rather impressive battery life of up to 20 hours with the Bluetooth and noise- cancelling activated. It can last up to 30 hours through the wire with noise cancellation on. They can also pair with two devices so you won’t miss a call from your phone when producing music on your laptop.

Although the noise cancellation is not adjustable, it does drown out the hammering of the laptop keys as well as the street noise. These headphones also come with the soft pleather ear pads that have been attached to the oval shaped ear cups clamping around the ears. To add, the quality of the sound being offered is a fine entertaining listen, balanced and well-tuned penchant bass. The low ends of the sound have a punch that is iconic when it comes to production.

Pros

  • Stylish foldable design
  • Strong noise cancelation
  • Deep punchy bass
  • Open and clear pleasant sound

Cons

  • Does not support Bluetooth 5
  • No waterproof feature

Verdict

Generally, the JBL Tune 750BTNC sounds great, looks great as well and fits well. It is easy to use and solidly dependable even with the minor factors like unavailability of waterproof feature.

What should you consider before Buying a Wireless Headphone for Music Production?

Sound quality

Audiophiles and producers should be concerned about the sound quality. One of the features to look out for is aptX technology which does the compression of the sound differently similar to the CD’s. While headphones that come with this technology are a bit expensive they are well worth the buy.

Form and Size

Considering the fact that a studio session might takes hours and hours of mastering and producing, these are areas you should focus on. The forms you can consider are earphones in, ear on ear and over-ear. Over ear headphones are the most ideal sounding with louder volumes and exceptional bass.

Battery Life

If you decide to go all wireless in your studio, it’s important to know that they have a limited battery life. Most wireless headphones will only give you a few hours. You should also consider the charging time in case you forget to charge it and you require it urgently.

Comfort and Pairing

Unlike wired headphones that makes you get used to use the basic controls like volume, playa and pause wireless headphones have the latest features. Most wireless headphones have controls on the ear cups with some having touch controls. Some headphones even come with voice control. Also, when looking at the functionality of wireless headphones, you should get the most comfortable pair. Well-padded ear cups and detachable headphones are ideal.

Also consider how the headphones pair with external devices. Most use Bluetooth to pair with laptops and smartphones while other use the NFC technology.

Final Thoughts

In this article, I have reviewed the wide selection of wireless headphones on the market that are bringing a stiff competition to the corded models when it comes to the latency. To find the best considering the sound quality, comfort and overall performance, Bose Quiet Comfort 35 (Series II) shines out as the best wireless headphones for music production.

Tariq Taylor


Price is the ultimate factor when deciding to purchase noise-canceling headphones, and while the above sentiments might be true Tariq Taylor is of the opinion that the merits of the soundproofing headphones are to be considered first. And that is the reason why he decided to come up with the comprehensive excerpts on soundproofing headphones. Tariq is a tech enthusiast and has been advocating for the production and use of quality tech gadgets, which includes the headphones. Tariq is married with one kid and has a massive collection of headphones that he reviews occasionally and also runs a forum where other tech experts converge to share ideas and discuss the challenges facing the tech industry.

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