Best Lightning and USB-C wired headphones for iPhone and iPad

Austrian Audio is a widely known identify in Hello-Fi circles, making high-end headphones and microphones for musicians and audiophiles. Nevertheless, it additionally makes some extra reasonably priced headphones, such because the Hello-X25BT, which gives spectacular sound high quality for a really reasonably priced $179/£135.

Because the identify suggests, the Hello-X25BT does embody Bluetooth to offer a wi-fi possibility when required, with a powerful 30 hours of battery life in Bluetooth mode. It’s not at its greatest with Bluetooth, although, because it doesn’t assist both Apple’s AAC or AptX for Android, counting on the extra primary SBC codec for wi-fi audio.

The emphasis, due to this fact, is extra on utilizing the Hello-X25BT as a set of wired headphones through its USB-C connector. Austrian contains two cables with the headphones, with a USB-C-to-3.5mm connector that gives normal analogue audio, or an easy USB-C cable that gives digital audio from an iPad, Mac or different units which have USB-C. There’s additionally a USB-A adaptor included too, and I had no bother utilizing the Hello-X25BT with each USB-A and three.5mm connections on my ageing workplace iMac. I additionally discovered a Lightning audio adaptor from Belkin in my desk draw, which allowed me to make use of the Hello-X25BT with a Lightning connection on my iPhone as effectively – though, after all, this isn’t included with the headphones, so that you’d want to offer your individual adaptor for an iPhone.

And, as you’d anticipate from an organization with Austrian’s Hello-Fi background, the sound high quality is nice, because of 40mm drivers with spectacular 12Hz – 24KHz frequency response. The cymbal crash that begins Blondie’s Rapture rings out crisp and clear, with a free relaxed really feel on the jangling rhythm guitar. The tune’s bouncing bass line works a deal with too, and by no means will get misplaced within the combine as can generally occur with much less exact headphones.

Lightning headphones are usually fairly costly, since producers should make a particular model of their normal headphones that makes use of the Apple-only connector only for iPhone house owners. Nevertheless, Belkin stunned us by releasing its  SoundForm Headphones With Lightning Connector, priced at simply $39.99/£29.99.

Regardless of their low worth, the SoundForm headphones – which was referred to as Rockstar, however have been rebranded – are sturdily constructed, with a chunky, flat cable that reduces tangles if you shove them into your pocket.

The inline controls are pretty primary – just a bit microphone for voice calls, a few buttons for quantity adjustment, and a Play/Pause button that controls music and telephone calls. And, at this worth, there’s not lots in the way in which of added extras both – there’s no carrying case, and simply three sizes of silicon ear-tips, though that needs to be sufficient to offer a very good, snug match for most individuals.

Belkin additionally says the headphones are water resistant – though it doesn’t quote an IP ranking – so they need to be a very good, reasonably priced possibility for jogging across the park or understanding on the health club.

Sound high quality is a pleasing shock too, given the low worth. The SoundForm delivered the multi-layered bombast of Bohemian Rhapsody with readability and element. Smaller, inexpensive earbuds resembling these typically undergo from weak bass, however the SoundForm additionally managed to dig right down to the deep, sinister digital bass on Prime Evil by The Orb.

Our solely concern is that the sound high quality could be very depending on getting a very good, agency match inside your ears, however so long as the ear-tips supplied by Belkin fit your needs correctly then the SoundForm is the very best set of budget-priced Lightning headphones we’ve seen to this point. Belkin additionally makes some helpful and reasonably priced Lightning adaptors, which allow you to use present 3.5mm headphones with a latest iPhone, and even join an iPhone to a automotive music system.

Apple stopped together with the EarPods with new iPhones years in the past – which was annoying for iPhone house owners, however nice for headphone producers who may step in with their very own options. However the Web says that the cool youngsters are sporting wired headphones once more lately – it’s a retro factor, apparently – and the EarPods are nonetheless out there for individuals who choose a easy and reasonably priced set of wired earbuds.

There are literally two variations out there, each costing simply $19/£19, with both a Lightning connector or an ordinary 3.5mm audio connector for older iPhones or iPad fashions that also have ye olde headphone connector. That 3.5mm connector will work with different audio units too and, after all, a wired connection implies that you don’t have to fret concerning the battery operating down in the midst of an extended journey.

The design of the EarPods was up to date a couple of years in the past, with a extra oval-shaped earpiece that’s designed to relaxation extra simply contained in the ear. Nevertheless, they nonetheless have the identical one-size-fits-all design of the unique EarPods, with no possibility to make use of silicon suggestions in several sizes, so that they’re in all probability not your best option for individuals who want a very good, agency match for understanding or jogging across the park.

You’re not going to get hi-fi high quality headphones at this worth, however the wired connection avoids the compromises attributable to the restricted bandwidth of Bluetooth, so the EarPods nonetheless present respectable sound high quality. The bass sounds good and agency, and our solely grievance is that increased frequencies can sound a bit of skinny at instances.

The identify means that Sennheiser’s Momentum Wi-fi headphones is likely to be wireless-only, however the Momentum – at present in its third technology mannequin – was really one of many first headphones to assist audio over a USB-C connection. And, in addition to the USB-C connector on the right-hand earpiece, there’s a 2.5mm audio connector for analogue audio as effectively, with each USB-C and a pair of.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cables included within the field.

Accessible in black or white, the Momentum Wi-fi prices $399/£349, making it one of many dearer headphones on this class – however that’s nonetheless $150/£200 inexpensive than Apple’s AirPods Max ($549/£549), which don’t present a wired possibility (except you purchase a separate Lightning adaptor for £35/$35). The Momentum Wi-fi additionally contains noise-cancellation options, and helps Apple’s AAC codec for Bluetooth, together with AptX for Android units, so it’s each cheaper and extra versatile than the AirPods Max.

The one minor oddity is that whereas we had no issues utilizing USB-C to hearken to music on a few workplace iPads which have USB-C, the Momentum wasn’t in a position to play music from our workplace Macs through USB-C. That implies that the USB-C possibility is greatest suited to the newest iPad fashions which have USB-C – though, after all, there’s nonetheless Bluetooth and the usual headphone connector out there for Macs, iPhones and different units.

And, as you may anticipate from Sennheiser, the Momentum Wi-fi sounds nice in both wired or wi-fi modes. I’ve at all times loved the nice and cozy tones of Sennheiser headphones, and that sound actually stands out on The Massive Sky by Kate Bush, capturing each the vary and richness of her voice on the tune’s chanting refrain. Nevertheless, the Momentum 3 Wi-fi additionally boasts a frequency response that goes proper right down to 6Hz on the low finish – and 22Khz on increased frequencies – and it delivers a giant, beefy bass sound for the tune’s rumbling bass and drums that actually works a deal with on dance and rock music.

The brand new Zophia earbuds from Zorloo actually stand out in a crowded market, just by advantage of offering each Bluetooth wi-fi and a extra conventional wired mode.

In case you want the comfort of Bluetooth then the Zophia helps Apple’s AAC codec, together with AptX for Android units. Battery life is comparatively modest at simply 5 hours, however the USB-C charging case allows you to high the earbuds up for a complete of 25 hours listening time. However, when the battery is flat, otherwise you wish to hearken to your favorite music with the very best sound high quality, you’ll be able to merely plug within the proprietary audio cable supplied by Zorloo and the Zophia will routinely flip off Bluetooth and change into wired mode.

The audio cable has a USB-C interface that can work with Macs and iPads which have USB-C, however it’s also possible to purchase the Zophia with a Lightning adaptor as effectively. The cable additionally works as a DAC – digital-to-analogue converter – that bypasses the considerably ropey analogue audio you could get from many Apple units with the intention to improve the sound high quality even additional. The usual USB-C model of the Zophia prices $169/£139, or $179/£147 with the Lightning adaptor. And, for actual hi-fi buffs, there’s a model that prices $209/£170 with the Lightning adaptor and extra assist for the ‘studio high quality’ MQA audio format utilized by some high-end audio units, and streaming providers resembling Tidal.

The Zophia works completely effectively in Bluetooth mode, though there are cheaper Bluetooth headphones that may match its sound high quality utilizing Bluetooth alone. Nevertheless it’s the wired possibility that’s the Zophia’s actual promoting level – and switching the Zophia into wired mode utilizing the Lightning adaptor on my iPhone makes an instantaneous enchancment to the sound high quality. Kate Bush is everywhere in the Web in the meanwhile, because of Operating Up That Hill being utilized in Stranger Issues on Netflix, however my favorite observe on the Hounds Of Love album has at all times been The Massive Sky, and particularly the thunderous 12-inch ‘Meteorological Combine’. The Zophia actually involves life with the Lightning adaptor’s wired connection, instantly displaying a brighter, extra vibrant sound. It captures the deep, snappy sound of the slap-bass, and the rumbling avalanche of drums and percussion, however nonetheless manages to pick lighter particulars such because the shimmering cymbals and, after all, Kate’s personal hovering vocals as the ultimate refrain goes “strolling out on the large, large sky…”

Because the identify suggests, JLab’s Go Work headset is primarily designed to be used at work, taking telephone calls or video-conferencing with colleagues and purchasers at work. It has thickly padded earpieces with the intention to put on it comfortably all day lengthy, and there’s an adjustable growth mic to ensure your voice is obvious throughout calls. You should use the Go Work with Bluetooth if you need, and it boasts a powerful 45-hour battery life to see you thru a complete week at work. Nevertheless, the appropriate earpiece has a USB-C connector, which is primarily used for charging, however can be used to offer a wired audio connection if you happen to choose.

It’s good to have that wired possibility though, oddly, the audio cable that’s included within the field solely has a 3.5mm audio connector on it. That labored high-quality with the headphone socket on my workplace iMac however, after all, iPads and iPhones not have a headphone socket, so if you wish to use the Go Work along with your cell units then you definately’ll nonetheless want to purchase a 3.5mm adaptor from Apple or one other firm resembling Belkin.

The sound high quality is completely high-quality for voice calls and, after all, it’s also possible to hearken to some music if you’re off responsibility as effectively. The sound is a bit of bass heavy – though some individuals do like that – however nonetheless completely respectable for such a low-cost set of headphones, and the low worth makes the Go Work a very good possibility for people who find themselves working from dwelling.

The issue with most Lightning headphones is solely that they solely work with Apple units such because the iPhone and older iPads – and received’t even work with newer Apple merchandise such because the iPad Professional vary, which has now ditched Lightning in favour of USB-C as a substitute. It’s onerous to justify spending some huge cash on costly headphones that can solely work with a single gadget.

So Moshi has performed it good with its
Avanti on-ear headphones. They’re pretty dear, at round £220/$240, however the headphones embody each a removable Lightning cable for Apple units, and a traditional 3.5mm cable that gives compatibility with a wider vary of smartphones and different audio units. Moshi additionally makes a second mannequin, referred to as the
Avanti C, that comes with a USB-C cable for the rising vary of smartphones and tablets appropriate with that connector.

The headphones themselves are well designed, and out there in a wide range of completely different colors. The on-ear design implies that they’re fairly compact, and the earpieces fold inwards with the intention to simply slip them into the carrying case that’s supplied for if you’re travelling.

They sound nice too, because of a frequency vary of 15Hz – 22kHz. That permits them to offer a very nice, agency bass on dance tracks resembling Prime Evil by The Orb, whereas additionally reaching proper as much as the glass-cutting falsetto of Roger Taylor on Queen’s Lap Of The Gods.

Excessive-quality sound, transportable design and helpful equipment make sure that the Avanti LT headphones can actually earn their preserve each at dwelling and if you’re travelling – and, in contrast to most Lightning headphones, you should use them with non-Apple units too.

Though the Nuraphones are wi-fi, they’ve a proprietary connector. Usually that’s an annoying characteristic however right here it means you should use the headphones with numerous completely different cables, together with Lightning.

It’s not possible you’ve used any headphones like Nura’s. They may seem like pretty normal over-ear headphones however additionally they have an in-ear part, too. It’s an odd sensation that you simply’ll should get used to however the expertise on supply right here might be price it.

We don’t discover them essentially the most snug headphones round as a result of design, however the sound high quality and options are one thing fairly particular.

The primary time you utilize Nuraphones, they are going to play a variety of tones to map your private listening to. As soon as it know what frequencies you’re roughly delicate to, it’ll create a profile distinctive to you. You won’t imagine how good it’s – strive another person’s profile and also you received’t just like the sound as a lot.

Moreover, the design implies that whereas the in-ear drivers do many of the common work, the outer cups have bass drivers for an adjustable immersion mode. That is greatest described as like having sub woofers in your headphones and also you’ll really feel the bass relatively than hear it.

A G2 software program replace to the app brings further options, too. Particularly energetic noise cancelling with a ‘social mode’ so you’ll be able to hear what’s happening round you with out taking the headphones off.

They’re an $400/£349 and out there from Amazon and Nura. You may learn a full assessment over on Tech Advisor.