Top 5 AAC Headphones That Deserve Your Attention
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Wireless audio is unquestionably the way of the future. As the 3.5mm headphone port is phased out and Bluetooth headphones and true wireless earbuds flood the market, one phrase keeps showing up in reviews: Bluetooth audio codecs. Bluetooth audio codecs play a significant role in defining the audio quality, latency, and battery life of a pair of headphones or true wireless earbuds.
If you purchase an Apple iPhone, you will receive advanced audio coding (AAC). It’s also the free version of YouTube’s default compression standard. AAC produces a sound that is comparable to MP3 rather than CD quality, although the transfer rate is limited to 250 kbps. AAC uses a lot of power, which means it can shorten the battery life of smartphones and Bluetooth headphones. AAC is supported by top brand headphones in addition to Apple iPhones. The dispute over whether AAC or aptX HD is better has been overshadowed by the Android vs. iPhone controversy.
Quality is subjective, as it is with all audio and music in general. We all desire high-definition audio with little latency, but there are considerations to be made, such as battery consumption and connection stability. The truth is that it is a matter of personal preference. Qualcomm’s aptX HD has become a de facto industry standard for Android HD audio, but any Apple enthusiast will tell you that AAC is just as good.
Let’s take a look at some of the best AAC headphones available in the market:
Best AAC Headphones – Comparative Table
| Product | Features | Latest Price |
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| 1. Sony WH-1000XM4 [amazon fields=”B08GKWXRF4″ value=”thumb”] |
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| 2.Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 [amazon fields=”B08XBJVKG9″ value=”thumb”] |
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| 3. Nuraphone [amazon fields=”B0833GMD7K” value=”thumb”] |
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| 4.Beats Solo 3 Wireless [amazon fields=”B07YVYZ8T5″ value=”thumb”] |
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| 5. Bose QuietComfort 35 II [amazon fields=”B0756CYWWD” value=”thumb”] |
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Product Highlights
Sony has once again demonstrated its ability to create an enthralling wireless headphone.
XM3 users may find it difficult to justify an upgrade, but if you already have those cans, you’re unlikely to be reading this post.
Although the cups are somewhat larger and there is a visible sensor in the left one that enables auto switch-off, the XM4s appear almost comparable to the previous generation. What matters is how luxuriously comfy they are, as well as their high build quality. These are some of the best over-ear headphones you can get if you want to listen to music for long periods.
Features
- The XM4 is identical to the XM3 in terms of sound quality, so you can expect superb sound from the 40mm Liquid Crystal Polymer drivers. However, certain new features may entice you to upgrade to the most recent model.
- Adaptive Sound Control can change automatically based on where you go most often. So, for example, you can choose a different level of noise cancellation for the office and at home. And, thanks to Speak to Chat, you don’t even have to take off your headphones when conversing with someone. When you speak, this AI feature learns your voice and can pause music.
- The best-in-class active noise cancellation is one of the main reasons to choose Sony, and the company has improved it even further by reducing high and mid frequencies. It’s so good that it’s eerily beautiful at moments.
What We Like About Sony WH-1000XM4
Multi-Point two-device Bluetooth connectivity and a battery life of 30 hours with ANC on and 38 hours without it round out the package. There’s basically nothing to dislike here, and Apple users won’t be bothered by the lack of aptX.
What We Don’t Like About Sony WH-1000XM4
The only downside is that these headphones are expensive.
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2. Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
Product Highlights
As you may be aware, wireless earbuds are all the rage, but not everyone can afford a set of AirPods, much less the AirPods Pro. Fortunately, there are less expensive options, and Cambridge Audio has put together a nice pair.
Features
- These earbuds are extremely small and light, with a unique bullet shape, but they fit firmly and comfortably. They have an IPX5 rating, which means they can withstand splashes and sweat and won’t break if you get caught in the rain.
- The small size also means a small charging case, making devices extremely portable. The casing contains strong magnets that keep the earphones in place, as well as a series of LEDs on the front that show the battery level.
- The Melomania 1 has a long battery life despite its compact size. The earphones can last up to nine hours on their own, and the case can charge them four times more, for a total of 45 hours of use.
- For certain users, physical buttons on each earbud may be preferred over touch-sensitive ones. When putting the headphones in or adjusting them, it’s easy to press them inadvertently, but once in position, they won’t ram into your ear canal. There’s a lot of control here, but you’ll need to learn how to use all of the different button presses.
- Because the Melomania 1 has a microphone, you can use it to make phone calls and use Siri.
- All of this would be for naught if the sound quality was poor, but you can trust a business like Cambridge Audio to deliver. Graphene-enhanced 5.8mm drivers are included, as well as Bluetooth 5.0 connection and both AAC and aptX codecs.
What We Like About Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
The sound is clean and expansive, with lots of bass and mid-range, as well as a brilliant top-end. The earbuds’ tuning is perfectly balanced, so they sound good with a wide variety of content.
What We Don’t Like About Cambridge Audio Melomania 1
At this price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a pair of genuine wireless earbuds that are any better. Noise cancellation is the only thing missing.
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3. Nuraphone
Product Highlights
Nura’s headphones may not be the cheapest on the market, but the experience they provide is absolutely unrivaled. The Nuraphone headphones can tailor the tune to your specific hearing in what appears to be sonic sorcery.
Features
- The headphones play a variety of tones into your ear using the accompanying software to map exactly how you pick up different frequencies.
- When the tuning is complete, the music sounds great, much like when you put on a pair of prescription glasses when your vision is no longer flawless. It’s also not some kind of simple EQ trick; in a blind test, you’ll easily recognize your own profile among a variety of others.
- With a G2 software upgrade that added active noise cancellation, Nura has even improved the headphones over time.
- Because the build quality is excellent, the only thing left to mention is the unique appearance. They may appear to be typical over-ear headphones, but they also include an earbud. The earbuds handle the majority of the sound, while the main earcup provides a subwoofer-like experience that you can tune through the app.
What We Like About Nuraphone
In addition to Bluetooth, the Nuraphone contains a proprietary connection that may be used for alternative cables, such as Lightning or a gaming mic, if necessary.
What We Don’t Like About Nuraphone
The sonic experience is nothing short of amazing when combined with the customized tuning, however, the earbud design takes some getting accustomed to and can be unpleasant for lengthy periods of listening.
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Product Highlights
Battery life is always a concern with Bluetooth headphones, but the Beats Solo 3 stands out with 40-hour battery life. The headphones also have a ‘fast-charge’ feature that allows you to listen to music for three hours after only five minutes of charging.
Features
- They weigh about 215g and come in several colors, but they’re compact and comfortable enough to wear for long periods, and they fold flat to fit neatly into a backpack.
- Because Apple owns the Beats brand, the third-generation headphones feature the same W1 chip as the AirPods.
- They can connect to Apple devices automatically and use Siri voice commands by touching the ‘B’ button on the left earpiece.
- You may attach the RemoteTalk connection, which has a more typical set of controls and a microphone, to that earpiece, which also holds the main playback and volume settings. The RemoteTalk cable has a normal 3.5mm connector, allowing you to go wired if the battery dies (however the latest iPhones don’t have a 3.5mm connector, so you’ll need to use an adapter).
- The mid-range and upper frequencies are crisp and vibrant, however, they can occasionally feel like they’re fighting the bass for attention.
What We Like About Beats Solo 3 Wireless
You get that signature Beats bass, but it’s more focused than prior models, and it really propels dance and rock music forward.
What We Don’t Like About Beats Solo 3 Wireless
If you like bass, the Solo 3 Wireless might be the headphones for you, especially with that long battery life, but if you prefer classical or more delicate sounds, you might want something with a little more all-around balance.
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Product Highlights
The Bose QC35 IIs certainly live up to their name: the bigger headband provides a secure fit, and the foam is wonderfully soft and luxurious-feeling. The cushions are made of synthetic protein leather and have a silicone bead for passive noise reduction, according to Bose.
Features
- You may connect the QC35 headphones to two devices at the same time and smoothly switch between them by pausing on one and playing on the other. We found wireless performance to be good, but the headphones may also be used wired if necessary (albeit the noise-canceling and digital active EQ would require battery power).
- When using them wirelessly, you can receive up to 20 hours of battery life, which doubles when using them connected.
- Aside from noise reduction, the QC35s sound great, while using them wired gives you somewhat better (and more consistent) audio.
- Noise cancellation is now customizable in the 2nd-gen II model, which is a welcome enhancement.
- They also provide support for digital assistants, so you can summon Siri by pressing the multi-function button.
- There’s also what many consider to be a classic Bose sound quality here: rich, balanced, and snappy. The effect is an ambient and intimate experience when combined with noise canceling. The bass is very tight and polished thanks to the drivers.
What We Like About Bose QuietComfort 35 II
The QC35s contain microphones on the outside and inside of the ear cups to listen to any unwanted noises. To cancel out the noise, two patented digital electrical processors deliver an opposite signal. It works incredibly well and provides a real sensation of tranquility and seclusion without the use of headphones – and without putting pressure on your eardrums, which can be a negative side effect.
What We Don’t Like About Bose QuietComfort 35 II
These headphones are quite expensive.
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Final Verdict
Bose QuietComfort 35 II is the best AAC headphones according to us. Not only does it live up to your expectations in terms of sound quality but also guarantees impressive noise cancellation. However, you can also choose from the other amazing options that we have mentioned.
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