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The tested headsets: They don't just differ from each other in terms of appearance
Photo: Matthias Kremp / DER SPIEGEL
So-called true wireless headsets have been in trend for years. Statista's market researchers expect 310 million pairs to be sold worldwide in 2021. Most of it will be AirPods. Since Apple made the technology, in which the left and right earbuds are connected wirelessly and not by cable, with its AirPods, the company has been the market leader by far. At the beginning of 2020, Apple accounted for more than 40 percent of the total market. A billion dollar business.
And a business in which other companies have long wanted to participate.
The offer becomes more confusing every year.
I picked out 15 current and very different models to test.
For example, I tested the noise suppression that some offer with the simulated noise level of an aircraft cabin, which I played through powerful active speakers.
If you want to listen in, you will find the sound on Apple Music here.
The most important criterion, however, was the music playback, which I checked on all test devices with the same playlist.
Not an enviable task, because I did not compile the list to suit my own taste, but rather to have different styles with me - and songs in Dolby Atmos format.
If you want to listen to it too:
Jean-Michel Jarre: Oxygene, Pt.
2 (JMJ Rework of Kosinski Remix Live in Notre-Dame Binaural Headphone Mix)
Public Service Broadcasting: Gagarin
Pink Floyd: Learning to Fly (2019 Remix)
Lilly Wood and The Prick: Where I Want to Be (California)
Air: Radian (2021 Remastered)
Spoon: The Hardest Cut
The similarities
Some things are the same for all models: They are delivered with a box in which they are not only charged, but which also has its own battery so that you can fill up the headphones with power when you are out and about.
As a rule, these boxes are charged via a USB-C cable, but more and more so-called charging cases can also be charged wirelessly.
Almost all of them also have functions for music control via start / stop commands, for accepting and rejecting calls and for calling up the digital assistant that runs on the respective cell phone.
Many also have functions that adapt the sound of the earphones to the hearing ability of the user and thus ensure a better sound impression.
In general, all tested models work with every smartphone, regardless of whether it comes from Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi or another manufacturer.
However, you cannot use all the functions of Apple headphones on an Android mobile phone and some earphones optimized for Android do not show their full potential on iPhones.
In addition, there are now apps for almost all earphones that can be used to set special functions or update the so-called firmware, the device's operating system.
The latter took up a considerable part of the test, as such updates can, for example, improve the functionality of the microphones.
Annoying: You have to calculate 20 to 40 minutes per update, in which you can neither use a smartphone nor a headset.
What is new in this test is that I also provide information about the packaging.
Many manufacturers strive to conserve resources by using renewable raw materials such as paper and cardboard, while others are still indulging in plastic and other plastics.
1More ColorBuds 2
This is how they sound:
The sound can be adapted to your personal listening habits via an app. So it comes to a very good level without attracting attention. Details are missing in “Radian” by Air, in “Oxygene, Pt. 2 «of pressure in the deep bass. "The Hardest Cut" by Spoon suits the headphones with its guitar-heavy sound. Still an overall good everyday sound.
The voice quality is so good:
Unfortunately, the ColorBuds 2 cannot convince at all when making calls. The user's voice sounds like speaking through a cardboard tube.
Active noise cancellation:
Yes, quite good in the high range, less convincing in the low frequencies.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to eight hours of music playback plus 16 hours by recharging in the case.
These are the extras:
Wireless charging function, protected against water in accordance with IPX5.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, three pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
Mixture of cardboard and large plastic parts, too big.
List price:
79.99 euros
Anchor Liberty 3 Pro
This is how they sound:
The sound reproduction can be adapted to personal hearing
using an
app. The result is a pleasantly round, warm sound. In Jean-Michel Jarres' Oxygene, Pt. 2 «pushes the bass drum nicely from below, while the figures of the synthesizers seem to fly over it. In combination with the comfortable fit of the earphones, you can listen to music for hours.
The voice quality is so good:
The intelligibility is very good, the six microphones do a great job. Slightly overemphasized highs sometimes lead to "S" sounds sounding very sharp.
Active noise cancellation:
Yes, it can be adapted to the ears via the app and is very effective.
They don't quite come close to the level of the Bose QC earbuds, but they get along well with low and high frequencies.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to eight hours of music playback plus 24 hours by recharging in the case.
These are the extras:
Wireless charging function, protected against water in accordance with IPX5.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, four pairs of silicone adapters, three pairs of ear hooks.
Packaging:
Large cardboard box with a mixture of cardboard and plastic parts.
List price:
159.99 euros
Apple AirPods 3
This is how they sound:
The new AirPods sound as they are in your ears: airy. They play their full potential on Apple devices - and only there. Once paired with a gadget from the Californian company, they automatically connect to everyone else that you are logged on to. It is remarkable how clean and powerful they are in »Oxygene, Pt. 2 «play the sequencer bass. The difference between Pink Floyd's “Learning to Fly” in the lossless stereo version and the Dolby Atmos version, which with the AirPods 3 sounds far fuller and more detailed than the old original, is almost unbelievable.
The voice quality is so good:
Sharp "S" sounds are transmitted with a slight hiss. Otherwise the speech intelligibility is very good and clear.
Runtime according to the manufacturer:
up to six hours of music playback plus 24 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
No.
These are the extras:
wireless charging, 3D audio with head tracking (for Apple devices), protection against sweat and water according to IPX4, search function for lost earphones.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to Lightning cable.
Packaging:
Small cardboard box.
List price:
199 euros
Beats Studio Buds
This is how they sound:
The sound from Studios Buds is as gaudy as my red test earphones. In the funky “Gagarin” by “Public Service Broadcasting” they really get down to business and, like the AirPods, they reproduce “Learning To Fly” with Dolby Atmos. In "Where I Want to Be (California)" the highs are a bit too sharp for me. Instead, they grip the bass harder because their silicone fittings seal the ears tightly. It's just a shame that they look a bit cheap and you have to grab them firmly with your thumb and forefinger to get them out of the charging case.
The speech quality is so good:
The two microphones make speech appear a bit dull and modulated. The intelligibility is okay.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to eight hours of music playback plus 16 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
The Studio Buds effectively block out both bass and treble.
Only a gentle noise disturbs it.
These are the extras:
Protection against sweat and water according to IPX4, search function for lost earphones.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-C cable, two pairs of silicone ear tips.
Packaging:
Small cardboard box, almost entirely of paper and cardboard.
List price:
149.95 euros
Earfun Air Pro 2
This is
what
they sound like
:
The Air Pro 2 coped well with most of the test songs, delivering a round, powerful, but not particularly airy sound.
It seems like they are almost always operating at the limit in order to produce their good all-round sound.
The voice quality
is so good
:
the intelligibility is good, even if the microphones record what is being said rather thinly.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to seven hours of music playback plus 27 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
In my aircraft cabin simulation, the Air Pro 2 did a good job of suppressing both low-pitched engines and white noise.
In doing so, however, they generate a slight noise themselves.
These are the extras:
wireless charging function, protection against water according to IPX5.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, five pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
cardboard box with plastic insert and several plastic bags.
List price:
99.99 euros
Jabra Elite 3
This is what they sound like
:
Who would have thought that an 80 euro headset could sound so good?
The Elite 3 deliver clear, fat bass, well-defined, not too sharp highs and clean mids.
And they also feel pleasant in the ears.
Clear recommendation in the price range under one hundred euros.
The voice quality is so good:
Four microphones do a great job in the Elite 3, recording voice very clearly and easily understandable.
First class!
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to seven hours of music playback plus 21 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
No
.
These are the extras:
Protection against rain according to IP55, search function for lost earphones.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, two pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
cardboard box with two small removable plastic parts.
List price:
79.99 euros
Jabra Elite 7 Active
This is what they sound like:
With »Gagarin«, the Elite 7 Active seem to really let off steam, play loosely and airy from the bass cellar to the brass section - without annoying with exaggerated treble reproduction.
In Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly" the bass drones a little in the intro.
Overall, however, these earphones produce a pleasantly dense, warm sound carpet.
The voice quality is so good:
Much like the Elite 3 from Jabra, the Elite 7 Active also deliver very good voice quality.
Amazing: In my tests, they produced a little more background noise than the cheaper Elite 3.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to eight hours of music playback plus 22 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
The well-shielding ear molds alone keep a lot of noise outside, and when noise suppression is activated, the bass is filtered out well.
A bit of noise still comes through.
These are the extras:
wireless charging function, protection against sweat and water according to IP57.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, two pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
cardboard box with two small removable plastic parts.
List price:
179.99 euros
Klipsch T5 II True Wireless ANC McLaren Edition
This is how they sound
:
The manufacturer Klipsch includes a charging pad with the McLaren Edition, on which the smartphone and charging case can be charged at the same time. But above all, you get a case with an outer shell that is partly made of carbon fiber composite material and partly of rubber with a tire profile. The sports car look vanishes as soon as you open the lid: From the inside, it looks like an orange children's toy. The basses in »Oxygene, Pt. 2 «undefined,» Gagarin «seems powerless, only with» The Hardest Cut «some life comes into play. For this price, however, the sound development seems too compressed, too flat.
The speech quality is so good:
Speech lacks spatiality, intelligibility is okay, but it seems as if you were standing in the basement.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to seven hours of music playback plus 21 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
The effect of the noise reduction was astonishing in the test, because subjectively no difference was perceptible when it was activated.
These are the extras:
Control of call acceptance and rejection with head gestures.
This is included:
headset, charging case, charging plate, textile-coated USB-C to USB-C cable, USB-A adapter, five pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
Large cardboard box with a plastic insert and several plastic bags.
List price:
Not specified
Libratone Air +
This is how they sound
:
The bass in »Oxygene, Pt.
2 «reproduce the Air + beautifully directly, but with a little too little pressure, the finale of Pink Floyd's» Learning to Fly «ends in a tonal mess, and the vocals in» Where I Want to Be (California) «hiss with the cymbals of the Drum sets to compete.
Overall rather dark basic sound.
The voice quality is so good:
In my tests, voice tests always gave results that looked strongly modulated and sounded as if the sound had been broadcast over an old radio.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to six hours of music playback plus 18 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
The "intelligent" noise suppression of the Air + is supposed to adapt its intensity to the ambient noise.
In my test, it worked fine with a few seconds delay when I changed the volume of the noise.
The system is particularly good at blocking out low-frequency noises, but produces a clearly audible noise.
These are the extras:
wireless charging function, protection against sweat and water according to IP54.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, two pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
Cardboard box that is much too big, thin plastic film around the case.
List price:
199 euros
Nothing ear (1)
This is how they sound:
The headset from the newcomer Nothing is at least on par with Jabra's Elite 3. The bass is so warm, powerful and clear that even the bass swirl in the intro of Pink Floyd's "Learning to Fly" can be heard clearly. In Air's "Radian" they bring the sampler flutes to the center nice and soft, and in "The Hardest Cut" they pop the guitar riffs razor-sharp in the ears. It's not upper class, but it's pretty good for a hundred euros.
The voice quality is so good:
The three microphones of the ear (1) deliver very clear, low-noise voice recordings. They should be just a tad louder.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to 5.7 hours of music playback plus 28.3 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
The noise suppression works well over the entire frequency range, and it also works against the roar of the engines.
These are the extras:
search function for lost earphones, protection against sweat and water according to IPX4.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, two pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
two nested boxes, paper.
List price:
99 euros
Nura Nuratrue
This is how they sound:
The special thing about the Nuratrue is that, like all headphones from the Australian company, they perform an automated sound adjustment. Test tones are played for a few minutes, with which the hearing ability of the user is measured and a personal sound curve is created based on this. You can then use the app to determine whether you prefer a more neutral sound or whether you want to have your ears massaged by fat bass. The amazing result is that nothing booms or hisses, but the sound always remains pleasantly clear. Check out tip: The flutes distributed on the left and right in the stereo image in the middle section of Air's »Radian«.
The voice quality is so good:
The Nuratrue are very good at intelligibility and clarity, only they pick up speech a little too quietly, so that you sometimes have to speak a little louder.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to six hours of music playback plus 18 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
Compared to some other test candidates, the Nuratrue cannot convince in this area because too much noise remains audible despite activated noise suppression.
These are the extras:
Protection against sweat.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, three pairs of silicone adapters, one pair of foam adapters, one pair of ear hooks.
Packaging:
Small cardboard box with a large foam pad and plastic bag.
List price:
229.99 euros
Sennheiser CX True Wireless
This is how they sound:
The CX True Wireless goes better with the synthesizer sounds of Jean-Michel Jarre than with the crackle of Spoon's guitars.
They reproduce the synth sound clearly and powerfully, while the Spoon song misses this clarity in the bass range.
For my taste they should be a bit louder.
The voice quality is so good:
There is nothing wrong with that: the microphones of the CX Tru Wireless record
voice
flawlessly.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to nine hours of music playback plus 18 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
No.
These are the extras:
Protection against sweat and water according to IPX4.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, three pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
quite a large cardboard box.
Except for a film around the charging case, everything is made of paper and cardboard.
List price:
129 euros
Sennheiser CX Plus True Wireless
This is what they sound like:
The plus version of the CX True Wireless not only looks similar to the cheaper version without a »plus«, but also sounds similar.
Although I believe that I hear a little more transparency and openness here.
In combination with the comfortable wearing comfort, it is also well suited for longer listening sessions.
The voice quality is so good:
The voice quality also shows similarities to the "normal" CX True Wireless - fortunately.
Because just like with the cheaper model, the intelligibility is very good here too.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to 5.7 hours of music playback plus 28.3 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
For this function alone, the 30 euros extra charge for the Plus version is worthwhile.
In my simulated aircraft cabin, the Sennheiser blocked the noise very effectively.
These are the extras:
Protection against sweat and water according to IPX4.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, two pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
quite a large cardboard box.
Foil around the charging case, silicone adapters packed in pairs in plastic bags, foam padding in the outer box.
List price:
159 euros
Shure Aonic 215 Gen 2
This is how they sound:
"Wow, are they loud" was the first thought that came to me when I was listening to the test. Possibly that's a trait the Aonic 215 Gen 2 inherited from the company's professional headsets. They are certainly responsible for the characteristic, very transparent sound that transports the bass in a clean and dry manner, but does not particularly emphasize it. For this, many details in the mid and high range are exposed, such as the various guitars in “Gagarin” or the chorus guitars in “Learning to Fly”, which are hidden far in the background.
The voice quality
is so good
:
the intelligibility is good, only the user's voice seems a bit thin and a little dull.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to eight hours of music playback plus 24 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
No.
These are the extras:
the earphones are detachable and can also be used with cables;
Protection against sweat and water according to IPX4.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, three pairs of silicone adapters, two pairs of foam adapters.
Packaging:
Very large cardboard box with large plastic inserts and bags.
An ode to plastic.
List price:
229 euros
Shure Aonic Free
This is
what
they sound like:
With the Aonic Free, Shure recently introduced its first loyalty wire-free wireless headphones.
Because, as is usual with Shure, they also have no noise suppression, foam adapters are included, which ensure that outside noise without electronics is at least a little shielded.
This is of course not a real substitute.
In terms of sound, the Aonic Free appear a little softer than the Aonic 251, but by no means less detailed.
In any case, the sound goes in the same direction as with the model with the bracket.
It is well suited to hear subtleties in music.
The voice quality is so good:
The built-in microphones are on a similarly high level as those of the Aonic 215 and also deliver a clear, somewhat thin voice recording.
Duration according to the manufacturer:
Up to seven hours of music playback plus 14 hours by recharging in the case.
Active noise cancellation:
No.
These are the extras:
Protection against sweat and water according to IPX4.
This is included:
headset, charging case, USB-C to USB-A cable, two pairs of silicone adapters.
Packaging:
Large cardboard box with plastic inserts and bags.
List price:
199 euros
Background: Product tests in the Netzwelt department
Which products are reported on in the Netzwelt section? Expand
Über welche Produkte wir in der Netzwelt berichten und welche wir testen oder nicht, entscheiden wir selbst. Für keinen der Testberichte bekommen wir Geld oder andere Gegenleistungen vom Hersteller. Es kann aus verschiedenen Gründen vorkommen, dass wir über Produkte nicht berichten, obwohl uns entsprechende Testprodukte vorliegen.
BereichWoher kommen die Testprodukte?aufklappen
Testgeräte und Rezensionsexemplare von Spielen bekommen wir in der Regel kostenlos für einen bestimmten Zeitraum vom Hersteller zur Verfügung gestellt, zum Teil auch vor der offiziellen Veröffentlichung. So können unsere Testberichte rechtzeitig oder zeitnah zur Veröffentlichung des Produkts erscheinen.
Vorabversionen oder Geräte aus Vorserienproduktionen testen wir nur in Sonderfällen. In der Regel warten wir ab, bis wir Testgeräte oder Spielversionen bekommen können, die mit den Verkaufsversionen identisch sind. In einigen Fällen kaufen wir Produkte auch auf eigene Kosten selbst, wenn sie bereits im Handel oder online verfügbar sind.
BereichDürfen die Netzwelt-Redakteure die Produkte behalten?aufklappen
In der Regel werden Testgeräte nach dem Ende des Tests an die Hersteller zurückgeschickt. Die Ausnahme sind Rezensionsexemplare von Spielen und sogenannte Dauerleihgaben: So haben wir zum Beispiel Spielekonsolen und Smartphones in der Redaktion, die wir über längere Zeit nutzen dürfen. So können wir beispielsweise über Softwareupdates, neues Zubehör und neue Spiele berichten oder Langzeiturteile fällen.
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Veranstaltungen, zu denen wir auf eigene Kosten reisen, sind unter anderem die Messen Ifa, CES, E3 und Gamescom sowie Events von Firmen wie Apple, Google, Microsoft oder Nintendo. Auf Konferenzen wie dem Chaos Communication Congress oder der re:publica bekommen wir in der Regel, wie auch andere Pressevertreter, kostenlose Pressetickets, da wir über die Konferenz berichten und keine klassischen Teilnehmer sind.
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Since December 2016, Amazon ads containing so-called partner links can be found in some Netzwelt articles.
If a user visits Amazon via such a link and buys online there, DER SPIEGEL receives a share of the sales in the form of a commission.
The ads appear in articles regardless of whether a product test is positive or negative.
