The quality of sound is not solely determined by Bluetooth transmission and sound reproduction; it is the result of multiple factors, including the audio source and surrounding environmental noise. When purchasing Bluetooth headphones, paying attention to parameters such as Bluetooth version, audio encoding format, driver type, noise cancellation type, and waterproof performance can help us select headphones with good sound quality.

What Affects the Sound Quality of Bluetooth Headphones??

First, let’s talk about the Bluetooth version. It is like the grade of a highway; the higher the version, the faster the transmission speed and the stronger the anti-interference capability. Currently, common Bluetooth versions on the market include 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2. Compared to previous versions, Bluetooth 5.0 has doubled the transmission efficiency and quadrupled the transmission distance, allowing audio signals to be transmitted to the headphones more quickly and stably. It’s like a sports car speeding on a highway without obstacles, where the details and dynamics of the music can be better showcased. In contrast, a lower version of Bluetooth is like an old car, which may experience stuttering and delays during transmission, significantly degrading sound quality.

Next, let’s look at the audio encoding format, which is like the packaging method for goods. Different encoding formats compress audio signals in different ways and to varying degrees, thus affecting sound quality. Common audio encoding formats include SBC, AAC, aptX, and LDAC. SBC is the default encoding format for Bluetooth audio, with a high compression rate but relatively average sound quality; AAC is widely used on Apple devices and offers a certain improvement over SBC; aptX provides high audio transmission quality and low latency for better sound performance; while LDAC is even more impressive, capable of transmitting about three times the data of standard Bluetooth, allowing you to enjoy sound quality close to Hi-Res Audio wirelessly, akin to compressing a high-definition movie into standard definition—both can be viewed, but the details and picture quality are certainly different.

Once the audio signal is transmitted to the headphones via Bluetooth, it enters the sound reproduction stage. The driver is the core component that produces sound in headphones, and different types of drivers have different “magical properties.”

Common driver types include dynamic drivers and balanced armature drivers. Dynamic drivers are like a loud singer; their sound production principle utilizes the strength and direction of the current through a coil to create a magnetic field that attracts and repels a nearby magnet, causing the diaphragm to move back and forth to produce sound. Theoretically, the larger the driver, the better the sound quality; it naturally produces pleasant sounds with relaxed and comfortable low frequencies, akin to experiencing a rock concert where the strong rhythm and impact can get your blood pumping. However, it also has drawbacks; larger drivers require more power, which raises the demands on the front-end devices. If the front-end device is inadequate, it cannot fully unleash the potential of the dynamic driver.

Balanced armature drivers, on the other hand, are like a soprano; they use an electromagnet to create an alternating magnetic field, with a vibrating part being a metal piece suspended in front of the electromagnet. When the signal passes through the electromagnet, it changes the magnetic field, causing the piece to vibrate and produce sound. Balanced armature drivers are particularly small and are commonly used in in-ear monitors, requiring very little power to drive, generally excelling in high frequencies, making them ideal for pop music where the singer’s high notes are vividly rendered. However, their frequency response is usually narrower, resulting in less natural sound, especially poor performance in low frequencies, akin to listening to a concert without bass accompaniment, leaving something to be desired.

Tuning is the “artistic processing” of sound; different tuners are like artists with distinct styles and preferences. Some tuners pursue a balanced three-frequency response, presenting the sound in its original flavor; others focus on impactful low frequencies to enhance the music’s intensity; while some prefer bright high frequencies for a clearer and more pleasant sound. For example, Sennheiser’s tuning style typically features a balanced three-frequency response, with a raw and rugged sound that retains a lot of detail; BOSE’s sound is purer, emphasizing an immersive music experience; while Sony’s tuning leans towards a metallic feel, giving the music a more modern touch.

In addition to Bluetooth transmission and sound reproduction, there are other factors that can affect the sound quality of Bluetooth headphones.

For instance, the audio source is like the raw material for music; a high-quality audio source is the foundation for good sound quality. If music is compared to food, lossless music is like fresh ingredients that preserve the original flavor of the music; while compressed music is akin to processed fast food, which, although edible, lacks the nutrition and taste of fresh ingredients. Generally, platforms like QQ Music and NetEase Cloud Music compress audio quality to some extent, so lossless music tends to sound better. Therefore, to achieve better sound quality, choosing high-quality audio sources is crucial.

Environmental interference is also a factor that affects sound quality. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi operate on similar 2.4G frequencies, so when using Bluetooth headphones, if there is a Wi-Fi signal nearby, it can sometimes cause stuttering or delays, much like trying to listen to music in a noisy market where external noise interferes with our enjoyment of the music. If conditions allow, connecting to 5G Wi-Fi can reduce such interference, making the music flow more smoothly.

What Parameters Should You Consider When Buying Bluetooth Headphones?

The higher the Bluetooth version, the better. Currently, common Bluetooth versions on the market include 5.0, 5.1, and 5.2, with a preference for headphones that support Bluetooth 5.2, as it offers faster transmission speeds and stronger anti-interference capabilities, ensuring more stable and smooth music transmission. For example, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 utilizes Bluetooth 5.3 technology, excelling in connection stability and sound quality transmission.

Choose headphones that support high-quality audio encoding formats. If you are an Apple user, headphones with AAC encoding format are suitable, as they perform well on Apple devices; Android users can opt for headphones supporting aptX, LDAC, etc., with aptX providing high audio transmission quality and low latency, while LDAC can deliver sound quality close to Hi-Res Audio, allowing you to enjoy the charm of lossless music.

Regarding driver types, dynamic drivers excel in low-frequency performance, while balanced armature drivers are better in high frequencies. If you enjoy pop music, headphones with dynamic drivers may be more suitable, as they provide a strong sense of rhythm and impact; if you prefer classical music, headphones with balanced armature drivers can better reproduce the sound of instruments, allowing you to appreciate the nuances of the music.

Noise cancellation type is also important. If you often use headphones in noisy environments, such as subways or buses, active noise-cancelling headphones are a good choice, as they effectively reduce external noise, immersing you in the world of music; if you mainly use them in quiet environments, passive noise-cancelling headphones can also meet your needs and are generally more affordable.

For those who exercise frequently, the waterproof performance of headphones is crucial. The higher the IP rating, the stronger the waterproof performance; generally, an IPX4 rating or above can meet the needs of daily exercise without worrying about sweat damaging the headphones.

Recommended High Cost-Performance Headphones

Having discussed so much, I believe everyone is eager to know which cost-effective Bluetooth headphones are worth purchasing. Below, I will recommend several good headphones based on different budgets.

West Saint AVA2 Bluetooth Headphones

The West Saint AVA2 is known as the “king of cost-performance” in the hundred-yuan price range. It features a 13mm dual-sound ring driver, equipped with triple real-time listening optimization and the West Saint Tri-Auro panoramic audio matrix, delivering full-bodied and tight sound, rich bass, clear mid-high frequencies, high vocal restoration, and strong stereo effect, far exceeding products in the same price range.

Each earbud weighs only 3.2 grams, designed with Buoyancy ergonomic design, creating a six-sided golden ring support for comfortable and secure wear. The Bluetooth 5.3 chip significantly enhances its anti-interference capability and connection stability, supporting dual-channel 4-microphone AI call noise cancellation, ensuring clear calls even in noisy environments. With a battery life of up to 30 hours, it fully meets daily usage needs.

lBluetooth Version: 5.3

lBattery Life: 30 hours

The West Saint brand is one of the few domestic headphone manufacturers known for its technology, with over a decade of experience in audio and video analysis. It has a high reputation in the digital geek community, with exceptional craftsmanship that rivals major brands. Moreover, its sound quality tuning requirements are higher, as evidenced by the investment in building a rare high-standard acoustic laboratory in China, truly pursuing sound quality in affordable Bluetooth headphones.

As an audiophile, sound quality is of utmost importance. The West Saint AVA2 headphones excel in hardware configuration, employing triple real-time listening optimization technology and a 13mm high-dynamic dual-sound ring driver. This design, combined with an independent metal bass duct structure, ensures that whether playing Tsai Chin’s “Crossing” or Stefanie Sun’s “Venus,” the high frequencies are clear and transparent, with full and delicate sound, allowing every note to be heard distinctly and accurately. The bass dives powerfully, creating an immersive and impactful experience.

This headphone can automatically analyze the frequency response characteristics of the user’s ear canal, dynamically adjusting the bass compensation coefficient to achieve intelligent optimization of the sound effects across the entire frequency range, ensuring that I can enjoy the best listening experience at any moment.

It is worth mentioning the Tri-Auro panoramic audio matrix added by West Saint, which is similar to the spatial audio in certain Apple products, using various algorithms to create an immersive music scene, allowing for a more immersive musical feast.

It is truly rare in the same price range, with excellent sound quality performance that has won the favor of many consumers and unanimous recognition from authoritative professional reviewers, becoming a highly regarded brand.

In the past, the biggest flaw of semi-in-ear headphones was that long-term wear could cause fatigue and discomfort. West Saint has put significant effort into the AVA2 to fundamentally solve this issue. Each earbud weighs only 3.2 grams, lighter than an A4 paper, and combined with the Buoyancy ergonomic design and six-sided golden ring support, wearing them feels almost weightless, with no pressure, allowing for comfortable long-term wear.

Utilizing the Bluetooth V5.3 chip, it boasts high connection stability, fast transmission speed, and strong anti-interference capability. During testing, I found the connection to be very quick, with almost no disconnection issues. Additionally, the headphones feature a gaming mode, allowing for one-click activation of the HyperBoost 2.0 gaming frame stabilization engine, effectively controlling latency, making it feel seamless while gaming. Whether listening to music or watching videos, it achieves sound and picture synchronization, providing users with a better experience.

In terms of battery life, it can be used for up to 7 hours on a single charge, and when used with the charging case, it can achieve over 30 hours of battery life, which is sufficient for various daily usage scenarios.

At a price of 129, you can experience sound quality and performance levels close to thousand-yuan headphones, making it hard not to buy.

Huawei FreeBuds SE 2 Wireless Headphones

I am a huge fan of the taro purple color; I think it is more suitable for girls, while blue is more suitable for boys, making it a great couple color and a top choice for birthday gifts or Qixi Festival gifts.

This Bluetooth headphone adopts the latest audio technology, presenting high-quality sound for both pop and classical music, allowing you to immerse yourself in the ocean of music.

Additionally, I am very satisfied with the quality of this Bluetooth headphone; the high-definition voice calls allow me to maintain clarity anytime and anywhere, without worrying about communication issues in noisy environments. It is really nice.

When connecting at home, just press and hold the touch area on both ear stems for 3 seconds to enter pairing mode; find “HUAWEI FreeBuds SE2” in the device Bluetooth list and click to connect. It’s quite simple, not complicated at all.

With a full charge, the headphones can last 9 hours on a single use, and with the charging case, they provide 40 hours of ultra-long battery life, which is very sufficient, allowing for one or two days of use without frequent charging. In emergencies, a 10-minute charge can sustain 3 hours of talk time, making it a fast-charging Bluetooth headphone.

UGREEN T6

The UGREEN T6 has excellent hardware configuration, featuring a built-in 10mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm, significantly enhancing rigidity, and has passed Hi-Res gold standard certification. Coupled with Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth transmission technology, it can fully restore high-resolution audio details, improving audio transmission capability by 300%. In terms of sound quality, combined with UGREEN’s heavy bass tuning, it excels in low-frequency performance, with natural transitions in mid-range vocals and clear high frequencies.

It boasts a noise cancellation depth of up to -52dB and has passed A-level noise cancellation certification from the authoritative testing agency, effectively isolating most mid-low frequency noise in noisy environments, and the accompanying app allows for adjustment of three noise cancellation depths.

lBluetooth Encoding Format: SBC/AAC/LDAC Lossless Decoding

lSound Quality: Hi-Res Gold Standard Certification + 10mm Titanium-Coated Diaphragm Driver

lNoise Cancellation Method: ANC Dual Active Noise Cancellation + ENC Call Noise Cancellation

lNoise Cancellation Depth: -52dB Noise Cancellation Depth + A-Level Noise Cancellation Certification

lBattery Life: 7 hours for headphones, 30 hours for charging case

OPPO Enco Free3 Wireless Headphones:

Since I got the OPPO Enco Free3 headphones, I have found them to be fantastic!

The sound quality of the OPPO Enco Free3 is outstanding, with transparent highs, powerful lows, and high detail restoration, making it enjoyable to listen to various types of music.

It features a bamboo fiber diaphragm dynamic driver with a custom front chamber sound filter,

The 12.4mm large dynamic driver, combined with a custom bass-enhancing tube, provides a perfectly balanced low-frequency atmosphere;

It also has Hi-Res small gold standard high-definition certification and LDAC high-definition transmission, offering clearer sound and more reliable high-definition quality;

The noise cancellation feature is particularly impressive, effectively blocking external noise on buses and subways, providing a quiet listening environment.

They are very comfortable to wear, with each earbud weighing about 4.3g, fitting snugly in the ear, and not causing pain even after long periods of use. The material of the headphones is skin-friendly, and the craftsmanship is exquisite, giving a sense of high quality.

The battery life is impressive, lasting a whole day under normal use without frequent charging. Additionally, the charging speed is quite fast, making it very convenient.

The connection to the phone is quick and stable, with no disconnection issues. The operation is also simple and intuitive, making it easy to switch songs and adjust volume.

Moreover, its design is minimalist and stylish, with beautiful colors that align perfectly with my aesthetic.

With flagship-level sound quality, independent spatial audio on the headphone side, and Enco Master tuning, you can enjoy a detailed and consistent listening experience, surrounded by music, while also catering to different listening style preferences for an immersive experience.

In summary, the OPPO Enco Free3 headphones perform excellently in all aspects and offer high cost-performance. If you are looking for an outstanding pair of headphones, they are definitely worth considering.

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