Sturdy wireless headphones with ANC and "good" sound

[mrdalesen]

I just need some headphones with ANC for studies. All the ones I have looked at apparently has the sturdiness of a toothpick. Namely the Sony XM5 and the Sony ULT, the momentum 4 apparently has both bad build quality and other issues...

I would like a pair that is no more expensive than the XM5, which is a little over 300 usd. The only pair I have found thus far that might fit the bill are B&2 PX7 S2E. I haven't paid attention to bluetooth headphones much so I hope someone more knowledgeable than me can help.

 

[Easy Rhino]

If you think the XM5 are not sturdy then you wont find any wireless bluetooth headphones that meet your needs. Just go with some decent IEMs.

 

[mrdalesen]

If you think the XM5 are not sturdy then you wont find any wireless bluetooth headphones that meet your needs. Just go with some decent IEMs.

I can't speak of it personally. I have seen they have a class action lawsuit building towards them due to all the broken hinges

 

[silentbogo]

I doubt that class-action lawsuit will go anywhere, cause 99% of them broke due to physical damage(someone sat on it or dropped it). Plastic may look scary, but it can be sturdy AF. My old Sennheiser HD465 still chugs along after more than a decade of abuse, though my head became a bit too big for it , so I rarely use them.

But if you want the sturdiest stuff within that price range, just check out Marshal Monitor II ANC. I think hinges are metal, and overall all of their headphones have been excellent in terms of durability.
Alternatively - scour the internet for some used Airpods Max. Excellent if you have an iPhone, fits all of your criteria, and the only con - they look stupid.

 

[Dristun]

XM3/4 are a bit sturdier and have an additional axis to fold into compared to 5 and ANC is arguably better because you can set the max level and be done with it, whereas XM5 will tend to readjust and don't allow full manual control. Plus you can get them below $200 on sales - if you catch a good deal you could almost buy two if you have $300 to spend.
My XM3s are 5.5 years old. I replaced the earpads and that's about it. Still work good, but ANC isn't as powerful. Never went out in the rain though - I'm afraid of getting shocked wearing wireless stuff with a battery on my head, haha.

 

[Frick]

XM3/4 are a bit sturdier and have an additional axis to fold into compared to 5 and ANC is arguably better because you can set the max level and be done with it, whereas XM5 will tend to readjust and don't allow full manual control. Plus you can get them below $200 on sales - if you catch a good deal you could almost buy two if you have $300 to spend haha.
My XM3s are 5.5 years old. I replaced the earpads and that's about it. Still work good, but ANC isn't as powerful. Never went out in the rain though - I'm afraid of getting shocked wearing wireless stuff with a battery on my head, haha.

Yeah I was gonna say, my XM3's are great. I've had them for three years, with a lot of travel time on them and they're not even scratched, and I can't say I take special care for them either.

 

[mrdalesen]

XM3/4 are a bit sturdier and have an additional axis to fold into compared to 5 and ANC is arguably better because you can set the max level and be done with it, whereas XM5 will tend to readjust and don't allow full manual control. Plus you can get them below $200 on sales - if you catch a good deal you could almost buy two if you have $300 to spend.
My XM3s are 5.5 years old. I replaced the earpads and that's about it. Still work good, but ANC isn't as powerful. Never went out in the rain though - I'm afraid of getting shocked wearing wireless stuff with a battery on my head, haha.

Yeah I was gonna say, my XM3's are great. I've had them for three years, with a lot of travel time on them and they're not even scratched, and I can't say I take special care for them either.

Unfortunately the xm3 arent for sale here anymore. I can however buy the xm4's (new) for half the price of the XM5s so I might just do that.

I doubt that class-action lawsuit will go anywhere, cause 99% of them broke due to physical damage(someone sat on it or dropped it). Plastic may look scary, but it can be sturdy AF. My old Sennheiser HD465 still chugs along after more than a decade of abuse, though my head became a bit too big for it , so I rarely use them.

But if you want the sturdiest stuff within that price range, just check out Marshal Monitor II ANC. I think hinges are metal, and overall all of their headphones have been excellent in terms of durability.
Alternatively - scour the internet for some used Airpods Max. Excellent if you have an iPhone, fits all of your criteria, and the only con - they look stupid.

Thank you! The hinge on those marshalls makes my V-moda hinges look weak, nice!

Now I need to decide between the marshalls and the sonys.. From what I can read the ANC on the marshalls are just there for show

 

[silentbogo]

Now I need to decide between the marshalls and the sonys.. From what I can read the ANC on the marshalls are just there for show

Not that bad, but definitely not Sony's. If I were you, I'd still go for XM5 and maybe a bit later bought a set of replacement hinges as an "insurance". They are around $18 on Ali, not too shabby.

 

[Ruru]

I have these and nothing to complain, bought from sale for 60EUR. https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/headband/p/whch720n-w

Dunno about the sturdiness but at least don't feel like these are going to snap any time soon.