final UX3000 Bluetooth Wireless Headphones - Hi-Fi Sound Quality - Hybrid Noise Cancelling - Maximum 35 Hours Music Playback - aptX Low Latency - Multipoint Connection - Designed in Japan (Black)

I was looking for a wireless pair of headphones supporting at least aptX with decent sound quality. My list was narrowed down to the Shure Aonic 50, Sony WH-1000XM3 and this model.I ended up opting for this one because reviews indicated it had a balanced sound profile, good ANC and multipoint, whereas the Sony model had no multipoint and a bass-heavy sound (equalising seems to force SBC), while the Shure pair seemed bulky and heavy with average ANC. The trade-off was no changeable ear pads, no integrated equaliser and a less premium build. I only mind the first one, because equalising isn't necessary if the default tuning is good, and build isn't a concern.The sound profile is rather balanced for a wireless pair, contrary to many competitors which are very bass-heavy. It's still a consumer-friendly tuning with slightly emphasised bass, but the rest of the spectrum isn't neglected. The closed back conception means the sound is less airy than open or semi-open designs but it is nevertheless very pleasant.The ANC performs very well and is sufficient to drown out public transport sounds and allow listening at the same volumes I would in a quiet room. When turned on, the volume goes up and lower frequencies are slightly turned up, but the sound profile doesn't change dramatically. ANC not switching off when turning off headphones is a bit unintuitive, but I can see the advantage of having the two functions separate, like in a plane or when using them passively with the jack.AptX and aptX LL support means very low latency for watching videos. It's obvious the case on dedicated streaming apps, which compensate the lag, but I also often watch videos from my phone browser instead as it allows blocking ads, with the downside of not having this latency compensation. On aptX only (my phone doesn't support aptX LL), the lag is almost imperceptible. The fact it's on Bluetooth 5.0 and aptX LL must mean it's on an older Qualcomm chip, but not having aptX HD or higher quality codecs is of little incidence and CD-equivalent quality is sufficient on a daily driver to be used in transports and to watch videos.Multipoint support is supported and well implemented. I've had no issues connecting to PC and phone simultaneously, nor have I experienced any drop outs.Comfort is personal but very good for me. Build is plastic but fair and feels solid. I find the shibo coating to be a nice touch: it gives it some character, yet I don't think it's particularly costly to add.

The reason I bought the UX3000 is simple. I bought the ZE3000 and was so blown away by them (see my review) that I bought the 3000 as an alternative to sticking something in my ears. So how do they compare? First, looks wise, they are the same as the ZE3000 in texture. I love it. it is speckled and slightly rough to the touch. The headphones sit perfectly with a nice but not too severe clamping force. The headband is very comfortable for me, I feel hard headbands as I have no hair.These are music headphones with no discomfort and can be worn all day. The look is perfect for me, unobtrusive, understated and able to be worn anywhere. The Japanese ethos of simple lines is very evident here.The headphones' functions are all buttons with no touch controls. I hate touch controls as it looks stupid when out In public waving my hands about and slapping my face as if demented and swatting away invisible insects. These are also noise cancelling. There is a button on the left to turn these on and off and when I first pressed this, my jaw dropped as it turbo charged the sound. No other way to explain it. I tried on/off several times and decided I liked it on and that's where it stays permanently. You also get buttons for the usual stuff. Volume up/down and paring, which was really simple. It has a USB C connection for charging. I have not tested how long the battery lasts as I have just got these and in two days, no sign of it dying. It has APTEX Low Latency which means there will be no delay when watching movies with lip sync and other sounds. There is no app or frills and I don't want any. I listen to music, not take courses in technical proficiency.The sound on these, like the ZE's are remarkable. Final Audio are a Japanese company that makes high end headphones and this, their first bluetooth, hits very near the bullseye. The base is deep, sub and mids base very apparent. The mids, like the ZE3000, are front and centre and really beautiful. The treble is never harsh with a slight roll off.I am wearing these as I work at my desk and from classical to hard rock, they really are a pleasure to listen to.What I have noticed about the ZE3000 and the UX3000 is that, like the Siren's call, I keep wanting to go back to them and not my other earphones and headphones. Sometimes, cheaper does not mean lesser in quality.

These headphones lasted for about 18 months before I destroyed them by catching them on a tree, which is a very long time for me, so I would say they are definitely more robust than they look.I bought these to replace my old Plantronics Poly BackBeat PRO 2 headphones. The old headphones had some annoying features and were uncomfortable - these final UX3000 headphones are more comfortable. The buttons are different - the old headphones had separate controls for volume and for skipping forward and back. These headphones combine the buttons where you have to hold the button down to skip, which makes fast-forwarding through adverts in podcasts a less than satisfying experience. Otherwise, they have good battery life and seem reliable. The noise cancelling does not completely eliminate talking, but it works well in traffic or on a bus.