Apple’s contemporary shift from the Lightning port to a USB-C connection within the iPhone 15 collection is important for the corporate. Now not simplest does it exchange the best way you price your telephone, nevertheless it additionally introduces a new vary of suitable headphones and listening options. It’s ironic that we’ve come complete circle since Apple began the gradual extinction of the headphone jack in 2018, with USB-C headphones coming round again as a stressed listening possibility or a wi-fi possibility that may do all of it. Listed here are the most productive USB-C headphones for the iPhone 15 these days on be offering.
Editor’s notice: this record used to be revealed on December 4, 2023, and is the primary model of the thing. Updates will apply because the marketplace adjustments.
For many who prioritize sound high quality, stressed USB-C headphones may also be extra dependable. They regularly come provided with awesome DACs (digital-to-analog converters) than what’s embedded within the iPhone itself, doubtlessly providing a richer and extra detailed audio enjoy. That is specifically tremendous for individuals who search the nuances and intensity of high-fidelity sound. Moreover, the reliability of stressed connections guarantees uninterrupted listening, a key issue for customers who worth constant audio efficiency.
Conversely, wi-fi headphones with USB-C charging features enchantment to customers searching for flexibility and mobility. Those headphones be offering the benefit of wi-fi listening, with the additional advantage of USB-C compatibility for charging and, in some instances, stressed playback. This twin capability makes them superb for customers who admire versatility of their audio units, whether or not they’re commuting, touring, or just taking part in tune at house. In essence, USB-C headphones are for somebody having a look to fortify their audio enjoy with the new iPhone 15.
Very best USB-C headphones for most of the people: Apple Earpods (USB-C)
As a part of the USB-C refresh to the iPhone 15 collection, Apple additionally launched an up to date model of its EarPods, and they’re the best way of choosing up stressed USB-C headphones on the cheap. For not up to $20, they’re now not probably the most feature-packed headphones in this record, however they get the activity performed and feature a shockingly dependable microphone.
Similar to their Lightning-connected predecessors, those EarPods be offering dependable sound high quality with just right bass and mids. And the integrated far flung allows you to keep watch over your tune, take calls, and regulate the amount with out attaining to your telephone.
Apple EarPods (USB-C)
Awesome convenience • Top of the range audio • Integrated far flung
The Beats Studio Professional brings Apple-centric options
Christian Thomas / SoundGuys
As Spartan as this seems, simple packaging contents are a pleasing plus for any set of headphones.
The Beats Studio Professional is a notable selection for iPhone 15 customers, specifically the ones valuing the new USB-C connectivity. This style has a novel USB DAC function, taking into account top of the range stressed listening over USB-C. This can be a important benefit for individuals who want a stressed connection’s reliability and enhanced audio constancy, particularly in a marketplace the place USB-C audio capacity continues to be moderately uncommon.
Sound high quality is a sturdy swimsuit of the Beats Studio Professional, providing a transparent and treble-enhanced audio profile that guarantees vocal readability. Complementing that is efficient lively noise canceling (ANC), making those headphones superb for immersive listening in noisy environments.
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Any other key side is the lengthy battery existence, extending over 31 hours, which is greater than enough for lengthy commutes or shuttle. For Apple fans, the inclusion of options like head-tracked Spatial Audio, Transparency Mode, and fast-pairing choices align nicely with the iPhone 15, improving the full consumer enjoy.
On the other hand, possible patrons must take note of the have compatibility and luxury problems related to the smaller ear cups, which would possibly not swimsuit everybody, particularly the ones with better ears or glasses. This will have an effect on the effectiveness of ANC as nicely. For customers who to find the headphones at ease and don’t thoughts the overly plastic building, the Beats Studio Professional gives a strong audio enjoy within the new USB-C technology of the iPhone.
Beats Studio Professional
Enhanced smartphone integration • Lossless and Spatial Audio • Giant battery existence
Spatial audio, lossless playback, and massive battery existence
The Beats Studio Professional are a moderately lightweight set of Bluetooth headphones. With as much as 40 hours of battery existence, USB Sort-C charging and stressed playback, in addition to a three.5mm port, ANC, and Spatial Audio, those are contenders for the most up to date headphones of 2023.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e nail the fundamentals in taste
Austin Kwok / SoundGuys
Cap
The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e hits the mark for iPhone 15 customers on the lookout for a mix of favor, sound high quality, and capability. Those headphones stand out with their superb sound tuning, just right lively noise canceling (ANC), and a well-implemented transparency mode.
Even though the iPhone 15 has no headphone jack, those headphones fit with analog 3.5mm jack assets and electronic assets over USB-C. In addition they excel in wi-fi efficiency, supporting Bluetooth 5.2 and a couple of formats, together with AAC, aptX, and aptX HD, making sure flexible connectivity choices.
Referring to sound high quality, the Px7 S2e items a fairly bass-heavy profile with just a little of a recess within the midrange, lending a weighty persona to the tune. This sound signature fits more than a few genres and content material, making those headphones flexible for various listening personal tastes.
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The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e is designed with consumer convenience in thoughts, that includes reminiscence foam ear pads and a fabric-covered headscarf, contributing to their wearability over lengthy sessions. The keep watch over format is intuitive and out there, with all controls comfortably situated at the ear cups.
Battery existence is spectacular, with the headphones handing over over 40 hours of playback with ANC. Rapid charging capacity may be an advantage, providing seven hours of playback with simply quarter-hour of charging. General, its focal point at the basics of what makes a just right pair of headphones makes it a robust contender available in the market.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2E
Up to date DSP • Top class finishes • Nice-tuning
A top rate headphone enjoy
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2E is a compelling replace to B&W’s earlier wi-fi headphones. Packing ANC, top rate finishes, and all new tool options to allow you to effective song your listening enjoy.
The Focal Bathys have the most productive sound high quality
That funky grille doesn’t serve a useful function, nevertheless it does glance lovely rad.
The Focal Bathys is a top rate selection within the ANC headphone marketplace, particularly for iPhone 15 customers with a penchant for top of the range audio and the cheap to compare. Those headphones cater to audiophiles on the lookout for top-notch sound high quality and complicated connectivity choices, together with stressed USB-C connectivity. Moreover, the headphones enhance Bluetooth 5.1 and more than a few formats like SBC, AAC, aptX, and aptX Adaptive.
Focal’s tuning experience is obvious, with a legitimate profile intently aligning with our most popular headphone reaction curves. The headphones be offering a bass presence that’s noticeable but managed, together with an emphasis at the highs. The direct DAC mode by way of USB guarantees that the headphones benefit from the audio supply.
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Convenience and construct high quality are different sturdy issues. The headphones are well-built with top of the range fabrics like black resin, magnesium yokes, and an aluminum band, making sure sturdiness. The burden, even if at the heavier aspect at 350 grams, is well-distributed, because of the plentiful padding and leather-based at the ear pads and headscarf, making them at ease for prolonged listening classes.
The ANC efficiency of the Focal Bathys is respectable however now not on par with one of the crucial main fashions available in the market. Whilst efficient in lowering low-frequency noise, they may not utterly isolate customers from their setting in comparison to competition like Sony or Apple. However, the headphones be offering just right passive isolation and an efficient transparency mode when environmental consciousness is wanted.
For iPhone 15 customers who prioritize sound high quality above all and are prepared to spend money on a top rate audio enjoy, the Focal Bathys is a superb selection. The excellent audio efficiency, top of the range construct, and complicated connectivity choices make it a standout possibility. They’re additionally $100 not up to after they first introduced, making the associated fee tag a bit of more straightforward to swallow.
Focal Bathys
Superb sound high quality • Tricky and at ease • Nice battery existence
The most efficient-sounding ANC headphones come at a value
Spectacular audio output, just right battery existence, cast connectivity, and a at ease design make the Focal Bathys one of the crucial easiest units of headphones in the market. A top rate enjoy with a actually excessive consumer ranking.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wi-fi has the most productive battery existence
Deep pads and earcups supply a herbal benefit for all customers of headphones.
One of the vital hanging options of the MOMENTUM 4 Wi-fi is its battery existence, outlasting many opponents with over 56 hours of playback with ANC on. This longevity is a vital plus for common vacationers or those that dislike common charging. Moreover, the sound high quality of those headphones is a spotlight, staying on the subject of most popular reaction curves and providing a delightful bass spice up with out overwhelming the audio profile.
The headphones additionally be offering versatile connectivity choices, supporting Bluetooth with more than a few formats like AAC, aptX, and aptX HD, stressed connections over USB-C, and a three.5mm TRS jack. This versatility advantages iPhone 15 customers who may transfer between wi-fi and stressed listening.
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Convenience is some other sturdy swimsuit, with the MOMENTUM 4 Wi-fi that includes thick padding and a light-weight design, accommodating prolonged put on and glasses compatibility. The accompanying Sennheiser Good Keep watch over app complements the consumer enjoy by way of permitting firmware updates and customization of options like ANC ranges and geotag-based settings.
On the subject of ANC, whilst the MOMENTUM 4 Wi-fi doesn’t slightly achieve the effectiveness of a few top-tier competition, it nonetheless supplies considerable noise relief appropriate for many on a regular basis environments. The headphones even have a dependable microphone array for calls, although some problems with noise rejection have been famous.
Priced competitively at round $350, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wi-fi is an interesting choice to dearer choices from manufacturers like Bose and Sony. Its superb sound high quality, lengthy battery existence, and cheaper price level make it a gorgeous possibility for the ones weighing high quality towards price.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wi-fi
App for EQ adjustments • Easy, chic design • USB-C charging
Top-end ANC over-ear headphones focal point on taste and luxury
If you wish to have overall immersion on your tune, you wish to have some ANC over-ears. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 focal point on taste and luxury whilst handing over the core options high-end consumers want with their headphones.
Who must purchase the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2?
The Shure PLAY app has a number of helpful controls, together with a parametric EQ.
The Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 is a perfect selection for iPhone 15 customers who’re thinking about sound high quality and searching for a extremely customizable audio enjoy. It’s particularly suited to the ones now not utterly happy with the mainstream ANC choices from manufacturers like Sony, Bose, and Apple and on the lookout for a sturdy, high-end choice.
This headphone is supreme for audiophiles who worth the power to fine-tune their listening enjoy. With the Shure PLAY app’s parametric EQ settings, customers can exactly regulate the sound profile to their liking, addressing any private personal tastes or particular audio wishes.
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Moreover, the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 is a smart fit for customers who want flexible connectivity choices. With its enhance for a big selection of Bluetooth formats and the inclusion of each 3.5mm and USB-C ports, those headphones can paintings with the iPhone 15’s USB-C connectivity, providing wi-fi and stressed listening reviews.
For customers who prioritize construct high quality and luxury for lengthy listening classes, the AONIC 50 Gen 2’s powerful construct, at ease ear cups, and well-distributed weight make it a robust contender. It’s additionally an acceptable possibility for individuals who want dependable headphones for prolonged use, given its considerable battery existence.
General, the Shure AONIC 50 Gen 2 is easiest for iPhone 15 customers on the lookout for sturdy, top of the range headphones with outstanding sound customization features and flexible connectivity choices. It’s a compelling selection for the ones prepared to interact with its adjustable options to create a personalised audio enjoy.
Shure AONIC 50 (second gen)
Battery existence • Very good App • Value
The Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) can connect with something are respectable do-anything headphones. The sound wishes a bit of tweaking, however because the app lets you upload parametric EQ filters, it is a gem.
Does the Apple AirPods Max enhance USB-C?
The Apple AirPods Max price by way of Lightning, which could be very disturbing.
The present model of the Apple AirPods Max does now not have a USB-C port and thus does now not enhance USB-C stressed listening with the iPhone 15 or units like Apple’s iPad Professional collection.
There additionally isn’t a headphone jack at the Apple AirPods Max. As an alternative, you will have to acquire a Lightning-to-3.5mm (male) cable for $35. On peak of that, you’ll want a (feminine) 3.5mm-to-Lightning dongle to plug into your iPhone 14 or older. This chain converts the electronic audio output sign out of your iPhone to an analog one, again to a electronic one, after which again to analog once more within the headphones. Those conversions upload latency and will introduce distortion, noise, and lack of element.
For the reason that Apple is transferring its merchandise from Lightning to USB-C, we predict the AirPods Max 2 to undertake a USB-C port. On the very least, we would really like the predicted USB-C port to permit USB electronic audio passthrough. This might imply you might simplest want a USB-C to USB-C cable to revel in stressed, lossless electronic audio with the AirPods Max 2.
Apple’s USB-C to three.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter turns any headset right into a USB-C headset
There’s now not a lot to mention about Apple’s USB-C to three.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter ($10 on Amazon) as opposed to it connects to any 3.5mm port on a couple of headphones and terminates in a USB-C connector. This lets you take your favourite pair of headphones and plug it immediately into your iPhone 15’s USB-C enter.
It’s simplest a few inches lengthy and works on all USB-C ports, together with the only discovered on Apple’s iPad. It’s not up to $10, nevertheless it does the entirety you wish to have. You don’t wish to overthink something right here; the dongles are near-perfect for low-power units akin to headphones, and there isn’t an enormous explanation why to shell out for something dearer.
How we check USB-C headphones
Our checking out procedure comes to a realistic way, making sure compatibility with trendy, standard smartphones. Unusually, many merchandise failed this elementary check. Regardless of the temptation to fail to remember less expensive fashions, we evaluated a variety, regularly discovering that low-end merchandise have been unsatisfactory or uncomfortable.
We assess sound high quality, options, and luxury, although now not via a systematic manner. Our staff, having examined loads of goods through the years, brings a wealth of enjoy to those opinions. It wasn’t till lately that ANC headphones become extra prevalent on this class, indicating gradual development in USB-C headphone construction.
How we make a selection the most productive USB-C headphones
Our variety procedure for the most productive USB-C headphones is simple but stringent:
- Availability: The goods will have to be simply out there to the typical client.
- Compatibility: They must paintings with the most well liked units.
- Viability: The headphones can’t be discontinued or doubtlessly destructive.
Figuring out appropriate applicants used to be difficult, given the restricted collection of USB-C headphones available on the market. Many effects to begin with integrated unreleased merchandise. Despite the fact that we found out some choices from respected corporations, the full variety stays quite restricted.
Why you must accept as true with SoundGuys
Austin Kwok / SoundGuys
The earbuds are small and light-weight.
At SoundGuys, we decide to purpose checking out for battery existence, isolation, and frequency reaction. We intention for every reader to seek out enjoyment and pleasure of their selected earbuds. Our writers handle impartiality and don’t take pleasure in selling particular merchandise, making sure our suggestions are faithful and independent.
Continuously requested questions
Sure, maximum USB-C headphones paintings wirelessly with iPhones. With the new iPhone 15 collection, there’s enhance for stressed USB-C audio passthrough.
Sure, the iPhone 15 can use USB-C headphones, because it includes a USB-C port for audio connectivity.
Lightning headphones do indirectly paintings on USB-C ports, as they require a Lightning connector. An adapter can be wanted for compatibility with USB-C units.
Headphones with USB-C connectivity paintings with the iPhone 15. This contains each stressed USB-C headphones and wi-fi headphones that supply USB-C charging.
Now not all headphones fit with iPhones. Compatibility is dependent upon the connector kind (USB-C for iPhone 15) and Bluetooth capacity for wi-fi fashions.
Earbuds that experience USB-C connectivity or Bluetooth capacity are appropriate for the iPhone 15 Professional Max. This contains fashions from more than a few manufacturers that enhance those connection varieties.
The iPhone 15 does now not have a conventional headphone jack. It makes use of a USB-C port for stressed headphone connectivity.
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