Is there such a thing as wireless earbuds for PCs that are:
- Just for listening, no built in mic (I have a separate mic)
- Made to use a dongle, not Bluetooth
- Have good battery life
I want to build a multiplayer/streaming setup where I don’t always have to wear a big, heavy, ugly headset. Plus, all those headset mics are crummy.
@InfiniteHench I’ve been looking at these for similar reasons. You can connect the case to a PC and use the earbuds as a USB audio device for low latency audio. They can also pair to multiple sources and listen to both at once, like a phone and a PC simultaneously. They do have a mic though, but I think with the PC seeing them as a USB audio device instead of using the garbage Windows Bluetooth stack it should be less trouble to disable.
@raygan Ooh, that’s interesting. I’m trying a set of these GAMER earbuds right now, alongside a dedicated mic on a boom, but battery life is a bit below expectations.
My assumption is that the earbuds are still processing my speech, thus making them do more work than I want. But could there be a way to tell Windows to just use them as an audio device?
@InfiniteHench One option is to go for a professional in-ear pack. Probably a bit overkill but it would tick all the boxes.
Alternatively, do what I did for my podcasts:
Bought the KZ ZSN Pro in-ear headphones plus a simple extension cord that’s long enough that I can route it down my back. I can even walk around with it (I‘m standing when recording)
Total cost: maybe $40?
@patrice Interesting idea, though I’m trying to avoid wires. I am a bit anti-wire in general (wires kidnapped my family… and, and.. raided my fridge!).
It’s starting to seem like most consumer manufacturers want to stick microphones in EVERYthing now. Hrm.
@InfiniteHench Got it. Well, you can always go pro:
https://www.shure.com/en-US/products/in-ear-monitoring/psm300
Not exactly a cheap option though
@InfiniteHench they are expensive AF, but check out the Bowers and Wilkins Pi7s2 - the earbud case has a built in AUX jack so you can hook it up to really any source with an output jack and stream (the charging case acts as a bluetooth streaming device essentially). This is a rare feature not commonly found on wireless earbuds.
The Pi7s2 earbuds are essentially IEMs (In Ear Monitors) - they have both a standard driver for bass/mids, and a tweeter for the highs which is very unusual for wireless earbuds (I don't know of many other IEM wireless earbuds on the market - but I'd love to 'hear' if there are others in the market under $500!).
I don't own the Pi7 earbuds personally (yet), but I am a Bowers&Wilkins fan (I love my original PX headphones). Only reason I don't have Pi7 earbuds is the price and the fact that I use mine for bicycling - the last thing I need i to drop an expensive earbud while doing 20mph down the road haha.
I'm an audiophile as well and have heard a lot of different earbuds and know a lot of different vintage name brands (no cheap chinese brands), so feel free to ask away about different earbuds.
Plus, all those headset mics are crummy.
Yep, as someone who's used quite a few high end headphones/earbuds over the years, TOTALLY agree haha
@brakeoutgaming Yeah, basically GAMER earbuds that use a 2.4ghz dongle for faster transmission and lower latency. Like these: https://www.razer.com/mobile-earphones/razer-hammerhead-pro-hyperspeed
I just don’t want a mic on them because it saps battery and I’m already using a dedicated mic.
@InfiniteHench Just in time. Sony just announced these Pulse Explore gaming earbuds that pair to a USB dongle (and Bluetooth as well).
It’s designed for PS5 but their press release say the dongle will plug into PC as well. https://youtu.be/skY_LOIV0xw?feature=shared
No word yet on availability other than “later this year”. Probably in time for holiday shopping.
InfiniteHench
Raygan Kelly 
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