What Headphones Do I Actually Use?

Having worked with brands including Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, Bowers & Wilkins, JBL and Sennheiser over the years, people often ask me which headphones I actually choose to use myself.

People usually expect me to name one favourite pair.

The reality is that I use four different pairs because I use headphones in four very different ways.

After more than 30 years in consumer electronics, I've learnt that there isn't one perfect headphone. The best product depends on where you are, what you're doing and what matters most to you.

Travelling

When I'm travelling, I reach for my Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3.

For me, they strike the right balance between premium design, comfort and sound quality. The build quality is exceptional, with materials that feel every bit as premium as the product looks. They're comfortable enough to wear on a long haul flight and the sound is detailed, natural and engaging without ever becoming tiring.

The adaptive noise cancellation does exactly what I need. It removes the constant background noise of airports and aircraft while still delivering an open, enjoyable listening experience. Battery life is excellent and the companion app gives enough control to tailor the experience without becoming over complicated.

For me, they're simply a pleasure to use.

Everyday

For everyday life, it's the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds.

These are the headphones that are always with me. Whether I'm taking Teams calls, walking through an airport, working in a coffee shop or simply listening to music around town, they fit effortlessly into my day.

The noise cancellation is among the best I've experienced and call quality is consistently excellent. They're small, comfortable and connect quickly every time I take them out of the case.

I also enjoy features such as Immersive Audio when watching films or streaming content. More importantly, they simply work. That's probably the biggest compliment I can pay any technology product.

Running and Walking

When I'm running or out walking the dog, I switch to Soundcore open ear headphones.

For me, awareness is far more important than blocking everything out. I want to hear approaching traffic, cyclists and people around me while still enjoying music or a podcast.

It's a completely different use case and a reminder that the best product isn't always the one with the most features. It's the one that's right for the environment you're in.

Listening at Home

When I have time to sit down and enjoy music properly, I still love my AKG open back headphones connected to vinyl on my hi-fi.

Open back headphones create a wonderfully spacious, natural presentation that allows recordings to breathe. They aren't designed for travel or noisy environments. They're designed purely for listening, and that's exactly where they excel.

Where I Think the Category Is Going

The next few years are going to be fascinating.

Sound quality has improved enormously across the industry, particularly in the premium segment. The next battleground won't simply be sound quality. It'll be intelligence and personalisation.

We're already seeing AI appear in headphones through live translation, voice assistance and smarter call management. I think that's only the beginning.

I'm also excited by products that understand context. Headphones that recognise whether you're travelling, exercising, working or relaxing at home, then automatically adapt the sound, noise cancellation and controls to suit the situation.

The products that understand their user, rather than expecting the user to adjust them, will define the next generation of personal audio.

The Lesson for Brands and Retailers

One thing hasn't changed throughout my career.

Customers don't buy products because they have the longest specification sheet. They buy products that fit their lifestyle and solve a problem.

The best brands understand those different needs. The best retailers build ranges and display execution that reflect them.

That's exactly how we approach category strategy at Connect CE Consulting.

It's never about finding the single best product.

It's about helping every customer find the product that's best for them.

That's why I don't believe in the "best" headphones.

I believe in the right headphones for the right moment.

For me, that's four very different products, each doing exactly what I need them to do.