QuietComfort 25 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones

Got a pair on sale during Christmas. They’re essential for traveling and for working in office where it’s noisy.

Hi OP. Firstly if your reasoning for no Bluetooth for security reasons ( they might pair to your device) it seems a bit paranoid. Physical range is limited and there is an authorization required. With that said... Anything with BT means built in battery which means not bifl so in the spirit of the sub I would not suggest that. You don't sound like an audiophile but good sound quality and build quality go hand and hand. If your goal is blocking noise you can do enough without noise cancelling as it adds complexity to the system and making it last not as long. IEMs are a good low tech reliable option. Had mine for several years now. If you want cans I would suggest some basic closed back headphones... Sennheiser or akg maybe some higher end sony are where I would stick to...again stick to wired close back. Many of which I have worn to heck and have changed out the ear pads and they feel brand new If you absolutely must have active noise cancelling, I do have a pair of nose qc25 with double A batteries that I don't frequent as much but they are like 15 years old. I spend way too much money on audio equipment for the sake of my noisy commute. Unfortunately it is too convenient to have Bluetooth true wireless earbuds with noise cancelling so I have worked through several of them. My bifl audio equipment stays put at home or work.

i feel they are putting too much pressure on my ears/head. if i wear for a long time (e.g. on a flight but also when i listen/produce music on headphones) i feel they are unconfortable and i have to remove them for sometime. is there a way to loosen it??

I line my old qc25s because they just take a AAA. Won’t have to ewaste them in a few years when the battery dies

Love them but the noise cancelling switch broke on mine.

not certain whether they still make them, but the bose qc25 is great: wired connection, replaceable battery, spare parts are available and user replaceable, audio profile is non-fatiguing for extended listening, excellent active noise cancellation  (wired connection also makes them handy for flying) the newer bluetooth models don’t have user-replaceable batteries last i checked, so that may limit their usable lifespan . (edit: qc25 does still seem to be available)

The challenge with ANC is that they usually need a good sealing around the ears, meaning too frequently uncomfortable leatherette. The best I've experienced so far are the Bose QC25. More comfortable pads than other brands (and which can be replaced), headband also comfortable, and good ANC... But nowadays there are newer models like QC35. Models like Sony XM4/5 are way too sweaty for someone sensitive to materials.

A lot depends on the music you listen to. Bose QC for chill, bass, voice focused music, jazz. Sony for bass, house, techno. Sennheiser for instrumental, rock, classical music. Remember you can replace the earpads on most models, so that you can extend their lifespan from the wearing of the sweating. I've replaced my wife's Bose QC25 pads 2 times already. Good as new.