How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want a featherweight, flat-folding travel pair with simple voice control and multipoint Bluetooth, choose Philips Active Noise Cancelling; if you need stronger hybrid noise cancelling, Hi-Res LDAC audio and dramatically longer battery life, choose Edifier W80.
• Philips Active Noise Cancelling — biggest strength: It is genuinely slim and lightweight (0.15 kg) and folds flat into a compact 300 g carry case, so it disappears into a bag.
• Philips Active Noise Cancelling — biggest trade-off: Active Noise Cancelling is there, but the spec sheet promises no specific cancellation depth, and 30 hours of playtime is modest next to the Edifier.
• Edifier W80 — biggest strength: Hybrid ANC rated up to -49dB, LDAC Hi-Res support on a 40mm titanium-coated driver, and up to 65 hours of wireless playback.
• Edifier W80 — biggest trade-off: At 297 g it is noticeably heavier on the head, and getting the most out of it means leaning on the app for ambient-sound and sound-effect tuning.
• Who each is for: Philips for commuters and travellers who prize low weight and simplicity; Edifier W80 for listeners who want maximum isolation, better codec support and week-long battery life.
The Philips TAH6506BK/00 is built around one idea: stay out of your way. It weighs 0.15 kg, folds flat, and ships with a synthetic-leather carry case that itself weighs 300 g. The earcups are over-ear with a rounded shape and a faux-leather finish, so this is a headphone you can leave in a backpack pocket and forget about until you need it. Bluetooth 5 with a 10-metre range covers the basics, and a 3.5 mm jack means you can go wired when the battery runs down or when you are on a plane seat-back system.
Sound-wise, the numbers are conventional but sensible: a 32 mm dynamic driver, 32 ohm impedance, 112 dB sensitivity, and a 20 Hz–20 kHz frequency range. The low impedance and high sensitivity combination means it should be easy to drive from a phone without straining. Philips markets "deep bass," and the tuning is clearly aimed at pop, hip-hop and podcast listening rather than critical monitoring. Active Noise Cancelling is onboard, controlled through media controls and voice, and the headphone supports Apple Siri and Google Assistant plus multipoint pairing, so you can stay connected to a laptop and a phone at once.
Buy it if you want the lightest possible over-ear ANC headphone for commuting, flights and open-plan offices, and you value flat folding, a hard-wearing case, voice-assistant support and multipoint over absolute maximum noise reduction. Skip it if you fly often on loud aircraft, want the deepest possible isolation, or need Hi-Res wireless codecs — that is not what this model is designed around.
Edifier W80: Who It's For
The Edifier W80 is the more ambitious headphone on paper, and it is not subtle about it. Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling combines active processing with the passive isolation of over-ear cups, and Edifier rates the reduction at up to -49dB. That is a serious figure and the kind of number that matters on a subway, in a noisy café, or in a cabin seat next to an engine. Ambient Sound Mode lets you dial awareness back in through the app, which is the feature you will actually use when ordering coffee or listening for a gate announcement.
Audio is the other headline. A 40mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated diaphragm covers 20 Hz–20,000 Hz at 30 ohm impedance, and LDAC support means Hi-Res wireless playback rather than the standard Bluetooth codec. If you stream from a service that offers lossless or high-bitrate tiers, this is the pair that can actually take advantage of it. Wired listening is covered too, thanks to the 3.5 mm jack and the included cable.
Battery is where the W80 pulls away: up to 65 hours of wireless playback, plus a 15-minute fast charge that adds around 10 hours. For anyone who resents charging routines, that changes the whole ownership experience. Multipoint lets you hop between two Bluetooth devices, Bluetooth 5.4 is the newer standard here, and AI-assisted call processing is designed to keep your voice clear while filtering surroundings. Memory foam ear pads wrapped in soft leather and a silent hinge round out the comfort story, and the frame folds for storage. A one-year warranty is listed.
The trade-offs are real. At 297 g it is roughly double the weight of the Philips, and that shows up over long listening sessions. Much of the fine control — ambient levels, sound effects — runs through the app, so app-averse buyers will get less out of it. And the ivory finish is a look you either want or do not.
Buy it if you want the deepest noise cancelling, the best codec support and battery life you rarely think about. Skip it if you want the lightest possible pair and prefer physical controls over app-based tuning.
Side-by-Side: Which Should You Choose?
• Best for noise cancelling → Edifier W80. Hybrid ANC rated up to -49dB plus over-ear passive isolation beats an unspecified ANC implementation.
• Best for battery life → Edifier W80. Up to 65 hours versus 30 hours, with a 15-minute fast charge adding around 10 hours.
• Best for lightweight comfort → Philips Active Noise Cancelling. 0.15 kg against 297 g is a big difference on a long day.
• Best for sound quality potential → Edifier W80. A 40mm titanium-coated driver with LDAC and Hi-Res support is the more capable audio platform.
• Best for calls → Edifier W80. AI-based voice capture and noise filtering is the more advanced call setup on paper.
• Best for simplicity → Philips Active Noise Cancelling. Voice control, Siri and Google Assistant support, multipoint, and no app dependency.
• Best for wired listening → a tie. Both offer a 3.5 mm jack for cable use.
• Best for app-based customisation → Edifier W80. Ambient Sound levels and sound effects are adjustable in the app.
In my opinion, the Edifier W80 is the one I would buy. The -49dB hybrid ANC, LDAC Hi-Res support, 65-hour battery and fast charging are simply a more complete package for the way most people use over-ear headphones — commuting, working and travelling. The 297 g weight is the honest cost of that, and if you are sensitive to pressure on your head or you want a pair that vanishes into a bag, I would steer you to the Philips Active Noise Cancelling instead. It is the lighter, simpler, flatter-folding option, and for casual listeners it is entirely enough. Check the current price on Amazon before you commit, since that is the one variable that can flip this decision.
For flights, yes. The Edifier's hybrid ANC is rated up to -49dB with over-ear passive isolation, and 65 hours of playback covers even very long itineraries. The Philips offers ANC but no specified depth, and 30 hours is more limited.
The Edifier W80, clearly: up to 65 hours wirelessly versus 30 hours on the Philips. The Edifier also supports a 15-minute fast charge that adds roughly 10 hours of playback.
On specs, the Edifier has the advantage — a 40mm titanium-coated driver with LDAC Hi-Res wireless support against a 32mm dynamic driver with standard Bluetooth. Whether you hear a difference depends on your source and streaming quality.
The Philips is far lighter at 0.15 kg versus 297 g for the Edifier, so it puts less pressure on your head over long sessions. The Edifier counters with memory foam ear pads and a spacious cup design, so it is a trade-off between weight and cushioning.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon or its affiliates. This site is an independent third-party review and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon or the product brands mentioned.