We have had good experiences with Lindy here at HF&MS, notably the BNX range of noise-cancelling products that are both highly functional and offer exceptional value for money in the wireless headphone arena. This is a new updated version of the excellent BNX-60 headphones, reviewed here in February 2016. For the record, I still use the 60s weekly when I’m cutting the grass; they are still faultless, reliable, and comfortable seven years later!

Design

Lindy BNX-60XT with ANC control on the right cup

The Lindy BNX-60XT are over-ear, closed-back wireless headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity with aptX codex support, they offer twin Bluetooth pairing which is particularly useful with a laptop and phone in a tandem situation.

The Lindy BNX-60XT features an updated 40mm Neodymium driver. The ANC claims to reduce 85% of ambient and LF noise as the headline.

The updated Lithium Polymer battery claims 40hrs playback or 120hrs ANC on a full USB-C charge. There is a 2-year warranty on the new 60XT.

What’s New?

Lindy claims the new improved driver installed in the 60XT can offer ‘deeper bass, and controlled treble’. The new cups have the soft matt finish of the 80s and the 100XT that is fine to the touch.

Lindy claims the ear pads are ‘plusher’. I concur if that means they feel plumper and thicker and softer. The ear cups fold flat for transportation.

There is now a built-in Voice Assistant that was not with the original 60s.

What is not here is the brilliant auto-off functionality in the 100XTs or battery level indicator from the same model.

Quality

There is no getting away from the plastic arm and cups with these headphones, but it is a firm matt finish that feels soft to the touch. The yolk mechanism is metal and has a positive long-term feel. The headband is firm and has a lightweight black padded feel to it. This is not that ‘Beats’ rattly plastic that hints at a shorter life and the best testament to the quality finish associated with Lindy I have the original 60s that are still going well after seven years of fairly industrial use.

The black finish all over and subtle model details offer a hint of exclusivity on the move. These Lindy BNX-60XT are (approx.) WxDxH, 196x160x45mm and they weigh just under 200g.

Carry case and accessories

These Lindy BNX-60XT are £94.99 in the UK, available from the Lindy site here.

In the box

As well as the headphones themselves, there is a 3.5mm audio cable with an inline microphone and control, 1.5m long. There is a USB Type A to Type C Charging Cable, 0.8m, long and a 6.3mm Adapter as well as the obligatory dual-plug flight adapter.

It comes with a hard shell carry EVA Case with Lindy branding and with a mesh pouch inside for the bits. There is also a Lindy manual.

Performance

Review Equipment

I’ve been using my Pixel 7 Pro mainly on the move as well as the still excellent Pioneer XDP-100 and the DELL XPS laptop.

Physically

Lindy BNX-60, 60XT, 80 and 100XT

They really do feel all day, every day…

I have tended towards the 80s in general from the Lindy BNX range as I prefer the oval-shaped cup over the round version in the 100XTs, they just look cooler to me. The 60XT has a smaller cup but does look similarly sleek now and is a clear sibling of the 80. I really like the unlabelled matt black, stealth mode to this 60XT and the 80s. I’m bound to say though the 80s are more comfortable for me, with the slightly larger ear cup. I’m guessing the 80s are due for an XT upgrade too, soon.

These headphones, after a few days of ‘office use’ noise cancelling, with phone calls are in no way fatiguing on the head. They really do feel all day, every day, to me.

The controls are intuitive, the left ear controls do the pairing, stop, and pause, as well as the new voice assistant function. The right cup manages the ANC on-off with a switch. The headphones can run in passive mode with a 3.5mm jack lead supplied that connects to the left cup.

DELL XPS

These Lindy BNX-60XT have paired faultlessly to the laptop and my Pixel 7. Without noise cancelling, in the office, the Lindy BNX-60XT give a good solid image, it is centred and clear, for example (randomly) with Radiohead’s Knives Out (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz). It is a good sound from the Qobuz player. There is good detail too for example in Ben Howard’s Diamonds (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz) and the shuffling snare pairs nicely with the wide guitars in the track.

There is not a great deal of bass here, this is not such a big deal here as I do not think you’ll be sitting down to a critical listening session with these 60XTs. Nonetheless, there is a solid bass extension to Benson Boone’s GHOST TOWN (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz) and pianos and vocals come across extremely well with these headphones. Having said this if you take The Eagles’ Hotel California Live on MTV track (Qobuz 24-bit, 44.1kHz), the bass line is really nicely translated and controlled so this feels like a preference issue on the low end.

Finally, if I choose a more growly track, Nickleback’s Burn it to the Ground (Qobuz 16-bit, 44.1kHz) doesn’t sound too bad at all it must be said with good separation of vocals from what I can only describe as Nickleback noise! The thumping beat is relentless.

ANC

Lindy BNX-60XT side profile with black stealth finish

By the motorway, the ANC does a really good job…my podcast is audible without needing to turn it up…

The ANC is effective it lightens the soundstage as well as offering a cleaner but brighter stage. The ANC seems to be working on the low end so this is to be expected.  In the office, I’ve had ANC off, as I don’t need it and I’m preferring the more natural sound without it. There is no doubt though the ANC spreads the soundstage out a bit. Outside in the wind there is no getting away from the noise outside, so it is ‘hoody-up time’. By the motorway, the ANC does a really good job for me on the dog walk and my podcast is audible without needing to turn it up, which is a rather pleasant change.

Pixel 7 Pro

Phone calls with the 60XTs have been perfect with all callers affirming a good sound…

Firstly, it is worth saying twin Bluetooth mode is great for office use with the laptop playing music/watching videos and having the mobile on hand for ‘phone calls. What you do need to do however is pause your music playback on the laptop with the controls, before taking the phone call.  This works, it is fine.

The Google Assistant (in my case) works well for a quick search in the office, though you’re going to use the laptop in front of you probably. But the Assistant is pretty cool for a search if you’re on the move listening to a podcast. All you need to do is pause your music or podcast, press the same button again to summon Google or Alexa and you’re away. My phone will actually read out the top line to a Google search, so I don’t even need to look at the phone. There is nothing in the manual about Siri being supported.

Phone calls with the 60XTs have been perfect with all callers affirming a good sound and clear audio.

Pioneer XDP-100

With the HiRes portable audio player and the power off in the Lindys in pure passive mode, the headphones work well. I’m using the cable supplied in the box. It is not the most dynamic presentation but it is passable on a commute, for example, if you did run out of juice and can’t do a five-minute fast charge (see next section).  The detail is there, it is all just a fraction quieter and less exciting.

Charging

The 60XT has USB-C charging and Lindy claims 24hrs of listening with ANC on. I’ve had them on a lot and they’re still on 70%, my old ones still seem to hold the charge well so if this battery is bigger and better that is impressive.

There is a fast charge option which is excellent. This allows you to charge for a single hour of use in only 5 minutes. This is perfect for an impulsive workout or walk if the ‘phones are flat but as I say, these seem to hold an excessive charge.

Thoughts

…for under a hundred pounds you can have an understated, stealth black, with black, pair of excellent headphones that will last for years…

Yes, there are Mark Levinson’s No. 5909s and the T+A Solitaire Ts at over a thousand pounds and there are the plasticky cheap Beats Studios on Amazon for three hundred pounds, and the myriad of other wireless options (Sony, Bose, B&W, Focal spring to mind).  However, for under a hundred pounds you can have an understated, stealth black, with black, pair of excellent headphones that will last for years with the benefit you won’t be fretting about scuffing them or losing them.

Overall

High-quality entry-level wireless noise cancelling headphones with a huge battery that will last a long time for under a hundred pounds, what’s not to like?

HR Recommendation here

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.