Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears, allowing you to be immersed in the sound. They are usually made for audiophiles and have features like active noise cancelling and control apps.
The Focal Bathys are a wireless speaker with ANC and a mobile app for tweaking the EQ and presets. They also support high-res audio via USB-C for wired listening.
Sony WH-1000XM5
The WH-1000XM5 is Sony's latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation lineup. They feature a new design, enhanced ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors, but with better materials and slightly higher quality sound.
They're lightweight for over-ear ANC headphones, with 250 grams. They're extremely comfortable to wear, even if you're listening to or reading a book. The headband is a friction-rod design, similar to the Grado Labs SR60x, which will keep your ears from becoming too cold.
With a sound quality that is able to please those who enjoy music casually and audiophiles, WH-1000XM5's signature is tuned to have a slight focus on bass, but not overpowering or harsh. The earphones have a large and open soundstage, with excellent instrument separation. This allows you to hear the details in your music. The earcups come with touch controls that are simple and responsive. You can swipe forward to access the next track, reverse to listen to the previous one and then up and down to control the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices at the same time and thanks to a built-in sensor, they automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can activate ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This lets you hear the sounds around you without removing the headphones.
Other features that are useful include the possibility of pairing them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for high-resolution audio (via LDAC). They come with a durable carrying case made from top quality fabric, as well as a USB-C cable for charging. The headphones are compatible with most Android and iOS smartphones and computers that run Windows and macOS. The WH-1000XM5's battery life is awe-inspiring. In our test, we were able to get 31 hours and 53 minutes with ANC switched on which is much better than Sony's advertised battery time of 30 hours.
The WH-1000XM5's microphone performance on calls is superb, and there's no muffled or static-y sounding background. The noise-canceling performance is also excellent and they're a great fit for public transport or the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 offers a significant upgrade over its predecessor. It features a range of new features and improved performance. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a premium model with a variety of features, including 24bit wireless streaming with active noise cancellation that is optimized and clear voice calls on any compatible mobile or tablet. The 40mm drivers, which are designed specifically and angled inside each earcup, offer more complete and focused listening experience. Six strategically placed microphones ensure superior call clarity even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you manage your calls and music on any device compatible with it.
The headphones sport a similar elegant and sleek design to the original PX7. They feature accent rings that wrap around the earcups as well as a silver sheen for the headband. The earcups are cushioned by memory foam and fit comfortably on the cranium, but never feel tight. The new form and shape was developed over the course of several months and provides an incredibly comfortable clamping pressure that isn't into my skull.
At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They weigh 2 ounces lighter than Sony WH-1000XM5, and a touch thinner. The headphones are lightweight enough to fit in a backpack or bag and are comfortable to wear for long listening sessions. A sturdy hinge on the back of the headband lets you to fold them to make it easy to transport them in an enclosed case.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 and the aptX Adaptive. This is ideal for high-resolution audio aswell for a tight video sync. You can play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to an USB-C port located on the right earcup. The status indicator on the headphone is a nice addition. It flashes green to indicate rapid charging and solid blue to indicate Bluetooth pairing.
The B&W app has similar controls to the hardware onboard buttons including bass and treble adjustment as well as action button assignment wear detection, the ability to cycle through ANC modes and much more. The app also displays an album cover and track's name when you play music on your iPhone. However, the most popular features like music presets or soundscapes feature are missing.
Sennheiser HD 800 S
The HD 800 S is a successor to the famous Sennheiser headphones and was designed to meet the highest expectations. Its construction technology has been optimized to achieve the highest resolution in detail that covers all frequencies, dynamic range, and stereo panorama. shops that sell headphones 's the most realistic sound you'll experience on open-back headphones.
The headphone has 300 ohms of impedance, therefore a high-quality headphone amplifier is required to drive it at desired levels without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will increase the output and enhance the sound quality.
These headphones are designed for professional use and feature a sturdy metal frame with a mix of leather and plastic. The design is minimalist and they don't look fancy however the quality of the headphones and their build are top-quality. They come with a carrying pouch and an additional audio cable and an 1/4" to 1/8" adapter.
The HD 800 S has a neutral sound that reproduces vocals and instruments with a natural sound, even however they are lighter on bass. This is due to the open-back design creates a large and out-of-head, passive soundstage. The treble quality is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The treble region is also very linear, so you shouldn't have any issues piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a drum snare.
They still have the ability to deliver and dynamism when needed despite the lack of a booming low-end. These headphones are still enjoyable for those who enjoy rock music with a punchy bass, but may not sound as great as some of the other models on this list.
In the mids they are Sennheiser headphones are difficult to beat. They are linear with an incline on the upper mids, which shouldn't be noticed by most listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations in vocals, which is a big benefit.
The HD 800 S is a pair of premium headphones that are perfect for professionals and audiophiles. They are a top choice because of their outstanding sound quality and comfortable fit. The headphones are costly, but they'll last for many years and perform in any situation.
Anker Soundcore Life q20
The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 are a decent pair of headphones that will provide the perfect solution for anyone looking to pass the time or simply needs a cheap set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a basic pouch that will give them some protection when you toss them into your bag, and their battery is capable of lasting multiple long haul flights. Their ANC does a great job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles when on the plane, but their audio profile is a little warm and bass-heavy.
The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons for powering up and pairing the headphones, as well as to turn off or on active noise cancellation. On the right ear cup, you'll find controls for playback of media, including a multi-function button that lets you activate your phone's voice assistant and enable Anker's BassUp feature (more on that later). You can also use the built-in microphone to make calls without hands your phone.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphones provide a rich and immersive listening experience due to the custom 40 mm dynamic drivers that are certified Hi-Res Audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones can provide outstanding clarity and detail, as their active noise cancellation technology is designed to filter out a wider range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.
Anker Soundcore Q20 doesn't support aptX. This is disappointing. This means you won't be capable of taking advantage of the superior codec's lower latency while playing on your computer.
The Life Q20's headband and memory foam ear cups are comfortable enough to be worn for long periods of time without discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. You can also listen to your music via a 3.5mm cable, and a microUSB cable is provided for charging the battery.