Best Over-Ear Headphones
Over-ear headphones completely surround your ears to immerse you in sound. They are typically made for audiophiles and come with features such as active noise cancelling and control apps.
The Focal Bathys are a wireless pair 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 headphones from Sony are the latest upgrade to their best-in-class noise cancellation range. They sport a new design, improved ANC and a lot of the same features as their predecessors but with premium materials and slightly higher quality sound.
With only 250g, they are lightweight for over-ear ANC headsets. They're very comfortable to wear for long periods of time, even when you're listening to a podcast or a book. The headband is supple, and it has the same design of a friction rod as the Grado Labs SR60x that prevents your ears from becoming too cold.
With a sound quality that is able to please people who listen to music for no reason and serious audiophiles, the WH1000XM5's sound signature is tuned to have a slight emphasis on bass, but it isn't too loud 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 also have touch controls, which are responsive and intuitive to use. Swipe forward to go to the next track, reverse to hear the previous track and then up and down to control the volume. The headphones can be used for connecting to two devices simultaneously and due to an inbuilt sensor, they will automatically stop the playback when removed from your head. You can activate the ambient mode by placing your hand on the right ear cup. This allows you to listen to the sounds around you without having to take off the headphones.
Other helpful features include the ability to pair them with your voice assistant, Bluetooth low-energy, and support for hi-res audio (via LDAC). The headphones come with a carrying case made of premium fabric, and a USB-C charging cable. The headphones are compatible with the majority of Android and iOS smartphones, as well as with computers that run Windows and macOS. The battery longevity of the WH-1000XM5 is exceptional. In our battery test, we got 31 hours and 53 minutes with the ANC on, which was better than Sony's advertised 30-hour battery life.
The WH1000XM5 is a great microphone for making calls. There's no muffled or static audio in the background. Noise cancelling is also excellent, and these headphones are great for public transportation or the office.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 is a major upgrade over its predecessor. It comes with a variety of new features and performance. This includes 24-bit wireless streaming, optimized active noise cancellation, and crystal clear voice quality on any compatible mobile phone or tablet. The 40mm drivers, that are custom-designed and angled in each earcup, provide a more complete and focused listening experience. Six carefully placed microphones offer outstanding clarity for calls even in noisy environments. And an inline remote and microphone lets you control your calls and music on any compatible device.
As with the PX7's original design The headphones sport elegant and refined, with accent rings around each earcup and a silver-colored headband. The memory foam earcups fit snugly, but not too tightly on the cranium. The redesigned shape and form took a long time to perfect, providing an easy clamping force that doesn't press too hard on my own rotund cranium.
At 10.8 pounds (or 307g) They're 2 ounces lighter that the Sony WH-1000XM5, as well as just a little smaller. They're light enough to fit in your backpack or bag without much discomfort, and they'll stay comfortably in place for long listens. The headband can be folded using a sturdy hinge at the back.
The headphones are powered by Bluetooth 5.2 with the aptX Adaptive. This is great for high-resolution audio as well for a tight video sync. You can play the headphones wired, too, with the included 3.5mm cable that connects to the USB-C port on the right earcup. The headphone's status indicator is a useful touch with a green flash to indicate rapid charging and solid blue when Bluetooth pairing is in use.
The B&W App offers the same controls that the buttons on the hardware provide including bass and treble adjustment actions button assignments wear detection, a cycle of ANC modes as well as other features. The app also displays an album cover and track's title when you play music on your iPhone. However, popular extras like music presets or a soundscapes feature aren't available.
best online headphone store S
The HD 800 S is the successor of the iconic headphones from Sennheiser, and it is designed to meet most demanding requirements. The design and construction of the headphones has been optimized to achieve a detail resolution that encompasses all the spectrum of frequencies dynamic range, as well as stereo panorama. It also delivers the most realistic spatial sound you'll ever experience with an open-back pair of headphones.
The headphone has an impedance of 300 ohms so it requires a high-quality headphone amplifier to operate at the right levels, without distortion. It is recommended to make use of a balanced connection which will double the output and improve the sound quality.
These headphones are made for professional use. They feature a metal frame and a mix of plastic and leather padding. The design is minimalist and doesn't resemble a fancy pair of headphones, however they feel luxurious in the hand and are well-built. They come with a carry case, an additional audio cable, and an 1/4" to 1-/8" adapter.
With a neutral sound profile the HD 800 S reproduces natural instruments and vocals, even though they are light in bass. The open-back design results in a spacious out-of-head soundstage. The treble is excellent, with minor peaks and drops. The treble area is very linear, so you won't have issues with piercing sibilants and the upper sound of a snare drum.
Despite not having a high-pitched bass, they still deliver impact and dynamism when required. They are still a great choice for those who love rock music with punchy basses however, they may not sound as good as the other models on this list.
These Sennheiser headphones have a great mid-range. They're very straight and have a slight slop in the upper mids, which will not be noticed by most listeners. They also reproduce precise time gradations of vocals which is a major plus.
The HD 800 S is a pair of headphones that are perfect for audiophiles and professionals. They're a top choice because of their excellent sound quality and comfortable fit. They're expensive, but you're paying for headphones that will last for years to come and perform at their best in any environment.
Anker Soundcore Life q20
The Anker Soundcore Q20 is a good pair of headphones for those looking to pass the time or just want an affordable set of noise cancelling headphones. They come with a simple pouch that provides protection when you put them into a bag, and their battery can last for several long haul flights. Their ANC does a good job of blocking out chatty seatmates and engine rumbles on an airplane, although their audio profile is a bit warmer and bass-heavy.
The controls on the Life Q20 are well-marked and easy to use. On the left earcup, you'll find buttons to power up and pair the headphones and for turning on or off active noise cancellation. On the right earcup there are controls for playback of media that include a multi-function switch which lets you turn on the voice assistant on your phone and switch on Anker's BassUp feature (more on this later). You can also utilize the built-in microphone in order to make calls without hands your phone.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q20 headphone provides a full immersive listening experience thanks to its custom 40 mm dynamic driver that offers certified Hi-Res audio. With a treble that extends up to 40 kHz the headphones are able to provide exceptional clarity and clarity, while their hybrid active noise cancelling technology is designed to filter out a wide range of mid- and low-frequency sounds.
Anker Soundcore Q20 does not support aptX. This is disappointing. This means that you won't be able to take advantage of the superior codec's low latency when playing on your computer.
In terms of comfort In terms of comfort, the Life Q20's memory foam earcups and headband are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time without creating discomfort. The ear cups can also rotate to adapt to the shape of your head. You can also listen to your music wired with an included 3.5mm cable and a microUSB connector is included to charge the battery.